"Laughing and Talking about the Ups and Downs: The Prosperity of the Song Dynasty" (eBook/Audiobook)

Book Title : Laughing and Talking about the Turbulent Times: The Prosperity of the Song Dynasty
Author : Dr. Zhang Tianliang

Book Introduction

The "Laughing and Talking about History" series is a large-scale history series presented by Zhang Tianliang, covering all the important figures and major events from the "Records of the Grand Historian" to the "History of Ming".

"The Prosperity of the Two Song Dynasties" is the fourth book in this series. It details the history from the end of the An Lushan Rebellion to the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty and summarizes the entire series at the end.

About the Author

Dr. Zhang Tianliang is a highly accomplished scholar with expertise in both the humanities and sciences, as well as Chinese and Western learning. He possesses profound insights into many affairs in ancient and modern China and contemporary international affairs.

He is currently an associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Sciences at Fei Tian University and the host of the YouTube political commentary channel, "Dawn."

Dr. Zhang has also served as a visiting professor at George Mason University, a senior writer for The Epoch Times, a senior commentator for NTD Television, and a guest commentator for Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.

【Dawn】Premiered in April 2019, and as of April 2022, it has 380,000 subscribers and more than 100 million views.

Dr. Zhang Tianliang's major works include:

In 2003, he published the full-length documentary novel "Leaving the Dust";

In 2006, the DVD "A Casual Talk on Party Culture," which he helped plan and present, was distributed to tens of millions of people in mainland China.

In 2009, he published a collection of political essays entitled "China's Path of Peaceful Transition";

In 2010, he wrote and produced the film "Chance Encounter";

From 2011 to 2020, we co-produced a large-scale historical series called "Laughing and Talking about the Times" with NTDTV. The series consists of 192 episodes and about 1.5 million words, covering important figures and events from the pre-Qin period to the end of the Ming Dynasty.

In 2015, he co-authored "Unprecedented Evil Persecution" with scholars including the former Vice-President of the European Parliament;

In 2020, I taught "History of Chinese Civilization" at the City of Hope, where I systematically explained the three spiritual pillars that shaped Chinese civilization and clarified many misleading concepts.

sequence

The Chinese have always valued history. This isn't solely due to our long history. Many ancient peoples exist in the world; some, like the ancient Persians and Jews, have thrived even today, while others have vanished into the dust of ruins. But only the Chinese have left behind a continuous five-thousand-year-old historical record. Even though we were once conquered by foreign powers, our culture remained unbroken, and our history was passed down through generations—a true miracle in the history of human civilization.

Our ancestor was the Yellow Emperor, and Cangjie, who invented writing, was the Yellow Emperor's historian. This seems to suggest that one of the purposes of the Chinese invention of writing was to record history. Unlike many Western masterpieces that fabricate characters or stories out of thin air, Chinese literary creations mostly have historical prototypes. Even *Journey to the West*, considered a pinnacle of mythological fiction, is based on the journey of the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures, and the "Preface to the Sacred Teachings" in the 100th chapter of *Journey to the West* was personally written by Emperor Taizong of Tang. *Water Margin* originated from *The Remnants of the Xuanhe Era of the Great Song Dynasty*, and historical novels such as *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* and *Romance of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms* are even more derived from official history.

The emperor appointed historians to faithfully record major events daily, including natural disasters, wars, economic developments, and diplomacy. Archives preserved documents related to imperial edicts, literature, official systems, technology, and water conservancy. After the fall of a dynasty, scholars from the next dynasty would compile and edit the previous dynasty's documents, creating a comprehensive historical record.

Official histories. In addition, various books in the form of "veritable records", "chronicles", annals, miscellaneous histories, local chronicles, etc., also circulated, forming China's vast and profound historical archive, which is also China's encyclopedia.

Chinese people read history for various reasons, but the inherent enjoyment of history is undeniable. Sima Qian, the founder of the Twenty-Four Histories, vividly portrayed a wide range of figures, from the mighty Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of Han, Han Xin, Xiang Yu, and Liu Bang—heroes who dominated the land—to the humblest thieves and commoners. Stories like the Orphan of Zhao, the story of Goujian's perseverance, the return of the jade to Zhao, Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin, and the Farewell of the Hegemon-King to his Concubine have become recurring themes in literature and art. These real-life stories are often more captivating than novels or plays.

Sima Guang unearthed wisdom for governing the country from history, summarized the rise and fall of previous dynasties, and advised the emperor to practice benevolent governance. Therefore, he was given the name "Zizhi Tongjian" by Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty.

The CCP also seeks to utilize history. Qi Benyu gained Mao Zedong's favor with his work, "Studying History for the Revolution," and joined the Central Cultural Revolution Group, becoming a prominent figure. Because the CCP intends to use Marxist historical materialism to frame Chinese history, it therefore...

The most traditional values ​​that teach people to be virtuous and the glorious achievements have been discarded, and Chinese history education has become a collection of peasant rebellions. Historical dramas also often exaggerate the wickedness of people's hearts and their cunning and scheming. This is not the true history of China.

How to explore the true face of history and what its significance is for our society today? These questions are too abstract to answer in a brief manner, and once they are elaborated, they become lengthy and tedious, and they are closely related to people's beliefs and value systems.

As this book is about to go to press, I would like to express my special thanks to all my family, friends and colleagues who have provided help, suggestions, opinions and encouragement.

Due to my own limitations, omissions and errors are inevitable in this book. In presenting historical facts, I have tried my best to follow the records of serious historical materials such as the *Records of the Grand Historian* and the *Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government*. As for the viewpoints, they are merely one person's opinion. Criticism and suggestions from readers are welcome.

Zhang Tianliang

October 16, 2013, at Fei Tian University, USA

Table of contents

This series consists of 42 volumes, totaling approximately 400,000 words. A brief summary of each volume is as follows:

Episode 1: Regional Warlordism

After the An Lushan Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty appointed seven remnants of the An Lushan rebellion as military governors, and also established regional military governorships (fanzhen) in the interior to counterbalance them. The scourge of these regional military governorships intensified until the fall of the Tang Dynasty.

Episode 2: Internal and External Troubles

Li Su entered Caizhou on a snowy night and quelled the Huaixi rebellion. The brief "Yuanhe Restoration." The relationship between the Tang Dynasty and the Uyghurs and Tibetans.

Episode 3: The Persecution of Buddhism in China and Tibet

The suppression of Buddhism by Langdarma of Tibet and Emperor Wuzong of Tang in Han China. The "Dazhong Era" of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. The war between the Tang Dynasty and Nanzhao and the "Niu-Li Factional Strife".

Episode 4: Eunuchs' Misrule

From the reign of Emperor Xuanzong onwards, eunuchs held power. Yu Chaoen, Li Fuguo, and Cheng Yuanzhen brought disaster to the country. The Yongzhen Abdication and the Ganlu Incident are mentioned.

Episode 5: Huang Chao's Rebellion

The eunuchs Qiu Shiliang and Tian Lingzi successively caused havoc, while Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao rebelled. Huang Chao massacred Chang'an and established a bandit regime.

Episode 6: The Elite Shatuo Army

Li Keyong, the Shatuo king, recaptured Chang'an. Li Keyong and Zhu Wen became enemies. Huang Chao was defeated and killed at Langhu Valley, and Qin Zongquan continued his rebellion for three years. The Tang Dynasty saw the eunuch and regional military governor rebellions during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong.

Episode 7: Zhu Wen Usurps the Tang Dynasty

Zhu Wen slaughtered all the eunuchs, kidnapped Emperor Zhaozong to Luoyang, then killed all of Zhaozong's descendants, and finally usurped the Tang throne in 907 AD, establishing the Later Liang dynasty. The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period began.

Episode 8: Three Arrows of Revenge

With the rise of the Khitan, Yelü Abaoji declared himself Emperor. Before his death, Li Keyong instructed his son, Li Cunxu, to avenge three great wrongs. Li Cunxu decisively defeated Zhu Wen and then killed Liu Rengong and his son.

Episode 9: A Performer Becomes an Official

The death of Zhu Wen. Yelü Abaoji declared himself emperor, conquered Youzhou, but was defeated by Li Siyuan. Li Cunxu declared himself emperor, establishing the Later Tang Dynasty. The Later Liang Dynasty fell. Li Cunxu heavily relied on actors.

Episode 10: The Tragedy of Yan Yun

Guo Chongtao's death led to a rebellion by actors, and Li Cunxu was killed by an arrow. Li Siyuan and his adopted son Li Congke successively declared themselves emperors. Shi Jingtang surrendered to the Khitan in order to resist Li Congke and ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

Episode 11: The End of the Split

Shi Jingtang established the Later Jin dynasty. Six years later, his adopted son Shi Chonggui ascended the throne, leading to a war with the Liao dynasty and the fall of Kaifeng. After Emperor Taizong of Liao returned north, Liu Zhiyuan established the Later Han dynasty. Internal strife erupted in the Liao dynasty, and Emperor Shizong of Liao ascended the throne.

Episode 12: The Rise and Fall of the Later Zhou Dynasty

Liu Zhiyuan died of illness less than a year after declaring himself emperor. His son, Liu Chengyou, attempted to kill the general Guo Wei. Guo Wei was enthroned as emperor, establishing the Later Zhou dynasty. His adopted son, Chai Rong, succeeded him, becoming known as Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou. Emperor Shizong suppressed Buddhism.

Episode 13 Chenqiao Mutiny

Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, staged the Chenqiao Mutiny, establishing the Northern Song Dynasty. He subsequently pacified Jingchu, Later Shu, Southern Han, and Southern Tang. Wuyue and Minyue surrendered. The south was largely incorporated into the Northern Song territory.

Episode 14: Emphasizing Literature and Suppressing Military Forces

Emperor Taizu of Song used the "banquet to release military power" to establish a national policy of emphasizing civil administration and suppressing military power, and redesigned a set of political, military and judicial systems.

Episode 15: Emperor Taizong's Northern Expedition

The "Shadow of the Candle and the Sound of the Axe" and the "Golden Chest Alliance"—Emperor Taizong ascended the throne amidst a cloud of suspicion. He then launched a campaign against the Liao Dynasty, but was defeated at the Battle of Gaoliang River.

Episode 16 Outside Yanmen Pass

In 986 AD, Emperor Taizong launched another northern expedition against the Liao Dynasty, and Yang Ye was killed in battle. Yang Liulang was then stationed to guard the border. When Emperor Zhenzong ascended the throne, the Liao Dynasty launched a large-scale invasion. Kou Zhun advocated for war and requested that Emperor Zhenzong personally lead the expedition.

Episode 17: The Alliance of Chanyuan

Emperor Zhenzong visited Chanzhou. The Liao Dynasty's offensive was thwarted, and it signed the Treaty of Lanyuan with the Song Dynasty. In 1038, Li Yuanhao, the leader of the Tangut people, established the Western Xia Dynasty.

Episode 18: Song-Xia and War

The Battle of Haoshuichuan between Song and Xia. The renowned statesman Fan Zhongyan guarded the border and promoted the famous general Di Qing. The Song-Xia peace treaty. The war between Liao and Western Xia.

Episode 19: The Qingli Reforms

Di Qing quelled the rebellion of Nong Zhigao. The Northern Song Dynasty faced problems with its finances and its excessive military, official, and financial burdens. Fan Zhongyan spearheaded reforms in the third year of the Qingli era. He died peacefully a year later.

Episode 20: The Xining Reform

An analysis of the failure of the Qingli Reforms. Bao Zheng's life, character, and political views. Wang Anshi begins to preside over the reforms.

Episode 1: Yuan You's Transformation

The struggle between the New Party and the Old Party, led by Wang Anshi and Sima Guang. After Emperor Zhezong ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Gao heavily relied on the "Old Party" and abolished all the new laws. After Empress Dowager Gao's death, Emperor Zhezong again relied on the New Party.

Episode 22: The Xuanhe Rebellion

Emperor Huizong ascended the throne, and Cai Jing and Tong Guan brought disaster to the country. Fang La's rebellion and the "Flower and Stone Tribute" harassed the people. Emperor Huizong's reign was marked by wars against the Western Xia, Qiang, and Tibetan peoples.

Episode 23: The Rise of the Jurchen

The political upheaval during the reign of Emperor Daozong of Liao and the decline of the Liao Dynasty. The Jurchen chieftain Wanyan Aguda rebelled against Liao and declared himself emperor in 1115, establishing the Jin Dynasty.

Episode 24: Alliance at Sea

The Song and Jin dynasties signed a maritime alliance, launching a pincer attack on the Liao dynasty from both the north and south. In 1125, the Jin dynasty destroyed the Liao. The Northern Song dynasty then bordered the Jin, and a major war was imminent.

Episode 25: Defending Tokyo

The Jin dynasty launched a two-pronged attack on the Northern Song dynasty, and Emperor Huizong abdicated in favor of Emperor Qinzong. Li Gang firmly advocated for war and vowed to defend Kaifeng (present-day Kaifeng). Emperor Qinzong wavered between war and peace.

Episode 26: The Humiliation of Jingkang

After a temporary retreat, the Jin army returned and captured Bianjing (Kaifeng). Emperors Huizong and Qinzong, along with members of the imperial family, officials, and women, were taken captive to the Jin state, an event known as the Jingkang Incident. The Northern Song Dynasty fell.

Episode 27: Three Calls to Cross the River

The Jin dynasty installed Zhang Bangchang as a puppet emperor. Zhao Gou then proclaimed himself emperor, establishing the Southern Song dynasty. The court did not support Zong Ze's advocacy of resisting the Jin. He fell ill with grief and indignation, and died shouting "Cross the river!" three times before his death.

Episode 28: Emperor Gaozong's Southern Expedition

The Jin army launched a major southward offensive, and Zhao Gou hastily crossed the Yangtze River, drifting at sea. Han Shizhong ambushed the Jin army at Huangtiandang. The Song and Jin armies fought a major battle at Heshangyuan and Xianrenguan.

Episode 29: Loyalty to the Country

After joining the army, Yue Fei participated in anti-Jin activities in the north, suppressed bandits in the south, and quelled rebellions by Li Cheng, Cao Cheng, Zhang Yong, Yang Yao, and others. Emperor Gaozong bestowed upon him a banner inscribed with "Loyal and Patriotic Yue Fei".

Episode 30: The Rise and Fall of the False Qi Dynasty

The Jin dynasty installed Liu Yu as emperor and established the puppet state of Qi. Yue Fei defeated the invading puppet Qi and was promoted to military governor. After the "Huaixi Mutiny," Yue Fei used a scheme to have the Jin dynasty abolish the puppet Qi.

Episode 31: Unfulfilled Ambition

Qin Hui was released by the Jin dynasty and strongly advocated for peace talks. The Jin dynasty launched another large-scale invasion of the Song dynasty. Yue Fei defeated Jin Wuzhu and counterattacked to Zhuxian Town, 40 li (approximately 20 kilometers) from Lifeng. Emperor Gaozong issued twelve imperial edicts in one day, summoning Yue Fei to withdraw his troops.

Episode 32: The Sun Shines Brightly

Yue Fei was framed by Qin Hui, Lady Wang, Zhang Jun, and Wan Qixie, and died unjustly at Fengbo Pavilion. The *History of the Song Dynasty* records Yue Fei's deeds as "possessing both literary and military talents, and demonstrating both benevolence and wisdom." The Song and Jin dynasties signed the *Shaoxing Peace Treaty*.

Episode 33: Battle at the Quarry

The deeds of Han Shizhong. During the Jin dynasty, Wanyan Liang staged a coup and launched a major invasion of the Song dynasty. Han Shizhong was defeated by Yu Yunwen at Caishi. Wanyan Liang was then killed.

Episode 34: Kai Xi's Northern Expedition

Emperor Xiaozong of Song exonerated Yue Fei, but the subsequent Northern Expedition failed, leading to the signing of the Longxing Peace Treaty with the Jin Dynasty. Emperor Shizong of Jin governed the country with effective policies and was historically known as a "minor Yao and Shun" (referring to the legendary emperors Yao and Shun). During the reign of Emperor Ningzong of Song, Han Tuozhou led a Northern Expedition, which also failed.

Episode 35: The Eagle of the Grasslands

The Golden Family of the Steppes. The Tatar, Merkit, and Tayichi'ud tribes, sworn enemies of Temujin's family, dealt him three major blows. Temujin unified Mongolia.

Episode 36: Ji Sihan

In 1206, Temujin was elected Genghis Khan by the various tribes of the steppe, and subsequently began the conquest of the Jin dynasty. The expansion of Islam. A brief history of the Western Liao dynasty.

Episode 37: The Great Army's Western Expedition

Genghis Khan's army marched westward, conquering the ancient Central Asian kingdom of Khwarazm. This marked the beginning of the four Mongol Khanates. Yelü Chucai and Qiu Chuji. Genghis Khan conquered the Western Xia dynasty and died.

Episode 38: The Song Dynasty Destroys the Jin Dynasty

The process of Ögedei Khan's alliance with the Song Dynasty to destroy the Jin Dynasty. The Mongol army launched its second westward expedition, its iron cavalry sweeping across Europe and reaching the Danube River.

Episode 39: Under Fishing Mountain

The powerful minister Shi Miyuan. Emperor Lizong's "Duanping Entry into Luoyang" marked the beginning of the war between the Mongols and the Southern Song Dynasty. A brief introduction to Milarepa Buddha. The Mongols conquered Tibet and Dali. Möngke Khan personally led an expedition against the Southern Song Dynasty and died at Diaoyu Fortress.

Episode 40: A Treacherous Minister Ruins the Country

Hulagu Khan destroyed the Mughal Empire, the Abbasid Caliphate, the Arabian Peninsula, and Syria. Kublai Khan and Ariq Böke vied for the throne. Kublai Khan's Sinicization. Jia Sidao's misrule.

Episode 41 Righteousness

Kublai Khan attacked the Southern Song Dynasty. In the Battle of Yamen, Lu Xiufu carried the young emperor and jumped into the sea to his death. Wen Tianxiang refused to surrender to the Yuan Dynasty, wrote "Ode to Righteousness" in prison, and died a martyr.

Episode 42: Dream Dynasty

The advanced technology of the Song Dynasty. Famous poets and schools of thought. The emergence of Neo-Confucianism. Shao Yong's prophetic poem about plum blossoms.