A Study Of Tributary Envoys From The Western Regions In The Early Ming Dynasty

Since the empty trip with Zhang Qian,the central dynasties attached great importance to the relations with the Western regions.At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty,part of the remnants of yuan in the northwest frontier forces,for the hidden trouble of the Ming dynasty.In order to the country to peace,on the one hand the Ming rulers sent troops deep into the desert to combat the remnants of the mongolian forces,on the other hand,they attracted Western regions and strengthened the connections with them.Western regions for their own interests,have established tributary relations with the Ming government and sent regular envoys to the Ming.The tributary mission consists of people from different walks of life,either as religious figures or as secular official,they followed the procedures specified in Ming government,go back and forth ancient Silk Roads,and rejuvenate the once-depressed Silk Road.The Ming government generally gave munificent treatment to the Western Region envoys in China,which is reflected in their food,clothing,housing,and trade.The Ming government has a set of rules to receive and manage the western region envoys,these considerably implement the basic principle of “give people more and ask for less”,“make people in back lands submit to you with policy of mollification”.The Ming government inherited the former old system that granted different officials to the envoys who came to the tribute.At the same time,asked them to abide by the decree of the Ming dynasty and they mus obey the ban."Tribute system" and "returning gifts" are the most important ways for the political and economic exchanges between the Western Regions and the Ming government.The tributary envoys from far away have frequently exported horses,jade and rare birds from the Western Regions to the Ming Dynasty.The Ming government often gave them generous reward for their sincerely tributary and showed the demeanor of the heavenly kingdom.As a bridge between the Ming Dynasty and the Western Regions,the tributary envoys have continuously strengthened the contacts between the two sides in terms of politics,economy,culture,etc.,and finally made the tributary system reach its peak in the early Ming Dynasty.