Song, Liao, Jin, and Western Xia: Stories of Figures (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Guo Xueling
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: In the long history of five thousand years, this series selects more than three hundred representative historical figures from various dynasties and tells their stories in the form of narratives. These historical figures include famous emperors and generals from each dynasty, as well as writers, artists, and scientists who have had a significant impact on history. There are also national heroes who fought for the prosperity and development of the Chinese nation, and historical villains who brought eternal infamy to the country. This book is part of the series "Song, Liao, Jin, and Western Xia," and it will take you into the stories of these historical figures! In the long history of five thousand years, this series selects more than three hundred representative historical figures from various dynasties and tells their stories in the form of narratives. These historical figures include famous emperors and generals from each dynasty, as well as writers, artists, and scientists who have had a significant impact on history. There are also national heroes who fought for the prosperity and development of the Chinese nation, and historical villains who brought eternal infamy to the country. This book is part of the series "Song, Liao, Jin, and Western Xia," and it will take you into the stories of these historical figures!
In 907 AD, the Tang Dynasty fell, and five dynasties—Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou—successively emerged in northern China, known in history as the "Five Dynasties." In the southern regions, ten separatist regimes existed, known as the "Ten Kingdoms." In 960 AD, General Zhao Kuangyin of Later Zhou launched a coup, seized the regime, established the state name as "Song," and is known in history as the "Northern Song Dynasty" (960–1127 AD), with its capital in Kaifeng, Henan. In the early years of its establishment, the rulers of the Northern Song Dynasty began military campaigns to unify the country. They first eliminated the small states in the south and then annexed the separatist regimes in the north, ending the period of China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. In domestic affairs, the Northern Song rulers centralized local administrative, financial, and military powers, greatly strengthening centralization of power.