Chapter 67 Xixia

Brief history: Even in a historical work full of ludicrous errors and often wrapped in "objective" prejudice, we occasionally find something right.For example Xixia.Indeed, we must clearly understand this point-although the founders of Xixia were a group of party members, they were neither conquerors nor invaders.Almost the entire territory of this country before its monarch Li Bingchang succeeded to the throne belonged to the "homeland of the Han and Tang Dynasties".However, whether it is the party members or all the tribes living in Xixia, including the Han nationality, they are long-term settlers on this land. Although they are not the main ethnic groups in traditional China, they are also part of the traditional Chinese ethnic groups. .They are not outsiders.

The separatism of Xixia originated from the extremely bad frontier management methods of the Tang Dynasty.But Xixia was an out-and-out rebellious local regime in the Song Dynasty.Until the era of Zhao Kuangyin, like the Zhe family on Hedong Road, the Li family, as a frontier warlord, had been loyal to the central dynasty in the north for generations, and the area they directly controlled was mainly limited to the so-called "Henan" area later.In the beginning, the heirs of the Li family even actively cooperated with Bianjing's efforts to weaken local power and gave up all the power of their own family.But the other heir refused to give up the power inherited from generation to generation, led a small number of cronies to defect, and started a rebellion.But for the second emperor of the Song Dynasty, his real enemy was only the Khitan.This kind of arrogance eventually led to a series of incredible chaos and setbacks for the Song army. Although the rebel party leader had been defeated repeatedly, he finally captured the strategically important Lingzhou and laid the foundation for the establishment of the Xixia state for more than 70 years. .After that, after three generations of wars, the party members, under the leadership of their leader Li Yuanhao, finally formally established their own country.

However, any statement that compares the Great Xia Kingdom established by the Dangxiang people with the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom established by the Khitan people is not objective.The Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom recognized each other's equal status in diplomacy. Both sides considered themselves the true successors of "China", had a solid alliance, and maintained peace for nearly a hundred years.Although the Xixia Kingdom tried its best to win this recognition, neither the Song Dynasty nor the Liao Kingdom had ever recognized its equal status.In terms of diplomatic etiquette, Xixia has always been regarded as a subject only.Despite the humiliation, the Xixia people had to accept this fact.

Since the founding of Xixia, it has never had real peace.The war with Song, the war with Liao, the war with Qingtang, the expansion to the west... War seems to be the eternal theme of this country whose land area is mostly desert. For Xixia, the non-recognition of diplomacy directly led to its insecurity when facing the two behemoths of Song and Liao—the two major facts of the rebellious regime and the status of the vassals, so that the rulers of the Xixia people had to time They are always vigilant against the annexation from Song and Liao. For this reason, they can only put their country in the war system forever and use militarism to continue their survival.But this state is doomed to be impossible to continue forever, and the economic and social costs it has to pay are beyond imagination.Therefore, after more than seventy years, this country's desire for reform is even stronger than that of the Song Dynasty.

I only saw that the kings of Xixia constantly "admired" the culture of the Song Dynasty and promoted Sinicization one after another, so they attributed the Sinicization of Xixia to the ruler's personal preferences, and even believed that Sinicization weakened the strength of Xixia—this kind of view is too superficial. It is worthy of criticism.But this superficial phenomenon also reveals a fact: the reform of Xixia is the biggest focus of debate whether to implement the "Han system" or to maintain the "Tibetan system"-this is also a problem left over from the bad border system of the Tang Dynasty. The central area of ​​the city was originally a Han cultural area, but since the mid-Tang Dynasty, there has been a reverse process of "Huhua".Ironically, in the end, party members had to face the historical pressure of restoring the "Han system" locally.

Li Bingchang and his subjects are in this historical trend... Daxia, Xixia, and Baishangguo. October 11th of the first year of Yanzuo. Xixia is a landlocked country.Until the early years of Xining, its land was located in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River Basin and to the west, between 36° and 46° north latitude, in the interlaced zone of agriculture and animal husbandry.The total land area is about 646,000 square kilometers. The area of ​​dry grassland, desert grassland or temperate desert area accounts for four-fifths of the total land area of ​​Xixia. The core area is the Hexi Corridor, the river irrigation area on the edge of Songxia, and the Lingxia Oasis Plain.The southeast is adjacent to the Song Dynasty, the north is bordered by the Liao Kingdom, the south is the Tubo tribes, and the west is the Xizhou Uighur.

The total population of the country shall not exceed 1 million at most.Because of the implementation of the system of all people serving as soldiers, the national military strength is about 300,000, and the maximum is no more than 500,000.Dangxiang and Han nationality are the main ethnic groups.Buddhism is the largest religion. Many cities.Influenced by the Song Dynasty, Xingqing Mansion is Tokyo, which is the administrative capital; Xiping Mansion is Xijing.According to geographical location, Xiping Mansion is in the east. A state and county administrative system is adopted.But in fact, because of its strong military system, the 12 local military regions—"military divisions"—are more important.

monarchy.Shang Shuling is the Prime Minister's general affairs officer, with sixteen divisions under his jurisdiction.Its official system has changed greatly, and the officials are divided into Fan officials and Han officials.Often troubled by the dictatorship of foreign relatives.The tribal leaders enjoy greater autonomy. It is dominated by animal husbandry and agriculture, and also has a relatively developed handicraft industry.After Li Bingchang came to power, he implemented policies to encourage business.It is worth noting that the Dangxiang people are not nomads in the academic sense.

Even in the early days, Xixia was deeply influenced by Confucian culture. They translated almost all Confucian classics and made great contributions to Confucianism.In painting, music, architecture, and sculpture, the Xixia people have made great achievements.