Étienne Fortier-Dubois

deregulation of markets as part of the policy of encouraging commerce

emergence of a market in land, which led to the consolidation of smaller farms and the appearance of commercial agriculture

The Ming Emperors believed that Song policy had produced a weak, divided polity and had undermined the stability of traditional Chinese society.

Despite its strengths, Song China never developed an effective military system. Instead it relied on mercenaries, diplomacy, and paying off outside threats.

By 1370 the population had fallen to half of its level under the Song.

This massive economy led to rich trading ties with a large number of its neighbors - including Japan, Korea, and the Indian Ocean marketplace. But the most significant economic ties across the totality of the Song Dynasty would be those not of its own making. Rather, they would be it its competitor and rival states to the north - first the Liao Dyn... See more