Southern Song Bureau of Military Affairs

Timeline

1. 1131–1140Lin'an imperial city · Southern SongIn Emperor Gaozong's reign the Bureau of Military Affairs offices and archival system were rebuilt in Lin'an; officials such as the Privy Councilor and Vice Director participated in major military and state affairs, dispatching the armies of Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, Liu Qi and others to resist Jin, jointly holding civil and military edicts with the Secretariat.
2. 1141–1162Lin'an Bureau of Military Affairs · Southern SongAfter the Shaoxing peace treaty the Bureau of Military Affairs shifted from frequent wartime troop dispatch to river defense garrison and military administration oversight, stripping commanders of their authority and reorganizing the imperial guard of the three bureaus; the Privy Councilor was often concurrently held by civil officials or veteran commanders, with military decisions closely linked to the emperor's personal rule.
3. 1163–1279Lin'an Bureau of Military Affairs · Southern SongDuring the Longxing Northern Expedition and the subsequent Kaixi and Jiading campaigns, the Bureau of Military Affairs was responsible for pre-war planning, provisions dispatch, and commander appointments, coordinating with frontline organs such as the Pacification Commissioner and the Pacification and Control Commissioner, and still held military authority in battles such as Xiangyang and Yashan until the late Southern Song.