Jin Dynasty
YingZheng
the Jurchen (Nuzhen) tribe and was headed by nine successive emperors.
Establishment of the Jin Dynasty
The ancestors of the Jurchen people lived in the Changbai Mountains and
the Helongjiang Valley. The name "Jurchen" did not appear in historical
records until theFive Dynasties Period (907-960) when it was under the
control of the Khitan. During the early years of theLiao (916-1125),
the clan community of the Primary Society was still dominant within the
tribe. With the widespread adoption of iron tools and the fast-growing
population, the tribe achieved a position of great influence. Near the
end of the Liao, the Jurchen tribe had become a formidable power in
Northern China.
The Jurchen tribe consisted of dozens of clans where the Wanyan clan
was the largest. In 1113, as chieftain of the clan union Wanyan Aguda
succeeded to unite all of them, marking a new era in Jurchen tribal
history.
In 1114, Wanyan performed a ritual with his armies on the banks of the
Lailiu River (Jianlalin River between Heilongjiang and Jilin
provinces), declaring war on the Liao. Emerging victorious in Ningjiang
and Chuhedian, Wanyan established a new dynasty -- the Great Jin
Dynasty -- in 1115, proclaiming himself emperor. Historical records
refer to Aguda as Emperor Taizu.
Initially, the Jin Dynasty established its capital city in Huining
Prefecture (Baicheng, south of Acheng, Heilongjiang Province), later
moving to Yanjing (Beijing City). Lastly, the capital was moved to
Bianjing on the site of modern Kaifeng City in Henan Province.
Conquest of the Liao and Song Dynasties
For a long period of time the Jin people were oppressed by the Khitan
people. After winning a decisive victory in the battle of Hubudagang,
the Jin carried out its plan to conquer the Liao. In 1120, the Jin
Dynasty made an alliance with theNorthern Song (960-1127) to defeat the
Liao, and in 1125 the Liao Emperor Tianzuo was captured and his dynasty
collapsed. The Jin then assumed total control of Northern China.
Soon afterwards, the Jin turned against the Northern Song. Emperor
Taizong (Wanyan Sheng), who was greatly encouraged by the victory over
the Liao, launched a general war against the Song. Although the Song
army put up a strong resistance, due to its weak court and ineffective
leadership, the Jin army prevailed. In 1127, the Jin army took the
capital, Kaifeng, and captured the Song emperor. Following the fall of
the Northern Song, the remainder of the court fled south and
established a new dynasty -- theSouthern Song (1127-1279).
Soon, the newly founded Southern Song also became a target for the Jin.
However, this attempt proved less successful for the Jin due to the
resistance led by Yuefei, Han Shizhong and other heroes. The Jin army
suffered heavy setbacks and could no longer compete with the Song.
Thus, a period of coexistence between the two rival powers came into
being.
Rule of the Jin Dynasty
1. Administration System
During the "tribal union" period, the premier and union chieftains
(bojilie) shared the administration of various Jurchen tribes. This
system was abolished following the founding of the Jin Dynasty and a
committee was formed that consisted of four, followed by five chief
executives who acted as the highest authorities under the emperor. The
system was subject to further innovations after a number of Liao and
Song territories were conquered during Emperor Taizong's reign. While
the Liao and Song administrative procedures were adopted, further
reforms were introduced by Emperor Xizong and the Prince of Hailing.
When Emperor Shizong came to power, a complete political system was set
up. The Shangshu Department, as a primary body, helped the central
government conduct state affairs.
2. Military Service System
The Jin military service system involved a combination of various
components. Based on the Jurchen system, it showed its own unique
character by absorbing elements from the Khitan, Bohai, Yi and Han. As
well as laying emphasis on the cavalry, the Jin made efforts to
establish and develop other armed forces. The troops consisted of
soldiers of many nationalities -- both mercenaries and conscripts and
officers enjoyed high status in the country's social strata. This
system was to have great influence on the military strategies of later
dynasties.
Social Economy
During the early years of the Jin, the frequent hostilities caused the
economy to stagnate. In attempt to promote commercial development,
Emperor Taizu adopted a policy of reducing trade barriers that included
establishing a trading relationship with the Song. Soon, this had an
effect on and expedited the recovery and development of commerce.
Furthermore, the emperor revitalized agriculture through tax reductions
and exemptions to encourage the farming community to trade with the
neighboring tribes. From the reign of the Prince of Hailing to the
reign of Emperor Zhangzong, the regime enjoyed economic prosperity. The
flourishing economy also benefited from a monetary reform that was
introduced in 1198 during the reign of Emperor Zhangzong. For the first
time ever silver was used as legal tender. This marked was an important
milestone in the history of currency and had a far-reaching influence
on the currency system of susbsequent dynasties and even modern times.
Culture
Jin rulers adopted a positive attitude towards the Han culture.
Chinese, Khitan and Jurchen script were used simultaneously although
Khitan script was later abolished to popularize Chinese calligraphy.
Emperor Zhangzong became a keen collector of books written in Chinese
that did much to promote cultural development. Many writers emerged
during this period, including Yuan Haowen, who was especially eminent
in poetry, prose and treatise. Yuan's works represent the highest
literary achievements of the Jin. The Jin Dynasty also made important
contributions to the arts by inheriting characteristics from Liao
architecture and absorbing elements from the Song. One of the finest
examples of Jin architecture is the Lugou Bridge. Completed between
1188 and 1192 it is the oldest existing, multi-arched stone bridge in
the Beijing area. The exquisite bridge sculptures and its ornamental
columns demonstrate a practical application of the aesthetic principles
of unity and variation that are a great attraction to this day.
Decline and Collapse of the Jin Dynasty
A peaceful yet uneasy period between the rival Jin and Southern Song
dynasties was made possible when the Jin became an ally of the Western
Xia. This gave the Jin a dominant position in which it was able to
demand tributes from the Song. However, the Jin underestimated the
growing threat from its ancient enemies, the Mongolians.
With Mongolia to the north, the Western Xia to the west and Southern
Song to the south, the Jin was in an unfavorable situation. Rather than
uniting with the Western Xia and Song to oppose the Mongols, the Jin
foolishly attacked the Song while attempting to resist the Mongols.
This move resulted in the Jin's isolation with no possibility for
assistance. To counter threats from the west and north, the Jin moved
its capital from Zhongdu (Beijing city) to Bianjing (Kaifeng City,
Henan Province). It sought to make gains in the south by compensating
for the loss of its northern territory. Leaving the northern territory
to the mercy of the Mongols the Jin began a campaign against the
Southern Song with little, if any, success. In 1233, the Mongolian army
led by Ogodei conquered Bianjing and the Jin emperor fled to Caizhou
(Runan County, Henan Province). The following year the Mongolian army,
assisted by the Song army, captured Caizhou and put an end to the Jin
Dynasty.
During the Jin's 155-year span, nine emperors had occupied the throne.
At its peak, the population numbered some 44.7 million as the territory
expanded from the Outer Hinggan Mountain in the north to the Huai River
in the south, and from the coast in the east to Shaanxi in the west.