Map Introduction

I. Administrative Evolution and Geographical Scope

The Liangzhe Route of the Northern Song Dynasty was one of the fifteen routes established across the empire in the 3rd year of the Zhidao era (997 AD). Its territory was divided by the Qiantang River into Western Zhe (including Suzhou and Hangzhou) and Eastern Zhe (including Mingzhou and Yuezhou), encompassing the entirety of modern Zhejiang, southern Jiangsu, Shanghai, and parts of eastern Fujian. After the 4th year of the Xianping era (1001 AD), and following the separation of the Jiangnan East Route, the Liangzhe Route stabilized its administrative boundaries, becoming the core economic region of the Northern Song.

II. Economic Status and Development

By the mid-Northern Song period, the Liangzhe Route had become the nation's economic center of gravity. During the Yuanfeng era (1078–1085 AD), its population reached 1.77 million households, ranking first in the country, and its land reclamation rate of 296 mu per square kilometer far exceeded the national average. Its economic success stemmed from:

• Water Conservancy Projects: The seawall project in Hangzhou evolved from bamboo-crib revetments to stone embankments (during the Qingli era). The dredging of West Lake (overseen by Su Shi) ensured irrigation for thousands of qing of farmland.
• Agricultural Innovation: The promotion of Champa rice in the 4th year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era (1011 AD) and the implementation of multiple cropping systems propelled its grain yield to first place nationally.
• Handicrafts and Commerce: It had highly developed silk weaving and porcelain industries. Mingzhou (Ningbo) served as a major port for foreign trade.

III. Administrative Adjustments

In the early Southern Song period (after 1127 AD), the Liangzhe Route was split into the Liangzhe East Route (seat: Yuezhou) and the Liangzhe West Route (seat: Pingjiang Prefecture). Its territorial scope was reduced to Zhejiang and parts of southern Jiangsu, yet its economic importance continued to grow.

IV. Cultural and Social Influence

The Liangzhe Route played a pivotal role in the cultural transformation of the Northern Song:

• Education: It ranked among the top regions in the number of private academies (shuyuan), and its scholars constituted 30% of the successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations.
• Maritime Trade: Maritime Trade Supervisorates were established in Mingzhou and Hangzhou, facilitating frequent exchanges with Goryeo (Korea) and Japan.
• Urban Development: Hangzhou's population exceeded 200,000, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time.

V. Comparison with Liao Dynasty Administrative Regions

Contemporaneously, the Liao Dynasty's Middle Capital, Dading Prefecture (modern Ningcheng, Inner Mongolia), served as a military stronghold, presenting a stark contrast to the Liangzhe Route: the former emphasized border defense and control, while the latter excelled in economic and cultural pursuits, highlighting the differences between agrarian and nomadic civilizations.