Trends in China
- Military not favored by Confucianism, lowest level of society
- Mongolian emphasis on military
- Lack of use of technology for military advancement ie. Gunpowder
- Over-saturated bureaucracy (p.108) and rising defense costs
- Intermarriage
- Ineptitude of Song diplomacy
- Lack of contact with Inner Asia-loss of contact with horse traders
- Increasing use of mercenary troops by the Song
- Understanding of rituals and ceremonies by outsiders
- Rise of the Qidan and Ghengis Khan
- Civilian control of the military weakened it
- Nomads in positions of power over time
- Song paid tributes to secure safety and moved capital to the South
- Neo-confucianism more adaptable than previous ideas (p.118)
- Comfort with neighbors
- Wen/wu balancing act
- Superiority to all others so not worry about them