A Dynasty Born from Chaos

The founding of the Song Dynasty in 960 marked the end of the tumultuous Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period—an era where short-lived regimes rose and fell with alarming frequency. Zhao Kuangyin, later known as Emperor Taizu, seized power through the Chenqiao Mutiny, deposing the young ruler of Later Zhou. This backdrop is crucial for understanding the succession crisis that would later unfold.

In the early years of his reign, Taizu faced the perennial challenge of stabilizing a fractured empire. The shadow of五代 (Five Dynasties) instability loomed large, particularly the pattern of child emperors leading to dynastic collapse—a fate Taizu himself had exploited. This context sets the stage for the controversial “Golden Casket Pact” allegedly orchestrated by his mother, Empress Dowager Du.

The “Golden Casket Pact”: Fact or Fabrication?

The core historical controversy revolves around whether Taizu’s younger brother, Zhao Guangyi (Emperor Taizong), legitimately inherited the throne through a 961 agreement—or whether this was an elaborate forgery. According to official records:

– Empress Dowager Du, on her deathbed, warned that child successors endangered regimes. She purportedly mandated Taizu to pass the throne to Guangyi, then to their younger brother Tingmei, before returning it to Taizu’s line.
– Chancellor Zhao Pu documented this in a “Golden Casket,” hidden until 981—five years after Taizong’s accession.

Critical inconsistencies emerge:
1. Timing Issues: Du died in 961 when Taizu was 35; his sons were 11 (Dezhao) and 3 (Defang). By Taizu’s death in 976, both sons were adults (26 and 18), negating the “child emperor” concern.
2. Delayed Disclosure: Why wait until 981 to reveal the pact? Historians note this coincided with Zhao Pu’s political rehabilitation and Taizong’s purge of rivals like Zhao Tingmei.
3. Textual Manipulation: Early records like the Old太祖实录 omitted the pact entirely. The revised New实录 under Taizong’s reign inserted vivid details, suggesting tampering.

Zhao Pu: The Puppet Master?

Zhao Pu, Taizu’s trusted chancellor, became central to this drama. After being ousted in 973 for corruption, he resurfaced under Taizong with the “Golden Casket” revelation. Modern scholars argue this was a calculated move:

– Political Survival: Zhao Pu needed Taizong’s favor to counter his rival Lu Duoxun.
– Rewriting History: The pact’s “three transmissions” (Taizu → Guangyi → Tingmei → Dezhao) morphed into a “single transmission” to Taizong, eliminating competing claims.
– Power Consolidation: The revised narrative justified Taizong’s purge of potential heirs, including his own brother and nephews.

Cultural and Political Repercussions

The succession crisis reshaped Song governance:

– Legitimacy Anxiety: Taizong’s reign was forever shadowed by whispers of fratricide, exemplified by the infamous “Axe Sound and Candle Shadow” incident—a cryptic account of Taizu’s sudden death after a private meeting with Guangyi.
– Institutional Distrust: The episode reinforced later emperors’ reliance on civil bureaucracy over familial alliances, accelerating the Song’s shift toward meritocratic administration.
– Historical Skepticism: From Qing scholar Yun Jing to modern historians, the pact’s authenticity has been questioned, reflecting broader tensions between official historiography and critical scholarship.

Legacy: A Throne Stained by Doubt

The “Golden Casket” affair remains one of China’s most debated historical mysteries. While Taizong’s reign (976–997) saw territorial expansion and cultural flourishing, the cloud over his accession never fully dissipated. Key takeaways:

1. The Pact’s Likely Core: Empress Dowager Du probably advocated for adult succession, but the documented version was likely embellished to serve Taizong and Zhao Pu’s interests.
2. Taizu’s Hesitation: His refusal to formally appoint Dezhao or Guangyi as heir—despite their eligibility—suggests unresolved tensions between maternal wishes and paternal instincts.
3. Modern Relevance: The saga underscores how power transitions in autocracies often hinge on contested narratives, with truth becoming the first casualty.

As historian Li Tao noted in 续资治通鉴长编, “The affairs of rulers are written by their successors.” The “Golden Casket Pact” exemplifies how history is not merely recorded—it is crafted.