Reality Subtext: Before Sima Guang began his work on Tongjian, he had been an ardent opponent of reforms led by Wang Anshi, a fellow scholar-official. Since Wang had the support of then-emperor Shenzong, Sima Guang decided to leave the capital Kaifeng for Luoyang. His work on Tongjian was in many ways a Take That! to the shortcomings he perceived in Wang's reforms. note By the time Tongjian was completed, Emperor Shenzong had passed. Sima Guang was then appointed to lead the government. He proceeded to remove many policies implemented by Wang. However, modern historians have noted that Sima did not bring any alternative policies to the table. Essentially, the Northern Song lost valuable time while trying (and failing) to reform itself.
