"The Song Dynasty in Progress (Volume 1): The Beginning of the Dynasty" Author: Wild Fox Publisher: Yuelu Publishing House

Introduction
The Song Dynasty lasted for 300 years. Its military achievements were not as heroic as those of the Han and Tang Dynasties, and its political struggles were not as turbulent as those of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but it had a different humanistic style. This series of books aims to make that dusty history alive with popular and humorous writing, just like it happened around us, in the "present tense" rather than the "past tense".
The first volume, "The Beginning of a Dynasty," mainly tells the history of the reigns of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, and Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Guangyi.
During the chaotic period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, warlords were in power, society was in turmoil, and people's livelihood was in decline. Zhao Kuangyin enlisted in the army and grew into a powerful general in actual combat. After the Chenqiao Mutiny, Zhao Kuangyin was crowned and established the Song Dynasty. After that, Zhao Kuangyin dispatched troops to gradually eliminate various separatist regimes and began to promote political and military system reforms. Zhao Kuangyin died suddenly in the shadow of candles and the sound of axes, and his younger brother Zhao Guangyi succeeded him. Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi was determined to establish achievements that surpassed his brother, but he suffered a disastrous defeat in two battles against Liao, and was helpless in the face of border troubles caused by the Dangxiang regime in the northwest. Internally, Zhao Guangyi used harsh means to eliminate threats while vigorously promoting civil governance. Founding minister Zhao Pu, a famous prime minister Kou Zhun, capable minister Zhang Yong, legendary general Yang Ye and other characters appeared one after another.