The Study Of K’ou Chun And The Politics Of Songzhenzong

Kou Chun was born in Hua-chou Prefecture (present-day in Shensi province). Hebecame Chin-Shih in980and began his official career in the next forty years. Kou Chun’spersonality was distinctive and he had an important influence on the politics of NorthernSong dynasty. It has five chapters in this paper. It mainly studies Kou Chun’s personality,his accomplishments and his influence.The first chapter mainly introduces Kou Chun’s early official career. Because of KouChun’s frank remonstrance, he caught the attention of the emperor, Tai-tsung favored himmuch. Kou Chun was fortunate in his early career, he was the first Chin-jin of980tobecome a councilor.The second chapter introduces the early politics of Chen-tsung and Kou Chun’spolitical activities in this period. Under the help of Lu Tuan and Li Kang, Chen-tsung didwell in governing the country, appearing a prosperous period known as Xianping zhizhi.Kou Chun gave his support of Chen-tsung at a critical moment, with the appreciation of thenew emperor, Kou Chun returned to the central government soon.The third chapter discusses Kou Chun’s position and role in the1004crisis. Liaodynasty launched a large scale invasion in1004， Kou Chun was appointed the Grandcouncilor in this crisis. He suggested the emperor should go to Shan-chou and opposed toflee to South China. With Kou Chun’s efforts，the Song dynasty resisted the invasionsuccessfully at last。There are different opinions about Kou Chun’s insistence on theemperor’s presence in Shan-chou, someone think it’s risky and opportunistic, the writerbelieves Kou Chun’s behavior was beneficial to his country.The forth chapter discusses Kou Chun’s political activities after the Treaty ofShan-yuan. At this period, his official career was up and down, Kou Chun failed in thestruggle with Ting Wei which made his later years was miserable. The writer thinks KouChun’s fall from power was due largely to the framed of Wang Chin-jo and Ting Wei, ofcourse it’s also related to Kou Chun’s personality and his political style.The last chapter analyzes Kou Chun’s personality, the relationship between he and theemperor and the ruling concept of Chen-tsung’s government. The paper points out that KouChun’s personality got reputation for him, and it also the main reason for his setback.