Nanjing: Historical Geography and Political Interpretation of the Liao Empire's "Secondary Capital"

Brief Introduction

In discussions of Chinese historical geography, the term "Nanjing" in the context of the Song Dynasty often refers to today's Shangqiu in Henan Province. However, in historical texts documenting Song-Liao relations, such as the Xu Zizhi Tongjian (Continued Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government), "Nanjing" frequently appears as one of the Liao Empire's Five Capitals, located at Zhizhou Prefecture (Xijin Prefecture) near today's Beijing. (Note: While the Liao's "Southern Capital" specifically referred to Xijin Prefecture, i.e., modern-day Beijing, contextual references could sometimes pertain to other strategic southern border cities of the Liao Empire).

Note: The formal name of the Liao Empire's "Nanjing" was the Southern Capital, Xijin Prefecture (later known as Yanjing and, under the Jin Dynasty, the Central Capital). Located in the present-day Beijing area, it served as a critical strategic hub for the Liao Empire to control the gateway to the Central Plains. Additionally, the term "Liao Nanjing" specifically denoted the Beijing region, distinguishing it from the Song Dynasty's Nanjing (Shangqiu). In the Xu Zizhi Tongjian, references to "Nanjing" are largely associated with Song-Liao border trade, diplomatic exchanges, or military standoffs, reflecting the complex geopolitical dynamics between the Northern Song and the Liao Empire in North China.

Core Concepts

1. The Liao Empire's Five Capital System:
The Liao Dynasty implemented a "Dual Capital System," comprising the Northern Capital (Linhuang Prefecture) and the Southern Capital (Xijin Prefecture). As the southern secondary capital, Nanjing served as the administrative center for managing Han Chinese affairs. It featured specialized bureaucratic institutions, embodying the Liao's political wisdom of "governing according to local customs" (yin su er zhi).

2. Strategic Position:
The Southern Capital, Xijin Prefecture (modern Beijing), is situated in the northern part of the North China Plain, controlling the You-Yan region. It was a key node for the Liao Empire to defend against northern nomadic tribes and to exert pressure on the Northern Song. Controlling one of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan-Yun had a decisive impact on the military balance between the two states.

3. Economic and Cultural Hub:
As one of the most prosperous cities in the Liao Empire, Nanjing was a major venue for Song-Liao mutual markets. It also served as a hub for the eastern segment of the Silk Road. The region exhibited a high degree of ethnic integration, resulting in a culturally diverse society.

Relevance to Xu Zizhi Tongjian

The Xu Zizhi Tongjian provides detailed records of political and military developments during the mid-to-late Northern Song period (specifically the Yuanfeng and Yuanfu reign eras). In this text, the term "Nanjing" is closely linked to the following historical events:

* Diplomatic Exchanges: The text frequently records Northern Song envoys traveling to the Liao Empire, passing through or arriving at "Nanjing" to pay tribute, negotiate, or verify borders. These records reflect diplomatic interactions maintained under the surface of peace between the Song and Liao.
* Military Threats: In certain entries, the Liao Empire used Nanjing as a base to conduct reconnaissance or minor provocations along the border, prompting the Northern Song court to strengthen frontier defenses. For instance, during the later stages of Wang Anshi's reforms, Sino-Liao relations fluctuated between tension and relaxation, making the movements out of Nanjing a focal point for both the court and the public.
Place Name Disambiguation: When reading the Xu Zizhi Tongjian*, it is crucial to distinguish between the Song Dynasty's "Nanjing" (Shangqiu) and the Liao Dynasty's "Nanjing" (Beijing). If the text explicitly mentions "Liao Nanjing" or the context clearly refers to Liao affairs, it points to modern Beijing. If it concerns internal administrative divisions or titles used prior to the Southern Song migration, specific year references must be consulted to determine the correct location.

Conclusion

Understanding the multiple meanings of "Nanjing" within Song-Liao relations not only helps clarify historical geographic concepts but also deepens the grasp of the complex geopolitical interactions between the Northern Song and the Liao Empire. Through the records in the Xu Zizhi Tongjian, we can glimpse the historical landscape of an era marked by the coexistence of multi-ethnic states.