The Jin Dynasty: A History of China

In 1125, the Jurchen destroyed the Khitan Liao Empire. Only a generation earlier, they had been scattered northeastern tribes living under Liao dominance. How did they become the rulers of the Great Jin dynasty?

The Jin Dynasty: A History of China - Part One follows that transformation from the early Jurchen world of the Mohe, Bohai, tribal alliances, and frontier politics to the rise of the Wanyan clan and Wanyan Aguda, the struggle against the Liao, and the Jin confrontation with the Northern Song. Along the way appear Emperor Tianzuo of Liao, Song emperors Huizong and Qinzong, Jin Taizong, Emperor Xizong, Wanyan Zonghan, and the formidable Wanyan Liang, Prince of Hailing.

The story moves from forests and tribal councils to imperial courts, from the Mengan-Mouke military system to battles, succession struggles, political purges, bureaucratic reform, and the growing sinicization of the Jurchen state. It also follows a major change in Chinas political geography as Jin power shifts from Shangjing in the northeast toward Yanjing-later Zhongdu, in present-day Beijing.

Written as accessible narrative history, this volume explains complicated institutions and political rivalries through the people making the decisions. The result is the story of how a frontier people built an empire-and how building that empire changed the people who created it.