The Song dynasty, under their third emperor, Zhenzong, have continued their war against the Khitans in the north.

They have suffered occasional reversals, but have gradually reconquered much of the former Chinese territory north of the Hwang He.

After many years of fighting with each other, the the Northern Sung and the Liao Dynasties finally decide to negotiate a truce, which is achieved in 1004 through the treaty of Shanyuan, the pivotal point in relation between the Sung and the Liao.

The signing of the Shanyuan Treaty is the first time that the Liao are able to force the Song, who consider themselves the natural heirs to the Central Kingdom (Zhong Yuan), to recognize them as peers.

The Khitans agree to abandon southern Hebei to the Chinese in exchange for …