Of course, everything has two sides. The decisions of Song Taizu and Zhao Kuangyin made the center of gravity biased towards industry and commerce, with advanced science and technology and extremely prosperous culture. In my mind, Song Dynasty is a modern dynasty, more prosperous than Tang Dynasty. If there is a real crossing, I will definitely choose the Song Dynasty.
British historian Toynbee said: "If I had a choice, I would like to live in the Song Dynasty in China." Scholar Yu also said: "The dynasty I most yearn for is the Song Dynasty.
The Song Dynasty was an era of high prosperity in commodity economy, culture, education and scientific innovation in the history of China.
Commodity economy in the Song Dynasty, vendors and vendors were everywhere, whether in prosperous areas or remote rural areas. During the Northern Song Dynasty, a special entertainment place "Wasi" appeared. The curfew was lifted in the Song Dynasty, and nightlife began. Food and snacks, bathhouses, teahouses and fireworks places are all open 24 hours a day. Isn't this a wonderful life? With people's frequent transactions, "jiaozi" appeared.
According to estimates, the total GDP of China in 1000 was $26.55 billion, accounting for 22.7% of the world economy, and the per capita GDP was $450, exceeding the Western Europe's $400 at that time. Although later generations thought that the Song Dynasty was "poor and weak", the people's wealth and social and economic prosperity in the Song Dynasty far exceeded that in the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Cultural education in schools in Song Renzong and Zhao Xia has further improved the imperial examination system. Neo-Confucianism Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao appeared in the Song Dynasty. Famous poets such as Zhu, Su Shi and Li Qingzhao; Politicians Ouyang Xiu and Fan Zhongyan. Literary works include Zi Tongzhi Jian, Tai Ping Guang Ji, History of the Old Five Dynasties, History of the New Five Dynasties and so on. In terms of artistic attainments, Li Cheng's Color Lin Yuan, Fan Kuan's Mountain and Snow Scenery, Xu Daoning's Trees and Water Fields, Guo's literary thought of describing the four seasons, and Zhang Zeduan's Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival. Many literary societies appeared in the Song Dynasty, which can be said to be a paradise for literati.
Technological Innovation Movable type printing in Bi Sheng is 400 years earlier than that in Europe; Compass and gunpowder made breakthroughs and were applied to navigation and military affairs; Shen Kuo Ruo's Talk about Meng Xi records many ancient scientific and technological achievements. Compass was used in navigation in the Northern Song Dynasty. In the Southern Song Dynasty, the compass was combined with the azimuth disk to form a "compass".
In my mind, Song Dynasty is a country with brilliant science and technology, developed social economy, rich cultural life, tolerance and openness.