The words"Inner Region"and"Outer Land"in the inscriptions of Western Zhou dynasty bronzeware Lu You and Rongsheng Zhong are a pair of territory concepts with specific connotations formed at that time."Inner Region"refers to the hinterland of the Central Plains centered in Zhengzhou-Luoyang region,which has been the core territory of the early state since the Xia dynasty.The"Outer Land"was located on the outer edge of the dynasty's territory,where a large number of indigenous groups existed.However,as an area under the effective jurisdiction of the Zhou dynasty,it was still the Zhou's territory."Inner Region"and"Outer Land",as a pair of concepts of territory,reflect the shape of Zhou dynasty's territory and its governance has the characteristics of multiple levels.The"Inner Region"is the inner layer of the territory,which is governed by the internal service officers appointed by the royal court.The"Outer Land"is the outer boundary of the kingdom,where the Zhou dynasty set up a wide range of nobles to govern indigenous groups and deter hostile forces.The areas outside the"Outer Land"may be subject to military attacks and economic exploitation by the Zhou dynasty,but the Zhou dynasty has been unable to effectively control it,and its territory is no longer the territory of the Zhou dynasty.
Western Zhou dynastyInner RegionOuter Landterritory
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