Map Introduction

Sizhou (Si Province) In the early Northern Wei period, the Office of the Colonel-Director of Retainers (Sili Xiaowei) system was maintained. After Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, he abolished the position of Colonel-Director of Retainers in the 17th year of the Taihe era (493 AD) and established the Inspector of Sizhou (Sizhou Cishi) instead, with its administrative seat in Luoyang. Its functions shifted from primarily military command to the comprehensive management of the capital region's civil administration, judiciary, and finances, making it a crucial component of the Northern Wei's centralized administrative system. During the Eastern Jin dynasty, Sizhou was temporarily established in exile at locations such as Hefei and Xingyang. The Liu Song and Southern Qi dynasties of the Southern Dynasties period also maintained a Sizhou, but its administrative seat shifted southward along with the regimes.

Yuzhou (Yu Province) The Yuzhou established by the Northern Wei in the Henan region initially had its seat in Luoyang (modern Luoyang City). Later, following the move of the capital to Luoyang, it was renamed Luzhou. During the Eastern Jin, Yuzhou was temporarily established in exile at Hefei. Its establishment continued through the Liu Song and Southern Qi periods of the Southern Dynasties, but its seat was moved to Xuanhu (modern Runan, Henan). The Sui dynasty re-established Yuzhou in Luoyang, the Tang dynasty changed it to Luzhou, and the Northern Song dynasty restored the name Yuzhou, which has been used intermittently since.

Jingzhou (Jing Province) The Northern Wei initially established Jingzhou during the reign of Emperor Taiwu (424-452 AD), with its seat in Shangluo (modern Shangluo, Shaanxi), later moving to Rang County (modern Dengzhou, Henan). Its military function was prominent, as it commanded the forces of the three Jing, two Xiang, and Nan Yong provinces, making it a key defensive area on the frontline of the North-South confrontation. After the 3rd year of Emperor Fei of Western Wei (554 AD), the Jingzhou jurisdiction was dismantled and reorganized, with its former territories gradually incorporated into new administrative districts like Xiangzhou and Guangzhou.

Luzhou (Lu Province) The Northern Wei initially established Luzhou (administered from Luoyang) in its early period. During the Taihe era, it was changed to Sizhou. After the Eastern Wei moved the capital to Ye, it was changed back to Luzhou. The Sui dynasty abolished the provincial-level establishment. The Tang dynasty re-established Luzhou, and during the Northern Song dynasty, it became part of the Capital Region Circuit (Jingji Lu). Its evolution reflects the dynamic changes in the administrative regions of the Northern Dynasties, influenced by capital relocations and military strategic adjustments.