A Study On The Relationship Between The Ming Court And Mongolia

The present dissertation inquires into the relationship and its development between the Ming court and Mongolia with an emphasis on the reciprocal policies of both sides and the Ming defence against Mongolia.The text proper consists of two parts: Part One deals with the policy of the Ming court towards Mongolia and that of Mongolia towards the Ming authorities. The whole essay covers the time from the Tu Mu Incident to Altan's being awarded the title of Wang and his paying tribute to the Ming court. For convenience's sake for discussion, the paper deals with the first, the second and the last stages of Ming domination respectively. In the first stage ,we dwell upon the Ming policy towards Mongolia during the reign of Hung-wu (1368-1398), readjustment and development of Ming policy towards Mongolia during the reign of Yong-le (1403-1424) and the Ming emperors Ren Zong and Xuan Zong's pacification of and defence against Mongolia.The middle stage is characterized by the Ming court's passivity and conservatism in its policy towards Mongolia, which was replaced by one of tenacious self-defence and perfunctory treatment of issues. The last stage of the Ming policy includes two aspects: one is barter and tribute payment combined with battle and defence, the other is religious and cultural measures.In the mean time, the author also touches upon the corresponding policies Mongolia adopted in different stages towards the Ming government. For the first stage, the author reveals the various attitudes on the part of the Mongolian khan and his influential minister of Northern Yuan towards the Ming court ;for the middle stage, is shown the Mongols' tribute-plunder policy adopted by Yesen Khan down to Mandulu Khan; Dayan Khan's demand for intercourse with the Ming court on an equal footing based on his power, a peaceful policy or one exacting peace through warfare. The last stage is characterized by Mongolia's formulating of relevant laws and institutions against Ming's title awarding and exacting tribute.The most important and permanent measures in the Ming's policy towards Mongolia was to defend itself against the Mongols, the direct result of which was the establishment of Nine-border defence system. Therefore Part Two of the present dissertation is devoted to a study of the nine-border defence system. Firstly, on how the nine borders were established, including the dates and process of their town building. Secondly, on official titles and positions in the nine borders including military officers, eunuchs and civil officials. And lastly, on the defence system in the nine borders, discussing in a new perspective how the Great Wall and its fortifications were built, their role in defence against Mongolia and the influence they have ever since exerted. At the same time, the author puts forwards her own views on the organizational system of the nine-border army, its composition, personnel quotas and how their military expenditure was used.