Wang Chonggu And The Northwest Frontier Of The Ming Dynasty

Since the middle and late Ming Dynasty,the northwest frontier general Wang Chonggu implemented the strategy and concepts of frontier management to maintain the stability and peace of the northwest frontier and promote the recovery and development of the frontier economy.From the end of Jiajing to the starting of Longqing,the Mongolian tribes led their armies to plunder the frontier,leading to the deepening of the northwest frontier,and Wang Chonggu salt merchant family background and the service of many places to show the military talent,for its experience in the strategy of the frontier provided the basis.Thus,the Ming dynasty appointed Wang Chonggu successively took over the governor of Ningxia and Shaanxi three sides of the governor.In the six years of service on the frontier Wang Chonggu repeatedly commanded and deployed the western three sides of the Mongolian tribes of the "nest" "autumn defense" and combat local bandits and other military activities to change the weakness of the northwest border army;organization of the Great Wall in time to replenish the horses and weapons to make up for the loopholes in weaponry;.By giving frontier officials the right to command troops,selecting frontier generals and replacing frontier troops,the Ming army in Shaanxi was able to improve its combat capabilities.In view of the problems faced by the northwest in the late Jiajing period,such as station farm,salt law and insufficient military expenditure,Wang Chonggu took corresponding measures to promote the development of agriculture in the frontier areas;he also eased the pressure of military expenditure in the northwest frontier areas by resuming the levy of grain as tax in the Yansui area,requesting for frontier pay and reducing redundant salaries.In the process of governing the border areas,Wang Chonggu developed a concept of border governance.First,in combat,Wang Chonggu emphasized familiarity with the terrain and grasp,focused on the timing of combat;second,for the military,Wang Chonggu always cared about the life of the soldiers,motivate the army to fight;third,in the selection of officials,Wang Chonggu emphasized on the selection of officials,strict evaluation of the merits and demerits of the border officials,clear rewards and punishments;fourth,in the governance of the frontier,Wang Chonggu cared for people’s livelihood,for the people to build water conservancy,build schools,was a good official;finally,in treating the surrounding ethnic minorities,Wang Chonggu upheld the concept of both rigidity and flexibility,both by applying pressure on them by force and by adopting pacifying measures of reward and solicitation.Under Wang Chonggu’s years of hard work,the border problems were largely alleviated and the economic dilemma was effectively relieved,which had a profound impact on the northwest frontier of the Ming Dynasty.