1
文武選
Civil and Military Selection
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金制，文武選皆吏部統之。 自從九品至從七品職事官，部擬。 正七品以上，呈省以聽制授。 凡進士則授文散官，謂之文資官。 自余皆武散官，謂之右職，又謂之右選。 文資則進士為優，右職則軍功為優，皆循資，有升降定式而不可越。
Under the Jin system, both civil and military recruitment fell under the Ministry of Personnel. Functional posts from the secondary ninth rank through the secondary seventh rank were nominated by the ministry. From the proper seventh rank upward, nominations went to the provincial office for imperial appointment. Jinshi received civil honorary ranks, known as the civil track. Everyone else received military honorary ranks, called the right track or right selection. On the civil track jinshi took precedence; on the right track military merit did. All advanced by seniority under fixed promotion rules that could not be skipped.
3
凡銓注，必取求仕官解由，撮所陳行績資歷之要為銓頭，以定其能否？ 其有犯公私罪贓汙者，謂之犯選格，則雖遇恩而不得與。 舊制，犯追一官以至追四官，皆解任周年，而複仕之。 承安二年，定制，每追一官則殿一年，凡罷職會赦當敘者，及降殿當除者，皆具罪以聞，而後仕之。 凡增課升至六品者，任回復降。 既廉升而再任覆察不同者，任回亦降。 自進士、舉人、勞效、廕襲、恩例之外，入仕之途尚多，而所定之時不一。 若牌印、護衛、令史之出職，則皇統時所定者也。 檢法、知法、國史院書寫，則海陵庶人所置者也。 若宗室將軍、宮中諸局承應人、宰相書表、太子護衛、妃護衛、王府祗候郎君、內侍、及宰相之子、並譯史、通事、省祗候郎君、親軍驍騎諸格，則定于世宗之時，及章宗所置之太常檢討、內侍寄祿官，皆仕進之門戶也。
Every appointment required the candidate's discharge papers; the ministry distilled conduct, merit, and qualifications into a selection summary to judge fitness. Anyone guilty of public or private crimes or corruption violated selection criteria and could not participate even when an amnesty was proclaimed. Under the old rules, anyone demoted by one to four ranks had to leave office for a full year before serving again. In Cheng'an 2 (1197) the rule was set: each rank lost meant one year on the bench. Anyone dismissed who qualified for reinstatement at an amnesty, or whose bench term ended, had to report the full record of offenses before returning to office. Officials promoted to rank six for superior tax assessments were demoted again when their term ended. Those promoted on an integrity review who failed a repeat inspection on reappointment were demoted when their term ended as well. Beyond jinshi, juren, merit commendation, yin privilege, and grace appointments, many other paths to office existed, each fixed in a different reign. Posts such as seal officers, palace guards, and ministry clerks were established in the Huangtong era. Legal reviewers, legal specialists, and National History Academy scribes were offices created by Prince Hailing. Imperial-clan generals, palace bureau attendants, chancellors' memorial scribes, crown-prince and consort guards, princely retainers, eunuchs, chancellors' sons, translators, interpreters, provincial attendants, and personal-guard and crack-cavalry categories were all set under Shizong; Zhangzong added Sacrifices examiners and salaried eunuch posts—each a doorway into office.
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凡官資以三十月為考，職事官每任以三十月為滿，群牧使及管課官以三周歲為滿，防禦使以四十月、三品以上官則以五十月、轉運則以六十月為滿。 司天、太醫、內侍官皆至四品止。 凡外任循資官謂之常調，選為朝官謂之隨朝，隨朝則每考升職事一等，若以廉察而升者為廉升，授東北沿邊州郡而升者為邊升。 凡院務監當差使則皆從九品。 凡品官任都事、典事、主事、知事、及尚書省令史、覆實、架閣司管勾、直省直院局長副、檢法、知法、院務監當差使、及諸令史、譯史、掌書、書史、書吏、譯書、譯人、通事、並諸局分承應有出身者，皆為流外職。 凡此之屬，或以尚書省差遣，或自本司判補，其出職或正班，雜班，則莫不有當曆之名職。 既仕則必循升降之定式，雖或前後略有損益之殊，而定制則莫能渝焉。
Official seniority was assessed every thirty months. Functional posts ran thirty months per term; herd commissioners and tax supervisors three years; defense commissioners forty months; rank-three officials and above fifty months; transport commissioners sixty. Astronomical, medical, and eunuch offices topped out at rank four. Local officials advancing by seniority were on regular assignment; those brought to court were on court service, gaining one functional grade per evaluation. Promotion through integrity review was integrity promotion; assignment to northeastern frontier posts was frontier promotion. All bureau supervisors on temporary duty held the secondary ninth rank. Ranked officials serving as bureau chiefs, section heads, and supervisors; Ministry clerks, verification officers, and archive supervisors; bureau chiefs and deputies; legal reviewers; temporary bureau supervisors; and all clerks, translators, scribes, copyists, interpreters, and bureau attendants with formal credentials—all counted as posts outside the regular rank ladder. These posts were filled either by Ministry dispatch or by their home bureau. On leaving service for proper- or mixed-rank appointments, each category had prescribed nominal offices to complete. Once appointed they followed fixed promotion and demotion rules. Minor adjustments occurred over time, but the established formulas could not be set aside.
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凡門廕之制，天眷中，一品至八品皆不限所廕之人。 貞元二年，定廕敘法，一品至七品皆限以數，而削八品用廕之制。 世宗大定四年五月，詔：「皇家袒免以上親，就廕者依格引試，中選者勿令當儤使。」 五年十月，制：「亡宋官當廕子孫者，並同亡遼官用廕。」 又曰：「教坊出身人，若任流內職者，與文武同用廕。 自餘有勤勞者，賞賜而已。 昔正隆時常使教坊輩典城牧民，朕甚不取。」 又更定冒廕及取廕官罪賞格。 七年五月，命司天臺官四品以上官改授文武資者，並聽如太醫例廕。 其制，凡正班，廕亦正班； 雜班，廕雜班。 明昌元年，以上封事者乞六品官添廕，吏部言：「天眷中，八品用廕，不限所廕之人。 貞元中，七品用廕，方限以數。 當是時，文始於將仕，武始於進義，以上至七品儒林、忠顯，各七階，許廕一名。 至六品承直、昭信，計九階，許廕二人。 自大定十四年，文武官從下各增二階，其七品視舊為九階，亦廕一人，至五品凡十七階，方廕二人，其五品至三品並無間越，唯六品不用廕。 乞依舊格，五品以上增廕一名，六品廕子孫兄弟二人，七品仍舊為格。」 時又以舊格雖有己子許廕兄弟侄，蓋所以崇孝悌也。 而新格禁之，遂聽讓廕。 舊制，司天、太醫、內侍、長行雖至四品。 如非特恩換授文武官資者，不許用廕，以本人見允承應，難使系班故也。 泰和二年，定制，以年老六十以上退、與患疾及身故者，雖至止官，擬令系班，除存習本業者聽廕一名，止一子者則不須習即廕。
Under the gate-yin system, in the Tianjuan era ranks one through eight placed no limit on who could receive yin privilege. In Zhenyuan 2 (1154) yin appointments were regulated: ranks one through seven were capped by number, and eighth-rank yin was abolished. In the fifth month of Dading 4 (1164) Shizong decreed: "Imperial kin within the upper-garment mourning circle who enter by yin shall sit the qualifying examination. Those who pass shall not be assigned corvée duty." In the tenth month of the fifth year (1165) a rule declared: "Descendants of deceased Song officials entitled to yin shall receive it on the same terms as descendants of deceased Liao officials." It also said: "Music Bureau alumni who hold regular civil or military posts may use yin like other officials. Everyone else with merit received rewards only. Under Zhenglong the court often put Music Bureau people in charge of cities and subjects. I want no part of that." The court also revised penalties and rewards for false yin claims and for officials who granted yin improperly. In the fifth month of the seventh year (1167) the court ruled that Astronomical Bureau officials of rank four and above reassigned to civil or military tracks might use yin on the same terms as medical officials. The rule was: proper-rank holders granted proper-rank yin; mixed-rank holders granted mixed-rank yin. In Mingchang 1 (1190) a sealed memorial asked for extra yin quotas for rank-six officials. The Ministry of Personnel replied: "In the Tianjuan era eighth-rank officials could grant yin without limit on recipients. In the Zhenyuan era seventh-rank yin was capped by number. At that time the civil track began at Awaiting Assignment and the military at Advancing Righteousness. From there through rank-seven Rulin and Zhongxian—seven grades in all—one yin recipient was allowed. At rank-six Chengzhi and Zhaoxin—nine grades in all—two yin recipients were allowed. From Dading 14 (1174) civil and military ranks each gained two bottom grades. Seventh rank—nine grades by the old count—still allowed one yin; fifth rank, seventeen grades in all, allowed two. Fifth through third rank had no gaps, but sixth rank could not use yin. The memorial asked to restore the old rules: add one yin quota from fifth rank upward; allow sixth rank two yin for sons, brothers, or nephews; leave seventh rank unchanged. The court noted that although old rules let a son yield yin to brothers or nephews, that was meant to honor filial piety and fraternal duty. The new rules forbade it, so yielding yin was allowed instead. Under the old rules, astronomical, medical, eunuch, and senior-attendant offices, though they could reach rank four, could not use yin unless specially reassigned to civil or military seniority, because the holder was still serving as an attendant and could not be tied to the regular rank roster. In Taihe 2 (1202) the rule was set: retirees over sixty, the seriously ill, and the deceased—though they had reached terminal rank—stayed on the roster. Those who kept practicing their trade could grant one yin; if there was only one son, he need not practice the trade to receive yin.
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凡諸色出身文武官一品，廕子孫至曾孫及兄弟侄孫六人，因門廕則五人。 二品則子孫至曾孫及兄侄五人，因門廕則四人。 三品子孫兄弟侄四人，因門廕則三人。 四品、五品三人，因門廕則二人。 六品二人，七品子孫兄弟一人，因門廕則六品、七品子孫兄弟一人。 舊格，門廕惟七品一人，餘皆加一人。 明昌格，自五品而上皆增一人。 凡進納官，舊格正班三品廕四人，雜班三人。 正班武略子孫兄弟一人。 雜班明威一人，懷遠以上二人，鎮國以上三人。 司天、太醫遷至四品詔換文武官者，廕一人。
Rank-one civil and military officials of every background could grant yin to six descendants—sons through great-grandsons plus brothers, nephews, and grandnephews—or five through gate yin. Rank two allowed five yin recipients—descendants through great-grandsons plus brothers and nephews—or four through gate yin. Rank three allowed four yin for sons, brothers, and nephews, or three through gate yin. Ranks four and five allowed three yin, or two through gate yin. Rank six allowed two yin; rank seven one son or brother. Gate yin at ranks six and seven also allowed one son or brother. Under the old rules only seventh-rank gate yin was limited to one person; all other ranks added one. Under the Mingchang rules every rank from fifth upward gained one additional yin. For purchased offices, the old rules allowed proper-rank third grade four yin and mixed rank three. Proper-rank Wulue allowed one yin for a son or brother. Mixed-rank Mingwei allowed one; Huaiyuan and above two; Zhenguo and above three. Astronomical and medical officials who reached rank four and were reassigned to civil or military tracks could grant one yin.
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凡進士所曆之階，及所循注之職。 貞元元年，制南選，初除軍判、丞、簿從八品。 次除防判、錄事正八品，三除下令從七品，。 四中令、推官、節察判正七品，五六皆上令。 從六品。 北選，初軍判、簿、尉，二下令，三中令，四上令，已後並上令，通注節察判、推官。 正隆元年格，上甲者初上簿軍判、丞、簿、尉，中甲者初中簿軍判、丞、簿、尉，下甲者初下簿軍判、丞、簿、尉。 第二任皆中簿軍判、丞、簿、尉。 三、四、五、六、七任皆縣令，回呈省。
The grades jinshi passed through and the posts to which they were appointed. In Zhenyuan 1 (1153) the southern track began with army judge, aide, or registrar at secondary eighth rank. Second posting as defense judge or recorder at proper eighth rank; third as lower magistrate at secondary seventh rank. Fourth as middle magistrate, investigating officer, or circuit judge at proper seventh rank; fifth and sixth as upper magistrate at secondary sixth rank. The northern track: first army judge, registrar, or aide; then lower, middle, and upper magistrate; thereafter upper magistrate throughout, with circuit judges and investigating officers in the rotation. Under the Zhenglong 1 (1156) rules, upper-tier graduates began as upper registrar, army judge, aide, registrar, or aide; middle tier as middle registrar with the same posts; lower tier as lower registrar with the same posts. On the second term all served as middle registrar, army judge, aide, registrar, or aide. Third through seventh terms were all as county magistrate, then report to the provincial office.
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大定二年，詔文資官不得除縣尉。 八定格，曆五年任令即呈省。 十三年，制第二任權注下令。 舊制，狀元授承德郎，以十四年官制，文武官皆從下添兩重，命狀元更授承務郎，次舊授儒林郎，更為承事郎。 第二甲以下舊授從仕郎，更為將仕郎。 十五年，敕狀元除應奉，兩考依例授六品。 十八年，敕狀元行不顧名者與外除。 十九年，命本貫察其行止美惡。 二十一年，複命第三任注縣令。 二十二年，敕進士授章服後，再試時務策一道，所謂策試者也。 內才識可取者籍其名，歷任後察其政，若言行相副則升擢任使。 是年九月，複詔令後及第人，策試中者初任即升之。 二十三年格，進士，上甲，初錄事、防判，二下令，三中令。 中甲，初中簿，二上簿，三下令。 下甲，初下簿，二中簿，三下令。 試中策者，上甲，初錄事、防判，二中令，三上令。 中甲，初上簿，二下令，三中令。 下甲，初中簿，二錄事、防判、三中令。 又詔今後狀元授應奉，一年後所撰文字無過人者與外除。 二十六年格，以相次合為令者減一資歷。 二十六年格，三降兩降免一降，文資右職外官減最後，上令一任通五任回呈省，遂定格，上甲，初錄事、防判，二中令，三、四、五上令。 中甲，初中簿，二下令，三中令，四、五上令，策試進士，初錄事、防判，二、三、四、五上令。 其次，初上簿，二中令，三、四、五上令。 又次，初中簿，二下令，三中令，四、五上令。 下甲，初下簿，二下令，三中令，四，五上令。 二十七年，制進士階至中大夫呈省。
In Dading 2 (1162) the court forbade civil-track officials from serving as county aide. The eighth rule required reporting to the provincial office after five terms as magistrate. In the thirteenth year (1173) the second term could provisionally be lower magistrate. Under the old rules the top graduate received Chengdé Lang. In the fourteenth-year rank reform every civil and military grade gained two bottom steps: the top graduate now received Chengwu Lang, and those who had received Rulin Lang received Chengshi Lang instead. Second tier and below, formerly Congshi Lang, now received Jiangshi Lang. In the fifteenth year (1175) the top graduate was appointed Attendant-in-Waiting and, after two evaluations, received rank six as usual. In the eighteenth year (1178) top graduates whose conduct did not match their reputation were posted outside the capital. In the nineteenth year (1179) the home circuit was ordered to investigate their conduct. In the twenty-first year (1181) the third term was again fixed as county magistrate. In the twenty-second year (1182) jinshi, after receiving their insignia, sat a second examination on one current-affairs policy question—the policy test. Talented candidates were registered by name. After they served, their governance was reviewed; if conduct matched promise they were promoted and entrusted with greater duty. In the ninth month of that year the court decreed that thereafter policy-test passers would be promoted on first appointment. The twenty-third-year (1183) rules for upper-tier jinshi: first recorder or defense judge, second lower magistrate, third middle magistrate. Middle tier: first middle registrar, second upper registrar, third lower magistrate. Lower tier: first lower registrar, second middle registrar, third lower magistrate. Policy-test passers, upper tier: first recorder or defense judge, second middle magistrate, third upper magistrate. Middle tier: first upper registrar, second lower magistrate, third middle magistrate. Lower tier: first middle registrar, second recorder or defense judge, third middle magistrate. The court also decreed that thereafter the top graduate would serve as Attendant-in-Waiting; after one year, if his writings showed no exceptional merit, he would be posted outside the capital. The twenty-sixth-year (1186) rules reduced one seniority step for consecutive magistrate appointments. The twenty-sixth-year rules: three demotions or two demotions waived one demotion; civil, military, and external tracks trimmed the final step; one upper-magistrate term counted as five before reporting to the provincial office. Final rules for upper tier: first recorder or defense judge, second middle magistrate, third through fifth upper magistrate. Middle tier: first middle registrar, second lower magistrate, third middle magistrate, fourth and fifth upper magistrate. Policy-test jinshi: first recorder or defense judge, second through fifth upper magistrate. Next tier: first upper registrar, second middle magistrate, third through fifth upper magistrate. Still lower: first middle registrar, second lower magistrate, third middle magistrate, fourth and fifth upper magistrate. Lower tier: first lower registrar, second lower magistrate, third middle magistrate, fourth and fifth upper magistrate. In the twenty-seventh year (1187) jinshi reported to the provincial office upon reaching Court Gentleman for Guidance.
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明昌二年，罷勘會狀元行止之制。 七年格，縣令守闕各依舊格注授。 泰和格，諸進士及第合授資任須曆遍乃呈省。 雖未盡曆，官已至中大夫亦呈省。 又諸詞賦、經義進士及第後，策試中選，合授資任曆遍呈省，仍每任升本等首銓選。 貞祐三年，狀元授奉直大夫，上甲儒林郎，中甲以下授征事郎。
In Mingchang 2 (1191) the court abolished investigations of top graduates' conduct. The seventh-year (1196) rules assigned county magistrate and vacancy-holding posts under the old formulas. Under the Taihe rules all jinshi had to complete the full appointment sequence before reporting to the provincial office. Even if the sequence was incomplete, they reported once they reached Court Gentleman for Guidance. Rhapsody and classical-exegesis jinshi who passed the policy test after graduation also reported to the provincial office after completing the full sequence, advancing one primary-selection grade each term. In Zhenyou 3 (1215) the top graduate received Senior Grand Master of the Palace; upper tier Rulin Lang; middle tier and below Zhengshi Lang.
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經義進士。 皇統八年，就燕京擬注。 六年，與詞賦第一人皆擬縣令，第二人當除察判，以無闕遂擬軍判。 第二、第三甲隨各人住貫擬為軍判、丞、簿。 舊制，《五經》及第未及十年與關內差使，已十年者與關外差使，四十年除下令。 正隆三年，不授差使，至三十年則除縣令。 大定二十八年始複設是科，每舉專主一經。
Classical-Exegesis Jinshi In Huangtong 8 (1148) appointments were drafted at Yanjing. In the sixth year the top classical-exegesis and rhapsody graduates were both slated for county magistrate; the second graduate was to receive circuit judge, but with no vacancy open he was slated for army judge instead. Second and third tiers were assigned army judge, aide, or registrar according to each candidate's home circuit. Under the old rules, Five Classics graduates within ten years of passing received assignments inside the passes; after ten years they served outside; at forty years they received lower magistrate. In Zhenglong 3 (1158) assignment posts were suspended; at thirty years graduates received county magistrate. In Dading 28 (1188) the examination was restored, with each session devoted to a single classic.
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女直進士。 大定十三年，皆除教授。 二十二年，上甲第二第三人初除上簿，中甲則除中簿，下甲則除下簿。 大定二十五年，上甲甲首遷四重，餘各遷兩重。 第二第三甲授隨路教授，三十月為一任，第二任注九品，第三、第四任注錄事、軍防判，第五任下令。 尋複令第四任注縣令。 二十六年，減一資歷注縣令。 二十八年，添試論。 後皆依漢人格。
Jurchen Jinshi In Dading 13 (1173) all were appointed instructors. In the twenty-second year (1182) upper-tier second and third graduates began as upper registrar; middle tier as middle registrar; lower tier as lower registrar. In Dading 25 (1185) the upper-tier top graduate advanced four grades; all others advanced two. Second and third tiers were appointed circuit instructors for thirty-month terms. Second term: rank nine; third and fourth: recorder or army-defense judge; fifth: lower magistrate. Soon afterward the fourth term was set as county magistrate again. In the twenty-sixth year (1186) one seniority step was waived for county magistrate. In the twenty-eighth year (1188) an essay examination was added. Thereafter all followed the Han graduate track.
12
宏詞，上等遷兩官，次等遷一官，臨時取旨授之。 恩榜，章宗大定二十九年，敕今後凡五次禦簾進士，可一試而不黜落，止以文之高下定其次，謂之恩榜。 女直人遷將仕，漢人登仕，初任教授，三十月任滿，依本格從九品注授。 明昌元年，敕四舉終場，亦同五舉恩例，直赴禦試。 明昌五年，敕神童三次終場，同進士恩榜遷轉。 兩次終場，全免差使。 第六任與縣令，依本格遷官，如一次終場，初入仕則一除一差。 其餘並依本門戶，仍使應二舉，然後入仕。 每舉放四十人。 凡恩例補廕同進士者，謂大禮補致仕、遺表、陣亡等恩澤，補承襲錄用，並與國王並宗室女為婚者。 正隆二年格，初下簿，二中簿，三上簿，四下令，五中令，六、七上令，回呈省。
In the Grand Rhetoric examination, upper grade advanced two ranks and lower grade one; appointment followed a special imperial order. Grace List: in Dading 29 (1189) Zhangzong decreed that jinshi who had reached the imperial curtain five times could sit once without failing out, ranked only by literary merit—the Grace List. Jurchen graduates advanced to Awaiting Assignment; Han to Entering Service. First term as instructor; after thirty months they received secondary ninth rank under the standard rules. In Mingchang 1 (1190) the court ruled that four completed examination cycles qualified for the five-cycle grace rule and direct entry to the imperial test. In Mingchang 5 (1194) child prodigies who completed three cycles advanced like jinshi on the Grace List. Two completed cycles exempted candidates entirely from assignment posts. The sixth term brought county magistrate under standard advancement rules. One completed cycle meant alternating appointment and assignment on first entry. All others followed their own entry tracks but still had to sit two examinations before entering office. Each session passed forty candidates. Jinshi-equivalent yin under grace rules covered great-rite grants for retirement, posthumous petitions, death in battle, supplementary inheritance appointments, and men who married daughters of kings or imperial clansmen. Under Zhenglong 2 (1157) rules: lower registrar, middle registrar, upper registrar, lower magistrate, middle magistrate, two upper-magistrate terms, then report to the provincial office.
13
凡特賜同進士者，謂進粟、出使回、歿于王事之類，皆同雜班，補廕亦以雜班。 正隆元年格，初授下簿，二中簿，三縣丞、四軍判，五、六防判。 七、八下令，九中令，十上令。 尋複更初注下等軍判、丞、簿、尉，次注中等軍判、丞、簿、尉，第三注上等軍判、丞、簿、尉，四下令，五中令，六上令。
Specially granted jinshi status covered grain contributions, return from diplomatic missions, death in royal service, and similar cases—all treated as mixed rank, with mixed-rank yin as well. Under Zhenglong 1 (1156) rules: lower registrar, middle registrar, county aide or army judge, then two defense-judge terms. Seventh and eighth terms: lower magistrate; ninth: middle magistrate; tenth: upper magistrate. The rules were soon revised: first lower army judge, aide, registrar, or aide; then middle; then upper; fourth lower magistrate; fifth middle magistrate; sixth upper magistrate.
14
律科、經童。 正隆元年格，初授將仕郎，皆任司候，十年以上並一除一差，十年外則初任主簿，第二任司候，第三主簿，四主簿，五警判，六市丞，七諸縣丞，八次赤丞，九赤縣丞，十下縣令。 十一中縣令，五任上縣令，呈省。 三年制，律科及第及七年者與關內差使，七年外者與關外差。 諸經及第人未十年者關內差，已十年關外差。 律科四十年除下令。 經童及第人視余人複展十年，然後理算月日。 大定十四年，以從下新增官階，遂定制，律科及第者授將仕佐郎。 十六年特旨，以四十年除下令太遠，其以三十二年不犯贓罪者授下令。 十七年，敕諸科人仕至下令者免差。 二十年，省擬，無贓罪及廉察無惡者減作二十九年注下令，經童亦同此。 二十六年，省擬，以相次當為縣令者減一資歷選注。 敕命諸科人累任之餘月日至四十二月，准一除一差。 又敕，舊格六任縣令呈省，遂減為五任。 二十八年，減赤縣丞一任。 明昌五年，制仕二十六年之上者，如該廉升則注縣令。 六年，減諸縣丞、赤縣丞兩任後吏格，十年內擬注差使，十年外一除一差。 若曆八任、或任至三十二年注下令，則免差須遍曆而後呈省。 所曆之制，初、二下簿，三、四中簿，五、六、七上簿，犯選格者又曆上簿兩任，八、九則注下令，十中令，十一、十二上令。
Legal Studies and Child Classics Under Zhenglong 1 rules graduates first received Jiangshi Lang and served as courier officers. After ten years they alternated appointment and assignment: section chief, courier officer, section chief twice, police judge, market aide, county aides, secondary capital aide, capital county aide, lower-county magistrate. Eleventh term: middle-county magistrate; five upper-county magistrate terms; then report to the provincial office. Under the three-year rule, legal graduates within seven years of passing served inside the passes; after seven years, outside. Classic graduates within ten years served inside the passes; after ten years, outside. Legal graduates received lower magistrate after forty years. Child-classics graduates waited ten years longer than others before seniority months were counted. In Dading 14 (1174), with new bottom ranks added, legal graduates received Jiangshi Assistant Lang. In the sixteenth year (1176) a special order held forty years too long; graduates with no corruption record at thirty-two years received lower magistrate. In the seventeenth year (1177) graduates of all examination tracks who reached lower magistrate were exempt from assignment posts. In the twentieth year (1180) the provincial office proposed twenty-nine years for lower magistrate if there was no corruption and integrity review found no misconduct; child classics followed suit. In the twenty-sixth year (1186) the provincial office proposed waiving one seniority step for consecutive magistrate appointments. An edict allowed all-track graduates who accumulated forty-two surplus months to alternate one appointment with one assignment. Another edict reduced reporting to the provincial office from six magistrate terms to five. In the twenty-eighth year (1188) one capital-county aide term was dropped. In Mingchang 5 (1194) those with twenty-six years of service who qualified for integrity promotion received county magistrate. In the sixth year (1195), after dropping two county-aide terms from the clerk track, graduates within ten years received assignment posts; beyond ten years they alternated appointment and assignment. Eight terms completed, or lower magistrate at thirty-two years, exempted graduates from assignments but required the full sequence before reporting to the provincial office. The sequence ran: two lower registrar terms, two middle, three upper; violators of selection criteria added two upper-registrar terms; eighth and ninth lower magistrate, tenth middle, eleventh and twelfth upper.
15
凡武舉，泰和三年格，上甲第一名遷忠勇校尉，第二、第三名遷忠翊校尉。 中等遷修武校尉，收充親軍，不拘有無廕，視舊格減一百月出職。 下等遷敦武校尉，亦收充親軍，減五十月出職。 承安元年格，第一名所曆之職，初都巡、副將，二下令，三中令，四、五上令。 第二、第三名，初巡尉、部將，二上簿，三下令，四中令，五、六上令。 余人，初副巡、軍轄，二中簿，三下令，四中令，五、六上令。
Under the Taihe 3 (1203) military rules, upper-tier first place advanced to Loyal-Brave Commandant; second and third to Loyal-Assistant Commandant. Middle tier advanced to Cultivated-Martial Commandant and entered the personal guard, yin or no yin, with one hundred months shaved from the old time-to-office rule. Lower tier advanced to Honest-Martial Commandant, also entered the personal guard, with fifty months shaved from time to office. Under Cheng'an 1 (1196) rules for first place: metropolitan patrol officer or deputy commander, then lower, middle, and two upper magistrate terms. Second and third place: patrol aide or company commander, upper registrar, lower magistrate, middle magistrate, two upper magistrate terms. All others: deputy patrol or military administrator, middle registrar, lower magistrate, middle magistrate, two upper magistrate terms.
16
凡軍功有六：一曰川野見陣，最出當先，殺退敵軍。 二曰攻打抗拒州縣山寨，奪得敵樓。 三曰爭取船橋，越險先登。 四曰遠探捕得喉舌。 五曰險難之間，遠處報事情成功。 六曰謀事得濟，越眾立功。 皇統八年格，凡帶官一命昭信校尉正七品以上者，初除主簿及諸司副使正九品，二主簿及諸司使正八品，三下令從七品，四中令正七品，五上令，或通注鎮軍都指揮使正七品及正將。 其官不至昭信及無官者，自初至三任通注丞、簿，四下令，五中令，六上令及知城寨從七品。 章宗大定二十九年，遷至鎮國者取旨升除後。 吏格之所定，女直人昭信校尉以上者，初下簿，二下令，三中令，四、五上令。 女直一命遷至昭信校尉、余人至昭信已上者，初下簿，二中簿，三下令，四中令，五、六上令。 凡至宣武將軍以上者，初下令，二中令，二中令，三、四上令。
Military merit had six categories. First: meeting the enemy in open country, leading the van, killing and driving back enemy troops. Second: storming resistant prefectural, district, and mountain-fort strongholds and capturing enemy towers. Third: seizing boats and bridges and being first over dangerous ground. Fourth: long-range reconnaissance that captured enemy scouts. Fifth: reporting successfully from afar through hardship and danger. Sixth: planning that succeeded and winning merit beyond the common run. Under Huangtong 8 (1148) rules, holders of one command as Zhaoxin Commandant at proper seventh rank or above began as section chief or bureau deputy (rank nine), then section chief or bureau commissioner (rank eight), lower magistrate (secondary seventh), middle magistrate (proper seventh), upper magistrate—or garrison commander and company commander throughout. Those below Zhaoxin rank or without office served three terms as aide or registrar, then lower magistrate, middle magistrate, upper magistrate and fortress-prefect at secondary seventh rank. In Dading 29 (1189) those who reached Pacifier of the Realm required an imperial order for further promotion. Under clerk regulations, Jurchen at Zhaoxin Commandant and above: lower registrar, lower magistrate, middle magistrate, two upper magistrate terms. Jurchen with one command who reached Zhaoxin Commandant, and others at Zhaoxin or above: lower registrar, middle registrar, lower magistrate, middle magistrate, two upper magistrate terms. All who reached Martial-Proclaiming General and above: lower magistrate, two middle magistrate terms, two upper magistrate terms.
17
凡勞效謂年老千戶、謀克也。 大定五年，制河南、陝西統軍司，千戶十年以上擬從七品，三十年千戶、四十年以上之謀克從八品，二十年以上千戶、三十年以上謀克從九品，二十年以上謀克與正班、與差使，十年以上賞銀絹，皆以所曆千戶、謀克、蒲輦單月日通算。 二十年，制以先曾充軍管押千戶、謀克、蒲輦二十年以上、六十五歲放罷者，視其強健者與差除、令系班，不則量加遷賞。 後更定吏格，若一命遷宣武將軍以上，當授從七品職事者，初下令，二中令，三、四上令。 官不至宣武，初授八品者授錄事，二赤劇丞，三下令，四中令，五、六上令。 初授九品官者，初下簿，二中簿，三上簿，四下令，五中令，六、七上令。 大定九年格，三虞候順德軍千戶四十年以上者與從八品，三十年千戶、四十年以上謀克從九品，二十年以上千戶、三十年以上謀克與正班，以下賞銀絹。 大定十四年，定隨路軍官出職，以新制從下創添兩重，舊遷忠武校尉者今遷忠勇校尉。 中都永固軍指揮使及隨路埽兵指揮使出職，舊遷敦武校尉者今遷進義校尉。 武衛軍，大定十七年定制，其猛安曰都將，謀克曰中尉，蒲輦曰隊正。 都將三十月遷一官，至昭信注九品職事。 以隊正升中尉。 中尉升都將。
Merit commendation covered elderly chiliarchs and company commanders. In Dading 5 (1165) the Henan and Shaanxi commands ruled: ten-year chiliarchs qualified for secondary seventh rank; thirty-year chiliarchs and forty-year company commanders for secondary eighth; twenty-year chiliarchs and thirty-year company commanders for secondary ninth; twenty-year company commanders received proper rank and assignments; ten-year veterans received silver and silk—all by total months served. In the twentieth year (1180) veterans who had served twenty years as military escort chiliarchs, company commanders, or platoon leaders and retired at sixty-five, if still fit, received appointment and stayed on the roster; otherwise they received appropriate advancement rewards. Later clerk rules held that one-command holders who reached Martial-Proclaiming General and qualified for secondary seventh-rank functional office served lower magistrate, middle magistrate, then two upper magistrate terms. Below Martial-Proclaiming rank with initial rank-eight appointment: recorder, capital-intendant aide, lower magistrate, middle magistrate, two upper magistrate terms. Initial rank-nine appointees: lower registrar, middle registrar, upper registrar, lower magistrate, middle magistrate, two upper magistrate terms. Under Dading 9 (1169) rules for Shunde Army courier officers: forty-year chiliarchs received secondary eighth rank; thirty-year chiliarchs and forty-year company commanders secondary ninth; twenty-year chiliarchs and thirty-year company commanders proper rank; shorter service brought silver and silk. In Dading 14 (1174) circuit military officers' promotion paths were set. With two new bottom grades, former Loyal-Martial Commandant advancement became Loyal-Brave Commandant. Capital Ever-Firm Army and circuit dike-soldier commanders who had advanced to Honest-Martial Commandant now advanced to Advancing-Righteousness Commandant. Imperial Guard regulations fixed in Dading 17 (1177): the meng'an was Chief Commander, the company commander Middle Lieutenant, the platoon leader Squad Chief. Chief commanders advanced one rank every thirty months and received rank-nine functional office at Zhaoxin. Squad chiefs advanced to middle lieutenant. Middle lieutenants advanced to chief commander.
18
省令史選之門有四：曰文資，曰女直進士，曰右職，曰宰執子，其出仕之制各異。
Four tracks led to ministry clerk: civil, Jurchen jinshi, military, and chancellors' sons—each with different rules for entering office.
19
文資者，舊惟聽左司官舉用，至熙宗皇統八年，省臣謂：「若止循舊例舉勾，久則善惡不分而多僥倖。」 遂奏定制，自天眷二年及第榜次姓名，從上次第勾年至五十已上、官資自承直郎從六品至奉德大夫從五品，無公私過者，一闕勾二人試驗，可則收補，若皆可即籍名令還職待補。 官至承直郎以上，一考得除正七品以上，從六品以下職事，兩考者除從六品以上、從五品以下。 奉直大夫從六品以上，一考者除從六品以上。 從五品以下，兩考者除從五品以上、正五品以下，節運同。
The civil track had relied only on Left Secretariat recommendations. In Huangtong 8 (1148) provincial ministers argued that continuing the old practice would blur merit and invite opportunism. They proposed fixed rules: from Tianjuan 2 (1139) examination lists, names ranked in order; candidates fifty or older from Chengzhi Lang (secondary sixth) through Fengdé Grand Master (secondary fifth) without public or private offenses—two per vacancy for trial; qualified candidates were enrolled, or both registered and sent back to await appointment. At Chengzhi Lang and above: one evaluation brought proper seventh rank or secondary sixth and below; two evaluations brought secondary sixth and above or secondary fifth and below. Fengzhi Grand Master at secondary sixth and above: one evaluation brought secondary sixth and above. Secondary fifth and below: two evaluations brought secondary fifth and above or proper fifth and below; circuit transport followed the same rule.
20
正隆元年，罷是制，止於密院台及六部吏人令史內選充。 大定元年，世宗以胥吏既貪墨，委之外路幹事又不知大體，徒多擾動，至二年，罷吏人而複皇統選進士之制。 承直郎以上者，一考正七品，除運判、節察判、軍刺同知。 兩考者從六品，除京運判、總府判、防禦同知。 奉直大夫已上，一考者從六品，除同前。 兩考從五品，除節運副、京總管府留守司判官。 七年，以散階官至五品亦勾充，不願者聽。 十一年，以進士官至承直者眾，遂不論官資但以榜次勾補。 二十七年，以外多闕官，論者以為資考所拘，難以升進，乃命不論官資，凡一考者與六品，次任降除正七品，第三任與六品，第四任升為從五品。 兩考者與從五品，次任降除六品，第三、四任皆與從五品，五任升正五品。 承安二年，以習學知除、刑房知案、及兵興時邊關令史，三十月除隨朝闕。 泰和八年，以習學知除十五月以上，選充正知除。 一考後理算資考。 大安三年，以從榜次則各人所曆月日不齊，遂以吏部等差其所曆歲月多寡為次，收補知除，考滿則授隨朝職。
In Zhenglong 1 (1156) this system was abolished; clerks were chosen only from the Privy Council, Censorate, and six ministries. In Dading 1 (1161) Shizong found clerks corrupt and their external assignments disruptive because they lacked broader judgment. In the second year (1162) he dismissed them and restored the Huangtong jinshi selection system. At Chengzhi Lang and above: one evaluation brought proper seventh rank as transport judge, circuit judge, or military commissioner deputy. Two evaluations brought secondary sixth rank as capital transport judge, metropolitan prefectural judge, or defense commissioner deputy. Fengzhi Grand Master and above: one evaluation brought secondary sixth rank with the same appointments as before. Two evaluations brought secondary fifth rank as circuit-transport deputy or capital metropolitan retention-office judge. In the seventh year (1167) holders of honorary fifth rank could also be selected; unwilling candidates could decline. In the eleventh year (1171) so many jinshi had reached Chengzhi that selection followed examination rank alone, without regard to seniority. In the twenty-seventh year (1187), with many vacancies outside the capital and critics arguing seniority rules blocked advancement, the court ignored seniority: one evaluation brought rank six; second term demotion to proper seventh; third term rank six again; fourth term secondary fifth. Two evaluations brought secondary fifth rank; second term demotion to rank six; third and fourth terms secondary fifth again; fifth term proper fifth. In Cheng'an 2 (1197) trainee case managers, criminal-section managers, and wartime frontier clerks received court-service vacancies after thirty months. In Taihe 8 (1208) trainee case managers with fifteen months or more were selected as full case managers. After one evaluation seniority was calculated. In Da'an 3 (1211) examination rank alone left service months uneven, so the Ministry ranked candidates by years served, enrolled them as case managers, and after evaluation granted court-service posts.
21
貞祐五年，進士未歷任者，亦得充補，一考者除上縣令，再任上縣令升正七品，如已曆一任任丞簿者，舊制除六品，乃更為正七品，一任回降從七品，再任正七品升六品，如曆兩任丞簿者，一考舊除六品，乃更為正七品，一任回免降，複免正七品一任，即升六品。 曾曆令一任者，依舊格六品，再任降除七品，還升從五品。 興定二年，敕初任未滿及歷任者，考滿升等為從七品。 初任未滿者爾兩任、未歷任者四任、回升正七品，兩任正七皆免回降。 凡不依榜次勾取者同隨朝升除，俟榜次所及日聽再就補。 興定五年，定進士令史與右職令史同格，考滿未應得從七者與正七品，回降從七一任。 所勾諸府令史不及三考出職者除從七品，回降除八品。 若一任應得從七品者除六品，回降正七品，若一任應得正七品者免降。
In Zhenyou 5 (1217) jinshi without prior service could also be enrolled. One evaluation brought upper-county magistrate; a second upper-county term advanced to proper seventh rank. One prior aide-or-registrar term had meant rank six under old rules but now proper seventh, then demotion to secondary seventh on return, then proper seventh again and advancement to rank six. Two prior aide-or-registrar terms: one evaluation now brought proper seventh instead of rank six, with demotion waived once and one proper-seventh term waived before advancement to rank six. Those who had served one term as magistrate received rank six under the old rules; a second term brought demotion to rank seven; on return they advanced to secondary fifth rank. In Xingding 2 (1218) the court ruled that whether a first term was incomplete or terms had been served, completion of evaluations advanced candidates to secondary seventh rank. Incomplete first terms required two more terms; candidates without prior service required four; then advancement to proper seventh rank, with two proper-seventh terms exempt from return demotion. Those selected out of examination-rank order advanced and were demoted like court-service officials, and could seek re-enrollment when their list rank was reached. In Xingding 5 (1221) jinshi clerks and military-track clerks shared the same rules. After evaluations, those not yet at secondary seventh received proper seventh rank, then one return demotion to secondary seventh. Selected prefectural clerks who left service before three evaluations received secondary seventh rank; on return they were demoted to rank eight. One term qualifying for secondary seventh brought rank six, then return demotion to proper seventh. One term qualifying for proper seventh was exempt from demotion.
22
女直進士令史，二十七年格，一考注正七品，兩考注正六品。 二十八年，敕樞密院等處轉省者，並用進士。 明昌元年，敕至三考者與漢人兩考者同除。 明昌三年，罷契丹令史，其闕內增女直令史五人。 五年，以與進士令史辛苦既同，資考難異，遂定與漢進士一考與從六品，兩考與從五品。
Under the twenty-seventh-year (1187) rules, Jurchen jinshi clerks received proper seventh rank after one evaluation and proper sixth after two. In the twenty-eighth year (1188) transfers to the ministry from the Privy Council and similar offices were limited to jinshi. In Mingchang 1 (1190) three evaluations brought the same appointments as two evaluations for Han candidates. In Mingchang 3 (1192) Khitan clerks were abolished and five Jurchen clerks added to fill the vacancies. In the fifth year (1194), because their service matched jinshi clerks in hardship but not in seniority rules, one evaluation brought secondary sixth rank and two brought secondary fifth—the same as Han jinshi.
23
宰執子弟省令史，大定十二年，制凡承廕者，呈省引見，除特恩任用外，並內奉班收，仍於國史院署書寫、太常署檢討、秘書監置校勘、尚書省準備差使，每三十月遷一重，百五十月出職。 如承應一考以上，許試補省令譯史，則以百二十月出職，其已曆月日皆不紐折，如系終場舉人，即聽尚書省試補。 十七年，定制，以三品職事官之子，試補樞密院令史。 遂命吏部定制，宰執之子、並在省宗室郎君，如願就試令譯史，每年一就試，令譯史考試院試補外，緦麻袒免宗室郎君密院收補。 大定二十八年，制以宗室第二從親並宰相之子，出職與六品外，宗室第三從親並執政之子，出職與正七品。 其出職皆以百五十月，若見已轉省之餘人，則至兩考止與正七品。 二十九年，四從親亦許試補。
In Dading 12 (1172) chancellors' sons entering ministry clerk service by yin were presented to the provincial office. Except for special appointments, all joined the inner attendance corps while serving as National History scribes, Sacrifices examiners, Secretariat collators, and Ministry preparatory assignees, advancing one grade every thirty months and leaving service at one hundred fifty months. Attendants with one evaluation or more could trial-enroll as ministry clerks or translators and leave service at one hundred twenty months without discounting prior months. Examination completers could sit the Ministry trial. In the seventeenth year (1177) sons of rank-three functional officials could trial-enroll as Privy Council clerks. The Ministry then fixed rules: chancellors' sons and imperial-clan attendants at court could sit annual clerk and translator examinations. Beyond examination enrollment, distant- and upper-garment imperial-clan attendants were enrolled by the Privy Council. In Dading 28 (1188) second-collateral imperial clansmen and chancellors' sons left service at rank six or above; third-collateral clansmen and chief councillors' sons at proper seventh rank. All left service at one hundred fifty months. Those already transferred to the ministry received only proper seventh rank through two evaluations. In the twenty-ninth year (1189) fourth-collateral imperial clansmen were also permitted trial enrollment.