Zhao Jin's Story

Author: Zhao Fengshan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: Historical novels should be set against a certain historical background, using materials from historical records and legends as a foundation, adding some details, and written in the form of chapters. I strictly adhered to this principle, taking official history as the main thread and unofficial history as the supplementary thread, advancing the story in chronological order according to important historical events. The main historical facts and key figures in the book are well-documented. The fictional plots and details are those that could or would have likely occurred in the broader historical context. However, due to my limited expertise and the urgency of the situation, there is still an unpredictable gap between my subjective intentions and objective outcomes, leaving some regrets. What brings me comfort is that the literary works about Zhao Pu have finally taken the first step, paving the way for others to follow.
Zhao Pu, styled Zeping, assisted Zhao Kuangyin in seizing the throne during the chaotic times and unified the empire. He was one of the most important advisors to Zhao Kuangyin during the early years of the Northern Song Dynasty. This book chronicles nearly forty years of Zhao Pu's rise and fall in the political arena. Through plots like the Chenqiaoyi mutiny and the "cup of wine dissolving military power," it showcases Zhao Pu's extraordinary wisdom and strategic prowess. His military campaigns—such as seizing Jingnan, attacking Wuping, invading Houshu, destroying Nanhan, and suppressing Nanliang—demonstrate his uncanny ability to predict outcomes. Meanwhile, his petty acts of revenge against Feng Zan and his envy toward Hu Duodun reveal his narrow-mindedness and disdain for capable individuals. Overall, the book successfully portrays Zhao Pu's complex and ever-changing personality from multiple perspectives. Additionally, it vividly brings to life characters such as Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Kuangyi, Feng Jiao, and Hu Duodun.