Map Introduction

Administrative Evolution of the Hedong Commanderies in the Sui Dynasty

In the early Sui period, the administrative structure of the Hedong region initially followed the old system of the Northern Zhou, maintaining the three-tier system of Provinces (Zhou), Commanderies (Jun), and Counties (Xian). In 583 AD, Emperor Wen of Sui implemented the reform of "Abolishing the Commanderies and Preserving the Provinces," eliminating the commandery level and establishing direct provincial control over counties. Former administrative units in Hedong, such as Hedong Commandery and Fen Province, were abolished and replaced by provincial-level units like Pu Province and Jiang Province. In 607 AD, Emperor Yang of Sui converted the provinces back into commanderies, restoring the two-tier commandery-county system. The Hedong region saw the re-establishment of Hedong Commandery, administering 10 counties including Hedong County (modern Yongji), Sangquan County (modern Linyi), and Anyi County (modern Yuncheng). The commandery seat was set at Hedong County. This adjustment strengthened central control over the Hedong salt-producing region and laid the groundwork for the subsequent establishment of the "Hedong Circuit" in the Tang Dynasty.

Economic and Demographic Development

The Sui Dynasty implemented the Equal-Field System (juntian zhi) and household registration reforms in the Hedong region. In 585 AD, practices like "Great Inspection and Verification (dasuo maoyue)" and the "Tax Household Method (shuji zhi fa)" were carried out to uncover concealed households, leading to significant population growth in Hedong Commandery. By 609 AD, the total number of registered households in Hedong Commandery reached 157,078. Estimating five individuals per household, the population was approximately 785,000, making it one of the densely populated areas in northern China. The salt industry continued to thrive; the Anyi Salt Lake remained a pillar of state finances, and the state monopoly on salt and iron was further consolidated, stimulating the development of industries like ceramics and textiles. The Yongji Canal (northern section), constructed during Emperor Yang's reign, connected the Qin River and the Yellow River, enhancing water transport links between Hedong and Hebei.

Military and Strategic Significance

Hedong Commandery was located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, serving as the eastern gateway guarding Guanzhong (and the capital Chang'an). During Emperor Wen's reign, Pu Province (the former Hedong Commandery) became a key military stronghold for defending against Göktürk incursions from the north and was garrisoned with elite troops. During the fragmentation of the late Sui, the Hedong region served as a strategic springboard for Li Yuan's rebellion: in 617 AD, Li Yuan marched south from Taiyuan, captured Hedong Commandery, then crossed the Yellow River westward to seize Chang'an, providing crucial support for the establishment of the Tang Dynasty.

Cultural and Social Changes

The Sui Dynasty promoted sinicization policies in the Hedong region, continuing the legacy of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei's reforms, which led to further integration between the Xianbei and Han Chinese. Pu Province, as a center of Buddhist propagation, preserved religious structures from the Northern Wei period, such as the Wangu Monastery, while also incorporating cultural elements from the Southern Dynasties. The imperial examination system began to take root here; scions of Hedong gentry families entered the bureaucracy through examinations, exemplified by figures like the renowned Sui official Pei Yun (a native of Wenxi), who hailed from a prominent Hedong lineage.

Late Sui Turmoil and Transition

In 617 AD, after Emperor Yang of Sui was assassinated in Jiangdu, Hedong Commandery became a focal point of contention between Tang forces and remnants of the Sui regime. After Li Yuan secured control of the area, he incorporated it into the Tang core territory, maintaining the Sui-era commandery-county administrative framework. The administrative adjustments and economic foundations laid during this period paved the way for the prosperity of the "Hedong Circuit" in the Tang Dynasty, ensuring Hedong's continued role as a political, economic, and cultural hub in northern China.