Volume 159 Treatises 112: Selection and appointment of Officials 5

選舉五〈（銓法下）〉 ○遠州銓補蔭流外補

Selection and Appointment, Part Five (Selection Rules, Part Two) Distant Prefecture Selection, Privilege Appointments, and Stream-Outside Appointments

川峽、閩、廣，阻遠險惡，中州之人，多不願仕其地。初，銓格稍限以法，凡州縣、幕職，每一任近，即一任遠。川峽、廣南及沿邊，不許挈家者為遠，餘悉為近。既分川峽為四路，廣南東、西為二路，福建一路，後增荊湖南一路，始立八路定差之制，許中州及土著在選者隨意就差，名曰「指射」，行之不廢。

Sichuan, Fujian, and Guangdong were remote, rugged, and dangerous, and people from the central provinces were generally reluctant to take posts there. At first, the selection rules required that officials holding prefecture, county, or staff posts serve one term in a nearby jurisdiction before serving one in a distant jurisdiction. Sichuan, southern Guang, and border posts where officials could not bring their families were counted as distant appointments; all other posts counted as nearby. Once Sichuan had been divided into four circuits, southern Guang into eastern and western circuits, Fujian into one circuit, and later Hunan South into another, the eight-circuit fixed-assignment system was instituted. Central-province officials and local candidates on the rolls were allowed to choose assignments at will; the practice was called "directed assignment" and remained in force.

太平興國初，選人孟巒擬賓州錄事參軍，詣匭訴冤，坐流海島。自是，得遠地者不敢辭。既而詔：「川峽、嶺南、福建注授，計程外給兩月期，違則本州不得放上，遣送闕下，除籍不齒。或被疾，則所至陳牒，長吏按驗，付以公據；廢痼末損，則條狀以聞。」雍熙四年，又詔：「選人年六十，勿注遠地；非土人而願者聽。凡任廣、蜀、福建州縣，並給續食。」初，嶺南闕官，往往差攝。至是，詔州長吏試可者選用之；罷秩，奏送闕下，與出身。淳化間，又詔：「嶺南攝官，各路惟許選二十員以承乏，餘悉罷歸。」

Early in the Taiping Xingguo period, the candidate Meng Luan was assigned as Recorder of Bin Prefecture. He filed a complaint of injustice in the petition box and was banished to a distant island. After that, officials assigned to distant posts did not dare to decline. An edict then stipulated that appointees to Sichuan, Lingnan, and Fujian would be allowed two months beyond the calculated travel time; if they failed to comply, their home prefecture could not issue the release document, and they would be sent to the capital and removed from the rolls. If illness intervened, they were to submit a memorial where they arrived; the local chief would verify it and grant official certification; and if a chronic ailment had only partly improved, the particulars were to be reported in a memorial. In the fourth year of Yongxi, another edict stated: "Candidates aged sixty are not to be assigned to distant regions; except that non-natives who wish to serve there may be permitted. All officials serving in prefectures and counties of Guang, Shu, and Fujian were granted continued salary provisions." At first, when Lingnan lacked officials, acting appointments were often made. At this point, an edict directed prefectural chiefs to select those who passed examination for appointment; and upon completion of their terms, memorials were sent to the court and initial appointment credentials granted. During the Chunhua period, another edict stated: "For acting officials in Lingnan, each circuit may select only twenty to fill vacancies; all others are to be dismissed and sent home."

始，令嶺南幕職，許攜族行，受代不得寄留。至道初，申詔：「劍南州縣官，不得以族行。敢有妄稱妻為女奴，攜以之官，除名。」初，榮州司理判官鄭蛟，冒禁攜妻之任。會蜀賊李順構亂，其黨田子宣攻陷城邑，而蛟捕得之，擢為推官。至是，知梓州張雍奏其事，上命戮蛟，而有是詔。

At first, staff officers in Lingnan were permitted to bring their families, but upon succession they could not remain on leave. In the early Zhidao period, an edict was reissued: "Prefecture and county officials in Jiannan may not bring their families. Anyone who falsely claims his wife is a female slave and takes her to his post shall be removed from office." Earlier, Zheng Jiao, judicial assistant of Rong Prefecture, had violated the prohibition by taking his wife to his post. When the Shu rebel Li Shun raised an uprising and his follower Tian Zixuan captured cities and towns, Jiao captured him and was promoted to investigating officer. At this point Zhang Yong, prefect of Zizhou, memorialized the matter; the emperor ordered Jiao executed, and this edict followed.

咸平間，以新、恩、循、梅四州瘴地，選荊湖、福建人注之。吏部銓擬官，悉標其過犯，自是，凡注惡地，令不須書。又詔：「規避遐遠，違期受代，勘鞫責罰，就移遠地。」

During the Xianping period, the malarial prefectures of Xin, En, Xun, and Mei were assigned candidates from Huguang and Fujian. When the Ministry of Personnel proposed appointments, it marked all past offenses on the record; thereafter, for assignments to undesirable regions, it was ordered that offenses need not be noted. Another edict stated: "Those who evade distant posts or violate deadlines for succession shall, upon investigation, be punished and transferred to distant regions."

神宗更製，始詔：「川峽、福建、廣南，之官罷任，迎送勞苦，其令轉運司立格就注，免其赴選。」於是七路自常選知州而下，轉運司置員闕籍，具書應代時日，下所部郡眾示之。凡見任距受代半年及已終更者，許用本資序指射。有司受而閱之，定其應格當差者，上之審官東院、流內銓，審覆如令，即奏聞降敕。若占籍本路，或遊注此州，皆從其便；惟不許官本貫州縣及鄰境，其參擬銓次悉如銓格。無願注者，上其闕審官，而在選者射之。武臣之屬西院、三班院者，令樞密院放此具製。後荊湖南亦許就注。或言：「土人知州非便。法應遠近迭居，而川人許連任本路，常獲家便，實太偏濫。」王安石曰：「分遠近，均勞佚也。中州士不願適遠，四路人樂就家便，用新法即兩得所欲；況可以省吏卒將迎、官府浮費邪？」何正臣又言：「蜀人之在仕籍者特眾，今自郡守而下皆得就差，一郡之官，土人太半，寮寀吏民皆其鄉里親信，難於徇公，易以合黨。請收守令闕歸之朝廷，而他官兼用土人，量立分限，庶經久無弊。兼聞差注未至盡公，願許提刑司索案牘究察之。」奏上，法不為改，但申嚴提刑司互察之法。

Under Shenzong's reforms, an edict was first issued: "For Sichuan, Fujian, and southern Guang, the hardship of escort upon arrival and departure at the end of a term is great; transport commissioners shall establish regulations for local assignment and exempt officials from going to the capital for selection. Thereupon, in the seven circuits, from regularly selected prefects downward, transport commissioners established vacancy registers, recorded scheduled succession dates, and posted them throughout the prefectures under their jurisdiction. All incumbents within six months of succession and those who had completed their terms were permitted to use their original rank sequence for directed assignment. The relevant offices received and reviewed the applications, determined those who met the requirements for assignment, and sent them to the Eastern Review Office and the Outside Stream Selection Board; upon review in accordance with regulations, memorials were submitted and edicts issued. If registered in the home circuit or temporarily assigned in a given prefecture, convenience was permitted; only assignment to one's native prefecture, county, or neighboring jurisdiction was forbidden; the proposed selection order followed the selection regulations entirely. If no one wished the assignment, the vacancy was sent to the review office and those on the selection rolls could bid for it. For military officers under the Western Court and Third-Class Court, the Bureau of Military Affairs was ordered to prepare regulations on the same model. Later, Hunan South was also permitted local assignment. Someone stated: "It is inappropriate for natives to serve as prefects. By law, near and distant posts should alternate, yet Sichuan natives are permitted consecutive terms in their home circuit and constantly enjoy familial convenience—this is truly excessively lenient." Wang Anshi said: "Distinguishing near and distant posts is meant to equalize labor and rest. Central-province scholars are unwilling to go to distant regions, while people of the four circuits gladly take posts convenient to home; under the new law both sides get what they want; and besides, can this not save the expense of clerks and soldiers for escort and other governmental overhead?" He Zhenchen also stated: "The number of Shu natives on the service rolls is especially great; now from prefects downward all may be locally assigned, so that more than half of a prefecture's officials are natives. Their colleagues, retainers, clerks, and common people are all hometown kin and trusted associates—making impartiality difficult and faction-forming easy. Please return prefect and magistrate vacancies to the court, while other posts may partly use natives within set limits, so that in the long run there will be no abuse. I also hear that assignments have not been entirely fair; please permit the judicial intendant to request case files for investigation." When the memorial was submitted, the law was not changed, but only the mutual inspection regulations for judicial intendants were strictly enforced.

元祐初，御史上官均言：「定差不均之弊有七：諸路赴選中試乃差，八路隨意取射，一也。諸路吏部待試，需次率及七年，方成一任；八路就注，若及七年，已更三任，二也。八路雖坐停罷，隨許射注；而見在吏部待次之人，至有曆任無過，尚須試法，候及一年方有注擬，三也。其待次者又許權攝，祿無虛日；而吏選無愆犯，亦大率四年方再得祿，四也。土人得射奏名者，免試就注家便，年高力憊，不復望進，往往營私廢職，五也。仕久知識既多，土人就射本路，不無親故請托，六也。八路監司地遠而專，設漫滅功過名次，人亦不敢爭校；故有力者多得優便，而孤寒滯卻，七也。請並八路差盡歸吏部為便。」既而吏部亦請用常格差除，遂悉歸之銓。

In the early Yuanyou period, memorializing censor Shangguan Jun stated: "The abuses of uneven fixed assignment are seven. First, other circuits must pass the central selection examination before assignment, while the eight circuits may freely bid for assignment. In other circuits, candidates await examination at the Ministry of Personnel, and waiting for turn generally takes seven years before one term is completed; in the eight circuits with local assignment, if seven years elapse, three terms have already been completed—that is the second. Though officials in the eight circuits may be suspended from office, directed assignment is still permitted; yet persons awaiting turn at the Ministry of Personnel, even with faultless service across several terms, must still take the examination and wait a full year before appointment proposal—that is the third. Those awaiting turn are also permitted temporary acting appointment and receive salary without idle days; yet Ministry candidates without violations generally wait four years before receiving salary again—that is the fourth. Natives who bid and receive named appointment are exempt from examination and assigned near home; aged and enfeebled, no longer hoping for advancement, they often seek private gain and neglect duty—that is the fifth. After long service with many connections, natives bidding for assignment in their home circuit inevitably involve kin and acquaintances pulling strings—that is the sixth. Eight-circuit supervising commissioners are distant and autonomous; if they carelessly alter merit and demerit rankings, people also dare not dispute; thus the powerful often obtain favorable posts while the isolated and poor are held back—that is the seventh. Please return all eight-circuit assignments entirely to the Ministry of Personnel for convenience." Thereupon the Ministry of Personnel also requested using regular regulations for assignment and removal, and all assignments were returned to the selection boards.

紹聖復行舊制，且許八路人蔭補出官，即轉運司試中注闕。重和間，臣僚又言其弊：「轉運以軍儲、吏祿、供饋、支移為己責，而視差注為末務，往往付之主案吏胥定擬，而簽廳視成書判而已。注闕之高下，視賄之厚薄。無賂，則定差之牘，脫漏言詞，隱落節目。及其上部，必致退卻，參會重上，又半歲矣。以是闕多而不調者眾。宜督典領之官，歲終取吏部退難有無、多寡，為之課而賞罰之，庶可公注擬而絕吏賕。」乃命立《考課法》。

In Shaosheng the old system was restored, and natives of the eight circuits entering office through privilege appointment were directly assigned vacancies upon passing transport commissioner examination. During the Chonghe period, officials again spoke of its abuses: "Transport commissioners regard military supplies, clerical salaries, tribute, and transfer disbursements as their own responsibility, while treating assignment as a minor matter, often leaving proposed appointments to chief clerks to determine and merely signing completed drafts. Whether vacancies were high or low depended on the thickness of bribes. Without bribes, the fixed-assignment documents would have omitted words and dropped sections. When submitted to higher authority they were inevitably rejected; re-memorialized and resubmitted, another half year passed. Thus many vacancies went unfilled. Supervisory officials should be charged; at year's end tally Ministry rejections by presence and quantity for performance assessment with rewards and punishments, so assignments may be fair and clerical bribery eliminated." The 《Examination Law》 was then ordered established.

建炎初，詔福建、二廣闕並歸吏部，惟四川仍舊制。初，累朝以廣南地遠，利入不足以資正官，故使舉人兩與薦選者，試刑法於漕司，以合格者注攝兩路，謂之「待次」。攝官更兩任無過，則錫以真命。至是，雖歸之吏部，逾年無願就者，復歸漕司。自神宗朝，宗室不許調川峽官；至是宗室多避難入蜀，乃聽於四路注擬。六年，詔：「川峽轉運司每季孟月上旬集注。」為定法焉。八年，直學士院勾龍如淵上疏謂：「行都去蜀萬里，而比歲窠闕歸之朝廷，寒遠之士，困抑者眾。願參酌前製，稍還漕銓之舊，立為定格，使與堂除不相侵紊。」遂命以小郡知州、監以下，仍付漕司差注，其選人改官詣司公參，理為「到部」。人稱便焉。

In the early Jianyan period, an edict returned Fujian and the two Guang vacancies to the Ministry of Personnel; only Sichuan retained the old system. Initially, because southern Guang was distant and revenues insufficient to support regular officials, successive dynasties permitted candidates recommended twice for selection to take the criminal law examination at the transport commission; qualified persons were assigned acting posts in both circuits—called "awaiting turn." Acting officials who completed two faultless terms received genuine appointment. At this point, although vacancies were returned to the Ministry of Personnel, after more than a year with none willing to take them, they were returned to the transport commission. Since Shenzong's reign, imperial clansmen were not permitted posts in Sichuan; at this point many clansmen fled into Shu for refuge, and they were permitted assignment in the four circuits. In the sixth year, an edict stated: "Sichuan transport commissioners shall convene for assignment at the beginning of each quarter's first month. This was established as fixed law. In the eighth year, Hanlin academician Gou Long Ruyuan memorialized: "The capital is ten thousand li from Shu, yet in recent years established vacancies have returned to the court, and scholars from cold and distant regions suffer in large numbers. Please consult previous systems, slightly restore the old transport selection, establish fixed regulations, so it does not encroach on direct court appointment. Thereupon prefects of small prefectures, supervisors, and lower ranks were again entrusted to transport commissioner assignment; selection candidates changing office who reported to the commission for public audience counted as "reaching the department." People regarded it as convenient.

補蔭之制。凡奏戚屬，太皇太后、皇太后、皇后本服期親，奉禮郎；大功，守監簿；小功，初等幕職官；〈（元豐前，試大理評事。）〉緦麻，知令、錄。〈（元豐前試校書郎。）〉異服親亦如之。有服女之夫，則本服大功以上女夫，知令、錄；小功，判、司、主簿或尉；緦麻，試監簿。周功女之子，知令、錄；孫及大功女之子，判、司、主簿或尉；曾孫及大功女之孫、小功女之子，並試監簿；其非所生子若孫，各降一等；緦麻女之子，試監簿。

The privilege appointment system. For memorializing relatives: the Grand Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, and Empress—personal relatives of first mourning degree received the post of Court Gentleman for Court Ceremonies; second mourning degree, Supervisor of the Directorate of Education; third mourning degree, junior staff officer; (Before Yuanfeng, trial appointment as Grandee for Evaluating Cases at the Court of Judicial Review.) fifth mourning degree, Magistrate or Recorder. (Before Yuanfeng, trial appointment as Collator.) Relatives of a different surname were treated likewise. For married daughters, the husband of a daughter of second mourning degree or higher received Magistrate or Recorder; third mourning degree, Assistant Magistrate, Administrator, Chief Clerk, or District Captain; fifth mourning degree, trial appointment as Supervisor of the Directorate of Education. Sons of daughters of second mourning degree, Magistrate or Recorder; grandsons and sons of daughters of second mourning degree, Assistant Magistrate, Administrator, Chief Clerk, or District Captain; great-grandsons, grandsons of daughters of second mourning degree, and sons of daughters of third mourning degree—all received trial appointment as Supervisor of the Directorate of Education; children or grandchildren not born of the principal wife were each reduced one grade; sons of daughters of fifth mourning degree received trial appointment as Supervisor of the Directorate of Education.

每祀南郊、誕聖節，太皇太后、皇太后並錄親屬四人，皇后二人。非遇推恩而特旨賜官，不用此法。凡諸妃期親守監簿，餘判、司、主簿或尉；異姓親試監簿。婉容以上有服親，才人以上小功親，並試監簿。凡大長公主、長公主、公主夫之期親，判、司、主簿或尉，餘試監簿；子，補殿中丞；孫，光祿寺丞；婿，太常寺太祝；外孫，試銜、知縣。凡親王婿，大理評事；外孫，初等職官；女之子婿，試監簿。宗室緦麻以上女之夫，試銜、知縣；袒免，判、司、主簿或尉。其願補右職，依換官法。奉禮郎即右侍禁，幕職官即左班殿直，知令、錄即右班殿直，判、司、主簿、尉即奉職，試監簿即借職。

At each southern suburban sacrifice and imperial birthday, the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager each recorded four relatives, and the Empress recorded two. When office was conferred by special edict rather than during a general amnesty, this method was not used. For all consorts, personal relatives of first mourning degree received the post of Supervisor of the Directorate of Education; other relatives received Assistant Magistrate, Administrator, Chief Clerk, or District Captain; Relatives of a different surname received trial appointment as Supervisor of the Directorate of Education. For palace women of Graceful Countenance rank and above, relatives within mourning; for those of Talented Person rank and above, relatives of third mourning degree—all received trial appointment as Supervisor of the Directorate of Education. For grand elder princesses, elder princesses, and princesses, the husband's personal relatives of first mourning degree received Assistant Magistrate, Administrator, Chief Clerk, or District Captain; other relatives received trial appointment as Supervisor of the Directorate of Education; sons received appointment as Vice Director of the Palace Domestic Service; grandsons received appointment as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; sons-in-law received appointment as Senior Sacrificer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; grandsons by daughters received trial rank and appointment as county magistrate. For sons-in-law of imperial princes, Grandee for Evaluating Cases at the Court of Judicial Review; grandsons by daughters received initial rank officer appointments; sons-in-law of daughters received trial appointment as Supervisor of the Directorate of Education. husbands of imperial clanswomen of fifth mourning degree or closer received trial rank and appointment as county magistrate; those in shirt-sleeve mourning received Assistant Magistrate, Administrator, Chief Clerk, or District Captain. Those who wished to fill military posts followed the rank-conversion regulations. Court Gentleman for Court Ceremonies corresponded to Right Attendant Forbidden Guard; staff officer to Left Class Palace Guard; Magistrate or Recorder to Right Class Palace Guard; Assistant Magistrate, Administrator, Chief Clerk, or Captain to Attendant Service; and trial Supervisor of the Directorate of Education to Borrowed Rank.

凡文臣：三公、宰相子，為諸寺丞；期親，校書郎；餘親，〈（本宗大功至緦麻服者。）〉以屬遠近補試銜。使相、參知政事、樞密院使、副使、宣徽使子，為太祝、奉禮郎；期親，校書、正字；餘親，補試銜。節度使、僕射、尚書、太子三少、御史大夫、文明殿學士、資政殿大學士子，校書郎、正字；期親，寺、監主簿；餘親，試銜。三司使，翰林、資政殿侍講、龍圖閣學士，樞密直學士，太常、宗正卿，中丞，丞、郎，留後，觀察使，內客省使子，正字；期親，寺、監主簿；餘親，試銜及齋郎。兩省五品、龍圖閣直學士、待制、三司副使、知雜御史子，寺、監主簿；期親，試銜；餘親，齋郎。諸司大卿、監子，寺監主簿；期親，試銜。小卿、監兼職者子，試銜；期親，齋郎。

For civil officials: sons of the Three Excellencies and chief ministers received appointment as vice directors of the various courts; personal relatives of first mourning degree received the post of Collator; other relatives (those of this clan wearing mourning from second degree through fifth degree.) received trial rank according to the nearness or distance of the relationship. sons of commissioners with military commissions, Vice Grand Councillors, Bureau of Military Affairs commissioners and vice commissioners, and commissioners of the Palace Domestic Service received appointment as Senior Sacrificer or Court Gentleman for Court Ceremonies; personal relatives of first mourning degree received Collator or Proofreader appointments; other relatives received trial rank. sons of military commissioners, Grandees, Ministers, the Three Junior Tutors of the Heir Apparent, Censor-in-Chief, Academicians of the Hall of Civil Culture, and Grand Academicians of the Hall of Assisting Governance received Collator or Proofreader appointments; personal relatives of first mourning degree received chief clerk appointments in courts and directorates; other relatives received trial rank. sons of commissioners of the Three Departments, Hanlin Academicians, Lecturers of the Hall of Assisting Governance, Academicians of the Dragon Diagram Hall, Direct Academicians of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Directors of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and Court of the Imperial Clan, Vice Censors-in-Chief, Vice Directors and Directors, military commissioners-in-residence, observation commissioners, and commissioners of the Inner Reception Bureau received Proofreader appointments; personal relatives of first mourning degree received chief clerk appointments in courts and directorates; other relatives received trial rank or appointment as Temple Attendant. sons of fifth-rank officials of the Two Departments, Direct Academicians of the Dragon Diagram Hall, Attendant Academicians, vice commissioners of the Three Departments, and Supervising Censors received chief clerk appointments in courts and directorates; personal relatives of first mourning degree received trial rank; other relatives received appointment as Temple Attendant. sons of grand directors and directors of the various bureaus received chief clerk appointments in courts and directorates; personal relatives of first mourning degree received trial rank. sons of junior directors and directors holding concurrent posts received trial rank; personal relatives of first mourning degree received appointment as Temple Attendant.

凡武臣：宰相子，為東頭供奉官，使相、知樞密院子，為西頭供奉官；期親，皆左侍禁；餘屬，自左班殿直以下第官之。樞密使、副使、宣徽節度使子，西頭供奉官；期親，右侍禁；餘屬，自右班殿直以下第官之。六統軍諸衛上將軍、節度觀察留後、觀察使、內客省使子，右侍禁；期親，右班殿直；餘屬，三班奉職以下第官之。客省使、引進防禦使、團練使、四方館使、樞密都承旨、閣門使子，右班殿直；期親，三班奉職；餘屬，為差使、殿侍。諸衛大將軍、內諸司使、樞密院諸房副承旨子，三班奉職；期親，借職；餘屬，為下班殿侍。諸衛將軍、內諸司副使、樞密分房副承旨子，為三班借職。

For military officials: sons of chief ministers received appointment as Eastern Head Attendant Officer; sons of commissioners with military commissions and commissioners of the Bureau of Military Affairs received appointment as Western Head Attendant Officer; personal relatives of first mourning degree all received Left Attendant Forbidden Guard appointments; other relatives received posts from Left Class Palace Guard downward in descending order. sons of Bureau of Military Affairs commissioners and vice commissioners and commissioners of the Palace Domestic Service with military commissions received Western Head Attendant Officer appointments; personal relatives of first mourning degree received Right Attendant Forbidden Guard appointments; other relatives received posts from Right Class Palace Guard downward in descending order. sons of senior generals of the Six Commands and various guards, military commissioners-in-residence with observation commissions, observation commissioners, and commissioners of the Inner Reception Bureau received Right Attendant Forbidden Guard appointments; personal relatives of first mourning degree received Right Class Palace Guard appointments; other relatives received posts from Third Class Attendant Service downward in descending order. sons of reception commissioners, defense commissioners of the Reception Bureau, training commissioners, commissioners of the Four Directions Hall, chief receivers of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and gate commissioners received Right Class Palace Guard appointments; personal relatives of first mourning degree received Third Class Attendant Service appointments; other relatives received appointment as dispatch agent or palace attendant. sons of great generals of the various guards, commissioners of the inner bureaus, and vice receivers of the various offices of the Bureau of Military Affairs received Third Class Attendant Service appointments; personal relatives of first mourning degree received Borrowed Rank appointments; other relatives received appointment as lower-grade palace attendant. sons of generals of the various guards, vice commissioners of the inner bureaus, and vice receivers of the branch offices of the Bureau of Military Affairs received Third Class Borrowed Rank.

凡兼職在館閣校理、檢討，王府記室、翊善、侍講，三司主判官，開封府判官、推官，江淮發運，諸路轉運，始許奏及諸親。提點刑獄，惟許奏男。其嘗以贓抵罪，得復故官。文臣至郎中及員外郎任館閣職，武臣至諸司副使、諸衛將軍者，止許蔭子若孫一人，尚在謫籍者弗預。

Only those holding concurrent posts as collator or examiner in the Hall of Literature, secretaries, tutors, and lecturers in princely households, chief judges of the Three Departments, judges and investigating officers of Kaifeng Prefecture, Jiang-Huai transport commissioners, or circuit transport commissioners were permitted to memorialize relatives. Judicial intendants were permitted to memorialize sons only. Those who had once been convicted of corruption could recover their former offices. Civil officials reaching Director or Vice Director rank while holding Hall of Literature posts, and military officials reaching vice commissioner of a bureau or general of the guards rank, were permitted to grant privilege appointment to one son or grandson only; those still on the demotion rolls were excluded.

太祖初定任子之法，台省六品、諸司五品，登朝嘗曆兩任，然後得請。始減歲補千牛、齋郎員額；齋郎須年貌合格，誦書精熟，乃得奏。

When Taizu first established the regulations for appointing sons, officials of sixth rank in the Censorate and Secretariat and fifth rank in the various bureaus who had attended court and completed two terms could then petition. The annual quota for Thousand-Ox Guard and Temple Attendant appointments was first reduced; Temple Attendants had to meet age and appearance requirements and recite texts with proficiency before memorializing was permitted.

太宗踐極，諸州進奏者授以試銜及三班職，初推恩授散試官者，不得赴選。太平興國二年，乃詔授試銜等人特定七選集，遂為定令。凡誕聖節及三年大祀，皆聽奏一人。而淳化改元恩，文班中書舍人、武班大將軍以上，並許蔭補；如遇轉品，許更蔭一子，由是奏薦之恩始廣。每誕聖節，朝臣多請奏疏屬，不報。至道二年，始限以翰林學士、兩省五品、尚書省四品以上，賜一子出身，此聖節奏薦例也。先是，任子得攝太祝、奉禮，未幾即補正員。帝謂：「膏粱之子，不十年坐致閨籍。」是年，悉授同學究出身赴選集。

When Taizong ascended the throne, memorial presenters from the prefectures were granted trial rank and Third Class posts; those first receiving provisional trial offices through general amnesty were not permitted to go to selection. In the second year of Taiping Xingguo, an edict designated seven selection assemblies for those granted trial rank and the like, and this became fixed regulation. For all imperial birthdays and triennial great sacrifices, one person was permitted to be memorialized. At the Chunhua reign-change amnesty, civil officials from Secretariat Drafter upward and military officials from General upward were all permitted privilege appointment; and if upon rank promotion one additional son was permitted privilege appointment; from this the favor of memorial recommendation began to broaden. At each imperial birthday, court officials often requested to memorialize distant relatives, but no response was given. In the second year of Zhidao, it was first limited to Hanlin Academicians, fifth-rank officials of the Two Departments, and fourth-rank officials of the Ministry of Personnel and above, granting one son initial appointment credentials—this was the precedent for imperial birthday memorial recommendation. Previously, sons appointed by privilege could serve acting as Senior Sacrificer or Court Gentleman for Court Ceremonies and soon after be appointed to regular posts. The emperor said: "Sons of the privileged elite can attain court rank in less than ten years without effort. That year, all were granted Student Investigator initial credentials and sent to selection assemblies.

真宗東封，祀汾陰，進奉人已官者進秩，未官者令翰林試藝，與試銜、齋郎、借職。公主、郡縣主以下諸親，外命婦入內者，亦有恩慶。而東封恩，則提點刑獄、朝臣、使臣，皆得奏一人。奏戚屬，舊無定制。有求補閣門祗候者，真宗以宣讚之職，非可以恩澤授，乃詔：「自今求敘遷者，至殿直止。」大中祥符二年，以門蔭授京官，年二十五以上求差使者，令於國學受業，及二年，審官院與判監官考試其業，乃以名聞。內諸司使、副授邊任官者，陛辭時許奏子。詔樞密院定其制，凡妄名孫及從子為子求蔭者，坐之。七年，帝幸南京，詔臣僚逮事太祖者，賜一子恩澤，令翰林學士李維等定，自給諫、觀察使以上得請。初，轉運使辭日，許奏一人。天禧後，惟川、廣、福建者聽，餘路再任始得奏。又詔：「承天節恩例所蔭子孫，不許以他親及已食錄者。」特許西京分司官，郊禋奏蔭一子。自是分務西洛者得以為例，南京則否。

When Zhenzong performed the eastern feng sacrifice and sacrificed at Fenyin, tribute presenters already holding office received rank promotion; those without office were examined in arts by the Hanlin Academy and granted trial rank, Temple Attendant, or Borrowed Rank. Princesses, commandery and county princesses, and other relatives below them, as well as outer-court ladies entering the inner palace, also received amnesty favors. At the eastern feng amnesty, judicial intendants, court officials, and envoys were all permitted to memorialize one person. Memorializing relatives had no fixed regulation in the past. When someone sought appointment as gate attendant, Zhenzong held that the post of imperial announcer could not be granted by favor and issued an edict: "From now on those seeking sequential promotion may rise only to Palace Guard. In the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu, those aged twenty-five and above who had received capital official posts through privilege appointment and sought dispatch were ordered to study at the National University; after two years the Review Office and supervising officials examined their work, and then their names were reported. Commissioners and vice commissioners of the inner bureaus granted border posts were permitted to memorialize sons at farewell audience. The Bureau of Military Affairs was ordered to establish regulations; all who falsely named grandsons or nephews' sons as sons to seek privilege appointment were punished. In the seventh year, when the emperor visited Nanjing, an edict granted one son favor to officials who had served Taizu; Hanlin Academician Li Wei and others were ordered to establish regulations, from Remonstrance Official and Observation Commissioner upward being permitted to petition. Initially, on the day of farewell, transport commissioners were permitted to memorialize one person. After Tianxi, only those in Sichuan, Guang, and Fujian were permitted; other circuits required a second term before memorializing. Another edict stated: "For descendants granted privilege under the Chengtian Festival amnesty precedent, other relatives and those already receiving salary registers are not permitted. Western Capital branch officials were specially permitted to memorialize one son for privilege at suburban sacrifice. From this those serving separately in western Luoyang could take it as precedent; Nanjing could not.

仁宗慶曆中，裁損奏補入仕之路，凡選人遇郊赴銓試，其不赴試亦無舉者，永不預選。罷聖節奏蔭恩，學士以下，遇效恩得奏大功以上親，再遇郊得奏小功以下親。郎中、帶職員外郎，初遇郊蔭子若孫，再郊及期親，四遇郊聽蔭大功以下親。初得奏而年過六十無子孫，蔭期親。其皇親大將軍以上妻，再遇郊亦許之。武臣蔭例仿此。凡蔭長子孫皆不限年，諸子孫須年過十五；若弟侄須過二十，必五服親乃許。已嘗蔭而物故者，無子孫祿仕，聽再蔭。自是，任子之恩殺矣。

During Renzong's Qingli period, the path of memorial recommendation into office was curtailed; selection candidates who at suburban sacrifice went to selection examination—those who did not attend examination and had no recommender were never again permitted in selection. Imperial birthday memorial privilege was abolished; below Academician rank, upon effective amnesty one could memorialize relatives of second mourning degree or closer; upon a second suburban sacrifice one could memorialize relatives of third mourning degree or more distant. Directors and Vice Directors with concurrent posts, at first suburban sacrifice granted privilege to son or grandson; at second suburban sacrifice to personal relatives; at fourth suburban sacrifice permitted privilege to relatives of second mourning degree or more distant. Those first permitted to memorialize who were over sixty without sons or grandsons granted privilege to personal relatives. Wives of imperial relatives of Great General rank and above were also permitted at second suburban sacrifice. Military officials' privilege precedents followed this model. For all privilege appointments, eldest sons and grandsons had no age limit; other sons and grandsons had to be over fifteen; younger brothers and nephews had to be over twenty; only five-mourning-degree relatives were permitted. Those who had once received privilege appointment but died, with no sons or grandsons receiving salaried office, were permitted a second privilege appointment. From this, the favor of appointing sons was greatly reduced.

英宗即位，郡縣致貢奉人，悉命以官。知諫院司馬光建言：「監司、太守，遣親屬奉表京師，不問官職高下、親屬近遠，推恩至班行、幕職、權知州軍，或所遣非親，亦除齋郎及差使、殿侍，此蓋國初承五代姑息藩鎮之弊，因循不革。爵錄本待賢才，今此等受官，誠為大濫。縱不能盡罷其人，若五服內親，等第受以一官，其無服屬量賜金帛，庶少救濫官之失。」然詔令已行，不從其議。時方患官冗，言者皆謂：「由三歲一磨勘，其進甚亟，易至高位，故獲蔭者眾。」乃令待制以上，自遷官後六歲，無故則復遷之，有過益展年，至諫議大夫止。京朝官四歲磨勘，至前行郎中止，少卿、監限七十員，員有闕，以前行郎中久次者補之。少卿、監以上遷官，聽旨。

When Yingzong ascended the throne, tribute presenters from prefectures and counties were all ordered granted office. Remonstrance Bureau Director Sima Guang submitted a proposal: "Supervising commissioners and prefects send relatives to present memorials to the capital; regardless of official rank or nearness of kin, favor extends to court rank, staff posts, and acting prefectural and military command; or those sent are not kin, yet still receive Temple Attendant, dispatch agent, or palace attendant appointments—this surely inherits the early dynasty's acceptance of the Five Dynasties' indulgence of military governors, continuing uncorrected. Rank and salary originally awaited talented persons; now such persons receiving office is truly greatly excessive. Even if these persons cannot all be dismissed, if relatives within five mourning degrees receive one office by graded rank, and those without mourning ties receive measured gifts of gold and silk, perhaps the error of excessive officeholding can be somewhat remedied. However, the edict had already been issued and his proposal was not followed. At the time there was concern about official redundancy; commentators all said: "Because of triennial merit review, advancement is very rapid and easy to reach high rank, therefore those receiving privilege appointment are numerous. Thereupon Attendant Academicians and above were, six years after rank promotion, promoted again if without cause; if at fault the interval was extended, up to Remonstrance Official only. Capital court officials received merit review every four years, up to Senior Forward Director only; junior directors and supervisors were limited to seventy posts, and when a post was vacant the longest-serving former Senior Forward Director filled it. Promotion of junior directors, supervisors, and above awaited imperial decision.

仁宗雖罷聖節恩，而猶行之妃、主。神宗既裁損臣僚奏蔭，以宮掖外戚恩尤濫，故稍抑之。舊，諸妃遇聖節奏親屬一人，間一年許奏二人，郊禮許奏一人。嬪御每遇郊奏一人，兩遇聖節與一奏。後定，諸妃每遇聖節並郊許奏有服親一人。淑儀、充儀、婕妤、貴人遇郊，許奏小功以上親一人，位號別而資品同者，許比類奏薦。舊，公主每遇聖節、郊禮，奏夫之親屬一人；公主生日，許奏一人。後罷生日恩，所奏須有服親。皇親妻兩遇郊，許奏期親一人，後罷奏。舊，郡、縣主遇郊，許奏親生子右班殿直，若庶子及其夫之親，兩遇郊許奏借職一人。後親子惟注幕職，孫若庶子，兩遇郊方許奏一人，夫之親屬勿奏。舊，臣僚之妻為國夫人者，得遺表恩，後除之。妃嬪、公主以下，非有服親之婿不許奏。既而曾布等又言：「臣僚陳請恩澤，宜有定制。」乃許見任二府歲乞差遣一人。宰臣、樞密使兼平章事因事罷者，陳乞轉官一人，指射差遣二人。餘執政官，並各一人。待制以上乞差遣遷學士者又一人。三路、廣桂安撫使、知成都府、梓州差遣一人，親孫、子循一資。廣南轉運、提點刑獄奏子孫或期親合入官一人。成都、梓、利、夔路差遣一人，子孫循一資。中書檢正官、樞密院檢詳官至員外郎，在職及二年，遇大禮許補親屬。中書堂後官、提點五房官，雖未至員外，聽奏補。邕、宜、欽極邊煙瘴知州，聽奏子孫一人。凡因戰陣物故及歿於王事，許官其子孫。又功臣繪像之家，如無食錄人，則許特奏子孫一人入官。既定《銓試法》，任子中選者得隨銓擬注，其入優等，往往特旨賜進士出身。

Although Renzong abolished imperial birthday favor, he still applied it to consorts and princesses. After Shenzong curtailed officials' memorial privilege appointments, he slightly restrained favor to palace women and maternal kin, which had been especially excessive. Formerly, all consorts at imperial birthday memorialized one relative; every other year two were permitted; and at suburban sacrifice one was permitted. Palace women memorialized one person at each suburban sacrifice, and two imperial birthdays counted as one memorialization. Later it was fixed that all consorts at each imperial birthday and suburban sacrifice were permitted to memorialize one relative within mourning. Graceful Conduct, Full Conduct, Talented Lady, and Noble Lady at suburban sacrifice were permitted to memorialize one relative of third mourning degree or closer; those of different titles but equal salary rank were permitted analogous memorial recommendation. Formerly, princesses at each imperial birthday and suburban sacrifice memorialized one of the husband's relatives; and at a princess's birthday one person was permitted to be memorialized. Later birthday favor was abolished, and memorializations had to be relatives within mourning. Wives of imperial relatives at two suburban sacrifices were permitted to memorialize one personal relative; later memorialization was abolished. Formerly, commandery and county princesses at suburban sacrifice were permitted to memorialize sons born of the principal wife as Right Class Palace Guard; for sons by concubines and the husband's kin, at two suburban sacrifices one Borrowed Rank was permitted. Later sons of the principal wife received staff posts only; grandsons or sons by concubines could be memorialized only at two suburban sacrifices; and the husband's relatives were not to be memorialized. Formerly, wives of officials who were State Ladies received posthumous memorial favor; later this was abolished. For consorts, princesses, and below, sons-in-law who were not relatives within mourning were not permitted to be memorialized. Subsequently Zeng Bu and others also stated: "Officials' petitions for favor should have fixed regulations. Thereupon incumbent Two Departments officials were permitted annually to petition for one dispatch. Chief ministers and Bureau of Military Affairs commissioners concurrently Grand Councillors dismissed for cause were permitted to petition for one rank promotion and two directed dispatches. Other executive officials, each one person. Attendant Academicians and above who petitioned for dispatch and promotion to Academician received one additional person. Three-circuit and Guang-Gui pacification commissioners and prefects of Chengdu and Zizhou received one dispatch; personal grandsons and sons advanced one rank step. Southern Guang transport commissioners and judicial intendants memorialized one descendant or personal relative eligible for office. Chengdu, Ziz, Li, and Kui circuits received one dispatch; descendants advanced one rank step. Central Secretariat examining officials and Bureau of Military Affairs reviewing officials reaching Vice Director rank, after two years in office at great sacrifice were permitted to grant privilege to relatives. Central Secretariat rear-chamber officials and supervisors of the five offices, though not yet reaching Vice Director, were permitted memorial privilege appointment. Prefects of Yong, Yi, and Qin on the extreme border in malarial regions were permitted to memorialize one descendant. For all who died in battle or in service to the state, descendants were permitted office. Also for families of meritorious officials with painted portraits, if none received salary registers, one descendant was permitted special memorial entry into office. Once the 《Selection Examination Law》 was established, sons appointed by privilege who passed selection could follow selection proposal for assignment; those entering superior grade often received special edict granting Jinshi initial credentials.

元祐元年詔：「諸軍致仕停放人，其遺表恩該及子而過五年自陳者，慮有冒濫，毋推恩。職事官卿、監以下應任子者，須官至朝奉郎，乃許奏。」三年，定宰臣、執政初遇郊，許奏本宗異姓親各一人，次遇郊，奏數如初。願用其恩與有官人，則許轉官並循資，或乞差遣，惟不得轉入朝官、循入支掌。應奏承務郎、殿直以上，許換升一任；不得升入通判。餘官三遇郊，許奏有官人。舊制，應奏兩人止者，次郊，止許奏有官人。其後，遇郊更合補蔭者，並準此為間隔之次；已致仕而遇大禮應奏補者，再奏而止。宣仁太皇太后諭輔臣曰：「近已裁減入流，本家恩澤，宜減四分之一。」呂公著等曰：「陛下臨朝同聽斷，本殿恩澤，自不當限數。先來所定，止與皇太后同等，豈可更損？」宣仁曰：「裁減恩澤，凡自上而始，則均一矣。」乃詔曰：「官冗之患，實極於今，苟非裁入流之數，無以清取士之原。吾以眇身率先天下，今後每遇聖節、大禮、生辰，合得親屬恩澤，並四分減一，皇太后、皇太妃同之。」

In the first year of Yuanyou an edict stated: "For retired and discharged military personnel, if posthumous memorial favor covered sons but self-petition came after five years, fearing fraud and excess, favor shall not be extended. Functional officials from director and supervisor downward eligible to appoint sons had to reach Court Gentleman for Court Service rank before memorializing was permitted. In the third year, it was fixed that chief ministers and executive officials at first suburban sacrifice were permitted to memorialize one relative of this clan and one of different surname each; at the next suburban sacrifice the number of memorializations was as before. If wishing to use the favor for someone already holding office, rank promotion and rank-step advancement were permitted, or petition for dispatch—only promotion to capital court official or advancement to branch supervisor was not permitted. For those eligible to memorialize Court Gentleman for Attendant Service, Palace Guard, and above, exchange promotion one term was permitted; but promotion to Vice Prefect was not permitted. Other officials at three suburban sacrifices were permitted to memorialize someone already holding office. Under the old system, those permitted to memorialize two persons only—at the next suburban sacrifice, only someone already holding office was permitted. Thereafter, those at suburban sacrifice again eligible for privilege appointment all used this as the interval sequence; those already retired who at great sacrifice were eligible for privilege memorialization could memorialize twice only. Grand Empress Dowager Xuanren instructed assisting ministers: "Recently entry into office has been curtailed; favor for my own family should be reduced by one quarter. Lu Gongzhu and others said: "Your Majesty attends court and jointly decides cases; favor for this palace should naturally not be limited in number. What was previously fixed was only equal to the Empress Dowager—how can it be further reduced?" Xuanren said: "Curtailing favor—if it begins from above, then it is equal. An edict was then issued: "The affliction of official redundancy has truly reached its peak today; if the number entering office is not curtailed, there is no way to cleanse the source of selecting scholars. I with my humble person lead the world; from now on at each imperial birthday, great sacrifice, and birthday, eligible relative favor shall all be reduced by one quarter; the Empress Dowager and Grand Consort likewise."

哲宗既親政，詔復舊。凡乞致仕而不願轉官者，中大夫至朝奉郎及諸司使，許奏補本宗有服親一人；自奉議郎、內殿承製以下，許與有服親一人恩例；惟中大夫、中散大夫、諸司使帶遙郡者，蔭補外仍與有服親恩例；若致仕未受敕而身亡者，在外以陳乞至門下省日，在京以得旨日，亦許乞有服親恩例一人。初，《任子法》以長幼為序，若應奏者有廢疾，或嘗犯私罪至徒，或不肖難任從仕，許越奏其次。至是，始刪去格令「長幼為序」四字。

After Zhezong personally governed, an edict restored the old system. For all petitioning retirement without wishing rank promotion, Court Grandee to Court Gentleman for Court Service and bureau commissioners were permitted to memorialize privilege appointment for one relative within mourning of this clan; from Court Gentleman for Discussion and Inner Hall Artisan downward, one relative within mourning was permitted the favor precedent; only Court Grandee, Court Gentleman for Dispersal, and bureau commissioners holding distant commandery commissions, outside privilege appointment still received the favor precedent for relatives within mourning; if retiring without receiving edict but dying, outside the capital from the day the petition reached the Chancellery, inside the capital from the day of receiving approval, one relative within mourning favor precedent was also permitted. Initially, the 《Law for Appointing Sons》 ordered by seniority; if the eligible memorializer had disability, or had committed private offense up to penal servitude, or was unworthy and difficult to employ, memorializing the next in order was permitted. At this time, the four characters "ordered by seniority" were first deleted from the regulations.

五年，定《親王女郡主蔭補法》，遇大禮，許奏親屬一人，所生子仍與右班殿直；兩遇，奏子或孫與奉職；即用奏子孫恩回授外服親之夫，及夫之有服親者，有官人轉一官，毋得升朝，選人循一資，無官者與借職，須期以下親，乃得奏。吏部言：「皇太妃遇大禮，以應奏恩與其親屬，而服行不應法。」詔用皇后緦麻女之子為比，補借職。舊法，母後之家，十年一奏門客，而太妃未有法。紹聖初，詔皇太妃用興龍節奏親屬恩，回授門客。自是，太后每及八年、太妃十年，奏門客一名，與假承務郎，許參選。如年數未及，凡恩皆毋回授。

In the fifth year, the 《Law for Privilege Appointment of Imperial Princes' Daughters and Commandery Princesses》 was established; at great sacrifice one relative was permitted; sons born of the principal wife still received Right Class Palace Guard; at two occasions, memorializing son or grandson for Attendant Service; the favor for memorializing descendants could be transferred to husbands of relatives outside the clan and the husband's relatives within mourning; those with office received one rank promotion but were not permitted to enter capital court rank; selection candidates advanced one rank step; those without office received Borrowed Rank; only personal relatives or closer were permitted to be memorialized. The Ministry of Personnel stated: "The Grand Consort at great sacrifice used eligible memorial favor for her relatives, but mourning conduct did not accord with law. An edict used the precedent of the Empress's sons of daughters of fifth mourning degree, granting Borrowed Rank. Under the old law, the empress's family memorialized one retainer every ten years, but the Grand Consort had no regulation. In the early Shaosheng period, an edict permitted the Grand Consort to use the Xinglong Festival to memorialize relative favor, transferring it to retainers. From this, the Empress Dowager every eight years and the Grand Consort every ten years memorialized one retainer, granting Provisional Court Gentleman for Attendant Service and permitting selection. If the year count had not been reached, all favor was not to be transferred.

元符後，命婦生皇子許依大禮奏有服親，三品以上三人。宗室緦麻親，許視異姓蔭孫。凡蔭補異姓，惟執政得奏，如簽書樞密院事雖依執政法，而所蔭即不理選限。後因轉官礙止法者，許回授未仕子孫，而貪冒者又請回授異姓，有司每沮止之，然亦多御筆許特補。

After Yuanfu, titled ladies who bore imperial sons were permitted at great sacrifice to memorialize relatives within mourning—three persons for third rank and above. Imperial clansmen of fifth mourning degree were permitted to be treated as privilege grandsons of different surname. For all privilege appointment of different surname, only executive officials could memorialize; such as the Bureau of Military Affairs co-signatory, though following executive regulations, those granted privilege were not subject to selection waiting limits. Later because rank promotion was blocked by ceiling regulations, transfer to unappointed descendants was permitted; yet the greedy also requested transfer to different surname, and the relevant offices often obstructed this, yet many were also permitted special appointment by imperial brush.

政和間，尚書省定《回授格》，謂無官可轉，或可轉而官高不欲轉，或事大而功效顯著為一格，許奏補內外白身有服親；官有止法不可轉，功績次著為一格，許奏本宗白身袒免親；官不甚高、而功績大為一格，許奏本宗白身有服親；官不甚高、功不甚大為一格，而分為三，一與內外有官有服親，一與有官有服本宗親，一與有官有服者之子孫。凡為六等。

During the Zhenghe period, the Ministry of Personnel established the 《Transfer Regulations》, stating that having no office to promote, or being able to promote but holding high office and not wishing to, or undertaking great affairs with conspicuous merit constituted one grade, permitting memorial privilege appointment for inner and outer commoners with relatives within mourning; office having ceiling regulations and unable to promote, merit secondary but notable constituted one grade, permitting memorialization of commoner shirt-sleeve mourning relatives of this clan; office not very high but merit great constituted one grade, permitting memorialization of commoner relatives within mourning of this clan; office not very high, merit not very great constituted one grade, divided into three: one for inner and outer officeholders with relatives within mourning, one for officeholders with relatives within mourning of this clan, and one for descendants of officeholders with relatives within mourning. In all there were six grades.

宣和二年，殿中侍御史張汝舟言：「今法所該補奏，與先朝同。昔之官至大夫，曆官不下三五十年，而今閱三五年，有已至大夫者矣；諸翼將軍至武翼郎，須出官三十年，方許奏補；今文武官奏補，未嘗限年，此太濫也。至若中大夫以下及武功、武翼大夫，已求致仕而不及受敕，乃格其恩，於是有身謝而未受敕者，其家或至匿哀須限；然不及親受而不與沾恩者多矣，此太吝也。欲自今中大夫至帶職朝奉郎以上，雖遇郊恩，入官不及二十年，皆未許蔭補；雖已經奏薦，再遇郊恩年仍未及者，亦寢其奏，庶抑其濫。至於文武官及大夫以上嘗求休致，而身謝在出敕前，欲並許奏蔭，以補其不及。」尚書省文武官致仕，雖不及受敕，若無曾受蔭人，自有遺表恩。又寺、監長貳至開封少尹，係用職事蔭補，不合限年。餘從之。

In the second year of Xuanhe, Palace Attendant Censor Zhang Ruzhou stated: "The memorial privilege appointments covered by current law are the same as the previous dynasty. Formerly reaching Court Grandee rank required no less than thirty to fifty years of service, yet now within three to five years some have already reached Court Grandee; from Various-Wing General to Martial-Wing Gentleman, thirty years outside office were required before privilege memorialization was permitted; now civil and military officials' privilege memorialization has never been limited by years—this is too excessive. As for Court Grandee and below and Martial Achievement and Martial-Wing Grandee, having petitioned retirement but not yet received edict, favor was blocked; thus some who had personally thanked the throne but not received edict—their families sometimes even concealed mourning to await the deadline; yet many who did not personally receive it were not granted favor—this is too stingy. It is desired that from now Court Grandee to Concurrent Court Gentleman for Court Service and above, though encountering suburban amnesty, if entry into office has not reached twenty years, privilege appointment is not permitted; even if already memorialized, if at the next suburban amnesty years still have not been reached, the memorial is also suspended, perhaps restraining excess. As for civil and military officials and Grandee and above who once petitioned retirement but personal thanks came before edict issuance, it is desired to permit privilege memorialization together, to remedy what was not reached. The Ministry of Personnel stated: civil and military officials retiring, though not receiving edict, if none had received privilege appointment, still had posthumous memorial favor. Also directors and vice directors of courts and directorates to Kaifeng Junior Prefect used functional privilege appointment and did not fit the year limit. The remainder was approved.

高宗中興，重定《補蔭法》，內外臣僚子孫期親大功以下及異姓親隨，文武各有等秩，見《職官志》。建炎元年，詔：「宰執子弟以恩澤任待制以上者，並罷。」紹興四年詔：「文武太中大夫以上及見帶兩製職名，依舊不限年。內無出身自授官後以及十五年，年及三十、不係宮觀責降之人，聽依條補蔭。」七年，中書舍人趙思誠言：「孤寒之士，名在選部，皆待數年之闕，大率十年不得一任。今親祠之歲，任子約四千人，是十年之後，增萬二千員，科舉取士不與焉。將見寒士有三十年不得調者矣。祖宗時，仕至卿、監者，皆實以年勞、功績得之，年必六十，身不過得恩澤五六人。厥後私謁行，橫恩廣，有年未三十而官至大夫者，員數比祖宗時不知其幾倍，而恩例未嘗少損。有一人而任子至十餘者，此而不革，實蠹政事，望議革其弊。」會思誠去國，議遂格。舊法，惟贓罪不許任子，新令並及私罪徒，有司以為拘礙者多，遂罷新令。又詔：「宰執、侍從致仕遺表，惟補緦麻以上親，毋及異姓。」二十二年，以武臣多出軍中，爵秩高而族姓少，凡有薦奏，同姓皆期功，異姓皆中表，閭巷之徒附會以進。命須經統轄長官結罪保明，詭冒者連坐之。帝於后妃補蔭，每加裁抑，詔後族不得任從官。

At Gaozong's restoration, the 《Privilege Appointment Law》 was re-established; for inner and outer officials' descendants, personal relatives and second mourning degree and below and different-surname kin followers, civil and military each had graded ranks—see the 《Treatise on Offices》. In the first year of Jianyan, an edict stated: "Sons and younger brothers of chief ministers and executive officials appointed through favor to Attendant Academician and above are all dismissed. In the fourth year of Shaoxing an edict stated: "Civil and military Grandee of Palace Service and above and those currently holding dual-academician titles, as before are not limited by years. Within, those without initial credentials from self-appointment reaching fifteen years, age reaching thirty, not subject to palace or temple demotion, were permitted privilege appointment according to regulations. In the seventh year, Secretariat Drafter Zhao Sicheng stated: "Isolated and poor scholars, named in the selection department, all await vacancies for several years; generally ten years without one appointment. Now in years of personal sacrifice, sons appointed by privilege number about four thousand; in ten years this adds twelve thousand posts, not counting examination-selected scholars. We will see poor scholars unable to receive appointment for thirty years. In the time of the founding emperors, reaching director and supervisor rank was truly gained through years of service and merit; age had to be sixty; in one's lifetime one received favor for only five or six persons. Afterward private solicitation flourished and favor spread broadly; some not yet thirty reached Court Grandee rank; the number of posts compared to the founding emperors' time was unknown how many times greater, yet favor precedents were never slightly reduced. Some one person appointed by privilege reached more than ten—if this is not reformed, it truly corrupts governance; I hope reform of its abuses will be discussed. When Sicheng left the capital, the discussion was shelved. Under the old law, only corruption offenses did not permit appointing sons; the new order also included private offenses to penal servitude; the relevant offices considered the restrictions too numerous and abolished the new order. Another edict stated: "Chief ministers and executive officials and attendants retiring—posthumous memorials grant privilege only to fifth mourning degree or closer relatives, not extending to different surname. In the twenty-second year, because military officials mostly came from the army, rank was high but clan was small—for all memorial recommendations, same surname were all personal and second mourning degree, different surname were all maternal kin; alley folk attached themselves to advance. It was ordered that supervising commanders must certify under oath; fraudsters were punished by association. The emperor toward consorts' privilege appointment always added restraint; an edict stated that empress's kin could not hold attendant posts.

乾道二年詔：「非泛補官，如宗室、戚裏女夫捧香，異姓上書獻頌，隨奉使補官，陣亡女夫，異姓給使減年之類，轉至合奏薦官，候致仕與奏一名，嘗奏者不再奏。」四年，詔：「宗室袒免親諸衛將軍、武功大夫至武翼郎以上，遇大禮奏補親屬，並依外官法，著為令。」九年，詔：「文臣帶職員外郎及武翼大夫以上，生前未嘗奏薦者，與致仕恩澤一名；即已嘗奏薦而被蔭人身亡，許再請。應朝奉郎、武翼郎以上補授及三十年者，亦與一名。」又詔：「武臣嘗任執政官，遇郊聽補文資。」於是恩數視執政者亦得之。蓋戚裏、宗王與夫攀附之臣，皆爭以文資祿其子，不可復正矣。自隆興著酬賞實曆對用轉官之法，遷官稍緩。至是，郊恩之奏視為減半，然猶未大艾也。淳熙九年，始詔：「減任子員數。自宰相、執政、侍從、卿監、正郎、員外郎，分為五等，每等降殺，以兩酌中定為止數，武臣如之。宰相十人，執政八人，侍從六人，中散大夫至中大夫四人，帶職朝奉郎至朝議大夫三人，通減三分之一。」於是冗濫漸革。

In the second year of Qiandao an edict stated: "For non-general supplemental appointments, such as imperial clansmen, maternal kin sons-in-law bearing incense, different-surname memorial presenters offering panegyrics, accompanying envoys receiving appointment, sons-in-law of those killed in battle, different-surname attendants with reduced years, and the like—when promoted to ranks eligible for memorial recommendation, upon retirement one person may be memorialized; those already memorialized may not be memorialized again. In the fourth year, an edict stated: "Imperial clansmen in shirt-sleeve mourning, generals of the various guards, Martial Achievement Grandee to Martial-Wing Gentleman and above—at great sacrifice memorializing relatives for privilege appointment—all follow outer-official regulations, established as fixed order. In the ninth year, an edict stated: "Civil officials holding concurrent Vice Director rank and Martial-Wing Grandee and above who in life had never memorialized for recommendation received one retirement favor; if already memorialized but the person granted privilege died, re-petition was permitted. Those eligible from Court Gentleman for Court Service and Martial-Wing Gentleman and above with privilege appointment reaching thirty years also received one person. Another edict stated: "Military officials who once served as executive officials, at suburban sacrifice were permitted civil rank privilege appointment. Thereupon favor counts equal to executive officials were also obtained. For maternal kin, imperial princes, and their attached officials all competed to grant civil rank salaries to their sons—the situation could no longer be corrected. Since Longxing established the method of matching rank promotion to reward service records, rank advancement was somewhat slowed. At this time, suburban amnesty memorializations were regarded as halved, yet the problem was still not greatly remedied. In the ninth year of Chunxi, an edict was first issued: "Reduce the quota for sons appointed by privilege. From chief ministers, executive officials, attendants, directors and supervisors, Forward Directors, and Vice Directors, divided into five grades, each grade reduced, taking the midpoint of two reductions as the fixed quota; military officials likewise. Chief ministers ten persons, executive officials eight, attendants six, Court Gentleman for Dispersal to Court Grandee four, Concurrent Court Gentleman for Court Service to Court Gentleman for Discussion three—in all reduced by one third. Thereupon redundancy and excess were gradually reformed.

寧宗慶元中，立《補蔭新格》，自使相以下有差，文臣中大夫、武臣防禦使以下，不許遺表推恩。嘉泰初，以官冗恩濫，凡宗女夫授官者，依舊法終身止任一子，兩府使相不得以郊恩奏門客，著為令。

During Ningzong's Qingyuan period, the 《New Regulations for Privilege Appointment》 were established; from commissioners with military commissions downward there were gradations; civil Court Grandee and military defense commissioners and below were not permitted posthumous memorial favor extension. In the early Jiatai period, because of official redundancy and excessive favor, all sons-in-law of imperial clanswomen receiving office, following old law, in a lifetime could appoint only one son; Two Departments commissioners with military commissions could not memorialize retainers at suburban amnesty, established as fixed order.

凡流外補選，五省、御史臺、九寺、三監、金吾司、四方館職掌，每歲遣近臣與判銓曹，就尚書同試律三道，中者補正名，理勞考。三館、秘閣楷書，皆本司試書劄，中書覆試，補受。後以就試多懷挾傳授，乃鎖院、巡搜、糊名。凡試百司吏人，問律及疏，既考合格，復令口誦所對，以妨其弊。其自敘勞績，臣僚為之陳請，特免口誦，謂之「優試」。得優試者，率中選。後遂考試百司人，歲以二十人為額，毋得僥幸求優試。為職掌者，皆限年，授外州司戶、勒留，有至諸衛長吏、兩省主事者。

For all stream-outside supplemental selection, functionaries of the Five Departments, Censorate, Nine Courts, Three Directorates, Golden Guard Bureau, and Four Directions Hall—each year a court intimate and the selection board judge were dispatched to the Ministry of Personnel to jointly examine three legal questions; those passing received regular appointment and service credit. Regular script copyists of the Three Halls and Secret Archive were all examined in document writing by their own bureau, re-examined by the Central Secretariat, and appointed. Later because examinees often carried hidden texts for instruction, the examination hall was locked, searches were conducted, and names were sealed. For all examinations of bureau clerks, legal codes and commentaries were questioned; after passing examination, they were again ordered to recite orally their answers, to prevent fraud. Those who narrated their own service merit with officials petitioning on their behalf were specially exempted from oral recitation—called "preferential examination." Those receiving preferential examination generally passed selection. Later bureau personnel examinations were fixed at twenty persons per year; seeking preferential examination by chance was not permitted. Functionaries all had year limits, granted outer-prefecture revenue officer or detained-in-post appointments, some reaching chief clerks of the various guards or chief clerks of the Two Departments.

學士、審官、審刑院，登聞檢鼓院，糾察刑獄司，皆選取諸司吏人，或以年限，或理本司選。然中書制敕及五院員闕，多即遣官特試書劄，驗視材質。制敕院須堂後官以下親屬，五院須父祖有官者，樞密院亦如之，惟本院試驗。宣徽院、三司、各省、閣門、三班院，皆本司召補，至其首者出職。

The Hanlin Academy, Review Office, Court of Judicial Review, Petition and Drum Inspection Office, and Judicial Inspection Bureau all selected bureau clerks, either by year limit or by their own bureau's selection seniority. Yet for Central Secretariat edict drafting and the five halls' vacancies, officials were often specially dispatched to examine document writing and assess talent. The Edict Drafting Office required relatives of rear-chamber officials and below; the five halls required fathers or grandfathers holding office; the Bureau of Military Affairs likewise, examined only by its own bureau. The Palace Domestic Service Bureau, Three Departments, various departments, Gate Office, and Third Class Court all recruited and supplemented within their own bureaus; the senior-most exited to office.

凡出職者，樞密院、三司，皆補借職以上，餘或補州縣。內廷諸司主吏、三司大將，亦有補三班借職者。中書主事以下，三司勾覆官以上，各帶諸州上佐；樞密院主事以上，皆帶同正將軍；餘多帶遠地司戶、簿、尉。

For all exiting to office, the Bureau of Military Affairs and Three Departments all received Borrowed Rank and above; others received prefecture or county posts. Chief clerks of inner court bureaus and Three Departments great captains also sometimes received Third Class Borrowed Rank. Central Secretariat chief clerks and below, Three Departments audit officials and above, each held senior assistant posts of various prefectures; Bureau of Military Affairs chief clerks and above all held Regular General rank; others mostly held distant revenue officer, recorder, or captain posts.

先是，勒留、出官及選限，皆無定制。其隸近司，有才三二年即堂除外官者。咸平末，命翰林學士承旨宋白，與兩製、御史中丞同詳定之。白等請令「中書沿堂五院行首、副行首，依舊制補三班；通引、堂門、直省、發敕驗使臣，遇闕，依名次補正名；三年授勒留官，遇恩則一年，授後，七年出官。宣徽院貼房至都勾押官，軍將至知客、押衙各六等，並以次補；至勾押官、押衙，及五年以上出官，補三班或簿、尉。學士院孔目官，補正三年授勒留官，遇恩一年，授後，五年出官；驅使官，補正四年授勒留官，遇恩二年，授後，八年出官。三館孔目官，書直庫表奏、守當官，四年授勒留官，遇恩二年，授後，守當官八年、書直庫表奏官七年、孔目官六年出職；其職遷補者，許通計年考，有奉錢官者，更留三年。典書、楷書五選集，準格三館入流，歲數已少，無得以諸色優勞減選。閣門、客省、承受、驅使官轉次第，並依本司舊例補正名，四年授勒留官，遇恩則二年，授後，七年出授簿、尉；其行首並如舊制。審刑院本無職掌名額，於諸司選差正名，令不以有無勒留。審官五年、審刑三年，出官以前，諸司請自今勒留，並比七選集授官例，赴選日不以州縣地望為資敘。」從之。後又定客省承受、行首歲滿補殿直、奉職；御書院、翰林待詔、書藝祗候，十年以上無犯者聽出職。

Previously, detention-in-post, exit to office, and selection limits all had no fixed regulations. Those subordinate to nearby bureaus, some after only two or three years received direct court appointment as outer officials. At the end of Xianping, Hanlin Academician Grandee Song Bai was ordered, together with dual academicians and the Vice Censor-in-Chief, to examine and fix regulations. Bai and others requested that "Central Secretariat corridor five halls senior clerks and deputy senior clerks, following old regulations, receive Third Class appointment; guidance ushers, hall gatekeepers, direct provincial clerks, and edict-dispatching envoys—when vacancies occurred, received regular appointment by seniority; after three years granted detained-in-post office; at amnesty one year; after grant, seven years to exit to office. Palace Domestic Service Bureau attached offices to chief custody officers, military officers to reception and escort officers—each six grades, all supplemented in order; reaching custody officers and escort officers, after five years or more exiting to office, receiving Third Class or recorder or captain appointment. Hanlin Academy chief clerks, after three years regular appointment granted detained-in-post office; at amnesty one year; after grant, five years to exit to office; attendant officers, after four years regular appointment granted detained-in-post office; at amnesty two years; after grant, eight years to exit to office. Three Halls chief clerks, document registry memorial clerks, and duty officers—four years granted detained-in-post office; at amnesty two years; after grant, duty officers eight years, document registry memorial clerks seven years, chief clerks six years to exit to office; those promoted and supplemented in post were permitted to count years of service together; those holding salaried posts remained three more years. Archive and regular script copyists at five selection assemblies, by regulation entering office through the Three Halls—the years were already few; reduction of selection by various preferential service credits was not permitted. Gate Office, Reception Bureau, reception, and attendant officers advancing in sequence—all following their bureau's old precedent received regular appointment; four years granted detained-in-post office; at amnesty two years; after grant, seven years to exit receiving recorder or captain appointment; Senior clerks all followed old regulations. The Court of Judicial Review originally had no functionary quota; regular appointees were selected from various bureaus, ordered regardless of whether detained-in-post. Review Office five years, Court of Judicial Review three years before exit to office—various bureaus requested that from now detention-in-post follow the seven-selection-assembly appointment precedent; upon going to selection, prefecture and county prestige was not used for rank ordering. This was approved. Later it was also fixed that Reception Bureau reception officers and senior clerks upon completing years received Palace Guard or Attendant Service appointment; Imperial Calligraphy Academy, Hanlin awaiting-edict officers, and calligraphy attendants—those without offense for ten years or more were permitted to exit to office.

太祖嘗親閱諸司流外人，勒之歸農者四百人。開寶間，詔：「流外選人經十考入令、錄者，引對，方得注擬。驅使散從官、伎術人，資考雖多，亦不注擬。」堂後官多為奸髒，欲更用士之在令、錄、簿、尉選者充之；或不屑就，而所選不及數，乃如舊制。雍熙時，以堂後官充職事官，入謝外不赴朝參，見宰相禮同胥吏。端拱初，以河南府法曹參軍梁正辭、楚丘縣主簿喬蔚等五人為將作監丞，充中書堂後官，拔選人授京官為堂吏，自此始。

Taizu once personally reviewed stream-outside personnel of various bureaus and compelled four hundred to return to farming. During the Kaibao period, an edict stated: "Stream-outside selection candidates who through ten examinations reached Magistrate or Recorder rank, upon audience presentation, then received appointment proposal. Attendant and scattered follower officers and skilled artisans, though service credit was great, also did not receive appointment proposal. Rear-chamber officials were often corrupt; it was desired to replace them with scholars on the Magistrate, Recorder, Chief Clerk, and Captain selection rolls; some disdained to take the posts, and those selected did not reach the quota; thus the old system continued. During Yongxi, rear-chamber officials served as functional officials; except for entry to give thanks they did not attend court audience; when meeting chief ministers their ritual was the same as clerks. In the early Duan Gong period, Liang Zhengci, Legal Officer of Henan Prefecture, Qiao Wei, Chief Clerk of Chuqiu County, and three others were appointed Vice Directors of the Directorate of Palace Buildings to serve as Central Secretariat rear-chamber officials—selecting candidates and granting capital official posts as hall clerks began from this.

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