In the early Northern Song Dynasty, Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin once had a talk with Prime Minister Zhao Pu. As a military commander who peacefully seized the throne with a "yellow robe", Zhao Kuangyin enthusiastically asked Zhao Pu: "What is the biggest thing in the world?"
Who is Zhao Pu? Zhao Pu is the prime minister known as "Half of the Analects governing the world". He is also the main adviser for Zhao Kuangyin to successfully seize the world. Zhao Pu is not only the confidant of Zhao Kuangyin, but also the confidant of Zhao Laoye and later Emperor Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi.
Facing Zhao Kuangyin’s question, Zhao Puluo thought about it, and did not say the two words Zhao Kuangyin hoped for—the emperor, but said the other two words—reason.
Zhao Kuangyin is also quite surprised, why is this confidant old minister so not giving me face? What is the biggest thing in the world, isn't it me, the emperor above? How could it be "reason"?
However, Zhao Kuangyin is, after all, a rare benevolent monarch in the history of our country. He was not angry, but recognized the "truth" of the emperor.
Zhao Pu didn't just answer Zhao Kuangyin in this way, he also carried out this way in his actual work, putting what he believed to be correct truth to the imperial power.
Once, Zhao Pu wanted to recommend someone to an official position, but Zhao Kuangyin refused many times. Zhao Pu did not follow the emperor's will, but continued to propose this appointment to Zhao Kuangyin. Zhao Kuangyin was very angry. He even shredded the appointment application sent by Zhao Pu and threw it on the ground.
Zhao Pu was not afraid, but slowly picked up the shreds of paper, spliced them together after returning home, and gave it to Zhao Kuangyin the next day, and continued to request him to approve the appointment.
When Zhao Kuangyin encountered such a difficult prime minister, he was forced to have no choice but to finally agree to Zhao Pu's suggestion.
Another time, Zhao Pu wanted to promote an official, but Zhao Kuangyin refused. Originally, according to the regulations of the Song Dynasty, officials had worked for a certain number of years. If there were no bad deeds, they should be promoted.
However, Zhao Kuangyin did not like the official and did not agree to let him be promoted. Zhao Pu and the official did not have personal feelings. He continued to insist on his own opinions as before.
Zhao Kuangyin was pressed by Zhao Pu again, and he furiously said to Zhao Pu: "I just disagree, what can you do?"
Facing the furious supreme emperor, Zhao Pu said without fear: "Xing" Rewards, the world’s torture rewards, are not your majesty’s torture rewards. How can they be happy and angry!”
Zhao Kuangyin heard this, and his face turned pale with anger. He didn’t want to listen to Zhao Pu’s explanation of this kind of principle. Palace walk. Zhao Pu could not enter the inner palace, so he stood outside the palace gate for a long time without leaving. After hearing the news reported by the eunuch, Zhao Kuangyin had to agree to Zhao Pu's request again: follow the rules.
Through this story, we can interpret it as Zhao Pu’s stubbornness to speak "reason" to imperial power, or as the benevolence of Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty. Not only can he correct his mistakes, but he can also decide officials without his own preferences. promotion.
Zhao Pu's words have become a famous quote often quoted by many ministers in later generations, and in the subsequent memorials of the ministers of the Song Dynasty, we can often see similar words:
"Only the king must be the world "For the public." (Cai Kan, the fifth grandson of Cai Xiang, a famous official in the Northern Song Dynasty)
"The law of the world should be shared with the world, and the law of the world should be guarded to die. Although the emperor cannot be private, then the world will become public." (Fan Cheng Big language)
“The world is the world, China is the world, the ancestors is the world, the officials, the surnames, and the three armies are not the world of your majesty.” (The Southern Song Dynasty Yushi Fang Tingshi opposed Song Gaozong’s talk of peace)
“The world is the world The world is not private for one person.” (Zhu Xi)
This article is referenced from: "Beyond Interest Groups: An Unprecedented Vicious Anatomy of Song Dynasty History"
