At the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Jingkang Rebellion broke out, the Jin soldiers went south, and Bianjing fell. Zhao Ji of Song Huizong and his son Zhao Huan of Qinzong were captured one after another and embarked on a long road to the north hunting. This road is not only a geographical trek, but also a microcosm of a dynasty from prosperity to decline. From Bianjing to Wuguocheng, nearly 5,000 miles, across the North China Plain and the Northeast Plain, how many joys and sorrows have been witnessed, and how many vicissitudes of history have been hidden?
What did Zhao Ji and his entourage experience on this road? How do they cope with a sudden change in identity? How did they spend the rest of their lives under alien rule? This Northern Hunting Road is not only a geographical journey, but also a profound historical reflection. It makes us think: what does the rise and fall of an empire depend on? What kind of inspiration can the fate of a ruler leave for future generations?
In September of the first year of Jingkang (1126), the army of Jin went south, and the troops came to Bianjing. This 100,000 elites led by Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Zongwang were like a sharp knife, piercing the heart of the Northern Song Empire.
In Bianjing City, there is a gloomy cloud. Zhao Ji of Song Huizong had already cedicated the throne to his eldest son Zhao Huan and proclaimed himself Emperor Taishang. However, this move did not save the fate of the Great Song. The Jin army besieged the city for a long time, and there was already a chaotic scene inside and outside Bianjing.
There was a shortage of food and grass in the city, and the people complained. In the streets and alleys, rumors are rife. Some people say that the Jin soldiers have broken through the city of Tokyo, and some people say that the Emperor Taishang is ready to abandon the city and flee. The ministers of the court discussed countermeasures day and night, but they could not find a way to break the situation.
Song Qinzong Zhao Huan was helpless and decided to go out of the city to negotiate with the Jin army in person. On the ninth day of the first month of the second year of Jingkang (1127), Zhao Huan, accompanied by the ministers, came to the Jin army camp outside Bianjing. However, the negotiations turned out to be a complete disaster.
The commander of the Jin army, Wanyan Zonghan, detained Zhao Huan in the barracks on the grounds that the negotiations could not be successful. Subsequently, the Jin army took the opportunity to attack Bianjing City, and for a time smoke and dust rose everywhere, and the shouts of killing shook the sky. The city of Bianjing suddenly fell into chaos, the palace attendants, civil and military officials fled in all directions, and the people panicked, some hid in the cellar, and some fled outside the city.
At this time, the Jin army sent people into the palace and forced the emperor Zhao Ji to also go to the Jin camp to "negotiate peace". Zhao Ji was escorted by Jin Bing and had to leave the palace where he had lived for most of his life. The moment he walked out of the palace gate, he may have realized that this would be a farewell.
In March of the second year of Jingkang, the Jin army decided to evacuate Bianjing. However, they did not return empty-handed. In addition to a large number of gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, they also took away the most precious trophies - Zhao Ji of Song Huizong, Zhao Huan of Song Qinzong, as well as a large number of royal family members and court officials.
In this way, the once prosperous and wealthy capital of the empire lost its luster overnight. In Bianjing, palaces and pavilions are in ruins, and the streets are filled with the cries of refugees and the groans of the wounded. The once bustling royal street is now only ruined and full of ruins.
This catastrophe was not only the fall of a dynasty, but also the catastrophe of the entire Central Plains civilization. Countless precious cultural relics, texts and artefacts have been looted, and countless skilled craftsmen have been forced to leave their homes. It is a catastrophe of civilization whose effects will last for hundreds of years.
With the exile of the two emperors, the Northern Song Dynasty officially came to an end. However, for Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan, the greater ordeal has just begun. They will be escorted thousands of miles to embark on the long and arduous road to the north hunting. From then on, they were no longer the sons of heaven on high above, but prisoners in the hands of aliens.
This northern hunting road is not only a geographical trek, but also an unforgettable history. It witnessed the fall of an empire and heralded a great turning point in Chinese history. For people of later generations, the Jingkang Disaster is not only a historical event, but also a mirror, reflecting the profound lessons of governing the country and securing the country.
At the end of March of the second year of Jingkang (1127), the Jin army began their journey north. In this mighty team, in addition to the Jin soldiers, there were tens of thousands of Song Dynasty prisoners. Among them, the most striking are Zhao Ji of Song Huizong and Zhao Huan of Song Qinzong, who were imprisoned in a special prison car.
The team set out from Bianjing and first headed northeast. They traveled along the eastern foothills of Taihang Mountain and through the fertile North China Plain. This once prosperous and prosperous land is now devastated. Most of the villages along the route are in ruins, the fields are barren, and the people are displaced.
When the team passed through Puyang, it was the season of apricot blossoms. The apricot blossoms all over the mountains are in stark contrast to this team heading north. It is said that Zhao Ji once recited a poem in the prisoner car: "The flowers fall and bloom for another year, and the streamer is easy to throw people away." This poem not only expresses Zhao Ji's state of mind at this time, but also becomes a vivid portrayal of this northern hunting road.
While traveling to Hebei Province today, the team encountered a sudden rainstorm. The muddy roads slowed down the march considerably, and the prisoner wagons struggled through the mud. It is said that once Zhao Ji's prisoner cart got bogged down, and Jin Bing had to summon the people nearby to push the cart. The local people all sighed and sighed when they saw that the once high Son of Heaven was now reduced to a prisoner.
After crossing the North China Plain, the team began to march north. They crossed the Taihang Mountains and entered the Liaodong region. The terrain here is more complex and the climate is getting colder. The mountain roads are rugged and often infested with wild beasts. It is recorded that on one occasion the team encountered a pack of hungry wolves, and the Jin soldiers had to stop and fight with the wolves, and the melee lasted for a whole hour.
As they continued to move north, the team gradually entered the Jurchens' sphere of influence. The customs here are very different from those of the Central Plains, and the language barrier has become a major obstacle. It is said that once Zhao Huan needed medical treatment due to illness, but due to the language barrier, the doctor Jin Bing found misunderstood the symptoms and almost caused serious consequences.
On the way, the team briefly stopped in Liaozhongjing (present-day Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province). This was once the capital of the Liao Kingdom, but now it is in a depression. Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan were housed in a dilapidated temple. It is said that an old local monk recognized Zhao Ji and secretly brought him some food and warm clothes. This little episode has become a rare warm moment in this arduous journey.
After nearly two months of trekking, the team finally arrived at Yen Ching Restaurant (present-day Beijing). Nanjing, once the Liao State, has become an important city in the Jin Kingdom at this time. Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan were temporarily placed in a manor outside the city. It is said that when they arrived, it was the summer solstice. The summer heat in Yen Ching Restaurant is very different from Bianjing in the south. The two prisoners spent a relatively peaceful time here.
However, Yen Ching Restaurant is not their final destination. Not long after, the ruler of the Jin State ordered the two captives to be sent further north to the city of Wuguo (present-day Yilan County, Heilongjiang Province). This means that they will face a more difficult journey and a harsher environment.
From Bianjing to Yen Ching Restaurant and then to the Five Kingdoms City, this Northern Hunting Road stretches for thousands of miles. It is not only a geographical trek, but also a microcosm of the fate of a dynasty. Every step along the way confirms the decline of the Great Song Empire and heralds a great turning point in Chinese history.
On this road, there are barren smoke and vines, wind, frost, snow and rain, and difficulties and obstacles. But more importantly, it witnessed the end of an era and gave birth to a new chapter in history. For Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan, this is a path to captivity and humiliation. But for Chinese history, this road has become an important link between the north and the south and the communication of cultures.
After arriving in the Five Kingdoms City, the lives of Zhao Ji of Song Huizong and Zhao Huan of Song Qinzong were turned upside down. From the Son of Heaven to a prisoner, this huge gap in identity has brought them an unprecedented impact.
Located in present-day Yilan County, Heilongjiang Province, the Five Kingdoms City was a place specially used by the Jin State to house important prisoners. The climate here is cold and the environment is harsh, which is very different from the prosperity of Bianjing. Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan were placed in a simple courtyard, surrounded by sentry posts of Jin soldiers. In the past, there were only a few rough wooden beds, tables and chairs left.
Living became the biggest challenge for the two former emperors. They had to make a fire themselves for heating and cleaning. According to records, once Zhao Ji almost caused a fire because he was not familiar with the method of making a fire. The emperor, once known for his artistic prowess, is now unable to even the most basic life skills.
Diet is a big problem. The Jin State did not give special treatment to the two captives, and their meals were no different from those of ordinary prisoners. Coarse black flour cakes and bland wild vegetable soup, these foods that have never appeared in the Bianjing Imperial Palace, have now become their daily routine. It is said that Zhao Huan once fell ill because he was not used to the local food, and was bedridden for several days and could not eat.
In addition to the difficulties of material life, the two former emperors were troubled by the language barrier. In addition to the Jin soldiers, there were also captives and local residents from all over the country. They use a variety of languages, and Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan are often unable to communicate with people. Once, Zhao Ji wanted to paint with some paper and ink, but due to the language barrier, Jin Bing mistakenly thought that he was going to run away, and almost caused a catastrophe.
Cultural differences also caused them a lot of discomfort. The living habits and etiquette rules of the Jin people are very different from those of the Central Plains. For example, the Jin people liked to eat raw meat, which was extremely barbaric in the eyes of the Central Plains people. It is said that on one occasion when officials of the Kingdom of Jin held a banquet for the captives, they were served a plate of raw meat. Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan could only endure the discomfort and barely cope with such a "delicacy".
The harshness of the climate made it even more difficult for the two southerners to adapt. The winters in the Five Kingdoms Castle are long and cold, and the doors are often closed by heavy snow. According to records, one of Zhao Huan's entourages suffered frostbite from the cold and eventually had to have his leg amputated. Such a tragedy is not unique among the captives.
Perhaps the most unbearable, however, is the mental torture. From the supreme emperor to the prisoner, this huge gap made Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan often fall into deep self-blame and remorse. It is said that Zhao Ji often had trouble sleeping all night and paced in the courtyard until dawn.
Despite this, the two former emperors did not completely give up hope. They try to improve their situation in various ways. Zhao Ji used his artistic talent to create calligraphy and paintings for Jin officials in exchange for some conveniences in life. Zhao Huan tried to learn Jurchen language, hoping to better communicate with the guards.
Under alien rule, Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan had to live carefully. Any careless words and actions can lead to disaster. It is said that once Zhao Huan inadvertently mentioned the affairs of the Southern Song court, and was immediately severely warned by Jin Bing. Since then, the two have been more cautious in their conversations, for fear of arousing the suspicion of the Jin people.
Over time, the two former emperors gradually adapted to this difficult life. They learn to find the joy of life in a limited space. Zhao Ji picked up his paintbrush again and planted some flowers and plants in the courtyard. Zhao Huan began researching local herbs to try to alleviate some common ailments.
However, no matter how hard they tried, they could not change their status as prisoners. Whenever night falls, looking at the unfamiliar northern starry sky, the two former emperors must think of distant Bianjing, the empire that has been lost. In this cage in a foreign land, they not only lost their freedom, but also lost all the glory and wealth they once had.
This difficult life in a foreign land was not only a turning point in the personal fate of the two former emperors, but also a microcosm of the entire history of the Song Dynasty. It witnessed the decline of an empire and heralded great changes in Chinese history. In this strange land, Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan have to face their past, and at the same time find the strength to survive in the midst of difficulties.
With the passage of time, the lives of Zhao Ji of Song Huizong and Zhao Huan of Song Qinzong in the Five Kingdoms City gradually entered their old age. During this period, although their situation improved slightly, it was still full of loneliness and desolation.
The rulers of the Jin Kingdom softened their attitude towards the two former emperors. They were allowed to roam around the city in a small area, and were no longer closely monitored as they had been in the first place. However, this limited freedom did not bring them much solace. On the contrary, it highlights their identity as prisoners even more.
In his later years, Zhao Ji often walked alone through the streets of the Five Kingdoms City. This former master of art can only use shabby pen and ink to write and paint on the street for passers-by in exchange for some meager income. It is said that once an unaware passer-by saw Zhao Ji's painting and exclaimed: "This painting is not inferior to Song Huizong back then!" This unintentional compliment made Zhao Ji silently shed tears.
Zhao Huan spends most of his time researching local herbs. He tried to use this knowledge to improve the health of himself and other prisoners. On one occasion, Zhao Huan successfully cured a seriously ill prisoner with a local weed. After this incident spread in the Five Kingdoms City, it attracted many people to seek medical advice. However, this short-lived "fame" did not bring much comfort to Zhao Huan, but made him miss the glory of the past even more.
As they grew older, the health of the two former emperors deteriorated. The cold climate, rough diet, and long-term mental stress have all taken a huge toll on their bodies. According to records, Zhao Ji often had trouble sleeping due to joint pain in his later years, and Zhao Huan suffered from serious lung disease.
In such a predicament, the relationship between the two becomes complex and delicate. As father and son, they are each other's only relatives in a foreign land. However, as emperors of the two dynasties, there is an unspeakable gap between them. It is said that once Zhao Huan happened to see a painting depicting the change of Jingkang in the bazaar of the Five Kingdoms City, and he lost control of his emotions on the spot and loudly reprimanded Zhao Ji for his incompetence. After this altercation, father and son did not speak for a long time.
Still, in the face of shared suffering, they chose to support each other. When Zhao Ji was bedridden due to illness, Zhao Huan took care of him personally, day and night. And when Zhao Huan fell into deep self-blame and remorse, Zhao Ji would also comfort him in his own way. Their relationship seems to have found a delicate balance in this interdependence.
Over time, the two former emperors gradually lost contact with the outside world. Although the Southern Song Dynasty court sent people to rescue many times, they were unsuccessful. It is said that once a Southern Song Dynasty envoy ventured into the Five Kingdoms City and wanted to take Zhao Huan away, but Zhao Huan refused. Zhao Huan said: "I have brought such a big disaster to the country, how can I still have the face to go back?" These words not only expressed Zhao Huan's state of mind, but also reflected a certain acceptance of their fate by the two former emperors.
In their later years, perhaps the greatest solace came from the creation of art. Zhao Ji picked up his brush again and created a large number of poems and paintings. Although most of these works have been dispersed, some of them have been handed down and have become important materials for later generations to study this period of history. Zhao Huan recorded what he saw and heard, leaving behind many precious historical materials.
However, even these creations could not completely dispel the loneliness in their hearts. Under alien rule, in a strange land, they have always been a misfit. When night fell, the two old men often sat in the courtyard, looking at the southern sky, and fell into a long silence.
Zhao Ji finally spent the last days of his life in the Five Kingdoms City. It is said that on his deathbed, he said to Zhao Huan: "Our mistakes are irreparable, but history will remember all this." This sentence is not only a summary of his life, but also a kind of admonition to his son.
Zhao Huan was moved elsewhere by the rulers of the Jin State shortly after Zhao Ji's death. History books have varied about his whereabouts, with some saying that he died on the way and others saying that he eventually reached his destination. In any case, this former emperor finally ended his life in a foreign land.
The old age of the two former emperors is a bleak and sad picture. It is not only a tragedy of personal fate, but also a microcosm of an era. Under the rule of foreign races, in a strange land, they spent the rest of their lives witnessing the end of an empire, and also heralded great changes in Chinese history.
The lives of Zhao Ji of Song Huizong and Zhao Huan of Song Qinzong, especially their actions during their reigns and their eventual ending, have always been a hot topic of discussion among historians and ordinary people. With the changes of the times, the evaluation of these two emperors has also shown a trend of diversification and complexity.
In the official history books of the Song Dynasty, the evaluation of Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan is relatively negative. In the "History of the Song Dynasty", Zhao Ji was evaluated as "a great achievement, poor and extravagant", believing that he was addicted to art and pleasure, ignoring the government and politics, which eventually led to the Jingkang Change. The evaluation of Zhao Huan is "cowardly and indecisive, misleading the country and losing his family", believing that he failed to make decisive decisions at a critical moment, which eventually led to the demise of the Northern Song Dynasty.
However, over time, later scholars began to diverge in their evaluation of these two emperors. Some scholars believe that it is unfair to simply blame Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan for the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty. They pointed out that the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty was the result of a combination of factors, including long-standing political, economic, and military problems.
For example, the Ming Dynasty scholar Wang Shizhen had a more positive evaluation of Zhao Ji in the "Yizhou Historical Materials". He believes that during Zhao Ji's reign, although there were many mistakes, there were also some policies worthy of affirmation, such as the implementation of the "Chongning New Deal" to try to reform the flawed fiscal system. Wang Shizhen also made special mention of Zhao Ji's artistic achievements, which he considered to have made an important contribution to the development of Chinese culture.
Qing Dynasty scholar Quan Zuwang softened his evaluation of Zhao Huan in the "Collected Works of the Pavilion of Qi". He believes that although Zhao Huan was indecisive in dealing with the invasion of the Jin Kingdom, his performance after being captured is worthy of recognition. Quan Zuwang specifically mentioned that Zhao Huan always maintained the dignity of the emperor during his time in the Five Kingdoms City and did not succumb to the pressure of the Jin State, which reflected his national integrity.
In modern times, with the further excavation of historical materials and the innovation of research methods, the evaluation of Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan has become more diversified. Some scholars are beginning to look at this history from a broader perspective. They believe that the failures of Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan reflect the shortcomings of the Song Dynasty's political system to some extent.
For example, some scholars have pointed out that although Zhao Ji was obsessed with art, some of his policies, such as the reuse of talents from Wang Anshi's reform faction, were in fact an attempt to solve the problems that had accumulated in the Song Dynasty for a long time. It is only because of various factors that these reforms have not succeeded in the end. To some extent, this view provides a new perspective for the interpretation of Zhao Ji's rule.
As for Zhao Huan, some scholars have suggested that his "cowardice" in times of crisis reflected, to some extent, the restraint of imperial power by the civil bureaucracy in the Song Dynasty. They believe that Zhao Huan's hesitation in the face of the pressure of the Jin soldiers was largely influenced by the ministers of the DPRK and China. This interpretation places Zhao Huan's personal responsibility in a broader historical context.
In the folk, the evaluation of Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan presents a different look. In many folklore and literary works, Zhao Ji is often portrayed as a talented but unprofessional emperor. For example, in operas such as "Drunken Beating Jiang Menshen", Zhao Ji is portrayed as a faint gentleman who is obsessed with art and pleasure. This image, although it may be exaggerated, also reflects to some extent the popular perception of the emperor.
Zhao Huan's image among the people is relatively vague. In some local legends, he is portrayed as a tragic figure, both incompetent and pitiful. For example, in folk tales circulating in some places, Zhao Huan is described as a poor man who is struggling to miss his homeland in the city of the Five Kingdoms, and this description reflects to some extent the people's sympathy for the fallen king.
In recent years, with the deepening of historical research, the evaluation of Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan has begun to become balanced. Some scholars have suggested that these two emperors should be evaluated in the context of their time, rather than simply by the criteria of success or defeat.
For example, some scholars have pointed out that Zhao Ji's artistic achievements have had a profound impact on the development of Chinese culture. His calligraphy and paintings are still regarded as treasures today, and his artistic ideas have had an important impact on later generations. These achievements somewhat balanced his political blunders.
As for Zhao Huan, some scholars have stressed that his performance after his capture is worthy of recognition. Despite being in a cage, he never gave up his insistence on national culture. The poems he wrote during his time in the City of the Five Kingdoms not only record this tragic history, but also reflect his profound reflection as a king of a fallen country.
In general, the historical evaluation of Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan is still evolving and changing. To a certain extent, the pluralism and complexity of this evaluation reflect the progress of historical research and the deepening of people's understanding of history. Whether positive or negative, these evaluations provide a rich perspective for us to understand this history.