A Study Of The Nine-frontier Map Of The Ming Dynasty

As the study of "evidence of history with pictures" at domestic and foreign has gradually become popular in the field of history,the unique historical value of ancient maps has gradually attracted attention.Based on the fact that the current arrangement of the nine-frontier map of the Ming Dynasty is not systematic and comprehensive enough,and the research needs to be in-depth,this paper,on the basis of a comprehensive arrangement and pedigree of the nine-frontier map of the Ming Dynasty,discusses the prosperity,drawing characteristics and the application of dynasty governance system.The confront of The Ming Dynasty and the Mongolian tribes was a normalized manner.In order to prevent the intrusion of the Mongolian tribes,the Ming Dynasty established nine military towns from east to west in the north area,including Liaodong Town,Ji Town,Xuanfu Town,Datong Town,Shanxi Town,Yansui Town,Ningxia Town,Guyuan Town,Gansu Town.For the sake of defense,a lot of nine-frontier maps were drawn.These maps was divided into the national map named " Nine-frontier General Map" which focused on the situation of the nine frontiers,the "Nine-frontier Map" which showed the whole situation of the nine frontiers,and the map of the frontier town under the jurisdiction of the three governor-general districts.According to the similarity of the overall style and detailed characteristics of the maps,these nine-frontier maps can be sorted out three pedigrees: First,genealogy map of the "Nine-frontier General Map",which originated from the "Nine-frontier General Map" in Luo Hongxian’s Guangyu Map,and later appeared many copies and redrawn maps.Second,the "Nine-frontier Map" showing the whole situation of the nine frontiers,included the "Nine-frontier Map" series of Xu Lun’s “The Nine Frontier Tulun”,the "Nine-frontier Map" series of Luo Hongxian’s "Guang Yu Tu",and the "Nine-frontier Map" series of Nine Frontier Tushuo compiled by the military department.Third,the frontier town maps within the jurisdiction of the three major governors,which did not receive as much attention as the "Nine-frontier Map",and few people who drawed and used maps,so a large number of homologous maps had not been produced,but there were still many sporadic maps with homology that can be verified.The circulation and inheritance of a large number of nine-frontier general maps,"nine-frontier maps" and border town maps that exist in the form of pedigrees proved that the Ming Dynasty did not strictly control the spread of the nine frontier maps.The nine-frontier map drawing system promulgated by the central government included: first,the Ministry of War system,where the Department of Staff was responsible for the drawing and management of the nine-frontier maps,and required frontie town officials to be dispatched every three years;and the censor of the "Expiration of Drawings Presented".The emperor had repeatedly shown the importance of the nine-frontier map,which had also inspired the enthusiasm of the frontier town officials to draw the map.Due to the lack of institutional regulations on the publication and distribution of maps,produced a large number of the printed nine-frontier map.The mass production of map printing had also boosted the frontier map to sink from the government to the public.The nine-frontier map of the Ming Dynasty basically followed the drawing method and drawing style of traditional Chinese maps,with clear military orientation and distinctive military characteristics in terms of content.These nine-frontier maps,which were drawn in the form of a combination of imagery and illustration,lacked the "accuracy" elements of modern military maps such as large-scale scale,longitude and latitude,but the value of their military defense should not be underestimated.The map has the functions of national security and internal politics,which determines the functions of external defense and internal governance of the nine-frontier map of the Ming Dynasty.In the diary records of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties,there were many examples of using the nine-frontier to discuss military and state affairs.After the establishment of the Qing Dynasty,dued to the conflict and dependence between the farming and grassland nomads in the Central Plains,the functions of the Great Wall to defend against enemies and internal management still existed.In the early Qing Dynasty,there was no energy to draw new map,the nine-frontier map were still used.