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Chapter 57: Zhongguo: Song, Lia and Xin and the Eastern Steppe
Let us begin by taking a look at China. China itself has not yet been covered, although one of the previous updates spoke of the Khitan Liao realm of northern China.
View attachment 478736
A political map of the area discussed
China during the 11th century is ruled by the Song dynasty, and consist mostly of the regions between the Yellow River and the South China Sea.
Song China would indeed be quite sophisticated and socially complex. The cities of Kaifeng and Hangzhou would have more than a million inhabitants each. Social welfare programmes, such as retirement homes and public clinics would have been established.
The core of China has shifted southwards during this time. This is caused, well, by the fact that the north was occupied by the Liao, but not only because of that. The population growth in the south was much faster than in the north. Especially the region of Fujian (1) experienced a dramatic population growth. The coastal regions would prosper due to maritime trade and shipbuilding industry. Maritime trade and contact would be maintained mainly with the realms of Indochina, such as Khmer, Champa, Srivijaya, with the Indian Subcontinent and even the Middle East. Contact was even present with the East African Coast, while of course natural contact was also with Korea and Japan.
Southern China would be also hit by intense deforestation: not only to provide for more living space for the south´s rapidly growing population, but also to burn charcoal in the furnaces to smelt iron. While the iron industry was very widespread as were the deposits of iron ore, precious metals were not. Therefore, Song China would be the first in the world to issue paper money.
The state administration during this period would also change quite dramatically. While the Tang China would be a quasi-feudal society, relying on aristocracy, the society of Song China would move away from this model and go for the bureaucratic administration. Indeed the Chinese civil service and the meritocratic model would become associated to China. Bureaucrats would educated in schools and pass imperial exams – this would be a tool for upward social mobility (should you be lucky enough to go to school).The postal service would provide communication throughout the vast empire of China. Postal offices were also integral parts of the Chinese civil service. The country would be held together by a system of roads, and many new bridges were built during this period
View attachment 478739
Religions of China and the Steppes
Foreign religions in China have been purged to great extent by the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution, under the later Tang dynasty. The foundation of monasteries had become a major social issue, as many people would retreat to monasteries and classical family bonds would be broken. Furthermore, the monks themselves would not be active neither in agriculture nor in other forms of economic activity. Rather, monasteries would function at the expenses of the others.
The main target were Buddhist monasteries, yet other religions viewed as foreign would be targeted as well – be they Nestorian Christians, Manicheans or Zoroastrians (2). However, presence of these minorities would continue – especially the city Guangzhou (3) would host a significant Christian community, practically dominating the commerce.
Manichaeism in the lands of the Song dynasty would be suppressed; nevertheless, Manicheans manage to cling on to their faith secretly in the southeast of the country.
The Buddhist Tangut realm of Xi-Xia continues to dominate the Hexi corridor. Vajrayana Buddhism would be the major religion in this realm. A Nestorian archbishopric would be present in the area, and it would become known to Nestorian monks as Beth Tuptaye (meaning House/Land of Tibetans)
Administrative divisions of the Liao
The Liao dynasty would continue to dominate northern China, Outer Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, Outer and inner Manchuria as well as northern Korea. As mentioned previously, the governing a realm half nomadic and half sedentary is practically very difficult, and the Liao divided the area into a northern and southern administration. This hoped to solve the problem, however this administrative model would be further elaborated, with the southern region being divided into four.
The eastern region (Dongjing) would consist of parts of Inner Manchuria and northern Korea. Previously, this area was part of the old kingdom of Balhae.
The central region (Zhongjing) had previously been inhabited by the Hsi, a Mongolic people. The Liao intended to build here a major city, as the climate was very temperate: however, only a few Chinese colonists arrived.
The southern region based around Nanjing (4) was heavily taxed. Rice fields were banned, as the canals were deemed to make Liao cavalry ineffective.
The western region (Xijing) had no features of note, except being populated by ethnic Chinese. The bureaucrats in the south would be mainly ethnic Chinese. They would have a large freedom in decision-making; however they would be deprived of control over the military.
The geographically largest portion of the country was administered from Shangjing and belonged to the northern region. These areas would be populated mostly by nomadic, Khitan and Mongolic peoples, and thus could be administered in the traditional nomadic way. However, there would be still a considerable sedentary population, which would also be governed in a southerly way.
Yurts were the basic housing of the Steppe dwellers
Among the tribes of the north were also the Keraites. The Keraites living in south-central Outer Mongolia would convert to Nestorian Chrisitianity (according to the legend one of their khans got lost in the snowy winter mountains, and then he had a vision of Saint Sergius). Who knows, how it really was. However on all accounts, the khan would seek Nestorian merchants. They would pass the knowledge of Abwun d´Bwashmayo (5), Lakhu Mara (6) and Qadisha Alaha (7). The khan would be baptized at Navekath (8). The Keraites later petition the Patriarch of Qtespon, whether they could be exempt from the usual way of fasting, for their diet consists mostly of milk and meat.
The reply from Mesopotamia stated that they were allowed to drink milk; however, meat-eating during the Lent would be forbidden. Furthermore, they ought to search for wine and wheat sources to allow Eucharist celebration.
The conversion to Chrisitendom would be followed also by other Mongolic clans, most importantly the Naimans, living on the eastern slopes of the Altai mountains, and the Onguts at the Yellow River bend.
A diocese would be established for the “Lands of Naimans, Keraits and Onguts”,
Outside of Liao rule, the Khamag Mongols, the Merkits, the Buryats and the Tatars would continue to rule their small khanates, as well as the Kyrgyzes, a Siberian Turkic people based around the upper Yenisei basin.
Due to Mongolic clan dynamics, the Buryat tribe takes over the northwestern shores of Lake Baikal, the ancestral lands of the Kurykans. The Kurykans are thus expelled and move downstream the river Lena, arriving in Yakutia (9).
A view of the Yakut´s new home
The vast expanses of the northeasternmost extensions of Asia appear to be populated by Evens and Lamuts, Tungusic peoples in the central regions, and more ancient populations of Kamchatkan, Yukaghiric and Yeniseian (Ket) tribes. Each new wave of incomers from the south appears to have had a technological advantage over the previous tribes. Therefore, the Tungusic peoples had displaced the original Yukaghiric and Yeniseian peoples; and the Sakha took over Tungusic tribes on the Middle Lena.
(1) The area opposite Taiwan
(2) Zoroastrian diaspora in China would be less numerous due to no Islamic conquest of Iran; it would rather consist more of merchants and commoners, than major noble families and the elite.
(3) Canton. Historically Muslim. Here, I´m presuming that this role would be taken over by Nestorians.
(4) The contemprorary name for Beijing. Beijing means northern capital; for the Liao, however, it has at the southern borders
(5) Lord’s Prayer
(6) Te Deum
(7) Trisagion
(8) Navekath, Kyrgyzstan. Historically, Merv. Here, the Church of the ast is more widespread, without islam.
(9) Yes this happened.
View attachment 478736
A political map of the area discussed
China during the 11th century is ruled by the Song dynasty, and consist mostly of the regions between the Yellow River and the South China Sea.
Song China would indeed be quite sophisticated and socially complex. The cities of Kaifeng and Hangzhou would have more than a million inhabitants each. Social welfare programmes, such as retirement homes and public clinics would have been established.
The core of China has shifted southwards during this time. This is caused, well, by the fact that the north was occupied by the Liao, but not only because of that. The population growth in the south was much faster than in the north. Especially the region of Fujian (1) experienced a dramatic population growth. The coastal regions would prosper due to maritime trade and shipbuilding industry. Maritime trade and contact would be maintained mainly with the realms of Indochina, such as Khmer, Champa, Srivijaya, with the Indian Subcontinent and even the Middle East. Contact was even present with the East African Coast, while of course natural contact was also with Korea and Japan.
Southern China would be also hit by intense deforestation: not only to provide for more living space for the south´s rapidly growing population, but also to burn charcoal in the furnaces to smelt iron. While the iron industry was very widespread as were the deposits of iron ore, precious metals were not. Therefore, Song China would be the first in the world to issue paper money.
The state administration during this period would also change quite dramatically. While the Tang China would be a quasi-feudal society, relying on aristocracy, the society of Song China would move away from this model and go for the bureaucratic administration. Indeed the Chinese civil service and the meritocratic model would become associated to China. Bureaucrats would educated in schools and pass imperial exams – this would be a tool for upward social mobility (should you be lucky enough to go to school).The postal service would provide communication throughout the vast empire of China. Postal offices were also integral parts of the Chinese civil service. The country would be held together by a system of roads, and many new bridges were built during this period
View attachment 478739
Religions of China and the Steppes
Foreign religions in China have been purged to great extent by the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution, under the later Tang dynasty. The foundation of monasteries had become a major social issue, as many people would retreat to monasteries and classical family bonds would be broken. Furthermore, the monks themselves would not be active neither in agriculture nor in other forms of economic activity. Rather, monasteries would function at the expenses of the others.
The main target were Buddhist monasteries, yet other religions viewed as foreign would be targeted as well – be they Nestorian Christians, Manicheans or Zoroastrians (2). However, presence of these minorities would continue – especially the city Guangzhou (3) would host a significant Christian community, practically dominating the commerce.
Manichaeism in the lands of the Song dynasty would be suppressed; nevertheless, Manicheans manage to cling on to their faith secretly in the southeast of the country.
The Buddhist Tangut realm of Xi-Xia continues to dominate the Hexi corridor. Vajrayana Buddhism would be the major religion in this realm. A Nestorian archbishopric would be present in the area, and it would become known to Nestorian monks as Beth Tuptaye (meaning House/Land of Tibetans)
Administrative divisions of the Liao
The Liao dynasty would continue to dominate northern China, Outer Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, Outer and inner Manchuria as well as northern Korea. As mentioned previously, the governing a realm half nomadic and half sedentary is practically very difficult, and the Liao divided the area into a northern and southern administration. This hoped to solve the problem, however this administrative model would be further elaborated, with the southern region being divided into four.
The eastern region (Dongjing) would consist of parts of Inner Manchuria and northern Korea. Previously, this area was part of the old kingdom of Balhae.
The central region (Zhongjing) had previously been inhabited by the Hsi, a Mongolic people. The Liao intended to build here a major city, as the climate was very temperate: however, only a few Chinese colonists arrived.
The southern region based around Nanjing (4) was heavily taxed. Rice fields were banned, as the canals were deemed to make Liao cavalry ineffective.
The western region (Xijing) had no features of note, except being populated by ethnic Chinese. The bureaucrats in the south would be mainly ethnic Chinese. They would have a large freedom in decision-making; however they would be deprived of control over the military.
The geographically largest portion of the country was administered from Shangjing and belonged to the northern region. These areas would be populated mostly by nomadic, Khitan and Mongolic peoples, and thus could be administered in the traditional nomadic way. However, there would be still a considerable sedentary population, which would also be governed in a southerly way.
Yurts were the basic housing of the Steppe dwellers
Among the tribes of the north were also the Keraites. The Keraites living in south-central Outer Mongolia would convert to Nestorian Chrisitianity (according to the legend one of their khans got lost in the snowy winter mountains, and then he had a vision of Saint Sergius). Who knows, how it really was. However on all accounts, the khan would seek Nestorian merchants. They would pass the knowledge of Abwun d´Bwashmayo (5), Lakhu Mara (6) and Qadisha Alaha (7). The khan would be baptized at Navekath (8). The Keraites later petition the Patriarch of Qtespon, whether they could be exempt from the usual way of fasting, for their diet consists mostly of milk and meat.
The reply from Mesopotamia stated that they were allowed to drink milk; however, meat-eating during the Lent would be forbidden. Furthermore, they ought to search for wine and wheat sources to allow Eucharist celebration.
The conversion to Chrisitendom would be followed also by other Mongolic clans, most importantly the Naimans, living on the eastern slopes of the Altai mountains, and the Onguts at the Yellow River bend.
A diocese would be established for the “Lands of Naimans, Keraits and Onguts”,
Outside of Liao rule, the Khamag Mongols, the Merkits, the Buryats and the Tatars would continue to rule their small khanates, as well as the Kyrgyzes, a Siberian Turkic people based around the upper Yenisei basin.
Due to Mongolic clan dynamics, the Buryat tribe takes over the northwestern shores of Lake Baikal, the ancestral lands of the Kurykans. The Kurykans are thus expelled and move downstream the river Lena, arriving in Yakutia (9).
A view of the Yakut´s new home
The vast expanses of the northeasternmost extensions of Asia appear to be populated by Evens and Lamuts, Tungusic peoples in the central regions, and more ancient populations of Kamchatkan, Yukaghiric and Yeniseian (Ket) tribes. Each new wave of incomers from the south appears to have had a technological advantage over the previous tribes. Therefore, the Tungusic peoples had displaced the original Yukaghiric and Yeniseian peoples; and the Sakha took over Tungusic tribes on the Middle Lena.
(1) The area opposite Taiwan
(2) Zoroastrian diaspora in China would be less numerous due to no Islamic conquest of Iran; it would rather consist more of merchants and commoners, than major noble families and the elite.
(3) Canton. Historically Muslim. Here, I´m presuming that this role would be taken over by Nestorians.
(4) The contemprorary name for Beijing. Beijing means northern capital; for the Liao, however, it has at the southern borders
(5) Lord’s Prayer
(6) Te Deum
(7) Trisagion
(8) Navekath, Kyrgyzstan. Historically, Merv. Here, the Church of the ast is more widespread, without islam.
(9) Yes this happened.
- Tomislav Addai
- Word Count: 1.3k