Chapter 4 184 Zhao Pu receives the gift

From Song Taizu's seizure of power to the pacification of the south, Zhao Pu was the main counselor and made many great contributions.Song Taizu worshiped Zhao Pu as his prime minister, and discussed everything with Zhao Pu, no matter how big or small. Zhao Pu was born as a petty official. Compared with ordinary civil officials, his knowledge is much worse.After he became prime minister, Song Taizu advised him to read some books.Every time Zhao Pu came home, he would close the door, take books from the bookcase, and read them carefully.The next day, when he went to court to deal with political affairs, he was always very quick.Later, the family members discovered that there was only one book hidden in his bookcase.So people circulated a saying that Zhao Pu ruled the world by "half of the people".

Song Taizu trusted Zhao Pu, and Zhao Pu also dared to insist on his own opinions in front of Song Taizu.Once, Zhao Pu recommended an official to Song Taizu.For two consecutive days, Song Taizu did not agree.When Zhao Pu went to court on the third day, he sent a memorial again, insisting that Song Taizu agree to his recommendation, which angered Song Taizu.Song Taizu tore the memorial in half and threw it on the ground. Zhao Pu lay on the ground, picked up the torn memorials calmly, and put them in his sleeves.After returning home, Zhao Pu glued the torn memorials together, and after a few days, he took it to the court and handed it to Song Taizu. Seeing Zhao Pu's firm attitude, Song Taizu had no choice but to accept his opinion.

Once again, Zhao Pu wanted to promote an official, but Song Taizu did not approve.Zhao Pu insisted on his opinion just like last time.Song Taizu said: "I just don't allow it, what can you do?" Zhao Pu said: "The promotion of talents is for the sake of the country, how can His Majesty make arbitrary decisions based on personal likes and dislikes!" When Song Taizu heard this, his face turned pale with anger, and he walked towards the inner palace with a flick of his sleeves.Zhao Pu followed closely behind.Song Taizu entered the inner palace, Zhao Pu stood outside the palace gate and did not leave.

The guards in front of the palace gate saw the prime minister standing at the gate and refused to leave, so they had to report to Song Taizu.At this time, Song Taizu's anger had calmed down, so he asked the eunuch to inform him that the emperor had agreed to his request and told him to go home. Zhao Pu has been prime minister for ten years and has great power.As time went by, some people wanted to follow his footsteps, and people brought him gifts from time to time. Song Taizu often went to Zhao Pu's house without sending anyone to notify him in advance.Once, Qian Chu (sound chu), king of Wuyue, sent a messenger to Zhao Pu with ten altars of "seafood".Zhao Pu put the ten altars of "seafood" in front of the hall, and before he had time to open the letter, Song Taizu just arrived.

Song Taizu sat down in the hall, saw the ten altars, and asked Zhao Pu what they were.Zhao Pu replied, "It's seafood sent by Wu Yue." Song Taizu smiled and said: "Since it is a seafood sent by Wu Yue, it must be good, let's open it and have a look!" Zhao Pu ordered the servants to open the lid of the altar, and all the people present were dumbfounded when they saw it.It turned out that what was put in the altar was not any seafood, but pieces of gold. Song Taizu was always afraid of officials accepting bribes and abusing their power, seeing this situation.There was a lot of fire in my heart, and my face sank.

Zhao Pu was sweating profusely and pleaded guilty to Song Taizu in fear, saying: "I didn't read the letter, and I really don't know what's in it. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Song Taizu said coldly: "Just accept it! They think that all important affairs of the country are decided by you scholars." After this, Song Taizu became a little suspicious of Zhao Pu; soon, another official accused Zhao Pu of violating the ban and trafficking in timber.It turned out that the imperial court at that time prohibited the smuggling of large trees from Qin and Long (now Shaanxi and Gansu).Zhao Pu once went there to transport timber to build a house for himself.His subordinates took the opportunity to use the name of Zhao Pu to smuggle a batch of big wood to Tokyo for sale.This incident involved Zhao Pu.

Song Taizu was furious and wanted to punish Zhao Pu. Although other ministers interceded for him, Song Taizu withdrew Zhao Pu from the position of prime minister.