From "Gold Master" to the Jin Dynasty: Wanyan Aguda and the Historical Turning Point in the Xu Zizhi Tongjian

Brief Introduction

"Gold Master" (Jinzhu) was not the personal name of Wanyan Aguda, but rather a title of respect referring to the supreme ruler of the Jin Dynasty, meaning "Master of the Jin." Wanyan Aguda (1068–1123) was a prominent leader of the Jurchen people and the founding emperor of the Jin Dynasty (posthumous temple name Taizu). In the Xu Zizhi Tongjian (Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government), he plays a pivotal role, symbolizing the historical transition where the northern minority regime formally replaced the Liao Dynasty and established a standoff with the Southern Song Dynasty.

Core Knowledge Points

1. The Rise of the Jurchens: Aguda launched his rebellion against the Liao Dynasty in 1114. He rapidly unified the various Jurchen tribes and established the Jin Dynasty (the name "Jin" derived from the Jurchen word "an zhu," meaning "gold").
2. Strategic Significance: The establishment of the Jin Dynasty shattered the tripartite balance of power among the Liao, Song, and Western Xia dynasties. It directly led to the decline of the Liao and forced the collapse of the Northern Song’s northern defenses, ultimately precipitating the Jingkang Incident (1127).
3. Context of the Title "Jinzhu": In Song Dynasty historical records, the term "Jinzhu" was commonly used to refer to the Jin ruler. This designation reflected the Song perspective on this foreign regime, implying a certain political distance and distinction.

Connection to the Xu Zizhi Tongjian

Compiled by the Qing Dynasty historian Li Zhi, the Xu Zizhi Tongjian continues where Sima Guang’s Zizhi Tongjian left off, covering history from the Five Dynasties period to the early Ming Dynasty. In the sections dealing with the concurrent existence of the Liao, Jin, and Song (such as the Song Records in the Xu Zizhi Tongjian), Aguda’s activities are documented in detail:

• Rebellion against the Liao: The text records that he rallied the Jurchen people by citing the Liao ruler's "tyranny, oppressive taxation, and heavy corvée labor" as his justification for uprising.
• Founding the State and Proclaiming Emperor: In 1115, Aguda proclaimed himself emperor, adopted the era name "Tianfu," and formally established the Jin Dynasty regime.
• Relations with the Song: The Xu Zizhi Tongjian emphasizes the shift in the Song court’s attitude toward the "Jinzhu" after the Jin’s establishment—moving from initial indifference to being forced to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Jin regime. This shift profoundly influenced the diplomatic strategies of the later Southern Song Dynasty.

Through the narrative of the Xu Zizhi Tongjian, readers can clearly see how Aguda evolved from a tribal chieftain into the "Jinzhu" who altered the East Asian landscape. His historical impact far exceeded his individual scope, serving as the core driving force behind the transition from the Liao-Song era to the Jin-Song era.