Zhao Kuangyin, the future Emperor Taizu of Song, was a man of striking appearance and exceptional skill in horseback archery. During the Later Zhou dynasty, when Chai Rong, Emperor Shizong, served as the governor of Kaifeng, Zhao served as his cavalry commander. In the fierce battle at Gaoping between the Later Zhou and Northern Han armies, Zhao fought with such valor that after the campaign, he was promoted to commander of the palace guard and appointed prefect of Yanzhou.
In the spring of 956 CE, Zhao Kuangyin followed Chai Rong on a campaign against Huainan, slaying military supervisor He Yanxi and others. Southern Tang military governor Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng led troops to resist, but Huangfu Hui was killed and Yao Feng captured. For his repeated military achievements, Zhao Kuangyin was promoted from imperial guard commander to military governor of Dingguo Army.
In the fourth year of the Xiande era, Zhao Kuangyin twice joined Chai Rong's southern campaigns, earning fresh military honors. The following year, he was reassigned as military governor of Zhongwu Commandery. In the sixth year of Xiande, when Chai Rong launched a northern expedition, Zhao Kuangyin served as supreme commander of both land and naval forces, capturing cities and territories while adding to his battle achievements. After the region south of the Pass was pacified, Chai Rong suddenly fell ill, forcing the Later Zhou army to return to the capital. Upon reaching the capital, Zhao Kuangyin was appointed as Grand Mentor of the Palace Inspection and Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guard. Following Chai Rong's death, his young son Chai Zongxun ascended the throne as Emperor Gong of Later Zhou, and Zhao Kuangyin was reassigned as military governor of Guide Commandery and Grand Commandant of the Palace Inspection.
The following spring, the Northern Han and Khitan Liao formed an alliance to attack the Later Zhou. Zhao Kuangyin was ordered to lead his troops north to resist, and they camped at Chenqiao Post. That night, a mutiny erupted among the soldiers. Zhao Kuangyin's generals insisted he declare himself emperor, and without waiting for his consent, they draped an imperial yellow robe over his shoulders. They knelt before him and shouted in unison, "Long live the emperor!" The crowd then escorted Zhao Kuangyin back to the capital, where they forced Chancellor Fan Zhi to submit. The Later Zhou emperor, Chai Zongxun, had no choice but to issue an abdication edict. Zhao Kuangyin thus became emperor and renamed the dynasty "Song." This is the famous "Chenqiao Mutiny" in history.
Emperor Zhao Kuangyin, founder of the Song Dynasty, was known for his simple, unpretentious nature. Early in his reign, he often ventured out in disguise to mingle with the people. Some officials, learning of this, warned him, "Your Majesty, you are now the sovereign of the realm. It is no longer wise to wander about so freely—you must guard against unforeseen danger." Zhao Kuangyin smiled and replied, "Who becomes emperor cannot be forced. In the days of Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou, he was so fearful of usurpers that he executed any general with a broad face and large ears, suspecting they bore the look of a future ruler. Yet I stood beside him daily and was never harmed. So if someone today wishes to take my throne, I will not forbid it—nor could I."
Of course, Zhao Kuangyin spoke beautifully on the surface, but in truth, he was deeply afraid that his founding generals would follow his example and seize power for themselves. So, he later stripped a large number of military commanders of their authority, securing his own throne.
"Square face and large ears" describes a broad face with big ears. In ancient times, this was considered a sign of wealth and nobility.
From *History of Song*, "Annals of the First Emperor: Zhao Kuangyin" — During the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin served as an imperial advisor. One day, he was riding through the Beixia Gate when a sudden storm struck. The wind tore his hat from his head, and it flew away. Zhao Kuangyin dismounted, chased after it, and retrieved it. As he was about to remount, a eunuch named Zhang Xun happened to pass by and, recognizing him, bowed deeply. Zhao Kuangyin, still holding his hat, smiled and said, "The wind has played a trick on me, yet you still show such respect." Zhang Xun replied, "Your bearing is extraordinary, General. Even the wind cannot diminish your dignity." Zhao Kuangyin laughed heartily and continued on his way. This incident, though small, was later seen as a sign of his unshakable composure and the respect he commanded even before becoming emperor.
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "方面大耳" came to describe how a broad face with big ears was considered a sign of wealth and nobility in ancient times.