Study On The Frontier Ethnic Thought During The Period Of Juzheng Zhang's Reform

The relations among the frontier nations were very complicated in the Ming Dynasty,and the frontier ethnic problems had been bothering the whole Ming Dynasty.During Hongwu-Xuande period,the national strength was strong,the frontier ethnic thoughts could be effectively implemented and fruitful results were achieved.During Zhengtong-Zhengde period,due to the incompetence of the governors,deviations were arised in the formulation and implementation of the frontier ethnic thoughts,therefore,the ethnic relations were unstable.During the period of Jiajing to Longqing,although the imperial court adjusted its national ideological in accordance with current circumstances,it had little effect because of political corruption and declined national strength.Before Juzheng Zhang's reform,the content of the Ming dynasty's frontier ethnic thought came down in one continuous line.Although there had been always adjustments,they all repaired the “old system” and did not have much new achievements.At the beginning of Wanli,the frontier ethnic relations of the Ming Dynasty became more complicated,and various ethnic issues began to appear gradually.Under the terrible conditions of frontier ethnic relations,Juzheng Zhang's reform group assessed the situation,focusing on dealing with the problems of frontier ethnic relations based on maintaining the rule of the Ming Dynasty.Although the reform was based on the traditional frontier ethnic thoughts,it also generated many valuable new understanding and new ideas.The reform occupied an important position in the history of Chinese national thought.In order to maintain the feudal rule and improve the frontier ethnic relations,Juzheng Zhang's reform group implemented a series of frontier ethnic policies with the core of the tributary system and frontier trade,the principal axis of military defense,and the means of disintegration under the guidance of the ethnic thoughts of “external control,internal defense”,“eastern restriction,western conciliation”,and “using poison to attack poison”.It was mainly used in the measures of Mongolia and Jurchen.In addition,it also had political responses to the southwestern minorities.As far as the characteristic of the frontier ethnic thoughts in the period of Juzheng Zhang's reform,which had not only the duality of control and combat,but also the epochal nature under a special political background and a consistent holistic nature.Different measures were exercised according to different situations.However,its frontier ethnic thoughts were not completely perfect.There were also many unfair deviations in the political practice of Mongolia and Jurchen,which eventually led to the stronger influence of Jurchen.For this reason,the reform was partly responsible for the overthrow of the Ming dynasty.As far as the influence of the frontier ethnic thought is concerned,the reform of its frontier ethnic thoughts maintained the development of the Ming Dynasty at that time,but its improper actions accelerated the demise of the Ming Dynasty.For later generations,its ideas were inherited and developed by the Qing government and even the later regimes,which had great enlightening effects.On the other hand,due to the limitations of the times,the frontier ethnic thoughts in the reform period also had great historical limitations,including deviations in the ideological policies of Mongolia and Jurchen.The thought of “the Distinguish of Hua-Yi ” and “Yi Xia's defense” concept was deep-seated,even ethnic enemies remain unabated,all of which were the products of the limitations of the times.During the period of Juzheng Zhang's reform,he adhered to the principle of radically reform,who formulated and implemented a series of frontier ethnic thoughts and policies,therefore,the country was flourished with its border stability and people lived in peace.Unfortunately,the frontier ethnic thoughts pursued during the reform period had not yet shaken off the limitations of the times.Therefore,mistakes were inevitable when dealing with frontier ethnic relations.Up to modernity,advanced,effective frontier ethnic thoughts which can meet the benefits of all nations must break the concept of “the Distinguish of Hua-Yi”,truly achieve ethnic equality,and must conform to the development situation of every nation,recognize the differences among nations on the basis of setting up the common benefits of nations.