Beisong

Beisong (北宋), also known as the Northern Song dynasty, was a period of Chinese history from 960 to 1127. It followed the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern Song dynasty. The capital of the Beisong was Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng).

The Beisong dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who reunified much of China through conquest and diplomacy. The dynasty is notable for its economic growth, particularly in agriculture and trade, as well as its advancements in technology, such as the development of movable type printing. The Beisong period also witnessed a flourishing of art, literature, and philosophy, with significant contributions from figures such as Su Shi (Su Dongpo).

The dynasty's reign was characterized by a complex relationship with its northern neighbors, particularly the Liao and Jin dynasties. While the Beisong maintained relatively peaceful relations with the Liao for much of its existence through tributes and diplomacy, the rise of the Jin dynasty ultimately led to the Jurchen Jin conquest of northern China in 1127, an event known as the Jingkang Incident. Emperor Qinzong and his father, Emperor Huizong, were captured, and the Song court was forced to flee south, marking the end of the Beisong and the beginning of the Southern Song dynasty.