The Mohe People and the Seven Tribes of the Northeast

The Heishui Mohe (黑水靺鞨, “Black Water Mohe”) emerged as a powerful force in Northeast Asia during the Tang Dynasty, inheriting the legacy of earlier tribal confederations like the Sumo Mohe. Historical records, including the Book of Northern History and the Book of Sui, identify the Mohe as a collection of seven major tribes inhabiting the region north of Korea. Among these, the Heishui Mohe stood out for their martial prowess, described as “the most vigorous” of the Mohe groups.

Their territory stretched from the Heilongjiang (Amur) River basin to the Sea of Japan, bordered by the Korean kingdoms to the south and the Turkic Khaganate to the west. The name “Heishui” (Black Water) derived from their heartland along the Heilongjiang, a region of dense forests and strategic river networks that shaped their hunter-warrior culture.

The Tang Dynasty and the Heishui Mohe: A Complex Relationship

The Tang Dynasty saw the Heishui Mohe as both allies and potential threats. Initial contact occurred in 622 CE when the tribal leader Agulang paid tribute to Emperor Gaozu. However, the Heishui Mohe briefly aligned with the Eastern Turks before submitting to Tang authority after the Turks’ defeat in 630.

Recognizing their strategic value, the Tang established the Heishui Prefecture (640 CE) and later the Heishui Military Command (725 CE) to administer the region. This “loose-rein” (jimi) policy allowed local chiefs to govern while acknowledging Tang suzerainty—a system mirroring practices used with other frontier peoples like the Khitans and Tibetans.

Yet tensions flared periodically. A Tang general, Li Duozuo, famously ambushed and killed a Heishui leader during negotiations, showcasing the volatile nature of these frontier relations. Despite such clashes, the Heishui Mohe increasingly relied on Tang support to counterbalance regional rivals.

The Balhae Conquest and Resistance

The rise of Balhae (渤海), founded by former Goguryeo elites and Sumo Mohe tribes in 698 CE, dramatically altered Northeast Asia’s power dynamics. Balhae’s expansion northward brought it into direct conflict with the Heishui Mohe. Historical accounts reveal:

– 722 CE: Balhae’s King Mu accused the Heishui Mohe of conspiring with the Tang, launching a punitive expedition that failed to subdue them.
– Strategic Importance: The Heishui Mohe served as a Tang proxy against Balhae, participating in joint military campaigns during the 730s.
– Cultural Exchange: Balhae’s sophisticated administration influenced Heishui Mohe society, though the tribes retained distinct identities.

Archaeological evidence, including fortifications along the Mudan River, confirms these territorial struggles. The Heishui Mohe’s resilience during this period preserved their autonomy even as neighboring tribes were absorbed into Balhae’s orbit.

The Transformation into the Jurchen Jin

Balhae’s collapse in 926 CE under Khitan Liao attacks created a power vacuum. The Heishui Mohe—now increasingly referred to as “Jurchen”—filled this void. Key developments included:

1. Tribal Reorganization: The dispersed Heishui Mohe coalesced into new groupings like the Wanyan (完颜) clan, who traced origins to the Anchegu Mohe.
2. Liao Dynasty Policies: The Khitans divided Jurchen tribes into:
– Shu Jurchen (“Civilized Jurchen”): Assimilated groups in southern Manchuria
– Sheng Jurchen (“Wild Jurchen”): Independent northern tribes, including the Wanyan
3. Economic Foundations: Northern Jurchen combined hunting (using distinctive birch bark horns to lure deer) with agriculture along the Songhua River.

A 1018 CE cessation of Jurchen tributary missions to Song China marked their full subjugation to Liao rule—but also sowed seeds for future rebellion.

The Wanyan Clan and the Path to Empire

The Wanyan clan’s rise exemplifies this transformation:
– Migration: Moving from the Mudan River to the Ashi River basin (modern Harbin region)
– Leadership: Figures like Shilu (1021–1074 CE) unified neighboring tribes through strategic marriages and alliances
– Military Innovation: Adoption of cavalry tactics from Khitan contacts

By the 1110s, these developments enabled Wanyan Aguda to overthrow Liao dominance, founding the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234 CE)—an empire that would conquer northern China and redefine East Asian geopolitics.

Legacy: From Tribal Warriors to Empire Builders

The Heishui Mohe’s journey illuminates key themes in Northeast Asian history:
– Cultural Adaptation: Their synthesis of Tang administrative models and steppe traditions created a unique governance system.
– Geopolitical Impact: As progenitors of the Jin Dynasty, they reshaped China’s relationship with nomadic powers.
– Historiographical Significance: Later dynasties, including the Qing, invoked Jurchen heritage to legitimize their rule.

Modern scholarship continues to reassess their role, with recent archaeological finds in Heilongjiang revealing advanced metallurgy and trade networks that challenge earlier “peripheral” narratives. The Heishui Mohe exemplify how frontier societies could transition from tribal confederations to imperial founders—a process that would repeat centuries later with the Manchus’ rise.