The position of Grand Minister of Rites is held by only one person, with a salary of two thousand shi (石). According to historical texts, the Grand Minister of Rites is responsible for overseeing rituals and sacrifices. Before each sacrifice, the Grand Minister of Rites must report the ritual to the emperor; during the sacrifice, they must also support the emperor. When selecting scholars, their talents must also be reported by the Grand Minister of Rites. Major ceremonies such as the Grand Archery, Elderly Rites, and National Mourning must have their rituals reported by the Grand Minister of Rites. At the end of each month, the Grand Minister of Rites is also required to inspect the state of the ancestral temples. The Grand Minister of Rites is assisted by a Deputy below them, with a salary equivalent to one thousand shi, as well as another official with a salary of six hundred shi. It is stated in the books that the Deputy is responsible for daily rituals and minor matters of sacrifice, as well as managing the operations of the Grand Minister of Rites' office. The number of officials and staff in the Grand Minister of Rites' office may be adjusted according to the needs of the situation, as is the case with other departments.
The position of Grand Historian is held by only one person, with a salary of six hundred shi. According to historical texts, the Grand Historian is responsible for overseeing celestial phenomena and calendars. At the end of each year, they must report the new year's calendar to the emperor. Significant events such as national sacrifices, funerals, and weddings must have auspicious dates and prohibitions relevant to these events reported by the Grand Historian. Any auspicious or unusual signs in the country must also be recorded by the Grand Historian. Below the Grand Historian, there is also a Deputy. There is one Deputy each for the Mingtang and Lingtai, each with a salary of two hundred shi. It is stated in the books that these two Deputies are tasked with overseeing the Mingtang and Lingtai. The Lingtai is tasked with observing celestial phenomena, including the sun, moon, and stars, all under the jurisdiction of the Grand Historian.
Doctor of Sacrifices, only one person, with a salary of six hundred shi. Previously known as Doctor of the Imperial Academy, it was later changed to Doctor of Sacrifices after the rise of the dynasty. There are a total of fourteen doctors, all with a salary equivalent to six hundred shi. According to the book, these fourteen doctors each specialize in different classical texts: there are four doctors for the I Ching, namely Shi, Meng, Liangqiu, and Jing; three doctors for Shangshu, namely Ouyang, Xiaohou, and Dahou; three doctors for Shijing, namely Lu, Qi, and Han; two doctors for Liji, namely Dahou and Xiaohou; and two doctors for the Spring and Autumn Annals, namely Yan and Yan from the Gongyang Commentary. Their responsibilities include teaching students and advising the state on matters of doubt. Previously, the salary for doctors was four hundred shi, which was increased during the reign of Emperor Xuan.
Chief Sacrificial Priest, only one person, with a salary of six hundred shi. According to the book, during national sacrifices, the Chief Sacrificial Priest recites the sacrificial texts, as well as welcoming and bidding farewell to the spirits. Below the Chief Sacrificial Priest, there are also subordinates responsible for the rituals involving minor deities. Chief Minister, only one person, with a salary of six hundred shi. The book states that the Chief Minister oversees the sacrificial vessels, tripods, sacrificial dishes, and food items. During national sacrifices, the Chief Minister is responsible for arranging the sacrificial offerings. There are also subordinates under the Chief Minister.
Chief Music Director, only one person, in charge of managing music. During national sacrifices, the Chief Music Director oversees the musical arrangements, as well as organizing the music for large banquets and arranging the orchestra. There are also subordinates under the Chief Music Director.
Chief Guardian of the Temple, only one person, with a salary of six hundred shi. The book states that the Chief Guardian of the Temple is responsible for overseeing the temple, as well as managing the cleaning of the temple grounds. There are no subordinates under the Chief Guardian of the Temple. Ancestor Temple Officer, only one person, with a salary of six hundred shi. The book states that the Ancestor Temple Officer has the same responsibilities as the Chief Guardian of the Temple.
At the tomb of the late emperor, each site is assigned a tomb keeper who receives a salary of six hundred stones. According to the original text, the tomb keeper is responsible for guarding the tomb and overseeing its maintenance. "Clearing the case." Each site also has a steward and a principal. The original text states: The principal is responsible for dealing with military uprisings, theft, and other issues. At the tomb of the late emperor, each site has a food official, with a salary of six hundred stones. The original text states: Tasked with conducting sacrifices on the lunar calendar's dark days and during festivals. These positions fall under the Ministry of Rites. The original text states: There was once a sacrificial official, but this role was later transferred to the Ministry of Works. There was also a divination official with a salary of six hundred stones, which was later abolished and merged into the Ministry of History. Since the dynasty, a total of ten such positions have been abolished. The Palace Attendant, who is assisted by one minister, receives a salary of two thousand stones. The original text states: Tasked with guarding the palace gates, overseeing the rotation of courtiers, and promoting or demoting them based on their conduct. During suburban sacrifices, they are responsible for the three offerings ritual. The Palace Attendant is assisted by one magistrate, with a salary equivalent to one thousand stones. The Chief Commandant of the Five Offices receives a salary of two thousand stones. The original text states: According to the original text, he oversees the attendants of the Five Offices. The Five Offices attendant receives a salary equivalent to six hundred stones. The original text states: Not appointed. The Deputy Five Offices attendant receives a salary equivalent to four hundred stones. The original text states: Not appointed. The Five Offices assistant receives a salary equivalent to three hundred stones. The original text states: Not appointed. All attendants rotate guard duties, watch over the doors of various halls, and may serve as charioteers. Only the Assistant Court Officers are exempt from guard duty. The Deputy Chief Commandant of the Left receives a salary equivalent to two thousand stones. The original text states: In charge of the Left Court attendants. The Court Attendant receives a salary equivalent to six hundred stones. The Assistant Court Officer receives a salary equivalent to four hundred stones. The Court Officer receives a salary equivalent to three hundred stones. The original text states: These positions are not appointed.
Right General, earning two thousand shi. The original text notes that this position is in charge of the Right Bureau. Middle General, earning six hundred shi. Attendant General, earning four hundred shi. General, earning three hundred shi. The original text notes that these official positions are not formally established.
Tiger Guard General, earning two thousand shi. The original text notes that this position is in charge of the Tiger Guard. The Left and Right Supervisors, each earning six hundred shi. The original text notes that the Supervisors are responsible for training the Tiger Guard in archery skills; the Palace Guards handle the Tiger Guard's duties and are on duty in the palace during court meetings. Middle General of the Tiger Guard, earning six hundred shi. Attendant General of the Tiger Guard, earning four hundred shi. Tiger Guard Assistant, earning three hundred shi. The Assistant of the Tiger Guard, earning two hundred shi. The original text notes that these official positions are not formally established. Responsible for guard and attendant duties. Those who serve in the Tiger Guard for a long time, based on their abilities, can gradually be promoted to Middle General.
The General of the Feathered Forest, now that's even more prestigious than a two thousand shi official! The book says he is mainly responsible for managing the Feathered Forest Guards. The rank of the Feathered Forest Guards is equivalent to three hundred shi, and the book also mentions that there is no set number for this position, which is mainly responsible for the emperor's guard and attendant work. When selecting the Feathered Forest Guards, they generally choose upstanding young men with clean backgrounds from the six counties of Hanyang, Longxi, Anding, Beidi, Shangjun, and Xihe. It is said that this position was originally established by Emperor Wu to facilitate horseback riding and hunting, which is why it’s also referred to as the "Cave Guards."
The Left Supervisor of the Feathered Forest and the Right Supervisor of the Feathered Forest, each held by a single individual, with a rank of six hundred shi. The book explains that the Left Supervisor oversees the Left Cavalry of the Feathered Forest, while the Right Supervisor oversees the Right Cavalry of the Feathered Forest, and each of them has a deputy under them.
The positions of the Carriage Attendant, the Imperial Stud Attendant, and the Cavalry Attendant are all equivalent to the rank of 2,000 shi, which also has "no fixed number" written in the books. The Carriage Attendant is responsible for managing the emperor's carriages; the Imperial Stud Attendant manages the imperial horses; and the Cavalry Attendant is in charge of supervising the Imperial Guards. The Grand Master of Splendor is also equivalent to 2,000 shi, which also has "no fixed number." According to the books, officials like the Grand Master of Splendor and the Court Gentleman mainly provide advice to the emperor, answer the emperor's questions, and act at the emperor's discretion without fixed daily duties. In addition, when a feudal lord passes away, the Grand Master of Splendor is tasked with offering condolences. The Grand Master of the Palace Attendants holds the rank of 1,000 shi, while the Central Attendant, the Censor-in-Chief, and the Court Gentleman each hold the rank of 600 shi, with all these positions having "no fixed number" as well. The Supervisor of the Attendants holds the rank of 1,000 shi and is described in the books as the leader of the Palace Attendants, who manages them and guides the emperor during his travels. In ancient times, military strength was valued, hence the position of Chief Archer was created to oversee training, hence the title "Attendant." There are five Regular Palace Attendants, each at the rank of 600 shi, responsible for maintaining order and ceremonial procedures in the palace; in addition, there are thirty Attendants. The Investigating Attendant holds the rank of 400 shi, while the Gentleman Attendant-in-Training holds the rank of 300 shi, responsible for receiving guests, conveying orders, processing memorials, and reporting to the emperor. When military officers and officials ranked below Grand Master pass away, they are also responsible for offering condolences. Originally, there were seventy positions, which were later reduced to thirty. Those initially serving as Gentleman Attendants-in-Training are promoted to Investigating Attendants after one year.
The Department of Imperial Attendants has many subordinate agencies! From the Five Officials of the Court to the Right Wing of the Imperial Guards, a total of seven departments are under its jurisdiction. Those civil officials, from the Carriage Attendant to the Court Attendant, are also under the supervision of the Department of Imperial Attendants. In the past, the Department of Imperial Attendants had two sub-offices, with officials holding the rank equivalent to 2,000 shi, a high position that allowed them to enter the court and were primarily responsible for receiving and reviewing memorials presented by the Minister of Personnel. Later, Emperor Shizu streamlined the organization, allowing the Junior Chamberlain to receive the memorials, and when the emperor went on tours, the Junior Chamberlain would also be in charge. A Chamberlain of Administration was also appointed, who would walk ahead of the emperor during tours, responsible for arranging the places the emperor would visit and arranging carriages to greet him. This was a crucial position that demanded careful attention. During the Zhongxing period, only junior officials could hold this position, and they would be dismissed after completing their tasks. In addition, the roles of the Three Commanders of Chariots, Households, and Cavalry, as well as the Commandant of the Feather Forest, were also streamlined.
The position of Commander of the Guards has only one official, with a rank equivalent to 2,000 shi. Its main responsibility is to oversee the palace guards, patrol the palace, and ensure security. The Commander of the Guards has a deputy with a rank equivalent to less than 1,000 shi. The Master of Carriages and Horses, with a rank of 600 shi, is responsible for managing the South Gate of the palace, handling the memorials submitted by both officials and common citizens, the tribute from various regions, and official documents that need to be conveyed via carriages. The Master of Carriages and Horses has a deputy and a guard captain, with the deputy responsible for reviewing and investigating any violations, while the guard captain is in charge of troop deployment at the gate and security protocols. The Southern Palace Guard Commander and the Northern Palace Guard Commander, both with a rank of 600 shi, are responsible for the guards of the southern and northern palaces respectively. Each of them has a deputy. The Left and Right Protectors, each with a rank of 600 shi, are primarily responsible for overseeing the swordsmen, patrolling the palace, and assisting the emperor with investigations. They also have a deputy each.
The Palace Gates are each manned by a Sima official holding a rank equivalent to over a thousand stones. For example, the Sima official in charge of Nangong Nantun oversees Pingcheng Gate, the Sima official in charge of Gongmen Canglong oversees the East Gate, the Sima official in charge of Xuanwu oversees Xuanwu Gate, the Sima official in charge of Beitun oversees the North Gate, the Sima official in charge of Beigong Zhujue oversees the South Yemun, the Sima official in charge of Dongming oversees the East Gate, and the Sima official in charge of Shuoping oversees the North Gate, making a total of seven gates. All residents in the palace must register on the household register of their respective palace gates. The names of the palace gates are engraved on tokens with an iron seal, and the tokens must be checked during inspection. If someone from outside wants to enter the palace for official business, the department head is responsible for relaying messages using a sealed token; if an official is entering or leaving, they must identify themselves to the royal guard. During the Zhongxing period, the roles of the Traveling Armor Superintendent and the Deputy Guardsman were consolidated. The Taipu Qing, holding a rank equivalent to over two thousand stones, oversees the management of vehicles and horses. Every time the emperor goes on an inspection tour, the Taipu Qing must report the vehicles, horses, and ceremonial procession to the emperor. If it is a grand procession, the Taipu must personally oversee the royal carriage. The Taipu has a deputy official holding a rank equivalent to over a thousand stones. The Chief Armorer, earning an annual salary of six hundred stones, is responsible for crafting weapons like bows, arrows, crossbows, knives, and armor. Once completed, these weapons are handed over to the Shijinwu for delivery to the armory, and they also supervise the weaving of ribbons and various other tasks. The Chief of the Chariot Department, also earning an annual salary of six hundred stones, is primarily responsible for managing the royal vehicles. They also have one deputy official reporting to them.
Wuyang Stable Command, one person, with an annual salary of 600 stones. Responsible for the royal horses at Wuyang Palace. Changle Palace also has a chief stableman. These two stables are both under the management of the Ministry of Works. In the past, there were six stables, each with a chief with an annual salary of 600 stones, but the organization was later streamlined, leaving only one. Later, the Zuo Jun Command was established, specifically in charge of the royal horses, which may have been merged later. There were also several officials in charge of horse breeding in the past, scattered across the six counties of Hexi. Later, they were also streamlined, leaving only one in Hanyang, overseen by the Yulin Lang.
The Court of Judicial Inquiry, one official, with an annual salary of 2,000 stones. Responsible for overseeing the penal system, handling cases, and reporting the outcomes. Cases with doubts from all over the country must be submitted to the Court of Judicial Inquiry for a final decision. The Court of Judicial Inquiry also has a Chief Supervisor and a Deputy Supervisor, as well as a Zuoping with an annual salary of 600 stones, responsible for managing imperial prison cases. All of these fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Judicial Inquiry. After Emperor Wu of Han, twenty-six central judicial offices were established, each with a warden, but these were later consolidated during the reign of Emperor Wen, leaving only the Court of Judicial Inquiry and the imperial prison in Luoyang.
The Grand Herald, one official, with an annual salary of 2,000 stones. Primarily responsible for receiving vassals and tributes from various regions. During sacrifices, he is responsible for guiding the rituals, requesting ceremonies, obtaining approval, and notifying other departments. When princes come to the capital, the Grand Herald is responsible for welcoming them and arranging the ceremonies. The tribute from various counties and envoys from across the land are all under the jurisdiction of the Grand Herald. When a prince is granted a fief as a king, the Grand Herald is responsible for bestowing the seal and ribbon. The enfeoffment of princes, their heirs, and the barbarians from all directions occurs under the Grand Herald. When princes pass away, the Grand Herald dispatches envoys to express condolences and is responsible for granting fiefs to new princes. The Grand Herald has an assistant with an annual salary of under 1,000 stones.
According to the Grand Commandant's decree, one individual who earns an annual salary of 600 stones is in charge of managing the Langguan. He supervises a Cheng, who manages forty-seven Zhi Liang. All of these fall under the jurisdiction of the Dahonglu. During the Qin Dynasty, there were vassal states specifically tasked with receiving tributes and attendants from various foreign tribes. During Emperor Cheng's reign, these vassal states were incorporated into the Dahonglu. During the period of revitalization, the Yiguan, Bie Huo Ling Cheng, and Jun Dih Chang Cheng were streamlined, leaving only the Langguan in charge of the county residences.
