At the beginning of the Han Dynasty, when it was first established, it coincided with the chaos following the fall of the Qin Dynasty; the wars had not yet ended, and the legal system was just starting to take shape, largely based on the Qin Dynasty's system. The later emperors did more or less the same. During the reign of Emperor Jing, due to the lessons learned from the chaos of the Seven Kingdoms of Wu and Chu, the power of the feudal lords was gradually weakened. During the reign of Emperor Wu, many reforms were implemented, but he was too extravagant, resulting in hardships for the common people. During the reign of Emperor Guangwu, he placed a strong emphasis on thrift, merging and eliminating many official positions, thus addressing the previous deficit. He personally practiced thrift, and the common people followed his example, living in peace and prosperity.
In the past, the Duke of Zhou established the "Zhou Official System," clearly dividing various official positions with strict laws. Although the royal family of the Zhou Dynasty was very weak, the country could still exist for a long time. This book, "Zhou Officials," allows us to see how well the Zhou Dynasty governed the people, serving as a valuable reference for future governance. Its value is truly immeasurable. Now, someone has written "Xiaoxue Han Officials," but its content is somewhat scattered and lacks comprehensiveness. Ban Gu wrote the "Table of Officials and Courtiers," which documented the evolution of the official system inherited from the Qin Dynasty during the Han Dynasty, up to the period of Wang Mang, with a clear structure. However, it primarily focuses on the extravagance of Emperor Wu, and the specific responsibilities of the official positions are not completely clear. The thrift system established during Emperor Guangwu's reign should serve as a lasting guideline. Therefore, based on the official records of Emperor Guangwu's reign, I have provided a rough outline of the responsibilities of these official positions and written this "Record of Officials." As for the fundamental reasons for the establishment of official positions in the Han Dynasty and the situation of abolishing official positions during the revival period of Emperor Guangwu, I will not repeat them here, as they have already been recorded in the "Book of Han · Table of Officials."
Grand Tutor, a single position at the Duke level. The "Book of Han" annotation states: responsible for teaching the emperor to uphold virtue, with no fixed duties. During the reign of Emperor Guangwu, Zhuo Mao was appointed as Grand Tutor. After Zhuo Mao's death, this position was abolished. After that, whenever a new emperor took the throne, a Grand Tutor was often appointed, who would also take on the role of Director of the Imperial Secretariat. When the Grand Tutor passed away, the position would be abolished again.
Grand Commandant, one person, at the level of Duke. The "Book of Han" annotation states: in charge of the nation's military affairs and assessments, reporting the achievements of various armies to the emperor at the end of each year, and then carrying out rewards and punishments. During ceremonies to worship Heaven and Earth, the Grand Commandant oversees the secondary offering; during the emperor's grand mourning, the Grand Commandant is responsible for reporting the posthumous title at the Southern Suburb. In the event of major national events or difficult issues, the Grand Commandant is required to consult with the Minister Over the Masses and the Minister of Works; if the nation makes a mistake, the Grand Commandant must also provide counsel together with the Minister Over the Masses and the Minister of Works. During the early reign of Emperor Guangwu, the position was initially called Grand Marshal, and it was not until the twenty-seventh year of Jianwu that it was changed to Grand Commandant.
Chief Clerk, one person, earning a salary of one thousand shi. The "Book of Han" annotation states: responsible for handling the affairs of various departments.
In this government office, there are a total of twenty-four clerks. It is written in the books that according to the ancient customs of the Han Dynasty, clerks in the East and West Bureaus were ranked at four hundred shi, while other clerks were ranked at three hundred shi, and subordinate officials were ranked at two hundred shi. Therefore, the clerks in this government office are comparable in rank to the ancient Sanming officials. Some also say that in the early Han Dynasty, clerks were recommended from above, so their rank was similar to those of the Sanming officials. If they were not recommended, they could only hold minor positions with a salary of one hundred shi. Later, individuals could apply for official positions independently, so they were all considered one hundred shi officials. The West Bureau handled office documents and records; the East Bureau managed the promotions and military matters of officials earning two thousand shi; the Household Bureau managed the household registrations, sacrifices, and agriculture of the common people; the Memorial Bureau handled matters submitted to the court; the Petition Bureau handled lawsuits; the Law Bureau managed postal stations and routes; the Guard Bureau managed the movement of soldiers; the Bandit Bureau handled cases of banditry; the Judicial Bureau managed criminal law; the Military Bureau managed military affairs; the Treasury Bureau managed currency, salt, and iron; the Granary Bureau managed the grain in the warehouses; and the Yellow Gate clerks were tasked with recording and managing official affairs.
Then there are the Ling Shi (Clerks) and Yu Shu (Attendants), a total of twenty-three people. The records indicate that the Ling Shi in the public office holds a rank of one hundred stones. Since the revival of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the stone ranks are no longer mentioned in the records. The Yu Shu serve the public officials. Your Ling Shi is in charge of your appearance and demeanor; the recording Ling Shi is responsible for recording the memorials and reports; the gate Ling Shi oversees the gate; the other Ling Shi each oversee the documents within their respective departments.
The Situ, only one person, is the highest official. According to the records, he is responsible for managing the affairs of the common people. The Situ formulates regulations and establishes systems to teach the common people about filial piety, brotherhood, humility, frugality, and matters related to birth, aging, sickness, and death. The political performance of the common people across various regions must be reported to the Situ at the end of each year, and then the Situ will issue rewards or penalties based on the report's findings. During the sacrificial ceremonies to honor the heavens, the Situ must inspect the sacrificial livestock and sacrificial vessels; when the emperor dies, the Situ is tasked with overseeing the arrangements for the emperor's funeral. During times of significant challenges for the state, the Situ must confer with the Grand Commandant to devise a solution. After Emperor Guangwu ascended to the throne, the Situ was given the title of Grand Situ, and in the twenty-seventh year of Jianwu, the title "Grand" was dropped.
Finally, there is the Chang Shi, an official ranked at one thousand stones; he oversees thirty-one subordinates, along with thirty-six Ling Shi and Yu Shu. The records indicate that when Emperor Guangwu ascended to the throne, he modeled his approach after Emperor Wu and established the Sizhi to serve in the Prime Minister's office, assisting in the oversight of the various states, which was abolished in the eighteenth year of Jianwu.
The Sikong is a single official in charge. According to historical texts, he is mainly responsible for water conservancy and land affairs. Before building cities, digging canals, constructing tombs, and defensive works, the advantages and disadvantages must be assessed before any construction begins. Annual performance assessments on water conservancy and land management across the country must be submitted by the end of each year, and rewards and punishments will be given based on the results. In addition to overseeing sacrificial ceremonies, Sikong is also responsible for preparing the site, arranging musical instruments, commanding the troops, and overseeing the burial when the monarch passes away. When the country encounters major projects or tricky issues, Sikong must advise the Grand Commandant. After Emperor Guangwu ascended to the throne, he appointed him as Grand Sikong. In the twenty-seventh year of Jianwu, the title "Grand" was dropped, and he was simply called Sikong.
Under Sikong, there is a Chief Historian, equivalent to a senior secretary, with a high annual salary; there are also twenty-nine subordinate officials, as well as forty-two clerks and miscellaneous personnel.
The position of General was not always in existence. According to the book, the General primarily oversees the suppression of rebellions. There are four generals of slightly lower rank than Sikong: Grand General, Cavalry General, Chariot General, and Guard General, as well as additional generals such as Front, Rear, Left, and Right Generals.
Initially, Emperor Wu honored Wei Qing with the title of Grand General due to his repeated military achievements, wanting to elevate him. Since in ancient times, the highest position was only the Three Excellencies, and the position of General was only established during the Qin and Jin periods, as a ministerial role, Emperor Wu specifically established the position of Grand Marshal to surpass the General, demonstrating particular respect for Wei Qing. Later, figures like Huo Guang and Wang Feng were also appointed as Grand Marshals. In the first year of Suihe during Emperor Cheng's reign, the Grand Marshal was bestowed with a seal, and the position of General was abolished. After Emperor Guangwu's revival, Wu Han was honored as Grand Marshal for his military achievements, and Jing Dan was honored as Grand Cavalry General, with ranks subordinate to that of Sikong. At that time, there were many additional generals such as Front, Rear, Left, and Right Generals, who were all responsible for military campaigns, and once their tasks were completed, they were dismissed.
When Emperor Ming just ascended the throne, because his brother, Prince Cang of Dongping, was very talented, he was appointed as the General of Cavalry; as the emperor's brother, his rank was higher than that of the Minister of Works, and he was dismissed a few years afterward. When Emperor Zhang ascended the throne, the Western Qiang launched a rebellion, so he appointed his uncle, Ma Fang, as the General of Cavalry to quell the rebellion, and he was dismissed upon his return. When Emperor He ascended the throne, his uncle, Dou Xian, was appointed as the General of Cavalry to campaign against the Xiongnu, with a rank lower than that of the Minister of Works; upon his return, in recognition of his achievements, he was promoted to Grand General, a position higher than that of the Minister of Works; he later went to campaign against the Western Qiang and was dismissed upon his return. When Emperor An ascended the throne, the Western Qiang once again caused disturbances, so his uncle, Deng Zhi, was appointed as the General of Cavalry to campaign against them, and upon his return, he was promoted to Grand General, holding a rank comparable to Dou Xian's, and he was also dismissed a few years later. Starting from the reign of Emperor An, the political climate began to deteriorate, so the emperor's close uncle, Geng Bao, was appointed as Grand General and remained in the capital city. After Emperor Shun ascended the throne, the empress's father, brothers, and younger brother were successively appointed as Grand Generals, holding a rank comparable to that of the Three Excellencies. The Chief Clerk and Grand Marshal were held by the same individual, earning a salary of one thousand shi. The Records Keeper had two people, earning a salary of six hundred shi. According to the texts, their duties involved planning and deliberating on matters. There were twenty-nine Deputy Officials. The Director of Orders and the Imperial Attendant together accounted for thirty-one individuals. The texts indicate that these were all staff members of the government office. Additionally, thirty cavalrymen and a band of musicians were also assigned.
Their armies all have their own organization. Under the General's camp, there are five departments, each with a Captain whose salary is equivalent to two thousand shi; there is also a Commander whose salary is equivalent to one thousand shi. Below the departments are units, each with a Major whose salary is equivalent to six hundred shi; below the units are camps, each with a Captain whose salary is equivalent to two hundred shi. Some departments do not have a Captain, only a Commander. Additionally, there are Deputy Commanders and Deputy Majors, all of which are secondary positions. The other officers in the camp are Commanders of other departments, and the troop strength varies depending on the situation. The camp gates are guarded by Gatekeepers. Other generals are temporarily appointed and do not have a fixed organization, but they also have departments, Commanders, and Majors to command the troops. Their duties are as follows: the Personnel Department assigns one officer to oversee camp operations; the Military Affairs Office is responsible for managing the military equipment; the Logistics Office is responsible for managing the supply of materials and orders for the troops; there are also officials responsible for external security and addressing criminal activities. The Emperor Ming initially established the position of the General of the Northern Campaign to guard against the divided loyalties of the newly surrendered Southern Xiongnu. However, following several instances of unrest, this position has been retained.
