1 Jan 997 Jahr - Emperor Zhenzong 997-1022

Beschreibung:

Came to power at age 29-- Follower of Daoism
Key Points:
Emperor Zhenzong began to delegate more authority to officials and less centralization of power. After a major Liao assault in 1004, The Treaty of Chanyuan (Shan-Yuan) was signed (1005) leading to a century of peace with Liao. The treaty was considered humiliating by many although the Northern Song had greatest wealth surplus to date after signing. The formation of the Remonstrance Bureau of the censorate caused complaints to be channeled through “opinion officials”. Decentralization of power led to increasing bureaucratic in-fighting.
I. Liao Launches assault in 1004
• In 991 Border markets were closed (not trade-e.g. tea)
• From 999-1003 Three large assaults resulted in Liao defeat
• Repeated offensives were repelled (N. Song not weak)
***Treaty of Chanyuan 1005AD
• Intermediary Wang Jizhong (Wang Chi-Chuang)
• Terms
o Establishment of friendly relations
o Annual Payment to Liao
 100,000 Taels of silver/year,
 200,000 Bolts of silk/year
 Demarcation of Border (with loss of territory for Song)
• Left a policy of revanchism in Song court
• Brought a century of peace and allowed Emperor Zhenzong to re-establish a civilian oriented policy
II. Zhenzong was a follower of Taoism
• Officials fabricated “discovery” of auspicious texts to validate holding the Feng-Shang sacrifice (the most costly ritual)- Fabricated texts were buried with Zhenzong (after a locust swarm)
• Zhenzong’s reign had the greatest income surplus and an increase in number of officials (100 memorials/day in 999)
III. Formation of Remonstrance Bureau (Chien-yuan)
• Had the effect of channeling complaints through one group of officials “opinion officials” rather than everyone having access
• Decentralization of power increasingly “brought with it conflicts of interest among bureaucratic leaders” pg. 274
• Emperor became more lethargic and power struggle increased, especially between the Secretariat-Chancellery and the Bureau of Military Affairs.
• Emperor Zhenzong died in 1022 (Age 54) 25yr reign
Important Chief Councilors:
• Pi Shih-an
• K’ou Chun
• Wang Dan (Wang Tang) (1006-1017) most trusted

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