Song dynasty
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The Song Dynasty (960 – 1279) was one of the ruling dynasties of Imperial China. It suceeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period alongside the smaller Liao and Western Xia dynasties and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. The era was known for the invention and creation of many new technologies and advancements such as gunpowder, which was used by the Chinese armies.
Song Dynasty was divided into two distinct periods, Northern Song (960 – 1127) and Southern Song (1127 – 1279). Northern Song was conquered by the Jurchen-led Jin Dynasty, leading to the formation of the Southern Song. With the conquer of the Jin Dynasty by the Mongol Empire in 1234, the Southern Song fell to the Mongols led by Kublai Khan in 1279 after two decades of sporadic invasions, leading to the reunification under the Yuan Dynasty.
History
During the early 13th century, Genghis Khan was in possession of a Sword of Eden, who used it in his conquest of China. The Mentor of the Levantine Assassins Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad travelled to China with his wife Maria and son Darim to eliminate him. On 18 August 1227, with the help of Mongolian Assassin Qulan Gal, they located the Khan in Xingqing, Xia Province and eliminated him. However, the Assassins failed to retrieve the Piece of Eden and it remained in the hands of the Mongols.[1]
In 1259 during the Siege of Diaoyu Castle, a member of the Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins and commander was killed in a duel against Bayan, a Mongolian officer. His daughter, Zhang Zhi attempted to seek revenge against Möngke Khan , the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire and a Mongolian Templar. While she succeeded, she became injured and became crippled in the process. Because of her injury, Kang, the Mentor of the Chinese Assassins refused to formally induct her into the brotherhood.[2]
With Möngke's death, he was suceeded by his younger brother Kublai Khan as the Great Khan. His fourth son, Asutai recuited Bayan into the Templar Order in the same year.[2]