Map Introduction

I. Establishment and Evolution of the Administrative System

The eastern part of the Lingnan Circuit (most of modern Guangdong) belonged to the Lingnan Circuit in the early Tang. In the 3rd year of the Xiantong era (862 AD), due to threats from Nanzhao and administrative needs, it was separated to form the Lingnandong (Eastern Lingnan) Circuit, with its administrative seat in Guangzhou, governing 22 prefectures including Shao, Xun, and Chao Prefectures. In the 2nd year of the Qianning era (895 AD), it was granted the title "Qinghai Army Military Governor," forming an integrated military-administrative system. This structure continued until the establishment of the Southern Han regime during the Five Dynasties period. When Liu Yin served as Military Governor in the late Tang, he pacified local separatist forces. His brother, Liu Yan, later used this base to establish the Southern Han, marking the entry of the eastern Lingnan region into an era of local regimes.

II. Economic Development and Policy Implementation

The Tang Dynasty promoted agricultural development in the eastern Lingnan region through the Equal-Field System, the Tax and Corvée System, and military agricultural colonies (tuntian). This transformed the initially backward area, described as "low-lying, humid, and plagued by miasma," gradually achieving a state where "when granaries are full, people understand etiquette." Concurrently, the dredging of transportation routes and water conservancy projects facilitated trade along the Maritime Silk Road, with Guangzhou becoming an international commercial port. However, issues of "powerful landowners annexing land" persisted in ethnic enclaves. The court balanced central and local power through the system of loosely administered prefectures (jimi zhou), such as establishing 90 such prefectures.

III. Ethnic Integration and Cultural Dissemination

Long-term interaction occurred between the Li and Lao ethnic minorities and the Han Chinese in the eastern Lingnan region, evolving from "gradually admiring Chinese customs" to "largely resembling the Central Plains." Educational institutions like Songzhou Academy accelerated the spread of Central Plains culture. The Tang Dynasty employed local talent in governance; for instance, the Lady Xian family played a crucial role in suppressing rebellions. However, some flawed ethnic policies also intensified conflicts.

IV. Political Functions of Military Affairs and Transportation

Military campaigns were frequent in the eastern Lingnan region. Events like Feng Ang's suppression of a rebellion in the 5th year of Zhenguan and Zhou Rengui's campaign against Ning Chengji in the 2nd year of Shenlong highlighted its strategic importance. Transportation routes served both political and military functions. Although the eastern route was less developed than the western one, the passage from Guangzhou to Chaozhou secured central control over the frontier. After the An Lushan Rebellion, incursions by Nanzhao prompted the Tang to strengthen the defensive system in the eastern Lingnan region.

Conclusion

The evolution of the eastern Lingnan region is a microcosm of Tang frontier governance. From administrative separation to economic development, and from ethnic conflict to cultural integration, its developmental trajectory reflects both the adaptive adjustments of centralized authority and the pluralistic nature of frontier society. This process laid the foundation for the region's eventual integration into the core sphere of Chinese civilization in later periods.

Knowledge points

• Tang Dynasty
• Lingnan Road