Map Introduction

I. Administrative Divisions and Political Status

The Northern Song Dynasty maintained the administrative establishment of Chengdu Prefecture from the Tang Dynasty, albeit with some territorial adjustments. In the fourth year of the Qiande era (966 AD), the Zhenjing Army was renamed the Yong'an Army, which was subsequently changed to the Yongkang Army in the third year of the Taiping Xingguo era (978 AD). When the empire was divided into 15 circuits in the third year of the Zhidao era (997 AD), Chengdu fell under the Xichuan Circuit, administered from Yi Prefecture (modern Chengdu). This jurisdiction encompassed 25 prefectures, including Yi, Mei, and Shu, along with the Yongkang Army. In the fourth year of the Jiayou era (1059 AD), Yi Prefecture was elevated to Chengdu Prefecture, and the Yizhou Circuit was consequently renamed the Chengdu Prefecture Circuit, with its administrative seat remaining at Chengdu Prefecture. The territory of the Chengdu Prefecture Circuit included the entirety of modern Chengdu and areas such as Ziyang and Leshan, boasting a population of 14.84 million by 1162 AD.

II. Economic Prosperity and Urban Development

Chengdu held significant economic importance during the Northern Song. Its silk industry was described as producing "the finest and most exquisite woven patterns in the world," and its papermaking industry was nationally renowned for "Western Sichuan imprints." The tea-horse trade, conducted via the Hengshan Market, involved transactions with the Southern Song, with annual horse purchases reaching 1,500 head. The urban population was approximately 580,000, accounting for about 70% of the total population of Chengdu Prefecture, and was managed under a "one city, two counties" system (Chengdu County and Huayang County). The tradition of planting hibiscus, initiated by Meng Chang during the Later Shu period, continued, earning Chengdu the nickname "the Hibiscus City."

III. Military Defense and the Song-Yuan Wars

Chengdu's city defenses faced severe challenges in the late Northern Song. In 1236, Mongol forces attacked Shu (Sichuan) via two routes: Godan's army advanced directly on Chengdu through the Yinping Pass, while Möngke's forces maneuvered along the Min River. At that time, the Chengdu garrison numbered only around 700 troops, and conflicts between commanders Ding Fu and Zhao Yanna led to a chaotic command structure. The city ultimately fell on the 19th day of the 10th lunar month. Earlier, during the fourth year of the Chunhua era (993 AD), the rebellion led by Wang Xiaobo and Li Shun had also captured Chengdu and established the short-lived Great Shu regime, which collapsed within five months.

IV. Culture and Social Structure

Buddhist culture continued to flourish. Palatial sites from the Former and Later Shu periods were repurposed by the Northern Song into government offices. Local administration featured a tripartite power structure involving the Prefect, the Controller-general, and the Quasi-administrative District Chief. The Prefect of Chengdu, referred to as the "Guardian of Shu" or "Marshal of Shu," held combined administrative and supervisory powers. The woodblock printing industry was highly developed, with "Western Sichuan printed editions" becoming a nationally recognized brand. The saying "Yang[zhou] is first, Yi[zhou/Chengdu] is second" highlighted its status as a major commercial metropolis.

Conclusion

As the political and economic center of southwestern China during the Northern Song, Chengdu Prefecture's administrative adjustments, innovative economic models, and military defense systems profoundly influenced the historical trajectory of Sichuan and the entire nation. From the naming of the "Four Circuits of Chuanxia" to the turning points of the Song-Yuan wars, the evolution of Chengdu Prefecture serves as both a microcosm of regional development and a testament to the dynamic interplay between central and local power.