Map Introduction

I. Establishment Background and Initial Integration

The Qinfeng Circuit, a crucial northwestern frontier defense zone of the Northern Song Dynasty, was established as an administrative unit in the 5th year of the Xining era (1072 AD) following the division of the Shaanxi Circuit. Its administrative seat was located at Qin Prefecture (modern Tianshui, Gansu), and its jurisdiction encompassed most of modern Gansu, southern Ningxia, and eastern Qinghai. This restructuring stemmed from the Northern Song's strategic defensive needs against the Western Xia, strengthening border control through a dual-management system combining the Fiscal Intendant circuit and the Military-Pacification Commissioner circuit. Initially governing 1 superior prefecture (Fengxiang), 12 prefectures, 3 military districts, and 38 counties, it gradually evolved into a more complex structure of 1 superior prefecture, 19 prefectures, 5 military districts, and 48 counties following military expansions.

II. Military Expansion and Administrative Adjustments

The evolution of the Qinfeng Circuit was closely tied to the Song-Xia Wars:

• Xihe Campaign: Wang Shao recaptured prefectures like Tao and He in the 4th year of Xining (1071 AD), leading to the addition of new administrative units such as Xi Prefecture, He Prefecture, and Lan Prefecture. This drove population growth from 120,000 households in the 5th year of the Taiping Xingguo era (980 AD) to 360,000 households in the 1st year of the Yuanfeng era (1078 AD).
• Defense System: Boundary fortifications like the Gongmen Stronghold and Yongqing Stronghold were constructed, forming an agricultural-military defensive line composed of Zhenrong Army, Yuan Prefecture, and Wei Prefecture.
• Later Adjustments: While new prefectures like Xi'an Prefecture and Hui Prefecture were added in the 2nd year of the Yuanfu era (1099 AD), household numbers in some prefectures declined again by the 1st year of the Chongning era (1102 AD) due to the ravages of war.

III. Economy and Demographic Changes

This circuit exhibited dual military and migratory characteristics:

• Military Farm Economy: Long-term deforestation in the upper Wei River valley led to ecological degradation. However, newly developed areas like Lan Prefecture and Xi Prefecture achieved self-sufficiency through military agricultural colonies.
• Population Fluctuation: The average annual growth rate during the Yuanfeng era reached 10.9%, the highest in the north. However, the burning of hundreds of li of territory by Western Xia forces in the 2nd year of the Zhiping era (1065 AD) under Emperor Yingzong caused a sharp, short-term population decline.

IV. Abolition in the Jin Dynasty and Historical Legacy

The Qinfeng Circuit was abolished in the 2nd year of the Huangtong era (1142 AD) of the Jin Dynasty, with its territories incorporated into the Fengxiang Circuit and other administrative units. The circuit's evolution reflects the Northern Song's governance logic of "using border resources to sustain border governance":

• Institutional Innovation: The separation of powers between the Military-Pacification Commissioner and the Fiscal Intendant.
• Cultural Integration: It became a convergence zone for Han Chinese, Tibetans, and Tanguts.