A Study Of Relation Between Military Governors And Center Government During Kaiyuan-Tianbao Period In Tang Dynasty

A famous review in New History of the Tang(《新唐书》) by Ouyang Xiu(欧阳修) inclined to lead us misunderstanding the military governors (节度使) during kaiyuan-tianbao(开元天宝) period of Tang(唐) dynasty. In fact, the power of the military governors enlarged lopsidedly and asynchronously. The military governors were effectively limitted by centre government when they would use their power. Centre government also effectually prevented most of the military governors becoming separatist warlords by translating frequently and limiting area under their jurisdiction. As a powerful military governor, An Lushan(安禄山) was special. But the case didn't root in the system of military governors. Taking one with another, the system of military governors was a indispensable system and was in favor of keeping the centralism smooth and the frontier steady.After 718, the Non-Han(蕃将) military governors became the principal part of the military governors. Because of their outstanding military faculty, the Non-Han military governors were fit for the frontier warfare, but were not able to translate to the center and local government from the frontier. The result was that the center government wasn't able to control them by translating frequently and limiting area under their jurisdiction. Then the Non-Han military governors inclined to be the long-term officials and dominated several Dao(道). Because the center government of Tang couldn't control them with the effective instruments, some Non-Han military governors conditionally enlarged their power. An Lushan had a great will to power and enlarged his power by fair means or foul. An Lushan breached the rule and assumed the military governor for 14 years and ruled 3 Tao. He also owned the privilege of coining the metal. Because of his low cultural making, An Lushan was incapable to be a member in the power core of the Tang center government. After his ambition couldn't come true, An Lushan rebelled on the base of board and large power. This showed that An Lushan's rebellion was a special case and didn't root in the system of military governor.