The Northern Tribes and Liu Song Dynasty, an Article inspired by Middle Kingdom

THE NORTHERN TRIBES (WU-HU) (304ad - 600ad)

South China was practically a different civilisation when compared to the North during this time. The North had already experienced the rise and fall of several Dynasties where tribes and clans all fought for sole power.

The disconnected and nomadic nature of these clans even began to indicate toward the rise of the Mongol Empire, which would form 1400 years later. It was the former Qin Dynasty from 351ad to 394ad which was the most prolific of the Northern Tribes. This Qin dynasty had taken inspiration and been founded upon the same grounds as the First Qin Dynasty. It united all 16 of the Eastern Kingdoms and established it’s capital in Xi’an.

The dynasty was successful in conquering the Western Jin and all other Northern Tribes. It would only collapse when it’s leader Fu Jian died in 385ad. The name ‘WuHu’ was a collective name for all the wild and largely nomadic Northern tribes. Whilst most of the Tribes within the state borders of now modern China joined the former Qin, the tribes of Mongolia and the North Eastern Ordos region refused. For their refusal to join and formalise under the former Qin Dynasty these tribes were deemed a threat and had a trade ban placed on them. The ban was enforced at all levels which led the Xiongnu tribe, based in the Ordos region to frequently raid the former Qin Dynasty. After several skirmishes and small battles the former Qin declared War on the Xiongnu. The Qin General Meng Tian and his forces conquered the territory in 215 BC and quickly established new agricultural settlements.

This was the first real victory of the former Qin and unified the Northern Tribes. However the North West region was not kept. The Ordos region proved too wild, culturally distinct and unwilling to join the other Northern Chinese Tribes as a Dynasty.

The region would in fact become a breeding ground for dissidents, militias and failed territory management scenarios, for both the Qin and later Han Dynasty; Both of which would gain power over the region but lose it due to peasant rebellions, overpopulation and resource depletion. 31 The wild nature and culture of the tribes which made up the Former Qin Dynasty would ultimately lead to their downfall. After a failed campaign against the Jin and several internal rebellions the Dynasty collapsed and soon returned to a Northern structure of independent tribes for 150 years. The Northern regions of the 5th and 6th century soon resembled their former selves before the Qin and collective agreements. Even more non-Chinese and nomadic settlers moved to the North and would remain in the area until this very day.

These ethnic Mongol or Turkic people would strengthen the now independent and nomadic tribes. They would go onto became the five barbarians, the five Wu or five tribes named the Xiongnu, Jie, Xianbei, Di, and Qiang.

THE LIU SONG DYNASTY (420ad – 479ad)

The Southern Song Dynasty, otherwise known as the Liu Song Dynasty rose to power in an aggressive fashion. This aggressive nature was sustained throughout it’s short lifespan of 59 years. It’s founder, Liu Yu died two years into the Dynasty which led to a line of brutal and blood thirsty rulers.

Emperors of the Liu Song were amongst some of the nastiest in all China’s history. The base line of this viscousness was set by Emperor Ming, the 11th Son of the then Emperor. He would come to power and execute all male family members and heirs to the throne. It is this viscousness displayed in the Dynasties leaders which caused peasant uprisings and the Dynasties destruction. Being so far south the Dynasty was out of reach from the Northern Tribes and would make up part of the Southern Dynasty. The Liu Song, despite it’s problems did have a lasting influence on the culture and image of Southern China. Many of the traits we imagine when thinking about Southern China today were progressed and formed in this age.

Middle Kingdom, my new series very much incorporates the topics discussed in this article. If you found it interesting Middle Kingdom is certainly worth checking out.

With China opening at the end of this year, what better book to read for your flight, the fictitious MK series or the ultimate non-fiction guide - Across China in 250 Pages.

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