The mystery of the candlelight and axe sound has been passed down through the ages. Regarding the death of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, there is a theory that Zhao Guangyi assassinated his brother and usurped the throne. So, did Zhao Guangyi really dare to kill Zhao Kuangyin? What did he rely on? This article will reveal the truth behind this mystery.

1. The relationship between Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Kuangyin

Zhao Guangyi, styled Junshi, was the younger brother of Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty. The two fought together in the Chenqiao Coup and overthrew the Houzhou regime to establish the Song Dynasty. After Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne, he named Zhao Guangyi as the Prince of Jin, a position second only to the emperor. Therefore, from the perspective of blood relationship and power status, Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Kuangyin were closely related and had no obvious conflicts.

2. The background of the candlelight and axe sound incident

The candlelight and axe sound incident occurred in 976 AD, when Zhao Kuangyin had already died and the throne was inherited by his younger brother Zhao Guangyi. The cause of Zhao Kuangyin's death is not clearly recorded in historical books, leaving only the four characters "candlelight and axe sound". These four characters have become the key clue for later generations to guess the cause of Zhao Kuangyin's death.

3. The possibility of Zhao Guangyi assassinating his brother and usurping the throne

There has been a lot of controversy in history regarding whether Zhao Guangyi assassinated his brother and usurped the throne. Some believe that Zhao Guangyi was willing to kill his own brother in order to seize the throne. However, others believe that there is no conclusive evidence for this theory and it is just speculation by later generations.

4. The reliance of Zhao Guangyi assassinating his brother and usurping the throne

If Zhao Guangyi really assassinated his brother and usurped the throne, what did he rely on? Firstly, Zhao Guangyi established himself with great military achievements during the Chenqiao Coup and had high prestige. Secondly, Zhao Guangyi had some influence in the court and was closely related to some important officials. Finally, Zhao Guangyi also had some influence in the army and could mobilize some troops. These factors provided some reliance for Zhao Guangyi to assassinate his brother and usurp the throne.

5. Conclusion

The mystery of the candlelight and axe sound is a historical puzzle, and there is still no consensus on whether Zhao Guangyi assassinated his brother and usurped the throne. However, from the available historical materials and analysis, the possibility of Zhao Guangyi assassinating his brother and usurping the throne is not high. We should approach this issue with an objective and rational attitude, avoiding excessive speculation and guesses.

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