The Political Struggle in the Early Years of Emperor Songhuizong

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.