Map Introduction

I. The Special Status and Functions of the Jingji (Capital) Circuit

The Jingji Circuit of the Northern Song Dynasty was a special cross-circuit-level administrative district established around the Eastern Capital, Kaifeng Prefecture (modern Kaifeng, Henan). Its evolution can be divided into three stages:

• Initial Establishment Phase (1053–1055 AD): First established in the 5th year of the Huangyou era, it initially governed Kaifeng Prefecture and five surrounding prefectures, including Cao and Chen. However, it was abolished in the 2nd year of the Zhihe era due to administrative reorganization.
• Re-establishment Phase (1105–1120 AD): Restored in the 4th year of the Chongning era, it incorporated Yingchang Prefecture, Zheng Prefecture, and Chan Prefecture, forming a defensive system of four auxiliary prefectures: the Eastern Auxiliary (Gong Prefecture), Southern Auxiliary (Yingchang Prefecture), Western Auxiliary (Zheng Prefecture), and Northern Auxiliary (Chan Prefecture).
• Finalization Phase (Post-1120 AD): By the 6th year of the Xuanhe era, its jurisdiction was finalized to include only the 16 counties of Kaifeng Prefecture, creating a compact administrative district. The Fiscal Intendant and the Judicial Intendant managed finances and justice respectively, while the Prefect of Kaifeng held attributes of both a central government and a local official.

II. The Military and Economic Functions of the Jingshi South Route

The Jingshi South Route (seat: Xiangyang) and the Jingshi North Route (seat: Luoyang) were originally part of the Jingshi West Route. They were separated in the 5th year of the Xining era (1072 AD) due to defensive needs. Its characteristics included:

• Military Barrier: During the Southern Song period, it became a primary battlefield against the Jin. The Xiangyang garrison and the Deng Prefecture military command formed the core of the middle Yangtze River defense.
• Economic Role: Xiang Prefecture managed taxation, while Deng Prefecture hosted military and judicial institutions. During the Chongning era, Sui Prefecture registered 30,000 households, and its textiles were sent as tribute to the court.

III. The Strategic Position of the Jingshi North Route

The Jingshi North Route (governing Henan Prefecture, Zheng Prefecture, etc.) and the Jingshi South Route jointly protected the capital. Key points in its evolution were:

• Division during the Xining Era: Triggered by the division of the Shaanxi Circuit into the Yongxingjun and Qinfeng Circuits, the Jingshi West Route was simultaneously split to strengthen management.
• Yuanfeng Adjustment (1078 AD): The Fiscal Intendant circuits were restored to the 18-circuit system, but the Judicial and Promotion Intendant circuits remained divided into 23 routes, creating a composite administrative model of "jointly managing two circuits."

IV. The Relationship between the Three Routes and Centralized Authority

The Northern Song strengthened control through the three-tier "Circuit – Prefecture/Superior Prefecture – County" system. The evolution of these three routes reflects the following characteristics:

• Dynamic Adjustment: The Jingji Circuit's jurisdiction shifted from spanning the Jingdong and Jingxi Circuits to focusing solely on Kaifeng Prefecture, reflecting the central government's direct control over the core area.
• Military Priority: The separation of the Jingshi South and North Routes and the establishment of the four auxiliary prefectures all served the national defense strategy of "strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches."

Conclusion

The evolution of these three Northern Song routes was the result of the dual forces of centralization and frontier defense needs: the Jingji Circuit strengthened control over the capital, while the Jingshi South and North Routes assumed dual military and economic functions, laying the groundwork for the Southern Song's Yangtze River defense system.

Knowledge points

• Northern Song
• Gyeonggi Road

Geographic location map

• Northern Song Dynasty Ruzhou geographical location map