北宋初年,宋太祖赵匡胤展开统一国家的战争,势如破竹。在伐蜀之战中,诸将多受贿赂,军纪大坏,只有曹彬保持廉洁。曹彬讲求仁厚、廉洁、奉法的为将之道,得到赵匡胤和其继任者太宗赵光义的赏识,被委以重任。在此后赵匡胤攻取南唐、太宗攻灭北汉的诸多战斗中,曹彬都被任为主帅,取得诸多胜利。宋初两任统治者都能够不拘一格,把“廉”排在任将选能的重要位置。赵光义做晋王时,大肆行贿笼络朝臣, In the early Northern Song Dynasty, Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin launched a unified national war, surges. In the battle of cutting Shu, all will be subject to more bribes, military discipline is bad, only Cao Bin maintain integrity. Cao Bin stresses kindness, honesty, since the law for the way, by Zhao Kuangyin and his successor Taizong Zhao Guangyi appreciation, was entrusted with the task. After Zhao Kuangyin captured the Southern Tang Dynasty, Taejong attacked many of North Han's battle, Cao Bin was appointed coach, made many victories. The two rulers in the early Song Dynasty were able to stick to one pattern and put “Lian” in an important position to hold the election. Zhao Guangyi Jin Wang, wantonly bribed courtiers,