Did Song Renzong poison Bao Zheng? What did archaeologists find when they dug up their graves and saw the bones?

In the song "Bao Qingtian", it is sung that "there is Bao Qingtian in Kaifeng Prefecture, and the loyalty and traitors are selfless, and the heroes in the Jianghu come to help, and the DPRK and Mahan are around ..." Every time we mention the character Bao Zheng, we will always see an upright, fair and awe-inspiring image. Known as "Bao Qingtian" because of its black face image. His dark skin and crescent mark on his forehead became the impression of later generations. But unfortunately, such a just and legendary figure did not die like ordinary people.

Act all your life, be upright.

Bao Zheng, born in 999, died in 1062, Luzhou, Anhui. He is a famous upright official in the history of our country, honest and clean, known as "Bao Qingtian". Bao Zheng was admitted to Jinshi in Song Renzong Tiansheng for five years, namely 1027. Therefore, he was appointed as a judge in Dali by Song Renzong and became the magistrate of Jianchang County. However, because his parents are old and need support, he proposed to the court to go back to work near Hefei. But when he came back, his parents didn't want Bao Zheng to leave, so Bao Zheng quit his job in the office to support his parents at home. After the mourning period expired, he was encouraged by his fellow villagers many times before going to work in Beijing. This shows that Bao Zheng is a filial person.

During his career, Bao Zheng impeached many officials in Song Renzong, from Prime Minister Ma Xu to corrupt officials who committed grand slams and endangered the people. There was a man named Wang Kui who squeezed the people when he was an official. Bao Zheng heard the story of Wang Kui's evil deeds and impeached him seven times. Even in folklore, when Song Renzong impeached Wang Kui for the seventh time, Bao Zheng pointed his nose at Song Renzong and even spat on Song Renzong's face. But there was nothing Song Renzong could do but wipe the saliva off his face and let Bao Zheng scold him. It was not until Bao Zheng was tired of scolding that he seemed to be saved. Although this is only a legend, it is undeniable that Bao Zheng's integrity and selflessness have really offended many people and provoked many enemies.

Died of poisoning? Weird and inexplicable

Bao Zheng had a good life and sat upright. Bao Zheng's death was full of strange things because of his upright character, which offended many people. It took only thirteen days from onset to death. Compared with illness, this speed is too fast, but more like poisoning. The biggest feature of poisoning death is fast.

Until 1973 Hegang No.2 Plant was expanded, a small earth slope incompatible with its surroundings was found nearby. Then, after many investigations, it was found that Bao cemetery was rediscovered. Archaeologists found the heavy metal "mercury" in Bao Zheng's body in Bao Zheng's tomb, commonly known as mercury. As we all know, mercury, as a heavy metal, is extremely toxic and can easily cause pain and Minamata disease. Living in a high mercury environment for a long time can easily lead to death. Therefore, it is possible that Bao Zheng died of mercury poisoning.

Renzong framed it, or was it someone else?

As mentioned earlier, mercury was detected in Bao Zheng's bones, so many people in later generations thought that Song Renzong had poisoned Bao Zheng. Because Bao Zheng dared to say it in front of Song Renzong, he was envied by Song Renzong. But in fact, Song Renzong is a man who doesn't even want to punish the eunuch in the palace. According to legend, a minister even revealed Song Renzong's privacy. Under such circumstances, Injong did not delve into it. What's more, Bao Zheng spoke frankly for the political affairs of the Northern Song Dynasty. When Bao Zheng was buried, in order not to be discovered by Bao Zheng's enemies, he even dispatched 2/kloc-0 coffins for burial. Although archaeologists have found Bao Zheng's tomb, which has been destroyed, "Injong" is really worthy of the name, so it is very unlikely that Injong will poison Bao Zheng because of jealousy. Furthermore, as an important official in the Northern Song Dynasty, Bao Zheng attached great importance to and handled state affairs. Compared with Cai Jing, Ding Wei and other traitors in the Song Dynasty, he is really a heaven and an underground. How could Song Renzong have the heart to break his arm?

According to the mercury in Bao Zheng's body, archaeologists speculated that Bao Zheng was absorbed in his work, often working late into the night, and used drugs to recuperate his body. In ancient times, cinnabar was often used as a medicinal material. However, because ancient people didn't realize the harm of mercury to human body, Bao Zheng took cinnabar together with drugs, and cinnabar contained mercury. Over time, mercury accumulates in the body to a certain extent, eventually leading to pathological changes and poisoning, which is really emotional. However, there is also a view that at the same time, the ancients also used mercury to preserve corpses, especially in the Northern Song Dynasty. In addition, Bao Zheng was very tall in people's minds at that time, so people put mercury in Bao Zheng's coffin in the hope that Bao Zheng would be passed down forever. So it is impossible to judge whether mercury is the real cause of Bao Zheng's death.

label

Bao Zheng, a civilian's mindfulness, a loyal minister in the emperor's heart, is a thorn in the side of all eunuchs. He gave hope to the local people in the Northern Song Dynasty. Bao Zheng's death is really regrettable, but he dared to speak out, be honest and clean, and serve the officials and the people. He devoted himself to the Northern Song Dynasty, but in the end he could not be resurrected. This may be "good people don't live long and harm people for thousands of years". But in any case, we should respect such a saint and pass on his spirit forever.

References:

Song History and Bao Gongan