In the change of dynasties in ancient China, there have been many "prosperous times". What people call prosperous times generally means that a country has gone from chaos to order, maintaining political stability and social prosperity for a long period of time. The signs of a prosperous age include political enlightenment, economic development, recovery of people's livelihood, strong national power, and cultural prosperity. [1] The most representative ancient prosperous times are the "Wenjing rule" of the Western Han Dynasty, the "Zhenguan rule" and the "Kaiyuan prosperous age" of the Tang Dynasty, and the "Kang, Yong and Qian Dynasty" of the Qing Dynasty. These "prosperous times" were in ancient China It is of great significance in the development of society. Throughout the dynasties, rulers have longed for a prosperous age to reflect their own achievements; ordinary people have also longed for a prosperous age to live a stable life. The idiom "Wear clothes at night and eat well at night, work hard to govern" is the inscription of emperors, generals and ministers; the folk song "I would rather be a peace dog than a person of chaos" is a voice from the people. The two are highly consistent in their pursuit of prosperity. Understanding the formation and decline of the ancient prosperous times can give us a lot of historical enlightenment.

From the reign of Wenjing to Zhaoxuan and Zhongxing

The Wenjing reign of the Western Han Dynasty was counted from 180 BC when Emperor Wen ascended the throne to 141 BC when Emperor Jing died. . However, after Wenjing, the prosperous age did not end. After Emperor Wu came to the throne, although he changed the policies of the Wenjing period, he pushed the prosperous age of the Western Han Dynasty to its peak. Although Emperor Wu made many mistakes in his later years, the vitality of the country was not damaged. After the adjustments made by Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan, that is, the "Zhaoxuan Zhongxing", the prosperity was maintained. When Emperor Yuan came to the throne, the household registration in the Western Han Dynasty reached the highest point in the Han Dynasty. Therefore, the end of the prosperous age of the Western Han Dynasty was bounded by the Xuanyuan period (48 BC), which lasted for more than 130 years.

The Wen-Jing rule was named after Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing. The emergence of Wenjing's rule needs to start from the situation in the early Han Dynasty.

The Qin Dynasty’s harsh laws and extortionate taxes caused great chaos in the world. After the fall of Qin, the Chu and Han dynasties fought for political power, and wars continued for years, which plunged the people into a miserable situation of displacement and ravages. When the Western Han Dynasty was established, the court was extremely embarrassed. "Hanshu Shihuo Zhi" records: "The rise of the Han Dynasty took over the shortcomings of the Qin Dynasty. The princes came together, and the people lost their jobs and suffered a great famine. If there were five thousand pieces of rice and stone, people would eat each other, and more than half of them would die." "The world has been established, and the people will perish. Gaizang, during the day the generals and ministers could not even ride in a carriage with four horses of the same color, so the generals and ministers had to ride in an ox-cart. It is this situation that forces the rulers to try to stabilize society, restore production, and bring the country into a normal state.

From the day Liu Bang entered Xianyang, under the planning of the counselor Zhang Liang, he announced the basic strategy of stabilizing society. This is the famous "Three Chapters of the Covenant" in history: "Those who kill will die, those who injure others will die." When the war was over, Liu Bang took a series of measures, such as "prohibiting laws, reducing land rents, and paying taxes of one out of ten." Stabilize the political situation and restore order. After the death of Emperor Gaozu, during the reign of Emperor Hui and Queen Lu, the policy of recuperation and recuperation was continued, and social conditions gradually improved.

Han Emperor Liu Heng (reigned from 180 to 157 BC) was the son of the great ancestor Liu Bang and the half-brother of Emperor Hui Liu Ying. Originally, he could not become emperor. When Emperor Gaozu was still alive, the seven-year-old Liu Heng was named King of Dai and ruled over what is now northern Shanxi. He and his mother Bo Ji stayed in Zhongdu (near today's Pingyao, Shanxi), the capital of Dai, for 17 years. However, after the death of Emperor Hui, Empress Lu came to power, and the court almost became the rule of the Lu family, which aroused the dissatisfaction of the founding fathers of the Western Han Dynasty. After Empress Lu died, the prime minister Chen Ping, who was in charge of state affairs, and the Taiwei Zhou Bo, who was in charge of the army, eliminated the Lu family's influence and welcomed Liu Heng, who was far away from home, to succeed to the throne. This background had a great influence on Emperor Wen's policy. As a vassal king who has been away for many years, he has no authority in the court and no confidants. A large number of heroes who followed Gaozu to conquer the world are still on stage. They are not necessarily convinced by this young emperor. He can only be cautious in order to secure his position.

When Emperor Wen succeeded to the throne, the central political situation was still in turmoil after the Zhulu Rebellion. The local princes and kings were very powerful, and the social economy had not fully recovered from the trauma of the war. The country was poor. The treasury is empty, people's livelihood is difficult, industry and commerce are in decline, and the Huns tribe from the north keeps going south to plunder and harass, threatening Guanzhong of Gyeongsang Province many times. Emperor Wen dealt with this calmly, stabilized the political situation, adhered to the national policy of resting with the people, and pursued the methods of Huang and Lao, so that the economy gradually recovered, financial resources continued to increase, and the national treasury began to become abundant, which was the forerunner of Wenjing's rule.

After Emperor Jing Liu Qi (reigned from 157 BC to 141 BC) succeeded to the throne, he fully inherited all the policies of Emperor Wen's period. At that time, with the recovery of social and economic development and the stabilization of the domestic situation, adjusting the relationship between the central and local governments became a top priority. In the Han Dynasty, the local system of parallel prefectures and states was implemented. The vassal kingdoms occupied a vast area, connected across prefectures and prefectures, cast money based on the mountains, boiled the sea into salt, became richest in the world, and were arrogant and disobedient. It has become a trend that cannot be lost. Emperor Jing adopted Chao Cuo's suggestion and took measures to reduce vassal status. As a result, seven vassal kingdoms led by Wu King Liu Bi rebelled. They "asked Chao Cuo to be killed to clear the emperor's side", but the rebellion continued after Chao Cuo was killed. This was the "Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms". Emperor Jing appointed general Zhou Yafu and put down the rebellion in three months. After that, "the princes and kings were not allowed to resume governing the country, and the emperor appointed officials." This weakened the separatist forces and ensured the stability of the Western Han Dynasty and the continued development of governance.

Wenjing’s rule was first reflected in the recovery and development of the economy. Emperor Wen was well aware of the importance of agriculture at that time, and issued an edict in the second year of his succession: "Agriculture is the foundation of the world, and it is what the people rely on for survival. However, the people may not take care of the foundation and end up doing nothing. It failed. I am worried about this, so I personally lead the ministers Nong to persuade him, and he will give the people of the world half of the land rent for this year." ("Han Shu·Wendi Ji") After that, he issued many edicts to persuade Nong. Mulberry, encourage the development of production. Moreover, he personally participated in farming many times, and even asked the queen to raise silkworms in person as a demonstration. In order to reduce the burden on the people, Emperor Wen changed the land rent from the tenth tax of Emperor Gaozu to the thirty tax rate starting from the twelfth year of Emperor Wen's reign (168 BC). In the second year, the land rent was completely exempted. It was not until Emperor Jing succeeded to the throne that the tax standard of thirty to one was restored. While reducing or exempting land rent, Emperor Wen also reduced the annual tax (capitation tax) from 120 qian per person per year to 40 qian, and changed the original one month of corvee service for young men every year to one month of corvee service every three years. In addition, he also relaxed the restrictions on mountains, forests, rivers and swamps, provided loans to widows, widowers and lonely people, and helped the poor, old and weak, so as to fully restore the social economy. Emperor Jing inherited Emperor Wen's economic policies and further developed the economy. The national finances had a fundamental improvement, the treasury was full, and the living standards of the people were significantly improved. He was known as "the family has enough food".

Another aspect of Wenjing’s rule was that politics were relatively clear. After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, in order to select talents, he created the inspection and examination system. The famous young politician Chao Cuo was recommended as a "person who can commend virtuous people and can speak out and give advice". Emperor Wen also encouraged ministers to advise and discuss politics. Tingwei Zhang Shizhi contradicted the emperor several times in accordance with the law. He did not feel dissatisfied, but was always able to entrust Zhang Shizhi with important tasks, which showed the tolerant demeanor of an enlightened monarch.

Emperor Wen also made major reforms to the law. He learned the lesson from the fall of Qin, and after he came to the throne, he abolished the "defamation law" that punished crimes based on speech and the "sitting law" where one person committed a crime and implicated the family. Chunyu Yi, a native of Qi, was sentenced to corporal punishment. His daughter Tiying asked to die on his behalf. Emperor Wen was greatly moved and abolished the corporal punishment system of mutilating limbs. The lenient criminal law of this period was rare in history.

As for the social effects of Wenjing's rule, various historical books have summarized and introduced it. "Hanshu Shihuo Zhi" states: "At the beginning of Emperor Wu, during the seventy years, the country was destroyed (nothing). Except for floods and droughts, the people had enough for their families. All the huts were full, and the treasury was full of money. The money in the capital is hundreds of millions, and it is rotten and cannot be corrected; the millet in Taicang is full of dew and rotted outside, and it is inedible. There are horses in the streets and streets; , and they are not allowed to gather together. Those who guard the prison will eat rice meat, and those who are officials will have their eldest descendants, and those who are in official positions will take their surnames. ""Han Shu·Wen Di Ji" says: "The Yin Dynasty in the sea was prosperous in etiquette and justice, and hundreds of people were imprisoned. "Han Shu·Jingdi Ji" says: "The Han Dynasty was prosperous, eliminating troubles and resting with the people."

As for filial piety, coupled with courtesy and frugality, filial piety and respect for industry, within fifty or sixty years, as for changing customs, the people will be mellow. ”

It was the accumulation during the Wenjing period that created the conditions for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to push the prosperity of the Western Han Dynasty to its peak. Emperor Wu Liu Che (reigned from 141 BC to 87 BC) was an emperor with great talents and broad strategies. (Figure 6). Soon after he came to the throne, he began to change the policies since Wenjing, from doing nothing to doing something, from being abiding by to being aggressive, from admiring Huang Lao to respecting Confucianism alone, creating unprecedented historical glory.

During the period of Emperor Wu, centralization of power was further strengthened. The theory of "influence between heaven and man" gave the emperor's supreme authority a new theoretical basis. Emperor Wu also divided the country into thirteen states. The governor was dispatched to supervise the prefectures and counties according to the "Six Articles", and the control of local governments was strengthened. Financially, the power of minting money (issuance of currency) was returned to the central government, salt and iron were officially run, a large number of immigrants were sent to the northwest frontier to farm, and water conservancy projects were vigorously built in the Central Plains. Especially in terms of frontier development, with the change of foreign policy, Emperor Wu sent generals such as Wei Qing and Huo Qubing to attack the Xiongnu in an all-out manner and achieved great victory. They established Shuofang, Wuyuan, Wuwei, Jiuquan, Zhangye, and Dunhuang in the Hetao and Hexi areas. The six counties controlled the countries in the Western Regions, opened up the Silk Road, sent Tang Meng to lead the southwestern barbarians, and sent troops to Dongou, developing the Western Han Dynasty into a vast multi-ethnic country. In Chang'an City and other places, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty carried out large-scale construction projects one after another. Palaces and pavilions rose from the ground, towering into the sky. These achievements during the Emperor Wu period were all due to the foreshadowing of Wenjing's rule.

But during the Wenjing period, there was already a shadow of crisis behind the rule. The political generosity of Emperor Wen's period first benefited from big bureaucrats, big landowners and big businessmen. For example, because of Emperor Wen's favor, Huangtou Lang Deng Tong not only received numerous rewards, but also occupied Yandao, Shu County (today's Sichuan). The money made from Tongshan in the west of Ya'an was as rich as any other country, and was known as "Deng's money, half the world". Jia Yi pointed out in "Public Security Policy": At that time, the Han Dynasty had excessive prosperity of the kingdom, invasion by the Huns, and enriched the people. Political, national, and social problems such as luxury and hunger and cold are already lurking signs of troubled times. "Those who say peace and order are not foolish but flattery. They are not the ones who understand the facts and manage chaos. "Hanshu Shihuo Zhi", after highly affirming Wenjing's rule, also said: "As a result, the people are rich and the wealth is overflowing, or even mergers and acquisitions; the powerful party members arbitrarily dominate the countryside." The clan has land, the ministers and officials below are fighting for luxury, and the limits on housing, residences, carriages, and clothing are arbitrarily high. Things prosper and decline, so they change. "The changes in the ruling policies during the reign of Emperor Wu made the hidden dangers of the Wenjing period begin to appear. The use of foreign troops, waste of expenditures, squandering of money, and extravagant luxury quickly used up the accumulation of the Wenjing period. "If the soldiers are not understood, the world will be defeated. * His labors are increasing day by day with fighting, bringing food to those who travel, sending food to those who live there, harassing each other from home and abroad, the people using clever methods, and the wealth and bribes are depleted but not wasted. "("Hanshu Shihuo Zhi") In particular, Emperor Wu's political mistakes in his later years led to the "witchcraft disaster", [2] and almost caused a succession crisis. However, the prosperous age established by Wenjing was not completely destroyed. After Emperor Wu, Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan continued to maintain a stable situation in the Western Han Dynasty through the adjustment of ruling policies. Jian Bozan believed that "the half century from Zhaoxuan to Emperor Yuan was the period of the Western Han Dynasty. an era in which social and economic development continues. "[3]

Han Zhao Emperor Liu Fuling (reigned from 87 BC to 74 BC) was only eight years old when he succeeded to the throne. The actual ruler was General Huo Guang. Huo Guang adjusted national policies to a certain extent. He lightened the corvee and paid less taxes, rested with the people, reduced rents and taxes many times, and stopped using troops abroad, which restored social stability. He was deprived of his clan rights and lived among the people as a commoner. He had a better understanding of the sufferings of the lower class. Therefore, after he became emperor (reigned from 74 BC to 49 BC), he was relatively clear-minded and was known for knowing people well and doing good things. , the famous ministers such as Bing Ji, Wei Xiang, and Huang Ba all made great achievements. In addition, Emperor Xuan paid more attention to the construction of the system, emphasizing that the people should be governed first, and rewards must be punished. History called this period "officials." If he is praised for his duties, the people will be safe and secure." He has a famous saying: "The Han family has its own system, which is based on the overlord's way.

"("Book of Han: Chronicles of Emperor Yuan") During this period, it was neither simply "ruling by doing nothing" nor simply "rejoicing in great achievements", but a combination of the way of kingship and hegemony, which finally finalized the ruling strategy of the Western Han Dynasty.

The prosperity of the Western Han Dynasty started from the reign of Wenjing and reached its climax by Emperor Wu. After Emperor Wu, Emperor Zhao and Emperor Yi maintained a long lasting legacy. Because the Western Han Dynasty was in the rising period of China's feudal society. , this prosperous age not only lasted for a long time, but also left an example worthy of imitation for future generations of rulers.

2. From the rule of Zhenguan to the prosperous age of Kaiyuan

The Tang Dynasty. The prosperous period began in the Zhenguan period (627-650), and after the transition from Gaozong, Empress Wu, Zhongzong, and Ruizong, it came to the Tianbao period (742-756) in the Kaiyuan period of Xuanzong. , various social conflicts began to intensify. By the outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion, the prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty came to an end. Different from the prosperous age of the Western Han Dynasty, the prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty had obvious ups and downs, with two peaks: the Zhenguan period and the Kaiyuan period. , there were decades of depression.

The Sui Dynasty ended the separation of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and reunified China. Although Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was headstrong, he made great achievements in governing the country. After Emperor Yang came to the throne, he imposed excessive taxes, indulged in extravagance, and abused the people's power, resulting in a situation of "lost harvest time and many fields". In particular, the failure of the three expeditions to Goryeo quickly intensified social conflicts and led to chaos in the Tang Dynasty. After the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the eldest son Li Jiancheng was crowned prince, and his second son Li Shimin was granted the title of King of Qin. With the merits and forces established during the Conquest of the World, he launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident, killed Li Jiancheng and his younger brother Li Yuanji, and won the throne with the title of Zhenguan. During the Zhenguan period, Tang Taizong Li Shimin (Figure 7) learned the lessons of the demise of the Sui Dynasty. , adopted a series of measures to alleviate social conflicts, creating a new situation of political clarity and social stability, known in history as the Zhenguan Rule.

Tang Gaozu and Tang Taizong were both politically enlightened, and the Tang Dynasty was established. Later, they paid attention to the lessons of history and learned from the personal experience of the anti-Sui struggle. As early as the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Tang Gaozu had a clear understanding of Pei Ji. Said: "At the end of the Sui Dynasty, there was no way, and the superiors and inferiors were in conflict with each other. The master was arrogant and proud, and the ministers were just flattering sycophants. If the superiors do not listen to it and the subordinates do not show loyalty, the country will be in danger and the body will die at the hands of a common man. I am trying to bring order to the chaos, and I am determined to bring peace to the people. I will appoint military ministers to quell the chaos, and appoint civilian officials to guard the country. " ("Old Book of Tang·Biography of Sun Fuga") In the hands of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, he further realized the power of the people. In the eighteenth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong once warned Prince Li Zhi: "The reason why a boat is better than a king is because of water. Than Li Shu. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. You are the master of others, so don’t be afraid! " ("Zhenguan Politicians: Teaching and Commanding the Princes and Kings") This metaphor of "causing the boat to overthrow the boat" is rare among rulers. Because Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty had such an understanding, most of the ministers who gave advice during the Zhenguan period used " Take the fall of the Sui Dynasty as an example. For example, in the second year of Zhenguan, Wang Si said to Taizong: "In the past, the emperors of Qin and Han were extremely warlike on the outside, and they worshiped luxurious palaces on the inside. When manpower was exhausted, disasters arose. Don't they want to comfort people? They have lost the way to comfort people. The fate of the Sui Dynasty is not far away. Your Majesty has personally accepted the disadvantages and knows how to change them. "It requires learning from the lessons of Qin, Han, and Sui, changing course, and adjusting policies ("Zhenguan Politicians·Farming"). The rule of Zhenguan was formed in this context.

Taizong of the Tang Dynasty in politics There are two aspects that are very prominent: one is the employment of people, and the other is the acceptance of advice. These two aspects played a great role in the formation of Zhenguan's rule. Yuan Zhen once summarized this: "Fang, Du, Wang, and Wei." Disciples, let's discuss whether we can come forward; people from all over the world talk about gains and losses outside. In less than four or three years, the world has become a great place. How can it be that Emperor Wen is the only one who can bring wisdom to the top? Everyone in the group has done their best to spread the word and spread it to the world. ” (Volume 32 of "Yuan Zhen Collection")

In terms of employing people, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty knew well that "the key to government is to recruit people. If people are not used according to their talents, it will be difficult to govern." The next time he issued an edict to seek sages, he also criticized the prime ministers Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, asking them not to get involved in complicated affairs, but to open their eyes and ears and seek sages.

In the late Kaiyuan period, the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty reached its peak. "New Tang Book: Food and Goods Chronicles" records: "At that time, the sea was rich, and the price of a dou of rice was thirteen cents. Between Qing and Qi, a dou was worth three cents. A piece of silk cost two hundred cents. There were shops along the road, with wine and food. Waiting for travelers. There are post donkeys in the store, and they can travel thousands of miles without carrying soldiers. "The Tang Dynasty's "The Legend of Kaitian" said: "He Qinghai Yan, the Anxi Kingdom, Xiping is a county. Traveling westward, the land is more than 10,000 miles away, and the tax collection and treasury are everywhere. The wealth is abundant in all directions, and the people are wealthy. , Don’t know weapons. If you don’t pick up things on the road, you can’t find food.” Western historians also believe: “This is an era of consolidation, an era of wise use of imperial power, an era of restraint, especially an era of no external waste of money and ambition. The era of adventurous actions." [5]

However, the Kaiyuan rule did not last long. By the Tianbao period, Tang Xuanzong began to be satisfied. "Peace lasts for a long time, and I am content with leisure. I gradually stay away from the nobles and approach the villains." In the selection of the prime minister, Li Linfu, who used "sweet words and swords", and Yang Guozhong, a villain in the market, credulously trusted the vassal general An Lushan and indulged in the affair with Yang Guifei. In love, a major political mistake has been made. In the early Kaiyuan period, Xuanzong could still listen to some suggestions, but by the Tianbao period, he could hardly listen to any different opinions. The accumulation of national finances provided the Tang Dynasty with the capital to make great achievements. During the Tianbao period, Xuanzong carried out large-scale construction projects internally, built Xingqing Palace and Huaqing Officials, built Taoist temples across the country, and created statues of Lao Tzu and himself; externally, he carried out large-scale border work and launched many attacks on Tubo and Nanzhao