The Song Dynasty: Reunification, Reform, and the Loss of the North

Taizu introduced reforms to prevent a repeat of the military coups that had characterized the preceding period. According to tradition, he summoned his principal generals to a banquet remembered by the phrase "a cup of wine releases military command," at which he persuaded them to retire from command in exchange for wealth and honors, centralizing military authority under civilian control. He strengthened the imperial examination system as the primary avenue into administration, privileging the scholar-official over the military figure and giving rise to a markedly civilian-oriented political culture; the Liao kingdom of the Khitan retained its independence in the north and contested Song control of the Sixteen Prefectures, and the new dynasty maintained tributary payments to the Liao and, later, to the Jin to avoid costly wars.