The Northern Song Dynasty was one of the glorious eras in China's history when culture, technology and art reached its peak. During this glorious period, Song Renzong Zhao Zhen became a highly influential monarch. However, there is a confusing secret history about Song Renzong's life experience, which is unbelievable.
The protagonist of this secret history is a nun named Lee. Li, born in the family of Li Rende, the king of Handong County, Qiantang, enjoyed a prosperous life in his childhood. However, the trajectory of her life took a huge turn in the waves of fate. The early death of his mother, the death of his father due to illness, the family's downfall, and his stepmother's remarriage made the Li family fall from a privileged life to a boundless predicament overnight. When she was helpless, she made an unexpected choice to become a nun.
I thought she would spend the rest of her life in the monastery, plain and quiet. However, fate painted a dramatic picture for her. She met Liu E in the temple, then the emperor's favorite concubine, and this encounter became an unprecedented turning point in her life.
Liu E, who was the emperor's favorite concubine at the time, was expected to be made the queen. Liu E's background is not prominent, and she was born in an ordinary family. However, her ingenuity and extraordinary shrewdness brought her to the attention of the court early. After she entered the palace, she showed amazing resourcefulness and soon became the favorite concubine of Song Zhenzong.
Song Zhenzong's favor for Liu E continued unabated, making her a stable position in the harem. However, Liu E is not satisfied with this, she has ambitious ambitions and aspires to become queen. On the road to find the birth of an heir, she cleverly planned an incredible scheme.
In order to solve the mystery of fertility, she did not hesitate to travel back and forth between the commoners and the court, but found nothing. Until one time, when Song Zhenzong and Liu E went to the temple to pray for blessings, the two met the nun Li by chance.
Song Zhenzong was attracted by Li's appearance and temperament, which attracted Liu E's attention. Liu E did not return to the palace immediately, but privately summoned the Li family. After learning about the noble origin and helpless situation of the Li family, Liu E thought that the Li family was a perfect helper and persuaded her to enter the palace to become her maid. She had a particularly close relationship with the Li family, and Song Zhenzong often came. In this context, Liu E began to hatch a bold plan to give birth to an imperial heir with the help of Li's womb.
She skillfully arranged the occasion for Song Zhenzong and the Li family to get along, so that the two gradually developed true feelings. Soon after, Lee became pregnant and gave birth to a boy. According to Liu E's plan, the child was adopted by Liu E and claimed to be his biological son. Zhao Zhen became the only eldest son of Song Zhenzong, and Liu E finally obtained the coveted position of queen.
This historical legend came to be known as "Tanuki for Prince" and was vividly described in later works of art. In the play, a blind old woman claims to be the emperor's biological mother, Bao Qingtian exposes the conspiracy in the court, and finally the truth is revealed, and the grievances are revealed.
In actual history, no such bizarre event has occurred. Concubine Li Chen was not coldly frozen, but spent the rest of her life under Liu E's favor. And the prince born by her became the later Song Renzong, a famous monarch through the ages.
After Zhao Zhen learned the truth, he issued an edict to posthumously seal his biological mother Li and establish Fengci Temple to commemorate. Song Renzong Zhao Zhen thrived under Liu E's tutelage from an early age and became an erudite and talented monarch. After ascending the throne, he ruled the world with benevolence, opened his mind, and encouraged innovation. During this period, literary giants such as Ouyang Xiu, Fan Zhongyan, Wang Anshi, Su Shi, etc., emerged one after another, promoting the prosperity of culture and art.
At the same time, Song Renzong was also known for his tolerance and generosity. In the plot of Bao Zheng's outspoken admonition, he showed a tolerant attitude towards different opinions, so that the DPRK and China could live in peace and the government affairs operated well. This kind of benevolence even spread to neighboring countries, and Yelu Hongji admired it.
Regardless of the truth of history, it is undeniable that Song Renzong's influence surpassed the dynasties of the time and became an unforgettable stroke in the history of our country. More importantly, it shows us how a benevolent, enlightened, and diligent king can influence the development and prosperity of an era. The brilliance of history and the significance of truth are fully reflected in this secret history.