Northern Song Dynasty

[YingZheng]

In 959, following the death of Emperor Shizong, who had been a wise
monarch, a seven-year-old child, Emperor Gong, succeeded him on the
throne. In the next year, Zhao Kuangyin seized power and forced Emperor
Gong to abdicate the throne. Zhao took the name Taizu and established
his capital in Dongjing (present-day Kaifeng City). His first task was
to abolish military coups by establishing a professional army that was
loyal to the dynasty with military commanders under the strict control
of the central government. For the remainder of his reign, Taizu
concentrated his efforts on winning over the southern states. Such was
his legacy at the time of his death in 976. With the exception of
Zhejiang, Shanxi, Nanzhao and the area ruled by the Khitan, the country
had come under Song control and the activities of the warlords had been
brought to an end.
Emperor Taizu was succeeded by his brother, Emperor Taizong, who
brought Zhejiang and Shanxi back to China. He was unsuccessful,
however, in driving out the Khitan and was forced to deal with them on
equal terms. From then on the Song Dynasty defended its borders against
invasions and, unlike the Tang, never attained a universal empire.
Important steps were taken to strengthen the administration under the
autocratic control of the emperor. The developments were supported by
important changes in the bureaucratic recruitment and the examination
process. Control over the military and the replacement of aristocratic
power with something akin to a meritocracy brought about a stability
that allowed the country to enjoy a period of prosperity due to the
expansion of industry, commerce and agriculture. These factors, in
turn, led to the development of new cities as centers of
administration, trade, commerce and industry.

The reform period lasted until the death of Emperor Shenzong in 1086.
>From then on there was a decline due to differences between ruling
factions and peasant rebellions. The increased military skills of the
three rival powers -- the Liao, Jin and Western Xia -- meant they were
able to take advantage of the weakened country; In 1126, the Jin army
conquered Kaifeng after a long siege. The following year the Northern
Song Emperor was deposed and, along with his son, exiled to Manchuria