After the collapse of the Tang Dynasty, five regimes appeared in northern China. They are Hou Liang, Later Tang Dynasty, Later Jin Dynasty, Later Han Dynasty and Later Zhou Dynasty. They didn't last long, one after another. They are very small in the 5,000-year history of China, but they have an emperor who has been admired by generations. Ma Tianqi said: "Zhou Shizong, when the world is divided, you can become weaker and stronger just by thinking about it. Sima Guang said, "If Zhou Shizong is a benevolent man! Love people, but don't love them; If it's Zhou Shizong, that's clear! Not conducive to useless waste. Ouyang Xiu said: "His bravery can be described as a hero. He is open-minded and willing to employ people. Isn't it the so-called saint! " He is Chai Rong in the post-Zhou Shizong era.

Chai Rong, the second emperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty, was born in Chaijiazhuang, Yaoshan, Xingzhou, with a noble family. Chai Rong grew up under his uncle Guo Wei. Chai Rong was smart and cautious when he was young, and was adopted by Guo Wei. 195 1 year, after the establishment of Guo Wei, Chai Rong was appointed to govern the country, and its territory was "clean and honest, and thieves did not invade the territory". Chai Rong not only made outstanding achievements in military service, but also made outstanding achievements in military service. He has good relations and contacts with North Korea. So after Guo Wei's death, the throne naturally passed to Chai Rong.

When Chai Rong acceded to the throne, due to the new loss of the country, the Northern Han Dynasty jointly attacked the Khitan. However, Chai Rong is not afraid. According to historical records, Chai Rong "walked behind enemy lines in a white robe and shot the enemy". The Northern Han and the Khitan lost many battles and could no longer compete for the Central Plains. However, due to the chaos of the army in the later period of the war, without Chai Rong's morale, World War I collapsed. Therefore, after the war, Chai Rong decided to rectify military discipline and began drastic reforms. Chai Rong rewards those who have made meritorious deeds. For example, Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, was promoted to commander-in-chief of the Forbidden City. For those who run away from the battle, Chai Rong is also hell to pay.

Chai Rong knows the importance of talents. After he acceded to the throne, he was summoned many times, and he was thirsty for talent. According to historical records, Chai Rong "is good at drawing strange things and taking handsome things. He wrote a letter with his own cloth, and the speaker below will never use it again. " He also resumed the imperial examination during the war and extensively selected talents through the examination.

After the collapse of the Tang Dynasty, due to frequent wars, local authorities retained a great degree of power. Most of the local dignitaries' orders to the central government are inconsistent, which often leads to local chaos and official management corruption. Chai Rong acceded to the throne, vigorously rectify, and strive to be frugal in life. He cut off useless people in the palace, refused to enjoy jewelry, and prohibited local officials from offering valuable things.

Sejong knows that agriculture is a national industry and developing agricultural production is a major event. So Sejong ordered the dissolution of some troops and assigned them to land, so that they could specialize in agricultural production. He also ordered the recruitment of refugees from all over the country and the reclamation of a large number of wasteland. In order to make full use of labor, Sejong suppressed many people in society and forced them to engage in agricultural production. 1995, Sejong ordered the destruction of Buddha, the abolition of Buddhist temples, and the granting of land to monks and nuns. A new tax law has been implemented to reduce the burden on farmers.

After several years of reform, the political situation in the later Zhou Dynasty became clearer and clearer, and more material resources were accumulated. The conditions for foreign wars are basically mature.

At that time, there were only Northern Han and Qidan in the north, but there were several regimes in the south, the most powerful of which was Southern Tang. Chai Rong decided to attack Nantang first, seize the land and prepare for the next war. Since 953, the Zhou Dynasty has sent troops to attack Nantang three times in a row, even to all parts of Jiangbei. Southern Tang regime was on the verge of collapse. Finally, South Tang made peace, and Chai Rong was also afra.