Map Introduction

Historical Evolution of the Commanderies in Henan during the Sui Dynasty (581–618 AD)

I. Administrative Division Establishment and Evolution of Commanderies & Counties

The Sui Dynasty established 18 commanderies in the Henan region, with its core area including:

• Henan Commandery: Seat in Luoyang. After Emperor Yang constructed the Eastern Capital, it became the national political center, covering modern Luoyang, Sanmenxia, and surrounding areas.
• Xingyang Commandery: A strategic location, its seat in modern Xingyang (Zhengzhou), controlling the Yellow River crossings and transport routes.
• Liang Commandery: Seat in Songcheng (modern Shangqiu), a key node on the Tongji Canal section of the Sui-Tang Grand Canal.
• Other Important Commanderies and Counties: Xiangcheng Commandery (modern Xuchang), Yingchuan Commandery (modern Yuzhou), Runan Commandery (modern Zhumadian), etc.

Emperor Wen initially implemented a system of prefectures (Zhou) and counties. In the 3rd year of the Daye era (607 AD), Emperor Yang changed the prefectures back to commanderies (Jun), forming a commandery-county system in the Henan region centered on Luoyang. The Eastern Capital Luoyang, designed by Yuwen Kai, covered approximately 47 square kilometers. It was planned according to the concept of "harmony between heaven and humanity," with the Luo River flowing through its center.

II. Political and Economic Status

• Political Hub:
  • Luoyang, as the Eastern Capital, was central to the Sui's "Two-Capital System" and became the de facto administrative center after Emperor Yang moved the court there.
  • The central government institutions, operating under the Three Departments and Six Ministries system, were concentrated here, strengthening control over the Central Plains.
• Economic Lifeline:
  • Agriculture: The Henan commanderies were vital national granaries. The Luokou Granary (modern Gongyi) stored enough grain to supply Luoyang for decades.
  • Canal Economy: In the 1st year of Daye (605 AD), millions of laborers from the Henan commanderies were mobilized to dig the Tongji Canal, forming a water transport network centered on Luoyang.
  • Handicrafts: Ceramics from Henan Commandery and silk textiles from Xingyang were renowned throughout the empire.
• Strategic Military Location:
  • Natural barriers like Mang Mountain and the Hulao Pass constituted Luoyang's defensive system.
  • It became a focal point of contention between the Wagang Army and Sui forces during the dynasty's final years.

III. Major Historical Events

During the late Sui popular uprisings, the Henan commanderies became a primary battlefield:

• The Wagang Army used the Luokou Granary as their base, opening it to distribute grain and attracting hundreds of thousands of refugees.
• At the Battle of the Great Sea Temple (616 AD), Li Mi set an ambush and defeated the renowned Sui general Zhang Xutuo.
• At the Battle of Tong Mountain (618 AD), the Wagang Army crushed the elite Xiaoguo Army of Yuwen Huaji.

IV. Impact of the Administrative System

• Institutional Reforms:
  • Abolished the chaotic system of prefectures and commanderies from the Northern and Southern Dynasties, implementing a streamlined two-tier "Commandery-County" system.
  • The Henan region served as a pilot area, being among the first to complete this administrative standardization.
• Long-Term Effects:
  • Laid the groundwork for the Tang Dynasty's three-tier "Circuit-Prefecture-County" system.
  • Luoyang's role as the central hub of the canal network persisted into the Northern Song Dynasty.
  • Established the prototype for the modern administrative layout of Henan, influencing the urban structures of cities like Zhengzhou and Shangqiu.

The evolution of the Henan commanderies during the Sui Dynasty exemplifies the core status of the Central Plains region under a centralized imperial system. From the construction of the Eastern Capital and the excavation of the Grand Canal to the initial stability and the subsequent turmoil of its final years, the historical trajectory of this area profoundly reflects the macro-process of the Sui Dynasty's rise and fall. Its innovations in administrative divisions and the construction of its economic network not only supported the Sui's national fortunes but also shaped the geo-political pattern of "occupying the center of the realm" for later Chinese history.