Spatial and Administrative Divisions

Abstract

During ancient times, the Chinese nation was generally regarded as being divided into nine states (or prefectures). More often than not, China, now called zhongguo (center under heaven or central state) in pinyin form, had an alternative name, jiuzhou (nine states). However, there have been a number of different viewpoints as to the precise classification of these nine states. For example, according to Yugong (the geographical records of the tribute to the Yu), a book which was probably written in the Xia dynasty (c.1988–1766 BC),¹ the nine states are Jizhou (in the northern side of the Yellow river), Yanzhou (in the eastern side of the Yellow river), Qingzhou (in the Shandong peninsula), Yangzhou (in the southeast), Jingzhou (in the south), Yuzhou (in the southern side of the Yellow river), Yongzhou (in the near west), Liangzhou (in the far west) and Xuzhou (in the east, between the northern Jiangsu and southeast Shandong provinces). In another book entitled Lvshi Chunqiu (historical records compiled by Lv Buwei), these states include Jizhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Yangzhou, Jingzhou, Yuzhou, Yongzhou, Youzhou (in the northeast) and Bingzhou (in the north).

Baigui [a minister of the state of Wei in today’s Henan province during the Warring States period] said, “My management of the waters is superior to that of Yu.” Mencius replied, “You are wrong, Sir. Yu’s regulation of the waters was according to the natural laws of water. He therefore made the four seas their receptacle, while you make the neighboring states their receptacle. Water flowing out of its channels is called an inundation. The inundating waters are disastrous to the neighboring states, and what a benevolent man detests. You are wrong, my dear Sir!”

— Analects of Mencius (Gaozi II)