Castle Doctrine: Chinese Home- Castles in the Age of Chaos: 坞堡
Original Art by Thanh Tuấn
Music: The Eternal Empire (Night)
Wubao 坞堡: lit. "Walled Castles," Family Castles: Wubaos were fortified manors built during the chaotic late Han dynasty and the 16 Kingdoms period. During the 16 Kingdoms period, 5 tribes of invading nomadic people ruthlessly warred with each other for the sole mastery of the north.
Home castles: one of the most common floor plans of a Wubao. Essentially a manor with a courtyard but with added fortified gatehouse and radiating archer's turrets positioned on the walls. Note the archer's turrets are positioned diagonally so as to give the best shooting angles.
AFTERMATH OF JIN'S EXODUS
Tough times creates tough people, and same goes for the houses in these dangerous times. Many Wubaos were constructed at the tail end of the Han dynasty, where massive rebellions engulfed the countryside and where local strongmen made their bids as warlords. In the ensuing Three Kingdoms era, due to the near total lack of imperial authority and general lawlessness, the responsibility of maintaining local defense fell in the hands of the local landed gentry. Powerful landlords and village heads soon acted as each region's respective military defenders.
CASTLE DOCTRINE: THE HAN FORTIFIES
The general lawlessness persisted well after the Three Kingdoms era. Although the Jin dynasty managed to briefly unite the realm in stability, it soon broke apart in a massive civil war known as the War of the Eight Princes. During this time, many nomadic soldiers that served the Jin court rebelled and formed their own states. For the next century and half, these "barbarian" states warred endlessly with one another to be the sole hegemon of the north~ a period that later historians dubbed the "Sixteen Kingdoms". Although many of the native Han population fled southward to rejoin the much- diminished Jin court in the south, many still chose to remain in the north. To hold on to their ancestral lands in defiance of their new nomadic overlords- their houses grew teeth and sprouted towers.
Music: Descent Into Darkness
LONG NIGHTS
Above: Gilt- Bronze lantern attendant from Eastern Han dynasty. Lamps were usually made with a strong wicker skeleton and covered with spun silk and translucent fabric. In the great cities most of the districts would close its gates after a night's curfew is announced over the drums. Things however changed in times of chaos. In the new lawless age, constant vigilance is maintained in the countryside on their own terms.
STUBORN ENTRENCHMENT
These large walled estates were created in massive quantities across northern China in the aftermath of the nomadic people's invasion. In many of the steppe- led northern dynasties (as in notable cases such as Later Zhao and Former Qin,) the rulers often forcibly deported many people to new areas and new capitals where they could be banished, controlled, separated or further subjugated after having their rights and privileges stripped. This, combined with the frequent forced conscriptions and crippling taxes levied against the populace prompted many to take their affairs into their own hands. In order to resist this policy of forceful massed repatriation, the Han natives rooted themselves and entrenched their estates. It was an era where wars were constant and laws were regularly broken.
Above: Preferred weapon of home defense. The Repeating Crossbow, Zhuge Nu ("Zhuge's Crossbow," named after the famous Shu statesman and polymath Zhuge Liang)- or other times more famously spelled as Chu ko Nu. The repeating crossbow had an effective range of 70 meters and a maximum range of 180 meters. Its comparatively short range limited its usage to primarily defensive positions, where its ability to rapidly discharge 7–10 bolts in 15–20 seconds was used to prevent assaults on gates and doorways. In comparison, an arbalest could only deliver about two bolts a minute.
A pottery miniature of a Wubao- many such mini family castles were made into pottery and are excavated from central China most of them dated to the late Han dynasty. Below: top of a corner turret removed, showing its square layout with the best shooting angle is presented diagonally outward.
BEARING ARMS
Music: The Monastery
During these chaotic centuries, many such once- normal houses and manors sprouted turrets and watch posts around it to protect against invading armies and migrating robbers. Each house's model often featured an armed gatehouse atop of the gates. Often these self sufficient mini forts included wells, stables, cow pens, chicken coops, and at times, armories and weapons warehouses. For its own defense- and the defense of the small surrounding countryside it was manned by dedicated bands of house guards 家兵 or jiabing Lit. "House Troop," that likely served as its guards, constables, local militia, and night watchmen.
Click here for a a colored version of this image. In panel 1, 流寇 vagrants- in this case roving bandits came with weapons drawn and attempt to loot the manor. 2, the master- standing atop of his gatehouse directs his 家兵 house troops against the assault. 3, a small boat passes along the lake/ reservoir behind the manor. 4, corner turrets 角楼 scans the countryside for signs of trouble. 5, Armored house troops 家兵 are sent out to investigate and drove off the bandits. 6, an ox cart brings in great bundles of supplies to be stored inside the Wubao. 7, an archer strings his bow in support of his comrades below. 8, fresh refugees escapes with his livelihood to the Wubao for protection.
Han dynasty infantry sighting a target using the marker on the back of the metal crossbow trigger.
A self-sufficient walled community. Wubao 坞堡 is literally translated as a "Walled Castle" and served many roles in their respective community. The first Wubaos were constructed during the period of chaos in the middle of the Han dynasty during Wang Mang's rule. But they were erected en mass as the Han dynasty collapsed and the north fell to the hands of powerful nomadic warlords. These served as the abode of powerful landlords, but also- if needed, as shelters, small judicial courts and production centers.
Iron Horses: The Jin (265–420) would see some of the first true heavy cavalries in China. The development of heavy cavalry in China corresponded with the invention of double stirrups. To this day, some of the earliest heavy horse armor were dated to the Jin dynasty. Iron faulds also began to appear in large quantities during the Three Kingdoms period and Jin dynasty.
MYRIAD OF DESIGNS
Two different Wubao miniatures that shows slightly divergent floor plans. The former possesses several specially built silos or pens within the compound. The fortified gatehouse and turrets are also more prominent. The latter compound seemed to have built additional quarters for the garrisons of each of the corner turret's soldiers to be housed in right beneath each tower. Usually, access to the courtyard is highly restricted. Often there are only 2 gates for the manner, a frontal one that is well monitored by a fortified gate house above, and one on the rear wall. Though many Wubaos also forgoes the back gate altogether.
Other Wubaos look like outright miniature forts. They have very high walls that dwarfed the houses below with (presumably manned walls) with arrow slits and multi- layered towers. For these highly militarized- settlements the building is more fort than a place of domestic comfort.
Another Wubao design that displayed an alternative floor plan. This version showed a more curvilinear plan that still retained the 4 turrets but eschewed both the front and back gate houses. In this arrangement each half of the manor was used as a large building, and the central courtyard was covered by a tiled canopy connecting the 2 halves. Two guard's figurines (each holding a two handed sword) is posted facing each of the respective gates of the manor.
FORTIFIED GRANARIES AND COWSHEDS
A watchtower that also doubled as a fortified cow shed. Many variations of fortified cowsheds are recovered from this era in central China. Because of the high intensity of fighting and frequent raiding between the various fighting kingdoms, cowsheds were constructed with only 1 exit and a guard tower (however rudimentary) above the gate post.
A painted terracotta miniature showing a fortified Han dynasty granary. Excavated from Central China. The three main silos are only accessed from a restrictive ladder. A guard's house/ warehouse is prominently constructed above the 3 silos. The exteriors are painted with bright plaster of colors and intricate designs of animal, floral motifs, and repeating patterns. Several variation of this design were also unearthed that still showed similar design principles: of raised silos surmounted by a guard house, lone access through an easily defended ladder, and bright paintworks.
TOWER HOMES
Another commonly repeated Wubao design: that of the tower homes. Though some matched the typical Wubao's courtyard an turret designs, these dramatically increased the verticality of the structure. Often, the turrets are raised to be multi-storied, and even featured sky bridges and skyways connecting each other (not endemic to this era, throughout the Han dynasty many buildings had tall skyways that connects them to each other.) However, the most prominent feature is usually that of a high, usually centralized pagoda- shaped arrow tower. At this time, pagodas does not have Buddhist connotations for Buddhism is but a very recent introduction to China. Over time, the tradition of sacred stupas blended with that of traditional Chinese architecture and formed the true religious pagodas. In many of the towered Wubao models, archer figurines are displayed atop of these towers with their bows drawn.
Closeup of a skybridge from one of the Wubaos and an artist's modern interpretation of the tiling and paintwork on them. Many of the tall and prominent Wubaos would have well decorated dougong brackets securing the beams to the roof and had bright painted plaster covering the building. An example of a well preserved 4 story Han dynasty mansion with painted plaster could be seen here. More Wubao varieties, including towered cow pens, granaries and paintworks could be seen here.
Music: Northern Grasslands (Alt)
FEUDAL DEFENSE
Due to the collapse of central authority in northern China, which was further compounded by nearly a century of devastating wars between the various nomadic kings who vied for supremacy in the region, authority became highly individualized and devolved into an Ad Hoc basis. A self-reliant feudal culture was born.
Each of these manor's patriarch became- in effect a feudal lord tasked with protecting the clan dwelling within the manor and the surrounding countryside. Each held great power in managing the nearby farms and coordinating defense of the small territory. In time, large- inter aligned web of these entrenched families formed a network for mutual protection with the most powerful of them becoming magnates and great lords themselves. Caudillos of the Latin Americas and Boers of South Africa somewhat parallels this.
This long entrenchment persisted throughout the north among the old Han settlers for nearly 2 and a half centuries- lasted through the end of the Sixteen Kingdoms period of chaos and extended well into the middle of Northern Wei dynasty well after the ethnically Xianbei rulers had united the north into one strong and internally pacified kingdom.
END OF THE ARMED MANORS
After vigorously adopting many Han customs, and bringing both prosperity and internal stability to northern China, the rulers of N. Wei- especially under the de facto reign of the influential Empress Dowager Feng (reign: 466-490) implemented a new land distribution policy called the Equal Fields System, where by all arable land was directly subsumed by the Emperor and then redistributed to the peasants. As compensation to the great landlords~ Empress Dowager Feng embarked on an extensive assimilation policy, whereby the ethnic Xianbei nobles of N Wei aggressively adopted Han customs and assimilated into the Han culture. In this 2 pronged- policy approach, she sought to truly integrate a society that is still at odds with itself into one unified people.
This policy of redistribution not only broke up the political fabric of the powerful landowners who frequently formed power blocks challenging the N Wei court but also in turn enriched N Wei's imperial coffers. The portioning of all arable land to anyone willing and able to maintain them proved to be extremely popular and as a bonus greatly bolstered the state's productivity. With these centralization efforts, the Wubaos and their militarized communities eventually transformed back into ordinary villages. After all, these castles were birthed in chaos, now- with a realm internally pacified and rule of law restored, the world entered into a new chapter~ one that is without the Wubaos and the men who are armed to the teeth within them.
A NEW PAGE- EQUAL FIELD SYSTEM AND FUBING
This does not simply mean that the defense of the north was neglected, merely, that it was collectively redirected toward external foes of the north. With unity, the soldiers of the north were used against invading northern hordes from the likes of the Rouran and Turkic tribes. It was during the Northern Wei that the Ballad of Mulan was composed where she enlisted to drive away an invading Khan's army at the behest of her own Khan. The once "barbarians" now became the defenders of the whole north.
As for the militia men of the north, after the fall of the N Wei in 535, one of its successor states, Western Wei- and later N Zhou (same state) eventually adopted the Fubing system, where whole frontiers were portioned to militia- farmers. Whole frontiers of these militia- families would supply themselves with the soldier's upkeep and send their sons for shifts of military training and services. These militia units also served as reserves, and could be mobilized quickly in times of war or political instability. The successful Equal Fields System served as the foundation for the highly centralized Sui and early Tang dynasty's land and tax reforms, while the Fubing system served as the basis for Sui and early Tang's many military victories.
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Han Dynasty Tower: At this time, pagodas does not have Buddhist connotations for Buddhism is but a very recent introduction to China. Over time, the tradition of sacred stupas blended with that of traditional Chinese architecture and formed the true religious pagodas. In many of the Wubao figurines, archer figurines are displayed atop of these towers with their bows drawn.
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