Wang Anshi Forced from Office by Conservative Opposition

1074

The relentless opposition of Sima Guang, Su Shi, and the conservative faction finally forced Wang Anshi to resign as chief councilor. His Green Sprouts loans, militia reforms, and state trading monopolies had transformed Song governance but alienated the landed elite who staffed the bureaucracy. Emperor Shenzong retained the policies even without their architect - the reforms had become the government's operating system, not one man's personal project.