The Rise and Reign of Zhao Pu

In August 973, Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, made a pivotal decision that would alter the course of the early Song Dynasty: he dismissed his long-serving chancellor, Zhao Pu, and appointed him as the military governor of Heyang. This marked the end of Zhao Pu’s decade-long tenure as the empire’s most powerful minister—a tenure defined by both remarkable achievements and growing arrogance.

Zhao Pu had been instrumental in consolidating Zhao Kuangyin’s rule. As the architect of many early Song policies, he was known for his decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to governance. Historical records praise him: “Zhao Pu served as sole chancellor for ten years, resolute and firm, treating the empire’s affairs as his personal responsibility. The emperor relied on him, and thus Zhao Pu accomplished great deeds.”

Yet, power corrupted him. Over time, Zhao Pu became increasingly overbearing, even defying the emperor’s wishes. One famous incident illustrates this: when Zhao Kuangyin repeatedly rejected a candidate Zhao Pu recommended, the chancellor persisted until the emperor, in frustration, tore up the petition. Unfazed, Zhao Pu retrieved the torn document and resubmitted it the next day—until the emperor relented.

The Breaking Point: Corruption and Political Warfare

Zhao Pu’s downfall was not merely due to his stubbornness but also his blatant corruption. He abused his authority, suppressing unfavorable reports by burning petitions in his office. Worse, he engaged in illegal timber trading—a direct violation of imperial decrees—using his position to profit from state resources. When the finance commissioner Zhao Pin exposed these crimes, Zhao Kuangyin was furious but hesitated to act.

Why? Because Zhao Pu was a crucial counterbalance against Zhao Kuangyin’s ambitious younger brother, Zhao Guangyi (later Emperor Taizong). For years, Zhao Pu had systematically undermined Zhao Guangyi’s faction, blocking his allies from key positions. Their rivalry was a cold war within the court, with Zhao Pu serving as the emperor’s enforcer.

But Zhao Guangyi was no passive target. Sensing his brother’s weakening support for Zhao Pu, he struck. Through proxies like the scholar Lu Duoxun and the censor Lei Dexiang’s son, he orchestrated a wave of corruption allegations against Zhao Pu. The charges—bribery, fraud, and abuse of power—were undeniable. Faced with overwhelming evidence, Zhao Kuangyin had no choice but to dismiss his once-trusted chancellor.

The Aftermath: Zhao Guangyi’s Ascendancy

Zhao Pu’s removal created a power vacuum. Just a month later, in September 973, Zhao Guangyi was elevated to Prince of Jin and given precedence over all ministers—a clear signal of his status as heir apparent. His allies filled key government posts, tightening his grip on power.

Zhao Kuangyin, then 48, still believed he had time to contain his brother. His next move? Conquer the Southern Tang to bolster his prestige. In 974, he launched a campaign against Li Yu, the last ruler of Southern Tang. After a grueling year-long siege, Li Yu surrendered in 975. Yet, even this victory did not secure Zhao Kuangyin’s position.

The Mysterious Death and the “Ax and Candle Shadow”

In 976, Zhao Kuangyin’s plans took a darker turn. He proposed moving the capital from Kaifeng to Luoyang—a direct challenge to Zhao Guangyi, who had entrenched power in Kaifeng as its governor. The debate turned heated, with Zhao Guangyi famously arguing, “Rule depends on virtue, not terrain.” The emperor reluctantly backed down but ominously predicted, “Within a century, the people’s strength will be exhausted.”

Months later, on the night of October 19, 976, Zhao Kuangyin died suddenly—with no prior illness. The circumstances were suspicious. According to the Continued Xiangshan Wild Records, Zhao Guangyi was seen drinking with his brother before the emperor’s death. Witnesses reported hearing Zhao Kuangyin shout, “Do well, do well!” before collapsing. By dawn, Zhao Guangyi was emperor.

This incident, later dubbed the “Ax and Candle Shadow” (Zhuying Fuxi), became one of history’s great unsolved mysteries. Did Zhao Guangyi murder his brother? The official records were heavily edited under his reign, erasing inconvenient truths. Even the Historical Records were rewritten multiple times to sanitize the narrative.

Legacy: A Dynasty Shaped by Suspicion

Zhao Guangyi’s reign began with haste. He rushed to legitimize his rule, promoting his brother Zhao Tingmei and nephew Zhao Dezhao as potential successors—only to later purge them. His paranoia and need to outshine Zhao Kuangyin drove his policies, including aggressive military campaigns that ultimately strained the empire.

The fall of Zhao Pu and Zhao Kuangyin’s death marked a turning point. The Song Dynasty, designed to prevent military coups, became a bureaucratic labyrinth where factional strife thrived. The brothers’ struggle set a precedent: political survival often outweighed governance.

As the historian Li Tao subtly noted in the Long Draft Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror, the official records were altered to inflate Zhao Guangyi’s role in founding the Song. The truth, buried under layers of revision, remains elusive—but its impact endured for centuries.

In the end, Zhao Kuangyin’s warning proved prophetic. The Song’s overcentralized governance, born from his fear of rebellion, became its greatest weakness. And the shadow of that snowy night in 976 lingered, a ghost in the annals of imperial history.