Map Introduction

The Historical Status and Geographical Features of the Hedong Region in the Tang Dynasty

The Hedong region (modern Shanxi Province) held immense strategic importance during the Tang Dynasty. Its geographical environment, described as "protected by mountains and rivers," formed a natural fortress: bordered by the Taihang Mountains to the east, the Yellow River to the west, the Great Wall to the north, and the Zhongtiao Mountains to the south. This topography made it easily defensible and exerted geographical pressure on the twin capitals of Chang'an and Luoyang, rendering Hedong pivotal to the Tang Dynasty's fortunes. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Li Yuan used Taiyuan as his base to raise an army, march south, and establish the Tang Dynasty. Conversely, in the late Tang, the loss of control over the Military Governor of Hedong, Li Keyong, directly contributed to Zhu Wen's usurpation of the Tang throne.

Administrative Divisions and Economy of the Hedong Circuit

The Tang-era Hedong Circuit encompassed the entirety of modern Shanxi and parts of modern Hebei and Inner Mongolia. Its capital, Taiyuan, was designated the "Northern Capital," ranking alongside Chang'an and Luoyang as one of the "Three Capitals." Its economy was primarily agricultural, supported by advanced irrigation works like the Jinshui Irrigation Area and the Huoquan Canal, which made Hedong a crucial national grain-producing region, ranking second in grain storage. Additionally, the salt industry (Yuncheng Salt Lake) and mining/metallurgy (iron and copper extraction) bolstered state finances, while handicraft products such as silk and scissors were traded as far as the Western Regions.

Military and Political Role

Hedong served as the Tang frontier against northern peoples like the Turks and Khitans. The Taiyuan garrison, composed of "Tribal and Han infantry and cavalry," was a highly effective fighting force. After the An Lushan Rebellion, the power of the Military Governor of Hedong expanded significantly. Figures of Shatuo descent like Li Cunxu and Shi Jingtang used Hedong as a power base to establish the Later Tang and Later Jin dynasties respectively, leading to the phenomenon that "three of the Five Dynasties originated from Hedong." The Northern Han regime also relied on Hedong to resist the Later Zhou and Northern Song for nearly three decades.

Cultural and Social Influence

As the birthplace of the Li-Tang imperial house, Hedong received special attention from the court. Wu Zetian's hometown in Wenshui and Emperor Xuanzong's experience as an official in Lu Prefecture further reinforced its political symbolism. The region was a notable site of ethnic integration, where Shatuo, Turks, and Han Chinese lived together, fostering a distinct military culture.

Conclusion

The Hedong region played a dual role in the Tang Dynasty as both the "Cradle of the Dynasty" and the "Empire's Sorrow." Its unique geographical, economic, and military characteristics profoundly influenced the historical trajectory of the Tang Dynasty and the subsequent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.