CRAFTING STABILITY IN SICHUAN: MIGRATION STRATEGIES AND REGIONAL GOVERNANCE UNDER HONGWU (1368-1398) AND KANGXI (1661-1722)

Abstract

This study explores the divergent migration policies of the Ming and Qing dynasties in Sichuan, a region grappling with severe population decline and land barrenness during the late Yuan and early Ming periods, as well as the late Ming and early Qing eras. The study compares the contrasting approaches of the Ming Dynasty under Hongwu and the Qing Dynasty under Kangxi, focusing on their strategies for managing population relocation and land reclamation. Under Hongwu, the Ming Dynasty adopted a strict and punitive approach to migration. The “Zhongdian Zhiguo” (strict governance) and the “Weisuo Zhidu” (guardhouse system) were implemented to relocate criminals and military personnel to Sichuan. These measures aimed to enforce order and control, reflecting Hongwu’s broader strategy of maintaining authority through coercion and rigorous oversight. In contrast, the Qing Dynasty under Kangxi favoured a more supportive and incentivising approach. The 1690 “Regulations on Naturalisation in Sichuan” offered land reclamation incentives to homeless individuals, promoting voluntary migration and integration. This policy sought to stabilise and develop Sichuan by encouraging settlement and land cultivation through positive reinforcement rather than punitive measures. The research provides a comparative analysis of these strategies, illustrating how the Ming Dynasty’s focus under Hongwu on control and punishment differed from the Qing Dynasty’s emphasis under Kangxi on support and incentives. This examination reveals the impact of differing governance ideologies on regional development and offers insights into the evolution of migration policies and their effects on Sichuan’s long-term stability and growth.