Abstract:
The Wuwei Army was a garrison force established by Emperor Jin Shizong in the 17th year of the Dading Reign. Its predecessor was the Garrison Army of the Capital. The name Wuwei Army is the system which straightly passed down from Han Dynasty by people of Han ethnicity in the Central Plains of China. Its organization, however, adopted the characteristics of the
Meng’anmouke system, reflecting the blending of multi-ethnic cultures in the military system of the Jin Dynasty. The establishment of the army had a certain degree of contingency, and was also closely related to the northern situation before and after Emperor Shizong’s ascension to the throne. After Emperor Zhangzong, it was no longer limited to guarding the capital but began to go on expeditions and garrisons. Among the 29 known commanding officers of the army, as many as 27 were Jurchen, showing the leadership of the army is up to the determination of the Jurchen. After the outbreak of the Jin-Mongol War, the army became an important armed force relied upon by the Jurchen. Ultimately, the army was unable to save the Jin Dynasty from its internal and external difficulties. Finally, Jin Dynasty led it to its end.