Changes of Exile in Tang and Song Dynasties

In Tang and Song Dynasties, the feudal system of penalty had gradually been developed and improved, and the so-called Five Penalties had eventually established after the hundred - year evolution. Exile, as one of the Five Penalties, had experienced great changes due to its own defects in the mid and late Tang Dynasty. In the early Song Dynasty, it had changed into a new form of exile. The emergency of this exile reflected the traditional thoughts of cautious employment of penalty of feudal rulers and indicated the great social reform at the turn of the two dynasties. In the Song Dynasty, the practice of exile was more cruel than the traditional banishment, but it had compensated for the deficiency of stick - beating and played some active role in stabilizing the society and developing economy.