history song dynasty song dynasty chinese pinyin china ruling dynasty controlled china proper southern china middle 10th century quarter 13th century song considered high point classical chinese innovation science technology era featured prominent intellectual figures revolutionary use gunpowder weapons catapult projected bombs fire land mines period political military turmoil opposing aggressive political factions formed court progress ways frontier management policies chancellor exacerbated hostile conditions chinese vietnamese border sparking border war dynasty conflict fought mutual draw subsequently enormous military defeat hands invading north wars forcing remnants song court flee south establish new capital new naval strength developed combat dynasty formed north song dynasty able defeat invasions led finally gradually conquered china fall final song emperor founding song later controlled northern china fall dynasty later known emperor throne support military commanders initiating song dynasty taking throne goal china half century political division included conquests southern han south sixteen north capable military officers early song military dominant force china innovative military tactics defending supply lines floating bridges led success battle song assault state crossing mass arrow fire song forces able defeat renowned war elephant corps january forcing submission southern han terminating elephant corps regular division chinese army consolidation south completed conquest song military forces turned north fell song forces efforts sixteen unsuccessful incorporated state based immediate north instead far northwest power northern earlier court appointed chief military governor region seat hereditary forming dynasty song state evenly matched dynasty song gained significant military victories western eventually fall conquest political consolidation military conquest emperor held famous banquet inviting high ranking military officers served song conquests military officers drank wine spoke potential military coup like era military officers protested notion insisted qualified lead country passage account song follows emperor said life man short happiness wealth means enjoy life able leave prosperity officers renounce military authority retire provinces choose best lands delightful dwelling places pass rest lives pleasure peace better live life uncertainty shadow suspicion shall remain prince ministers ally families marriages ruler subject linked friendship enjoy following day army commanders offered reporting imaginary withdrew country districts emperor giving splendid gifts appointed high official positions emperor developed effective centralized bureaucracy staffed civilian scholar officials regional military governors supporters replaced centrally appointed officials system civilian rule led greater concentration power central government headed emperor possible previous early 11th century men took exams year imperial examination steadily increased roughly end century exam 13th century new municipal governments established number provinces existence song came power people taking exams roughly number accepted government previous periods making civil service exams competitive aspiring students scholars emperor found ways consolidate strengthen power including updated map making central administration easily handle affairs provinces ordered update write maps world task individual nonetheless traveled provinces collect data possible aid massive work completed chapters later song historical text stated wade spelling director general governmental grain stores schemes relief issued orders village prepare map fields mountains rivers roads detail maps joined map larger district turn joined map larger districts trouble collection taxes distribution grain question chasing arose provincial officials readily carry duties aid maps displayed strong interest science technology employed support projects hydraulic powered sphere astronomical observation time keeping liquid mercury instead water liquid mercury freeze winter emperor open minded affairs especially perceived foreigners appointed arab muslim chief song court receiving envoys korean kingdom song court roughly volumes written nuanced rules regulations guidelines reception song sent envoys abroad sent official envoy city control relations western great ditch treaty relations song led relatively peaceful decades song founded disputed territories sixteen notwithstanding began exchanging new years day song moved long protection dynasty song emperor succeeded forcing northern han surrender marching present day beijing sixteen song forces defeated battle river defeat politically damaging prestige emperor song military commanders orchestrated aborted coup replace nephew relations song remained tense hostile song sent armies effort advantage infant emperor recapture sixteen successfully repulsed armies following diplomatic relations resumed relations song worsened observed song built great ditch northern province west way east essentially series canals meant block advance cavalry far northern border line perceived engineering project means song dispatch offensive forces efficiently new waterways began annual attacks song positions breakthrough victories interested capturing region northern song general taken contained strategic passes forces managed march deep song territory camping kilometers north song capital forces greatly possible escape route danger blocked song forces eventually completion great ditch effective defensive blockade slowed advance cavalry forced request truce negotiations resulted signed january sources cite chinese lunar calendar fixed borders song conflict rulers wanted family line song offer song refused favor nominal imperial treaty required song annual tribute payments recognize equality song tribute consisted silver bolts silk increasing units increase song economy damaged enforced tribute holding dynasty increase tribute song exported goods annually imported goods silver sent tribute pay song chinese goods silver wound hands chinese merchants song government song dynasty took advantage large rebellion song conduct relations skilled ambassadors sent missions court maintain peace renowned engineer state minister song prepared armed conflict increasing overall size armed forces million soldiers time military consuming quarters tax revenues gathered state compared mere percent state income consumed providing tribute circumstances intense political rivalries later arise song court handle issues conflict diplomacy northwest song came conflict western dynasty early song intended retake late dynasty held leader died successor initially attacked song later sought peaceful relations brought economic benefits non chinese song patrol leader aka raided territory destroyed fortified settlements september raided later released song officers soldiers captured january relations restored sent tribute horses song court requested copy buddhist canon return received retained unique customs script created administration followed traditional chinese model proclaimed imperial ruler western ruling emperor november sent envoy song capital order gain recognition new title son blue heaven cease paying tribute song new status began attacks song borders repulsed song commander january song shut border markets soon reward strings coin offered capture emperor won impressive victories initial phase war gained additional territory western war end sides lost tens thousands troops emperor conceded song demand refer inferior subject addressing song accept song perform official ceremonies court war song maintained number fortified military outposts stretching westernmost song rely water obstacle defenses region like great ditch instead garrisoned wide recorded imperial battalions provincial militia battalions relations broke ascension emperor song song considerable success capturing territory mood frontier court desire reclaim territories felt belonged rightful ruler china song general led attack western border town appeared border general punish western damage economy emperor shut commercial border markets song western border scientist statesman sent province military invasion successfully defended fortified position new grand held responsible death rival song military officer officer forces result ousted office state abandoned projected land able defend empress died emperor song asserted court political conservatives led reforms halting negotiations western resulted continued armed conflict song dynasty northern song launched campaign modern province occupying territory controlled regime 10th century song managed acquire territory incorporated area westernmost frontier western relations vietnam border conflict background roughly millennium series chinese controlled northern vietnam independence dynasty early song armies fought lost early dynasty vietnam battle subsequently rebel attempted establish frontier kingdom creating disturbance song southern border prompted invasion forces invasion resulted song conquest border regions inhabited peoples border confrontation dynasty lasted song court interest economic benefits frontier zones came conflict dynasty goal consolidate peripheral aftermath agreement negotiated sides fixed borders resulting line largely remain place present day according associate professor border court intervened song general crushed border rebellion decades relative regional peace followed observed threat song expansion han chinese settlers moved areas relied extraction natural resources initially division soldiers originally settled region followed wave chinese settlers north commissioner feared intended region crossed song border took personal visit camp spoke son explaining seeking interior status court remained outside china proper safely act loyal frontier militia sent memorial emperor court advocating policy agreed song government rejected proposal communities ethnic groups official song imperial authority request territories authority incorporated granted years song court new policies chancellor organized new self sufficient militia units empire border dynasty ruler reorganized northern frontier administrative units raised new militias bolstered kingdom strength time conflict located southern vietnam spring natives frontier leader imperial law court marriage alliance raided song frontier cattle militia recruits succeeded taking song military leader hostage autumn song troops sent frontier rescue general found song court appointed new military commissioner region charged task unrest caused sent agent enlist aid song enemies tribute intrigue court discovered song secret attempt ally sent delegation thank song putting local rebellions negotiate terms peace instructed agents gather intelligence alleged alliance strength song military presence vietnamese envoys permitted offer tribute court arriving february deliver gifts including elephants march emperor died succeeded emperor vietnamese envoys arrived ascension april sent gifts works vietnamese king day vietnamese envoy prepared depart news arrived raided plea official urged action left defenses local forces labeled reckless mad effort court minor song official sent message reported apparently switched allegiance song united mentally weak distracted ruler anderson describes received report took action new titles court took action resolve problem later played key role war song gave official titles vietnamese leaders despite involvement rebellions pledged loyalty employed tribal official king died january replaced emperor like father rewards vietnamese leaders vietnamese vietnamese envoys arrived ascension sent lavish gifts court including golden belt silver bolts silk horses saddle gold silver plating february bestowed vietnamese ruler official title king southern region chinese pinyin vietnamese countered recognizing clan leader giving title similar command known settlement frontier policy war new policies sponsored enhanced central authority song frontier increased militia activity increased troop levels war horses sent including border areas actively sought loyal supporters border regions pace extraction local resources state disposal officials court debated merits faults policies criticism reforms appeared high officer publicly announced policies deliberate efforts seize control border tensions song critical conditions sign hostility potential war launched unexpected attack repelled song vietnamese officer charge sought cement alliance clans northern issuing irregular tribute missions visit years officials sent capital supervise naval training exercises ordered merchants cease trade subjects indication heightened hostility prompted court prepare war autumn advanced song territory naval fleet commanded captured local chinese populace claiming simply rebel took refuge china local song authorities refused cooperate early spring defeated song militia battle pass forces beheaded day siege breached razed ground song forces attempted challenge forces retreated war thousands prisoners fought war song called war time song commander led combined song force approximately men song quickly regained process captured resistance leader song destroyed vietnamese armies marched capital modern song forces halted river modern defensive built southern banks song forces broke defense line cavalry advanced kilometers capital city vietnamese pushed song forces river coastal defenses distracted song navy launched offensive lost princes fighting river according chinese sources tropical climate rampant disease severely weakened song military forces court feared result prolonged war close capital china defeated overran districts later province result peace song song commander agreed withdraw troops kept disputed regions renamed areas comprise modern vietnam long period mutual isolation king returned song authorities prisoners war return song relinquished control county including clan home negotiations took place july august held song garrison southern director military personnel convinced song fix countries borders partisans factions conservatives students passed difficult bureaucratic heavily demanding officials eye eye passed examination fully fledged graduates ready government service factor competition officials promotion higher post higher salary additional honors selection choice assignment responsibilities uncertain young new officials needed higher ranking officials recommend service official rise upper central administration based capital compete influence emperor official adoption state policies officials different opinions approach administrative affairs sought officials support leading officials lining political allies court sway emperor faction disagreed strife court apparent new state reform initiated fan capable military leader successful battles record minister state known saying minded official worrying world troubles enjoying pleasures fan rose seat chancellor growing opposition older conservative crowd disliked pushing reforms recruitment system higher pay minor local officials discourage corruption wider sponsorship programs ensure officials drafted basis intellect character reforms cancelled year time fan replaced chancellor older officials halfway careers keen making changes affect comfortably set positions fan chancellor new nineteen year old emperor instant liking submitted long memorial throne criticized practices state schools examination system new chancellor quickly implemented new policies evoked heated reaction conservative base system community based law enforcement included low cost loans farmers replaced labor service tax instead hoping ultimately help workings entire economy state directly linked state income level prosperity rural peasants owned farms produced goods market paid land tax government loans replaced system offering tenants private loans prohibited new laws reforms government tea salt wine order raise state revenues limit merchant class date land survey system order properly assess land tax introduction local militia order budget expenses paid official standing army grown dramatically roughly million soldiers creation new government bureau called supervised manufacture armaments ensured quality control introduction created mind speed reform process conservatives time react oppose reforms poetry requirement civil service examination introduced earlier dynasty scrapped order seek men practical experience knowledge addition commentaries classics standard required reading students hoping pass state examinations reforms officials bear administrative disagreements personal interests stake case rising conservative faction reformer branded inferior intellect par principles governance likewise branded conservatives labeled fashion conservatives criticized reforms means influence families diminishing private wealth favor self sufficient communal groups conservatives argued wealth class diminished state programs land holding class essential socio economic group produced china scholar officials managers merchants reminded earlier fan allow ministers opposed reforms sway court prowess perceived arrogance known premier gathered ministers loyal policies cause elite social coalition known able powerful supporters scientist statesman ministers state seen implementation reforms dismissed capital places emperor needed critical feedback extreme example officials sent far south administer regions largely tropical keeping mind northern chinese susceptible malaria found deep south china celebrated poet government official persecuted arrested forced weeks interrogation finally confessed guarded watch emperor poems read poem interpreted criticizing failure salt monopoly established embodied persona hard working old man denied means flavor food severity laws salt available charged rates expensive confession found guilty court exiled thirty associates given minor reporting poems authorities widely circulated educated public emperor died abrupt death mid successor emperor song years old ascended throne powerful grandmother served regent disliked reforms beginning sought appoint conservative officials court agree oppose greatest political ally chancellor implemented dismissed forced treatment earlier opponents dismissal lower frontier posts governance exile mounted opposition favored including tax instead forced labor service state sure emperor grandmother died quick sponsor like predecessor conservatives ousted political dominance court suddenly died twenties younger brother emperor song succeeded supported court banned writing near revered status having statue erected temple alongside statue image great honorable statesman printed painted pictures circulated country cycle revenge continued conservatives continued successor emperor song abolished favored ministers conservative faction court invasions transition southern song incident arrival song dynasty centuries engaged stand western dynasty balance disrupted song dynasty developed military alliance purpose balance power disrupted turned song resulting fall subsequent establishment reign tribe north subordinates revolted masters community reputation great economic region rivers positioned ideal location horse raising known muster thousand horses year sell annually dynasty martial history pirates invasion japanese islands modern day clan prominent leader challenged authority establishing golden dynasty song government took notice political territory persuaded emperor ally nations secretly forged alliance sea named negotiated envoys crossed agreed jointly invade successful divide territory sixteen given song song forces fared badly succeeded driving central asia campaign discovered weaknesses song military based north chinese long sending tribute instead actually fighting song forces failed joint attack siege viewed song generals incompetent banking possibility song weak destroyed sudden attack song north soon capital siege forces enormous bribe handed effective use song chinese war machines defense recorded debris siege employed protected sheets iron plating troops ferried walls safely fill defensive moat general initially urged alliance blamed causing war eventually executed emperor song throne returned soon siege machinery scale layer walls defended song troops siege towers taller walls order bombs city besieged city captured months thousand members emperor court taken captives including relatives engineers priests female label mechanical clock tower designed erected components north clock making maintenance engineers cause setback technical advances song court according contemporary war booty included fire arrows handed taking city capturing went conquer rest northern china song chinese court fled south took temporary residence surviving prince named forces halted river staged continual raids south river later boundary fixed north border fixed song government promote immigration policy territories north vast tracts vacant land open peasants found provinces south new capital peace treaty emperor designated site known temporary settlement court declared new song capital devastated raids cities heavily northern refugees outnumbered remaining original inhabitants chosen natural scenic beauty surrounding barriers lakes muddy rice fields gave defensive potential northern armies comprising cavalry viewed court temporary capital song emperors planned retake rapid growth city 12th century 13th necessitated long term goals residency modest residence imperial family improved simple provincial lodging accommodated new covered rain walls small palace compound finally extended southeast marginal improvement new triangular arrangement western continued age division conflict china region rivers new song displacing hundreds thousands families lived generations southern song deployed military commanders resist recapture territory proved successful times particular preparing recapture city known song period capital song dynasty southern capital streak military victories possible defeat threatened power new emperor premier reason emperor living imposed exile good chance recalled throne dynasty destroyed penetrated enemy territory far ordered head capital halt campaign emperor signed treaty fixed borders conceded territory regained efforts killed imprisonment treaty song forced pay tribute treaty hostilities ceased song decades meantime emperor negotiated mother ransom commissioned symbolic art project flute originally based life mother eventually released brought south freed confinement north decades death later emperor song honored national hero providing proper burial memorial shrine means shame pressed execution wife iron statues crafted tomb located china standing navy great indian_ocean maritime power dynasty medieval india waned declined chinese sailors began increase maritime activity indian_ocean earlier northern song period written tamil inscriptions reign completely taken naval strength succeeding king managed send tribute chinese northern song court later indian ruler chinese called sent trade embassy court emperor song lucrative profits selling goods china tributary regions world era egyptian sea captain traveled buddhist site pilgrimage presented chinese emperor song gifts ruling establishing diplomatic relations egypt china lost collapse dynasty state established years later port visited different foreigners muslim arabs hindu indians middle eastern jews christians etc muslims foreign nations dominated import export industry islam song dynasty regulate enormous commercial center northern song government established office sole purpose handling maritime affairs commercial transactions environment opportunities subjects empire foreign descent arab persian muslim commissioner merchant shipping gained position helping chinese destroy pirate forces plagued area gifts chinese merchants officials soon greatest maritime port earlier dynasty major trading center late northern song fully lost importance medieval arab maritime captain toured avid visitor china notable international china song period including song capital removed far south massive numbers people came north unlike flat plains north mountainous terrain lakes rivers southern china largely widespread agriculture southern song took unique maritime presence largely unseen earlier grown need secure foreign resources commercial cities located coast internal rivers backed patronage state dramatically increased activity funding harbor improvements warehouse construction navigation navigation sea easier invention compass treatise 11th century concept true north magnetic military defense economic policy mind established china standing navy china long naval history point example northern song era concerns naval matters seen examples chinese official reign outlining plan employing drydock repair imperial dragon boats science technology song dynasty chinese established fortified trade bases philippines noted interest court expand china military power economic influence abroad provincial armies northern song era maintained naval river units southern song court create large permanent standing naval institution china new headquarters southern song chinese admiralty based office labeled imperial far officials proposed ambitious plans conquer korea new navy use korea base launching invasions territory scheme achieved secondary importance maintaining defense fluctuating border capturing essence day song era writer wrote china regard great wall substitute warships court administration lived ideal successful time employing navy defend interests hostile neighbor north science civilization china series writes total squadrons men song navy rose century squadrons totalling men main base near shanghai regular striking force supported need substantial campaign ships kind participated battles age continual innovation throwing gunpowder bombs decreed standard equipment warships great number operated wheel craft large small built including stern ships wheels invention remarkable engineer armored iron plates design outstanding sum navy held nearly centuries gaining complete control reign emperor song chinese increased number trade missions dock ports indian_ocean arab hindu influence predominant chinese sailed regularly korea japan far_east westwards india sri_lanka red_sea chinese keen import goods rare woods precious metals gems ivory goods silk copper cash books customs officer wrote island far west indian_ocean possibly madagascar people skin black hair captured purchased slaves arab merchants important maritime trader china appeared geographical maps islamic world published geography described chinese vessels having aboard goods iron swords leather silk velvet modern day region region modern day iraq commended silk manufactured world quality chinese capital best known islamic world major producer glass 13th century chinese familiar story ancient lighthouse alexandria described length southern song customs inspector defeat invasion emperor moved empire capital northern south present day beijing years later razed beijing including nobles residences moved southern capital beijing seat song dynasty began large project reconstruction siege reign peace song states upheld flow commercial trade tribute dynasty imported large amounts tea rice sugar books reopened dynasty armed conflict song established military campaign naval troops aboard warships facing smaller song fleet warships men battle battle forces defeated navy battles navy wiped smaller song fleet use fast wheel crafts gunpowder bombs launched explosive grenades bombs known china 10th century simultaneous rebellions nobles led soon crowned emperor erupted forced reluctant court withdraw troops southern china quell uprisings end failed taking assassinated generals december uprising suppressed treaty signed song border line decades peace rise years state raid attacks north major campaign led launched army consisted thousand sons led armies similar size writes point population greater million boosted numbers employing han chinese felt great loyalty lords general murdered emperor placed emperor throne peace settlement negotiated forces vassal state court moved beijing saw revolt moved old capital beijing burning small state attempted defend fought battles song attacked ascension according account written commander led effort frightened siege capital use thunder crash bombs fire lance capital captured siege dynasty finally fell defeat capture western met similar fate unreliable vassal seeking secure alliances song died month siege capital city held somewhat responsible ruler death persuaded exit gates city small entourage invasion end song dynasty following death emergence song dynasty formed military alliance hope finally defeating dynasty tens thousands grain sent army siege following destruction generals broke alliance proceeding recapture historical capitals cities ravaged years warfare lacked economic capacity yielded little breaking alliance meant open warfare song chinese khan forces conquered total districts ordering slaughter million people inhabited city taken ease campaign eventually gained upper hand famed battles russia hungary eastern_europe final destruction ruling family korea commissioned younger brother conquer southwest modern successful campaign summer early sent military campaign northern vietnam failure sent renowned general brother east face syria egypt sacked razed medieval baghdad ground sack baghdad bringing end song territory died battling song chinese fortress august different claims died causes death include arrow wound chinese archer siege cholera epidemic cause death halted invasion sparked succession crisis ultimately favor new death battle led recall main armies led campaigning middle_east travel order traditional tribal meeting appoint new successor absence egypt ready face forces command defeated decisive blow marked extent conquests west east song dynasty dealt fluctuating border forces stalled war effort immediately death younger brother continued fight southern song months autumn daring advance river storm assaulted southern song troops sides suffered considerable casualties troops victorious gained south preparations heavily fortified city song chancellor dispatched general lead reinforcements defense october slipped past ill prepared forces entered city sent general negotiate tributary settlement offered annual tribute silver like earlier treaty return territories south taken rejected proposal favorable strategic position suspend war travel north majority forces civil war rival brother led sudden movement troops home base absence war seen chancellor moment ordered resume armed conflict song army routed small armed detachment stationed south song regained lost territory ally busy fighting golden forces needed north rival unable focus hostilities south sent envoy advisors negotiate arrival attempts solve conflict diplomatic means ordered embassy detained forget slight ambassadors nonetheless focus pressing affairs threat brother rival khan song forces raided southern border forced minor incursions brother finally surrendered ended civil war major battle years erupted gained preliminary victory considerable war booty song naval ships growing discontent attended matters north song court populace war available resources rendered drained war effort mid 13th century song government led began portions estates owned rich order raise revenues land scheme negative effect wealthy landowners collapse empire wealthy merchants favored deemed inevitable conquest rule alternative paying higher taxes continual warfare mounting political opposition chancellor officials opposed reforms aimed limiting official corruption personal replaced officials political conditions court gentry class favorable strong unified force led gestures order established beijing new capital catering likes chinese advisor naming dynasty chinese word policy grant land clothing song chinese defected chose moral high ground releasing song captives prisoners refused release personally released seventy song merchants captured border released seven merchants released merchants publicly officers executing song generals trial investigation acts reputation legitimacy eyes chinese greatly enhanced siege city long drawn conflict adjacent town located opposite bank fortified obstacles way rich basin attempt city supply lines gaining naval supremacy gigantic blockade song main proponent advising expand naval strength great factor success international force composed chinese middle eastern muslims contributed siege effort crafting ships artillery occasions august march august september southern song attempted break blockade navy attempt costly failure thousands men hundreds ships siege summer appointed chinese general general commander chief armed forces died granted force composed han chinese assault song final resistance march forces faced army chancellor strong end result decisive victory forced retreat deserted moment political rivals effectively stripped rank title office banished exile court route killed commander appointed accompany death supporters opposing ministers submitted army conquered nearly territory including capital rebel remnants song court fled emperor left empress submitted horrified reports total slaughter capital taken empress attempts negotiate promising annual tribute dynasty rejected proposals attempts diplomacy failed handed song dynasty imperial seal symbol capitulation submission emperor ordered song imperial family respected forbade imperial tombs granted deposed emperor title duke eventually exiled took monastic life hope resistance centered young princes emperor brothers older boy years old declared emperor june court sought refuge seeking alliance superintendent maritime shipping muslim secretly formed alliance song court forced flee court sought refuge older brother ill died age succeeded younger brother emperor song aged seven sung monument commemorates march song army defeated battle fought army led chinese general song prime minister said taken boy emperor arms jumped sinking ship sea drowning death remaining emperor eliminated established realm dynasty china proper korea nearly century follow chinese live dynasty established native han chinese dynasty established dynasty historical literature song dynasty chinese wade literally comprehensive mirror aid government enormous work chinese historiography written approach universal history china compiled 11th century work ordered compiled emperor song team scholars headed presented completed work emperor song total length volumes containing roughly million chinese characters covers people places events chinese history beginning beginning song dynasty size scope compared groundbreaking work chinese historiography compiled ancient historian known historical work later compiled condensed different books neo philosopher pupils complete work shortly death dynasty book reprinted father translated shortly later edited published thirteenth volume title page added translated published jesuit pupils founded russian school historical source enormous encyclopedia prime published great books song divided volumes million written chinese characters book provided important information political essays period extensive rulers subjects multitude memorials brought forth imperial court official history song dynasty song compiled dynasty recorded history dynasty compiled year historical book classic histories china
History of the Song dynasty