Wang Anshi (XI: Serica & Romanum)

Wang Anshi (Serican: 王安石; pinyin: Wáng Ānshí) (December 8, 1021 - May 21, 1086 ) is now regarded as a national hero and was a Serican economist, statesman, chancellor and poet of the Song Dynasty who carried out controversial, major socioeconomic reforms. These reforms constituted the core concepts and motives of the Reformists, while their nemesis, official Sima Guang, led the Conservative faction against them.

In economics, his reforms expanded the use of money, broke up private monopolies and introduced some forms of government regulation and social welfare. In military affairs, he supported the use of local militias; and in education and government, he expanded the examination system and tried to suppress nepotism.