Song Empire of Serica (XI: Serica & Romanum)

The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in Serica between 960 and 1449; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Later Sui Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a permanent standing navy. This dynasty also saw the first known use of gunpowder, as well as first discernment of true north using a compass.

History
Emperor Taizu of Song (r. 960–976) unified China through conquering other lands during his reign, ending the upheaval of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. In Bianjing, he established a strong central government over the empire. He ensured administrative stability by promoting the civil service examination system of drafting state bureaucrats by skill and merit (instead of aristocratic or military position) and promoted projects that ensured efficiency in communication throughout the empire. One such project was the creation by cartographers of detailed maps of each province and city which were then collected in a large atlas. He also promoted groundbreaking science and technological innovations by supporting such works as the astronomical clock tower designed and built by the engineer Zhang Sixun.

Although the numerous military failures by the early Song Dynasty emperors, the economy remained stable. In 1069, Wang Anshi became the Chancellor.

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