ABSTRACT
The Northern Song (960–1127) was a pivotal period that witnessed a number of key transitions in Chinese history. The state adopted the principle of meritocracy and promoted scholar-officials to manage the bureaucracy. Its society benefited from agricultural growth, the expansion of handicraft industries, and the development of trade. At the same time, the court suffered from severe factional conflicts in its last five decades, and the dynasty 183constantly faced military threats from non-Chinese regimes in the north and northwest. The Northern Song eventually fell to the invasion of the Jurchen in 1127.
