Implementation of Tactics and Institutions in the Sino-Tangut War
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54691/1dzw3212Keywords:
Elastic Defense, Sino-Tangut War, Military History.Abstract
The military performance of the Northern Song Dynasty was not always weak. During the reign of Emperor Zhezong(1095-1100), the Song forces gained decisive victory over the Tanguts in 1098, earning a geographic and strategic advantage over their enemies. This paper argues that institutional reforms, rather than the adjustments in overall tactics, proved to be more decisive in this turnaround. By closely analyzing the battle of Haoshui Chuan in 1041, the essay tends to suggest that the early Song institutions—recruitment abuses, garrison rotation, and civil-official dominance—crippled combat effectiveness and prevented Elastic Defense from being successfully implemented. While the Wang Anshi’s new policy, such as the Baojia and the Jiangbing training systems, along with the improvements of the quality of the commanders following the continuous warfare between the Song and the Tanguts, improved the troop quality, command flexibility, and cohesion. These improvements eventually allowed Zhang Jie, an outstanding commander, to successfully implement the tactic of Elastic Defense in the battlefield, securing the victory of the battle of Pingxia Cheng in 1098. The study concludes that institutional transformation was decisive in shifting the Song from passive defense to forward and elastic defense against the Tanguts.
Downloads
References
[1] Tuo, T. (2013). Songshi. Zhonghua Book Company, 328, 10590
[2] Zeng, R. (n.d.). Tuobian xibei. Zhejiang University Press, 198.
[3] Kuhn, D. (2009). The age of Confucian rule: The Song transformation of China. Harvard University Press, 7.
[4] Lorge, P. (2017). Military institutions as a defining feature of the Song Dynasty. Journal of Chinese History, 1, 259.
[5] Zeng, R. (n.d.). Tuobian xibei, 46–68.
[6] Xue, J. (1976). Jiu Wudai shi. Zhonghua Book Company, 98, 1301–1304.
[7] Wang, Z. (1986). Songdai junzhi chutan. Zhonghua Book Company, 1.
[8] Sima, G. (1956). Zizhi tongjian. Zhonghua Book Company, 263, 8707.
[9] Bi, Y. (1957). Xu zizhi tongjian. Zhonghua Book Company, 2, 35.
[10] Lorge, P. (2017). Military institutions as a defining feature of the Song Dynasty, 271.
[11] Sima, G. (1989). Sushui jiwen. Zhonghua Book Company, 1, 11.
[12] Twitchett, D. (2009). The Cambridge history of China Vol.5: Part1, The Sung Dynasty and its precursors. Cambridge University Press, 205.
[13] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 5, 139.
[14] Wang, Z. (1986). Songdai bingzhi chutan, 263.
[15] Deng, G. (2008). Songshi shijiang. Zhonghua Book Company, 75–79.
[16] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 17, 382.
[17] Wang, S. (2023). Liangsong caizheng shi. People’s Press, 805.
[18] Li, H. (2010). Song-Xia guanxi shi. China Renmin University Press, 46.
[19] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 132, 3143.
[20] Zeng, R. (2019). Jinglue youyan. Zhejiang University Press, 205.
[21] Zeng, R. (n.d.). Tuobian xibei, 50.
[22] von Clausewitz, C. (1976). On war. Princeton University Press, 721.
[23] National Defense University of Taiwan. (2013). History of Chinese war through the ages. CITIC Press, 11, 279.
[24] Tuo, T. (2013). History of the Song Dynasty, 485, 13997.
[25] Bi, Y. (1957). Xu zizhi tongjian, 3, 1126.
[26] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 126, 2968.
[27] Bi, Y. (1957). Xu zizhi tongjian, 3, 1126.
[28] Tuo, T. (2013). The history of Song, 485, 13997.
[29] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 137, 3302.
[30] Sima, G. (1989). Sushui jiwen, 4, 80.
[31] Wang, Z. (2019). Research on the officials and military decision-making of the northwest frontier defense army in Northern Song Dynasty—Taking the Song Xia war as the object of investigation [Doctoral dissertation]. Northwest University, 174.
[32] Chen, F. (2011). Bei Song wu jiang ji qi xiangguan wenti yanjiu. People’s Press, 172.
[33] Chen, F. (2010). Songdai junzheng yanjiu. China Social Sciences Press, 11–16.
[34] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 122, 2888.
[35] Tuo, T. (2013). The history of Song Dynasty, 283, 9572.
[36] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 150, 3627–3629.
[37] Chen, F. (2011). Bei Song wu jiang ji qi xiangguan wenti yanjiu, 215.
[38] Tuo, T. (2013). The history of Song Dynasty, 288, 9679.
[39] Bi, Y. (1957). Xu zizhi tongjian, 42, 1021.
[40] Wang, Z. (1986). Songdai bingzhi chutan, 55–61.
[41] Li, H. (2010). Song-Xia guanxi shi, 121–122.
[42] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 470, 11220–11221.
[43] Ma, R. (2011). Wenxian tongkao. Zhonghua Book Company, 4555.
[44] Lorge, P. (2021). The reunification of China. Jiuzhou Press, 317.
[45] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 47, 1019.
[46] Tuo, T. (2013). The history of Song Dynasty, 189, 4642–4643.
[47] Ma, D. (n.d.). Wenxian tongkao, 152, 4556.
[48] Zhao, R. (1999). Songdai zhu chen zouyi. Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, 120, 1323.
[49] Tuo, T. (2013). The history of Song, 320, 10020.
[50] Wang, Z. (1986). Songdai bingzhi chutan, 69.
[51] Sima, G. (1987). Chuanjia ji. In Siku quanshu (Vol. 1094, p. 41). Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House.
[52] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 132.
[53] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 136.
[54] Deng, G. (2008). Songshi shijiang, 83–97.
[55] Wang, S. (2023). Liangsong caizheng shi, 394.
[56] Wang, A. (2020). Linchuan wenji. Chongwen Book Company, 41.
[57] Deng, X. (2025). Zuzong zhi fa: Bei Song qian qi zhengzhi shu lüe. SDX Joint Publishing Company, 422–428.
[58] Twitchett, D. (2009). The Cambridge history of China, The Sung Dynasty and its precursors, 907–1279, 295.
[59] Deng, G. (2017). Bei Song zhengzhi gaige jia: Wang Anshi. SDX Joint Publishing Company, 120–127.
[60] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 247, 6022–6024.
[61] He, G. (2023). Tuodi xiangdi: Bei Song zhongye neichen mingjiang Li Xian yanjiu. Chongqing Press, 477.
[62] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 218, 5297–5298.
[63] Twitchett, D. (2009). The Cambridge history of China: The Sung Dynasty and its precursors, 907–1279, 382.
[64] Xu, S. (2014). Song huiyao jigao bing. Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, 2, 12.
[65] Li, H. (2010). Song-Xia guanxi shi, 140.
[66] Tuo, T. (2013). The history of Song Dynasty, 192, 4766.
[67] Ma, D. (n.d.). Wenxian tongkao, 153.
[68] Wang, Z. (1986). Songdai junzhi chutan, 155–157.
[69] Qi, X. (1959). Wang Anshi reforms. Shanghai People’s Press, 285.
[70] Xu, D. (n.d.). Que sao bian juan.
[71] Wang, C. (n.d.). Dongdu shilüe.
[72] Wang, Z. (1986). Songdai junzhi chutan, 120–124.
[73] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 299, 7278.
[74] Zhao, D. (n.d.). A study on Jiang Bing Fa during the Xi Feng reforms, 19.
[75] Zeng, G., et al. (n.d.). Wujing zongyao, 16, 487.
[76] Zhao, D. (n.d.). A study on Jiang Bing Fa during the Xi Feng reforms, 26.
[77] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 485, 11524.
[78] Tuo, T. (2013). The history of Song Dynasty, 328, 10589–10590.
[79] Twitchett, D. (2009). The Cambridge history of China, The Sung Dynasty and its precursors, 907–1279, 507.
[80] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 486, 11546.
[81] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 486, 11525.
[82] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 487, 11566.
[83] Zeng, R. (n.d.). Tuobian xibei, 188.
[84] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 500, 11904.
[85] Wang, Z. (n.d.). Hanbin ji. In Siku quanshu (Vol.15, p.3).
[86] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 503.
[87] Zeng, R. (n.d.). Tuobian xibei, 195.
[88] Wang, Z. (n.d.). Hanbin ji, 15, 4.
[89] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 503.
[90] Wang, T. (1993). Xixia zhanshi. Ningxia People’s Press, 222.
[91] Tuo, T. (2013). The history of Song Dynasty, 350, 11085.
[92] Wang, Z. (n.d.). Hanbin ji, 15, 4.
[93] Wang, T. (1993). Xixia zhanshi, 83–85.
[94] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 503, 11987.
[95] Lü, H. (n.d.). The highest commander of Fuyan District from 1096 to 1100.
[96] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 503, 11973.
[97] Wang, Z. (1986). Songdai junzhi chutan, 125–126.
[98] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 503, 11973.
[99] Tuo, T. (2013). The history of Song Dynasty, 350, 14238.
[100] Wang, Z. (n.d.). Hanbin ji, 15, 5.
[101] Tuo, T. (2013). Songshi, 328, 10590.
[102] Wang, Z. (n.d.). Hanbin ji, 15, 7–8.
[103] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 504, 12006–12007.
[104] Zeng, R. (n.d.). Tuobian xibei, 198–199.
[105] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 500, 11911.
[106] Wang, Z. (n.d.). Hanbin ji, 15, 5–6.
[107] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 487, 11220–11221.
[108] Li, T. (n.d.). Xu zizhi tongjian changbian, 503–505.
[109] Zeng, R. (n.d.). Tuobian xibei, 188–189.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Scientific Journal Of Humanities and Social Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
