2.2 唐朝盛世筑起的是无形的长城:盛世长城:经历过结束东汉以来长达 400 多年分裂局面的隋朝,唐朝登上中国的历史舞台。这是一个疆域空前辽阔,国力强盛,对外交往活跃,文化极其自信的朝代,也是历史上少有的没有大规模修建长城的朝代,但这种政治军事、经济社会、文化艺术上的综合实力也许恰恰是最雄伟、最攻不可破的长城。唐朝的仕女画就是当时社会生活的直观写照。这幅《簪花仕女图》描绘的是六名雍容华贵的仕女和一名侍女在春夏之交赏花游园。悠闲、自信的步伐,衣着华丽的装扮正反映了唐朝社会物质富庶,生活安定,开放包容。在对外交往和民族关系上,唐朝征服突厥后,唐朝在西北边疆声名鹊起,这丝毫不亚于长城的威慑力,但也并不影响对外开展交流往来。对周边民族采取羁縻政策,通过册封、和亲等多种方式,与各族建立密切的政治、经济上的联系。吐蕃正是因为仰慕唐朝的强盛与文明,派遣使者禄东赞到长安通聘,于是就有了后来的文成公主进藏。
2.2 The Flourishing Tang Dynasty Built an Invisible Great Wall: The Great Wall of Prosperity
Following the Sui Dynasty, which ended over 400 years of division after the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty emerged on China’s historical stage. It was a period of unprecedented territorial expansion, powerful national strength, active foreign exchanges, and immense cultural confidence. Remarkably, the Tang Dynasty was one of the few eras in history that did not engage in large-scale construction of the Great Wall. Yet, its comprehensive strength in politics, military affairs, economy, society, culture, and the arts perhaps constituted the most magnificent and impregnable "Great Wall" of all.
The court ladies’ paintings of the Tang Dynasty serve as vivid reflections of social life at that time. The artwork Ladies with Floral Hairpins depicts six elegant noblewomen and a maid enjoying flowers in a garden during the transition from spring to summer. Their leisurely and confident demeanor, along with their luxurious attire, mirrors the material abundance, social stability, and open, inclusive atmosphere of Tang society.
In terms of foreign relations and ethnic interactions, after subjugating the Türks, the Tang Dynasty gained immense prestige along its northwestern frontiers, a deterrent effect comparable to that of the physical Great Wall. However, this did not hinder active exchanges with other regions. The dynasty implemented a policy of "loose rein" (羁縻) toward neighboring peoples, establishing close political and economic ties through methods such as conferring titles and arranging marriages. It was precisely out of admiration for the Tang Dynasty’s strength and civilization that Tibet sent its envoy, Gar Tongtsen (Lu Dongzan), to Chang'an to propose a marriage alliance, leading to the subsequent journey of Princess Wencheng to Tibet.
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