宋朝华最郁闷的皇帝宋孝宗与那失落的玉玺
在宋朝的历史长河中，有一位皇帝的命运异常悲凉，他在位仅27年，却被迫伺候太上皇25年，自己干政仅两年便选择了退位。这个郁闷至极的君主是谁？正是宋孝宗赵昚。
一般而言，当一国之主时，放弃权力的决心并不多见，因为失去了最高权力意味着离开了至高无上的地位。而那些有意退位者，大多数仍旧握持巨大影响力，比如乾隆帝。不过，在历史上有一名皇帝，既曾自愿让位于他人，又持续操控朝政长达四分之一世纪，这就是宋高宗赵构，而他的对手，是被压制半个世纪的倒霉皇帝——宋孝宗赵昚。
他们之间复杂的情节需从宋高宗开始讲起。由于一次偶然事件导致生育能力丧失，以及唯一子嗣早夭，赵构必须慎重考虑继承人的问题。他从祖先赵匡胤的后裔中选出了两个少年，让他们进入宫廷作为养子，以备未来挑选一个为继承人。这其中的一个，便是未来的宋孝宗，也就是当时名叫赵瑗的人物。
面对选择的问题，Song Dynasty's Emperor chose a unique method: he gave each of the two candidates ten beautiful maidens. Zhao Y, one of the candidates, was instructed by his teacher to be cautious and not touch them. The other candidate, however, had all ten maidens inspected thoroughly. Thus, Zhao Y passed the test and was chosen as the heir apparent.
The following year, when Jurchen-led Jin forces invaded Song territory, Heir Apparent Zhao W (later renamed Zhe) requested permission to lead troops against them. However, Emperor Gaozong became furious at this suggestion and later forgave him after he apologized for his mistake.
In 1162 AD., Emperor Gaozong claimed to be tired and abdicated in favor of Zhao Zhe who then took on the name Zhe Bing or Xiaozong while Gaozong became Taishang Huang (retired emperor). At that point in time, Xiaozhong had been acting as Crown Prince for 30 years. Due to feeling that his throne was bestowed upon him by Gaozong rather than earned through merit himself during his long tenure as Crown Prince; thus he always remained submissive towards Gaozong.
Although retired from active rule-making authority with regards to policy decisions still being made with input from both emperors—Taishang Huang would often appoint officials who were first approved by Taishang Huang before taking up their positions within court circles—and even though Xiaozhong also named ministers who would go thank Taishang Huang before taking up their positions within court circles—his life under these circumstances could only be described as degradingly pitiful.
It is said that due to these events happening earlier in life which may have caused some sort of trauma leading him into believing there wasn't anything left worth fighting for anymore after seeing how much wealth and power held sway over people like himself too; maybe it might've inspired a desire similar enough between both men where they sought out lifestyles similar enough once again: right after Song Hsiao Tsung finally gained freedom from being treated like an inferior ruler because of death but just two years later followed suit—abdicating too—the pattern continued until both men were gone forever leaving behind nothing more than history books filled with stories about what happened during those times...
