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64-516: He was the first descendant of Emperor Taizu to become emperor and remembered as an effective ruler as the Song enjoyed prosperity during his reign. Zhao Shen's birth name was Zhao Bocong (趙伯琮). In March 1133, after Zhao Bocong entered the imperial palace, his name was changed to Zhao Yuan (趙瑗). In April 1160, after Zhao Yuan was adopted by Emperor Gaozong , his name was changed to Zhao Wei (趙瑋). In July 1162, when Zhao Wei became crown prince, his name

128-482: A wuxia twist to it. Another novel Emperor Taizu of Song Thrice Sets off for Southern Tang, Trapped in Shouzhou City ( 宋太祖三下南唐被困壽州城 ) was written by an " Antiquarian Master" ( 好古主人 ) in 1858. While these stories mostly use historical figures as supporting characters, a number of fictional characters became famously associated with Zhao Kuangyin: According to martial arts traditional lore, Emperor Taizu created

192-472: A Shaolin -based fighting style known as Taizu Changquan (太祖長拳; literally "Taizu Long Fist"). It is the core style of the present-day Long Fist style . Whether he really did invent this style or if it even dates from this time is not actually known. A Chinese 4D film tentatively titled Unifying the Country ( 一統江山 ) is planned to be directed by Academy Award –winning Danish director Bille August . The film

256-525: A bridle , he knocked his forehead on the wall above the city gate and fell off, but got right back up and chased the horse, eventually subduing it while going unharmed. In the mid-940s, he married Lady He on his father's arrangement . After wandering around for a few years, in 949 he joined the army of Guo Wei , a jiedushi (military governor) of the Later Han dynasty , and helped Guo quell Li Shouzhen 's rebellion. In 951, Guo Wei rebelled and created

320-662: A coup d'état and forcing Emperor Gong , the last Later Zhou ruler, to abdicate the throne in his favor. During his reign, Emperor Taizu conquered the states of Southern Tang , Later Shu , Southern Han , and Jingnan , thus reunifying most of China proper . To strengthen his control, he lessened the power of military generals and relied on civilian officials in administration. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Zhao Kuangyi (Emperor Taizong). Born in Luoyang to military commander Zhao Hongyin , Zhao Kuangyin grew up excelling in mounted archery . Once, riding an untamed horse without

384-502: A door god in Chinese and Taoist temples in partnership with Yang Gun . The late 16th century novel by Xiong Damu ( 熊大木 ) called Records of the Two Songs, South and North ( 南北兩宋志傳 ) is a historical novel about imperial China from roughly 926 to 1022. The first 50 chapters detail the fall of Later Tang and the rise and fall of Later Jin , Later Han and Later Zhou , with a focus on

448-506: A base in court. The Emperor also controlled his ministers by curtailing their authority. Early in 1167 the Emperor finally filled every vacancy in the Council of State by appointing chief councilors of the left and right and two assistant councilors. The bureaucracy was generally pleased with the appointments, but the remarks of the vice-minister for war, Chen Yanxiao, contained both jubilations over

512-548: A certain point during the feast, the new emperor made a speech to the military officers assembled there, which he began by expressing his deep gratitude to each and all of them for placing him on the throne, and that now that he had the power to do so, he wished to reward them to the utmost of his ability; then he went on to say that he thought the present company would all understand that he could not feel at ease on his new throne, with them continuing in command of their various armies of troops: and, he said, that if they duly considered

576-609: A descendant of Emperor Taizu to be his adopted heir to succeed him in 1161. After 1161, all the subsequent Song emperors were descended from Emperor Taizu through his two sons, Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang . Zhao Kuangyin's family was of fairly modest origins and cannot be traced back with any certainty further than the Later Tang . His great great grandfather Zhao Tiao was an official who served in Zhuozhou in Hebei Province near where

640-455: A military expedition to recover them before his death, and his successor attempted twice more, leading to twenty-five years of sporadic fighting between the Song and the Khitan Liao . Emperor Taizu reigned for seventeen years and died in 976 at the age of 49. Curiously, he was succeeded by his younger brother, Zhao Kuangyi (Emperor Taizong) , even though he had two grown sons – Zhao Dezhao ,

704-439: A resistance was Han Tong, but he was killed by one of Zhao Kuangyin's generals when he reached home. Upon entering the capital to take his seat on the throne, Zhao Kuangyin made an executive order prohibiting the troops from looting the city or otherwise violating the rights of the population. This coup would allow Zhao Kuangyin to become emperor in 960. With the gates opened for him, he became emperor with no resistance. Before

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768-551: A son. Another relative, Zhao Qu was also adopted. In July 1162, Emperor Gaozong officially designated Zhao Shen as his crown prince and heir apparent. One of the main reasons Gaozong chose Shen over Qu was of Shen's virtue. It is said that Gaozong gave ten maids to Shen and Qu. In the end, Qu had touched every maid but Shen had not even touched one winning Gaozong's favor over Qu. In 24 July 1162, Emperor Gaozong abdicated in favor of Emperor Xiaozong who became emperor although Emperor Gaozong retained power as Taishang Huang . During

832-482: Is said to center on Zhao Kuangyin as well as Li Yu (last ruler of Southern Tang ) and Qian Chu (last ruler of Wuyue ). Three independent television series focused on the complex relationships between Zhao Kuangyin, Li Houzhu (Li Congjia) and the many women in their lives. They are: Zhongshu Sheng The Zhongshu Sheng ( 中 書 省 ), also known as the Palace Secretariat or Central Secretariat ,

896-572: The Battle of Gaoping , against the alliance of the Northern Han and Liao dynasties. This rivalry started when Chai Rong ascended the throne and Liu Chong decided to work with the Liao dynasty. In the initial confrontation, the army's right flank, led by Fan Aineng ( 樊愛能 ) and He Hui ( 何徽 ), was defeated. Looking at the situation, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhang Yongde ( 張永德 ) led 4000 elite Palace troops to counter

960-525: The Han dynasty . The Central Secretariat originated during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (r. 141-87 BC) to handle documents. The chief steward for writing ( shangshu 尚書), aided by eunuch secretary-receptionists ( zhongshu yezhe 中書謁者)), forwarded documents to the inner palace. This organization was headed by a Secretariat Director ( zhongshu ling 中書令) assisted by a Vice Director ( zhongshu puye 中書仆射). These two posts came to assert significant political influence on

1024-454: The Later Zhou dynasty . Because of his brilliant combat skills, Zhao Kuangyin was promoted to a palace guard commander. Chai Rong (Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou) frequently met Guo Wei and noticed Zhao Kuangyin's potential. Under his command, Zhao Kuangyin was made into a commander of the cavalry units. Under Chai Rong, Zhao Kuangyin's rise to power had begun. Zhao Kuangyin's career started at

1088-564: The Military College in 1162 during Emperor Xiaozong's reign. In 1165, he reached peace with the Jin Dynasty . In 1187, the retired Emperor Gaozong died. Xiaozong was stricken with grief and retreated from governing, insisting on mourning Gaozong and stating that he would only rule for two more years. Xiaozong turned all government affairs to his son Zhao Dun . In 1189, Emperor Xiaozong abdicated in favour of his son, Zhao Dun who took

1152-552: The Song dynasty . The plan set during Chai Rong 's reign was to first conquer the north, then the south. During Emperor Taizu's reign, there was a change in strategy. He would conquer all the smaller states such as Later Shu , Southern Han and Southern Tang . The exception was the strong Northern Han in the north at Taiyuan supported by the Khitans of the Liao dynasty . Emperor Taizu's strategy

1216-589: The "Phoenix Tower" ( fengge 鳳閣), and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (r. 712-755) named it the "Department of the Purple Mystery" ( ziweisheng 紫微省). During the Sui-Tang period, the duty of the Central Secretariat was to read incoming material to the throne, answer questions from the emperor, and to draft imperial edicts. The Sui and Tang added posts for compilation of the imperial diary and proof-reading documents. In

1280-664: The 10th Song emperor. After the Jingkang Incident in 1127, Emperor Gaozong's father , eldest brother and most of his close relatives were taken prisoner by the Jurchen -led Jin Empire . As Emperor Gaozong's only son, Zhao Fu (趙旉), died prematurely around the age of two, the emperor ordered his officials to start searching for other living descendants of the imperial family . Zhao Shen was discovered and adopted by Emperor Gaozong in April 1160 as

1344-778: The Bureau of Military affairs bypassed the Secretariat and Imperial Councilors and went straight to the Imperial Chancellery . After requests to the Emperor that orders go through regular bureaucratic streams he promised to rectify this, but instead to continued to issue direct dispatches as "confidential orders" ( mi-pai ). Xiaozong began to directly issue palace orders ( nei-pi ) and imperial decrees ( yu-pi ) without prior consultation with councilors to enhance his power in other areas. According to Dieter Kuhn, Emperor Xiaozong "is said to have spent ten sleepless years after issuing huizi " and

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1408-495: The Central Secretariat became Vice Grand Chancellor. The Khitan -led Liao dynasty (916–1125) had an institution similar in function to the Central Secretariat of the early Tang dynasty, called the Department of Administration ( zhengshisheng 政事省). The posts of Director, Vice Director, and the drafters, were mostly held by Chinese. The Jurchen -led Jin dynasty (1115–1234) had a Central Secretariat that functioned similarly to

1472-478: The Central Secretariat varied greatly in this period, sometimes even being put in charge of judicial and entertainment matters. The Central Secretariat was known by a variety of names during the Sui dynasty and Tang dynasty . The Sui called it neishisheng (內史省) or neishusheng (內書省). Emperor Gaozong of Tang (r. 618-626) called it the "Western Terrace" ( xitai 西臺), Wu Zetian (regent 684-690, ruler 690-704) called it

1536-429: The Department of State Affairs ( shangshu you puye 尚書右仆射, or youcheng 右丞), who also held the title of Court Gentleman of the Central Secretariat ( zhongshu shilang 中書侍郎). Another Court Gentleman of the Central Secretariat managed the institution and participated in court consultations. The Rear Section was managed by a Secretariat Drafter ( zhongshu sheren ). The Left Vice Director ( zuo puye 左仆射, or zuocheng 左丞) held

1600-481: The Department of State Affairs in 1292 (revived 1309-1311). The post of Director was held by an imperial prince or left vacant, however real work went to the right and left Grand Chancellors. Under the Grand Chancellors were four managers of governmental affairs ( pingzhang zhengshi 平章政事) and a right and left aide ( you cheng 右丞, zuo cheng 左丞), who were collectively known as state counsellors ( zaizhi 宰執). Below

1664-482: The Liao army. Zhao Kuangyin's exhortation for the loyalty to the emperor quickly strengthened morale. The small force held off the larger Liao army until reinforcements arrived. In the end, the successful counter repelled the Northern Han back to Taiyuan . The victory raised Zhao Kuangyin up to the post of the grand commander of the palace guards, as well as reorganising and training them. More importantly, he developed

1728-451: The Prince of Yan (951–979), and Zhao Defang , the Prince of Qin (959–981). The traditional historical accounts place emphasis on the role Zhao Kuangyin's mother played in the decision which was made shortly after the Song dynasty was proclaimed (around 961). So for nearly his entire reign, it was known and accepted that Zhao Kuangyi would succeed him. In folklore, the story known as " shadows by

1792-515: The Song institution, but the paperwork was done by academicians rather than professional drafters. The Right Chancellor of the Central Secretariat ( shangshu you chengxiang 尚書右丞相) was subordinate to the Grand Chancellor. Emperor Wanyan Liang (r. 1149-1160) abolished the institution. The Mongol -led Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) made the Central Secretariat the central administrative office, responsible for all civil administration, and abolished

1856-727: The Sui dynasty, the Central Secretariat Director was sometimes the same person as the Grand Chancellor ( zaixiang 宰相). In the Tang, the Director was also master of court assemblies, and often where Grand Chancellors started their careers. The Central Secretariat Director took part in conferences with the emperor alongside the directors of the Department of State Affairs and the Chancellery. In

1920-700: The appointments but skepticism over the reduced powers of the councilors. Although Xiaozong is said to have listened to Chen, he never put his advice into practice. Throughout the Xiaozong reign the chief complaint of officials was his is tendency to infringe on their authority. Xiaozong in principle realized the importance of treating his councilors with dignity and granting them executive authority, however in reality his participation in all major decisions greatly limited their authority. In 1163 chief councilors were appointed to positions of Commissioners of military affairs, and in 1167 they were also granted financial authority with

1984-487: The candle and sounds from an axe " is very popular and suggests that Emperor Taizu was murdered by his brother, who was after the throne. After his death, Taizu was interred at the Yongchang Mausoleum , near Gongyi . After Emperor Taizong, the line of succession passed on to his son and descendants rather than those of Emperor Taizu. However, when Emperor Gaozong (1127–1161) failed to produce an heir, he selected

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2048-509: The chancellor Fan Zhi could say anything, one of Zhao Kuangyin's generals pointed a sword at him and said, "We are without masters. Today, we must have an emperor." After the officials looked at each other and knew it was hopeless to resist; they all bowed down. With the court under control, Zhao Kuangyin was officially proclaimed emperor. The new dynasty's name, Song , was inspired by the army Zhao Kuangyin commanded in Song Prefecture. After

2112-406: The core Song Ancestor Rules and Policy for the later Song emperors. He was remembered for his expansion of the imperial examination system such that most of the civil service were recruited through the exams (in contrast to the Tang where less than 10% of the civil servants came through exams). He also created academies that allowed a great deal of freedom of discussion and thought, which facilitated

2176-534: The court, causing eunuchs to be forbidden from holding these posts by the end of the Western Han dynasty . This institution continued after the end of the Han dynasty into Cao Wei . Emperor Wen of Wei formally created the Central Secretariat, headed by a Secretariat Supervisor ( zhongshu jian 中書監) and a Director ( zhongshu ling 中書令). Although lower in rank than the Shangshu Sheng (Department of State Affairs),

2240-504: The death of Chai Rong, the Later Zhou throne was left to his seven-year-old son Guo Zongxun , and the second rival, Li Chongjin, soon found himself lacking the political backing. As a result, Zhao Kuangyin was able to use his influence to transfer Li Chongjin to Yang Prefecture as a jiedushi . In 960, word reached the chancellor Fan Zhi that Northern Han and Liao dynasties were once again allied to invade them again. Without verifying

2304-453: The deceased retired emperor's grandson Emperor Ningzong . Consorts and Issue: Emperor Taizu of Song Emperor Taizu of Song (21 March 927 – 14 November 976), personal name Zhao Kuangyin , courtesy name Yuanlang , was the founding emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 960 until his death in 976. Formerly a distinguished military general of the Later Zhou dynasty , Emperor Taizu came to power after staging

2368-603: The declaration, Zhao Kuangyin sent the dethroned young emperor Guo Zongxun with his mother to the Western Capital ( 西京 ). He personally ordered the Zhao family to receive the Chai family into their family's care for generations. In 960, Zhao Kuangyin helped reunite most of China proper after the fragmentation and rebellion between the fall of the Tang dynasty in 907 and the establishment of

2432-466: The early Song dynasty (960–1279), the Central Secretariat was formally demoted and its function reduced to processing less important documents like memorials, resubmitted documents, or lists of examinations. The Central Secretariat no longer had a Director and its office was merged with that of the Chancellery, called Secretariat-Chancellery ( zhongshu menxia 中書門下, shortened zhongshu 中書) or Administration Chamber ( zhengshitang ). Drafting documents became

2496-406: The emperor from seeing his father. On one occasion, at the sickbed of the emperor, her father-in-law threatened to have her executed for not taking proper care of the monarch. Retired Emperor Xiaozong fell ill in 1194 and was made worse when Emperor Guangzong refused to visit him. Xiaozong soon died. Emperor Guangzong refused to attend his funeral and as a result, was forced to give his throne to

2560-570: The emperor, criticizing him for dismissing councilors and other officials only having served for a few months. The emperor commended Mo Chi for his criticism, but ignored it. One of the reasons behind Xiaozongs policy could have been to avoid the amassing of great power in the person of individual officials, such as the great power wielded by Qin Gui in Gaozong's era, with a convenient way in achieving this to limit ministerial tenure of office so they could not build

2624-464: The family lived. His descendants Zhao Ting and Zhao Jing also served as local officials in Hebei Province. Zhao Jing's son Zhao Hongyin decided against a civil career and became a military officer instead under Zhuangzong of Later Tang : he knew that in times of disunity it would be a military career that would lead to success. Consorts and Issue: The Great Ancestor of the Song sometimes appears as

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2688-662: The function of a new Document Drafting Office ( sherenyuan 舍人院). A reform during the Yuanfeng reign-period (1078-1085) restored the Central Secretariat to its former functions and the Document Drafting Office was renamed the Secretariat Rear Section ( zhongshu housheng 中書後省). However the title of Director remained an honorific while real leadership of the Central Secretariat went to the Right Vice Director of

2752-595: The growth of scientific advance , economic reforms as well as achievements in arts and literature. Emperor Taizu is well known for bringing the power of the military under control, ending the era of the warlords, centralizing the state over regional commanders and so preventing anyone else rising to power as he did. Upon becoming emperor, he invited the general officers to a lavish banquet, where he convinced them all to retire as military leaders or accept minor posts, in favour of enjoying extensive estates and generous retirement funds and benefits which he then offered them. At

2816-508: The latter half of the Tang dynasty, the title of Director of the Central Secretariat was given to jiedushi (military commissioners) to give them a higher status, which deprived the title of its real value. The Hanlin Academy gained prominence as its academicians ( xueshi 學士) began processing and drafting documents in place of the Central Secretariat, which allowed emperors to issue edicts without prior consultation with Secretariat staff. During

2880-630: The legends of Zhao Kuangyin. The last 50 chapters focus on the Generals of the Yang Family legends. As a result, the book is in later publications usually split in two separate parts under various different names. A 1797 novel written by Wu Xuan ( 吳璿 ) called Legends of the Flying Dragon ( 飛龍傳 ) proved to be very popular in his time. He expanded the stories on Zhao Kuangyin in Xiong Damu's book and added

2944-522: The military forces for involvement with the rival surrounding empires. Many Song and later sources record the story of the "Taizu's Oath", which forbade his successors from killing scholar-officials. However, this story might be a later construct. Emperor Taizu established a Reserve Treasury as a deposit treasury for the purpose of either attempting to purchase the Sixteen Prefectures or to recover them through funding military action. He launched

3008-411: The palace guards and even developed a set of officials under him with the people mentioned above. Soon, he was promoted to a jiedushi (military governor), controlling most of the military power under Chai Rong. Nevertheless, he still had two rivals – Zhang Yongde ( Guo Wei 's son-in-law) and Li Chongjin ( Guo Wei 's nephew). In 959, after a trap set by Zhao Kuangyin, Zhang Yongde was demoted. After

3072-607: The personnel of the Central Secretariat worked closer to the emperor and were responsible for drafting edicts, and therefore their content. Under the Wei, the Central Secretariat was also in charge of the palace library, but this responsibility was terminated during the Jin dynasty (266–420) . In the Northern and Southern dynasties , the personnel ranged from princes and high ranking family members to professional writers. The position and responsibilities of

3136-413: The power reluctantly, only under the urging of his soldiers. The midnight mutiny of officers forcibly urged Zhao Kuangyin to the throne; but, when the officers presented him to the troops as their new commander-in-chief he refused the imperial nomination until they swore unconditional obedience to him as leader. News of the rebellion soon reached the court and chaos erupted. The only person who thought about

3200-409: The ramifications of the matter, neither would they. He then sincerely promised that they and their families would live in happiness and harmony, if they accepted his offer to retire with the stated benefits: eventually, none of the generals refused his terms, and thus began a period of relative internal peace within the realm for the duration of the Song dynasty which he thus founded, also better securing

3264-648: The reign of Emperor Xiaozong, the Chinese increased the number of trade missions that would dock at ports throughout the Indian Ocean, where Arab and Hindu influence was once predominant. Xiaozong also was responsible for Yue Fei 's posthumous rehabilitation, clearing out the remnants of Qin Hui 's faction in court, and stabilizing the economy making his reign the most powerful era of the Southern Song Dynasty and it's said he

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3328-495: The relations with other generals and officials related to the Chief of Palace, including Shi Shouxin , Wang Shenqi ( 王審琦 ), Yang Guangyi ( 楊光義 ), Wang Zhengzhong ( 王政忠 ), Liu Qingyi ( 劉慶義 ), Liu Shouzhong ( 劉守忠 ), Liu Yanrang ( 劉延讓 ), Mi Xin ( 米信 ), Tian Chongjin ( 田重進 ), Pan Mei , his brother Zhao Kuangyi , Shen Yilun ( 沈義倫 ), Lu Xuqing, Zhao Pu ( 趙普 ), Chu Zhaofu ( 楚昭輔 ). Within a few years, Zhao Kuangyin completely controlled

3392-480: The reliability of the hearsay, Fan Zhi sent Zhao Kuangyin to combat the alliance. After traveling 40 li , there was a clamour that a "prophet" saw two suns fighting, and that this meant the transfer of the Mandate of Heaven to Zhao Kuangyin. The story effectively spread around the army: there came discontent of the "command" of the young emperor and a shift of loyalty to Zhao Kuangyin. A few days later, when Zhao Kuangyin

3456-504: The state counsellors there were four consultants ( canyi zhongshusheng shi 參議中書省事) responsible for paperwork and took part in decisions. The Central Secretariat controlled the Six Ministries and was thus functionally the heart of the government. The regions surrounding the Yuan capital Khanbaliq , including what are now Shandong , Shanxi , Hebei and Inner Mongolia provinces were known as

3520-447: The throne as Emperor Guangzong . He then granted himself the title Taishang Huang and remained as the de facto ruler. Xiaozong is also said to have been suffering from mental illness in the last two years of his reign, which encouraged him to follow the example of his stepfather Gaozong and retire. His daughter-in-law Empress Li reportedly attempted to keep Emperor Guangzong and his father (Xiaozong) separate, and often stopped

3584-572: The titles of Court Gentleman of the Chancellery ( menxia shilang 門下侍郎) and Grand Chancellor concurrently. Policy decisions were made by the Grand Chancellor before the edicts and documents were drafted and issued. In the Southern Song period (1127-1279), the Central Secretariat was merged with the Chancellery again. The Right Vice Director became Grand Chancellor of the Right while the Court Gentleman of

3648-528: The titles of controller of national finance ( Zhi Guoyongshi ). Later in Southern Song this contributed to the power of the chief councilors, however during Xiaozongs reign this was not the case. Xiaozong intended for his ministers to exercise their powers in ordinary administrative affairs, however the emperor was in the habit of guarding his imperial prerogatives and frequently exercised them especially in military matters. As in 1167 when Imperial orders issued to

3712-482: The value of huizi . In 1178 Huang Chouruo stated in a report to the throne: “If [huizi] are few, they are expensive, if there are many, they are cheap.” In 1186 there were around 20 million strings of cash in issue. He closely supervised the court and central government to make sure power remained balance among high officials and tried in earnest to live up to Confucian standards of moral behavior. Archery and equestrianism were required for non-military officials at

3776-459: Was changed again to Zhao Shen (趙眘). Zhao Shen was given the courtesy name Yuangui (元瑰) in May 1160. In July 1162, when he became crown prince, his courtesy name was changed to Yuanyong (元永). Zhao Shen was a seventh-generation descendant of Emperor Taizu , the founder and first emperor of the Song dynasty. He was the second son of Zhao Zicheng (趙子偁; died 1143), a sixth cousin of Emperor Gaozong ,

3840-400: Was drunk in his tent, all the troops had not slept the whole night; they got their weapons and started yelling. Zhao Pu and Zhang Kuangyi, who were guarding the tent, saw the situation and went into the tent to wake up Zhao Kuangyin. When Zhao Kuangyin came out, all the troops yelled, "The army is without a master, we are willing to make the general the new emperor." Allegedly, Zhao Kuangyin took

3904-647: Was one of the departments of the Three Departments and Six Ministries government structure in imperial China from the Cao Wei (220–266) until the early Ming dynasty . As one of the Three Departments, the Zhongshu Sheng was primarily a policy-formulating agency responsible for proposing and drafting all imperial decrees, but its actual function varied at different times. The department traces its origins back to

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3968-466: Was the best ruler of the Southern Song dynasty. Xiaozong's reign was one of the few times in Southern Song that was not dominated by powerful officials, as he held power supreme and unchallenged. He was also a demanding emperor who frequently dismissed ministers without hesitation if they failed to meet his expectations. This led to many criticisms of the emperors personnel policy. In 1166, the lesser lord of agricultural supervision, Mo Chi remonstrated to

4032-481: Was the main driving power behind attempts to stabilize the monetary system . In 1166 the Emperor bought back two million silver ounces worth of circulating huizi and had them burned, as well as decreeing that paper notes could be accepted for payment of taxes and fees. Xiaozong in these policies tried to regulate the market value of paper currency by limiting the quantity in circulation. These policies to curb inflation proved effective, and in 1175 he managed to stabilize

4096-450: Was to win over the independent southern states as the south was weaker than the north as the Liao dynasty supported Northern Han. In 968, Emperor Taizu personally led the army against the Northern Han. At first, his forces tore through the defences and placed Taiyuan under siege, but was ultimately forced to retreat after he struck against the defences of the Northern Han with the Liao cavalry coming in to support. Emperor Taizu established

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