Research On Tuxunjian In The Northern Area Of Erhai Lake During Ming And Qing Dynasties

Tuxunjian was an extremely important setting in the grass-roots social governance of the Ming and Qing dynasties,and it was a bridge connecting the imperial court and the localities.The northern part of the Erhai lake is located in northwest Yunnan,where there are not only many ethnic groups,but also a large number of salt wells.In addition,the northern part of Erhai lake is also at the intersection of various transportation lines,and it is also an important checkpoint for entering Tibet areas from Dali.After the Ming court incorporated the northern part of the Erhai lake into its territory,in order to consolidate the political power,the imperial court adopted the method of rule by custom in setting up a large number of Tuxunjian in the northern part of the Erhai lake to ensure the smooth flow of roads and social stability.This paper takes the Ming and Qing dynasties as its timeline and analyses the Tuxunjian of the northern Erhai region.Firstly,the reasons why the Ming court set up Tuxunjian in the northern part of the Erhai region are analysed through the introduction of the basic situation and the social background of the early Ming dynasty.Secondly,it analyses the relationship between the Tuxunjian and the local society,and the role they played in the local society,starting from their functions as guards of the main passages,military conscription and security patrols.Finally,the reasons for the decline of Tuxunjian are discussed from three aspects:the adjustment of political tactics,the change of economic policy,and the change of the current situation.The setting up of the Tuxunjian in the northern Erhai region reflected the Ming court’s control over north-western Yunnan,which was also a reintegration of the social order and facilitated the integration of different ethnic groups in the process of its existence.From its establishment to its eventual demise,it reflects the different strategies implemented by the court at different times and under different social circumstances.The study of the control and governance policies of the frontier regions during the Ming and Qing dynasties provides implications for future ethnic work and social stability in China.