Zhao Kuangyin was a general of the Later Zhou who was proclaimed emperor in the 960 Chenqiao Mutiny (
陈桥兵变) and unified most of China under the Song. He is best remembered for
杯酒释兵权 — persuading his top generals at a banquet to hand over their military commands in exchange for wealth and titles, preventing the military coups that had plagued the Five Dynasties.
