| Abstract |
This paper attempts to analyze different point of views on the borderline between Commander of East and Kingdom of Liang in the early years of Han Dynasty, by investigating statements from scholars such as Tsu-wang Chuan, Chi-hsiang Tan, Chen-he Chou, Hui Wang, Keng-wang Yen and Chang-kuei Yen. First part clarifies texts from Shi-Ji and History of Han Dynasty chosen by these scholars, pointing out their crucial differences of statements. Then, by analyzing bamboo slips unearthed from a grave in Zhangjiashan, it is verified that Commander of East belonged to the central government rather than Kingdom of Liang. Moreover, taking the twenty-two districts governed by Commander of East recorded in History of Han Dynasty as a framework and tracing back its districts and District Marquis recorded in bamboo slips unearthed from a grave in Zhangjiashan, this paper conjectures the territory of Commander of East in First Half of the Former Han Dynasty. Comparing and contrasting changes of lands among these districts and District Marquis recorded in bamboo slips unearthed from Chu Yen, Tun Huang, and strips excavated at Yinwan Han Tomb, it is evident that the territorial alteration of Commander of East is usually influenced by adjustments of District Marquis or Kingdom of Liang. Due to the increase and decrease of territories, borderlines between Commander of East and Kingdom of Liang gradually altered. Throughout two hundred years, Commander of East extended its territory step by step in order to consolidate the power of the central government. |
