The History of China

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A Q&A like this only come around once in a thousand years...

After feeling forced to sign the costly and humiliating Treaty of Chanyuan with the Liao Dynasty to end the Liao-Song War, Emperor Zhenzong needs a pick-me-up to make himself feel better. He thinks that a ritual that hasn't been performed in 3 centuries might be the way... and that's when the text messages from Heaven start popping up in his inbox... Time Period: 1004-1022 CE Major Historical Figures Emperor Zhenzong of Song (Zhao Heng)[r. 997 - 1022] Wang Qinruo, Minister of Grand Ritual [c. 962 – 1025] Chancellor Kou Zhun [c. 961 – 1023] Du Hao, Imperial Antiquarian. Minister Sun Shi, Grand Imperial Buzzkill. Major Works Cited: Cahill, Suzanne E. "Taoism at the Sung Court: The Heavenly Text Affair of 1008" in Bulletin of Sung and Yüan Studies, No. 16. Choi, Mihwa. Death Rituals and Politics in Northern Song China. Lau Nap-Yin and Huang K'uang-Chung. "Founding and Consolidation of the Sung Dynasty" in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 5: The Sung Dynasty and Its Precursors, Part 1. Li, Tao. Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian ("The Extended Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Government") Sima, Guang. Sushui Jiwen ("Records of Rumors from Sushui"). Toqto'a and Alutu. Songshi ("The History of the Song"). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After feeling forced to sign the costly and humiliating Treaty of Chanyuan with the Liao Dynasty to end the Liao-Song War, Emperor Zhenzong needs a pick-me-up to make himself feel better. He thinks that a ritual that hasn't been performed in 3 centuries might be the way... and that's when the text messages from Heaven start popping up in his inbox... Time Period: 1004-1022 CE Major Historical Figures Emperor Zhenzong of Song (Zhao Heng)[r. 997 - 1022] Wang Qinruo, Minister of Grand Ritual [c. 962 – 1025] Chancellor Kou Zhun [c. 961 – 1023] Du Hao, Imperial Antiquarian. Minister Sun Shi, Grand Imperial Buzzkill. Major Works Cited: Cahill, Suzanne E. "Taoism at the Sung Court: The Heavenly Text Affair of 1008" in Bulletin of Sung and Yüan Studies, No. 16. Choi, Mihwa. Death Rituals and Politics in Northern Song China. Lau Nap-Yin and Huang K'uang-Chung. "Founding and Consolidation of the Sung Dynasty" in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 5: The Sung Dynasty and Its Precursors, Part 1. Li, Tao. Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian ("The Extended Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Government") Sima, Guang. Sushui Jiwen ("Records of Rumors from Sushui"). Toqto'a and Alutu. Songshi ("The History of the Song").

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The new Song Emperor, Zhenzong, sits uneasily on the Chinese throne after his father’s untimely death in 997. But court intrigues and attempted coups will only be the tip of the iceberg for this untested and unlikely sovereign, because the Liao Dynasty to the north has its eyes and hearts set on revenge for Chinese slights, and will send a massive force bent on crushing Song resistance to their will. Time Period Covered: 997-1005 CE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new Song Emperor, Zhenzong, sits uneasily on the Chinese throne after his father’s untimely death in 997. But court intrigues and attempted coups will only be the tip of the iceberg for this untested and unlikely sovereign, because the Liao Dynasty to the north has its eyes and hearts set on revenge for Chinese slights, and will send a massive force bent on crushing Song resistance to their will. Time Period Covered: 997-1005 CE

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To the Northwest of the Song Empire, a group of non-Chinese known as the Tanguts have long been subject to the whims and subjugations of their greater neighbors. But with the Chinese focused on their struggle against the Khitan Liao, and the Tibetans and Uighur states having collapsed to the far west, the Tanguts need to unite - in spite of their often fractious nature - if they're to seize the moment and carve out their place in history. Time Period Covered: ~735-1001 CE Major Historical Figures: Song Dynasty: Emperor Taizong of Song (Zhao Jiong) [r. 976-997] Emperor Zhenzong of Song (Zhao Heng) [r. 997-1022] Western Xia: Governor-General Tuoba Sigong (Li Sigong)of Dingnan, Duke of Xia [d. 886?] Li Yiyin/Yixin, Prince of Xia (posthumous) [d. 967] Li Kerui, Governor-General of Xia [r.967-978] Li Jiqian, rebel leader against Song Dynasty[963–1004] Li Deming (post. Emperor Taizong of Western Xia), founder of Xi Xia Dynasty [981–1032]

To the Northwest of the Song Empire, a group of non-Chinese known as the Tanguts have long been subject to the whims and subjugations of their greater neighbors. But with the Chinese focused on their struggle against the Khitan Liao, and the Tibetans and Uighur states having collapsed to the far west, the Tanguts need to unite - in spite of their often fractious nature - if they're to seize the moment and carve out their place in history. Time Period Covered: ~735-1001 CE Major Historical Figures: Song Dynasty: Emperor Taizong of Song (Zhao Jiong) [r. 976-997] Emperor Zhenzong of Song (Zhao Heng) [r. 997-1022] Western Xia: Governor-General Tuoba Sigong (Li Sigong)of Dingnan, Duke of Xia [d. 886?] Li Yiyin/Yixin, Prince of Xia (posthumous) [d. 967] Li Kerui, Governor-General of Xia [r.967-978] Li Jiqian, rebel leader against Song Dynasty[963–1004] Li Deming (post. Emperor Taizong of Western Xia), founder of Xi Xia Dynasty [981–1032] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Song's second emperor, Taizong, wants to achieve the heights of Chinese glory, power, and territory just like the Tang and Han before him. But aspirations are easier than results, and he's going to have to contend with neighbor states on all sides far more powerful than his predecessors - and with his own position far weaker. Still it's either that or the utterly unthinkable: acknowledge that China is no longer the preeminent superpower of the East, but now just one state among equals. Time Period Covered: 976-986 CE

Song's second emperor, Taizong, wants to achieve the heights of Chinese glory, power, and territory just like the Tang and Han before him. But aspirations are easier than results, and he's going to have to contend with neighbor states on all sides far more powerful than his predecessors - and with his own position far weaker. Still it's either that or the utterly unthinkable: acknowledge that China is no longer the preeminent superpower of the East, but now just one state among equals. Time Period Covered: 976-986 CE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Zhao Kuangyin has seized the north and now aims to reunify China under his new Song Dynasty by smashing the south. And it’s super effective! But when a strange order of succession leaves question mark surrounding his legacy, it’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen next. Time period covered: 960-976 CE Major Historical Figures Emperor Taizu of Song (Zhao Kuangyin) [r. 960-976] Emperor Taizong of Song (Zhao Guangyi) [r. 976-997] Prince Zhao Dezhao [951-979] Chancellor Zhao Pu [922-992] Liu Chang, Emperor of Southern Han [r. 958-972] War Elephants!!! Li Yu, King of Southern Tang [r. 961-976]