The word "Annan" originates from the Annan Capital of the Tang Dynasty, a border area located in the southern corner of the country, which seems to be inconspicuous but has always been the attention of the rulers of the Central Plains. Since Qin Shi Huang occupied this land, through the Han and Tang dynasties, especially the Tang Dynasty, the central government for military suppression and economic and trade development needs, the land of Annan is particularly important.

Anyone who dared to covet the land of Annam, the Tang army would surely expel them completely. The Tang dynasty in the establishment of the beginning of the establishment of the Annan capital, not only in order to show the central plains of the dynasty's great power weather, but also to pacify the people of various ethnic groups, so that this place can be a long-term peace and security from disturbing the surrounding. Through the Tang Dynasty to the importance of Annan, later generations of people it is not difficult to see this place for the Tang Dynasty has a life and death of the entire dynasty role.

One, the early Tang Dynasty set up the An Nan capital of both deterrence and appeasement of the dual role

1 one of the appeasement of the people of the border to maintain the unity and stability

Annan of the land of the people of the many ethnic groups, due to the harsh living environment as well as sparse and the exchange of culture in the Central Plains, the Annan land of both folk customs are not the same as in the past, the people of the country are not the same as in the present, but they have been the most important thing. The land of the people regardless of folk customs and the mainstream of the Tang Dynasty at that time have many disconnect.

Plus, this land has been separated from the central control many times to become a king, so the belief of independence is particularly strong. However, the land of Annan had an important military and economic impact on the Tang Dynasty, and in order to control the region, the Tang Dynasty set up the Anan capital to guard the area.

In order to maintain the stability of the region and not to cause trouble to the central government, the management mode of the Anan capital government is basically to govern according to the customs, although there are officials appointed by the central government to supervise, but the way of governance is fully on the position of respecting the local people's folk customs. Ensure that the different beliefs and customs of the people here can be harmonized ****, do not fall into endless fighting in the unproductive. Similarly, if this place is united as one, then those countries with ulterior motives will not dare to invade.

2The second way to strengthen the deterrent effect of the Tang dynasty

The Tang dynasty set up the Anan capital in Anan to guard this place, on the one hand, it is natural to objectively maintain the stability of the place, to promote the production, and to add bricks and mortar for the functioning of the whole dynasty; on the other hand, the deterrent effect of the Tang dynasty is also radiated to the four directions from this border place. In fact, today's people praise the Tang Dynasty's rich and powerful, but do not know because of this rich Tang Dynasty has been coveted by other countries.

Just as the Han Dynasty had a fated rival in the north, the Xiong Nu, the Tang Dynasty has its own nightmare in the northwest, the Tubo. These nomadic tribal dynasties were like the sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of the Chinese dynasties, keeping them awake at all times. Therefore, the Tang Dynasty's actions in Annan were also meant to announce to the Tubo and the various kingdoms that coveted the Tang Dynasty, that the Tang Dynasty was powerful and that these small people should not act rashly.

In the country to country confrontation, to be able to bloodless to play a deterrent effect is really more cost-effective than the bloody battlefield. But no amount of deterrence can resist the onslaught of desire. Although the central government of the Tang Dynasty has released such a strong signal to protect Annam, there are still other small countries that are determined to challenge the Tang Dynasty in order to survive and thrive.

Two, the excellent geographical advantages of the Tang Dynasty doubled the importance of Annan

1 one as a military barrier against the state of Nanzhao

In order to counterbalance the Tubo, the Tang Dynasty single-handedly in the back of the support of the state of Nanzhao. However, when the Nanzhao State gradually developed, it was no longer satisfied with just being a pawn, and wanted to seek better development. The development of the country can not be separated from the territorial expansion, especially for the Nanzhao to the south can not beat the Khmer Empire, to the north also do not have the courage to challenge the Tubo, seize the Annam has the ability to access to the sea has become the only option for the Nanzhao.

In the heart of the Nanzhao Kingdom, the Great Tang Dynasty, the vast land and material resources for the rule of Annam also did not show a strong attitude, so quietly occupy the land of Annam for their own should not be difficult. But he was misjudging the situation and attitude of the Tang Dynasty, for the invasion of Nanzhao, the Tang Dynasty's attitude is very decisive, immediately sent troops to quell the chaos.

Nanzhao, as a small border country that Tang has cultivated, dared to challenge the might of Tang, which is really out of its depth. Relying on the geographical advantage of Annam, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack, as well as the convenience of transportation with the neighboring towns and clans, the Tang Dynasty easily defeated the invasion of the Nanzhao. The Tang Dynasty is not afraid of the undefeated Nanzhao's attempts to make a second attack, and it is pouring all its strength into the other side of them to beat them into submission.

Annan as the southern military barrier of the Great Tang, the significance of the role is huge. If the Great Tang is not in this place, familiar with the terrain, cloth good defense, to the south of the land of the terrain complexity is very easy to let the other countries to seize the opportunity to take advantage of.

2 second is the Tang dynasty ocean economic and trade fortress

In addition to the important role of the military, Annan for the Tang dynasty is the ocean economic and trade fortress. This is an important reason why the Nanzhao want to seize this place, but also one of the reasons why the Great Tang desperately guarded. Some people may think that the Great Tang has the Silk Road since the Han Dynasty should not care too much about Annan.

In fact, because of the rise of the Tubo Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty basically lost control of the Western Silk Road, and in order to maintain the strength of the Tang Dynasty, new trade routes had to be developed. The land route is not accessible, the broad ocean road will be favored by the Tang Dynasty. Annan was part of the Lingnan Road, which led to Guangzhou, thus providing easy access to the sea.

While the Tang Dynasty and Annan distance is very far, have more sea port, not like the Nanzhao that must be Annan, but in order to prevent the Nanzhao as the Tubo that big, only to nip in the bud all the possibilities. After all, there is no Annan Nanzhao can only be in their own acres and thirds of land to play around, if there is the economic support of the sea trade is bound to grow into their own threat.

So, in order to put an end to such a foreseeable crisis as well as to maintain its grip on the maritime trade, the Tang Dynasty possessed and controlled Annam like no other dynasty.

Three, why the Tang Dynasty is willing to pay a huge price for the protection of Annan

1 one of the loss of Annan, the southern gateway to the Tang Dynasty is wide open

Lingnan land transportation roads have never been intricate and complex, coupled with the miasma of the thicket, is never easy to pass through the region. Distance from the Central Plains is very far, once the loss of the local township institutions, then it will fall into a state of complete disconnection. If, by chance, someone invades and entrenches himself in the mountains, forests and lakes, it will be very difficult for the imperial court to clear them out.

This place is different from the Central Plains and the Jiangnan region of a flat river, once lost, the loss of not only the territory of Annam, but the entire southern door will be open to others to violate. With the advantage of being easy to defend and difficult to attack, it will even become a hazard to shake the authority of the court.

From the rebellion of Zhao Tuo and the Wu Quan division of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, we can see that it is extremely easy for this place to get out of the control of the court and become the southern legacy of destroying the great unification.

The Tang Dynasty reacted strongly to the invasion of Nanzhao, not only because it violated the heavenly authority and tried to grow bigger, but also because the importance of this area to the security of the southern gateway of the Central Plains Dynasty was too strong.

2 Secondly, the tribal forces in the south will affect the stability of the surrounding

The land of Annan is full of forested tribes, who are not only incompatible with the culture and customs of the Central Plains, but also full of fights even if they have long existed in the same piece of land, with regard to the power, turf and beliefs. Even more so, due to the hard living environment. Make this place people temperament tough, difficult to tame.

So the Tang Dynasty adopted a customized governance program for this southern borderland. Their cultural traditions as well as their positions of power were fully preserved. In this way, the relative and opposing ways of governance did make both sides friendly and cooperative for a long time. But the imperial court's control of this land has never let down its guard, in order to facilitate the synergistic management of the entire southwestern region, the court spared no effort to open up the transportation of this place, so that it and the surrounding areas to establish a good transportation links.

In times of peace, this relatively convenient transportation environment naturally contributes to the economic development of each region. But once this place fell, in the rendering of such a tough people, it will inevitably lead to the harm of the neighboring areas of the evil consequences. Once the court lost control of this place, those tribal conflicts and grudges between the buffer is no longer adjustable, killing each other is bound to be the end result. In a war-torn environment, not only the local people will be affected, but also the neighboring areas.

3Thirdly, Annam is a fertile land for retreat

For the Tang Dynasty, Annam is not only a stronghold of maritime trade and commerce, but also a precious land that can provide materials for the court. To control Annan is to control the land, manpower and other material resources in the southwest. Although this place is not as prosperous and affluent as Jiangnan, the humanities and technology is also slightly backward.

But under the efforts of several generations, both food cultivation and humanistic literacy have improved. Although, the Tang Dynasty seems to be powerful, but the north is full of strong enemies, if you can keep this territory of Annan, but also for the Great Tang left an excellent retreat. Here, the Tang Dynasty still has majesty, a complete ruling order as well as sufficient human and material resources.

The geography of the area is very dangerous and difficult to defend. This will not only keep you safe, but also provide you with the leverage you need to make a comeback. Therefore, the Tang Dynasty has always attached great importance to Annan, even if the threat of the An Shi Rebellion, Tang Xuanzong also dared to lead the people to flee to the south, because the military defense of the south is completely worth trusting.

Four, summarize

While, now this territory of Annam has long ceased to exist on our territory. But since the Qin Dynasty, the connection between Annam and China has never been broken. Undeniably, Annam has its own local culture inheritance, but there are also many shadows of the influence of Chinese civilization. In fact, if we look at the whole world, no country can exist as an island, and the world is only tied together by a thousand links. Instead of arguing about some unnecessary subordinate right and wrong, it is better to focus on the present, watch and help each other to achieve a better future is the most sincere.

References:

The New Tang Dynasty

The Records of the Grand Historian

The Great Learning of Ziji

The Great Learning of Ziji