The position of Zongzheng is held by a single Qing, earning two thousand shi. The book explains that the Zongzheng oversees the seniority and relationships within the imperial clan, and each county must report the annual list of imperial family members. If a member of the imperial family commits a crime, they will face punishment, including shaving, and must be reported to the Zongzheng first, who will then inform the court for a decision before any punishment is carried out. Under the Zongzheng is a Cheng, earning one thousand shi.
In each Princess Mansion, there is a steward earning six hundred shi, and a Cheng earning three hundred shi. The book explains that the number of other officials in the Princess Mansion varies. All of these positions fall under the Zongzheng’s jurisdiction. The book also mentions that during the period of prosperity, the positions of Dusi Kongling and Cheng were abolished.
The Dasi Nong is held by a single Qing, earning two thousand shi. The book explains that the Dasi Nong is responsible for overseeing the national finances, goods, and various forms of currency. Each county must report the financial accounts monthly, and if there are outstanding debts, they must explain the situation. If officials in border areas request supplies, the Dasi Nong is responsible for supplying them, adjusting according to actual needs. Under the Dasi Nong is a Cheng earning one thousand shi and a Buzheng earning six hundred shi. The book states that the Buzheng oversees the national treasury.
The Taicang Ling position offers a salary of 600 stones. The explanation in the book says: Taicang Ling is responsible for receiving grains from various regions. There is also a deputy below. The Pingzhun Ling position also offers a salary of 600 stones. The explanation in the book says: Pingzhun Ling is responsible for controlling prices, managing textile dyeing, and procuring various pigments. There is also a deputy below. The Daoguan Ling has a salary of 600 stones. The explanation in the book says: Daoguan Ling is responsible for milling rice and preparing cooked rice. The meaning of the character "Dao" is to select. There is also a deputy below. These official positions are all under the management of the Grand Minister of Agriculture. The book also says: the officials responsible for managing salt and iron in the counties and states were formerly under the Grand Minister of Agriculture, but during the period of national revival, they were all under the jurisdiction of counties and states. Additionally, there is a Lingxi Ling, which also has a salary of 600 stones, responsible for sacrificial livestock, geese, ducks, etc. The positions of the mayor of Luoyang and the official overseeing the granary in Yingyang were also placed under the jurisdiction of the Henan Intendant during the national revival. Other official positions such as the Jianshu Ling were all abolished.
The Shao Fu has a single Qing with a salary of 2,000 stones. The explanation in the book says: Shao Fu is responsible for managing the royal family's clothing, utensils, treasures, food, etc. There is also a deputy below, earning an equivalent salary of 1,000 stones.
The Taiyi Ling position also offers a salary of 600 stones. The explanation in the book says: Taiyi Ling is responsible for managing doctors nationwide. Below are one Yao Cheng and one Fang Cheng. According to the book, Yao Cheng is responsible for managing medicines, while Fang Cheng oversees prescriptions. The Taiguan Ling has a salary of 600 stones. The explanation in the book says: Taiguan Ling is responsible for managing the royal family's food. Below them are the Left Cheng, Gan Cheng, Tangguan Cheng, and Guo Cheng, each staffed by one person. The explanation in the book says: Left Cheng is responsible for food, Gan Cheng is responsible for tableware, Tangguan Cheng is responsible for alcohol, and Guo Cheng is responsible for fruits.
The Shou Gong Ling position, which has a salary of 600 stones, is held by one individual. The book says that this position is responsible for managing the emperor's paper, ink, and seals, as well as the finances of the Ministry of Personnel and its seals. There is also a deputy.
The Shanglin Yuan Ling is held by one person with an annual salary of 600 shi. According to the text, this position is responsible for managing the birds and beasts in the Shanglin Garden. There are also some residences within the garden, which are under his jurisdiction. Captured wild animals are sent to the royal kitchen. This position also has a deputy and an officer.
The Shizhong holds a rank equivalent to a high-ranking official earning an annual salary of 2000 shi. The book states that this position does not have a fixed number of staff. This position primarily serves the emperor, assists in various matters, and answers the emperor's inquiries. During the emperor's inspection tours, a knowledgeable attendant accompanies the imperial carriage, while others ride behind on horseback. There was previously a position called Puyi, which was later renamed Jijiu; sometimes this position is established, and sometimes it is not.
The Zhongchang Shi has an annual salary of 1000 shi. The book states that this is a eunuch's position, with no fixed number of staff. Later, the salary was increased, and the rank was equivalent to a high-ranking official with an annual salary of 2000 shi. This position primarily serves the emperor, accompanies him into the inner palace, assists with various inner palace matters, answers his questions, and manages government affairs.
The Huangmen Shilang earns an annual salary of 600 shi. The book states that this position does not have a fixed number of staff. It is mainly responsible for serving the emperor, handling government affairs, and transmitting information inside and outside the palace. Additionally, when princes visit the palace to see the emperor, he is responsible for leading them to their seats.
The Xiao Huangmen also earns an annual salary of 600 shi. The book states that this is a eunuch's position, with no fixed number of staff. It primarily serves the emperor, receiving directives from the Ministry of Personnel. When the emperor is in the inner palace, he is responsible for transmitting information inside and outside the palace and handling various affairs below the inner palace. If the princesses or royal consorts fall ill or face difficulties, he is also expected to inquire about their welfare.
The Huangmen Ling is held by one individual with an annual salary of 600 shi. The book states that this is a eunuch's position. This position is responsible for overseeing all the eunuchs in the palace. There is also a deputy and a subordinate. The text states that the subordinate is responsible for managing the comings and goings of the eunuchs.
Chief of the Yellow Gate, Chief of the Painting Studio, Chief of the Jade Hall, each position is held by one person, and seven Deputy Directors. They all have an annual salary of four hundred stones and wear a yellow sash. According to historical records, they are all eunuchs, each responsible for different areas of the inner palace.
Middle Yellow Gate Supervisor, one person, with an annual salary of six hundred stones. According to historical records, this is a eunuch position, responsible for managing the redundant personnel at the Middle Yellow Gate. Normally responsible for palace security and access control, and when the emperor goes on inspection tours, they ride alongside on horseback, serving as guards beside the imperial carriage.
The position at the Middle Yellow Gate is equivalent to an annual salary of one hundred stones. According to historical records, this is a eunuch position without a fixed number of positions. Later, the salary was increased, equivalent to an annual salary of three hundred stones. Mainly responsible for handling government affairs within the palace.
Chief of the Imperial Harem, one person, with an annual salary of six hundred stones. According to historical records, this is a eunuch position, responsible for managing the affairs of the imperial harem and concubines. There is also a Left and Right Attendant and a Chamberlain of the Sick Chamber. The records say that the Chamberlain of the Sick Chamber is responsible for managing the sick women in the palace, who are treated in the Sick Chamber; if the empress or a noblewoman commits a crime, they are also detained in the Sick Chamber.
Chief of the Eternal Lane, the official overseeing Eternal Lane, with an annual salary of six hundred stones. The records note that this is a eunuch, mainly responsible for managing palace maids and attendants. There is also an Attendant, who is also a eunuch.
Chief of the Imperial Wardrobe, also with an annual salary of six hundred stones. He is responsible for overseeing court attire, including production and cleaning. There is also an Attendant and a Chamberlain of the Weaving Room, both eunuchs.
Chief of Ancestral Worship, in charge of the sacrifices at the small temples in the palace, with an annual salary of six hundred stones. He has an Attendant under him, who is also a eunuch.
The Gouduan Ling, earning an annual salary of 600 shi, is also a eunuch. He is responsible for managing the ponds, parks, and recreational areas near the palace. Under him are a Deputy Commander and a Yong'an Deputy Commander, each earning an annual salary of 300 shi, both eunuchs. Yong'an refers to a small palace located at the northeast corner of the Northern Palace, featuring a garden. The Yuan Deputy, Fruit Deputy, Hongchi Deputy, and Nanyuan Deputy, each earning an annual salary of 200 shi, are also eunuchs. The Yuan Deputy manages miscellaneous affairs in the park, the Fruit Deputy oversees the fruit garden, Hongchi, located twenty li east of Luoyang, refers to a pond, and Nanyuan is located south of the Luo River. The Zhuolong Supervisor and the Zhili Supervisor, each earning an annual salary of 400 shi, are also eunuchs. Zhuolong is also a garden near the Northern Palace, while Zhili is a garden at the southwest corner of Luoyang City.
The Zhongcangfu Ling, responsible for managing the currency, textiles, gold, silver, and various goods in the palace's storerooms, earns an annual salary of 600 shi and is also a eunuch. He also has a Deputy Commander.
The Neizhe Ling, responsible for overseeing the fabrics, bedding, and other items utilized in the palace, earns an annual salary of 600 shi and is also a eunuch. He also has a Left Deputy and a Right Deputy.
The Shangfang Ling, responsible for crafting royal swords and other exquisite items, earns an annual salary of 600 shi and is also a eunuch. He also has a Deputy.
There is another Shangfang Ling with an annual salary of 1,000 shi. Historical records indicate that this official position was established during the Qin Dynasty, later occupied by eunuchs during Emperor Wu's reign, and was renamed the Zhongshu Yezhe Ling. By the time of Emperor Cheng, it reverted to its original name and was held by scholars. This position is responsible for handling various appointments and reporting documents to the Ministry of Personnel.
The Shangshu Pushe, earning an annual salary of 600 shi, is responsible for managing the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel in the absence of the Shangshu Ling.
Speaking of the court, the position of Minister of Personnel originally had only four officials, each in charge of a department, similar to department managers in modern companies. These four departments were: Chamberlain, in charge of the affairs of court ministers; Minister of State, in charge of high-ranking officials in the counties and states; Department of Civil Affairs, in charge of petitions from the common people; and Department of Foreign Affairs, in charge of foreign envoys. Later, the emperor decided there weren't enough officials, so Minister of State and Department of Foreign Affairs were separated again, resulting in a total of six Ministers of Personnel, each with a salary of 600 shi.
Next, there were two Cheng (Deputy Ministers), one Left Cheng and one Right Cheng, each with a salary of 400 shi, primarily responsible for document management and meeting coordination. The Left Cheng mainly handled reports from officials and the people, while the Right Cheng was responsible for sealing documents, managing stationery, and items in the warehouse. Additionally, there were thirty-six Shilang, each earning a salary of 400 shi, six in each department, primarily responsible for drafting documents. There were also eighteen Lingshi, each with a salary of 200 shi, tasked with copying documents. Later, three more were added, making a total of twenty-one.
Additionally, there was a Fu Jie Ling, who received a salary of 600 shi, serving as the head of the Fu Jie Tai, responsible for managing the Fu Jie and issuing them to envoys. There were also four Shangfuxi Langzhong officials, previously only two, mainly responsible for safeguarding the emperor's seals and tokens. Beneath the Fu Jie Ling, there was a Lingshi tasked with copying documents, with a salary of 200 shi.
The Yushi Zhongcheng served as the deputy to the Yushi Dafu, who received a salary of 1,000 shi. There used to be a Yushi who specifically investigated illegal activities in the imperial palace, but when the Yushi Dafu was reassigned as Sikong, this Yushi was left in the palace to manage the Yushi Tai, later transferred to the Shaofu. Additionally, there were two Zhi Shu Shiyushi, each with a salary of 600 shi, primarily responsible for legal review and managing disputed cases. Fifteen Shiyushi, each earning a salary of 600 shi, were tasked with monitoring officials for violations, accepting reports from officials, and reporting any issues immediately upon discovery. During festivals, major court meetings, and ceremonies, two officials were dispatched to oversee and report any issues immediately upon discovery.
Finally, there is a Lan Tai Ling Shi (兰台令史), who is responsible for handling memorials and printing documents, who receives an annual salary of 600 shi.
This person is an official under the Shao Fu. According to the books, the Shao Fu oversees four departments, including the Imperial Medical Office and the Imperial Park. Senior officials such as the Shizhong and the Yushi are all under the jurisdiction of the Shao Fu, which can be regarded as a civil service department.
In accordance with the system established during the Qin Dynasty, all taxes from mountains, forests, swamps, and ponds, referred to as "forbidden money," are also under the jurisdiction of the Shao Fu. Later, Emperor Shizu reallocated this tax revenue to the Ministry of Agriculture, while the Department of Labor was reassigned to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Department of Water was placed under the authority of various counties. During the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, a new position of Shuiheng Duwei was established, with a rank equivalent to that of a 2,000 shi official, specifically responsible for overseeing the Emperor's resting area in the Imperial Park. Emperor Shizu later abolished this position and merged its responsibilities into the Shao Fu.
Every year during the beginning of autumn, a temporary Shuiheng Duwei position is created for sacrificial ceremonies and then removed once the task is completed. The Shao Fu originally had six subordinates, which were later reduced to one. The positions of Tang Guan and Zhi Shi Ling were also abolished, leaving only one subordinate. The monitoring officials for the ten ponds in the Imperial Park, the Bao Ren Zhang Cheng, the eunuchs, the Kun Tai, and the Ji Fei Ling, as well as twenty-one other subordinates, were also abolished. The positions of Ling, Chang, Cheng, and Duwei in the Department of Water Regulation were also abolished, along with more than twenty other positions.
After the Zhanghe era, the number of officials in the court increased, leading to the addition of departments such as Tasting Medicine, Imperial Household, Imperial Attendant, Hook Shield, Imperial Kitchen, Department of Labor, and Department of Artisanry, with each position at the level of 600 shi, all occupied by eunuchs. Some of these departments were subsequently merged or abolished, so this account only records the original official positions.
