The Northern Song was founded by Zhao Kuangyin, a military general in the Latter Zhou (951 - 960). In 960, Zhao Kuangyin launched a mutiny in Chenqiao county (in current Henan Province).It was not long before the last king of the Latter Zhou was forced to abdicate. Thus a new dynasty - Song was established in Kaifeng. In that period, most part of China's territory was unified. However, in late Northern Song, the political corruption was serious and the regime began to decline. In 1127, it was destroyed by the Jin (1115 - 1234).
Facts of the Northern Song Dynasty
Time: 960 -1127 ( Ended by the Jin Empire)
Location of Capital: Kaifeng 
Emperors: Gaozu, Taizong...
Replaced by: Southern Song Dynasty

---

The Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) was smaller than the Tang empire. It didn't control an area of Central Asia that was controlled by the Tang empire.

Emperor Taizu ( Ruled 960-976)
Emperor Taizu, known as Zhao Kuangyin,Established Song Dynasty in 960.
Zhao Kuangyin, a military general in the Latter Zhou (951 - 960). In 960, he launched a mutiny in Chenqiao county (in current Henan Province). It was not long before the last king of the Latter Zhou was forced to abdicate. Song Dynasty was established in Kaifeng.
Unified China
In that period, most part of China's territory was unified.During his 16 years of rule, he instituted successful policies and won his wars of expansion.In the beginning of the Song era, the land under rule only covered the areas of the Yellow River and the Huai River. In the north, there were the Northern Han and Khitan kingdoms; in the west, there was the Later Shu Kingdom; in the south, there were the Southern Tang, Wuyue, Jingnan, and Southern Han kingdoms.