Song dynasty: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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[[File:Song-Bodhisattva1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|left|A Song-era wooden Bodhisattva]]

During the 11th century, political rivalries divided members of the court due to the ministers' differing approaches, opinions, and policies regarding the handling of the Song's complex society and thriving economy. The idealist [[Chancellor (China)|Chancellor]], [[Fan Zhongyan]] (989–1052), was the first to receive a heated political backlash when he attempted to institute the [[Qingli Reforms]], which included measures such as destroyingimproving the recruitment system of officials, increasing the salaries for minor officials, and establishing sponsorship programs to allow a wider range of people to be well educated and eligible for state service.{{sfn|Ebrey|Walthall|Palais|2006|p=163}}

After Fan was forced to step down from his office, [[Wang Anshi]] (1021–1086) became Chancellor of the imperial court. With the backing of [[Emperor Shenzong of Song|Emperor Shenzong]] (1067–1085), Wang Anshi severely criticized the educational system and state bureaucracy. Seeking to resolve what he saw as state corruption and negligence, Wang implemented a series of reforms called the [[New Policies (Song dynasty)|New Policies]]. These involved [[land value tax]] reform, the establishment of several government monopolies, the support of local militias, and the creation of higher standards for the Imperial examination to make it more practical for men skilled in statecraft to pass.{{sfn|Ebrey|Walthall|Palais|2006|p=164}}

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Although weakened and pushed south beyond the [[Huai River]], the '''Southern Song'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA--> found new ways to bolster its strong economy and defend itself against the Jin dynasty. It had able military officers such as [[Yue Fei]] and [[Han Shizhong]]. The government sponsored massive [[shipbuilding]] and [[harbor]] improvement projects, and the construction of [[beacon]]s and seaport [[warehouse]]s to support maritime trade abroad, including at the major international [[seaport]]s, such as [[Quanzhou]], [[Guangzhou]], and [[Xiamen]], that were sustaining China's commerce.{{sfn|Wang|2000|p=14}}{{sfn|Sivin|1995|p=5}}{{sfn|Paludan|1998|p=136}}

To protect and support the multitude of ships sailing for maritime interests into the waters of the [[East China Sea]] and [[Yellow Sea]] (to [[Korea]] and [[Japan]]), [[Southeast Asia]], the [[Indian Ocean]], and the [[Red Sea]], it was necessary to establish an official standing [[navy]].{{sfn|Shen|1996|pp=159–161}} The Song dynasty therefore established China's first permanent navy in 1132,{{sfn|Paludan|1998|p=136}} with a headquarters at [[Dinghai]].{{sfn|Needham|1986d|p=476}} With a permanent navy, the Song were prepared to face the naval forces of the Jin on the Yangtze River in 1161, in the [[Battle of Tangdao]] and the [[Battle of Caishi]]. During these battles the Song navy employed swift [[Paddle wheel ship#East Asia|paddle wheel driven]] naval vessels armed with [[trebuchet|traction trebuchet catapults]] aboard the decks that launched gunpowder [[bomb]]s.{{sfn|Needham|1986d|p=476}} Although the Jin forces commanded by [[Wanyan Liang|Wanyan Liang]] (the Prince of Hailing)]] boasted 70,000 men on 600 warships, and the Song forces only 3,000 men on 120 warships,{{sfn|Levathes|1994|pp=43–47}} the Song dynasty forces were victorious in both battles due to the destructive power of the bombs and the rapid assaults by [[Qianli chuan|paddlewheel ships]].{{sfn|Needham|1986a|p=134}} The strength of the navy was heavily emphasized following these victories. A century after the navy was founded it had grown in size to 52,000 fighting marines.{{sfn|Needham|1986d|p=476}}

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