The Southern Song

The Collapse of the Northern SongThe Collapse of the Northern Song

The ruler Emperor Huizong (r. 1100-1126) The ruler Emperor Huizong (r. 1100-1126) was regarded as “incompetent” as a rulerwas regarded as “incompetent” as a ruler

mediocre and corrupt officials and reformers mediocre and corrupt officials and reformers like Cai Jing (1046-1126) and eunuchs like like Cai Jing (1046-1126) and eunuchs like Tong Guang (1054-1126) ruled the stateTong Guang (1054-1126) ruled the state

Cai Jing’s party purged anti-reformers, Cai Jing’s party purged anti-reformers, demoting and banishing hundred of them, demoting and banishing hundred of them, who were branded as “crooked scholars” and who were branded as “crooked scholars” and expelled from the political community. expelled from the political community.

Factional discourse at the Song CourtFactional discourse at the Song Court

Superior men (Superior men (junzijunzi)) Loyal (Loyal (zhongzhong)) Righteous (Righteous (zhengzheng)) Good and benevolent Good and benevolent

((shanshan)) Public-minded (Public-minded (gonggong)) Worthy (Worthy (xianxian)) Upright (Upright (zhizhi))

Petty men (Petty men (xiaorenxiaoren))

Treacherous (Treacherous (jianjian))

Wicked (Wicked (xiexie))

Evil and unkind (Evil and unkind (ee))

Selfish (Selfish (sisi))

Unworthy (Unworthy (buxiaobuxiao))

obsequious (obsequious (ningning))

Song’s attempt to ally with Jin against the Song’s attempt to ally with Jin against the Liao proved a failure; the Jin army Liao proved a failure; the Jin army defeated the Liao army and took control of defeated the Liao army and took control of north Chinanorth China

Emperor Huizong ignored the impending Emperor Huizong ignored the impending danger to his dynastydanger to his dynastySquandered a fortune on palaces and halls, Squandered a fortune on palaces and halls,

religious festivities, and landscape design.religious festivities, and landscape design.Construction of the Sacred Peaks of Construction of the Sacred Peaks of

Longevity, a gigantic rock garden in the Longevity, a gigantic rock garden in the northeast quadrant of the Old Kaifengnortheast quadrant of the Old Kaifeng

The Fang La Rebellion, which started in The Fang La Rebellion, which started in Zhejiang, annihilated 70,000 government’s Zhejiang, annihilated 70,000 government’s regular troops.regular troops.

The Jurchens violated Song-Jin peace The Jurchens violated Song-Jin peace agreement established in 1123, launching agreement established in 1123, launching a full-scale war against the Song in 1125.a full-scale war against the Song in 1125.

The Song, after nearly a two-year anti-Jin The Song, after nearly a two-year anti-Jin resistance and Huizong’s abdication, resistance and Huizong’s abdication, surrendered the Jin. surrendered the Jin.

Emperor Qinzong, his father Huizong and Emperor Qinzong, his father Huizong and an entourage of 3,000 people were an entourage of 3,000 people were rounded up and taken prisoner.rounded up and taken prisoner.

Another 15,000 people, including Another 15,000 people, including empresses, artisans, craftsmen, artists, empresses, artisans, craftsmen, artists, musicians, and actors, were forced to join musicians, and actors, were forced to join the long march to the Jin homeland in the long march to the Jin homeland in Manchuria.Manchuria.

Emperor Huizong died at Wuguo City near Emperor Huizong died at Wuguo City near the northern border of Heilongjiang.the northern border of Heilongjiang.

The Southern SongThe Southern Song In 1127, Song lost the provinces north of the In 1127, Song lost the provinces north of the

Huai and Han rivers to the Jin (Jurchens), Huai and Han rivers to the Jin (Jurchens), resulting in another population shift from the resulting in another population shift from the north to the south.north to the south.

Climate change brought colder weather, Climate change brought colder weather, increasing snow, ice, rain, hailstorms, floods, increasing snow, ice, rain, hailstorms, floods, which were often followed by droughts in which were often followed by droughts in north China. north China.

Mass migration to the south occurred Mass migration to the south occurred again, causing space reconfiguration and again, causing space reconfiguration and many changes in the south reminiscent of many changes in the south reminiscent of the .the .

Despite the loss of enormous number of Despite the loss of enormous number of lives because of wars and natural lives because of wars and natural disasters, population increased rapidly and disasters, population increased rapidly and in the thirteenth century, before the Mongol in the thirteenth century, before the Mongol invasion, almost half of mankind lived in invasion, almost half of mankind lived in China.China.

Southern Song, with its capital established Southern Song, with its capital established in Lin’an (known as Hangzhou later), in Lin’an (known as Hangzhou later), coexisted with the Jin, even though they coexisted with the Jin, even though they all wanted to reunify China. all wanted to reunify China.

The Southern Song furthered the The Southern Song furthered the urbanization, commercialization, urbanization, commercialization, consumerism, secularization, which consumerism, secularization, which characterized the vitality of the Northern characterized the vitality of the Northern Song culture and life. Song culture and life.

The Capital Hangzhou (Lin’an)The Capital Hangzhou (Lin’an)

The capital and the Material CultureThe capital and the Material Culture

The city was made capital in 1138 by mere The city was made capital in 1138 by mere chance, but it soon developed into a great chance, but it soon developed into a great economic center of South China.economic center of South China.

Known as Xingzai (Quinsay), the temporary Known as Xingzai (Quinsay), the temporary residence of Emperor Gaozong, the first residence of Emperor Gaozong, the first emperor of the Southern Song.emperor of the Southern Song.Government had no enthusiasm to make the Government had no enthusiasm to make the

city its permanent home.city its permanent home.Still, in a few decades, this town of medium size Still, in a few decades, this town of medium size

and provincial character was to become the and provincial character was to become the richest and most populous city in the world.richest and most populous city in the world.

“Autumn Wave of Qiantang River,” anonymous, Southern Song,

Now in Suzhou city museum

Above: City Gate of Song Hangzhou

West Lake

The CityThe City The layout:The layout:

A large thoroughfare A large thoroughfare traversed the city from north to south, terminating at the north gate traversed the city from north to south, terminating at the north gate

of the Imperial Palace.of the Imperial Palace. Beyond the Palace, continued southwards to the altar for the Beyond the Palace, continued southwards to the altar for the

sacrifices to Heaven and Earthsacrifices to Heaven and Earth Crossed at right angles by other thoroughfares running east and Crossed at right angles by other thoroughfares running east and

westwest

Several canals ran parallel to the Imperial WaySeveral canals ran parallel to the Imperial Way The whole area, with ramparts, walls, streets, and canals, The whole area, with ramparts, walls, streets, and canals,

covered a surface between seven and eight square miles. covered a surface between seven and eight square miles. Ramparts made the city proper a recognizable entity and Ramparts made the city proper a recognizable entity and

protected administration districts protected administration districts

Compared with Chang’an and Kaifeng, Compared with Chang’an and Kaifeng, streets were narrow, overcrowded, noisy, streets were narrow, overcrowded, noisy, and filled with merchants, traders, and and filled with merchants, traders, and craftsmencraftsmen

It was overpopulated—houses are high It was overpopulated—houses are high and tightly built, their roofs border on each and tightly built, their roofs border on each other, the eaves combine; two-story other, the eaves combine; two-story building became the architectural norm.building became the architectural norm.

The main avenues were packed with The main avenues were packed with commercial activities. commercial activities.

Imperial City was in the northern foothill of Imperial City was in the northern foothill of Phoenix Hill and the emperor turned his Phoenix Hill and the emperor turned his back to the city when holding audience back to the city when holding audience and performing his official duties.and performing his official duties.

The Imperial Boulevard had to give way to The Imperial Boulevard had to give way to commercialism in the port area of the commercialism in the port area of the Grand Canal.Grand Canal.

“Zhongxing ruiying tu” (Auspicious Signs in favor of Restoration) by Xiao Zhao （蕭照 ), Southern Song. Sections 7 and 12 of a twelve-section painting depicting

the first emperor, Zhao Gou, and his life. Tianjin Art Museum

“Escorting Huizong’s Casket,” anonymous, Southern Song, Shanghai Art Museum.

A city of multiple functionsA city of multiple functions Housed Imperial palace, office of central governmentHoused Imperial palace, office of central government

Also the seat of a large prefecture and the seat of two sub-Also the seat of a large prefecture and the seat of two sub-prefectures, the office of which were situated within the prefectures, the office of which were situated within the rampartsramparts

Population was well over a million by 1275 Population was well over a million by 1275 (increased from 200 thousand in the early 12(increased from 200 thousand in the early 12 thth century).century). A large population lived beyond the rampartsA large population lived beyond the ramparts Large permanent markets were located in the middle Large permanent markets were located in the middle

Yangtze valleyYangtze valley Commercial center was along the river bank at some Commercial center was along the river bank at some

distance from the rampartsdistance from the ramparts

An Overpopulated CityAn Overpopulated City The famous Italian traveler The famous Italian traveler

Friar Odoric de Pordenone Friar Odoric de Pordenone of the Franciscan order:of the Franciscan order: ““The city is greater than The city is greater than

any in the world…nor is any in the world…nor is there any span of there any span of ground that is not well ground that is not well inhabited” inhabited”

He was in China for three He was in China for three years between 1323 and years between 1323 and 13281328

Characterized by multistoried buildings in Characterized by multistoried buildings in

most crowded districts:most crowded districts:Dwelling-houses were three to five stories, or Dwelling-houses were three to five stories, or

higher, built of wood and bamboohigher, built of wood and bambooThis special mode of construction had This special mode of construction had

important effects on the general life style and important effects on the general life style and

social relations social relations Plagued by the frequent outbreaks of fire; Plagued by the frequent outbreaks of fire;

measures were taken to fight them (guard-measures were taken to fight them (guard-

stations, watch-towers, fire-fighting equipment, stations, watch-towers, fire-fighting equipment,

including scythes, hatchets, buckets, etc.)including scythes, hatchets, buckets, etc.)

Fire-fighting in Fire-fighting in HangzhouHangzhou

Eight watch-towers within the ramparts; two beyond the ramparts. When smoke was sighted During the day--the soldiers

on guard in the towers gave warning of the first sign of fire by running up flags

At night; lightening the lantern

Numbers of flags and lanterns indicated the location of the fire (the closer to the ramparts, the higher the number)

Fire-fighting squads of soldiers numbered two thousand within the city and twelve thousand outside its wallsThey were equipped with buckets, ropes, flags, hatchets, scythes, lanterns and fireproof clothingGarrisoned troops also joined the fire-fighting

• Material culture reached its peak in Song times with booming light industry

• Silk industry--

“Canzhi tu” (Silk-Weaving), anonymous, Southern Song, two sections of a 24-section painting, Heilongjiang Provincial Museum

“Fangche tu” (Spinning wheel) by Wang Juzheng, Northern Song, women holding a baby with left hand and spinning silk with right hand. National Palace Museum, Beijing

“Canzhi tu” (Silk-weaving) two other sections of the 24-sectin painting

pharmaceutical industrypharmaceutical industry Reason other than new publications:Reason other than new publications:

HuizongHuizong’’s personal interest in medicine and his s personal interest in medicine and his policies aimed to enhance public awareness of the policies aimed to enhance public awareness of the importance of healthimportance of health

HuizongHuizong’’s contributions contribution produced treaties on medicine based on the produced treaties on medicine based on the

medical theories formulated by Zhang Zhongjing medical theories formulated by Zhang Zhongjing (Han) and Sun Simo (Tang), supervised the (Han) and Sun Simo (Tang), supervised the compilation of an enormous formularycompilation of an enormous formulary

enhanced and expanded existing medical enhanced and expanded existing medical education, medical schools, and examination education, medical schools, and examination systemsystem

established public health institutions, including established public health institutions, including hospitals and pharmacies, and elevated status of hospitals and pharmacies, and elevated status of physiciansphysicians

Scholar-officials were concerned Scholar-officials were concerned about health care and took on the about health care and took on the task of looking after the sick.task of looking after the sick.

Physicians practiced traditional Physicians practiced traditional techniques of acupuncture and techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion, and herbal medicine moxibustion, and herbal medicine

Bronze Acupuncture Model created by Wang Weiyi (N. Song) based on his [Ellustratd]Classic of the Bronze Man’s Moxibustion and Acupuncture or The Illustrated Manual on Points for Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Institutionalized medical education Institutionalized medical education started in 1044 when the government started in 1044 when the government established a Medical School Service, established a Medical School Service, which was enhanced under Emperor which was enhanced under Emperor Huizong.Huizong.

Government-run pharmacies established Government-run pharmacies established in the Northern Song and increased in in the Northern Song and increased in the Southern Song, along with the Southern Song, along with drugstores.drugstores.

Charity hospitals, or relief hospitals, Charity hospitals, or relief hospitals, founded in all major cities in the Northern founded in all major cities in the Northern Song also increased in the Southern Song also increased in the Southern Song.Song.

new profession new profession called literati called literati physicians physicians emergedemerged

All healers All healers learned how to learned how to make a make a diagnosis by diagnosis by feeling feeling someone’s someone’s pausepause

“Village Physician,” by Li Tang, Southern Song, on silk, National Palace Musuem, Taipei, Taiwan

TransportationTransportation– Thoroughfares, Thoroughfares,

Imperial Way, canalsImperial Way, canalsWide and spaciousWide and spacious

– Water transport: boats Water transport: boats on the canalson the canals

Communications

• Boats of many different kinds, propelled either by a pole or by an oar fixed at the stern, passed along the canals of the city

• Ports were filled with rice, boats loaded with wood, coal, bricks, tiles, sacks of salt with their boatmen and family living on board

• Rich families have their own boats for pleasure outings and for transport of goods

• Buddhist monasteries, too, had private fleets for provisioning them with vegetables and with firewood

“Story of the Eight Eminent Monks” by Liang Kai, Southern Song, portions of eight paintings

Road transport:Road transport: Road transport was Road transport was

difficult because they difficult because they were paved with large were paved with large stones, so water stones, so water transport was transport was preferredpreferred

Carts were seen on Carts were seen on the Imperial Way; light the Imperial Way; light vehicles, such as vehicles, such as carriages, were used carriages, were used for passengersfor passengers

Rich people went about on horseback; ladies, in Rich people went about on horseback; ladies, in chairs carried by porters. Chairs had a canopy chairs carried by porters. Chairs had a canopy and small folding doors, as well as the bearer-and small folding doors, as well as the bearer-shaftsshafts

Goods were transported by porters, or donkeys Goods were transported by porters, or donkeys and mules.and mules.

Rice-barges on the Bian River,

“Qingming shanghe tu”

Food SuppliesFood Supplies ““Vegetables from the east, water from the west, Vegetables from the east, water from the west,

wood from the south and rice from the north”wood from the south and rice from the north” Staple of life to townspeople: rice and porkStaple of life to townspeople: rice and pork

Rice-barges coming from the great rice-growing Rice-barges coming from the great rice-growing regions (Zhejiang and Jiangsu) passed along its regions (Zhejiang and Jiangsu) passed along its canalscanals

Rice imported from the Huai valley, and by sea, from Rice imported from the Huai valley, and by sea, from CantonCanton

Rice-barges were unloaded at the Rice Market Rice-barges were unloaded at the Rice Market Bridge, where cargo was sold in numerous shops Bridge, where cargo was sold in numerous shops and restaurants of the townand restaurants of the town

The principal pig-market was right in the center The principal pig-market was right in the center

Salted fish (200 shops selling)Salted fish (200 shops selling)15 big markets selling particular products:15 big markets selling particular products:

The vegetable market, the fresh-fish market, the The vegetable market, the fresh-fish market, the crab-market, the cloth-marketcrab-market, the cloth-market

The markets for flowers, for olives, for pearls and The markets for flowers, for olives, for pearls and precious stones, for medical plants, and for precious stones, for medical plants, and for booksbooks

Shops selling noodles, fruits, thread, incense and Shops selling noodles, fruits, thread, incense and candles, oil, soya sauce, fresh and salted fish, candles, oil, soya sauce, fresh and salted fish, pork and ricepork and rice

Legumes could be sown and harvested Legumes could be sown and harvested through four seasons, and were the through four seasons, and were the sustenance of the Song people sustenance of the Song people Soybeans was the most importantSoybeans was the most importantVarious kinds of soybeans were cooked in Various kinds of soybeans were cooked in

porridges and gruels, fermented and shaped into porridges and gruels, fermented and shaped into bean curd, and made into tasty sauces.bean curd, and made into tasty sauces.

Soybeans were also used as fodder for cattle and Soybeans were also used as fodder for cattle and horses.horses.

Green beans, broad beans, and silkworm beans, Green beans, broad beans, and silkworm beans, as well as peas were cooked as fresh vegetables as well as peas were cooked as fresh vegetables or made into noodles or dumplingsor made into noodles or dumplings

Song people ate a great variety of other Song people ate a great variety of other vegetables:vegetables:Cabbages, melons, gourds, garlic, leaks, and Cabbages, melons, gourds, garlic, leaks, and

onionsonionsAquatic vegetables: water chestnuts, lotus, and Aquatic vegetables: water chestnuts, lotus, and

water caltrop, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, water caltrop, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, radishes, and ginger.radishes, and ginger.

Fruits:Fruits:Peaches, plums, apricots, pears, persimmons, Peaches, plums, apricots, pears, persimmons,

oranges and tangerines, bananas, lichees, oranges and tangerines, bananas, lichees, olives, loquats ,and longan.olives, loquats ,and longan.

Fish IndustryFish-raising techniques well documented in

Song records are still being used todayThe fish discussed in Song records are the

fish still being raised and eaten in ChinaFish industry grew so fast that it was closely

regulatedFish traps, particularly square dip nets with the

four corners reinforced, were prohibitedWoodened fish traps or weirs were outlawedUse of poison was strictly outlawed

Fisherman and fishing villages are important motifs in Song landscape paintings

Marco Polo’s words about HangzhouMarco Polo’s words about Hangzhou ““There are ten principal markets, though besides There are ten principal markets, though besides

these there are a vast number of others in the these there are a vast number of others in the different parts of the town. The former are all different parts of the town. The former are all squares of half a mile to the side…..at the back of squares of half a mile to the side…..at the back of the market places, there runs a very large canal, on the market places, there runs a very large canal, on the bank of which towards the squares are built great the bank of which towards the squares are built great houses of stone, in which the merchants from India houses of stone, in which the merchants from India and other foreign parts store their wares, to be and other foreign parts store their wares, to be handy for the markets. In each of the squares is held handy for the markets. In each of the squares is held a market three days in the week, frequented by a market three days in the week, frequented by 40,000 or 50,000 persons, who bring thither for sale 40,000 or 50,000 persons, who bring thither for sale every possible necessity of life, so that there is every possible necessity of life, so that there is always an ample supply of every kind of meat and always an ample supply of every kind of meat and game, …game, …

Red-deer, fallow-deer, hares, rabbits, Red-deer, fallow-deer, hares, rabbits, partridges, pheasants, francolins, quails, partridges, pheasants, francolins, quails, fowls, capons, and of ducks and geese fowls, capons, and of ducks and geese [of] an infinite quantity; for so many are [of] an infinite quantity; for so many are bred on the Lake that for a Venice groat bred on the Lake that for a Venice groat of silver you can have a couple of geese of silver you can have a couple of geese and two couple of ducks. Then there are and two couple of ducks. Then there are the shambles where the larger animals the shambles where the larger animals are slaughtered, such as calves, beeves, are slaughtered, such as calves, beeves, kids (goats), and lambs, the flesh of kids (goats), and lambs, the flesh of which is eaten by the rich and great which is eaten by the rich and great dignitaries. These markets make a daily dignitaries. These markets make a daily display of vegetables and fruitsdisplay of vegetables and fruits……From From the Ocean Sea also come daily supplies the Ocean Sea also come daily supplies of fish in great quantityof fish in great quantity……..””