"5,000 Years of China"
Chapter VI The Southern and Northern Dynasties of the Wei and Jin Dynasties
Chapter 21: The Reform of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei
In Chinese history, Emperor Xiaowen of Wei's reforms were crucial. This reform brought about greater political and economic development in the Northern Wei Dynasty, further promoted the integration of the Xianbei and Han ethnic groups, and contributed to the unification of multiple ethnic groups in China.
Network illustration
Emperor Xiaowen, who absorbed the culture of the Central Plains
In 439, Emperor Taiwu of northern Wei unified the north. After that, the Northern Wei regime replaced 3 emperors, political corruption, causing the people to constantly revolt.
Later, Emperor Wencheng's empress Dowager Feng killed the dictatorial chancellor Yihun as empress dowager, and the 4-year-old crown prince Tuoba Hong took the throne. Tuoba Hong is the famous Xiaowen Emperor in history. Empress Feng was revered as the empress dowager, and for 20 years she was in charge of the government and actually held power. During Tuoba Hong's reign, he implemented a series of important reforms, many of which were directly decided and implemented by Empress Feng of Han origin.
Emperor Xiaowen of Wei prescribed the feng lu of officials and severely punished corrupt officials; the "equalized field system" was implemented, and the wasteland was distributed to the peasants, with adult men 40 mu each and women 20 mu each, allowing them to plant grain, and also distributing it to mulberry fields. Peasants had to pay rent and serve in the government. When the peasants died, they were to be returned to the government except for the mulberry fields. In this way, more fields were opened, the peasants' production and life became more stable, and the income of the Northern Wei regime increased.
Emperor Xiaowen believed that in order to consolidate the rule of the Wei Dynasty, it was necessary to absorb the Central Plains and reform some backward customs. He was determined to move the capital from Pingcheng (平城, in present-day northeastern Dashi, Shanxi) to Luoyang. However, he was afraid that the ministers would oppose the relocation of the capital, so he proposed to attack Southern Qi in a big way. Once, in the upper court, he proposed this plan, and the ministers were right, the most fierce of which was his uncle Tuoba Cheng, who had a high prestige in the imperial court.
Emperor Xiaowen thought for a moment and then announced his abdication. He summoned Tuoba Cheng alone, and his uncle said, "Do you think I'm really going to send troops?" In fact, I think Ping is a place where force is used, and it is not suitable for reforming politics. Now I want to change customs, and I can't do it unless I move. This time, I sent troops to Cut Qi, in fact, I wanted to take this opportunity to lead the military officials to move the capital to the Central Plains. Tuoba Cheng suddenly realized and immediately agreed with Emperor Xiaowen of Wei's proposal.
In 493, Emperor Xiaowen personally led more than 300,000 infantry and cavalry to the south, starting from Ping and arriving at Luoyang. It happened to coincide with the continuous autumn rains for a full month, the roads were muddy, and the march was difficult. However, Emperor Xiaowen still rode out of the city in armor and ordered the march to continue.
"Changing Customs"
The ministers did not want to send troops to cut down the army, but riding on this heavy rain, they came out again to block it. Emperor Xiaowen said, "This time we are raising the masses, and if we give up halfway, we will not be laughed at." If you can't go south, move the capital here. The ministers listened and did not object. Although many officials did not approve of moving the capital, they heard that the southern expedition could be stopped, so they had to support the relocation of the capital.
After Emperor Xiaowen arranged this side of Luoyang, he sent his uncle 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 to gather the noble ministers to discuss the relocation of the capital. There were opponents among the nobles, but in the end they were all persuaded by Emperor Xiaowen.
The matter of moving the capital to Luoyang was thus settled.
After the capital was moved to Luoyang, Emperor Xiaowen decided to further reform the old customs.
Once, he discussed the government with his ministers. He said, "Do you think it's better to change customs or to follow the old ways?" Later, Emperor Xiaowen announced several decrees: to change to speakIng Chinese, it is more difficult for people over 30 years old to change their mouths, and they can be suspended; those under 30 years of age who are now officials in the imperial court must change their speech to Chinese, and if they violate this article, they will be demoted or removed; they will be demoted or removed from their posts; officials and people will be required to wear Han costumes; and xianbei people are encouraged to intermarry with Han scholars and change to Han surnames. The Northern Wei imperial family's original surname was Tuoba, and from this point on it changed its surname to Yuan.
Emperor Xiaowen of Wei's name, Yuanhong, used the surname of a Han Chinese.