The Tang Dynasty was a splendid period in Chinese history. Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty by Tang Gaozu Li Yuan and Tang Taizong Li Shimin, this dynasty not only quelled internal rebellions in a short period of time, quickly achieved national unification, and established another powerful feudal dynasty, but also bravely launched military attacks against minority regimes in the north and west soon after the establishment of the state. The Tang dynasty succeeded in eliminating the Eastern Turks, Gaochang, and Tuyuhun, repelling the Western Turks, and establishing a solid vassal relationship with the southwestern Tibetans. This series of victories not only expanded the territory of the Tang Dynasty and was more extensive than the Han Dynasty, but also made later people proud and proud of it, and regarded the Tang Dynasty as the pinnacle of Chinese civilization.
So, why did the Tang Dynasty adopt the two-capital system, why did it first choose to set the capital in Chang'an, and then set Luoyang as the capital?Are there some lesser-known reasons for this?What considerations did the rulers of the Tang Dynasty make when they chose Chang'an and Luoyang as their capitals?Let's go through them one by one.
The Tang Dynasty, like the Northern Zhou and Sui dynasties, was a feudal dynasty established by the Guanlong aristocracy in the Guanzhong region, which had a certain political continuity and was the inevitable result of the Guanlong group. As Li Yuan, who was also born in the Guanlong aristocracy, setting the capital in Chang'an was the most ideal choice, and it was also a good opportunity to highlight the glory of the family. Therefore, Li Yuan, who had just ascended the throne as emperor, would never be so stupid as to abandon Chang'an City, which was so close to his hometown and had a complete history, and chose to re-establish a new capital elsewhere!
In addition, many of Li Yuan's military generals were also born in the Guanzhong region, and they were reluctant to leave their hometowns, and they hoped to achieve brilliant achievements in their hometowns!Therefore, under the strong demand of Li Yuan and his subordinate military generals, the establishment of the capital in Chang'an was a rather wise decision, which was in line with the trend of the times at that time.
As for the importance of Chang'an, it is well known that it will not be interpreted in detail here. In the last years of the Sui Dynasty, Chang'an had an important strategic position. Looking back on the situation at that time, what place could be more suitable to become the capital of the new dynasty than Chang'an?
As for Luoyang, the capital of Dingdu, this is the masterpiece of Wu Zetian, the outstanding empress. Since Chang'an was surrounded by the Guanlong nobles of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian was quite dissatisfied, and she decided to change the capital to a new one. In the process of Wu Zetian's change of dynasty and turning the Tang Dynasty into the Zhou Dynasty, it was inevitable to choose a new capital.
After considering various considerations, Wu Zetian believed that Luoyang was an ideal choice. Luoyang, the capital of Dingdu, can not only monitor the movements of the Guanzhong region, but also avoid being besieged by the Guanlong nobles, and at the same time help to better control the whole country. As a result, Wu Zetian decided to move the capital to Luoyang, and made a major adjustment to the official position of the new dynasty, which can be described as a grand move that has never been seen before or since!
Due to the two capitals of Chang'an and Luoyang, the later Tang monarchs did not change the decision of their predecessors and chose to continue the system of the two capitals without making any major adjustments. This system of two capitals continued until the fall of the Tang Dynasty and had a profound impact on later dynasties. For example, the Ming Dynasty, following the precedent of the Tang Dynasty, adopted the two-capital system, with its capitals in Beijing and Nanjing.
It is worth mentioning that since the beginning of the Wu Zetian period, the Tang Dynasty entered a period of prosperity. The rulers of the Tang Dynasty needed two capitals for a number of reasons. On the one hand, they need to welcome the pilgrimage of neighboring countries in Chang'an and Luoyang, and show the majesty of the city by showing the magnificence of these two citiesOn the other hand, they also had to appease the people of the world and ensure that the people of the entire empire could share in the favor of the Tang rulers. It can be said that this was a well-intentioned strategy of the rulers of the Tang Dynasty!
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