The Inception of the Military Governor System in the Tang Dynasty and Its Inaugural Appointee

The Military Governor (Jiedushi ) system is a pivotal institution for comprehending the historical transformations in East Asia during the Tang-Song transition period. Despite its significance, scholarly consensus has yet to be fully established regarding the precise inception year, the initial appointment location, and the identity of the inaugural Jiedushi . Based on a comprehensive examination of documentary sources and epigraphic evidence, this study demonstrates:<br/> The record in the Zizhi Tongjian stating that Xue Ne was the first Jiedushi in 710 is erroneous. This misinterpretation arises from an inability to differentiate Jiedushi as an “official title” from a more general “designation” for those wielding military command. Xue Ne merely served as a long-term guardian of Youzhou and held the position of Jinglueshi of Andong. Neither the Dayun Temple Stele nor the Tomb Inscription of Sima Yike indicates that he held the office of Hexi Jiedushi . His position instead reflected the transitional phase during which the region west of the Yellow River was being separated from Longyou. Given that the year 711 marks the establishment of Hexi as an independent entity from Longyou, the record in the Fangzhenbiao indicating the establishment of Hexi Jiedushi in 710 is unreliable.<br/> In conclusion, barring the discovery of new evidence, it is reasonable to regard Heba Yansi—whose appointment as Hexi Jiedushi in 711 is documented in multiple historical records—as the inaugural Jiedushi.