Once upon a time, there were twelve provinces in the country, each with a censor who earned an annual salary of 600 shi. It is said in the books that during the Qin Dynasty, there were imperial censors responsible for supervising the various counties. This position was abolished after the establishment of the Han Dynasty, and instead, the Prime Minister sent people to inspect the provinces, without a fixed official position. It was not until the early reign of Emperor Wu of Han that thirteen inspectors were officially appointed, each earning an annual salary of 600 shi. During the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, the title of inspector was changed to provincial governor, with an increased annual salary of 2,000 shi. In the 18th year of the Jianwu period, the title was changed back to inspector, with a total of twelve, each overseeing a province, except for one province under the jurisdiction of the Colonel of the Registrar. These inspectors had to inspect their jurisdictions every August, inspect prisoners, and assess the performance of officials. Initially, they had to report back to the capital at the end of each year, but later it was changed to sending reports through couriers.
Each inspector had historians and assistant aides under him. It is said in the books that their duties were similar to those of the Colonel of the Registrar, except that they did not have an official historian, and their chief clerks were equivalent to those of the Colonel of the Registrar. Yuzhou oversaw six counties, Jizhou oversaw nine, Yanzhou oversaw eight, Xuzhou oversaw five, Qingzhou oversaw six, Jingzhou oversaw seven, Yangzhou oversaw six, Yizhou oversaw twelve, Liangzhou oversaw twelve, Bingzhou oversaw nine, Youzhou oversaw eleven, Jiaozhou oversaw seven, totaling ninety-eight counties. Among them, twenty-seven were kingdoms managed by kings; the remaining seventy-one counties were managed by governors; and there were also some dependent territories managed by commandants. These dependent territories were established by separating counties located far from the main administrative center, smaller in scale, usually named after the county. Emperor Guangwu once merged and abolished over four hundred counties in one go, but later they gradually increased.
In ancient times, prefectures were all under the capital's jurisdiction. Each prefecture had a prefect earning a salary of two thousand shi, along with an assistant. Each county also had a magistrate, also earning a salary of two thousand shi, and an assistant as well. If the county was on the border, the assistant would serve as the chief historian. The kingdom's ministers held similar positions. Each vassal state had a commandant earning a salary equivalent to two thousand shi, and an assistant. According to historical records, local officials were responsible for managing the people, recommending talents, commending those who performed well, adjudicating lawsuits, and addressing wrongdoing. Every spring, they would inspect the counties in their jurisdiction, encourage the people to engage in agriculture and cultivate mulberry trees, and help the poor. In the autumn and winter, they would send reliable officials to investigate and adjudicate prisoners, render judgments in accordance with the law, and assess the performance of officials. At the end of the year, they would report their findings to higher authorities and recommend virtuous individuals, with one nomination for every two hundred thousand people. There were also commandants overseeing military affairs and public security, preventing theft and banditry, which were renamed commandants during Emperor Jing's reign. Emperor Wu also established three commandants overseeing the three borders, each responsible for supervision of entry and exit. Border counties also had agricultural commandants in charge of agricultural production and grain cultivation, and vassal state commandants tasked with overseeing the surrendered tribes.
In the sixth year of the Jianwu period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the positions of various local county officials were abolished, and their duties were merged into the governor, streamlining administrative processes. The position of Guan Captain was also abolished; only some county officials and vassal state officials were retained in the border counties, managing the populace similarly to the county officials. Later, during the reign of Emperor An, the Qiang people committed offenses, and because there were tombs that needed guarding in the Sanfu region, the positions of Youfu Feng and Jingzhao Huya were created. According to historical records, the organization of these clerks mirrors that of the central government, with no distinction between the eastern and western clerks. There are merit clerks who support the merit clerks and other clerks in their work. Each county has five departments overseen by a superintendent, as well as a clerk. Additionally, there is a gatekeeper at the main entrance, responsible for recording and transmitting documents, urging the completion of tasks, without a record keeper. The state government and various offices have scribes responsible for handling document work.
Let's talk about the officials at various levels below. In each county, township, and district, a magistrate is appointed in larger areas, earning a salary of one thousand shi; in medium-sized areas, a chief is appointed, earning four hundred shi; in smaller areas, a chief is appointed, earning three hundred shi; officials in marquisates hold comparable positions. The records indicate that these officials are tasked with managing the populace, commending good deeds, promoting justice, prohibiting evil, punishing wrongdoing, adjudicating lawsuits, suppressing bandits, caring for the populace, and staying informed on current affairs. In autumn and winter, they must summarize their work and report to the higher-level jurisdictions.
Wow, this discusses the administrative system of the Qin Dynasty! First of all, the regions inhabited by non-Han people under the county's jurisdiction are referred to as "dao," and the princess's land grant is referred to as "yi." Counties with a population exceeding ten thousand households appoint a county magistrate, while those with fewer than ten thousand appoint a county head. Marquisates appoint ministers; these are all part of the Qin Dynasty's administrative system. Each county has one magistrate, two deputy magistrates in large counties, and one in smaller counties. The book explains that the magistrate is responsible for handling documents, managing warehouses and prisons; the deputy magistrates are responsible for apprehending thieves. In the event of a theft, if the identity of the thief is unknown, the deputy magistrates must pursue leads to investigate the case and find the source of the matter. The county has various officials, similar to those in the commandery, including five officials responsible for court matters, supervising the five departments in the township, with agricultural advisors in spring and summer and officials responsible for formulating regulations in autumn and winter.
In the township, there are ranks, three elders, and patrol officers. The book explains that "rank" refers to an official responsible for managing a hundred households, appointed by the commandery; if the township is relatively small, one frugal official is appointed by the county. These individuals are mainly responsible for understanding the good and bad of the villagers, arranging the order of labor service, understanding the wealth and poverty of the villagers, determining the amount of taxes, and fairly dividing the ranks. The three elders are responsible for instructing the people, and any filial sons and grandsons, virtuous women, helpful individuals, and learned people will have a monument erected at their homes to promote good deeds. The patrol officers are tasked with patrolling to prevent theft. There are also township assistants who assist the township head and are mainly responsible for collecting taxes from the people.
In the pavilion, there is a pavilion leader responsible for capturing thieves. The book explains that the pavilion leader is responsible for searching for thieves and reporting to the commandant. In the village, there is a village leader, and the villagers implement a system of mutual accountability, reporting good and bad deeds to the authorities. The book explains that the village leader oversees one hundred households; ten households make up a unit, and five units make up a group, mutually supervising and inspecting. The villagers' good and bad deeds must be reported to the inspector.
Border areas establish barriers and garrison guards. The book explains that the guards are tasked with defending against invasions by the Qiang and Yi tribes. If there are officials in charge of salt, iron, industry, or water management in a county, then based on the actual situation, officials such as Ling, Zhang, and Cheng are appointed as needed, with the same rank as county and district officials, without distinction between scholars and other officials, and with the same salary as regular officials. The book explains that officials in charge of salt are appointed in counties with abundant salt production, responsible for salt taxes; officials in charge of iron are appointed in counties with abundant iron production, responsible for metal casting; officials in charge of industry are appointed in counties with developed handicrafts, responsible for taxes related to industry; officials in charge of water management are appointed in counties with abundant water resources and developed fisheries, responsible for water management and fisheries taxes. The appointment and dismissal of these officials are rotated among the counties. These officials are appointed to meet actual needs and may not necessarily follow the county's administrative system.
Finally, a Xiongnu General is appointed, equivalent to a 2,000 stone official. The book explains that he is responsible for guarding the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu. There are also two assistants appointed, with the option to increase their number as required, and clerks are adjusted based on actual circumstances. The appointment of the Protector of the Qiang and the Protector of the Wuhuan follows the same pattern.
According to historical accounts, during the Han Dynasty, there was a Protector of the Wuhuan, equivalent to a 2,000 stone official. The book clarifies that this official oversees the Wuhuan people. There is also a Protector of the Qiang, with the same rank as a 2,000 stone official. The book explains that this official is in charge of the Western Qiang.
If a prince is granted the title of king, the county he governs is elevated to a kingdom, and each kingdom must have a Grand Tutor and a Prime Minister, both of whom hold the rank of a 2,000 stone official. The book explains that the Grand Tutor is responsible for guiding the prince on the right path, providing guidance akin to a teacher, but not in a ruler-subject relationship; the position of the Prime Minister is equivalent to a governor, and his Chief Clerk is equivalent to a county magistrate.
During the early days of the Han Dynasty, the feudal lords were bestowed vast territories, following the system established by Xiang Yu, with some territories even spanning thousands of square miles! These kingdoms had officials with the same titles as those in the central government, such as Grand Tutor, Chancellor, Grand Historian, and a host of other officials at the rank of 2,000 stone, mirroring the imperial court's system. The state was responsible solely for appointing Chancellors, while the feudal lords themselves could appoint their own officials.
However, during the reign of Emperor Jing, the Seven Kingdoms of Wu and Chu revolted, emboldened by their extensive territories, almost leading to the collapse of the Han Dynasty. After suppressing the rebellion, Emperor Jing learned from the experience and forbade feudal lords from governing the common people, instead assigning this task to the Interior Minister and changing the title of Chancellor to "Prime Minister." Additionally, the positions of Grand Historian, Minister of Justice, Minister of Finance, Director of the Imperial Clan, and Imperial Scholars were all eliminated.
During the reign of Emperor Wu, the titles of Interior Minister, Commandant of Justice, and Prefect of the Household were revised, but the system of the feudal kingdoms remained the same, with all officials now appointed by the imperial court and the kingdoms no longer able to appoint officials independently. Finally, during the reign of Emperor Cheng, the responsibility for governing the common people was transferred from the Interior Minister to the Chancellor ("Prime Minister"), and the title of Grand Tutor was reduced to "Tutor."
First of all, let's talk about official positions and ranks. Zhongwei is actually a higher rank than an official of two thousand shi! The book says that this official is similar to a county magistrate, primarily tasked with apprehending thieves. The Langzhongling, on the other hand, only consists of one person, plus a servant, both at the level of one thousand shi. The book explains that the Langzhongling is in charge of the security of the royal doctors and Lang officials, with a status comparable to that of the Groom of the Stool. The positions within the Shaofu are quite similar, with the servant mainly responsible for vehicles and driving, somewhat akin to the Grand Herald. In the past, the Grand Herald was also an official of two thousand shi, but it was renamed to 'servant,' and its rank was lowered during the reign of Emperor Wu. Zhi Shu refers to an official of six hundred shi; the book notes that this official was previously referred to as the Shangshu before the name was changed. The Daifu is also six hundred shi; the book states there is no fixed number, mainly responsible for escorting royal envoys to the capital, presenting jade bi to congratulate the New Year, or going on missions to other countries. Historically, these envoys were required to carry a ceremonial staff, which was later abolished. The Yezhe is a four hundred shi official responsible for ceremonial attire; there used to be sixteen people, but later reduced. The officials overseeing ritual music, guards, medical affairs, eternal lanes, and sacrifices are all at the four hundred shi level. The Langzhong is a two hundred shi official; the book says there is no fixed number.
Now, let's discuss the Weigong and Songgong. The book records that in the second year of Jianwu, Zhou Houji Chang was conferred the title of Zhou Chengxiu Gong; in the fifth year, Yin Hou Kong An was conferred the title of Yin Shaojia Gong. In the thirteenth year, Ji Chang was appointed as Weigong, and Kong An was appointed as Songgong, treating them as guests of the Han Dynasty, with a status superior to that of the Three Excellencies. Weigong, Songgong.
Finally, let's talk about marquesses. The title of marquis is determined based on the size of their fiefdom, with larger fiefdoms being granted the title of marquis. According to historical records, this system of titles was inherited from the Qin Dynasty, with a total of twenty levels, the highest being the Chè Marquis, awarded with a golden seal and purple ribbon to reward meritorious subjects. Those with great achievements were granted the title of marquis of the county, while those with lesser achievements were granted the title of marquis of the township, allowing them to govern the people and officials within their fiefdom. Later, in order to avoid invoking the name of Emperor Wu, the title was subsequently changed to marquis. In the second year of Emperor Wu's reign, it was stipulated that princes could divide land among their sons, and the state would grant them titles, which also counted as marquis titles. Previously, marquesses in Chang'an held a higher status than the Three Excellencies. After the Zhongxing period, only those granted the title of special merit for their achievements ranked below the General of Chariots and Cavalry; those granted the title of Morning Marquis ranked below the Five Colonels; and those granted the title of attendant marquis ranked below the Grand Master. Others, such as those related by marriage or descendants of princesses guarding imperial tombs in the capital, also participated in some court meetings, ranking below scholars and officials. "Marquis, the county they govern is their marquisate." After being granted titles, princes were required to offer sacrifices to the heavens and earth, as part of the ritual. "The princes receiving titles are given thatched earth to establish the altar of the state, as part of the ceremony. Marquis, special merit, Morning Marquis, congratulate the new year by holding a jade tablet." Each country appointed a prime minister, whose official rank was similar to that of a county magistrate in their own country. According to historical annotations, the prime minister primarily governed the people, with a status comparable to that of a county magistrate or governor, and not subordinate to them. However, they were required to pay tribute to the marquesses, with the amount based on the number of households. In the households of marquesses, there were a family steward and a junior son. Historical annotations state that the family steward and junior son were primarily responsible for serving the marquesses and managing household affairs. Previously, marquesses' households also included messengers, stable hands, and gatekeepers, totaling five official positions. Since the revival of the state, marquesses with fiefdoms (territories) of over one thousand households appointed a family steward and a junior son each, while those with fewer than one thousand households did not appoint a family steward, and the roles of messenger, stable hand, and gatekeeper were eliminated. The title of Inner Marquis was inherited from the Qin Dynasty, with a total of nineteen levels known as Inner Marquis, without any territory, relying on the fiefdoms of the counties they belonged to, with restrictions on the number of households determining the tax obligations.
The kings of the four foreign kingdoms, as well as the vassal kings, marquises, and local leaders who have submitted to them, all have prime ministers, with official ranks similar to those of county governors and prefects.
The standard salary for officials is as follows: the Grand General and the Three Excellencies receive 350 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank of 2000 dan receive 180 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank of 1200 dan receive 120 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank below 2000 dan receive 100 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank of 1000 dan receive 80 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank of 600 dan receive 70 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank below 600 dan receive 50 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank of 400 dan receive 45 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank below 400 dan receive 40 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank of 300 dan receive 40 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank below 300 dan receive 37 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank of 200 dan receive 30 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank below 200 dan receive 27 hu of grain per month; officials of the rank of 100 dan receive 16 hu of grain per month; officials receiving grain rations receive 11 hu of grain per month; assistant historians receive 8 hu of grain per month. All these salaries are half in money and half in grain.
It is said that the emperor's way is profound and silent, and the generals cultivate moral virtues. By having a few manage the many, success can be achieved through division of labor and cooperation. If there are no supervisory officials in place, there will be no extravagance, luxury, or misconduct. Establishing such a mentorship system is essential for ensuring the people's peace and the country's strength.
