Welcome to the world of the Song Dynasty! At this time, China is flourishing. All across the nation, cities are becoming centers of trade, industry, and maritime commerce, and a new group of wealthy commoners - the mercantile class - is increasing, as printing and education spreads, private trade grows, and a market economy begins to link the coastal provinces and the interior. Landholding and government employment are no longer the only means of gaining wealth and prestige. Citizens can now carry their wealth for the first time as paper money and along with this, a unified tax system means the development of a true nationwide market system. The arts are flourishing as well, with new developments in painting, calligraphy, porcelain crafting and philosophy.

While you ponder the mystery, here are some links about this time period in Chinese history!