西南乡兵宋代成因及作用考略

Formation and Function of Militia in Southwestern China in Song Dynasty

宋代军种分为禁军、厢军、乡兵以及南宋"屯驻大军"。西南乡兵作为宋军的重要构成部分经历了传统期、改制期和重塑期三个阶段。它的形成与发展并非偶然,而是同宋代的边防战略、经济状况和战斗能力息息相关,乡兵在边远复杂的自然社会环境中,承担着戍防、镇抚、勤王、开边、征讨等多重使命,在加强西南少数民族地区统治的军事活动中发挥着重要作用,成为稳定地区局势的重要武装力量。

Military services of Song Dynasty are composed of imperial guards,local troops,militia and cultivating soldiers of the Southern Song Dynasty.As an important part of the military services of Song,militia in Southwestern China have a history of three stages:tradition stage,restructuring stage and reformation stage.The formation and development of the militia is not an accident.It is closely related to the border defense strategy,economic situation and fight ability of Song.In remote and complicated social environments,militia assume a role of defending,pacifying,emperor protecting,border expanding,and rebel suppressing.It is important in the military actions to enforce the management in the ethnic regions of Southwestern China,and is a significant armed force in the regional stabilization.