As we all know, Zhao Gou himself was sterile and had no offspring, so he was not too sensitive about who would succeed him as emperor.
His requirements for his successor are very simple. Don't threaten his throne, don't cause him some difficult-to-end things, just be filial and obedient enough.
Such a request is not easy to achieve, so he has always had an extremely conflicting feeling about welcoming back Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan.
It wasn't until the news of Zhao Huan's death came that he was finally freed from that contradiction, and he shed tears from the bottom of his heart for the love of his blood.
This is the first time, and maybe the last time.
In fact, when the ministers asked him to arrange a successor, he was resistant from the beginning to now being able to accept it calmly. As time went by, Zhao Gou gradually felt that he was not energetic enough, and he was not as interested in the throne as he had been earlier. So persistent.
He felt that as long as he could choose a filial person who would not cause trouble to be the emperor, he would be fine even if he abdicated and became the Supreme Emperor.
Anyway, after being frightened for so many years, he also wanted to leave this position, make up for himself, and let himself live a leisurely life without worrying about survival.
So he was ready to choose the best one from the two princes as his successor.
As a result, just as they were about to take action, Zhao Ji's ten sons, his two brothers and eight younger brothers were coming back.
This is great, with the chosen heir on one side and his half-brother on the other. I'm afraid there will be another turmoil over the issue of the heir to the throne...
Do you want it or not?
Zhao Gou thought hard and couldn't come up with an answer, so he summoned the ministers and ministers and planned to talk to them before announcing the matter.
The team of prime ministers and assistants except Chen Kangbo were quickly summoned to have a small meeting with the emperor. After hearing the emperor's troubles, they also felt that the matter was quite difficult.
The fact that Zhao Ji, Zhao Huan and the Northern Song Dynasty clan members were kidnapped for so long was a worry for everyone.
Now that he is back, he must be very sympathetic. If someone asks Zhao Gou to pass the throne to his miserable brother out of sympathy and compensation, it will be really difficult to do.
So after a group of prime ministers and ministers discussed for a while, they felt that they could not be dismissed, but they could not cause disputes about the throne because of them.
Zhang Jun said it very directly.
"They all lived and grew up in the Kingdom of Jin. They have never been educated by the Song Dynasty, have no understanding of the customs of the Song Dynasty, and do not know the sufferings of the people. How can they be entrusted with the throne of the emperor? Therefore, the old minister suggested that your majesty determine the candidate for the crown prince as soon as possible, make it known to the world, and cut off anyone An opportunity to take advantage of.”
Zhang Jun's plan was also the best one. Even Tang Situi, who had always been at odds with Zhang Jun, did not object but supported Zhang Jun's proposal.
"Your Majesty, if the identity of the crown prince has been confirmed, then if anyone dares to mention the replacement of the crown prince, it will be no small matter. This will cut off most people's arrogance."
Zhao Gao thought for a moment and felt that what they said made sense.
He has no son, so it doesn't matter who he must pass the throne to, but in terms of the choice of this heir, it would be better to watch him grow up.
Zhao Wanshi and Zhao Tieshi, who grew up in the Kingdom of Jin, who knows what they have grown into? Who knows if they have learned the skills and skills of being an emperor?
Letting the emperor's younger brother, who grew up in the Kingdom of Jin, become emperor, the risk factor is too high and cannot be recognized.
In order to prevent some unclear-minded guys from setting off a political storm in the future, Zaifu's team suggested that Zhao Gou nip the problem in the bud.
So Zhao Gou nodded and agreed to this strategy and decided to select the crown prince in private.
It's said to be a choice, but it's actually a choice between two options.
In the early years, Zhao Gou searched for the descendants of Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin. The standard was young children, not adults, because it was difficult to educate adults.
After many searches, many descendants of Zhao Kuangyin were found. After strict education and screening, two were left, both of whom were Zhao Kuangyin's seventh generation grandson.
One of them was named Zhao Ai, and the other was named Zhao Zhuo. They were both given the status of princes by Zhao Gou, and they were regarded as Zhao Gou's adopted sons.
These two children have undergone strict education and have good talents when they grow up. Now they are both over thirty years old. Each has its own throne and official position, waiting for Zhao Gou to make the final choice.
Zhao Gou was undecided about this.
Zhao Ai is better in talent, but she is tall and thin and does not look like an emperor.
Zhao Zhuo was fat and blessed. Zhao Gou liked his appearance more, but his talents were slightly inferior and he was a bit slow in doing things.
In order to make the final choice, Zhao Gou called his trusted official Shi Hao, a doctor of Guozi, to seek a solution from him.
Shi Hao became an official relatively late, but he was similar in age to Zhao Gou. He was relatively calm and experienced, and his attitude was highly appreciated by Zhao Gou. Therefore, Zhao Gou had always been closer to Shi Hao, and he also followed Shi Hao's advice on the prince's education.
Shi Hao learned from Zhao Gou about the dilemma Zhao Gou faced and his decision. After thinking about it, he made two suggestions to Zhao Gou.
"The successor your Majesty needs should have a persevering will and an unshakable integrity. He should be able to control his own behavior and not be arrogant and domineering just because he is the emperor. Such an emperor is the emperor who can lead the country."
Zhao Gou stroked his beard and nodded slowly, agreeing with Shi Hao's opinion.
So Shi Hao added: "Then please ask your Majesty to conduct two rounds of tests on the two princes to test their will and character."
Shi Hao told Zhao Gou his suggestion. After hearing it, Zhao Gou felt that it was okay, so he entrusted Shi Hao to test the two princes.
The first test was that Zhao Gou asked the two princes to copy the "Preface to the Lanting Collection" a hundred times within five days.
Zhao Ai and Zhao Zhuo both expressed embarrassment, feeling that this was a bit difficult, so Shi Hao told them that this was [the emperor's order] and cannot be violated.
Shi Hao deliberately put the word "Jun Ming" very seriously and made some suggestions to Zhao Ai and Zhao Zhuo. Zhao Ai recorded this suggestion in his heart, but Zhao Zhuo didn't care a little and felt that it didn't matter.
So in the next five days, Zhao Ai not only copied the prescribed one hundred times, but also copied an additional twenty times. However, Zhao Zhuo was lazy and only copied nineteen copies.
Zhao Gou looked at the reactions of the two and felt that Zhao Ai was obedient and diligent, while Zhao Zhuo was lazy and disobedient, and the balance in his heart began to tilt towards Zhao Ai.
Then Zhao Gou ordered that Zhao Ai and Zhao Zhuo be given five beautiful maids each to serve them in their daily lives, and Shi Hao was responsible for the rewards.
When Shi Hao saw off the beautiful palace maid, he noticed that Zhao Ai and Zhao Zhuo were very interested and eager to give it a try.
So Shi Hao also persuaded the two of them separately, saying that these are the people who usually serve Zhao Gou. Now they are given to you. Why don't you treat them like concubines?
Zhao Ai listened to Shi Hao's words and felt that there was something in Shi Hao's words. She also recalled the previous copying of the preface to the Lanting anthology, and suddenly felt that this matter was not simple.
Although the five palace maids had beautiful faces and charming eyes, Zhao Ai still resisted the impulse and did not make any move. She treated the five ladies politely and Qiu did not commit any crime.
Zhao Zhuo, on the other hand, thought about it and felt unwilling to do so. He felt as if a monkey was tickling him, and finally couldn't hold it back. He did two things that night, two more the next day, and the last one on the third day. Even one was done.
After more than ten days, Zhao Gou ordered to recall the ten maids and sent female officials to examine their bodies. It was found that the five maids given to Zhao Ai were still in perfect condition, while the five maids given to Zhao Zhuo had been Zhao Zhuo possesses it.
Zhao Gou then felt that Zhao Ai could withstand temptation and loneliness, and was a good candidate to become emperor.
And Zhao Zhuo was not only disobedient, but also impatient. What would happen if he became emperor?
I'm afraid that all the maids in the inner palace will be possessed by him!
Zhao Gou, who had not been able to appreciate the joy of being a man for a long time, was finally disappointed in Zhao Zhuo with unhappiness and a little jealousy.
So he summoned the ministers and ministers and announced to them that he had decided to make Zhao Ai the crown prince.
"Ai respects the emperor and his father, abides by the etiquette of being a minister, and shows his filial piety, so he can be established as the crown prince."
Any wise minister would not interfere with the emperor's decision on who to appoint as the crown prince. Unless the emperor takes the initiative to ask, he must give an ambiguous answer. In short, there must be no clear direction or any emotion.
So the matter was settled like this.
Before the news of the upcoming return of the Northern Song Dynasty clan was announced, Zhao Gou officially announced on the sixth day of June that he would appoint the prince Zhao Ai as the crown prince and change his name to Zhao Yu.
This year, Zhao Yu was thirty-three years old.
