The Shaoxing Peace Agreement

Name: The Shaoxing Peace Agreement
ISBN: 9787507560510

许韬Sino-Culture Press · ChinaNov 2025

3.5

Word count: 226K words
Chapters: 19
ISBN: 9787507560510

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Summary

This book, The Shaoxing Peace Treaty, is the fourth installment in the "Song and Jin Contest" series of historical novels. It tells of a coup in the Jin state, after which the pro-war faction under Wuzhu seized power, broke the alliance, and invaded southward, forcing the Southern Song army and people to fight back. Liu Qi first led the Eight-Character Army to a great victory over the Jin at Shunchang, and Yue Fei then led a northern expedition, capturing more than ten prefectures and counties in succession and advancing to the vicinity of Bianjing. Yet the Southern Song court, consumed by worries of gain and loss, dared not press the advantage, forcing Yue Fei to withdraw. Unwilling to accept the setback of its southern campaign, the Jin army continued its offensive the following year, only to suffer a major defeat at Zhegao; but because of greed for glory and underestimation of the enemy, the Song army met with defeat at Haozhou after its great victory, and the two sides remained in a strategic stalemate. Meanwhile, the Southern Song ruler and his ministers stripped the leading generals of military command while hastening peace negotiations with Jin. A treaty was finally reached, and Yue Fei was killed. Amid the sorrow of the frustrated exit of the great revivalist generals, Song and Jin concluded their second peace treaty, opening a twenty-year period of peace between north and south.

Editor's review

Published by Huawen Publishing House, The Shaoxing Peace Treaty by Xu Tao digs deep into the Song-Jin peace negotiations of the early Southern Song, a major historical event, revealing the complexity of national strategic choices under specific historical conditions. Rather than simply narrating the negotiation process, the book interweaves political maneuvering, military posture, economic factors, and the psychology of the figures involved, offering readers a multidimensional view of Southern Song political life. Xu Tao displays a solid command of historical sources, respecting official histories such as the Song Shi and Jin Shi while reasonably consulting notebooks, collected writings, and other primary materials, striving to recreate the feel of the historical scene. Its value lies in breaking out of the traditional binary narrative of "pro-war means patriotic, pro-peace means traitorous," attempting instead to analyze, within concrete historical circumstances, the different constraints and practical considerations faced by the pro-peace faction represented by Zhao Gou and Qin Hui and the pro-war faction led by Yue Fei, guiding readers to think about the deeper logic behind strategic compromise and the exchange of interests when a nation is in decline. Reading this book not only reveals how a single treaty was signed but also touches on the structural dilemmas of the early Southern Song—financial strain, military reorganization, and internal factional strife—offering instructive insight into the mindset behind diplomatic decision-making in ancient China. The prose is plain and restrained, but the analysis is incisive, making it suitable for readers interested in Song history or ancient Chinese foreign policy.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a strong interest in early Southern Song history and Song-Jin relations
History enthusiasts who wish to move beyond simple moral judgments and understand the complexity of historical decisions
Readers interested in ancient Chinese diplomatic strategy and geopolitical maneuvering
Readers who enjoy multidimensional analysis of historical events combining politics, military affairs, and economics

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light, entertaining historical stories or novelized narratives
Readers expecting absolutely clear, black-and-white historical conclusions

Reading tips

Reading alongside a map of the early Southern Song helps in understanding the geographic significance of military defense lines and the treaty's borders
Pay attention to the book's analysis of Emperor Gaozong Zhao Gou's psychology and decision-making environment, which is key to understanding the causes of the treaty
Read in conjunction with biographies of Yue Fei and other related figures for a more three-dimensional understanding of the era

About the publisher

Sino-Culture Press China · Founded in 1987

Sino-Culture Press is known for publishing in history, social sciences and traditional Chinese culture, with a further reach into literary appreciation, classic works and foreign literature. Its library of 489 titles includes such works as The Road to Dongpo: The Evolution of Su Shi's Poetic Style, The Poetry and Life of Du Fu, The History of Qin and Han, and Six Hundred Years of the Forbidden City (collector's edition), while A Preliminary Survey of Ancient Architecture in Shanxi and Fen: Hand-drawn Records of Architectural Remains reflects an interest in documenting architectural heritage. Van Loon's Collected Classics and guided-reading editions of works such as Call to Arms and Notre-Dame de Paris serve general readers and classroom use. Its authors include scholars and popular writers such as Fu Junmai, Chen Linlin, Van Loon, Wang Longlin and Guan Ranrong, and biography is another direction. As public information is limited, this note focuses on the publishing profile shown by the titles in the library.

版权信息
一王伦机变
二将星陨落
三风云变幻
四兀术渝盟
五刘锜扬威
六顺昌大捷
七岳飞北伐
八血染北国
九饮恨班师
十两军对垒
十一淮西会战
十二朝堂之谋
十三收夺兵权
十四张岳反目
十五祸起萧墙
十六金营议和
十七岳飞蒙冤
十八功业归尘

FAQ

What historical event does this book mainly cover?

The book focuses on the "Shaoxing Peace Treaty" reached between the Southern Song and Jin in the eleventh year of Shaoxing (1141), detailing its background, negotiation process, terms, and profound impact on the political situation of the early Southern Song.

What is the author's view of the "Shaoxing Peace Treaty"?

The author adopts a contextualized analytical stance rather than simple praise or blame. The book focuses on presenting the multiple pressures—military, financial, and internal stability—facing the Southern Song at the time and analyzes the practical roots of peace as a strategic choice, while not shying away from its damage to morale and long-term national fortunes.

How difficult is this book to read?

This is a history book of some depth that requires readers to have a basic understanding of the fall of the Northern Song and the founding of the Southern Song. The author cites many historical sources and offers fairly deep analysis, making it suitable for readers willing to read and reflect carefully.

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About the author

许韬 Author

Xu Tao is a Chinese author whose work spans a notably wide range of subjects. Public information about him is limited, and details of his life are not available. Judging from the five works held in the collection, his writing covers historical military fiction, contemporary realistic themes, and legal research. Among these, The Shaoxing Peace Treaty, Hard Fighting in Sichuan and Shaanxi, and Beacon Fires over the Central Plains draw on history and war, focusing on the course of campaigns and the broader situation of their eras. Coming Ashore turns to contemporary subject matter and the choices people make in real-life circumstances. A further title, A Comparative Study of Police Law, shows his involvement in legal and policing scholarship. Overall, Xu Tao's works are often grouped under categories such as otherworld fantasy, war and military fiction, and law; his narratives emphasize plot development and background, and his writing maintains a broad outlook across different genres.