13 Northern Song Dynasty

Northern Song Dynasty

 Establishment

In 960, a military general of the Latter Zhou Dynasty (951 - 960) named Zhao Kuangyin launched a mutiny in Chenqiao County. After forcing the last emperor of the Latter Zhou to yield the throne, he established the Northern Song in Kaifeng (the provincial capital of Henan Province). Zhao Kuangyin became Emperor Taizu, the first emperor of the Song Dynasty. In the first two decades, Emperor Taizu and his brother Emperor Taizong put down the chaos of the ten states and unified most of the territory of China.

 Development

In the early period, society and politics were both stable. Soon after the founding of the new dynasty, Emperor Taizu removed military power from the hands of the Jiedushi (regional military governors) consolidating the military leadership and placing it under the control of the emperor. From then on, a rather centralized state power was formed. Due to the policy of 'viewing literacy as more important than the military', a class of civil officials including some eminent poets, such as Su Dongpo and Fan Zhongyan were appointed in the court. During the reign of Emperor Renzong, the economic and social development reached the zenith.