It’s hard to believe, but I’m here to tell you that after Shi Jingtang, people in Central China (also known as the Zhongyuan) didn’t hold a grudge against him. That’s right, folks, not everyone hates this guy. I know, it sounds insane, especially when you consider he gave away sixteen critical prefectures to the Liao dynasty, leaving the central plains defenseless for over four centuries. But let’s dive in and explore why, despite this epic betrayal, some people let Shi off the hook.

First, let’s set the scene. The loss of the Youyun Sixteen Prefectures was huge—we’re talking about territories that acted as a strategic gatekeeper, a buffer zone between the northern nomadic tribes and the settled agricultural societies of the South. If the Central Plains controlled this land, they had a strong defensive position, a launching point for northward campaigns, and—importantly—a reliable cavalry base. It was like losing your house’s front door and backyard all in one. You just can’t forget that.

But here’s the twist: after Shi Jingtang gave away these sixteen prefectures to the Liao dynasty, the region’s military advantages were totally gone. The Chinese central plains were left relying on infantry to defend against the northern nomads—no more cavalry, which is like trying to run a marathon on crutches. It’s a problem.

The Bitter Pill: What Did They Really Lose?

Now, if you ask people in the region after Shi Jingtang’s time which territory they wanted back the most, it’s a no-brainer. The Youyun Sixteen Prefectures. Why? Because it wasn’t just about land—it was about the core of military defense. They wanted that land back like a child wants their lost toy. The political obsession with reclaiming this land lasted for centuries.

A New Era: The Song Dynasty and the Northward Push

The story gets even more tangled as we turn to the rise of the Song Dynasty. In 960 AD, Zhao Kuangyin, or Emperor Taizu, famously grabbed the throne in a military coup, ushering in the Song Dynasty. At first, it didn’t seem like much would change—he didn’t inherit a giant empire but a much smaller, divided territory. Central China was far from united. Southern territories like the Wu Yue Kingdom and the Southern Tang were still kicking, and to the north, the Northern Han and Liao were looming large. Despite this, Zhao Kuangyin had plans for the North.

He was initially cautious, waiting until he felt strong enough to reclaim what was lost—and that meant dealing with the Liao. But here’s where things got complicated. It wasn’t just about armies—there was a question of strategy, of timing. Zhao Kuangyin even toyed with the idea of using ransom money to try to buy back the Youyun Sixteen Prefectures from the Liao. The original plan was simple: if negotiations failed, prepare for war. Bold? Maybe. But the situation was too tense to sit idle.

Song Taizong: No More Waiting

By the time Zhao Kuangyin’s brother, Zhao Guangyi (Emperor Taizong), took the throne in 976 AD, the time for waiting was over. Emperor Taizong immediately pressed forward with military campaigns, and his first major goal was to deal with the loss of the Youyun Sixteen Prefectures—even if it meant going head-to-head with the Liao.

But the Liao military wasn’t some ragtag band of raiders. Their cavalry was swift, powerful, and very hard to defeat in open combat. The Song army, mostly infantry, struggled to keep up. Despite several campaigns, Emperor Taizong was ultimately forced to rethink his approach to the north.

The Bitter Taste of Defeat

One of the most crushing blows came in 979 AD, when the Song forces faced off against the Liao at the Battle of Gaoliang River. The Song were overwhelmed, forced into retreat, and the loss highlighted just how poorly prepared they were to face the Liao’s mobile cavalry with their slow-moving infantry. This left the Song in a defensive posture for the rest of the century, focused on holding onto what they had rather than regaining lost ground.

A Glimmer of Hope: The Treaty of Chanyuan

But all was not lost. By 1004 AD, after years of unsuccessful wars, the Song dynasty and Liao reached a ceasefire agreement—the Chanyuan Treaty. The treaty marked a kind of uneasy peace between the two powers, with the Song agreeing to pay a tribute to the Liao in exchange for a halt to hostilities. While this agreement was bitter for the Song, it did stabilize the region and allowed for a period of economic and cultural growth in the South.

Conclusion: Was It All Worth It?

In the end, the legacy of Shi Jingtang’s decision to hand over the Youyun Sixteen Prefectures is still a topic of debate. On one hand, it set the stage for centuries of struggle for the central plains to recover those territories. On the other hand, the ensuing peace allowed the Song dynasty to develop economically, culturally, and politically in ways that may not have been possible had they remained focused solely on military conquest.

So, did the people of the Central Plains forgive Shi Jingtang? Maybe. But one thing’s for sure—they sure didn’t forget.