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From Warhorses to Ploughshares:The Later Tang Reign of Emperor Mingzong

NT $ 1,889


Mingzong(r.926–33)wasthemostillustriousemperoroftheFiveDynasties,andoneofthemostadmiredofChina’smiddleperiod,theTangtoSong.AwarriorofShatuo-Turkancestry,heascendedthethroneoftheLaterTangontheheelsofamutinyagainsthisadoptedbrother,thussparinghisdynastyanearlydeath.Mingzong’sbriefreigncametobeheraldedbyhistoriansasthe“SmallRepose”—ahappyconvergenceofpeaceandprosperity.Hemarshaledaclusterofeminentlyablecourtiers,menwhobalancedConfuciancharityagainstthemilitarydisciplinedemandedinatimeoftransition.Theseyearsweremarkedbytradewithborderingstates,frenzieddiplomaticactivity,andasuccessionofdefectionsfromstatestothenorth.Mingzongwiselyeschewedmilitaryconflict,exceptasalastresort.Conservativeinmoralandlegalmatters,heintroducedradicaleconomicreformsthatincludedderegulationoftraditionalmonopoliesandtimelychangestothetributarysystem.

Drawingextensivelyonprimarysources,includingMingzong’sspiritedcorrespondencewithhisofficials,thispoliticalandculturalbiographybringstolifeacharismaticemperorwhowasheldupasamodelrulerbysucceedinggenerations.


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