The Tang Dynasty, known as the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty, was one of the most powerful dynasties in Chinese history. At the same time, the Tang Dynasty is also known as the most open dynasty in history, fully demonstrating its tolerance and prosperity.
The Tang Dynasty was known for its open-minded policies and cultural ideas. In its heyday, it was a world leader in both economic culture and in all aspects.
Merchants from all over the world came to visit, and the Tang Dynasty implemented an enlightened policy towards them, encouraging them to carry out **. In particular, exchanges with Japan are the most frequent, and Japan has sent more than a dozen missions with hundreds of people.
Among them, Abe Zhongmaro (Chao Heng) came to the Tang Dynasty on behalf of Japan, and Tang Xuanzong asked him to study classics such as the Book of Rites and Zhou Rites with the princes and nobles in Guozijian.
Chao Heng is talented, and after graduating from Guozijian, he won the imperial examination and became a jinshi in one fell swoop.
He successively served as Weiwei Shaoqing, secretary and other positions, and his interactions with famous poets such as Wang Wei, Li Bai, and Chu Guangxi made him even more famous, and even made Chu Guangxi famous in Japan.
However, in 733 AD, Chao Heng asked Tang Xuanzong to return to China because of the old age of his parents. Although Tang Xuanzong tried every means to keep him, Chao Heng still failed to do so.
It was not until 752 A.D. that the Japanese delegation headed by Fujiwara Kiyokawa came to China again, and the deputy envoys Kibi Shinbei and Chao Heng were former friends. The two were naturally very happy to see each other again.
Chao Heng was once again moved to return to China, so he asked to return to China with the Japanese mission to the Tang Dynasty in 753 AD.
Chao Heng was old, he was only nineteen years old when he first came to the Tang Dynasty, and when he applied to return to China, he was already fifty-six years old.
It may be that Tang Xuanzong is grateful to Chao Heng for serving in the Tang Dynasty for more than ten years and has always been diligent and conscientious, coupled with the elderly parents at home, so he approved his request to return to China.
Tang Xuanzong even appointed him as the envoy of the Tang Dynasty to Japan, which is extremely rare in history. The day before Chao Heng returned to China, the poet Wang Wei also wrote a farewell poem for him.
In addition, on the way back to China with Chao Heng and the mission, the ship they were on encountered a storm. Ambassador Fujiwara Kiyo Ha and Chao Heng's first ship ran aground off the coast of Vietnam due to a storm and lost contact with other ships.
Most of the people on the ship were killed by local Vietnamese bandits after hitting the rocks, but fortunately, more than a dozen people, including Ambassador Fujiwara Kiyokawa and Chao Heng, survived.
It was once rumored that Chao Heng was killed, which made Li Bai grief-stricken, and wrote a poem about crying Chao Qingheng to show his deep nostalgia for the friendship between the two.
Fortunately, however, Chao Heng returned safely and set out on his journey to Chang'an again in June 755, much to the delight of his friends.
After about half a year, the Anshi Rebellion swept through the Tang Dynasty, Tang Xuanzong fled to Chang'an, and Chao Heng also followed him, until December 757, Chang'an was successfully recaptured, and Chao Heng returned to Chang'an with Tang Xuanzong.
At this time, Chao Heng was nearly sixty years old, but he did not return to Japan, but chose to stay in Chang'an for another eleven years.
During this period, Tang Xuanzong died, but this did not affect Chao Heng's career, he served as the protector of Annan and the envoy of Annan during the Tang Suzong period, and finally became the official of Guanglu and the imperial historian.
In 770 AD, Chao Heng died in the fifth year of the reign of Emperor Zong of the Tang Dynasty at the age of 72. In recognition of his contribution to Sino-Japanese exchanges, Tang Dynasty Zong specially posthumously awarded him the title of Governor of Erpinlu Prefecture.
At the same time, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, Master Jianzhen was invited by Japanese monks to travel east to Japan many times, and although he experienced many ups and downs on the way, he successfully reached Japan and was warmly welcomed.
During his time in Japan, Master Jianzhen spread the many cultures of the Tang Dynasty and was revered as the father of culture and the master of the Vinaya.
The Tang Dynasty's open-door policy and enlightened monarchs made cultural exchanges frequent, not only Japan, but also Tubo, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, Turkic, Dashi, Nanzhao and other countries all visited or paid tribute to the Tang Dynasty, not only learning the advanced culture of the Tang Dynasty, but also some of the Tang Dynasty's own culture was also influenced by these countries, such as the topless clothing during the Tang Dynasty, which was the result of the influence of foreign countries and social customs, reflecting the freedom and beauty of women, and was welcomed by the people at that time.
During that period, the status of women was also significantly improved. Some women began to be educated in private schools, played polo, and participated in various activities, not just in the boudoir.
These acts were recognized and respected by the imperial court at the time. Women can even play an important role in the political arena, such as Wu Zetian, who was once empress, and Princess Taiping, who once controlled the government.
If it were not for the openness of society at that time, the status of women would never have reached such a high level. In addition, the Tang Dynasty was also open in the use of talents, whether he was a Tang Dynasty or not, as long as he was talented, he would be hired.
For example, the aforementioned Chao Heng is a typical example. During the Tang Dynasty, it became the norm for foreigners to enter the court as officials, and the peak period even reached more than 3,000 people.
The open-mindedness of the Tang Dynasty not only introduced the ideas and cultures of other countries into China, but also promoted China's culture and other fields.
At the same time, China's advanced culture has been able to spread to all parts of the world, which has a profound impact on local culture and its development.