Map Introduction

The Shaoxing Peace Accord between the Jin and Southern Song (1142 AD)

In 1142 AD, the Jin Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty signed the Treaty of Shaoxing, formally establishing the pattern of Song-Jin confrontation. The treaty stipulated the border between the two states along the middle of the Huai River and the Dasan Pass. The Southern Song ceded Tang Prefecture, Deng Prefecture, and large parts of Shang Prefecture and Qin Prefecture. Furthermore, it agreed to pay an annual tribute to the Jin of 250,000 taels of silver and 250,000 bolts of silk. This agreement ended 17 years of continuous warfare, bringing a period of temporary peace to both sides.

Reforms and Stabilization under the Jin Dynasty

Emperor Xizong of Jin (r. 1135-1149 AD) used the peace accord as an opportunity to implement comprehensive reforms. These included promulgating unified legal codes, expanding the Supreme Capital (Huining Prefecture), creating the Jurchen script, and refining ritual institutions based on Han Chinese models. The northern economy recovered with the end of the war, and the monetary system transitioned from barter to a concurrent use of coins and paper money, leading to a significant increase in Jin's national power.

Internal Adjustments in the Southern Song

The Southern Song court used the peace treaty to consolidate its power. In 1142 AD, the renowned anti-Jin general Yue Fei was executed on unsubstantiated charges, and the military authority of pro-war generals was dismantled. Emperor Gaozong (Zhao Gou) strengthened central authority by suppressing military leaders, while simultaneously developing the economy of the Jiangnan region, laying the groundwork for the subsequent "Qianchun Reign of Peace".

Geopolitical Impact

The borders established by the treaty provided the Jin Dynasty with a strategic buffer zone, while the Southern Song could focus on developing the south. Southwestern regimes like the Dali Kingdom maintained indirect trade with the Southern Song via the Tea-Horse Road, forming a diversified frontier economic network.

Historical Assessment

The Treaty of Shaoxing was a product of the balance of power between the Song and Jin. The Jin obtained economic benefits through the treaty, while the Southern Song bought itself a breathing space. However, the humiliating terms of the agreement, such as the nominal submission and annual tribute, sowed the seeds for future conflict, ultimately broken following the rise of the Mongols.