The Research On The Pass Of The Song Dynasty

Developed transport and convenient road conditions in Song Dynasty promoted economic development and cultural prosperity. A pass, which was used to defense at the boarder, was especially paid attention by Song Dynasty. In order to strengthen the management of the Pass, Song Dynasty established authorities from central to local so as to control the development, management, specific implementation of Pass system. This article will elaborate the pass system of Song Dynasty from four parts.In the first part, the origin and the management system of the Pass will be elaborated. It could be traced back to the early Western Zhou Dynasty about the set of the Pass according to the research literature, in the Spring and Autumn Period it became to the peak, Qin was the formation period, Han Dynasty followed, Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty perfected, and until Song Dynasty, some new passes were built for Song Dynasty’s own needs. The management system of the Pass in Song Dynasty was divided into central level and local level, which did not interfere each other within their duties.In the second part, the functions of the Pass will be elaborated. The most important function absolutely was "external defense" and "internal governance", in other words, maintaining social stability and resisting foreign invasion. As important points set in the border crossings, the Pass also carried the function of levying taxes, and this was the economical function, so that the government could increase revenues. The Pass also had diplomatic function, through the passes and the ports, the government could have exchanges with foreign countries and attract more foreign investors, and as a result, promoting the economic and cultural prosperity.In the third part,various laws of the Pass were formulated as a consequence of frequent wars both in and out of the nation. In order to maintain internal unity and the social stability, Song Dynasty made policies about people passing in and out country. According to the laws, people passing in and out country should have certificates issued by government, and only after checking could they pass through. Soldierswho passed a pass, experienced a stage from strict to loose then to strict. Merchants needed to pay taxes when passing, and this also applies to the officers whose family members engaged in commercial activities. In the end, for different violations found during the checking, there were clear sentencing provisions, from which we can see the strict set of the Pass in Song Dynasty.Another form of the Pass in Song Dynasty-City Gate is elaborated in the fourth part. As barriers, the set of the Pass was to guard traffic fortress, check people passing in and out country, so that it could help on military affairs. But there was another form of the Pass, it was not set for the purpose of war, in another way, it played same important role as the Pass, the form was City Gate. As the necessary land for people passing in and out a city, City Gate also was an very important system, especially in the Tokyo city, capital of Song Dynasty. This part detailed writes the management measures about the City Gate in Tokyo city, tough regulations about passing in and out the City Gate, and the open and close time of the City Gate.