The Rise and Fall of the Northern Song Empire

This dynasty was founded by military leaders in an age of chaos, yet it became the most culturally flourishing, economically prosperous, and politically enlightened dynasty in history. It faced domestic turmoil and foreign threats more often than any other. For centuries, it endured repeated invasions and humiliations at the hands of foreign peoples, yet it also lasted longer than any other dynasty in history.

How did Zhao Kuangyin go from being a vagrant to founding the Northern Song? What really happened in the age-old mystery of the axe and candlelight? Why can Zhao Guangyi, despite being widely criticized, be called a wise ruler? What kind of legendary woman was Empress Dowager Xiao Yanyan of the Liao? Why was Xiao Yanyan’s eldest sister, Xiao Huniang, hailed as one of the Liao’s great heroines? What did the Song gain and lose from the Treaty of Chanyuan? Li Yuanhao, founder of the Western Xia, was an invincible warrior and a formidable leader, but what kind of peerless hero was Li Jiqian, the true founder of Western Xia? Emperor Renzong of Song was called the most benevolent ruler in history, but did he deserve to be called a wise emperor? Why was Fan Zhongyan considered the most virtuous man of the Northern Song? Was Bao Zheng really as miraculous at solving cases as legend says? What were the actual benefits and drawbacks of Wang Anshi’s reforms? Why did Su Shi rise and fall so many times in officialdom? Why did Emperor Shenzong, who spent his life seeking to strengthen the nation and its armies, die so young? How did the hot-blooded young Emperor Zhezong use military force to bring Western Xia to heel? How did Emperor Huizong, who had no chance of inheriting the throne, end up ruling the empire? Why did the Liao’s million-strong army collapse at the first blow and then fall so swiftly? How did the Jin, founded by Wanyan Aguda, rise to become the new hegemon of East Asia? What kind of devastating national calamity and tragedy was the Jingkang Incident?

The curtain rises on the Great Song Dynasty...