The Twilight of a Reformer In the sweltering summer of 1085, Sima Guang—scholar, historian, and now the ailing Grand Chancellor […]
A Fractured Court: The Origins of the Censorate’s Revenge The late 11th century in Song Dynasty China was a period […]
On May 21, 1086, the influential statesman and reformer Wang Anshi died in Jiangning Prefecture (modern Nanjing). His passing marked […]
A Political Turning Point in 1086 In the second month of the lunar year 1086, the political landscape of Kaifeng, […]
The Historical Backdrop of Northern Song Reforms The late 11th century witnessed one of China’s most consequential policy clashes when […]
A Kingdom Divided Over Labor Policies The year 1086 marked a pivotal moment in Song Dynasty governance when a seemingly […]
A Divided Court in Transition The year 1085 marked a pivotal moment in Northern Song dynasty politics. When Emperor Shenzong […]
A Clash of Political Philosophies The year 1085 marked a pivotal moment in Northern Song Dynasty politics. Following Emperor Shenzong’s […]
A Divided Court and the Rise of a Conservative Icon When Sima Guang (1019–1086) returned to power as vice grand […]
A Nation Divided Under Reform The year 1085 marked a pivotal moment in Northern Song Dynasty politics. Emperor Shenzong’s death […]
The Rise of Grand Empress Dowager Gao In the late 11th century, the Northern Song Dynasty faced mounting challenges—financial strain, […]
The Scholar in Winter: A Reluctant Return to Power In the autumn of his life, Sima Guang—renowned historian, conservative statesman, […]
A Fateful Separation: The Emperor and His Counselors In the vast tapestry of Chinese imperial history, few relationships are as […]
A Scholar-Official’s Defiant Last Words In the bureaucratic traditions of imperial China, high-ranking officials nearing death would submit a yibiao […]
The Scholar in Exile: Sima Guang’s Retreat to Luoyang In the fourth year of the Xining era (1071), Sima Guang, […]
The Political Landscape of the Song Dynasty The Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127) was a period of remarkable economic growth, cultural […]
The Scholar in Exile: Sima Guang’s Withdrawal from Politics In the waning years of the Northern Song Dynasty, Sima Guang—renowned […]
A Scholar’s Retreat from Court In 1071, one of imperial China’s most brilliant minds made a fateful decision. Sima Guang, […]
The Weight of Imperial Service in Troubled Times In November 1070, the Northern Song dynasty official Sima Guang—renowned historian, conservative […]
A Clash of Imperial Priorities in Song Dynasty China The year 1070 marked a critical juncture in Emperor Shenzong’s reign […]
A Scholar’s Dilemma in the Song Dynasty In the eighth month of 1070, the Song Dynasty’s imperial court was a […]
A Scholar’s Unyielding Convictions On March 18, 1070, Sima Guang—the recently dismissed Deputy Military Commissioner who had never officially assumed […]
