In the long river of Chinese history, there is a dynasty that stands like a tenacious nail in the desert of the northwest. It was the Western Xia Dynasty established by the Dangxiang clan, from 1038 to 1227, and for nearly 200 years, it survived and developed with amazing vitality in the encirclement of Liao, Song, Jin, Mongolia and other powerful countries. Known as the "Strongest Nail Household in History", this dynasty had a unique script, advanced technology, and peculiar customs, and created a splendid civilization. However, with Genghis Khan's iron cavalry swept in, this mysterious dynasty was finally annihilated in the flames of wolf smoke and war, leaving many unsolved mysteries. The history of the rise and fall of Western Xia is not only a thrilling legend, but also a microcosm of China's multicultural integration.
Prairie Eagle: The Road to the Rise of the Party
The Dangxiang people were originally nomadic people living on the Songpan Plateau in Sichuan. During the Tang Dynasty, they began to migrate north, eventually settling in northern Shaanxi.
Although this land is desolate, it has given the party members unexpected opportunities. They found that it was rich in green salt, which at the time was comparable to hard currency.
Clever party members seized the opportunity to vigorously develop the salt trade. In addition to this, they also herded cattle and sheep and started a business. In this way, the life of the party members is becoming more and more nourishing.
At this time, a man named Tuoba Sigong was born. This guy is amazing, not only has super combat effectiveness, but also has extraordinary leadership skills.
At that time, it was the time of the Huangchao Uprising, which caused chaos in the world. Tuoba Sigong led the party army and helped the Tang Dynasty put down the rebellion. The Tang Emperor was overjoyed, named him the envoy of the Xiazhou Festival, and gave him the surname Li.
In this way, the party members gained a firm foothold in the northwest region and formed a considerable local force. But the good times did not last long, and with the fall of the Tang Dynasty, the Central Plains region entered a chaotic period of five dynasties and ten kingdoms.
Faced with this situation, Tuoba Sigong's descendants adopted a wise strategy. No matter who is the boss, they all obediently call themselves the little brothers.
What's the point of fighting? It's better to be a local tyrant in peace. is just mixed up, but the strength of the party members has grown unconsciously.
By the time of Li Jizhu, things had taken a turn for the better. This Li Jizhuo, if it sounds good, it is young and vigorous, and if it is ugly, it is a bear child.
Because of his young age, the old courtiers didn't buy it. In a fit of rage, he went to the Song Dynasty to make a pilgrimage, and voluntarily gave up the power of hereditary secession. What's even more outrageous is that he also changed his surname to Zhao and called himself Zhao Baozhong.
This can provoke his younger brother Li Jiqian. How can the foundation laid by the ancestors work so hard to be lost?
So Li Jiqian began his own actions. Internally, he continued to marry the daughters of the party's wealthy families to strengthen his power. Externally, he adopted the strategy of Lianliao to the Song Dynasty, and successively occupied Lanzhou and the Hexi Corridor area.
Li Jiqian's efforts were not in vain. In the generation of his grandson Li Yuanhao, the power of the party is no longer what it used to be.
In 1038 AD, Li Yuanhao felt that the time was ripe. He officially called the emperor the founding of the country, and the country name was Great Xia, referred to as Xia. Later, because of its location in the west, the Song people called it Western Xia.
In this way, the Dangxiang people developed from an obscure nomadic tribe to a powerful regime that could compete with the Liao, Song, and Jin. This process has taken several generations and is full of hardship and wisdom.
The establishment of the Western Xia not only changed the political pattern of the northwest region, but also added a strong touch to the history of China. Its existence proves that minority regimes can also survive in the cracks and seek development in the face of adversity.
The rise of Western Xia can be said to be a wonderful history of struggle. started from the green salt trade, to Tuoba Sigong's outstanding military exploits, to Li Jiqian's internal and external cultivation, and finally Li Yuanhao's founding of the country and the title of emperor. Every step is full of opportunities and challenges, and every step demonstrates the wisdom and courage of the party members.
This dynasty, born in the desert, is like a tenacious desert plant that takes root in the harsh environment and eventually grows into a towering tree. Its story is not only the pride of the party, but also a vivid portrayal of the pluralistic and integrated pattern of the Chinese nation.
Iron nails take root: the survival wisdom of Western Xia
The Tangut Dynasty, the regime that stood tall in northwestern China, was like a tenacious nail, firmly nailed in the long river of history. Its way of survival is a great miracle in Chinese history.
Geographical location is the double-edged sword of Western Xia. On the one hand, it was located at the crossroads of the Silk Road and controlled important trade routes. On the other hand, it was embattled and surrounded by powerful countries such as Liao, Song, Jin, and Mongolia, and was in danger of being annexed at any time.
In this situation, the Tangut people played the trick of four or two thousand catties. They have made full use of their geographical advantages to vigorously develop their economies. Green salt has become the biggest cash cow in Western Xia.
The green salt of Western Xia is of high quality and in short supply. It's not just a condiment, it's hard currency. The Tangut people exchanged salt for large quantities of silk, tea, and other luxuries.
In addition to the salt industry, the Tangut people also vigorously developed agriculture and animal husbandry. They cultivated farmland along the Yellow River to grow wheat and corn. On the grassland, herds of cattle and sheep became the living wealth of the Tangut people.
The economic prosperity provided a strong backing for the military of Western Xia. The Western Xia army was dominated by cavalry, with strong mobility and amazing combat effectiveness. Not only were they able to defend their homeland, but they also often launched attacks on neighboring countries.
Diplomatically, the Tanguts played even more brilliantly. They are well versed in the way of "small to broad", and they are left and right between big countries. For the Song Dynasty, they sometimes called the ministers and paid tribute, and sometimes provoked the border.
With regard to the Liao, the Western Xia adopted a more flexible strategy. They allied themselves with the Liao state and worked together against the Song dynasty. But he did not forget to keep in touch with the Song Dynasty secretly to prevent the Liao State from becoming bigger.
The diplomats of Western Xia were simply the ancient version of "Tai Chi masters". They were able to survive in the cracks because of this superb diplomatic skill.
Culturally, Western Xia also had its own uniqueness. They created their own script, known as the "Tangut script". This kind of writing has a complex structure, but it has a strong ideographic ability.
The Tangut people also vigorously promoted education. They established a selection system similar to the imperial examination and cultivated a large number of talents for the country. These talents became the mainstay of the Western Xia regime.
Religiously, the Tangut people practiced Buddhism. They built a large number of temples and stupas in the country. One of the most famous is the large number of Buddhist scriptures found in the ruins of Blackwater City.
The military strength of Western Xia should not be underestimated. Their sword-forging techniques are very advanced, and the swords they produce are extremely sharp. The Western Xia army was well-equipped and brave in battle, and repeatedly repelled the attacks of the Song army.
In terms of social system, Western Xia also had its own characteristics. Their female status is very high, and there are even "Makui" female soldiers. These female soldiers are not only good at fighting, but also participate in national affairs.
The Tangut people's view of love is also unique. They are allowed to be free to love and can even "swap mates". This was simply shocking in China at that time.
The way the Tanguts dealt with hatred is also interesting. If two people have a feud, they can agree on a duel at a time and place. The losing side admits defeat and relents, and the winning side is not allowed to entangle. In this way, social contradictions are effectively reduced.
In terms of papermaking, the Tangut people also have unique characteristics. They use desert plants to make paper, which is of high quality and durable. These papers have become an important carrier for the preservation of Tangut culture.
The way of survival of the Tangut Dynasty can be said to be a perfect combination of wisdom and courage. They are adept at using their strengths and finding a balance in the face of strong enemies. They have created a splendid civilization and can survive in the cracks.
This "strongest nail household in history" interprets in its own way what it means to "have a way of survival for a small country". Their story is not only a wonderful history, but also a vivid lesson in survival wisdom.
Exotic: The uniqueness of the Tangut civilization
The Tangut Dynasty, a regime in northwestern China, was not only unique politically and militarily, but also culturally exotic. Its civilization is like a splendid and colorful tapestry, which skillfully weaves together the traditions of the party and the Central Plains culture.
The creation of the Tangut script is one of the greatest cultural achievements of this dynasty. In 1036 AD, Li Yuanhao, the founding emperor of Western Xia, ordered the creation of the Western Xia script. The project, which was presided over by Minister Hitoei Notoshi, took several years to complete.
The Tangut script looks quite complex, consisting of square characters and a wide variety of strokes. It borrows from the structure of Chinese characters, but is self-contained. This script not only accurately expresses the phonetic and word meanings of the Tangut language, but also translates complex texts such as Buddhist scriptures.
The Tangut people were quite proud of their writing. They carved inscriptions in the Tangut script, printed currency, and even compiled the world's first multilingual dictionary, Fanhan Heshi Palm Pearl. This dictionary contains Tangut scripts, Chinese characters, and Sanskrit, and is an important source for the study of Tangut culture.
In Tangut society, the status of women was quite high. This can be seen in the military system of Western Xia. There was a special unit in the Western Xia army called "Ma Kui". This unit, which is made up entirely of women, is not only good at fighting, but also participates in decision-making on national affairs.
The existence of "Makui" female soldiers was a great spectacle in China at that time. They rode horses and archery, fought bravely, and were not inferior to the male soldiers. In peacetime, these female soldiers were also responsible for protecting the palace and participating in court and political discussions.
The Tangut people's concept of marriage and love is also quite open. They are allowed to be free to love and can even "swap mates". In Western Xia, if a couple did not get along, they could "swap" their spouses with other couples. This practice was simply unheard of in China at the time.
The Tangut also had a unique way of dealing with hatred. If there is a conflict between two people, they can agree on a time and place for a duel. The rules of the duel are simple: the losing side must admit defeat and give in, and the winning side must not dwell on it anymore. This method effectively reduces social contradictions and maintains social stability.
In terms of technology, the Tangut people also have a lot of achievements. Their sword-forging techniques are quite advanced, and the swords they produce are extremely sharp. The craftsmen of Western Xia also invented a special smelting method that produced steel that was hard and not easy to rust.
The papermaking techniques of Western Xia were also very distinctive. They use desert plants as raw materials to make paper, which is not only of high quality but also durable. It is precisely because of this high-quality paper that a large number of Tangut documents have been preserved.
In terms of architectural art, the Tangut people also have their own uniqueness. Their architecture blended the styles of several ethnic groups such as Han, Tibetan, and Uighur, forming a unique Tangut architectural style. The temples and stupas of the Western Xia, tall and majestic, and richly decorated, are the concentrated embodiment of the art of the Western Xia.
The Tangut people also attached great importance to education. They established a selection system similar to the imperial examination and cultivated a large number of talents for the country. Schools in Western Xia taught not only Tangut and Chinese, but also Buddhist scriptures and practical skills. This comprehensive education system cultivated a large number of political, military, and cultural talents for the Western Xia.
In terms of religious beliefs, the Tangut people mainly practiced Buddhism. They built a large number of temples and stupas throughout the country. One of the most famous is the large number of Buddhist scriptures found in the ruins of Blackwater City. These sutras are available not only in Tangut but also in Chinese, Tibetan, and other languages, reflecting the diversity of Tangut Buddhist culture.
The food culture of Western Xia is also very distinctive. They like to eat lamb and beef, and there is a special drink called "butter tea". This tea is made with tea leaves, ghee, and salt, which not only quenches thirst but also replenishes energy.
The costumes of the Tangut people were also unique. They like to wear wide robes and high hats. The clothes of the Western Xia nobles were often embroidered with gold thread, and the patterns were mostly animals and plants. This gorgeous costume reflects the Tangut people's pursuit of beauty.
Overall, the Tangut civilization is a strange flower blooming in the desert of northwest China. It absorbed the cultural essence of the Han, Tibetan, Uighur and other ethnic groups, and maintained the national characteristics of the Dangxiang ethnic group, and finally formed a unique form of civilization.
This unique civilization not only enriches China's diverse culture, but also makes important contributions to the diversity of human civilization. The story of Western Xia tells us that the charm of civilization lies not in its size, but in its uniqueness and creativity.
Iron Hoof Break: The End of the Tangut Dynasty
The Tangut Dynasty, a regime that stood in northwest China for nearly two hundred years, did not escape the torrent of history. Its demise, like a tragic historical drama, collapsed with a bang under the iron hooves of the Mongolia iron horse.
The story begins in 1205. In this year, Genghis Khan unified the Mongolia Plateau and began his path of world conquest. Western Xia, as the first target of Mongolia's westward expansion, naturally could not escape doom.
In 1205, the Mongolia army invaded Western Xia for the first time. The Western Xia army resisted, but was ultimately defeated by the Mongolia iron cavalry. The Mongolian army broke through all the way to Xingqingfu, the capital of Western Xia.
The Western Xia Emperor Li An'an was forced to pay reparations to Mongolia and cede land. In this battle, Western Xia suffered heavy losses and suffered great losses. But this is only the beginning, and even greater disasters are yet to come.
In 1226, Genghis Khan personally led the Mongolia army to attack Western Xia again. This time, he was determined to completely eliminate the stubborn regime. The Mongolia army swept through the entire territory of Western Xia like a rolling torrent.
The last emperor of Western Xia, Li Wei, was unable to cope with the powerful offensive of Mongolia. He sent emissaries to Genghis Khan to sue for peace, but was ruthlessly refused. Genghis Khan wanted not peace talks, but the complete submission of Western Xia.
Li Li was unwilling to surrender and decided to make a final resistance. He mobilized the elite of the whole country and stuck to the capital Xingqing Mansion. The Western Xia soldiers and civilians in the city were also ready to live and die with the city.
The Mongolian army besieged Xingqing Province for half a year. The city ran out of food, and disease began to spread. However, the Tangut people still did not give up the idea of resistance, and they firmly believed that as long as the capital was held, there was still hope.
In the spring of 1227, Genghis Khan became seriously ill. On his deathbed, he ordered that the capital of Western Xia must be captured. The Mongolia army launched a final general offensive. The Western Xia army and civilians resisted, but in the end they could not match the strong firepower of Mongolia.
Xingqing Province fell. The last emperor of the Western Xia, Li Wei, was captured, and the Western Xia Dynasty was overthrown. When Genghis Khan heard the news, he was already dying. With the joy of conquering Western Xia, he closed his eyes.
The fall of Western Xia was not only the fall of a dynasty, but also the death of a unique civilization. The Mongolia destroyed the cities of Western Xia, burned Western Xia texts, and massacred Western Xia literati and artisans.
The writing of the Western Xia, a once glorious cultural achievement, was almost lost in the war. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that archaeologists discovered a large number of Tangut documents at the ruins of Heishui City, and the Tangut script was rediscovered.
The demise of Western Xia also left a profound lesson for Chinese history. It tells us that if a country wants to maintain long-term peace and stability, it needs not only a strong military force, but also a spirit of reform that keeps pace with the times.
Although the Tangut Dynasty fell, the Tangut people did not disappear from the stage of history. Some of them were forcibly migrated to Central and West Asia by the Mongolia and became part of the later Uighurs.
Others remained in place and gradually integrated into the Mongolia and Han Chinese. Their descendants still live in Ningxia, Gansu and other places, silently inheriting the cultural genes of Western Xia.
Although most of the cultural heritage of Western Xia has been lost to the dust of history, some of it has been preserved. A large number of cultural relics unearthed from the ruins of Heishui City give us a glimpse of the splendor of the Western Xia civilization.
The architectural art of Western Xia can still be seen in the tombs of the Western Xia kings at the foot of Helan Mountain in Ningxia. These majestic mausoleums quietly tell the story of the rise and fall of the Western Xia Dynasty.
The food culture of Western Xia, such as butter tea and hand-grasped mutton, is still a special delicacy in Ningxia and other places. These delicacies have become a unique way to inherit the culture of Western Xia.
Although most of the music and art of Western Xia have been lost, we can still hear some shadows of Western Xia music in the folk music of some ethnic minorities.
The fall of Western Xia was an important turning point in Chinese history. It marked the beginning of the Mongolia Empire's conquest of China and foreshadowed the impending doom of the Song Dynasty.
However, the wheel of history never stops with the fall of a dynasty. The fall of Western Xia cleared the way for the rise of the Mongolia Empire. The rise of the Mongolia Empire opened a new chapter in cultural exchanges between the East and the West.
The story of Western Xia is like a tragic historical sonata. It allows us to see the wisdom of a small country to survive in the cracks, and it also makes us feel the ruthlessness of historical changes. Although this unique civilization has disappeared in the long river of history, its light is still illuminating our way to explore history.