Zhao Pu (922 – 14 August 992),

courtesy name A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...

Zeping, was a Chinese politician and strategist during the reigns of the first two

Song dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...

emperors ( Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong), who was instrumental in plotting the seizure and consolidation of power for both of them. Despite several crises in his long career, Zhao Pu was by far the most powerful politician for most of the early Song dynasty, serving as a chief councilor (in many years the only one) three times for a total of 17 years. He has been praised for his brilliance in foreign and domestic policies which helped shape Song's Confucian outlook for the next 2–3 centuries. A proud Confucian (though not as learned as later ministers who came from the

imperial examination The imperial examination (; lit. "subject recommendation") refers to a civil-service examination system in Imperial China, administered for the purpose of selecting candidates for the state bureaucracy. The concept of choosing bureaucrats by ...

), Zhao Pu is well known for allegedly claiming that he administered the state with "half the ''

Analects The ''Analects'' (; ; Old Chinese: '' ŋ(r)aʔ''; meaning "Selected Sayings"), also known as the ''Analects of Confucius'', the ''Sayings of Confucius'', or the ''Lun Yu'', is an ancient Chinese book composed of a large collection of sayings a ...

''". Confucian historians, however, also note his cunning, avarice, as well as ruthlessness towards political opponents like

Lu Duoxun Lu, Lü, or LU may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Lu (music), Tibetan folk music * Lu (duo), a Mexican band ** ''Lu'' (album) * Character from Mike, Lu & Og * Lupe Fiasco or Lu (born 1982), American musician * Lebor na hUidre, a manuscrip ...

and

Zhao Tingmei Zhao Tingmei (趙廷美; 947–984), formally known as Prince Fudao (涪悼王), was an imperial prince of the Song Dynasty. He was the younger half-brother of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Jiong. Life Zhao Tingmei is the fourth son of Zhao Hongyin b ...

, all self-serving and un-Confucian traits.

Biography

Before he entered politics, he was a tutor and was hired by the future

Empress Dowager Du Empress Dowager Du (杜太后, given name unknown, 902 – 17 July 961) was an empress dowager of imperial China's Song Dynasty. She was the wife of general Zhao Hongyin and the mother of Emperor Taizu of Song, who founded the Song Dynast ...

to tutor her son

Zhao Kuangyin Emperor Taizu of Song (21 March 927 – 14 November 976), personal name Zhao Kuangyin, courtesy name Yuanlang, was the founder and first emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 960 until his death in 976. Formerly a distinguish ...

along with another tutor named Chen. Kuangyin always consulted Pu but ignored Chen's advice because of the tutor's constant scolding for his impatience. Once

became Emperor Taizu, he invited Zhao Pu to become Grand Chancellor. In 961, he was summoned by Emperor Taizu to record the

will Will may refer to: Common meanings * Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death * Will (philosophy), or willpower * Will (sociology) * Will, volition (psychology) * Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will ...

of his mother

which she stated that upon Taizu's death, would go to his brother

Zhao Guangyi Zhao Jiong (20 November 939 – 8 May 997), known as Zhao Guangyi from 960 to 977 and Zhao Kuangyi before 960, also known by his temple name Taizong after his death, was the second emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 976 to h ...

and then upon Guangyi's death, would go to Zhao Guangmei, the youngest surviving brother. ''Song Shi''
chapter 242
/ref> Before Du died, she told Zhao Pu to follow her words. Zhao Pu who recorded the entire conversation signed it and kept it in a golden box. Zhao Pu was relieved of his post of Grand Chancellor and banished by Emperor Taizu in 973 due to rumors that he was being corrupt by the war minister Lu Duoxun (934 – 985) whom Zhao Pu bore a grudge against for repeatedly criticizing him. Lu did this to increase his own power and gain the favor of the Emperor. However, Pu was recalled back into the capital once Emperor Taizu died in which he was succeeded by

would become Emperor Taizong posthumously. Zhao Pu became

chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...

and then accused Zhao Tingmei ( – 984 ( formerly named Zhao Guangmei)) and Lu Duoxun for plotting against Emperor Taizong and as a result, Tingmei was imprisoned while Lu was exiled. It is worth mentioning that Zhao Pu advised Emperor Taizong to have his own son become Emperor instead of Zhao Tingmei.

References

{{Reflist 922 births 992 deaths Song dynasty chancellors Song dynasty politicians from Tianjin