Map Introduction

Origins of the Guanlong Group and its Roots in the Northern Wei Six Garrisons

The formation of the Guanlong Group can be traced back to the military system of the Six Garrisons during the Northern Wei Dynasty. To defend against southern invasions by the Rouran, the Northern Wei established six garrison towns—including Woye, Huaishuo, and Wuchuan—along its northern frontier. The garrisons were primarily manned by Xianbei soldiers and powerful Han Chinese families, forming the prototype of the Guanlong Group. Initially holding prestigious status, these garrisons declined following Emperor Xiaowen's move of the capital southward, ultimately sparking the Revolt of the Six Garrisons (523 AD), which became the catalyst for the fragmentation of the Northern Wei.

Institutional Integration during the Western Wei and Northern Zhou Periods

After the division of the Northern Wei, Yuwen Tai led remnants of the Six Garrisons into the Guanzhong and Longyou regions (Guanlong), allying with powerful Han families to establish the Western Wei regime. To consolidate his rule, Yuwen Tai implemented the Garrison Militia System (Fubing), establishing the Eight Pillar States (e.g., Li Hu, Dugu Xin) and the Twelve Great Generals, thereby forming a military aristocracy that integrated soldiering with farming. This system combined Xianbei military prowess with Han Chinese administrative methods, establishing the core structure of the Guanlong Group. During the Northern Zhou period, the Guanlong Group further strengthened its power network through strategic marriages (for instance, Dugu Xin's daughters became empress of Northern Zhou and wife of Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian).

The Sui Dynasty's Checks and Balances and Conflicts with the Guanlong Group

Although Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, was himself a product of the Guanlong Group, he sought to weaken its influence by constructing a new capital at Daxing City (Chang'an), attempting to break free from the old aristocracy's control. His son, Emperor Yang of Sui, Yang Guang, adopted more radical measures, moving the primary capital to Luoyang and favoring powerful families from the Guandong region (east of the Hangu Pass), which provoked discontent within the Guanlong Group. The rebellion led by Yang Xuangan (son of Yang Su) in 613 AD, whose participants were largely scions of Guanlong aristocratic families, reflected the internal split within the group regarding Emperor Yang's policies.

Continuation and Decline in the Tang Dynasty

The Li Yuan family belonged to the Guanlong Group, and the early Tang Dynasty still relied on its military support. However, with the expansion of the imperial examination system and the economic rise of the Guandong region, the Guanlong Group gradually lost its monopolistic position. During the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, the promotion of officials from non-elite families and the suppression of the old aristocracy accelerated the group's dissolution.

Historical Evaluation and Impact

The Guanlong Group, spanning from the Western Wei to the early Tang Dynasty, played a role in promoting multi-ethnic integration and developing the Garrison Militia System. However, its regional limitations ultimately led to its being superseded by historical progress. The historian Chen Yinke described it as the "key pivot in the political history of medieval China."