Song, Liao, and Jin · Ruler

Taizu 藝祖

Attested AD 960 - AD 976

Passages: 4
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Taizu was a ruler.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 960 to AD 976 藝祖
Strongly inferred · History of Song 436, passage 177

Places and affiliations

Polity Song 宋 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Song 436, passage 188

Events and relationships

Replaced military administrators with scholars
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · History of Song 436, passage 188

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · History of Song 436, passage 177

References in the histories

History of Song, Chapter 436Volume 436 Biographies 195: Confucian Scholars 6: Chen Liang, Zheng Qiaolinting, Li Daochuan · 4 passages

論天下形勢之消長，而決大有為之機，務合於藝祖經畫天下之本旨。 weigh rise and fall and seize the hour, fitting Taizu's design.

臣妄意國家維持之具，至今日而窮，而藝祖皇帝經畫天下之大指，猶可恃以長久，苟推原其意而變通之，則恢復不足為矣。 I believe the devices by which the state has maintained itself are now spent, but Taizu's great design for ordering the realm can still sustain us. If we recover its intent and adapt it to the present, restoration is within reach.

其三曰：藝祖皇帝用天下之士人，以易武臣之任事者，故本朝以儒立國。 Third: Taizu replaced warriors with scholars; this dynasty is Ru.

今天下之士熟爛委靡，誠可厭惡，正在主上與二三大臣反其道以教之，作其氣而養之，使臨事不至乏才，隨才皆足有用，則立國之規模不至戾藝祖之本旨，而東西馳騁以定禍亂，不必專在武臣也。 The scholars of the realm today are overripe, slack, and spiritless, truly enough to disgust one. It rests precisely with the sovereign and a few great ministers to teach them by reversing that course, rouse and nurture their spirit, and ensure that when affairs arise there is no shortage of talent and that every talent can be put to use. Then the scale on which the state was founded will not depart from Taizu's original intent, and racing east and west to settle disasters and disorder need not depend solely on military men.