Western Wei Ethnic Relations Analysis

Er Zhurong launched the "heyin change"in528A.D,Bigwigs of Luoyang, especiallythe Northern Wei royalty suffering a devastated loss. The Chinesization of Northern Weiis forced to end up and the Northern Wei is even localized by Xianbei conversely, whichindicates that history seems to go a step backwards. Western Wei established by Yuwen Taistill insists on the reform of Chinesination and copes with the complex ethnic relations atthat time actively, which not only changes the strong east weak west situation emerging inthe beginning of the founding of the nation and laid a solid foundation for emperor Wu ofNorthern Zhou to destruct Beiqi regime, but also have positive impact on the afterflourishing age of the Sui and Tang Dynasty.This thesis is divided into three chapters:The first chapter describes a overview of the Western Wei ethnic relations."heyinchange" launched by Er Zhurong interrupted the Chinesition reform by Emperor Xiaowen.Xianbei soldiers of six towns have entered Luoyang, and they lead by Gaohuan competewith Emperor Xiaowen for the right to rule supreme. After emperor Xiaowu fails, heretreats westward to Guanzhong, then killed by YuwenTai. And Yuanbao Ju takes thethrone to establish the Xiwei regime. The new Western Wei takes Su Chuo’s "six edict" forthe reform agenda, which not only restored the domestic economy, but also combines thelocal literati and expands the rule foundation so that national prosperity gradually changedthe strategic situation of strong west to weak east.The second chapter describes the relationships between Western Wei and Rouran.Rouran becomes increasingly powerful since the Shelun reign, so “it becomes a bigtrouble for soldiers in the frontier”. In the following hundred years, Rouran and theZhongyuan dynasty sometimes in wartime and sometimes in peace. In Western Wei period,Yuwen Tai adheres to the “keeping peace with Rouran” policies and he makes efforts toachieve this by marriage between people of two countries. So that the two sides maintain astate of peace and at the same time they continue to communicate by other means. The third chapter introduces the relations of Western Wei and Eastern Wei. After GaoHuan unseats emperor Xiaowu, he makes Yuan Shanjian emperor and establishes EasternWei dynasty. Based on the powerful military advantages, Eastern Wei continue to launchwars against the Western Wei to unified the northern area but the result is ultimatelyunsatisfying. The two sides also competing to cozy up to Rouran to make it foreign aidand to give pressure to the other side.Ethnic relations during the Western Wei dynasty has two features. Firstly, the firstConcorde, sometimes moving along; Secondly, keeping peace with the North and refusethe East. Analysis of Western Wei ethnic relations benefits us a lot to deal withcontemporary ethnic relations.