Thefubingsystem(Chinese:Phủ binh chế;pinyin:fǔbīng zhì;Wade–Giles:fu-ping chih) was a local militia system inImperial Chinafrom the 6th to 8th centuries AD, originating in theWestern Wei dynastyand subsequently adopted by theNorthern Zhou,Sui,andTangdynasties.
Characteristics
editThe basis of the Sui and early Tang militaries was thefubingmilitia system, first employed by the Western Wei, under regentYuwen Tai's administration. Thesemilitiaunits also served as reserves, and could be mobilized quickly in times of war or political instability. those over 2000liaway served for two months every 18 months. When off-duty, they would farm their land, but when a war occurred, they would be re-mobilized. This supplemented theequal-field system,which assigned all households a share of land to farm. These units subsequently became hereditary military families, and ushered forth vast militarized settlements and communities.[1]
The Sui placed these units under local civil administration, and later the Tang incorporated them under metropolitan control, more specifically the Ministry of the Army. The Tang fielded 634 militia units, later called Zhechongfu. Under Tang administration every 6 families were expected to provide one man to serve under a garrison unit. Each unit consisted of 800 to 1200 men, and in turn were subdivided intotuanof 300,duiof 50, andhuoof 10.[2][3]Many were concentrated in the northern region, especially inGuanzhong,which alone fielded 261 militia units, the rest included 164 inShanxi,and 74 inHenanandShandong,all constituting about 80 percent offubingconscripts.Fubingrequired little government expenditure, since militiamen could support themselves by farming.[4]
Thefubingsystem only had provisions for brief military campaigns and peacetime. Prolonged warfare would prevent the cultivation of agriculture for the economy.Fubingwas gradually abandoned in favor of full-time army units, known asjian'er( kiện nhi ).[3][5]
See also
edit- Military history of the Northern and Southern dynasties
- Military history of the Sui dynasty
- Military history of the Tang dynasty
- Weisuo system,a similar local militia system used by theMing dynasty
Notes
edit- ^Fubingzhi[permanent dead link]
- ^"Zhechongfu".Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-29.Retrieved2007-08-01.
- ^abPeers, p.110-112
- ^Liu, p. 85-86
- ^Jian Er[permanent dead link]
References
edit- Fubing system in Encyclopædia Britannica
- Liu, Zhaoxiang et al. (2000).History of Military Legal System.Beijing: Encyclopedia of China Publishing House.ISBN7-5000-6303-2.
- Tang, Gengou."Jian Er"[permanent dead link].Encyclopedia of China(Chinese History Edition), 1st ed.
- Yang, Zhijiu et al."Fubingzhi"[permanent dead link].Encyclopedia of China(Chinese History Edition), 1st ed.
- Yang, Debing."Zhechongfu".Encyclopedia of China(Chinese History Edition), 1st ed.
- Peers, C.J. (2006).Soldiers of the Dragon.New York: Osprey Publishing.ISBN1-84603-098-6