A Study On The Yan(Guangyang) State In Western Han Dynasty

As one of the most important states of western Han dynasty,Yan(Guangyang)is of great value in politics,ethnic as well as economy.In the political sphere,the change process of Yan,which experienced two un-Liu-surname vassal kings,a Lu-surname vassal king and finally returned to Liu-surname vassal king,could reflect the switch from ruling the country together to ruling it on one's own.The fall of those un-Liu-surname vassal kings reflects the political pattern in early Han dynasty,which is connected by benefit.With the development of centralization of authority Yan's domain was cut to only four counties.Therefore,Yan had been run through the evolution of feudalism system and county-state parallel system in western Han dynasty.Treason planned by Liu Dan in middle western Han dynasty reveals loopholes of the indecisive heir system.Located in the north frontier,Yan covered over Guangyang,Shanggu,Yuyang,You Beiping,Liaodong,Liaoxi in the early western Han dynasty.Except for Guangyang,the five counties else was all border counties.That is the reason why ethnic relationships,the politics and military subjects related come to be such important subjects in the study.In one side,the central of Han had to take precautions against the possibility of seducing Xiongnu by Yan's vassal king.So emperor Jing of Han cut Yan's whole five border counties in 154 BC so that the central could reduce the risk.On the other side,Yan was always an important defense against northern tribes.Economically,the Yan,which located on the border of agriculture and animal husbandry,mainly manages the compound economy.The geographical condition offers Yan an advantage in animal husbandry.An abundant in mineral resources drove a progress to the local Metallurgical industry.In agricultural sphere,Yan had no advantage comparing to inland counties,however,it can still be self-sufficient depending on the iron implements manufacturing and the developed local forest plantations.Depending on the geographical position bordering to northern tribes,Yan had derived a unique border trade.