Horse Policy and Ruling Thought in the Early Western Han: Examining the Ordinances on Fords and Passes

Abstract

The central government's regulations on the sale and purchase of horses in the Land within the Passes (Guanzhong ) and their entry and exit from the Pass in the Ordinances on Fords and Passes (Jinguan ling ) are important sources for understanding the horse policy of the early Western Han Dynasty and recognizing the relationship between the dynasty and the counties and vassal states outside the Pass. By examining the ordinances on the purchase and sale of horses, it is clear that the Han state strictly controlled horses, restricted private ownership of horses, and prohibited horses from exiting the Pass. However, some "privileged classes" still had the right to purchase horses from the Han government and take them out of the Pass after following some legal procedures, but this privilege was entirely dependent on the imperial power. Behind these regulations, it reflects the legislative thought of the supremacy of imperial power, "power over law"(), and the fundamental purpose of consolidating centralized power, weakening the strength of vassal states, and "strengthening the central forces while weakening the local ones" ().