The right to quench thirst by drinking poison is the beginning of a series of political and military reform measures adopted by Song Taizu to strengthen centralization and consolidate its rule, and it is regarded as a model of leniency. Since then, Song Taizu has reformed the military system many times, which greatly strengthened the centralization of power in the Northern Song Dynasty.
Zhao Kuangyin's strategy of "exchanging corruption for soldiers" was not only two rebellions launched by Li Jun and Li Zhongjin, the old ministers of the Zhou Dynasty at the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, but also a political event similar to "wearing a yellow robe" that never happened in the Song Dynasty for more than 300 years.
Later, "relieving the military power with a glass of wine" evolved into an idiom, which was extended to easily relieve the military power of generals.
Extended data:
The story of quenching thirst by drinking poison: In the second year of Stegosaurus (AD 96 1 year), Song Taizu hosted a banquet in honor of the imperial generals Shi Shouxin and others. Halfway through the drink, Song Taizu said: "If it weren't for the support of the generals; I wouldn't be here today. However, when the emperor, life is really hard, it is better to be our idle people. Now I can't sleep well almost all night. "
Shi Shouxin and others asked, "Your Majesty is the son of heaven now. What's on your mind? " Song Taizu said, "Who doesn't want to sit in my seat?" Shi Shouxin and others heard something in the words and quickly confessed: "Since the fate has been set, who dares to be unfaithful?"
Mao said with a wry smile: "Although you won't be unfaithful, if one day your subordinates dress you in yellow robes, you may not be able to be an emperor even if you don't want to be!" When Shi Shouxin heard this, he was shocked. He quickly bowed down and said with tears, "We were so stupid that we didn't think of this. Please show us a way out. "
Zhao Kuangyin said: "The life span of an individual is as short as the blink of an eye; Life is only for abundance and enjoyment. I plan for you, why don't you hand over the military power, go to the local government, buy some fertile land and beautiful houses, leave a manor for future generations, and you can also drink and have fun every day; Happy life.
I will marry you again. So there will be no suspicion between the monarch and the minister. Isn't it nice to live in peace? "Hearing this kindness, Shi Shouxin and others resigned the next day and handed over the relieving.
It can be seen that Zhao Kuangyin was very generous when he released the military power-of course, his generosity was the generosity of the country and the nation. In the original words of History of Song Dynasty, he was "very generous" and offered all the military commanders very generous prices.
Looking at the essence through the phenomenon, the so-called "relieving soldiers with a glass of wine" is actually nothing more than Song Taizu and Zhao Kuangyin's "exchanging greed for relieving soldiers".
References:
Baidu Encyclopedia-A glass of wine releases soldiers (Song Taizu seized power)