On August 14, 992, ZhaoPu died

ZhaoPu, an outstanding statesman in the early Northern Song Dynasty, is also afamous advisor. He assisted the first emperor of Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyinfor 50 years, and can be said to be the founding father of the Song Dynasty.

Onemorning in the first month of 960, Zhao Pu found Zhao Kuangyin. At this time,Zhao Kuangyin was only an official of the Later Zhou Dynasty. Zhao Pu and a fewpeople around him put a yellow robe in front of Zhao Kuangyin and motioned ZhaoKuangyin to put on the yellow robe. Zhao Kuangyin was very panicked, hethought, wearing a yellow robe is a big crime, and he will be killed at thattime. So he didn't take the yellow robe in the first place. Unexpectedly, ZhaoPu and others actually knelt down and kowtowed together, and shouted long live.Zhao Kuangyin had no choice. He put on the yellow robe. In this way, ZhaoKuangyin successfully became a emperor, and there were still some supporters.However, according to unofficial records, becoming the emperor was not atemporary plan, but a premeditated plan. And Zhao Pu was one of the mainplanners of this event!

Later,Zhao Kuangyin overthrew the rule of the Later Zhou Dynasty and changed thecountry's name to the Great Song Dynasty, known as the Northern Song Dynasty inhistory. Zhao Pu, on the other hand, was awarded the title of Doctor of RightRemonstrance and served as a Privy Councilor. At that time, although theemperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty was over, the remaining forces still did notgive up and wanted to launch a mutiny and rebellion. Zhao Pu advised ZhaoKuangyin to go to the army himself. After a fierce battle, Zhao Kuangyin wasvictorious, and he beat the remnants of Hou Zhou to the point where he neverdared to raise troops to rebel. Therefore, Zhao Kuangyin promoted Zhao Pu to bethe minister of household and the deputy minister of the privy.

Inthe second year, Zhao Pu proposed another plan to the emperor. He suggestedthat Zhao Kuangyin should weaken the military power of the generals in thedynasty, weaken the local financial power, strengthen the construction of thecentral forbidden army, and seize the military power of Jiedushi. Zhao Kuangyincalled the generals to the palace, entertained them with good dishes and meals,and set up a banquet. Halfway through the meal, Zhao Kuangyin raised his glassand talked to the generals. Who would have thought that not long after thewords were finished, the generals took the initiative to hand over theirmilitary power. In this way, the issue of the generals was resolved peacefully.Everyone is very happy. But why did Zhao Kuangyin do this? The reason isactually very simple, because he himself rebelled and became the emperor. Hedidn't want his subordinates to come with a yellow robe in case they were likehim someday. In essence, Zhao Kuangyin wanted to consolidate his power andstatus. This incident is known as "a cup of wine to release the militarypower".

Inthis way, Zhao Pu put forward many good suggestions to Zhao Kuangyin, whichmade the Song Dynasty grow stronger and stronger. Zhao Pu himself has also beenpromoted at various levels, and finally was worshipped as a grand teacher,named Duke Wei, and given to the prime minister's salary. It is a pity thatZhao Pu passed away not long after such days. After his death, the then emperorSong Taizong was so shocked that he immediately abolished the dynasty for 5days. Later, Zhao Pu was posthumously named King Zhending, and he was given theposthumous title of Zhongxian.

Today in History-August 14, 2022