Ming Prefecture (Zhejiang)


Mingzhou or Ming Prefecture was a zhou in imperial China located in modern northeastern Zhejiang, China, around modern Ningbo. The prefecture was called Yuyao Commandery from 742 to 758.
Located on the coast of the East China Sea and the southern bank of Hangzhou Bay, Ming Prefecture was one of the most important international ports during the Tang, Wuyue and Song dynasties. Cargo ships to and from Japan, Silla, Goryeo, and Liao frequented this prefecture. Ming Prefecture also administered Zhoushan, an island archipelago off the Zhejiang coast, including Zhoushan Island.

Counties

For most of its history, Ming Prefecture administered the following 4–6 counties :
Before 764, Xiangshan was under the administration of Tai Prefecture.

History

Tang dynasty

Ming Prefecture was created on 3 August 738 by splitting Mao County from Yue Prefecture and dividing the area into 4 counties. Around 500 homeless people from Run Prefecture were brought over to resettle in Ming Prefecture.
In 739, it was determined that 207,032 people from 42,027 families resided in Ming Prefecture.
In 744, Mao County's magistrate Lu Nanjin had laborers expand the Wanjin Lake to facilitate irrigation and agricultural water management.
In 744, while waiting for the typhoon to pass before embarking on his third journey to Japan, the Buddhist monk Jianzhen stayed at the Temple of King Ashoka.
In 752, three ships carrying Japanese diplomats from Empress Kōken's court arrived in Ming Prefecture.
In 762, Yuan Chao rebelled from the Zhoushan Archipelago, and quickly took several prefectures including Ming Prefecture. In 763, Yuan Chao was destroyed and captured by the Tang army led by Li Guangbi.
In 798, military officer Li Huang rebelled in Ming Prefecture. He was defeated in 799.
In 804, a Japanese ship carrying 127 people from Emperor Kanmu's court arrived in Ming Prefecture, the Buddhist monk Saichō among them.

Prefects

Tang dynasty