宋徽宗初年的政争——以蔡王府狱为中心

The Political Struggle in the Early Years of Emperor Songhuizong

宋徽宗即位之初 ,“内外皆有异意之人”。其对立面蔡王集团声势颇大 ,不时兴风作浪。向太后在支持之余 ,难免掣肘。徽宗只能小心行事 ,较少胡作非为 ,其初政因而博得好评。不久 ,向太后去世 ,蔡王集团瓦解。徽宗从此在最高统治阶层内部 ,既无反对者 ,又无制约者 ,生活在一片赞扬声中 ,一意孤行 ,为所欲为。这或许正是徽宗最终被历史定位为亡国昏君的重要原因之一。

This paper discusses the case of Palace of Prime Cai as a key to some historical suspicions during the early years of Emperor SongHuizong.It all reated to the case that Emperor SongHuizong though an“adult emperor”earnestly requested the attendance of Emperor Dowager Xiang to state affairs,while his beginning ruling was highly praised.It showed that the top ruling stratum has spilt into two groups:one took Emperor SongHuizong as center,Empress Dowager Xiang as backstage support;the other took Prime Cai as core,supported by a concubine Dowager Zhu.Prime Cai passed away one after another,so there was nobody to object to or restrain Emperor SongHuizong.There were only extollers,so Emperor SongHuizong acted willfully with power in hand.Possibly,that is the cause how Emperor SongHuizong turned to be a fatuous emperor though he had been well commented in the first period of ruling.