Chapter 476
Zhang Chun's Resolute Advice
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Upon learning that Zhao Yu intended to abdicate in favor of Zhao Shou, Zhang Chun was greatly alarmed and immediately pulled Li Lin to see Zhao Yu.
Upon meeting, Zhang Chun hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I have heard a rumor that Your Majesty intends to abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince. Please clarify this matter immediately."
On the way here, Zhang Chun had already explained to Li Lin how terrible the abdication was.
Therefore, Li Lin also advised Zhao Yu: "Your Majesty, what Consort Zhang said is absolutely right. The matter of abdication concerns the very foundation of the nation. Now that the four directions have just been pacified, things are not yet stable, and the people's hearts need to be at ease. Although the Crown Prince is virtuous, he is still inexperienced and not qualified to shoulder this heavy responsibility. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, and this is the time when the court should rely on you. You must not rashly move the foundation of the nation for personal reasons, which would only cause trouble."
Abdication has always been a taboo subject for emperors. Ordinary people would avoid it like the plague, and wise people would deliberately keep quiet about it, never touching this red line that concerns the core of imperial power.
It should be understood that once the idea of abdication is uttered, it can, at best, stir up unrest in the court, and at worst, trigger infighting among the imperial family and factionalism among court officials, shaking the very foundation of the nation. Emperors throughout history have been wary of this and have never allowed others to easily make comments.
As imperial concubines, Zhang Chun and Li Lin should have been mindful of their duties. Matters of utmost importance, such as court politics and the succession of imperial power, were not something they could discuss recklessly. However, they disregarded their status and rushed to see Zhao Yu, directly questioning him about the rumors of abdication and pleading with him to clarify and prevent the abdication.
Such actions have clearly overstepped their bounds.
Not to mention that Zhang Chun and Li Lin's actions might anger Zhao Yu.
It is said that Zhang Chun and Li Lin's attempts to prevent Zhao Shou from ascending the throne will most likely offend the new emperor.
What are the consequences of offending the new emperor?
Take, for example, Zhang Dun's attempt to prevent Zhao Ji from becoming emperor.
The phrase "The Prince of Duan is a frivolous boy and cannot be a ruler" led to Zhang Dun being dismissed from his post as prime minister immediately after Zhao Ji successfully inherited the throne from Zhao Xu. He was first demoted to prefect of Yuezhou, and then further demoted to deputy military governor of Wuchang and exiled to Tanzhou. In just a few months, he suffered several demotions, going from a powerful prime minister to a banished official awaiting punishment.
That wasn't the end of it. Zhao Ji harbored a grudge against Zhang Dun for obstructing his ascension to the throne, so he instructed officials to impeach him in turn, fabricating charges such as "slandering the successor and colluding with treacherous officials," and demoting him again and again to the position of Registrar of Leizhou, exiling him to a remote and malaria-ridden place, and completely stripping him of all his authority and privileges.
Zhang Dun's descendants were also implicated. His eldest son, Zhang Ze, was stripped of his official rank, while his second son, Zhang Chi, and third son, Zhang Yuan, were both demoted and barred from holding office. All the members of the clan were expelled from the capital and scattered to various places. The once illustrious Zhang family withered away in an instant.
During the Chongning era, Emperor Huizong of Tang even tacitly approved Cai Jing's inclusion of Zhang Dun on the Yuanyou Party Register, designating him as the head of the treacherous officials, and issued an edict prohibiting his descendants from ever holding office, and anyone who recommended members of the Zhang clan would be punished as an accomplice.
Zhang Dun eventually died in poverty and illness in his place of exile in Leizhou. Even his coffin could not be returned to his hometown after his death. It was not until many years later, when the court granted a general amnesty, that his descendants dared to secretly move his remains back for burial. However, they never dared to restore the glory of their clan. Zhang Dun's achievements were completely erased, and he was even labeled a "treacherous minister" in historical records, and was cursed by later generations.
Now, Zhang Chun and Li Lin are doing their utmost to prevent Zhao Shou from succeeding to the throne. If Zhao Shou successfully ascends the throne, their advice today may become evidence of their betrayal in the future. At best, they will be banished to the cold palace and confined to a secluded place until death; at worst, they will be framed and forced to commit suicide. Their clans will also be uprooted, ending up like the Zhang Dun clan.
Li Lin is one thing, but she doesn't understand history and probably doesn't know how terrible the consequences would be if she tried to dissuade Zhao Yu from abdicating.
But Zhang Chun was different; she was a walking encyclopedia of history, so it was impossible for her not to know how dangerous it would be for them if they failed to dissuade Zhao Yu from abdicating.
"This only shows that Zhang Chun is too concerned to think clearly, and also that he truly has confidence in me."
Zhao Yu didn't blame Zhang Chun, nor did he blame Li Lin. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Didn't you teach me to sweep across the West and conquer the whole world?"
After a pause, Zhao Yu added, "By the way, you also came up with a slogan for me: 'I see, I come, I conquer.'"
It was Zhang Chun and Li Lin who instigated Zhao Yu to conquer the world and grant his sons fiefdoms outside of "China." No one else could have had such insight. Otherwise, if you asked Cai Jing and Li Gang to explain what was outside the Song Dynasty, especially in the West, they wouldn't be able to give a clear answer.
In Zhang Chun and Li Lin's view, they came into this world and made the Song Dynasty so far ahead of the world. What a pity they didn't go and conquer the whole world!
Furthermore, who are the enemies they haven't yet conquered?
The Xiongnu, Turks, and Uyghurs of western China, the Kievan Rus' people who had not yet arrived in Siberia, people from the Arab world, people from India, and people from the western world.
Throughout history, which of these people hasn't fought against the Chinese? Some of them even traveled thousands of miles to invade China, seizing a large number of treasures and even much territory.
Therefore, in order to have lasting peace, we must strike first and conquer all the enemies that threaten the Song Dynasty, so that they will tremble at the mere mention of the Song Dynasty's name and dare not have any thoughts of invading it.
Hearing what Zhao Yu said, Zhang Chun thought to herself, "It's true that I asked you to conquer the world, but I didn't ask you to give up the throne to someone else. With each new emperor comes a new court. If you stop being emperor, will we women in the harem still be able to do whatever we want?"
Zhang Chun was well aware of the consequences of obstructing Zhao Shou's rise to power.
But Zhang Chun knew even better that everything she had now came from Zhao Yu. If Zhao Yu lost the throne, she, a former imperial concubine, would be worthless. Forget about controlling the direction of the world, she might even have her survival restricted, and might even be purged.
Zhang Chun felt that she wasn't being overly pessimistic.
It is important to know that there has always been a conservative faction within the Song Dynasty. They firmly opposed Zhao Yu's expansionist policies and wanted to stay within the small territory left by their ancestors and live their own quiet lives.
Zhang Chun was definitely the first person to incite Zhao Yu to expand his territory.
If Zhao Yu had abdicated and Zhao Shou, that conservative fellow, had become emperor, Zhao Shou might have done something foolish like Gao Taotao or Sima Guang, under the instigation of those conservatives, such as returning conquered territories or punishing those who started the war.
This is something we must be wary of.
In any case, Zhang Chun, who was well-versed in history and had been exposed to politics for more than 20 years, had long understood that, given that the throne would not fall to her son, it would be most beneficial for her if Zhao Yu remained emperor.
As for Zhao Shou?
How could Zhang Chun possibly care about him?
Don't tell me that you're not his legal mother and that you haven't done him any favors.
Even if she is his legal mother and has been kind to him, so what?
Wanyan Liang was born out of wedlock, but because he was intelligent and studious from a young age, he had a deep understanding of Han culture. He often sang elegant songs and wore Confucian robes. He was good at poetry and prose, and he loved to associate with famous Liao and Song scholars who stayed in Jin territory. They would drink tea, play chess, and talk about the past and present. He became a person with both literary and military talents, and he was also leisurely and kind. He was deeply loved by his stepmother, Empress Ai Tudan, who had no children.
Because Wanyan Liang was naturally dashing and romantic, ambitious and talented, eloquent, and adept at concealing his emotions, and also extremely perceptive of people's psychology, Emperor Xizong of Jin, Wanyan Dan, deeply resented his talent, fearing he would become a future threat. He not only dared not give him important positions but also guarded against him at every turn, even plotting to kill him. Empress Ai, on the other hand, showed Wanyan Liang much care and protection, not only taking meticulous care of him in his daily life but also mediating for him during the infighting within the imperial clan, thus incurring his deep gratitude and support.
This kindness from the stepmother was widely acknowledged among the Jin dynasty's royal family.
After Wanyan Liang murdered Wanyan Dan and ascended the throne, he became cruel, suspicious, and ruthless in his actions.
Empress Ai, considering herself to be Wanyan Liang's legal mother, saw that Wanyan Liang was determined to wage war and massacre members of the imperial family and dissident officials, causing everyone in the court to feel insecure and the people to gradually resent him. She advised him to restrain his sharp edge, appease the imperial family, care for the people, and consolidate the foundation of the government.
This was originally a piece of advice from the stepmother out of concern for the country and the younger generation, but it unexpectedly enraged Wanyan Liang. Wanyan Liang believed that Tudan's actions were an interference with imperial power and a challenge to his authority. The past kindness of raising and nurturing her was completely forgotten in the face of his obsession with the absolute supremacy of imperial power.
To eliminate Empress Ai as an obstacle, Wanyan Liang disregarded social norms and past favors, secretly sending men to infiltrate the palace and strangle Tudan. Afterwards, to cover up his matricide, he not only stripped Tudan of her title as empress and forbade court officials from offering condolences, but also ruthlessly slaughtered the Tudan clan. Several relatives were framed and executed, their property was confiscated, and their clansmen were exiled to remote and desolate lands. The once illustrious Tudan clan was wiped out and completely destroyed because of this remonstrance.
With such examples before her, Zhang Chun became increasingly convinced that since she was neither Zhao Shou's biological mother nor bound by any favors, if Zhao Shou were to obtain Zhao Yu's throne, given her conservative nature and the instigation of the conservative faction in the court, she might very well be purged, possibly suffering a more tragic fate than Tu Dan Shi. Moreover, their years of territorial expansion might also be in vain.
In short, Zhang Chun would certainly not gamble her fate on Zhao Shou; she would only feel truly at ease if Zhao Yu continued to be the emperor.
To persuade Zhao Yu to abandon his abdication, Zhang Chun said to him: "An emperor abdicated in favor of his crown prince, hoping to enjoy a peaceful retirement. However, after ascending the throne, the crown prince disregarded his father's words and ignored his admonitions, even resorting to imprisonment. On the late emperor's birthday, he personally offered a toast to the new emperor, but the new emperor refused to drink and instead ordered stricter guards to confine the late emperor to the deep palace, intending to imprison him for life. Later, the court fell into chaos, and both external and internal troubles arose, ultimately leading to the destruction of the country and the collapse of the state..."
Zhao Yu knew that Zhang Chun was referring to the historical events concerning Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan.
Historically, after the Jin dynasty allied with the Liao dynasty to destroy the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, the Jin people, seeing the weakness of the Northern Song dynasty, used the Northern Song's harboring of Zhang Jue and other matters as a pretext to launch a large-scale southward invasion, with their military force pointing directly at Bianliang, the capital of the Northern Song dynasty.
At that time, the court and the public were shaken and people were in a state of panic. The ministers of the Northern Song Dynasty believed that this was all caused by Zhao Ji. They believed that as long as the Song Dynasty changed its emperor, the Jurchens would not invade the Song Dynasty.
Therefore, many ministers of the Northern Song Dynasty advised Zhao Ji to abdicate in favor of Zhao Huan, who had a very good reputation when he was the crown prince. They subtly suggested to Zhao Ji that as long as they changed emperors and sent people to talk to the Jin people and pay some tribute, the Jin people would stop attacking the Song Dynasty.
Emperor Huizong of Song, fearing the might of the Jurchen army and unwilling to bear the infamy of being a ruler of a fallen kingdom, was persuaded by his ministers to resign and apologize. He hastily decided to abdicate in favor of his son, Crown Prince Zhao Huan.
After abdicating, Zhao Ji fled to Jiangnan with his relatives and confidants to temporarily avoid the threat of war.
Zhao Huan remained in the capital to oversee the overall situation.
Thanks to the efforts of Li Gang, Zhong Shidao, and others, Wanyan Zongwang was barely driven away.
At that time, Zhao Huan did not think about how to prevent the Jurchens from invading the south again, but instead focused on how to deal with his own father and prevent him from restoring the throne.
Despite his incompetence in dealing with foreign affairs, Zhao Huan was quite capable in managing domestic affairs. Once the Jurchens temporarily withdrew and returned north, easing the crisis, he tricked Zhao Ji into returning to Bianliang (Kaifeng) under the pretext of welcoming back the retired emperor and discussing state affairs.
Zhao Ji knew that Zhao Huan was wary of him. To show that he had no intention of restoring the throne and did not want to compete with him for power, he deliberately took off his imperial dragon robe when he entered the city, and wore only a Taoist robe. He dressed as a Taoist priest, intending to convey to Zhao Huan that after returning to the capital, he only wanted to devote himself to Taoist cultivation and not concern himself with politics.
Even so, it did not dispel Zhao Huan's suspicions.
Under the advice of Geng Nanzhong and other court officials, Zhao Huan believed that as long as Zhao Ji was alive, he would be a threat to the imperial power. He was particularly wary of Zhao Ji's past prestige and remaining influence. Therefore, he decided to place Zhao Ji under house arrest in Longde Palace and send people to keep a close watch on him. He not only stripped Zhao Ji of all his power, but also cut off all contact between Zhao Ji and the outside court officials and the imperial family, thus eliminating the possibility of Zhao Ji interfering in the affairs of the court.
After being placed under house arrest, Zhao Ji, though the retired emperor, was like a prisoner, with his every move under the surveillance of Zhao Huan.
On the occasion of Emperor Huizong's birthday, a banquet was held in the palace as is customary. Looking at his son, who sat on the throne with a distant expression, Emperor Huizong was filled with mixed feelings. He took the initiative to stand up and take a cup, wanting to toast Zhao Huan, both to celebrate his birthday and to ease the tense relationship between father and son.
However, Zhao Huan not only did not get up to accept the cup, but also remained indifferent and refused to drink, showing no intention of easing the tension at all.
Knowing that Zhao Huan was afraid he would poison him, Zhao Ji switched his wine cup with Zhao Huan's and then drank first.
Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) hoped that Emperor Huan (Zhao Huan) would drink this cup of wine, so that the father and son could dispel their suspicions and work together to resist the invasion of the Jurchens.
However, Zhao Huan showed no mercy to his own father and left abruptly in front of everyone.
After the banquet, Zhao Huan did not relax his guard. Instead, he believed that Zhao Ji still had the intention of winning people's hearts. He immediately ordered the strengthening of the guards of Longde Palace and sent more people to monitor him strictly. It was clear that he wanted to put Zhao Ji under house arrest until his death and completely eliminate any potential dangers.
Afterwards, the Jurchens once again marched south, besieging Bianliang. The capital city was in imminent danger. Although Zhao Ji, who was under house arrest, was imprisoned, he saw the perilous situation and knew that Bianliang could not withstand the Jurchens' fierce attack. He repeatedly sent messages to Zhao Huan, advising him to recognize the situation, not to hold onto the isolated city, but to abandon it and escape to find another place to settle down and rebuild.
However, Zhao Huan already harbored resentment towards Zhao Ji, believing that everything he said was driven by selfish motives. Not only did he refuse to listen to advice, but he also thought that Zhao Ji wanted to escape his control and ignored Zhao Ji's suggestions.
Ultimately, Bianliang fell, and the Jurchens plundered extensively, abducting Emperors Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan, along with thousands of their relatives, officials, and other people, and taking them north. The century-old foundation of the Song Dynasty collapsed in one fell swoop. Both father and son were imprisoned and suffered endless humiliation, dying far from home. With the country destroyed and their families destroyed, their fates were tragic.
It's fair to say that Zhang Chun went to great lengths to persuade Zhao Yu to relinquish the throne, almost to the point of disregarding the consequences. She even forgot that this historical event never actually occurred in their territory. If Zhao Yu were to investigate further, she wouldn't be able to explain herself. If Zhao Yu were to hold grudges against her for spreading seditious rumors, she could easily be charged with misleading the public.
Fortunately, Zhao Yu believed everything Zhang Chun said.
Faced with the irrefutable examples presented by Zhang Chun, Zhao Yu wavered!
To be honest, considering that he was going out to conquer the world and would be gone for several years, leaving him unable to take care of things at home, Zhao Yu had indeed considered abdicating the throne to Zhao Shou.
But Zhang Chun was right. The throne should not be given to others so easily, otherwise, we might really follow in the footsteps of Emperor Huizong of Tang.
What should I do?
...(End of chapter)