Zhao Pu (922 – 14 August 992),

courtesy name A courtesy name ( zh, s=字, p=zì, l=character), also known as a style name, is an additional name bestowed upon individuals at adulthood, complementing their given name. This tradition is prevalent in the East Asian cultural sphere, particula ...

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

Song dynasty The Song dynasty ( ) was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Fiv ...

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 was a civil service examination system in History of China#Imperial China, Imperial China administered for the purpose of selecting candidates for the Civil service#China, state bureaucracy. The concept of choosing bureau ...

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

Analects The ''Analects'', also known as the ''Sayings of Confucius'', is an ancient Chinese philosophical text composed of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius and his contemporaries, traditionally believed to have been compiled by his followers. ...

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

, 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 dynasty. ...

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 founding emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 960 until his death in 976. Formerly a distinguished milita ...

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 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 Zhao Guangyi. Zhao Guangyi would become Emperor Taizong posthumously. Zhao Pu became

chancellor Chancellor () is a title of various official positions in the governments of many countries. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the (lattice work screens) of a basilica (court hall), which separa ...

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