Lu Bian, courtesy name Jingxuan, was from Zhuoxian, Fanyang. Several generations of his family were dedicated to the study of Confucianism. His father, Lu Jing, held the position of Minister of Ceremonies. Lu Bian loved studying from a young age and was well-versed in the classics. Later, he passed the imperial examination and became a Doctor at the Imperial Academy. Since the "Da Dai Li Ji" lacked annotations at that time, Lu Bian provided his own annotations for it. His brother, Lu Jingyu, was a famous scholar at the time and told Lu Bian, "Before, the Zhongshu annotated the 'Xiao Dai Li Ji'; now you have annotated the 'Da Dai Li Ji', which can be seen as continuing and enriching the work of your predecessors."
When the emperor crossed the pass, things happened suddenly. Lu Bian had no time to return home, so he took only a horse and followed. Someone asked Lu Bian, "Did you say goodbye to your family?" Lu Bian replied, "In times of national crisis, one must prioritize righteousness. Who has time to bid farewell to family?" Emperor Xiaowu appointed Lu Bian as a Yellow Gate Attendant, overseeing the Imperial Library after arriving in Chang'an. Emperor Taizu held Lu Bian's Confucian knowledge in high regard and often consulted him on important matters. When Zhao Qingque rebelled, the Crown Prince of Wei was stationed north of the Wei River, and Lu Bian followed the Crown Prince without bidding farewell to his family. He was decisive and opinionated, consistently acting this way. Later, Lu Bian was promoted to Minister of Ceremonies and Crown Prince Tutor. The Crown Prince of Wei and other princes paid their respects to Lu Bian and sought his teachings. Lu Bian was granted the title Duke of Fanyang and later elevated to Grand Tutor.
From the late Wei dynasty, when the world was thrown into chaos after Emperor Xianwu's westward move, the court's regulations and systems were neglected. Lu Bian established systems based on the actual circumstances of the time, all in line with the established norms. He had an excellent memory and was very decisive, capable of handling major affairs. The systems he formulated were well executed, and he never hesitated. He was later promoted to the position of Right Chancellor. After Emperor Shizong ascended to the throne, Lu Bian was promoted to General. The emperor once paid a visit to Lu Bian's home along with his ministers, and many Confucian scholars respected him greatly. Later, Lu Bian was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou. After his death, he was honored with a place in the shrine of Emperor Taizu. His son was named Lu Shen.
Initially, Emperor Taizu sought to implement the systems outlined in the "Zhou Guan" and appointed Su Chuo to oversee this matter. Not long after, Su Chuo passed away, so Lu Bian was entrusted with the task of completing it. Thus, based on the "Zhou Li," six offices were established, and positions such as Minister, Chancellor, Noble, and Scholar were set up, along with regulations for the court ceremonies, carriages, and utensils, mostly following the ancient rites and abolishing the old systems of the Han and Wei dynasties. These systems were successfully implemented. Now, the six office systems established by Lu Bian are documented: the Tian Guan Fu manages positions such as the Prime Minister; the Di Guan Fu manages positions such as the Minister of State; the Chun Guan Fu manages positions such as the Zongbo; the Xia Guan Fu manages positions such as the General; the Qiu Guan Fu manages positions such as the Minister of Justice; the Dong Guan Fu manages positions such as the Minister of Works. Although these contents are recorded in historical texts, many detailed regulations remain undocumented.
Let's first talk about the matters concerning the six officials. Emperor Taizu officially established this system in the third year of Emperor Weigong, but it has undergone constant changes and lacks a fixed structure. After Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, he entirely abandoned the old regulations and changed the ranks and positions of officials as he pleased. For example, the initial four auxiliary officials were added to the six ministries, which also included middle officials, and the positions of Yuzheng and Neishi were elevated to senior ranks, and so on, all of which are recorded in historical books. Other changes that came one day and went the next are not clearly remembered. Although it seemed to be implemented according to the "Rites of Zhou" at that time, in reality, the establishment of internal and external officials blended positions from the Qin and Han dynasties. Now I will briefly list the names and ranks of these official positions, and the details are all included here. Some official positions not listed in the "Records and Chronicles" are not included because they are not recorded in historical books.
Zhuguo Dajiangjun (Grand General of the Pillar State), Dajiangjun, this rank is the highest, classified as the ninth rank.
Biaoqi Jiangjun, Cheqi Jiangjun, as well as Kaifu, Yitong Sansi, Yongzhou Mu, all are ninth rank.
Biaoqi Jiangjun, Cheqi Jiangjun, along with Left and Right Guanglu Dafu, governors of provincial states with over 30,000 households, are eighth rank.
Zhengdong Jiangjun, Zhengxi Jiangjun, Zhengnan Jiangjun, Zhengbei Jiangjun, Zhongjun Jiangjun, Zhenjun Jiangjun, Fuzhou Jiangjun, as well as Left and Right Jinzi Guanglu Dafu, Grand Commandants, governors of states with over 20,000 households, and also Jingzhao Yin, are eighth rank.
Pingdong Jiangjun, Pingxi Jiangjun, Pingnan Jiangjun, Pingbei Jiangjun, Qianjiangjun, Houjiangjun, Left Jiangjun, Right Jiangjun, along with Left and Right Yinqing Guanglu Dafu, Shuai Dudu, governors of states with over 10,000 households, and the Chief Historian, Major General, and Recorder of the Zhuguo Dajiangjun's Office, are seventh rank.
Guancheng Jiangjun, Fuguo Jiangjun, as well as Taizhong Dafu and Zhongsan Dafu, along with Commanders, governors of states with over 5,000 households and county magistrates overseeing over 15,000 households, are seventh rank.
General Zhenyuan, General Jianzhong, and other generals, as well as the Counselors of Remonstrance and Counselors of Sincerity, other generals, the Chief Minister's Office, the Sima, the Sulu, governors of commanderies with populations less than 5,000, governors of commanderies with populations exceeding 10,000, and the position known as "Great Call Drug," all belong to the sixth rank.
Generals like General Zhongjian and General Ningshuo; the Left and Right Zhonglang generals; the Yitongfu, the eighth-rank state historian, Sima, and Sulu; governors of commanderies with populations exceeding 5,000; and the position known as "Small Call Drug," all belong to the sixth rank.
Generals like General Ningyuan and General Yanglie; Left and Right Yuanwai Changshi; Commanders; the Biaoqi Cheqi Fu, the eighth-rank state historian, Sima, and Sulu; the Zhonglang aides in the Zhu Guo Grand General's Office; governors of commanderies with populations exceeding 1,000; the magistrates in charge of areas with populations exceeding 7,000, all belong to the fifth rank.
Goodness, all the positions listed above are official titles! Let's go through them sentence by sentence and explain what they mean in our current language.
First, the first paragraph mentions: General Fubo and General Qingche, these senior generals; as well as the Fengche Duwei and Fengqi Duwei; further down are the Zhongzhenfu and the Long History, Sima, and Sulu of the Zheng Seventh-rank states in the Four Campaigns and Pacification Army; the aides within the Chief Minister's Office; governors of commanderies with a population of less than 1,000; county magistrates in charge of areas with populations exceeding 7,000; and the Huyao of the Eighth rank (which is likely a medical official). These are all fifth-rank officials.
Moving on to the second paragraph: Generals like General Xuanwei and General Mingwei; the Wuben and Rongcong officials among the Geshih; the aides in the Yitongfu; the Liezhao Canjun of the Zhu Guo Grand General's Office; the Long History, Sima, and Sulu in the Siping General's Office; the Biejia of the Eighth rank; county magistrates with populations exceeding 4,000; and the Huyao of the Eighth rank. This is the fourth rank of officials.
Paragraph Three: General Xiangwei, General Liwei; Court Official; Imperial Court Pleader (this should be an honorary position); Military Commander; Military Officer of the Open Government; Chief Historian, Sima, and Scribe of the Champion's Assistance Office, 6th rank prefectural level; Attendant of the 7th rank prefecture; Assistant of the 8th rank prefecture; County Magistrate of the 7th rank; County Magistrate with a population of over 2,000 households; Attendant of the 7th rank prefecture. This is a 4th rank official.
Paragraph Four: General Weilie, General Taokou; Left and Right Assistant Ministers (this is a quite high official position); Banner Leader; Military Officer of the 8th rank from the Yitong Palace; Military Officer of the State Protectorate; Chief Historian, Sima of the Zhenyuan Jianzhong Ningshuo Prefecture; Attendant of the 6th rank prefecture; Assistant of the 7th rank prefecture; Magistrate of the 6th rank county; County Magistrate with a population of over 500 households; Attendant of the 7th rank prefecture. This is a 3rd rank official.
Paragraph Five: General Dangkou, General Dangnan; Cavalry Attendant, Assistant Minister (this is again a high official); Military Officer of the Open Palace; Military Officer of the 8th rank from the Biaoqi Cavalry Office; Chief Historian of the Ningyuan Yanglie Fubo Light Chariot Palace; Assistant of the 6th rank prefecture; Magistrate of the 6th rank county; County Magistrate with a population of less than 500 households; Garrison Commander; Attendant of the 6th rank prefecture. This is a 3rd rank official.
Paragraph Six: General Tiankou, General Tiannan; Chief Crossbow Officer, Deputy Crossbow Officer; Military Officer of the 7th rank prefecture of the Sizheng Zhenfu Army; Magistrate of the 5th rank county. This is a 2nd rank official.
Paragraph Seven: General Saokou, General Saonan; Cavalry Officer, Martial Valor Sima; Military Officer of the 7th rank prefecture of the Siping Front and Rear Left and Right Palace; Garrison Deputy; Magistrate of the 5th rank county. This is a 2nd rank official.
Final Paragraph: General Kuangye, General Hengye; Palace Officer, Assistant Palace Officer; Military Officer of the 6th rank prefecture of the Champion's Assistance Office. This is a 1st rank official.
In summary, this text provides a comprehensive overview of ancient official positions, from 1st to 5th rank, covering military and civilian officials, with the ranks clearly displayed. This is truly a microcosm of the ancient officialdom!
Wow, this dude really has a ton of official titles! General of Wuwei, General of Wuya, Commandant of Huaihai, Commandant of Shanlin, General of Zhenyuan, General of Jianzhong, General of Zhongjian, General of Ningshuo, General of Ningyuan, General of Yanglie, General of Fubo, General of Light Cavalry, and also a staff officer in the mansion. That's a crazy number of titles! And this is just one of his positions.
During the Zhou Dynasty, the rules stated that those awarded the five ranks of county marquis were required to receive the title 'Founding'. If they were given the rank of Pillar General, Grand Commandant, or Three Excellencies, they also had to receive the titles 'Imperial Protector' and 'Grand Commander'. If they were Grand Commandants, they also had to receive the titles 'General of Chariots and Cavalry' and 'Minister of the Guards'. If they were granted the title of Commander-in-Chief, they also had to receive the titles 'Imperial Protector' and 'Commander of All Military Affairs'. This was all standard practice. In the first year of Daxiang, the Emperor declared that only Commanders-in-Chief and those who led troops into battle could receive the title 'Imperial Protector', and all others were cancelled. By the fourth year of Jiande, the title 'Grand General of the Pillar of the State' was introduced, and 'Three Excellencies' was renamed to 'Grand General of the Three Excellencies'.
