One of the most fertile developments in China Tangutology lies in the field of Tangut military system studies. Associate Professor Hu Ruofei, History Institute,Ningxia Academy of Social Sciences,P.R.China make full use of a rare collection of Tangut legal history, discovered in 1908-09 by Colonel P.K.Kozlov in the ruins of Khara Khoto (Edzina,Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region)The most important among the precious finds are two kinds of Tangut   codes “Tiansheng -Gaijiu-Xinding-lvling ”(天盛改旧新定律令), “Zhenguan-Jiangyujing”（贞观将玉镜）and he also cited a lot from the first hand of Chinese historical data as “Xu-Zizhi-Tongjian-Changbian ”(续资治通鉴长编)and “Song History”(宋史).In this pioneering research he devote most of his energies to the retranslation of Chinese version to these Tangut codes benefits with his familiarity both to Tangut sources and the initial fruits of his predecessors.

In the first part of the book, altogether four chapters presents a first narrative of Tangut military system from the classification on official ranks, the deadline for taking post, court curtseys, official rate of exchange, document file stipulations, safe guarding officers, honor titles of military officials to the scope of military positions. In the analysis he assesses the functions and tasks of a series of governing military institutions “Shumiyuan”(枢密院), “Jingluesi ”(经略司), “Dianqiansi ”(殿前司), “Zhengtongsi ”(正统司), “Jianjunsi ”(监军司).

On the evolution of Tangut military dicingples, he also enumerates the differences and possible channels of Chinese law influence. The Tangut code draw selectively from Chinese models in constructing their governing apparatus, innovative military system, and later, the author  reveal areas of Tangut basic military unit “Junchao”(军抄)，that was very popular and ethnic customs were preserved. He has addressed this considerable interesting problem for Tangut  military history also include Tangut administrative, legal ,and social organization. 

In the second part of the book, from a 9-volume of Buddhist sutra printed in block type titled “Benxu”(圣柔吉祥合口本续) dated late 12th century or so (1140-1193),the author translate almost Tangut 86 incantations and accompanied by tentative reconstructions. of 37 incantations, decipherment of the approximately 932 phrases according to the text, all postscripts throughout the collection,it means the enormous and of the tedious task ...  

Unlike others before these unique documents, “Benxu” has historically significant, it being the sole ideographic edition deliberately created from block type printing in the period of Tangut emperor Renzong , and hence represent the earliest evidence for block type printing unearthed in mainland China..The content unmistakably affirms the important role played by Tibetans Buddhism in late Tangut history, the version of the book can now be studied along with the Tibetans

Buddhism, shed considerable light on the combination of progressively more complex structures, Tangut, Chinese and Tibetan cultures. In Chinese experts ′s latest identification, they  announced that they had finally determined “Benxu”lost translations of Tibetan texts, which may survive only in their Tangut versions and the collection add a new dimension to research art of book printing.flourished in His-Hsia,which have been examined from the structure and dating of books, artistic format, binding, paper, illustrations, printing styles, and the persons connected with the production and publication of books in His-Hsia.

Hu Ruofei also plays an important role in the cataloging, study, and publication of Tangut documents from Khara Khoto housed in the British Library A catalogue of these items is in completion, and its publication will bring some exciting new material to the study of the history of Tangut and the west China. Back up with research institutions and universities, he hopes more academic exchange and cooperation with the Sinological communities outside mainland China.

For contacts: Associate Professor Hu Ruofei History Institution,NingxiaAcademy of Social Sciences P.R.China:Post Code 750021　Phone 0086-0951-2083841  Email Hrfnx552@sohu.Com