A Study On The Seasonal Military Defence System In Southern Song

Since Shang and Zhou Dynasty,Ethnic minorities in north China traditionally invade Central Plains in autumn and winter.In order to responding to their invasion,central dynasties took corresponding seasonal defence,and it finally became a formal system in mid-Tang,which was named as Autumn-defence.Song Dynasty succeeded Autumn-defence system from Tang Dynasty and developed it.Jin Dynasty maintained its tradition invading Central Plains in autumn.In order to fight against its seasonal invasion,Southern Song strengthens its defence in autumn and winter,which is called Autumn-defence system.Autumn-defence lasts from August to February next year in broad sense,while it lasts from August to November in narrow sense.Southern Song took some special strategies and actions rely on the lakes and rivers based on the abundant water resources in south China,which is absolutely different from Northern Song and earlier dynasties.Fangqiubing consists of Tunzhudajun,local army and Sanyazhujun,and its majority changed from Tunzhudajun to Sanyazhujun in Gaozong period.Provisions and funds for Autumn-defence collected by both central and local government,and the later one accounts for a large proportion.As a significant part of national defence,Autumn-defence system deeply influenced politics,military,economy and diplomatic relationship between Song and Jin Dynasty.Between Northern Song and Ming Dynasty,the Autumn-defence system in Southern Song Dynasty has its' unique place in Chinese ancient Autumn-defence history.