Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: People, Volume 7

Zhao Pu, whose courtesy name was Zeping, was a native of Ji in Youzhou modern-day Beijing area. During the Mutiny at Chen Bridge the 960 CE military coup where Zhao Kuangyin was declared the first emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Pu earned great merit for his role in assisting the founding of the new state. For this service, he was appointed as the Right Grand Master of Remonstrance and served as an Academician in the Bureau of Military Affairs. In the second year of the Qiande era 964 CE, he was appointed as Chancellor the highest-ranking civil official in the imperial government.

The Emperor Emperor Taizu, the founder of the Song regarded Zhao Pu as his own left and right hands. No matter the scale of the issue—whether large or small—the Emperor consulted him on everything before making a final decision. After successive promotions, he was granted the title of Duke of Xu. Following his death, he was posthumously honored as the Prince of Zhending.

Commentators and critics have noted that when Emperor Taizu was gravely ill, Zhao Pu was unable to properly assist regarding the succession of Emperor Taizong Taizu's younger brother in accordance with the Golden Casket Covenant a controversial secret agreement allegedly made between the first emperor and his mother to ensure the throne passed to his brother rather than his son to maintain stability. Because of this failure in his duties during the transition of power, it is said that even though his spirit tablet is honored alongside Taizu's in the imperial temple, his ghost would wear a look of shame.