Emperor Taizu of Song vs Hasan-i Sabbah

Zhao Kuangyin, a general of the Later Zhou dynasty, was proclaimed emperor by his troops at Chenqiao. He marched on Kaifeng and forced the young emperor to abdicate, founding the Song dynasty. This coup established a new ruling house without major bloodshed.

Emperor Taizu invited powerful military governors to a banquet and persuaded them to resign their commands in exchange for wealth and titles. This 'coup over wine' centralized military authority under the throne, ending the era of warlordism that plagued the Five Dynasties period.

Emperor Taizu launched a series of military campaigns to conquer the remaining independent kingdoms of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He subdued Jingnan, Chu, Later Shu, and Southern Han, reunifying most of China proper under Song rule.

Emperor Taizu expanded and formalized the imperial civil service examinations, reducing the influence of hereditary aristocracy. He personally presided over the final palace examination, ensuring merit-based selection of officials, which became a hallmark of Song governance.

Emperor Taizu died suddenly under mysterious circumstances, reportedly after a drinking session with his brother Zhao Guangyi, who succeeded him as Emperor Taizong. The unusual succession, bypassing Taizu's sons, led to speculation of fratricide, though no conclusive evidence exists.

Hasan-i Sabbah and his followers seized the Alamut fortress in the Alborz mountains of northern Iran. This became the headquarters of the Nizari Ismaili state and the base from which he led a decentralized resistance against the Seljuk Empire.

Following the capture of Alamut, Hasan-i Sabbah established a network of mountain fortresses in Persia and Syria, creating a Nizari Ismaili state. This state operated as a decentralized theocracy, using strategic assassinations to counter Seljuk power.

The Seljuk vizier Nizam al-Mulk was assassinated by a Nizari Ismaili agent near Nahavand. This event demonstrated the reach of Hasan-i Sabbah's network and destabilized the Seljuk administration, contributing to the decline of Seljuk central authority.

After the death of the Fatimid caliph al-Mustansir, Hasan-i Sabbah supported the succession of Nizar over al-Mustali, leading to a schism. He established the Nizari Ismaili doctrine, emphasizing the authority of the imam and the use of taqiyya (dissimulation) for survival.

Hasan-i Sabbah died at Alamut, having led the Nizari Ismaili state for 34 years. He was succeeded by Kiya Buzurg Ummid. His legacy includes the creation of a resilient state that survived for over a century and the development of the Assassin legend.