Late Northern Song Dynasty: Cai Jing, Tong Guan, and the "Jingkang Shame"

· Background: Emperor Huizong of Song was obsessed with art, neglecting state affairs, and trusted a treacherous clique centered on "flattery and extravagance."
· Typical Figures:
· Cai Jing: Formed factions for personal gain under the guise of "reforms," implementing the costly and labor-intensive "Hua Shi Gang" policy.
· Tong Guan: Eunuch in charge of the military, falsely reporting border achievements, misjudging strategies against Liao and Jin.
· Gao Qiu, Wang Fu, and others: Corruption rampant, leading to chaos in court.
· Consequences: Uprisings erupted (such as Fang La's rebellion), and when Jin troops advanced south, the defensive system collapsed, resulting in the "Jingkang Shame," and the fall of the Northern Song.
· Deeper Logic: The artistic imperial power combined with the complete corruption of the bureaucratic system led to the dual paralysis of national governance and defense systems.

May the riding horse spare my life.