Wei Xiaowendi reformed customs

in fact, I want to take this opportunity to lead the civil and military officials to move the capital to the Central Plains, what do you think?"

Tuoba Cheng suddenly realized and immediately agreed with Emperor Xiaowen of Wei's idea.

In 493 A.D., Emperor Xiaowen of Wei personally led more than 300,000 infantry and cavalry troops southward, from Pingcheng to Luoyang. It happened to be raining continuously in autumn for a month, and the roads were muddy everywhere, which made the marching difficult. However, Emperor Xiaowen still rode out of the city with his armor on and ordered him to continue the march.

The ministers did not want to send troops to invade Qi, but they took advantage of the heavy rain to stop them. Emperor Xiaowen said seriously, "We have raised a lot of troops this time, if we stop halfway, it will not be a joke to future generations. If we can't advance south, we will move the capital to here. What do you all think?"

When everyone heard this, they looked at each other and did not say anything. Emperor Xiaowen said, "We can't hesitate anymore. Those who agree to move the capital to the left side, and those who disagree to the right side."

A nobleman said, "As long as Your Majesty agrees to stop the Southern Expedition, then we are willing to move the capital to Luoyang." Many civil and military officials were not in favor of moving the capital, but when they heard that they could stop the Southern Expedition, they had no choice but to express their support for moving the capital.

After Emperor Xiaowen made arrangements at Luoyang, he sent King Tuo Cheng of Rencheng back to Pingcheng to promote the benefits of moving the capital to the princes and nobles there. Later, he went to Pingcheng himself and summoned the noblemen to discuss the matter of moving the capital.

There were still many nobles in Pingcheng who opposed the move. They put forward all the reasons, but they were all refuted by Emperor Xiaowen. Finally, those people could not reason with him, so they said.

"It is a big event to move the capital, so it is better to divine whether it is auspicious or not."

Emperor Xiaowen said, "The purpose of divination is to solve difficult and undecided matters. There is no doubt about moving the capital, so why divine? If you want to govern the world, you should take the four seas as your home, today you go south, and tomorrow you go north, there is no fixed reason. Besides, we have moved our capital several times in the past, so why can't I do it?"

The noble ministers were dumbfounded, and the decision to move the capital to Luoyang was made.

After Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, he decided to further reform the old customs and practices.

On one occasion, he was discussing the imperial government with his ministers. He said, "Do you think it is better to change the customs and traditions or to follow the old ways?"

King Tuohu Xi of Xianyang said, "Of course, it is better to change the customs."

Emperor Xiaowen said, "Then I'm going to announce a reform, and you can't go against it."

Then, Emperor Xiaowen announced several decrees: change to speak Chinese, people over 30 years old change their mouth more difficult, can be suspended, under 30 years old, now the court as officials, all have to change to speak Chinese, violate this article will be demoted or dismissed; provisions of the officials and people to wear Chinese clothing; encourage Xianbei people to intermarry with the Han clan, change to use the surname of the Han people. The imperial family of Northern Wei was originally surnamed Tuohy, but from that time onwards changed their surname to Yuan. Emperor Xiaowen of Wei, whose name was Yuan Hong, took the surname of the Han people.

The bold reforms of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei led to greater political and economic development in Northern Wei, and further promoted the integration of the Xianbei and Han tribes.