Zhao Kuangyin the Emperor Taizu of Song — A Martial Arts Emperor with A Controversial Ending

Zhao Kuangyin (927 — 976), respected as Emperor Taizu of Song, was the founder of the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279) in the history of China.

Through his extraordinary military and martial arts skills, Zhao Kuangyin brought an end to the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907 — 979), during which virtue and order were suppressed by war and power, leaving people to endure unstable lives.

Moreover, he set a series of good policies that brought people wealthy lives.

The Song Dynasty he established was one of the most flourishing and prosperous periods in Chinese history, marked by advancements in economy, science, and culture.

Part of the Painting (Qingming Shang He Tu) Along the River During the Qingming Festival of the Song Dynasty

Part of the Painting (Qingming Shang He Tu) Along the River During the Qingming Festival by Artist Zhang Zeduan of the Song Dynasty

Part of the Genre Painting of the Capital City (Bianjing or Kaifeng) of the Song Dynasty by Artist Zhang Zeduan

Part of Painting (Qingming Shanghe Tu) Along the River During the Qingming Festival
Genre Painting of Capital City of Song Dynasty by Artist Zhang Zeduan (1085 — 1145) — Palace Museum

A Brave Swordsman Guided by An Astrologer

Zhao Kuangyin, also known by his courtesy name Zhao Yuanlang, was highly proficient in Kung Fu and made significant contributions to Chinese martial arts through his innovative techniques and movements.

Born into a military family of the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era, Zhao Kuangyin had witnessed endless wars and the replacement of empires since he was a kid.

When he was older, he left his family and traveled to seek better opportunities. He wanted to serve a talented, ambitious, virtuous monarch among aggressive, greedy kings and warlords.

Once, during a visit to a temple, the master—a wise astrologer—suggested to Zhao Kuangyin that he should head northward as soon as possible. In a gesture of support, the master bestowed upon him all of his assets.

As suggested, Zhao Kuangyin soon met a general named Guo Wei (904 — 954), who highly appreciated his talent. In the next few years, Zhao Kuangyin assisted Guo Wei achieved remarkable military successes.

Unearthed Gold Dragon of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms — Zhejiang Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Establishment and Expansion of the Later Zhou Dynasty

With Guo Wei obtaining more power and military successes, his newly throned king felt threatened.

After hearing that his king commanded to execute them, Guo Wei rebelled first; soon, his entire family was executed by the king.

Guo Wei won a series of intense fights and established the Later Zhou Dynasty (951 — 960).

When Guo Wei passed away, his adoptive son Chai Rong (921 — 959) ascended to the throne as Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou.

Chai Rong was smart, talented, brave, and ambitious; meanwhile, he was a virtuous king who brought his people better lives.

As the king’s most trusted general, Zhao Kuangyin had been promoted frequently for having saved the king several times on battlefields and significantly contributed to expanding their territory.

Painted Stone Sculpture of Warriors of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Painted Stone Relief of Warriors of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms — National Museum of China

Seizing the Throne from a Child King

A few years later, King Chai Rong passed away suddenly, and his seven-year-old son Chai Zongxun ascended to the throne.

Soon, news from the border reported that the nearby nomadic army was planning to invade his kingdom.

Then, Zhao Kuangyin, the most exceptional general of the Later Zhou Empire, was commanded to lead the army to defend their country.

After they marched out of the capital city, many of his followers put an imperial robe on Zhao Kuangyin, then they respected and announced him as their new emperor.

All soldiers in the army believed that Zhao Kuangyin would be a better monarch than the seven-year-old king and his young mother in the chaotic era of endless wars.

Some believed this idea was from his followers who wanted more power and money, while others indicated that the whole thing was Zhao Kuangyin's scheme.

Either way, wearing an imperial robe was an actual act of rebellion.

It's his own will or having been pushed; either way, Zhao Kuangyin decided to take the throne.

Then, he asked the young king to abdicate the throne and take control of the empire.

Magnificent Scene of the Song Dynasty in the Painting "Thousands Miles of Mountains and Rivers" (Qian Li Jiang Shan Tu) (1191.5 cm × 51.5 cm), By Artist Wang Ximeng (1096 — 1119) — The Palace Museum

Establishment of the Song Dynasty

Zhao Kuangyin named his new dynasty the Song, which was still only a regime occupying some places in China.

Unlike other usurpers in history, Zhao Kuangyin treated the former royal family members quite well, granting them the most honorable titles.

He ensured they lived respected and wealthy lives and commanded they could be pardoned from breaking laws.

In an era of endless wars and perishing regimes, obtaining the throne using violence or conspiracy was not unusual.

However, governing and flourishing the kingdom well was a more significant challenge and a more important mission.

Luckily, it turned out that Zhao Kuangyin was precisely the type of monarch who was needed in that chaotic era.

He was a remarkably brave and talented military leader, who, alongside his exceptional generals and soldiers, systematically defeated other regimes one by one.

Meanwhile, Zhao Kuangyin was an excellent emperor who brought his people stable and wealthy lives.

Unearthed Gold Cup Carved with Flower Patterns of the Song Dynasty — Shanxi Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Consolidating Authority by Neutralizing Potential Warlords

Emperor Zhao Kuangyin made concerted efforts to address the two main issues responsible for the downfall of the previous Tang Dynasty (618 — 907): the influence of powerful warlords with independent professional armies outside of the central government and the manipulation of politics by strong eunuch groups within the royal palace.

When the nation was almost unified, Zhao Kuangyin peacefully took military power back from all of his generals with meritorious services.

Within years, he kept awarding those generals money, allying with them through marriage, and transferring them to different positions.

In the end, when those generals finally realized that they had lost power and control over their armies, they had no choice but to accept their fate.

Afterward, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin wielded absolute control over both the royal and regional troops.

Then, he published many administrative policies to enhance centralized power and divide and weaken the authority of influential ministers.

Thanks to him, throughout the entire Song Dynasty, warlords and eunuchs never had the power or opportunity to threaten emperors or manipulate politics.

Painting (Xue Ye Fang Pu Tu) About Emperor Zhao Kuangyin Visiting His Trusted Minister Zhao Pu at A Snowy Night

Painting (Xue Ye Fang Pu Tu) About Emperor Zhao Kuangyin Visiting His Trusted Minister Zhao Pu (922 － 992) at A Snowy Night, Drawn By Artist Liu Jun of the Ming Dynasty (1368 － 1644) － Palace Museum

Preferential Treatment and Privileges Among Scholar Officials

Emperor Zhao Kuangyin believed that generals with independent armies and military power could be highly destructive, capable of initiating large-scale wars and causing massive damage, as evidenced by the An-Shi Rebellion during Emperor Li Longji’s (685 — 762) reign.

Civil officers that were selected from the Imperial Examinations, however, he believed, would be less destructive nor violent.

Hence, Confucian scholars were highly respected, more academies were built, and more books were collected and well preserved.

Most importantly, he regulated that no civil officials should be executed because of their words, no matter how offensive they have been.

Unearthed Copper Writing Brush Holder (Bi Jia) of the Song Dynasty — Zhuji Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Moreover, under Emperor Zhao Kuangyin's command, the Imperial Examination system underwent further refinement.

This included practices such as sealing participants' names on test papers, transcribing all essays using a standardized handwriting style before grading them, isolating examiners, and subjecting individuals from wealthy and influential families to retesting to ensure that their abilities matched their results.

By doing this, the final result could accurately show people's talent, while corruption and cheating were efficiently avoided.

During his reign, the economy, agriculture, literature, art, and science flourished under his governance.

Part of Exquisite Embroidery Clothes of the Southern Song Dynasty

Part of Exquisite Embroidery Clothes of the Song Dynasty — Fujian Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

The Controversial Death of Emperor Zhao Kuangyin

One day, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin invited his younger brother Zhao Guangyi to drink wine; after it was getting late, he allowed his brother to stay overnight at his royal palace.

The next morning, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin was found dead, and his brother Zhao Guangyi claimed the throne and became the next emperor of the Song Dynasty.

His brother’s legality as the emperor has long been questioned in the history of China.

Some people suspected his brother might have killed Emperor Zhao Kuangyin to take the throne.

As a strong, healthy man who was quite excellent at martial arts, the death of Emperor Zhao Kuangyin was too sudden. Besides, Zhao Guangyi was nearly a professional toxicologist.

Moreover, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin had two adult sons when he passed away.

Besides, Zhao Guangyi didn’t have any proof to show that his older brother gave the throne to him instead of to his sons, like all the other emperors in history.

Unearthed Glass Crossguard (Jian Ge) of the Song Dynasty

Glass Crossguard (Jian Ge) of the Song Dynasty — Nanjing Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

On the contrary, some believed that Emperor Zhao Kuangyin died due to illness, and he did instruct his younger brother, Zhao Guangyi, to assume control of the empire.

An important reason was that during the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, a young king could easily be overthrown, leading to the loss of his empire.

When Emperor Zhao Kuangyin passed away, there were still some strong regimes nearby; his two 20's sons with no military experience were likely to be defeated by those regimes or lose the throne to rebel generals within the nation.

However, Zhao Guangyi played a significant role in the establishment of the Song Dynasty and fostered close relationships with important generals and officials of the Song court.

His experience, power, age, reputation, and connection were more capable of preserving and developing the Song Empire.

Painting "Cu Ju Tu" About Emperor Zhao Kuangyin Playing Football "Cu Ju" with Zhao Guangyi and Other Officials

Painting About Emperor Zhao Kuangyin Playing Football "Cu Ju" with Zhao Guangyi and Other Officials, Drawn By Su Hanchen of the Song Dynasty, Copied By Qian Xuan (1239 — 1299) － Shanghai Museum

Shifts in Power within the Song Empire

Zhao Guangyi (939 — 997), courtesy name Tingyi, revered as Emperor Taizong of Song, proved to be a capable monarch.

He made concerted efforts to achieve military success in order to compensate for his irregular ascension to the throne.

Unfortunately, in comparison to his older brother Emperor Zhao Kuangyin, he proved to be rather ordinary, as most of his military endeavors ultimately ended in failure.

However, he preserved and developed the existing land of Song well and promoted more numbers of civil officials selected from the Imperial Examination.

Besides being an ordinary general and monarch, Zhao Guangyi was not quite a good brother, based on things that happened under his reign.

Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi’s only younger brother was banished and passed away in a remote place.

Emperor Zhao Kuangyin’s oldest living son was forced to commit suicide, and his queen and another son all passed away very young because of some unexplained sicknesses.

Unearthed Turtle Shaped Blue Glass Decoration of the Song Dynasty — Nanjing Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Also, complied royal members from previously conquered kingdoms passed away under Zhao Guangyi’s ruling period, most of whom didn’t have a precise cause of death.

A few years later, Emperor Zhao Guangyi passed the throne to his son, not any of Zhao Kuangyin’s descendants.

Afterward, the authority of the Song Empire completely shifted to Zhao Guangyi’s family until over a century later, Emperors Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan lost everything in the Incident of Jingkang, and the throne finally went back to Zhao Shen (1127 — 1194), a descendant of Emperor Zhao Kuangyin.

The truth of Emperor Zhao Kuangyin’s death and to whom he wanted to pass the throne is still an unsolved puzzle.

Stone Statues Guarding In Front of Emperor Zhao Kuangyin's Mausoleum (Yong Chang Ling) — Gongyi, Henan Province (Photo by Zhang Jianjun)

Next Story: Trading Peace with Money & Expert of Self Glorification — Zhao Heng