Is there such a thing in history as releasing military power over a cup of wine?
Everyone must be familiar with the idea of "releasing military power over a glass of wine". As a historic and iconic event in the politics and military affairs of the early Song Dynasty, to this day, almost all literary works, film and television works related to the Song Dynasty have made various positive or side, direct or indirect references to it over and over again. interpretation. However, what history leaves behind may not always be the truth. Since the Song Dynasty, some people have questioned the authenticity of "a cup of wine releases military power" more than once. Some people even suggested that this was simply fabricated by historians and was completely fabricated. So, was "releasing military power over a glass of wine" a power-taking drama carefully planned by Song Taizu, or was it purely the speculation of later generations of scholars? Can a hero and general with a heavy army obediently delegate power with just a drink?
01
Why do you say it is false?
Those who question the authenticity of "Drinking to Release Military Power" mainly hold the following views. First, in official documents , there is no record of this matter.
At present, when most people talk about this matter, they usually quote Li Tao's statement in Volume 2 of "Xuzizhi Tongjian Changbian". However, some experts believe that the materials on which Li Tao's writing is based are not from official historical records and are not very credible. Li Tao himself once commented on this story: "This matter is the biggest, and the "Official History" and "Records" have omitted it. It is a pity that we will pursue the book now." That is to say, for such a major event, in the official historical materials It is a pity that there is no record in it. I will make a note of it now and talk about it in detail. So, what is the basis for Li Tao's detailed explanation? He later wrote: "Wang Zeng's "Bilu" is all true, so I will follow it now. The text is mostly based on "Ji Wen", and a little more is called "Tan Lu" by Ding." In other words, the materials Li Tao relied on, There are mainly three volumes of notes written by people from the Song Dynasty: Wang Zeng's "Transcripts", Sima Guang's "Sushui Records" and Ding Wei's "Talks".
Such an important event. Why are there no records in official historical records, but are vividly described in notebooks and novels? Let's take a look at what these notes say about this matter.
The earliest record of this matter in the Song Dynasty can be found in Ding Wei's "Tan Lu". Ding said that he had been a prime minister during the Zhenzong period and had access to the country's most core and confidential archival materials. "Talk" contains: One day, Zhao Pu told Taizu that Shi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi and others should not be allowed to control the imperial army. Taizu asked why, would they rebel? Zhao Pu replied that although they would not rebel, their ability to control their subordinates was not good enough. If their subordinates rebelled, I'm afraid they would be helpless. Taizu smiled and said, you are worrying too much. These people are all confidants and will not fail me. Zhao Pu asked, didn't your Majesty fail Zhou Shizong? This sentence made Song Taizu suddenly realize, so he adopted Zhao Pu's suggestion and deprived the generals of the Forbidden Army of their military power.
The above records indicate that the planner of this story was actually Zhao Pu, and there was no scene of drinking and eating.
Later, the records of this in Wang Zeng's "Records" (who had been prime minister in the Renzong Dynasty) began to become more abundant. After Taizu followed Zhao Pu's suggestion, he thought for a long time and had no choice but to host a banquet to entertain the generals. At the banquet, Grand Ancestor recalled with everyone the hard years of fighting with the Communists and the close comrades-in-arms relationship between them. Then he changed the topic and said, "My fellow brothers and I should not be so suspicious." . But the officials talked so much that my head got big. What do you think I should do? "Now, don't choose a good place for yourself, and keep each other's vassal, and don't talk about elimination. With the income of taxes and rents, you can support yourself, and you can enjoy your life until your death." ("Wang Wenzhenggong's Notes") It is better for everyone to choose a geomantic treasure place, and go out. If you are a vassal outside the town, buy a lot of property, and become rich, wouldn't you be relaxed and happy? Taizu also said that he was willing to marry everyone and become in-laws to protect wealth and honor. Shi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi and others kowtowed and thanked him, and soon handed over their military power and went to enjoy a better life in the local areas.
This description already has the prototype of "releasing military power over a glass of wine". When Sima Guang wrote "Shu Shui Ji Wen", he added more detailed information on the dialogue between Song Taizu's emperor and his ministers. When Li Tao narrated this story, he mainly relied on the words of "Sushui Jiwen", while also taking into account the statements of "Biography" and "Tanlu". But no matter what, it is indeed difficult to convince the public without official historical data to support it.
The second point of view of the doubters is that the "release of military power over a glass of wine" does not record the exact time of occurrence. The above three notes all omit the time when this event occurred.
If this is a real thing that happened, and even the conversation between the king and his ministers is described, why is there no explanation of the time when it happened? For this reason, Li Tao set the time of occurrence of this incident in July of the second year of Jianlong (961) in "Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian". The reason is that after July of that year, Shi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi and others arrived. However, this obviously cannot be used as conclusive evidence that the "drinking of wine to release military power" occurred in July.
The third point of view of the doubters is that around July of the second year of Jianlong, it was impossible for Song Taizu to summon the generals for a banquet. Because in June of that year, Taizu's mother, Queen Mother Du, passed away. According to etiquette, July is the period of national mourning, and drinking is prohibited in the palace. Taizu of the Song Dynasty was extremely filial to his mother and would not violate the etiquette and laws by having banquets with generals. Therefore, the authenticity of drinking wine to release military power is questionable.
So, was this major event during the founding of the Song Dynasty really fabricated by later generations of scholars?
02
Why is it not true?
Let’s answer a question first, that is, how credible are the three notes Li Tao used? Can it be used as a basis for writing official history?
According to the "History of the Song Dynasty", Wang Zeng "has his usual way of doing things. He is taciturn and smiles in ordinary times, and no one dares to do anything for personal gain." That is to say, he is very principled in his conduct, and he is usually unsmiling and unsmiling. Don't dare to make a mistake with him. Moreover, he abhorred all things illusory. Once when he was serving as a magistrate in another place, a so-called "hat monster disturbing the people" occurred in his jurisdiction. That is to say, a monster that looked like a hat disturbed the people at night, making everyone panic. After hearing the news, Wang Zeng ordered the government gates to be opened at night to calm the people. At the same time, he sent more people to patrol the streets and immediately arrested those who spread rumors. It was finally confirmed that the so-called monsters were rumors spread by evildoers. Would such a person falsify the historical events he recorded? In addition, Sima Guang, the author of "Sushui Chronicles" is recognized by the historians as a rigorous and serious master. Could it be that he would fabricate the story of "a cup of wine releases military power" without any evidence?
It should be said that the "right to release troops" definitely exists. As early as the third month of the second year of Jianlong, Taizu dismissed Murong Yanzhao, the inspector in front of the palace, and Han Lingkun, the commander of the guards and troops, and asked them to leave the town. Before the two left, Taizu personally held a banquet to see them off, and asked them to buy property in the local area, promising to protect their wealth from generation to generation. It seems that it was Taizu's consistent practice to let the generals with heavy troops leave the central government to live happily in other places. Therefore, when he sent Shi Shouxin and other brothers to local areas to become local tycoons, it was not without a basis for convention, and it was by no means a sudden phenomenon. Therefore, even if there is no "cup of wine", we cannot deny the existence of "the right to release troops." The notes of Sima Guang and others are nothing more than rationalized processing of specific contents based on real historical events.
So, could Taizu use banquets to relieve the military power of his heroes and generals? Very possible.
First of all, although Empress Dowager Du died in June, according to the traditional "sun to month" system, the emperor could lift the mourning period after 25 days. What’s the matter with “changing the sun for the moon”? Generally speaking, after the death of a parent, the children must observe mourning for three years, which is actually 25 months. Because 24 months is two years, and 25 months is three years. But as the emperor, who has many things to do, it is impossible to really observe filial piety for 25 months, otherwise the country will be in chaos. Therefore, the emperor can use one day to represent a month, that is, observing filial piety for 25 days instead of observing filial piety for 25 months. If Empress Dowager Du died on June 2, then the mourning period for Song Taizu would be lifted at the end of June, and there would be no problem in having a banquet with the generals in July.
Furthermore, Taizu was addicted to alcohol throughout his life. He once said himself: "Every time I get drunk or spend the night at a banquet, I regret it." ("Sushui Jiwen") In addition to getting drunk at banquets, there are many things related to Taizu. There are many records of his drinking in major events. During the Chenqiao Mutiny, he pretended to be ignorant by getting drunk. Therefore, drinking was not just a hobby for Song Taizu, but a common method and technique. Why not also use this method to deal with the important matter of removing the military power of veteran generals?
To sum up, it is basically credible that on a certain day in July of the second year of Jianlong, Song Taizu was drinking heavily, talking and laughing, and successfully took back the military power of the generals. Although the literati's descriptions inevitably contain elements of exaggeration and exaggeration, the authenticity of this event cannot be doubted.
03
In fact, it is not the same thing
Some people may say that even if "a cup of wine releases military power" is true, there is still a question: light Will this group of heroes and generals with heavy troops hand over power just by drinking a glass of wine?
Indeed, this statement is not unreasonable. You know, the Five Dynasties that the Song Dynasty replaced was an era where violence was supreme. Whoever had thick arms and big fists was the boss. As the saying goes, "Would the emperor rather have a seed? He who has strong soldiers and horses will do it." ("New History of the Five Dynasties: Biography of An Chongrong")" The Jianlong period was not long after the end of the Five Dynasties, and this superstitious trend of force did not completely disappear. . In this case, why did Shi Shouxin and other generals submit obediently during the banquet? In fact, Song Taizu did a lot of preparations for the seemingly overnight success, but there were actually many things behind it. The result of the interaction of events.
First of all, as soon as the Northern Song Dynasty was established, Zhaoyi Jiedushi Li Yun and Chengde Jiedushi Li Chongjin raised the flag of rebellion, thanks to Song Taizu's timely action and good command. , these two rebellions were quickly put down without causing a big wave. The victory of the two counter-insurgency wars gave all the vassals and towns at that time a powerful shock, making them understand that times were different, and the new boss was not easy to mess with. Later, Song Taizu struck while the iron was hot and quietly relieved Murong Yanzhao and Han Lingkun, the two highest-ranking and most senior commanders in the Forbidden Army, from their military power and allowed them to leave the town. In this way, even if someone wanted to jump out again, they would not be able to do so. It's impossible. The top leaders have been dismissed, who will continue to toss with the second and third leaders? Besides, this removal is not about no longer being used, but preferential treatment in exchange for moving from the central government to the local government, which is better than before. Therefore, it is not difficult to understand the "obedience" of Shi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi and others.
In addition, these Forbidden Army generals have long been accustomed to fighting with each other. The difference between emperor and ministers of Song Taizu. Although they were all comrades and brothers who fought hard with Taizu, they felt Taizu's heroic and domineering spirit during the series of conquests before and after the founding of the Song Dynasty, and they understood that this was not the case. He was an ordinary superior, so he was more willing to obey his orders and serve him. In addition, Song Taizu himself had served as the supreme commander of the Forbidden Army for many years, and he was able to control him effectively through the combination of kindness and power. The subordinates were all obedient. Therefore, when Lao Zhao Huangpao became the emperor, those heroes and generals, even if they were brothers in life and death, had to abide by their loyalty in front of such a powerful leader. Success was the result of Song Taizu's continuous efforts to improve himself and consolidate his power. This long-term unremitting efforts enabled him to finally form an overwhelming advantage in the game with the Forbidden Army generals.
It can be said that although " "Release Military Power Over a Cup of Wine" contains elements of romance and exaggeration, and is also a deliberate beautification of Song Taizu by later generations of literati, but it is not a fabrication. Through this incident, the Song Dynasty better solved the problem of military commanders taking credit for themselves and being too arrogant to lose. It avoided repeating the short-lived failures of the Five Dynasties. Moreover, it also created a paradigm for rationally solving the relationship between the founding emperor and the heroes, which also had a profound impact on the overall cultural and economic prosperity of the Song Dynasty.