Early life

Emperor Taizong was born in 939 in Kaifeng. After his brother Emperor Taizu took the throne, he was appointed prefect of Kaifeng. He was the Prince of Jin in his brother's reign.

Succeeding the throne and suspected fratricide

Emperor Taizong succeeded the throne in 976 after the death of his elder brother, Emperor Taizu, who was 49 and had no recorded illness. It is rather unusual in Chinese history for a brother rather than the son to succeed the throne, so the event fueled popular belief that foul play was involved.

According to official history, Empress Dowager Du before her death in 961 asked the 34-year-old Emperor Taizu to promise that his brother would succeed him so as to ensure the continuation of the Song dynasty. She reportedly asked Emperor Taizu, "Do you know why you came to power? It was because Later Zhou had a seven-year-old emperor!" The so-called "Golden Shelf Promise" (金匮誓书) was also allegedly recorded and sealed, by secretary Zhao Pu and reopened after Emperor Taizong's succession to prove the latter's legitimacy.

Emperor Taizu's eldest son, Zhao Dezhao, was already 25 years old in 976, certainly old enough to handle an emperor's duties. Also suspicious is that Zhao Pu, banished in 973 by Emperor Taizu for allegations of corruption, returned to the capital in 976 and was made the chancellor in 977.

Wen Ying, a Buddhist monk who lived in the era of Emperor Taizong's grandson, Emperor Renzong, wrote an account about the last night of Emperor Taizu. According to this account, he was dining and drinking with Emperor Taizong, then still the "Prince of Kaifeng", beside some candles. Palace eunuchs and maids standing in a distance saw that Emperor Taizong's shadow on the window moved a lot and appeared antsy. It was getting late and several inches of snow had fallen on the inside of the hall. Then they heard an axe chopping the snow, with Emperor Taizu saying, "Do it right! Do it right!" Soon enough Emperor Taizu was heard snoring. Several hours later, he was pronounced dead by his brother, who spent the night in his palace. This legend has been referred to as "sound of the axe in the shadow of the flickering candle" (斧声烛影) and proved to be popular to this day.

Modern historians were unable to find any concrete evidence suggesting murder; however they generally accept that the "Golden Shelf Promise" was fraud fabricated by Emperor Taizong and Zhao Pu.

Also worth mentioning is the suicide of Zhao Dezhao, Emperor Taizu's eldest son, three years after his father's death. During Emperor Taizong's first campaign against the Khitan-led Liao dynasty, Zhao Dezhao was leading an army when rumours spread that Emperor Taizong had disappeared, and that Zhao Dezhao should be the new emperor. Upon hearing that, Emperor Taizong did not award the troops when they returned. When Zhao Dezhao asked him, Emperor Taizong barked back, "You do that when you become the new emperor!" According to this account, Zhao Dezhao immediately went to his palace and killed himself and when Taizong heard about the suicide, he was very sad and hugged the corpse crying.

Emperor Taizu's second son, Zhao Defang, died in 981 from an unidentified illness. Just 22, he was unusually young. Emperor Taizong was very sad and visited Defang's grave and cancelled meetings for 5 days. During the same year, Emperors Taizong and Taizu's younger brother, Zhao Tingmei (previously known as Zhao Guangmei and Zhao Kuangmei), was also stripped of his title "Prince of Qi" and sent to the Western Capital. He died three years later. Moreover, when Emperor Taizu's widow Empress Song died, her body was not buried with her late husband and not given the recognition according to tradition.

After Emperor Taizong's ascension to the throne, there were persistent doubts as to the legitimacy of the succession, and a popular prophecy arose that Taizu's descendants will rightfully return to the throne one day (太祖之后当再有天下). This prophecy proved true when Taizu's seventh-generation descendant Xiaozong became emperor after the capture of most of Taizong's line by the Jurchens during the Jingkang incident and Gaozong, the first emperor of the Southern Song dynasty, whose own son Zhao Fu died young, lacked an heir.

Military campaigns

Conquering Northern Han

Emperor Taizong personally led the campaign against Northern Han in 979 and ordered the flooding of enemy cities by releasing the Fen River. The Northern Han ruler Liu Jiyuan was forced to surrender, thus ending all the kingdoms and dynasties in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

First campaign against the Liao dynasty

Having conquered Northern Han in 979, Emperor Taizong took advantage of the momentum and launched another military campaign against the Khitan-led Liao dynasty. In May 979, Emperor Taizong embarked on his campaign from Taiyuan and took Zhuo and Yi Prefectures easily. He besieged Yanjing (present-day Beijing) after the success. However, the siege failed when the Liao defending general Yelü Xuegu defended the fortress firmly.

Concurrently, Liao reinforcements led by Yelü Xiuge arrived from the Gaoliang River region, west of Yanjing. Emperor Taizong ordered his army to attack the reinforcements. Initially, he received reports that the Liao army was suffering heavy casualties. He ordered a full assault on the Liao army as he thought that the whole battle was under his control. Just then, Yelü Xiuge and Yelü Xiezhen's armies attacked from two sides. Yelü Xiuge concentrated on attacking Emperor Taizong's main camp. Emperor Taizong was shocked and evacuated from the battlefield. During the evacuation, the Song army was divided and obliterated by the Liao cavalry.

Amidst the onslaught, Emperor Taizong fled towards Yi Prefecture and arrived there safely with his generals protecting him. He sustained an injury from an arrow and was unable to ride on his horse and had to travel by carriage back to Ding Prefecture. Emperor Taizong ordered a retreat after that. The Song army was without a commander as Emperor Taizong was separated from his troops. The troops suggested that Emperor Taizu's eldest son, Zhao Dezhao (Emperor Taizong's nephew), be the new emperor. Emperor Taizong's suspicions were raised when he heard that and eventually he ordered Zhao Dezhao to commit suicide.

The Battle of Gaoliang River was significant as it was one of the major contributing factors to the Song dynasty's decision to adopt a defensive stance. The early Song army suffered its first major defeat in battle. Meanwhile, Emperor Taizong was also troubled by the possibility that Zhao Dezhao would launch a coup. After the battle, Emperor Taizong personally inspected and focused more on the development and strengthening of his military forces. He ignored his subjects' advice and regarded state affairs as of lower importance. He also limited the power and control that the imperial family and military officers had over the army.

Second campaign against the Liao dynasty

After the death of Emperor Jingzong of Liao in 982, the 12-year-old Emperor Shengzong of Liao ascended to the throne of the Liao Dynasty. As Emperor Shengzong was too young to rule the kingdom, Empress Dowager Xiao became the regent. Emperor Taizong decided to launch the second campaign against Liao in 986, following the advice of his subjects.

During this time, Zhao Yuanzuo, Taizong's oldest son became insane after the death of his uncle, Zhao Tingmei, and that he was not invited to the Double Night Daylight Feast which ultimately caused Yuanzuo to burn down the palace. As a result, Taizong, under the pressure of his censors demoted Yuanzuo to commoner status and exiled him. This, was changed when 100 officials rejected Yuanzuo's exile and pressured Taizong to let Yuanzuo remain in the palace. Three officials who had responsibility for Yuanzuo asked to be punished by Taizong in which Taizong said "This son, even I have been unable to reform through my teaching. How could you guide him?" in response.

In 983, the practice of officials tutoring imperial princes began under his reign. One notable case was Emperor Taizong's son Zhao Yuanjie and his tutor Yao Tan (935–1003) in which Yao constantly berated the young prince for being idle and lazy causing resentment from the prince. Yao attempted to complain to Taizong who said "Yuanjie is literate and enjoys learning; that should be sufficient to make him a worthy prince. If when young he is immoderate, then it is necessary to have entreaties to rein in his ridicule. But if you slander him without good reason, how is that going to help him?" However, Yuanjie under peer pressure from his friends feigned illness and began neglecting his duties. Concerned, Taizong checked the Prince's progress daily. He summoned Yuanjie's wet nurse after the Prince still was "ill" for a month with the wet nurse stating "The Prince is basically not sick; it's just that with Yao Tan checking up on him, he can seldom follow his inclinations, and thus has become sick." This enraged Emperor Taizong ordering her to be caned.

Emperor Taizong remained in Bianjing and directed the war there without personally entering the battlefield. He split the army into three sections – East, Central and West. The East Army was led by Cao Bin, the Central Army by Tian Zhongjin and the West Army by Pan Mei and Yang Ye. All the three armies would attack Yanjing from three sides and capture it. The campaign was termed as the Yongxi Northern Campaign as it took place in the third year of the Yongxi era of Emperor Taizong's reign.

The three armies scored some victories initially but they became more divided later as they acted individually without cooperation. Cao Bin took the risk by attacking without the support of the other two armies. He succeeded in taking Zhuo Prefecture but the lack of food supplies forced him to retreat. As there was miscommunication between the three armies, the East Army attacked Zhuo Prefecture again. However, this time, Empress Dowager Xiao and Yelü Xiuge each led an army to support Zhuo Prefecture. The East Army was inflicted with a crushing defeat and almost completely destroyed.

Emperor Taizong was aware that the failure of the East Army would affect the entire campaign and he ordered a retreat. He ordered the East Army to return, the Central Army to guard Ding Prefecture and the West Army to guard four prefectures near the border. Following the defeat of the East Army, the Liao army led by Yelü Xiezhen attacked them as they retreated. The West Army led by Pan Mei met Yelü Xiezhen's army at Dai Prefecture and faced another defeat at the hands of the Liao army. The two commanders of the West Army started to argue about retreating. Yang Ye proposed that they should retreat since the East and Central Armies had already lost the advantage following their defeats. However, the other generals on Pan Mei's side began to doubt Yang's loyalty to Song as Yang Ye used to serve Northern Han. Yang Ye led an army to face the Liao troops but they were trapped and Yang committed suicide eventually. Pan Mei was supposed to arrive with reinforcements to support Yang but he failed to do so.

Emperor Taizong ordered another retreat following the Song armies' defeats by Yelü Xiuge and Yelü Xiezhen. The failure of the second campaign was attributed to the miscommunication between the three armies and their failures to operate together. Besides, Emperor Taizong had also restricted the decisions of his generals as he had arbitrarily planned the whole campaign against Liao and his generals had to adhere to his orders strictly. These failures led to internal rebellions which were crushed swiftly.

In 988, the Liao armies led by Empress Dowager Xiao attacked the Song border again. Emperor Taizong did not order a counter-attack and merely instructed the troops to defend firmly.

Later reign after 988

Emperor Taizong felt that he could not surpass his brother (Emperor Taizu) in terms of military conquests and achievements and decided to focus more on developing his dynasty internally and establish his legacy. He implemented a series of economic and literary reforms which were better than his brother's. He also initiated many construction projects and inducted new systems absent in Emperor Taizu's reign.

Emperor Taizong died in 997 after reigning for 21 years at the age of 57. He was succeeded by his third son, who became Emperor Zhenzong.

Economy

Chunhua period (990-994)

With the rise of monopolies, local officials focused on collecting industrial and commercial taxes as a main daily duty. During the Song dynasty, this led to a system where tax collection influenced rewards, punishments, and job status. Officials reported their performance and financial balances starting with Emperor Taizong's Chunhua period.

The government, under Emperor Taizong, aimed to collect stable tax amounts based on tax targets starting in the third year of the Chunhua period and covering various taxes. This practice of collecting taxes continued in succeeding governments of the Song dynasty.

Family

Consorts and issue

• Empress Shude, of the Yin clan (淑德皇后 尹氏)

　• unnamed daughter

• Empress Yide, of the Fu clan (懿德皇后 符氏; 941–975)

• Empress Mingde, of the Li clan (明德皇后 李氏; 960–1004)

　• Zhao Yuanyi, Prince of Chong (崇王 赵元亿), 9th son

• Empress Yuande, of the Li clan (元德皇后 李氏; 943–977)

　• Zhao Yuanzuo, Prince Gongxian of Han (汉恭宪王 赵元佐; 965–1027), 1st son

　• Zhao Heng, Zhenzong (真宗 赵恒; 968–1022), 3rd son

　• Unnamed daughter

　• Unnamed daughter

• Noble Consort Sun, of the Sun clan (贵妃孙氏)

• Worthy Consort, of the Gao clan (贤妃 高氏)

• Virtuous Consort, of the Zhu clan (德妃 朱氏, d. 1035), personal name Chonghui (冲惠)

• Able Consort, of the Shao clan (贤妃 邵氏, d. 1016), personal name Zhaoming (昭明)

• Noble Consort, of the Zang clan (贵妃 臧氏)

　• Zhao Yuancheng, Prince Gonghui of Chu (楚恭惠王 赵元偁; 981–1014), 7th son

　• Princess Hejing (和靖帝姬; d. 1033), 4th daughter

　　• Married Chai Zongqing (柴宗庆; 982–1044) in 1002

　• Princess Ciming (慈明帝姬; d. 1024), personal name Qingyu (清裕), 6th daughter

• Noble Consort, of the Fang clan (贵妃 方氏; d. 1022)

　• Princess Xianmu (献穆帝姬; 988–1051), 9th daughter

　　• Married Li Zunxu (李遵勖; 988–1038) in 1008

• Virtuous Consort, of the Wang clan (德妃 王氏)

　• Zhao Yuanyan, Prince Gongsu of Zhou (周恭肃王 赵元俨; 986–1044), 8th son

• Taiyi, of the Ren clan (任氏太仪)

　• Zhao Yuanfen, Prince Gongjing of Shang (商恭靖王 赵元份; 969–1005), 4th son

• Shuyi, of the Li clan (淑仪 李氏)

• Shuyi, of the Wu clan (淑仪吴氏)

• Unknown

　• Zhao Yuanxi, Crown Prince Zhaocheng (昭成皇太子 赵元僖; 966–992), 2nd son

　• Zhao Yuanjie, Prince Wenhui of Yue (越文惠王 赵元杰; 972–1003), 5th son

　• Zhao Yuanwo, Prince Gongyi of Zhen (镇恭懿王 赵元偓; 977–1018), 6th son

　• Princess Heqing (和庆帝姬), 1st daughter

　• Princess Yinghui (英惠帝姬; d. 990), 2nd daughter

　　• Married Wu Yuanyi (吴元扆; 962–1011) in 984

　• Princess Chunmei (纯美帝姬; d. 983), 3rd daughter

　• Princess Yishun (懿顺帝姬; d. 1004), 5th daughter

　　• Married Wang Yiyong (王贻永; 986–1056) in 1003

人物生平

后晋天福四年十月七日（939年11月20日）生于开封府（河南开封）浚仪崇德坊护圣营官舍，为乾明节，后改为寿宁节，初名匡乂。建隆元年（960年）二月，赐名光义，为殿前司都虞候、领睦州防御使。八月，领泰宁军节度使。

开封府尹

赵光义于二年（961年）七月，兼开封府尹，加同中书门下平章事，至开宝九年（976年）十月登基后离任，主政天府十五年，治绩斐然。是任职最长的开封府尹，这为他取得帝位打下基础。乾德二年（964年）六月，兼中书令。开宝六年（973年）七月，封晋王。

即位争议

有野史记载认为宋太宗即位之事甚为蹊跷，有弑兄谋朝篡位之嫌，即「烛影斧声」之疑案。

一般来说，新皇帝在先帝驾崩后翌年改元。宋太宗的改元时间是继位当年的农历十二月，当时距离农历新的一年已经只剩下几天而已。这一点为后人所诟病，也为即位争议留下了另一个颇具争议性的口实。

为确保政权合法性，太宗抛出其母杜太后遗命之说，即「金匮之盟」。在宋建隆二年（西元961年），即太祖即位的第二年，皇太后杜氏临终前，告诫太祖前朝后周之所以灭亡，是因为继位的君主过于年幼。若要常保大宋江山，必须要兄终弟及，传位给年长的皇室成员当天子。太祖死后先传其弟光义，再传弟光美（后改名为廷美），等到皇兄的儿子成人，再由皇弟传回给皇兄的儿子，即太祖次子赵德昭。赵普入宫记录遗命，这份遗书藏于金匮中，因此名为金匮之盟。

然而，太宗在位期间逼死太祖之子德昭，赵德芳暴毙，太宗又贬黜其弟廷美到房州，两年后赵廷美死于谪所。1940年代邓广铭、张荫麟等论证金匮之盟为虚构，影响至今：皇太后杜氏去世之时，太祖年仅三十四岁，正值壮年，根本不会联想到死亡；退一步说，就算太祖立刻死亡，而其次子赵德昭当时已十一岁，离束发已不远（古人十五岁束发，即脱离儿童期，可以独立行事），根本不会出现如周世宗遗下七岁孤儿的局面，而且后来太祖五十岁驾崩时，赵德昭已经二十六岁，故伪造说成为最普遍的说法。但近年也有学者质疑伪造说，如施秀娥、王育济、何冠环。

太宗登基以后，「太祖之后当再有天下」之说一直不断，至靖康之变后，宋钦宗之弟康王赵构自立于江南，是为宋高宗。当时普遍有种传说，说因为太宗登基不明不白，所以才会让后代失去半壁江山，后又有孟太后之宋太祖托梦一说，加上高宗无子，最终1162年传位给赵德芳之后代宋孝宗，宋朝在太宗一脉统治186年后，再回到太祖一脉。

治国理政

开宝九年（976年）十二月，即皇帝位。太平兴国二年（977年）二月，改名炅。太宗稳固帝位后，继续统一事业。其后割据福建漳泉两府的陈洪进，割据吴越钱氏相继归降。太宗遣大将潘美挥师北上围攻北汉都城太原，击退辽国援兵，灭亡北汉，终于结束了安史之乱后近二百年藩镇割据的局面。

太平兴国四年（979年）五月，太宗不顾众臣反对，趁伐取北汉之势，从太原出发展开北伐。北伐初期一度收复河北易州和涿州。太宗志得意满，下令围攻燕京，宋军与辽人在高粱河畔展开激战。太宗亲临战场，结果受伤中箭，乘驴车仓惶撤离，北伐未果。

980年宋朝知邕州太常博士侯仁宝上奏宋太宗，请求趁交趾（越南）丁朝内乱之机南下讨伐，恢复汉唐故疆，统一交趾（越南）。宋太宗任命侯仁宝为交州陆路水路转运使；任命兰陵团练使孙全兴、漆作使郝守俊、鞍辔库使陈钦祚、左监门将军崔亮为兵马都部署；宁州刺史刘澄、军器库副使贾湜、供奉官阁门祗候王僎为兵马都部署，伺机进攻丁朝。但在981年白藤江之战中先胜后败，统一交趾（越南）的计划最终成为泡影，交趾（越南）得以保持独立地位。

雍熙三年（986年），太宗遣潘美、杨业、田重进、曹彬、崔彦五位大将分东中西三路，以东路为主再行北伐。西路、中路军进军顺利，而主力东路军屡遭辽军挫败，粮道被切断，终未能与中西二路汇合，于岐沟关大败而溃。中、西二路亦只得南撤。西路主将杨业因掩护军民南撤被辽军俘虏，在狱中绝食三日而死。

太宗朝以亲信傅潜、王超、柴禹锡、赵熔、张逊、杨守一及弭德超等为禁军统帅，多庸碌之徒，临阵惧战。元人修《宋史》时称：「自柴禹锡而下，率因给事藩邸，以攀附致通显……故莫逃于龊龊之讥。」

几次边陲防线的失利、后方起义的爆发遏制了北宋进一步开辟疆土，太宗的施政也不得不转为重内虚外。太宗本人附庸风雅喜好诗赋，政府也因此特别重视文化事业，宋朝重教之风因而展开。太宗喜好书法，善草、隶（八分）、行、篆、飞白等数种字体，尤其善书飞白体，宋朝的货币淳化元宝也是太宗亲自题写的。

海禁政策

太平兴国初，太宗规定私自与海外诸国贸易者，交易满一百钱以上判罪，十五贯以上就脸上刺字发配流放到海岛。雍熙二年（985年），禁海贾。淳化五年（992年），重申其禁，并规定四贯以上判一年徒刑，二十贯脸上刺字发配当地充军。

晚年

太宗长子元佐因为同情赵廷美被废，另一子元僖暴死，最后襄王元侃被立为太子，改名恒。至道三年（997年），太宗崩，李皇后和宦官王继恩等企图立元佐为帝。时宰相吕端处置得当，赵恒顺利即位，庙号真宗。宋朝始步入安稳守成时期。

至道三年（997年），三月二十九日帝因箭疮旧疾崩于东京宫中之万岁殿，享年五十八岁，在位二十二年。皇太子赵恒登基为帝，是为宋真宗。群臣上尊諡曰神功圣德文武皇帝，庙号太宗。同年十月葬在永熙陵。死后谥号「至仁应道神功圣德文武睿烈大明广孝皇帝」。宋太宗的后代为宋真宗至宋高宗所有宋朝皇帝及宋宁宗初的宗室大臣赵汝愚。

逸事典故

宋太宗好读书，「开卷有益」典故即来自他。王辟之的《渑水燕谈录》卷六：「太宗日阅《御览》三卷，因事有缺，暇日追补之，尝曰：开卷有益，朕不以为劳也。」

宋太宗曾对日本国王世系称赞，认为日本可以君王万世一系，不曾被其他家族改朝换代。官员子孙永享禄位，对比五代十国乱世不绝的中国，太宗发出感慨。

家族成员

祖先

兄弟

• 大哥赵匡济

• 二哥赵匡胤（宋太祖）

• 四弟赵廷美

• 五弟赵匡赞

皇后

• 淑德皇后尹氏，太宗元配妻子，即位前去世，追尊皇后。

• 懿德皇后符氏，太宗继妻，后周大符皇后和小符皇后之妹。太宗为晋王，符氏封越国夫人，太宗即位追尊皇后。

• 明德皇后李氏，太宗继妻，生赵元亿，宋真宗即位后，尊李皇后为皇太后。

• 元德皇后李氏，太宗夫人，生汉王赵元佐、宋真宗，真宗追尊。

妃嫔

• 贵妃孙氏，左金吾卫大将军孙守炜之女。太平兴国二年（977年）七月入宫，太平兴国三年（978年）进封为才人，又赐号贵妃，太平兴国八年（983年）九月去世。

• 贵妃臧氏（追赠），生扬国大长公主、卫国大长公主。

• 贵妃方氏（追赠），生荆国大长公主。

• 德妃朱冲惠

• 德妃王氏，生周恭肃王赵元俨。

• 贤妃高氏

• 贤妃邵昭明，太宗年间为女官，任尚宫、大监、知大内事。又升宫正、安国夫人。宋真宗又特设司宫令，追封贤妃。

• 太仪任氏，生商恭靖王赵元份，追封太仪。

• 淑仪李氏 ，淳化初年，为尚宫。淳化四年去世，追赠嫔位之一的昭仪。明道二年十二月，追赠淑容，庆历四年九月，追赠淑仪。

• 淑仪吴氏

外妇

• 郑国夫人

子女

子

• 汉恭宪王赵元佐，母元德皇后李氏

• 昭成太子赵元僖

• 宋真宗赵恒，母元德皇后李氏

• 商恭靖王赵元份，母太仪任氏

• 越文惠王赵元杰

• 镇恭懿王赵元偓

• 楚恭惠王赵元偁

• 周恭肃王赵元俨，母王德妃

• 崇王赵元亿，母明德皇后李氏

女

《宋史》称太宗有七女，但未明确指出她们的生母和排行。另记元德皇后李氏所生两女早夭，其中是否有滕国公主，已无法考证。

• 滕国公主，早亡

• 徐国大长公主，下嫁左卫将军吴元扆。

• 邠国大长公主，太平兴国七年出家为尼，号员明大师

• 扬国大长公主，母贵妃臧氏，下嫁左卫将军柴宗庆

• 雍国大长公主，下嫁右卫将军王贻永

• 卫国大长公主，母贵妃臧氏，出家

• 荆国大长公主，母贵妃方氏，下嫁附马都尉李遵勖。

历史评价

元朝官修正史《宋史》脱脱等的评价是：「帝沈谋英断，慨然有削平天下之志。既即大位，陈洪进、钱俶相继纳土。未几，取太原，伐契丹，继有交州、西夏之役。干戈不息，天灾方行，俘馘日至，而民不知兵；水旱螟蝗，殆遍天下，而民不思乱。其故何也？帝以慈俭为宝，服浣濯之衣，毁奇巧之器，却女乐之献，悟畋游之非。绝远物，抑符瑞，闵农事，考治功。讲学以求多闻，不罪狂悖以劝谏士，哀矜恻怛，勤以自励，日晏忘食。」

赵匡义对军事理论见解独到，他建立了参谋本部制度、阵图制度和军事学院体系，类似现代军队。同时确立了文官掌兵的军队国有化体制，宋朝开始逐渐形成现代化集团军编制，也和赵匡义有重大关系。但赵匡义对于战争本身不熟悉，也不懂兵法，指挥军队的能力十分薄弱，加上辽国立国早宋朝五十年，底蕴深厚，又有耶律斜轸等名将辅佐；宋辽数度交锋皆以惨败收场。

《宋史·太宗本纪》：「欲自焚以答天谴，欲尽除天下之赋以纾民力」，老百姓比肩接踵而至，请其「登禅」即位。「故帝之功德，炳焕史牒，号称贤君。若夫太祖之崩不逾年而改元，涪陵县公之贬死，武功王之自杀，宋后之不成丧，则后世不能无议论焉。《宋史纪事本末》记载宋太宗诏立太子后回宫途中，百姓都欢呼雀跃，欢呼「少年天子」，宋太宗听了很不高兴，召见宰相寇准说：「人心遽属太子，欲置我何地？」寇准向他道贺说：「此社稷之福也。」他转怒为喜请寇准喝酒，「极醉而罢」。

鲍东里︰「太宗继之，太平天子。奈何嫂丧，不复成礼。背母负兄，杀侄贬弟。恭俭仁恕，亦不足纪。」（《史鉴节要便读》）

现代研究

传统说法认为赵匡胤家族为汉人，祖先来自涿郡。中华人民共和国学者丁建军、韩毅等支持这个说法。

授予官职

宰相

• 薛居正

• 沈义伦

• 卢多逊

• 赵普

• 李昉

• 宋琪

• 吕蒙正

• 张齐贤

• 吕端

文艺形象

荧幕创作