What are the shortcomings of Emperor Xiaowen's reform?

Emperor Xiaowen (AD 467-499), whose real name was Tuoba Hong, was the eldest son of Tuoba Hong. 47 1-499 reigned as the seventh emperor of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Emperor Xiaowen of posthumous title. Yu 485

1994 Moved the capital to Luoyang, ordered Xianbei nobles to be sinicized and adopted the political system of the Han ruling class. These reforms accelerated the ethnic minorities in the north at that time.

The process of feudalism promoted the great integration of the northern nationalities.

Since the death of Taizu in the Northern Wei Dynasty, political corruption, Xianbei nobles and big businessmen oppressed the people, Xianbei nobles carried out the policy of national oppression, and Xianbei nobles used all ethnic groups to extort money, which further intensified ethnic contradictions and constantly caused resistance from the northern people. In 47 1 year, Emperor Xiaowen of Wei decided to take reform measures after he ascended the throne.

Emperor Xiaowen of Wei stipulated the salaries of officials and severely punished corrupt officials. Implement the "land equalization system" and distribute the wasteland to farmers, 40 mu for adult men and 20 mu for women, so that they can grow grain and distribute it to mulberry fields. Farmers must pay rent and serve the government. When farmers die, they should all be returned to the government, except Sangtian. As a result, more land is cultivated and farmers

The people's production and life are relatively stable, and the income of the Northern Wei regime has also increased.

Emperor Xiaowen of Wei was a politically successful man. He believes that in order to consolidate the rule of Wei Dynasty, it is necessary to absorb the culture of the Central Plains and reform some backward customs. At the same time, it has been nearly a hundred years since Pingcheng, the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The climate in Pingcheng is bad, and the grain output can't meet the demand of Beijing. Pingcheng is located in a remote place, so it is difficult for the northern Wei government to effectively control the Central Plains, and the northern minorities are becoming stronger and stronger, posing a threat to the northern Wei Dynasty. He was determined to move the capital from Pingcheng (now northeast of Datong City, Shanxi Province) to Luoyang.

He was afraid that ministers would oppose the idea of moving the capital, and first proposed a massive attack on Nanqi. Once in court, he put forward this plan, and ministers opposed it. The most intense one was Ren Tuoba Cheng.

Emperor Xiaowen was angry and said, "The country is my country. Do you want to stop me from fighting? " Tuoba Cheng retorted: "Although the country belongs to your Majesty, I am the minister of the country, and I know the danger of using troops. How can I not talk about it?"

After thinking for a moment, Emperor Xiaowen announced his retirement from the DPRK and returned to the palace. He summoned Tuoba Cheng alone and said to him, "To tell you the truth, I was angry with you just now to scare everyone. What I really mean is that I think Pingcheng is a place where soldiers are used and it is not suitable for political reform. Now I want to change the customs, but I have to move the capital. In fact, I want to take this opportunity to send troops to cut Qi.

How to treat leading civil and military officials to move to the Central Plains? "

TaBaCheng suddenly enlighted, immediately agreed with Wei Xiaowen.

In 493 AD, Emperor Xiaowen personally led more than 300,000 infantry and cavalry south, starting from Pingcheng and arriving in Luoyang. It happened that the autumn rain lasted for a whole month, and the roads were muddy everywhere, making it difficult to March. However, Emperor Xiaowen still rode out of the city wearing a helmet and armour and ordered to continue marching. Ministers didn't want to send troops to cut Qi, so they took advantage of the heavy rain to stop it. Emperor Xiaowen said seriously: "This time, if you choose to mobilize the masses, if you give up halfway, it will be a joke for future generations. If you can't go south, move the capital here. What do you think? "

Everyone looked at each other and said nothing. Emperor Xiaowen said: "You can't hesitate. The station that agrees to move the capital is on the left, and the station that disagrees is on the right. "

A nobleman said, "As long as your majesty agrees to stop the expedition to the south, then we are willing to move the capital to Luoyang." Although many civil and military officials are not in favor of moving the capital, they have heard that the southern expedition can be stopped and have to express their support for moving the capital.

Emperor Xiaowen arranged one end of Luoyang and sent Wang Cheng Tuoba Cheng back to Pingcheng to publicize the benefits of moving the capital to the princes and nobles there. Later, he personally went to Pingcheng, and called the nobles and the old ministers to discuss the relocation of the capital.

There are still many voices of opposition among the nobles of Pingcheng. They moved out one reason after another and were refuted by Emperor Xiaowen. Finally, those people really think impassability, had to say:

"Moving the capital is a great event. Whether it is fierce or auspicious, let's divine. "

Emperor Xiaowen said: "Divination is to solve difficult things." There is no doubt about moving the capital. There is nothing to worry about. If you want to rule the world, make the four seas your home. There is no fixed reason for going south today and going north tomorrow. Besides, we moved several times in the last generation. Why can't I move? "

Noble ministers were speechless, and the move to Luoyang was settled.

After Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, he decided to further reform the old customs and habits.

On one occasion, he discussed state affairs with ministers. He said, "Do you think it is better to change the customs or stick to the rules?"

Tuoba Xi, the king of Xianyang, said, "It is certainly good to change customs."

Emperor Xiaowen said: "Then I will announce the reform, and no one can violate it."

Then, Emperor Xiaowen announced several decrees: it is more difficult for people over 30 to change their words, and they can be suspended. At present, all those under the age of 30 who are officials in the imperial court must change their words into Chinese, and those who violate this rule will be demoted or dismissed; It is stipulated that all officials and people should wear Han clothes; Encourage Xianbei people to intermarry with Han gentry and adopt Han surname. The northern Wei royal family was originally named Tuoba, and later changed its surname to Yuan. Emperor Xiaowen's name is Justin, which is the surname of Han nationality.

The drastic reform of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei made the political economy of the Northern Wei Dynasty develop greatly, and further promoted the integration of Xianbei and Han nationality.

After Emperor Xiaowen moved to Luoyang, he was determined to start reform. His China-oriented reform can be carried out because he knows people well and is good at their duties. He not only reused Xianbei nobles who presided over the reform and advocated sinicization, but also reused many talented Han Chinese. He knew the importance of netting the landlords of the Han nationality to consolidate the rule of the Northern Wei Dynasty, so he never held national prejudice and attached importance to the Han nationality. There is no doubt that he can be polite to the officials who surrendered in the Southern Dynasties. Emperor Xiaowen selected talents in an eclectic way and organized a think tank for his own reform. With the support and help of these think tanks, Emperor Xiaowen began his own reform by reforming old customs and learning the lifestyle and laws of the Han nationality.

First, he ordered Xianbei nobles to be forbidden to wear Hu clothes, and all of them were changed to wear Hanfu. Later, Xianbei nobles were forbidden to speak Xianbei language, and all of them changed to Chinese. In 496 AD, Emperor Xiaowen ordered Xianbei nobles to change their surnames. He first changed the surname of the royal family, TaBaHong, to Yuanshi County, so Emperor Xiaowen, TaBaHong, was also called Justin. Other 100 Xianbei surname changed to Han surname. At the same time, it ordered to change the native place of Xianbei people. It is stipulated that all Xianbei people who moved to Luoyang are Luoyang people and are not allowed to be buried in Saibei after death. These compulsory policies of Emperor Xiaowen are all aimed at reducing ethnic differences and ethnic barriers. Although many nobles are dissatisfied, they can only implement it.

In order to win over the landlords of the Han nationality and expand the ruling foundation, Emperor Xiaowen also advocated intermarriage with the Han nationality. He took the lead in marrying the daughters of four Han families, Lu, Cui, Zheng and Wang, and married his daughter to a Han family. He also married the daughter of a Han landlord for his five younger brothers. This relationship linked the interests of Han landlords and Xianbei nobles and strengthened the ruling power of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Moreover, the blending of lineages accelerated the sinicization of Xianbei. Emperor Xiaowen also abolished the original political system of Xianbei people and asked Wang Su to imitate the Southern Dynasties, re-establish a set of official etiquette, amend laws and reform official titles.

Emperor Xiaowen also continued the gate valve system of the Han nationality. He divided Xianbei nobles and Han landlords into four classes according to their families, and determined the level of official positions according to their families. This system has been used until the Northern Dynasties, thus forming the Guanlong and Daibei ethnic groups. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that Wu Zetian revised the records of surnames that he completely denied the gate valve system.

Emperor Xiaowen is also very interested in the culture and art of the Han nationality. He was educated in Chinese culture since he was a child. He not only talks about the significance of the Five Classics, but also dabbles in historical biographies and a hundred schools of thought contend. He is also good at studying Han poetry. Emperor Xiaowen not only reformed the life customs of Xianbei nobles, but also educated them to learn Chinese culture and transformed them from a deeper cultural level. Emperor Xiaowen has a clear understanding of the backwardness of his own nation, and is not arrogant, impetuous, complacent and open-minded. He actively established schools, disseminated cultural knowledge, and collected books from all over the world, so that the northern culture, which had declined due to the war, began to revive. Driven by him, Xianbei people made rapid progress.

Emperor Xiaowen also made great contributions to the development of religious art in the Northern Wei Dynasty. Emperor Xiaowen's father Xianwen is an extremely devout Buddhist, and he himself believes in Buddhism. Therefore, Emperor Xiaowen strongly advocated Buddhism. Buddhism developed rapidly during his reign. The development of Buddhism promoted the development of Buddhist art. At that time, the most important Buddhist art form was grotto art. The Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, one of the three largest grottoes in China, was dug in the year when Emperor Xiaowen officially moved to Luoyang.

Through the reform of Emperor Xiaowen, the economy and culture of Xianbei nationality have developed rapidly. Compared with other ethnic groups who entered the Central Plains at the same time, such as Jie and Di, Xianbei undoubtedly has the highest degree of sinicization.

Life sketch

Tuoba Hong's father, Emperor Xianwen, believed in Buddhism and was extremely disgusted with politics. He has always wanted to transcend the secular and cultivate self-cultivation. So in 47 1 year, when Tuoba Hong was only 5 years old, Emperor Xianwen gave him the throne. The Tuoba family in the Northern Wei Dynasty has always quoted the old method of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, that is, to kill the mother of the prince while establishing the son as the prince, so as to prevent the tragedy similar to that of Lv Hou from happening again. This is how TaBaHong's biological mother was killed. Tuoba Hong, Emperor Xiaowen, is the eldest son of Emperor Tuoba Hong of the Northern Wei Dynasty and the sixth monarch of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The young TaBaHong can only be raised by his grandmother. Therefore, during the 20 years from 47 1 to 490, the regime was always controlled by Feng Taihou.

Feng Taihou has been wary of the precocious TaBaHong. Feng Taihou is worried that he will be bad to himself when he grows up, so he doesn't like him. On one occasion, she listened to rumors and punished the young TaBaHong with a stick. On another occasion, in cold weather, Feng Taihou locked the little emperor in a thin coat in an empty room and didn't eat for three days, intending to abolish him. Later, because of the dissuasion of Minister Mu Tai, TaBaHong kept the throne. Tuoba Hong's biological mother was given death when he was 3 years old, so he never knew who his biological mother was. He is filial, because he followed Feng Taihou since he was a child and always regarded Feng Taihou as his mother. So, although Feng Taihou doesn't like him very much, TaBaHong can really be called Sun Xiao of Feng Taihou. Even if he is punished, he has no complaints.

Famous sentences handed down from generation to generation

There is no doubt that there is no one in the left corner of the river in the white sun and sky. -Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty

Chronology of celebrities

In 47 1 year, TaBaHong captured the throne.

In 494 AD, the Northern Wei Dynasty officially moved its capital to Luoyang.

In 499 AD, he died in Nanzheng Road.

Luoyang is an ideal place for ancient emperors to establish their capital and establish their careers, and it is also a place with profound Chinese cultural heritage. Moving the capital to Luoyang is one of the most important achievements of Emperor Xiaowen in the Northern Wei Dynasty. As a politician and a reformer of ethnic minorities, this move embodies the great talent of a generation of emperors. Why Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang is still worth exploring today.

First, it is related to the admiration of Chinese culture. TaBaHong, Emperor Xiaowen, received a good cultural education in China and worshipped the culture of the Chinese nation. He was brought up by his grandmother Feng Taihou. Feng Taihou, a Han nationality, is knowledgeable, intelligent and decisive. She was in charge of the Northern Wei Dynasty for more than 20 years. She promulgated many important reform measures for the cultural system of the Han nationality. Under her influence, Emperor Xiaowen became a loyal promoter of China culture.

Emperor Xiaowen once said: "This place (referring to Pingcheng) is hard to believe unless it can be governed by culture and change customs." This passage clearly shows that if we want to learn advanced Chinese culture and change the backwardness of our nation, we must move the capital to the political, economic and cultural center of the Han nationality, and Luoyang is a place where China culture is relatively concentrated. After Emperor Xiaowen moved to the capital, he carried out a series of sinicization policies, which shows that Emperor Xiaowen's move to the capital is related to his admiration of Chinese culture.

Second, the need to rule the Central Plains. Emperor Xiaowen is an accomplished politician. He doesn't want to be the king of China, nor does he want to be the king of the people. If you want to be the king of the people of China, you should naturally put your capital in the orthodox capital of China. Emperor Xiaowen once said: "The country started in the northern soil and moved to Pingcheng. Here, there is no place to use it, and it is impossible to be civilized ... I wrote to the Emperor's House, Heluo Wangli, and because of this, I made a big move and I lived in the Central Plains. " This shows that an important reason why Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang is that Pingcheng, the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, is located in the north, which is not conducive to the rule of the vast Central Plains. His remarks about "imperial residence" and "royal residence" indicate that he wants to gain the orthodox status recognized by the Han landlords by moving the capital to Luoyang. In addition, after Emperor Xiaowen moved to Luoyang, he fought against Nanqi for years until he died in the military action of the Southern Expedition. It can be seen that Emperor Xiaowen also hoped to achieve the goal of unifying the whole country by moving the capital to Luoyang.

Third, solve the problem of food supply. The north of Pingcheng is cold, and the grain output is very limited. At that time, someone wrote a poem "Sad for the City of Peace": "Sad for the City of Peace, drive the horse into the square, the mountains often snow, and there is no wind." Later, Pingcheng, as the capital city, had an increasing population and officials, and the problem of food supply became prominent. At that time, there was no land and water transportation in Pingcheng, and the traffic was extremely underdeveloped. It is not only time-consuming and laborious to transport grain from Shanhaiguan to Pingcheng, but also extremely expensive. Luoyang is located in the center of the north, in the plain area, with convenient transportation. Moving the capital to Luoyang solved the most fundamental food problem.

Fourth, the influence of geographical environment. Pingcheng (now northeast of Datong, Shanxi) is located in the north, with mountainous terrain, arid climate and low temperature, which is not conducive to the growth of crops, and natural conditions restrict the further development of the northern Wei economy.

Luoyang is located in the west bank of the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, in the Central Plains, surrounded by mountains and waters, and is known as the "land of Kyushu". It has four distinct seasons and a pleasant climate. Since ancient times, it has been a battleground for military strategists and naturally became an ideal place for ancient emperors to build their capital. It was once the capital of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Wei and other dynasties. Emperor Xiaowen's move to Luoyang is a wise move and a necessity of historical development.

Emperor Xiaowen's move to Luoyang not only showed the great talent of a generation of emperors, but also made Luoyang prosperous again after Cao Wei and the Western Jin Dynasty.