Étienne Fortier-Dubois

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

free movement throughout the empire, encouraged by another Chinese invention, the motel

In 1078, China produced 125,000 tons of cast iron, more than the rest of the planet put together.

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

deregulation of markets as part of the policy of encouraging commerce

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