This paper considered Xi-xia-war under emperor Shenzhong in Northern Shong era, China in the late 11th Century and discussions regarding the war. Through this, finding meaningful facts as followings, I drew my own conclusions.
First, Song against Xi-xia-war in emperor Shenzhong era shows very negative attitude in several ways including the development process of the war. Above all, in the development process of the war, a chain of military command wasn’t established well. Also, personal ambition and resentment disturbed achieving strategic goals. For example, In ‘Ling-wu war’, because of a commander’s personal ambition, Yeng-Zhe castle couldn’t be seized. Also, shifting the blame for defeat onto other subordinate generals is caused by the original weakness of Song Army. In Yong-le castle-war, Xu-xi, the then commander, ignoring the opinions of an experienced subordinate general is the decisive factor in defeat. Ignoring general Chong-e’s opinion that because there is not enough water in Yong-le castle, to build a castle is impossible shows the weakness of Shung Army which was controlled by civil servants. In addition, general Xu-xi impeached Chong-e for not agreeing with him, which resulted in Chong-e not providing soldiers. In short, two times of loss of the big battles in emperor Shenzhong era shows the contradictions and characteristic in society under civil control at that time.
At that time, a lively discussion of war against Xi-xia took place took place at a court in Shong. Old Law party figures who were in antithesis to the reform of Wang An Shi were against the Xishia war by reason of immature internal condition. Wang An Shi who attempted to reform the law with Shenzhong took his stand strongly on a foreign rule policy at first. But, after watching the situation of the Shong Army and several side effects of Xi-xia war, he changed his stance into prioritizing domestic reform. It reflects the fact objectively that Song didn’t have enough military skill to overwhelm Xi-xia that Old Law party and New Law party including Wang An Shi, who were engaged in an unyielding confrontation over several policies and measures, took a similar stand.
As a result, Xi-xia war in Shenzhong period ending in disastrous failure results from immature domestic condition, the lack of systematic line of command and weakness of military machine under civil control. Of course, these matters are not limited to Emperor Shenzhong era. But there is the biggest difference in that the war in Emperor Shenzhong period was conducted under Shong’s attack, while war in Emperor Inzhong period was in Xi-xia’s leading attack. In this sense, failure of Xi-xia war emblematizes the weakness of diplomatic and military skills in the period of Shong.