The Western City thrown into lawless disorder; jackals and tigers come to plot its ruin. Again I abandon the capital and depart. Consign myself to the barbarians of the South. --- Wang Can (177 217 CE) A Song of Seven Sorrows
How Does China Experience Growth after the Fall of the Han Dynasty?
The Tang Dynasty The Tang took over in 618 CE, led first by Li Yuan, and then by his son, Li Shimin. The Tang dynasty gets its name from the son, who adopted the title Tang Taizong. The Tang expanded the borders of the empire further into western Asia. Vietnam, Tibet and Korea became tributary states. It is during this time period (618 CE - 907 CE) that Japan sends its scholars to learn directly from China.
A country cannot be a country without people and a ruler cannot be a ruler without a country. When the ruler looks as lofty and firm as a mountain peak and as pure, bright, and illuminating as the sun and the moon, the people will admire and respect him. He must broaden his will so as to be able to embrace both Heaven and earth and must regulate his heart so as to be able to make just decisions. He cannot expand his territory without majesty and virtue; he cannot soothe and protect his people without compassion and kindness. He comforts his relations with benevolence, treats his officials with courtesy, honors his ancestors with filial respect, and receives his subordinates with thoughtfulness. Having disciplined himself, he practices virtue and righteousness diligently. This is how a ruler should act. --- Tang Taizong
Differentiation of the ranks and duties of officials is a means of improving. A wise emperor, therefore, knows how to choose the right person for the right task. He is like a skillful carpenter who knows to use straight timber to make shafts, curved timber to make wheels, long timber to make beams, and short timber to make posts. Wood of all shapes and lengths is thus fully utilized. The emperor should make use of personnel in the same way, using the wise for their resourcefulness, the ignorant for their strength, the brave for their daring, and the timid for their prudence. As a good carpenter does not discard any timber, so a wise emperor does not discard any gentleman. A mistake should not lead the emperor to ignore a gentleman s virtues, nor should a flaw overshadow his merits. --- Tang Taizong
Tang Achievements Restored uniform government to China. Used the civil service exam even more to attract new talent. Created schools to train male students in Confucian philosophy so that they could pass the tests. Redistributed land to the peasants. Built the Grand Canal, linking the Huang He (Yellow) River to the Yangzi River. During the time of the Tang, gunpowder, the mechanical clock and block printing were developed in China.
The Song Dynasty 960 1279 CE Zhao Kuangyin established the Song Dynasty in 960 CE, roughly 55 years after the fall of the Tang.
The Markets of the Song Dynasty During the morning hours, markets extend from Tranquility Gate of the palace all the way out to the north and south sides of the New Boulevard. Here we find pearl, jade, talismans, exotic plants and fruits, seasonal catches from the sea, wild game all the rarities of the world seem to be gathered here. --- Unknown Source
Song Achievements Farming started to focus on the ricegrowing south, where new techniques allowed for two rice crops to grow each year. Trade increased between the Middle East, Persia and India. The Song perfected the making of porcelain and developed moveable type. Cities begin to develop as centers of trade.
More on the Song The Song dynasty (960-1279) was weaker than its predecessor, the Tang, and ruled over a smaller territory. To the north and northwest, the Song faced strong alien regimes [governments]. These regimes posed a constant military threat, which the Song avoided by making payments of silk and other goods to both. Still, the burden of maintaining troops for the defense of the empire was significant and caused serious financial problems for the imperial government. --- adapted from an unnamed secondary source
Major Song Problems The Song did not rule as large an area as the Tang did. The Song were forced to move south of the Huang He (Yellow) River in 1110 CE by northern invaders. Economic trouble as a result of major spending on defense.