At the beginning of the Han Dynasty, the country was still in turmoil following the wars, as the legal system was just beginning to take shape, largely following the system of the Qin Dynasty. Subsequent emperors followed suit. During the reign of Emperor Jing, lessons from the Wu-Chu Rebellion resulted in the diminishing power of the feudal lords. Emperor Wu implemented many reforms, but his excessive extravagance caused suffering for the people. Emperor Guangwu emphasized frugality by merging and abolishing many official positions to cut costs, thereby addressing previous deficits. He achieved this during his lifetime, restoring peace and enabling the people to live and work happily.
Historically, the Duke of Zhou established the "Rites of Zhou," clearly defining official positions and laws that mutually constrained each other. Although the power of the Zhou royal family declined, it continued for a long time. We can still see this book today, demonstrating the exemplary governance during the Zhou Dynasty, which holds significant value for future generations. Therefore, the new Ji Ling authored the "Xiaoxue Han Guan Pian," which offers various explanations, though it is somewhat superficial and lacks thorough research. Only Ban Gu's "Biography of Officials and Ministers" systematically documented the establishment of official positions in the Han Dynasty, from the Qin Dynasty through the Wang Mang period, in an orderly manner. However, it primarily focused on the extravagance of Emperor Wu of Han and lacked detailed explanations of the specific roles of officials. The frugality system implemented during the reign of Emperor Guangwu should serve as a lasting principle. Therefore, drawing from the official records of the time, I have provided rough annotations on the responsibilities of official positions and compiled this "Records of Officials." I have refrained from repeating information already documented in the "Book of Han - Table of Officials" regarding the fundamental reasons for establishing official positions and the positions abolished during the reign of Emperor Guangwu.
Grand Tutor, one person, belongs to the highest rank. The "Commentary" says: tasked with guiding the Emperor in virtuous actions, with no fixed duties. Emperor Guangwu appointed Zhuo Mao as the Grand Tutor, and after Zhuo Mao's death, this position was abolished. Subsequently, at the beginning of each emperor's reign, a Grand Tutor would be appointed to oversee the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. After the Grand Tutor's death, this position would be abolished again.
Grand Marshal, one person, belongs to the duke level. The "Commentary" says: in charge of the national military and assessing achievements, reporting on the performance of various armies at the end of each year, and then issuing rewards and punishments. During sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, the Grand Marshal is in charge of the secondary offering; during the Emperor's grand mourning, the Grand Marshal is responsible for reporting the posthumous title at the Altar of the Southern Suburbs. In the event of major incidents or difficult issues in the country, the Grand Marshal must consult with the Minister of Works and Minister of War; if the country makes a mistake, the Grand Marshal must advise with the Minister of Works and Minister of War. Emperor Guangwu initially appointed a Grand Marshal at the start of his reign, but it was not until the 27th year of Jianwu that it was changed to Grand Marshal.
Chief Clerk, one person, with a salary of one thousand shi. The "Commentary" says: overseeing the operations of various departments.
Wow, there are really a lot of people in this yamen! Take the clerks for example, there are a total of 24 of them. According to the books, during the Han Dynasty, the clerks of the East and West Cao received a salary of 400 shi, while other clerks received 300 shi, and subordinate officials received 200 shi. So, the clerks in this government office have a status similar to that of the ancient three eminent scholars. However, some people also say that in the early Han Dynasty, the clerks were directly appointed from above, so their salaries were similar to those of officials with titles. Those not directly appointed could only earn a salary of 100 shi as subordinate officials. Later, these positions began to be filled through self-recruitment, so they were all uniformly counted as 100 shi. The West Cao is responsible for managing government documents and archives; the East Cao is responsible for the promotion and military matters of the 2,000 shi changshi; the Hu Cao handles population registration, ritual sacrifices, and agricultural production; the Zou Cao is responsible for drafting memorials; the Ci Cao is responsible for handling litigation cases; the Fa Cao is responsible for postal and itinerary arrangements; the Wei Cao is responsible for the movement and transportation of soldiers; the Zei Cao is responsible for handling theft cases; the Jue Cao is responsible for adjudicating cases and enforcing criminal law; the Bing Cao is responsible for military affairs; the Jin Cao is responsible for the management of currency, salt, and iron; the Cang Cao is responsible for the management of granaries; the Huang Ge Chief Clerk is responsible for recording and handling official affairs. Next are the lingshi and yushu, a total of 23 people. According to the books, the lingshi of the government office received a salary of 100 shi, and after the rise of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the specific salaries were no longer recorded in the books. The yushu mainly assist the public officials. The Ge Xia lingshi is responsible for managing the ceremonial guards and etiquette of Ge Xia; the Jishi lingshi is responsible for handling the submitted memorials and documents; the Men lingshi is responsible for guarding the gates of the government office; the other lingshi manage the documents for their respective departments.
Situ, as an individual, is akin to a chief official. The book states that Situ is mainly responsible for managing the affairs of the people. He is responsible for establishing regulations and standards for educating the people on filial piety, loyalty, humility, frugality, and matters of birth, aging, sickness, and death. At the end of each year, the accomplishments of the people in various regions are tallied, and rewards and punishments are given accordingly. During the sacrifices to heaven, Situ is responsible for inspecting the sacrificial livestock and offerings; upon the emperor's passing, Situ is responsible for arranging the burial. In times of significant challenges for the country, Situ must consult with the Grand Commandant to discuss solutions. When Emperor Guangwu ascended to the throne, Situ held the title of "Grand Situ," but by the twenty-seventh year of the Jianwu era, the "Grand" was removed.
Lastly, there is the Changshi, with an annual salary of one thousand shi, overseeing 31 clerks, along with 36 officials and imperial attendants. The book states that after Emperor Guangwu ascended to the throne, he continued the system from the reign of Emperor Wu and established the Inspector General, which operated in the Prime Minister's office to assist in overseeing the various provinces. However, the office was abolished in the eighteenth year of the Jianwu era.
Sikong, on the other hand, is simply an official title. The book states that he primarily oversees water management and land affairs. Before any construction of cities, digging of canals, building of tombs, or defensive structures, Sikong must first evaluate the feasibility before proceeding. At the end of each year, reports on the status of water management and land projects from various regions must be submitted to him, and rewards and punishments are given accordingly. Additionally, during sacrifices to heaven and earth, Sikong is responsible for cleaning the site and managing the musical instruments; upon the emperor's death, he is responsible for commanding the army and overseeing the burial. In times of major projects or decisions for the country, Sikong must participate in discussions with the Grand Commandant and offer recommendations. Initially, after Emperor Guangwu ascended to the throne, he held the title of Grand Sikong, but by the twenty-seventh year of the Jianwu era, the "Grand" was removed, and he was simply referred to as Sikong.
Sikong has a Changshi under him, who serves as his deputy and receives a substantial salary; there are also twenty-nine subordinate officials, along with forty-two clerks and attendants.
The position of general did not always exist. Historical texts indicate that generals primarily dealt with quelling rebellions. There were four main levels of generals, ranked by hierarchy: the highest rank was Grand General, followed by Cavalry General, Chariot General, and Guard General. In addition, there were also Front General, Rear General, Left General, Right General, and so on.
Initially, Emperor Wu saw Wei Qing's military achievements and appointed him as Grand General to raise the Grand General's status. However, in ancient times, the highest official positions were the Three Excellencies, and the position of general only appeared during the Qin and Jin periods, which was a lower rank than the Three Excellencies. Therefore, Emperor Wu specifically created the position of Grand Marshal to elevate the status of the Grand General. Later, figures like Huo Guang and Wang Feng also served as Grand Marshals. In the first year of Emperor Cheng's Suihe era, the Grand Marshal was officially given a seal, and the position of general was abolished. After Emperor Guangwu's restoration, Wu Han was appointed as Grand Marshal for his military achievements, while Jing Dan was appointed as Cavalry Grand General, both ranking under the Three Excellencies. At that time, there were many Front Generals, Rear Generals, Left Generals, Right Generals, etc., who were all in charge of military operations and stepped down once their duties were done.
When Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he appointed his talented younger brother, Prince Cang of Dongping, as the General of Cavalry. As he was the emperor's brother, his position was higher than the Three Excellencies, but he was dismissed from his post a few years later. When Emperor Zhang ascended the throne, there was a rebellion in the Western Qiang region, so he appointed his uncle Ma Fang as the General of Cavalry to suppress the rebellion, and he was dismissed from his post after the rebellion was quelled. After Emperor He ascended the throne, his uncle Dou Xian was appointed as the General of Cavalry to campaign against the Xiongnu, holding a rank below the Three Excellencies. Due to his outstanding military achievements, he was promoted to Grand General, surpassing the Three Excellencies. Later, he went to campaign against the Western Qiang and was dismissed upon his return. When Emperor An ascended the throne, the Western Qiang rebelled again, so Emperor An appointed his uncle Deng Zhiang as the General of Cavalry to campaign against them. After his return, he was promoted to Grand General, holding a rank comparable to Dou Xian, and he too was dismissed a few years later. Starting from Emperor An, the court started to decline, and he began appointing his own uncle Geng Bao as the Grand General, who remained in the capital year-round. When Emperor Shun ascended the throne, he even appointed the father, brothers, and younger siblings of the empress as successive Grand Generals, holding ranks comparable to the Three Excellencies.
It is noted that the Chief Historian and the Grand Marshal are held by the same individual, with a salary of a thousand shi. The text states that the Grand Marshal oversees the military, holding a rank similar to the Grand Commandant. There are also two Attendant Officials, each with a salary of six hundred shi. The text specifies that their duties involve planning and advising. There are a total of twenty-nine clerks and officials. The Imperial Secretary and the Imperial Attendant total thirty-one. The text clarifies that these are all officials in the government. Additionally, thirty cavalrymen and a band are provided.
Their armies all have their own organization. The General's encampment is divided into five parts, each part has a Colonel Officer, with a salary of two thousand stones; there is also a Military Marshal, with a salary of one thousand stones. Below each part, there are units, each unit has a Military Officer, with a salary of six hundred stones. Below the units, there are garrisons, each garrison has a Garrison Commander, with a salary of two hundred stones. Some parts do not have a Colonel Officer, only a Military Marshal. In addition, there are also Deputy Military Marshals and Deputy Lieutenants, all of which are deputy positions. Other camps are led by different Military Marshals, and the troop strength varies based on the specific circumstances. There is also a gatekeeper at the camp entrance. Other generals are appointed on a temporary basis, without a set structure, but they also have their own armies, marshals, and lieutenants to command the soldiers. Each unit is assigned a commander to coordinate camp affairs. The Personnel Officer is responsible for managing personnel and weapons. The Supply Officer is responsible for managing military supplies and regulations. There are also officials responsible for addressing illegal activities.
The Emperor Ming initially established the position of the General of Suppressing the Xiongnu to deter the newly surrendered southern Xiongnu from harboring ulterior motives. Subsequently, several instances of instability arose, thus, this position has remained in place.
