Please call me the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty

Wang Chengen cleared his throat: "In history, one of the more famous examples is Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, who released his generals from their military power over a cup of wine."

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, why did dynasties change so quickly? It was often because military generals rebelled and overthrew the existing dynasty.

He made himself emperor.

The same goes for Guo Wei.

As a general, he overthrew the previous dynasty and became emperor. However, he had no sons, so he passed the throne to his adopted son, Chai Rong.

Chai Rong remained vigilant towards Zhao Kuangyin.

Chai Rong handed over the Imperial Guards to Zhao Kuangyin.

Not long after Chai Rong's death, Zhao Kuangyin launched the Chenqiao Mutiny, donned the yellow robe, ousted Chai Zongxun from the throne, and became emperor himself.

After becoming emperor, Zhao Kuangyin was well aware of the dangers that military generals wielding power posed to the court.

On one occasion, he hosted a banquet and invited all his military officers together.

When the wine was half-drunk,

Zhao Kuangyin put down his wine cup and asked, "Are you all loyal to me?"

Upon hearing this, the military officers were so frightened that they immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we are all utterly loyal to you."

Zhao Kuangyin then said, "I know you are all very loyal."

But what if one day your subordinates drape the imperial robes over yourselves?

Upon hearing this, the military generals under Zhao Kuangyin looked at each other in bewilderment.

Zhao Kuangyin continued, "What have you been fighting all your lives for?"

Isn't it all for land, houses, and beautiful women?

You must hand over all military power.

I bestow upon you titles, land, and beautiful women; go and enjoy your retirement.

When the generals saw that there were axemen lying in ambush all around, they had no choice but to obediently hand over their military power.

This is why the Song Dynasty was able to avoid the rapid changes of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and maintain its long-lasting rule.

Zhu Youjian was deeply moved upon hearing this.

Indeed, he also admired Zhao Kuangyin.

Historically, seizing military power from those fierce generals often required bloodshed and sacrifice; it was not an easy task.

Zhao Kuangyin accomplished this effortlessly, which is truly admirable.

Zhu Youjian thought to himself, even if he wanted to send 3000 troops to support Shanhaiguan, Cui Chengxiu dared to stop him, which clearly showed that he did not respect him as the emperor.

Zhu Youjian then thought of Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie.

then,

He looked at Wang Chengen and asked, "What kind of emperor do you think Emperor Xian of Han was?"

"Your Majesty, this old servant believes that Emperor Xian of Han was a very intelligent emperor," Wang Chengen replied truthfully.

"What do you mean?"

"When Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang, Emperor Shao of Han, Liu Bian, was so frightened that he could not speak, trembling and crying. Where was the demeanor of an emperor?"

However, Liu Xie, who was only 9 years old at the time, was calm and composed, talking and laughing freely, and answering questions fluently.

Therefore, Dong Zhuo conceived the idea of ​​deposing Emperor Shao of Han, Liu Bian, and installing Liu Xie as Emperor Xian of Han.

This, from one perspective, fully demonstrates that Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, was indeed a wise ruler.

"If that's the case, then why did he, being so intelligent, ultimately lose the Han Dynasty?"

One of the reasons is that Emperor Xian of Han never held military power.

After Dong Zhuo entered the capital and seized power, Minister Wang Yun devised a scheme: he first betrothed Diao Chan to Lü Bu, and then gave her to Dong Zhuo.

They stirred up trouble between father and son, causing them to fight each other.

Finally, Lü Bu killed Dong Zhuo.

Li Jue and Guo Si, seeking revenge for Dong Zhuo, led their troops into Chang'an.

Emperor Xian of Han still could not control the military.

Later, Cao Cao welcomed Emperor Xian of Han to Xuchang, and military power was once again in Cao Cao's hands.

After Cao Cao died, military power was once again in the hands of Cao Pi.

Cao Cao never declared himself emperor throughout his life.

However, his son Cao Pi was different.

Cao Pi made a deal with the scholar-officials, establishing the Nine-Rank System. The gist of it was: you support me as emperor, and I will grant you generations of official positions. That's how the agreement was reached.