Studies On The Logistics Management System Of Liao Military

Logistic management system is an important military institution of ancient China. Different from central China, the logistic management system of Liao military has its own characteristics. Due to the lack of data, so far studies on the logistic management system of Liao military are rare. This paper sets out to analyze, describe the form, content of the logistic management system of Liao military with case studies, hoping to get a panorama view of the system.In the introduction part, the significance of choosing this topic, current studies on this topic, difficulties and innovations of the study will be touched upon. Its serves as the starting point of this thesis, and gives an overview of previous accomplishments and the methodologies they adopt.This thesis is divided into three parts according to the form and content of the logistic management system of Liao military.The first chapter focuses on the different developing phases of the logistic system. First of all, Liao dynasty was set up by ancient northern Khitan minority. Due to the restriction of geographical location and productivity, the early agricultural development of Khitan lags far behind and could not provide enough food for military. Secondly, Khitan minority has always lived on Dacaogu, a kind of military logistics system which relies on marauding food and forage, ever since they set up the tribe. As a result, in the early years of Liao dynasty, the Liao military get their logistics support mainly through robbing. But during this period, as the Liao military constantly invade central china, especially since Song Taizong occupied the Yanyun 16 states, Liao's agriculture gains some development. Meanwhile, a number of generals leading their armies surrender to Liao dynasty and bring the supply system into being. But in this period, the supply system is still at its initial stage and takes up only a small proportion. By the time of Sheng Zong, marauding has been forbidden and storing food and armories before war has been institutionalized. At this time, the Liao rulers promote the development of agriculture and group grazing has been popularized. All these phenomena show that fixed supply system has replaced marauding and become the major form logistic system. Horses are another important aspect of the Liao logistic management system. In the early years, horses are mainly kept and raised by soldiers. As the system of group herding develops, the government is in charge of raising and supplying horses. Except for this feature, during war time, horses for civilian uses are also taken over by the state.The second chapter gives a detailed account of the logistic management system of Liao military. First of all, the supplies of food and forage can be divided into two periods which differ enormously before and after Sheng Zong's ruling. In the first period, robbing and marauding effective guarantee the supplies of food and forage of Liao military. What is more, such activities can also mislead the enemies. Later, as Liao continues to develop its agriculture and the drawbacks of robbing begin to arise, Liao rulers began to ban robbing and replace it with fixed supply system. The supply of horses mainly derives from the following three channels: horses of soldiers, horses of the state, and of civilians. In addition to the supply of horses, there are also the supplies of armories. Like the dynasties in central china, the selling and purchasing of iron is monopolized by the government, which is inconsistent with the record of LiaoShi. In this book, soldiers are said to prepare armories all by their own. It is unrealistic for soldiers to prepare large numbers of weapons all on their own, since this will impose a great burden on them. Therefore, the author believes that the supplies of weapons must have been shared by both soldiers and the government. A number of posts in charge of iron smelting are also designated by Liao dynasty to ensure the supply of weapons. The weapons of Liao are mainly produced by Xi people, which can be seen in the record of Song officials who serves as an envoy to Liao.The third chapter mainly deals with the function and effect of the logistics management system. The logistics system with minority characteristics is suitable for their military maneuver, and plays an important role in their victory in wars. But with the development of agriculture, the drawback of this system becomes obvious and must be reformed. Besides, the agriculture is already able to supply food at this time. Both Jin and Yuan dynasties have inherited the logistics management system of Liao. Jin's logistics system is very much like that of Liao's in early years. It is only in the latter part; Jin dynasty develops a new agricultural system called Tuntian, which is a step forward than Liao. Yuan not only inherits the logistics system of previous dynasties, but also develop them based on its own characteristics by setting up special agency and institutionalized the system.The last chapter is the conclusion part, and gives an summary of the whole thesis.