Chai Rong, Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou: The First Wise Monarch of the Five Dynasties as Depicted in "Zizhi Tongjian"

Brief Introduction

Chai Rong, Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou (921–959), was the third emperor of the Later Zhou dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Although his reign lasted only five years, he is hailed as the "First Wise Monarch of the Five Dynasties" due to his exceptional military talent and political reforms. Sima Guang devoted significant space in the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance) to recording his statecraft and military expansion. In the text, he is frequently referred to as "the Emperor" or "Your Majesty," portraying the image of a ruler with grand ambitions and strategic vision. Had Chai Rong not died prematurely, the course of Chinese history might have been rewritten; he is regarded as a key figure bridging the chaos of the Five Dynasties and the prosperity of the Northern Song.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Military Reform and Centralization
Chai Rong was deeply aware of the弊端 (drawbacks) of warlord separatism and unruly soldiers and generals since the late Tang Dynasty. He personally selected elite troops to form the "Palace Front Divisions," purged the old and weak, and established the absolute superiority of the central imperial guard. This laid the foundation for the Northern Song's policy of "Strong Trunk, Weak Branches," effectively preventing the recurrence of warlord separatism.

2. Economic Reform and Currency Unification
To restore people's livelihood, he unified weights and measures, cast the "Zhou Yuan Tong Bao" coin, and prohibited private minting, thereby stabilizing the economic order. Simultaneously, he encouraged agriculture and sericulture and reduced taxes, leading to a rapid recovery of the Central Plains' economy and providing material保障 (guarantee) for warfare.

3. Restricting Buddhism and Strengthening National Power
Facing the expansion of the temple economy and monks evading taxes and labor service, Chai Rong implemented policies to restrict Buddhism. He forced monks and nuns to return to secular life and melted down Buddha statues to cast coins. This not only increased the source of troops but also replenished the national treasury, reflecting a pragmatic philosophy of governance and breaking the interference of religion on secular power.

4. Military Campaigns and Unification of the Central Plains
He successively campaigned south against the Southern Tang and north against the Later Han. The Zizhi Tongjian records in detail his personal expedition to Yedu and the capture of the Three Passes. Although forced to retreat due to a sudden illness, he greatly weakened the separatist forces, achieved the preliminary unification of the Central Plains, and established the legitimacy of the Later Zhou.

Connection with "Zizhi Tongjian" Content

In the "Records of Later Zhou" section of the Zizhi Tongjian, Sima Guang vividly restores Chai Rong's decision-making process through phrases like "The Emperor said to his ministers" and "The Emperor said." The book not only records his achievements but also reveals his diligence and care for the people through detailed descriptions. For example, it records that he held court daily, personally reviewed memorials, and even fell ill due to overwork, embodying the image of a monarch in the Confucian ideal.

Although Sima Guang did not offer direct comments, the text reveals regret and admiration for this monarch who "alas, died too early." The book records that even on his deathbed, he remained concerned about state affairs, reflecting the relationship between heavenly mandate and human effort. Through the case of Chai Rong, the Zizhi Tongjian explores how to achieve unification through reform in chaotic times. Chai Rong's reforms laid a solid foundation for the unification and prosperity of the Northern Song. He was a restorer of the dynasty amidst the chaos of the Five Dynasties, and his historical status is fully affirmed and recorded in the book.