1
兵八○揀選之制廩給之制
Military Affairs, Part 8: Regulations on Troop Selection and Ration Provisions
2
揀選之制建隆初，令諸州召募軍士部送闕下，至則軍頭司覆驗等第，引對便坐，而分隸諸軍焉。 其自廂軍而升禁兵，禁兵而升上軍，上軍而升班直者，皆臨軒親閱，非材勇絕倫不以應募，餘皆自下選補。
Regulations on selection: In the early Jianlong period, prefectures were instructed to recruit troops and send them to court. On arrival the Bureau of Military Heads reassessed their grades, presented them at an informal audience, and assigned them to the appropriate commands. Promotions from garrison troops to the Imperial Guard, from the Guard to the upper army, and from the upper army to palace guard roster all required a personal inspection before the throne. Only men of exceptional ability were taken on by recruitment; every other vacancy was filled by promotion from the ranks below.
3
咸平五年，於環、慶等州廂軍馬步軍六千餘人內選材勇者四千五百人，付逐砦屯防，以代禁兵。
In 1002, from the six thousand-odd mounted and foot garrison troops in Huan, Qing, and neighboring prefectures, 4,500 able men were chosen and posted to individual forts for local defense, relieving Imperial Guard units of that duty.
4
景德二年，宣示：「殿前、侍衛司諸禁軍中老疾者眾，蓋久從征戍，失於揀練，每抽替至京，雖量加閱視，亦止能去其尤者。 今多已抽還，宜乘此息兵，精加選揀，雖議者恐其動眾，亦當斷在必行。 昔太祖亦嘗患此，遂盡行揀閱，當時人情深以為懼，其後果成精兵。」 樞密使王繼英等曰：「今兵革休息，不乘此時遴選，實恐冗兵徒費廩食。」 帝曰：「然。 近者契丹請盟，夏人納款，恐軍旅之情謂國家便謀去兵惜費。」 乃命先於下軍選擇勇力者次補上軍。 其老疾者，俟秋冬慎擇將臣令揀去之。
In 1005 the throne announced: "The Palace Front and Palace Guard commands hold many aged and sick troops. Years on campaign and frontier service have left screening neglected; when rotating detachments reach the capital we review them, yet can weed out only the worst cases. Most units have now returned. We should use this pause in fighting to conduct a thorough selection. Critics may fear unsettling the ranks, but the matter must be decided and carried through. Taizu had faced the same problem and ordered a complete inspection. Troops were deeply alarmed at the time, yet the force that emerged was genuinely elite." Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs Wang Jiying and others replied: "With fighting at an end, failure to select troops now will only leave a bloated army consuming rations to no purpose." The emperor said: "Agreed. The Khitan have lately sought peace and the Xia have offered submission. I fear the troops will read this as a sign that the court means to cut the army and pinch every coin." He therefore ordered that the bravest men in the lower commands be promoted in turn to fill the upper army. The aged and infirm were to wait until autumn or winter, when carefully chosen officers would screen them out.
5
三年正月，詔遣樞密都承旨韓崇訓等與殿前司、侍衛馬步軍司揀閱諸軍兵士，供備庫使、帶禦器械綦政敏等分往京東、西路揀閱。 八月，詔效順第一軍赴京揀閱，以補虎翼名闕。 是軍皆河東人，帝念其累戍勞苦，故升獎焉。
In the first month of 1006 an edict sent Chief Coordinator of the Bureau of Military Affairs Han Chongxun and others, with the Palace Front and Palace Guard cavalry and infantry commands, to inspect troops throughout the armies. Arsenal Commissioner and Bearer of Imperial Arms Qi Zhengmin and others were dispatched to conduct inspections in the Eastern and Western Capital circuits. In the eighth month the first Xiaoshun command was ordered to the capital for inspection, to fill vacancies in the Tiger Wing regiments. The unit was entirely from Hedong. Mindful of their long frontier service, the emperor promoted and rewarded them.
6
大中祥符二年四月，詔曰：「江南、廣東西路流配人等，皆以自抵憲章，久從配隸，念其遠地，每用軫懷。 屬喬嶽之增封，洽溥天之大慶，不拘常例，特示寬恩。 江南路宜差內殿崇班段守倫就升州、洪州，廣南東、西路差殿直、閣門祗候彭麟就桂州，與本路轉運使同勾抽諸州雜犯配軍，揀選移配淮南州軍牢城及本城。 有少壯堪披帶者，即部送赴闕，當議近上軍分安排。 如不願量移及赴闕者，亦聽。 若地理遠處，即與轉運使同乘傳就彼，依此揀選。」
In the fourth month of 1009 an edict declared: "Exiles in Jiangnan and the Eastern and Western Guangnan circuits have brought punishment on themselves and served long in banishment. Their distant posting moves Us to compassion. With Mount Qiao newly enfeoffed and celebration spreading across the realm, We set aside ordinary rules and grant special clemency. Duan Shoulun, Inner Hall Attendant, should go to Sheng and Hong prefectures in Jiangnan; Peng Lin, Palace Attendant and Gate Aide, should go to Gui prefecture in Guangnan. Each is to work with the circuit transport commissioner to review miscellaneous convicts assigned to military service, select suitable men, and transfer them to secure-garrison and local-garrison units in Huainan. Young men fit to wear armor are to be escorted to court, where they will be assigned to the nearest upper-army commands. Those who decline transfer or travel to court may remain as they are. Where distance makes travel impractical, the commissioner may ride relay horses to the site with the transport official and conduct selection there."
7
五年正月，帝諭知樞密院王欽若等：「在京軍校差充外處人員，軍數不足，有妨訓練，可詔示殿前、侍衛馬步軍司簡補。 禁軍逐指揮兵士內，捧日上三軍要及三百人，龍衛上四軍各二百五十人，拱聖、驍騎、驍勝、寧朔、神騎、雲武騎各三百五十人，並於下次軍營升填，須及得本額等樣，及令軍頭司於諸處招揀到人內選填。 營在京者引見分配，在外處者準此，仍委逐司擘畫開坐以聞。 在京差出者，候替回揀選。」
In the first month of 1012 the emperor told Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs Wang Qinruo and others: "Detailing capital officers to outside posts leaves commands understrength and disrupts training. Order the Palace Front and Palace Guard commands to select replacements. Among Imperial Guard commands: the three Sun-Bearer upper armies need up to 300 men each; each of the four Dragon Guard upper armies needs 250; Gong Sheng, Xiaoqi, Xiaosheng, Ningshuo, Shenqi, and Yunwuqi each need 350—all filled by promotion from the next lower tier to roster standards, with the Bureau of Military Heads also filling gaps from recruits gathered nationwide. Units in the capital are to be presented and assigned accordingly; outside commands follow the same rule. Each bureau is to draw up detailed rosters and report. Officers detailed from the capital await their replacements' return before undergoing selection."
8
九年十一月，詔河北、河東、陝西諸州軍揀料本城兵，五百人以上升為一指揮，於本處置營教閱武藝，升為禁軍。
In the eleventh month of 1016 prefectures and armies in Hebei, Hedong, and Shaanxi were ordered to review local-garrison troops. Groups of 500 or more were to form a command, drill locally, and be promoted to the Imperial Guard.
9
天禧元年二月，遣使分往諸州軍揀廂軍驍壯及等者升隸上軍。 六月，召選天下廂兵遷隸禁軍者，凡五千餘人。 天聖間，嘗詔樞密院次禁軍選補法：
In the second month of 1017 envoys were sent to prefectures and armies across the empire to select strong, qualified garrison troops for promotion to the upper army. In the sixth month more than 5,000 garrison troops empire-wide were selected and transferred to the Imperial Guard. During the Tiansheng period (1023–1032) the Bureau of Military Affairs was instructed to codify rules for Imperial Guard selection and promotion:
10
凡入上四軍者，捧日、天武弓以九斗，龍衛、神衛弓以七斗，天武弩以二石七斗，神衛弩以二石三斗為中格。 恩、冀員僚直、驍捷軍士選中四軍，則不復閱試。 自餘招揀中者，並引對。 凡員僚直闕，則以選中上軍及龍衛等樣、弓射七斗合格者充，仍許如龍衛例選補班直。
Entry into the four upper armies required: Sun-Bearer and Heavenly Martial archers to draw nine dou; Dragon and Divine Guard archers seven dou; Heavenly Martial crossbowmen to span 2.7 shi; Divine Guard crossbowmen 2.3 shi as the passing mark. Men from the En and Ji Staff Attendant and Xiao Jie commands already chosen for the four upper armies were exempt from re-examination. All other recruits who passed selection were presented at court. Staff Attendant vacancies were filled from the upper army by men meeting Dragon Guard standards who could draw seven dou, and they remained eligible for palace guard roster by the same rules as Dragon Guard troops.
11
凡選禁軍，自奉錢三百已上、弓射一石五斗、弩蹠三石五斗、等樣及龍衛者，並親閱，以隸龍衛、神衛。 凡騎御馬直闕小底，則閱拱聖、驍騎少壯善射者充。 凡弓手，內殿直以下選補殿前指揮使，射一石五斗； 禦龍弓箭直選補禦龍直、禦龍骨朵子直，東西班帶甲殿侍選補長入祗候，禦龍諸直將虞候選補十將，射皆一石四斗； 東西班、散直選補內殿直，捧日、員僚直、天武、龍衛、神衛親從選補諸班直，禦龍骨朵子直、弓箭直將虞候選補十將，禦龍直長行選補將虞候，射皆一石三斗； 員僚、龍禦、騎御馬直小底選補散直，射皆一石二斗。 凡弩手，東西班帶甲殿侍選補長騎祗候，射四石； 禦龍弩直將虞候選補十將，射三石八斗； 長行選補將虞候，射三石五斗。 其捧日、天武、龍衛親從選補弩手班、禦龍弩直者，亦如之。 其次別為一等，減二斗。 自餘殿前指揮使、諸班直以歲久若上名出補外職者，所試弓弩鬥力皆遽減，弓自一石三斗至八斗，弩自三石二斗至五斗各有差。
Imperial Guard recruits with a stipend of 300 cash or more who could draw 1.5 shi with the bow, span 3.5 shi with the crossbow, and meet roster standards—including Dragon Guard level—were all personally inspected and assigned to Dragon or Divine Guard. Junior vacancies in the Imperial Horse Guard were filled by reviewing young, skilled archers from Gong Sheng and Xiaoqi. Archers: promotion from Inner Hall Attendant and below to Palace Front command required a draw of 1.5 shi; Imperial Dragon bow guards filled Imperial Dragon and mace-guard posts; Eastern and Western Hall armored attendants filled senior palace attendant posts; Imperial Dragon squad leaders filled squad-chief posts—all required 1.4 shi; Eastern and Western Hall and general attendants advanced to Inner Hall Attendant; Sun-Bearer, Staff Attendant, Heavenly Martial, Dragon, and Divine Guard personal followers to palace guard roster; Imperial Dragon mace and bow squad leaders to squad chief; Imperial Dragon senior ranks to squad leader—all required 1.3 shi; Staff Attendant, Imperial Dragon, and Imperial Horse Guard junior ranks advancing to general attendant all required 1.2 shi. Crossbowmen: Eastern and Western Hall armored attendants advancing to senior cavalry attendant required a span of 4 shi; Imperial Dragon crossbow squad leaders advancing to squad chief required 3.8 shi; Senior ranks advancing to squad leader required 3.5 shi. Sun-Bearer, Heavenly Martial, and Dragon Guard personal followers selected for crossbow squads and Imperial Dragon crossbow guards followed the same standards. A second tier was then defined, two dou below the first. Palace Front commanders and palace guard roster troops who through long service or seniority took outside posts faced sharply reduced tests: bow draw from 1.3 shi down to 0.8 shi, crossbow span from 3.2 shi down to 0.5 shi, tiered by rank.
12
凡班直經上親閱隸籍者，有司勿復按試。 其升軍額者，或取少壯拳勇，或旌邊有勞。 至於河清遽補，牢城配軍亦間下詔選補，蓋使給役者有時而進，負罪者不終廢也。 其退老疾，則以歲首，或出軍回； 轉員皆揀汰，上軍以三歲。 河北遇大閱亦如之。 景祐元年，詔選教駿填拱聖諸軍，退其老疾為剩員，不任役者免為民。
Palace guard roster troops personally inspected by the emperor and entered on the rolls were exempt from further testing by the bureaus. Promotions in army quota favored either young men of exceptional strength or troops honored for frontier service. The River Clearance command and sudden vacancies were sometimes filled by edict from secure-garrison convict troops, so that men in service could advance in time and the guilty were not condemned forever. The old and infirm were retired at the New Year or when a unit returned from campaign; every rotation was screened; the upper army every three years. In Hebei the same rule applied at grand reviews. In 1034 trained cavalry were selected to fill Gong Sheng and related commands. The aged and infirm became surplus rolls; men unfit for duty were discharged as civilians.
13
三年，詔選驍騎、雲騎、驍勝填拱聖，武騎、寧朔、神騎填驍騎。
In 1036 Xiaoqi, Yunqi, and Xiaosheng were selected to fill Gong Sheng; Wuji, Ningshuo, and Shenqi to fill Xiaoqi.
14
康定元年，選禦輦官為禁軍。 輦官二十六人遮輔臣喧訴，斬其首二人，餘黥隸嶺南，卒選如初。
In 1040 imperial carriage attendants were selected for the Imperial Guard. Twenty-six carriage attendants blocked a minister's path and protested loudly. Two ringleaders were beheaded; the rest were tattooed and sent to Lingnan. Selection then proceeded as originally ordered.
15
慶曆三年，詔韓琦、田況選京師奉錢五百已上禁軍武技精捷者，營取五人，樞密院籍記姓名，以備驅使。 況因言：「今天下兵逾百萬，視先朝幾三倍，自昔養兵之冗，未有若是。 且諸路宣毅、廣勇等軍孱弱眾甚，大不堪戰，小不堪役。 宜分遣官選不堪戰者降為廂軍，不堪役者釋之。」 上然其言。
In 1043 Han Qi and Tian Kuang were ordered to select from capital Imperial Guard units on 500-cash stipends or more the most skilled fighters, five per camp. The Bureau of Military Affairs registered their names for immediate dispatch. Tian Kuang added: "The army now exceeds one million men—nearly triple the previous reign. Never has the burden of maintaining troops been so great. The Xuan Yi, Guang Yong, and similar units across the circuits are numerous but feeble—too weak to fight, barely able to labor. Send officers to demote men unfit for combat to garrison status and discharge those unfit even for labor." The emperor agreed.
16
皇祐元年，揀河北、河東、陝西、京東西禁廂諸軍，退其罷癃為半分，甚者給糧遣還鄉里。 係化外若以罪隸軍或嘗有戰功者，悉以剩員處之。
In 1049 Imperial Guard and garrison troops in Hebei, Hedong, Shaanxi, and the Eastern and Western Capital circuits were inspected. The enfeebled were retired at half pay; the worst were given grain and sent home. Men from beyond the frontier assigned to the army for crimes, or veterans with battle merit, were all placed on surplus rolls.
17
三年，韓琦奏：「河北就糧諸軍願就上軍者，許因大閱自言。 若等試中格，舊無罪惡，即部送闕，量材升補。」 乃詔四路都總管司：「自今春秋閱，委主管選長五尺六寸已上、弓一石五斗、弩三石五斗者，並家屬部送闕。
In 1051 Han Qi memorialized: "Hebei grain-paid troops who wish to join the upper army should be allowed to petition at the grand review. Those who pass the examination with no prior offenses are to be escorted to court and promoted according to ability." An edict to the four frontier supreme commands followed: "At spring and autumn reviews hereafter, select men at least five chi six cun tall who draw 1.5 shi with the bow and span 3.5 shi with the crossbow, and escort them with their families to court.
18
嘉祐二年，詔神衛水軍等以五年，諸司庫務役兵以三年一揀。 五年，選京東西、陝西、河北、河東本城、牢城、河清、裝禦、馬遞鋪卒長五尺三寸勝帶甲者，補禁軍。 其嘗犯盜亡坐黥者，配外州軍歸遠、壯勇。
In 1057 Divine Guard naval units and similar commands were ordered inspected every five years; labor troops in government storehouses every three years. In 1060 local-garrison, secure-garrison, River Clearance, armorer, and relay-post troops in the Eastern and Western Capital circuits, Shaanxi, Hebei, and Hedong who stood at least five chi three cun and could wear armor were selected for the Imperial Guard. Men convicted of theft, desertion, or branding were assigned to Guiyuan and Zhuangyong units in outer prefectures.
19
八年，右正言王陶奏：「天下廂軍以歲首揀，至於禁軍雖有駐紮還日揀法，或不舉。 臣竊惟調發禁軍本籍精銳，軍出之時尤當揀練。 請下有司，凡調發禁軍，委當職官汰年六十已上，將校年六十五已上衰老者，如此則兵精而用省矣。」 下其章。 殿前、馬步軍司奏曰：「舊制，遣戍陝西、河北、河東、廣南被邊諸軍悉揀汰，餘路則無令。 請自今諸軍調發，悉從揀法。」 詔可。 又詔：「凡選本城、牢城軍士以補龍猛等軍者，並案籍取嘗給奉錢五百及龍猛等者，以配龍猛； 其不及等與嘗給奉錢四百以下，若百姓黥隸及龍騎等者，以配龍騎； 其龍騎軍士戍還，即選填龍猛。 自今本城、牢城悉三年一揀，著為令。」
In 1063 Right Remonstrator Wang Tao memorialized: "Garrison troops are inspected every New Year, but although Imperial Guard units have rules for inspection on return from garrison, the rule is often ignored. Imperial Guard detachments are drawn from the elite roster; when troops deploy, screening is especially urgent. I ask that whenever Imperial Guard units deploy, the responsible officer cull soldiers sixty and older and officers sixty-five and older who are infirm. The force will be sharper and costs lower." The memorial was referred to the relevant offices. The Palace Front and cavalry and infantry commands replied: "Under old rules, units garrisoned in Shaanxi, Hebei, Hedong, and the Guangnan frontier were all inspected; other circuits had no such requirement. We ask that all future deployments follow the screening rules." The edict approved the request. A further edict ordered: "When selecting local-garrison and secure-garrison troops for Dragon Fierce and similar commands, consult the registers and assign men who once drew 500-cash stipends or served in Dragon Fierce to Dragon Fierce; men below grade who once drew 400 cash or less, commoners tattooed into service, and former Dragon Cavalry troops go to Dragon Cavalry; Dragon Cavalry troops returning from garrison are immediately selected to fill Dragon Fierce vacancies. Local-garrison and secure-garrison troops are henceforth inspected every three years, enacted as permanent law."
20
治平元年，閱親從官武技，得百二十人以補諸班直。 乃詔：自今親從官，限年三十五以下者充。 又詔：「如聞三路就糧兵，多老疾不勝鎧甲者，可勿拘時，揀年五十以上有子弟或異姓親屬等應樣者代之。 如無，聽召外人。」 是歲，詔京畿並諸路揀龍騎、壯勇、歸遠、本城、牢城、宣效六軍； 河清、車營、致遠、窯務、鑄錢監、屯田務隸籍三十年勝鎧甲者，部送京師填龍猛等軍； 其自廣南揀中者，就填江西、荊湖歸遠闕額。 仍詔每三年以龍猛等軍闕數聞。 又詔諸路，有步射引弓兩石、廣弩四石五斗已上者，奏遣詣闕。
In 1064 the martial skills of imperial personal followers were reviewed; 120 men were chosen to fill palace guard roster vacancies. An edict followed: personal followers hereafter must be thirty-five years old or younger. Another edict noted: "Grain-paid troops on the three frontier circuits include many aged men who cannot wear armor. Do not wait for the regular inspection—select replacements fifty or younger with sons, brothers, or qualified collateral kin. Where no kin qualify, outsiders may be recruited." That year the capital region and all circuits were ordered to inspect Dragon Cavalry, Zhuangyong, Guiyuan, local-garrison, secure-garrison, and Xuanxiao—the six army types; men on the rolls of River Clearance, carriage camps, Zhiyuan, kiln works, mints, and agricultural colonies for thirty years who could wear armor were sent to the capital for Dragon Fierce and similar commands; men selected in Guangnan filled Guiyuan vacancies locally in Jiangxi and the Jing-Hu region. Every three years vacancy numbers for Dragon Fierce and similar commands were to be reported. Circuits were also ordered to send to court any foot archer drawing 2 shi or crossbowman spanning 4.5 shi or more.
21
二年，詔京東教閱補禁軍。 先是，京東教閱本城，自初置即番隸本路巡檢，久不選補。 上聞其軍多勇壯可用者，欲示激勸，故有是詔。
In 1065 the Eastern Capital circuit's drilled local garrison was ordered to supply recruits for the Imperial Guard. The Eastern Capital drilled local garrison had from the outset rotated under the circuit patrol inspector and had long received no promotions. The emperor heard that the unit held many able fighters and wished to encourage them; hence the edict.
22
治平四年五月，揀選拱聖、神勇以下勇分，以補捧日、天武、龍、神衛闕數。
In the fifth month of 1067 brave men from Gong Sheng, Shenyong, and lower commands were selected to fill vacancies in Sun-Bearer, Heavenly Martial, Dragon, and Divine Guard.
23
元豐三年六月，權主管馬步軍司燕達言：「內外就糧退軍二十一指揮八千餘人，以禁軍小疾故揀退及武藝淺弱人配填，既不訓練，又免屯戍，安居冗食，耗蠹軍儲。 若自今更不增補，庶漸銷減，候有闕，依禁軍選募，教習武世，不數年間，退軍可盡變銳士。 內奉錢七百者減為五百，依五百奉錢軍等杖招揀。」 從之。 仍詔：「上四軍退軍改作五百奉錢軍額。」 八月，殿前、步軍司虎翼十指揮出戍歸營，閔其勞苦，詔並升補為神勇指揮。 廣西路經略司言：「雄略、澄海指揮闕額，請以諸路配送隸牢城卒所犯稍輕，及少壯任披帶者選補。」 從之。
In the sixth month of 1080 Acting Director of the Cavalry and Infantry Bureau Yan Da reported: "Twenty-one commands of grain-paid retired troops inside and outside the capital—more than 8,000 men—are filled with men screened from the Imperial Guard for minor ailments and the martially inept. They receive no training, are exempt from garrison, live at ease on redundant rations, and drain military stores. If no further replacements are made, the rolls will shrink. When vacancies arise, recruit by Imperial Guard standards and drill martial skills. Within a few years these retired commands could become elite units. Units on 700-cash stipends should be reduced to 500 and recruit by the standards of 500-cash commands." The proposal was adopted. An edict followed: "Retired troops of the four upper armies are reclassified under the 500-cash quota." In the eighth month ten Tiger Wing commands of the Palace Front and Infantry Bureau returned from garrison. Mindful of their hardship, an edict promoted them all to Shenyong commands. The Guangxi frontier commissioner reported: "Xionglue and Chenghai commands have vacancies. We ask to fill them from lightly offending secure-garrison convicts escorted from other circuits and from young men fit to wear armor." The request was approved.
24
四年四月，提舉河北義勇保甲狄諮言：「舊制，諸指揮兵級內有老疾年五十五已上、有弟侄子孫及等杖者，令承替名糧，其間亦有不堪征役者，乞年四十已上許令承替。」 詔河北馬步諸軍依此。 十二月，詔諸班直、上四軍，毋得簡常有罪改配人。
In the fourth month of 1081 Di Zhe, commissioner for Hebei righteous braves and militia, reported: "Under old rules, soldiers fifty-five or older who were infirm could pass their roster stipend to qualified younger kin. Some heirs were unfit for service. We ask that inheritance be allowed from age forty." Hebei cavalry and infantry commands were ordered to follow suit. In the twelfth month palace guard rosters and the four upper armies were forbidden to recruit men with records of habitual offenses and reassignment.
25
元祐二年七月，詔諸路每歲於八月後解發試武藝人到闕，殿前司限次年正月，軍頭司限二月以前試驗推恩。 呈試武藝人同。
In the seventh month of 1087 circuits were ordered each year after August to send martial-arts candidates to court. The Palace Front Bureau was to test them by the first month of the following year and the Bureau of Military Heads by the second, then grant rewards. Candidates presenting for martial-arts tests followed the same schedule.
26
三年閏十二月，樞密院言：「在京諸軍兵額多闕，而京東、西路就糧禁軍往往溢額。」 詔差官往逐路同長吏揀選發遣，以補其數。
In the intercalary twelfth month of 1088 the Bureau of Military Affairs reported: "Capital commands have many vacancies, while grain-paid Imperial Guard units in the Eastern and Western Capital circuits often exceed their quotas." Officers were sent to each circuit to work with local officials in selecting and dispatching troops to fill capital vacancies.
27
至若省並之法，凡軍各有營，營各有額。 皇祐間，馬軍以四百、步軍以五百人為一營。 承平既久，額存而兵闕，馬一營或止數十騎，兵一營或不滿一二百。 而將校猥多，賜予廩給十倍士卒，遞遷如額不少損。 帝患之，熙寧二年，始議並廢。 陝西馬步軍營三百二十七，並為二百七十，馬軍額以三百人，步軍以四百人。 其後凡撥並者，馬步軍營五百四十五並為三百五十五，而京師、府界、諸路及廂軍皆會總畸零，各足其常額。
As for consolidation to save resources: every army had camps, and every camp had a fixed quota. During the Huangyou period (1049–1054) a cavalry camp held 400 men and an infantry camp 500. After long peace the quotas remained on paper while ranks emptied: a cavalry camp might hold only a few dozen riders, an infantry camp fewer than two hundred. Officers multiplied, drawing grants and rations ten times a common soldier's pay, while promotions by quota went undiminished. The emperor was alarmed. In 1069 consolidation and abolition were first proposed. Shaanxi's 327 cavalry and infantry camps were merged into 270, with cavalry quotas set at 300 men and infantry at 400. Later consolidations reduced 545 cavalry and infantry camps to 355. The capital, metropolitan districts, circuits, and garrison forces all absorbed scattered remnants to restore regular quotas.
28
凡並營，先為繕新其居室，給遷徙費。 軍校員溢，則以補他軍闕，或隨所並兵入各指揮，依職次高下同領。 帝嘗謂輔臣曰：「天下財用，朝廷稍加意，則所省不可勝計。 乃者銷並軍營，計減軍校、十將以下三千餘人，除二節賜予及傔從廩給外，計一歲所省，為錢四十五萬緡，米四十萬石，絹二十萬匹，布三萬端，馬槁二百萬。 庶事若此，邦財其可勝用哉！」
Before any consolidation, quarters were repaired and relocation expenses paid. Surplus officers filled vacancies elsewhere or joined consolidated commands by rank. The emperor once told his ministers: "If the court pays even modest attention to state finances, the savings are beyond reckoning. The recent camp consolidation cut more than 3,000 officers and squad chiefs and below. Apart from biennial grants and attendants' rations, annual savings came to 450,000 strings of cash, 400,000 shi of grain, 200,000 bolts of silk, 30,000 bolts of cloth, and 2 million bundles of fodder. If every matter were handled this way, state finances would surely suffice!"
29
初議並營，大臣皆以兵驕已久，遽並之必召亂，不可。 帝不聽，獨王安石讚決之。 時蘇軾言曰：「近者並軍蒐卒之令猝然輕發，甚於前日矣，雖陛下不恤人言，持之益堅，而勢窮事礙，終亦必變。 他日雖有良法美政，陛下能復自信乎？」 樞密使文彥博曰：「近多更張，人情洶洶非一。」 安石曰：「事合更張，豈憚此輩紛紛邪！」 帝用安石言，卒並營之。 自熙寧以至元豐，歲有並廢。
When consolidation was first proposed, senior ministers warned that troops had grown arrogant over years; abrupt merger would invite mutiny and must not be done. The emperor would not hear them. Only Wang Anshi endorsed the plan and pressed it through. Su Shi said at the time: "The recent order to consolidate camps and cull troops was issued rashly—worse than before. Even if Your Majesty ignores criticism and holds firm, when circumstances reach an impasse change will come in the end. When good policies arise later, will Your Majesty be able to trust them again?" Commissioner Wen Yanbo said: "Reforms have multiplied lately, and public unrest has many sources." Wang Anshi replied: "Reform is necessary. Why fear this clamor?" The emperor sided with Wang Anshi and carried out the consolidation. From the Xining through Yuanfeng periods, consolidations occurred every year.
30
元符二年，樞密院言：「已詔諸路並廢堡砦，減罷兵將，鄜延、秦鳳路已減並，餘路未見施行。」 詔涇原、熙河蘭會、環慶、河東路速議以聞。
In 1099 the Bureau of Military Affairs reported: "Circuits have been ordered to merge forts and reduce garrisons. Fuyan and Qinfeng have done so; other circuits have not yet complied." Jingyuan, Xihe, Lanzhou-Huizhou, Huanqing, and Hedong were ordered to report plans promptly.
31
大觀三年，詔：「昨降處分，措置東南利害，深慮事力未辦，應費不貲。 其帥府、望郡添置禁軍，諸縣置弓手，並罷其壯城兵士，令帥府置一百人，餘望郡置五十人，舊多者自依舊。 沿邊州軍除舊有外，罷增招壯城。 帥府、望郡養馬並步人選充馬軍指揮，及支常平錢收糴封樁斛斗指揮，並罷。 已添置路分鈐轄、路分都監，許令任滿。 江南東西、兩浙各共差走馬承受內臣一員、帥府添置機宜文字去處，並罷。」
In 1109 an edict noted: "Recent orders to secure the southeast risked overtaxing resources and spending beyond measure. Added Imperial Guard at command seats and major prefectures, county archers, and strong-city troops are all cancelled. Command seats keep 100 men, other major prefectures 50; where old quotas were higher, the old numbers stand. Border prefectures and armies are to stop recruiting additional strong-city troops beyond existing rolls. Orders to raise horses at command seats, fill cavalry commands with infantry, and use Ever-Normal Granary funds to buy and store grain are all cancelled. Newly appointed circuit controllers and chief inspectors may serve out their terms. The shared inner eunuch relay commissioners for Eastern and Western Jiangnan and the two Zhe circuits, and policy secretaries added at command seats, are all abolished."
32
四年，詔：「四輔州各減一將，其軍兵仰京畿轉運司將未足額並未有人，崇銳、崇威、崇捷、崇武內並廢四十四指揮已揀到人，隨等杖撥填四輔見闕禁軍。 仍將逐輔係將、不係將軍兵，以住營遠近相度，重別分隸排定，及八將訓練駐紮去處，疾速開具以聞。 河北、河東崇銳、崇威，河東十八指揮，河北不隸將十三指揮並廢，見管兵令總管司撥填本路禁軍闕額。 河北路撥不盡人發遣上京，分填在京禁軍闕額。 河東撥不盡人，並於本路禁軍額外收管。」
In 1110 an edict ordered each of the four auxiliary prefectures to cut one general. The capital transport commissioner is to supply understrength units. Men already selected from forty-four abolished Chongrui, Chongwei, Chongjie, and Chongwu commands are to fill Imperial Guard vacancies in the four auxiliaries by qualification. Troops under and outside generals in each auxiliary are to be reassigned by camp distance, with training and garrison sites for the eight generals reported promptly. Hebei and Hedong Chongrui and Chongwei units, eighteen Hedong commands, and thirteen Hebei commands outside general jurisdiction are abolished. Surviving troops are to fill local Imperial Guard vacancies through the supreme command. Hebei troops not placed locally are sent to the capital to fill capital Imperial Guard vacancies. Hedong troops not placed are retained within the circuit beyond regular Imperial Guard quota."
33
宣和五年，詔：「兩浙盜賊寧息，其越州置捕盜指揮，可均填江東、淮東三路州軍闕額。」
In 1123 an edict noted: "With banditry quiet in the two Zhe circuits, the Yuezhou bandit-catching command may fill vacancies evenly across Jiangdong and Huaidong circuits."
34
至神宗之世，則又有簡汰退軍之令。 治平四年，詔揀拱聖、神勇以下軍補捧日、天武、龍衛、神衛兵闕。
Under Emperor Shenzong came new orders to screen and retire redundant troops. In 1067 troops from Gong Sheng, Shenyong, and lower commands were selected to fill Sun-Bearer, Heavenly Martial, Dragon Guard, and Divine Guard vacancies.
35
熙寧元年，詔諸路監司察州兵招簡不如法者按之，不任禁軍者降廂軍，不任廂軍者免為民。
In 1068 circuit overseers were ordered to punish improper recruitment. Men unfit for the Imperial Guard were demoted to garrison status; men unfit even for garrison duty were discharged as civilians.
36
二年，從陳升之議，量減衛兵年四十以上稍不中程者請受。 呂公弼及龍圖閣直學士陳薦皆言退軍不便。 三年二月，司馬光亦曰：
In 1069, following Chen Shengzhi's proposal, stipends were reduced for capital guards over forty who barely missed standards. Lü Gongbi and Dragon Diagram Hall academician Chen Jian both argued that retiring troops was impractical. In the second month of 1070 Sima Guang also said:
37
竊聞朝廷欲揀在京禁軍四十五以上微有呈切者，盡減請給，兼其妻子徙置淮南，以就糧食。 若實有此議，竊謂非宜。 何則？ 在京禁軍及其家屬，率皆生長京師，親姻聯布，安居樂業，衣食縣官，為日固久。 年四十五未為衰老，微有呈切，尚任征役，一旦別無罪負，減其請給，徙之淮南，是橫遭降配也。
I hear the court plans to screen capital Imperial Guard troops forty-five and older who show slight inadequacy, cut their stipends entirely, and relocate their families to Huainan for grain-paid service. If this proposal is real, I believe it is unwise. Why? Capital guards and their families were mostly born in the capital, with kin networks spread throughout the city. They have lived at ease on state rations for many years. Forty-five is not old. Slight inadequacy still leaves a man fit for duty. To cut his pay and exile his family to Huainan without any crime is arbitrary punishment.
38
且國家竭天下之財養長征兵士，本欲備禦邊陲。 今淮南非用武之地，而多屯禁軍，坐費衣食，是養無用之兵，置諸無用之地。 又邊陲常無事則已，異時或少有警急，主兵之臣必爭求益兵。 京師之兵既少，必須使使者四出，大加召募，廣為揀選，將數倍多於今日所退之兵。 是棄已教閱經戰之兵，而收市井畎畝之人，本欲減冗兵而冗更多，本欲省大費而費更廣，非計之得也。
The state spends the empire's wealth to maintain long-service troops precisely to guard the frontier. Huainan is no theater of war, yet masses of guards would sit there consuming rations—useless troops in a useless place. When the frontier is quiet that is one matter; but at the slightest alarm frontier commanders will demand reinforcements. With the capital already understrength, envoys will fan out to recruit widely. The new levies will be several times the men retired now. We would discard trained veterans for marketplace and field hands. The plan aims to cut redundancy yet will increase it; aims to save money yet will spend more. It is no winning strategy.
39
臣愚欲願朝廷且依舊法，每歲揀禁軍有不任征戰者減充小分，小分復不任執役者，放令自便在京居止，但勿使老病者尚占名籍，虛費衣糧。 人情既安於所習，國家又得其力，冗兵既去，大費自省，此國家安危所係，不敢不言。
I urge the court to follow the old annual screening: demote guards unfit for combat to minor ranks; release minor ranks unfit for labor to remain in the capital—but remove the old and sick from the rolls so they no longer waste rations. Men would remain where they are accustomed; the state would keep their strength; redundancy would fall and costs shrink. This bears on the state's safety—I dare not be silent.
40
右正言李常亦以為言。 從之，是年，詔：「陝西就糧禁軍額十萬人，方用兵之初，其令陝西、河東亟募士補其闕。」
Right Remonstrator Li Chang made the same argument. The court agreed. That year an edict set Shaanxi grain-paid Imperial Guard quota at 100,000 men and ordered Shaanxi and Hedong to recruit urgently at the opening of the campaign.
41
四年，詔：「比選諸路配軍為陝西強猛，其以為禁軍，給賜視壯勇為優，隸步軍司，役於逐路都監、總管司。」 詔廣東、福建、江西選本路配軍壯勇者，合所募兵萬人，以備征戍。 三月，詔廣東路選雜犯配軍丁壯，每五百人為一指揮，屯廣州，號新澄海，如廣西之法。 七月，手詔：「揀諸路小分年四十五以下勝甲者，升以為大分，五十已上願為民者聽。」 舊制，兵至六十一始免，猶不即許。 至是免為民者甚眾，冗兵由是大省。
In 1071 an edict noted: "Assigned troops from the circuits recently selected for Shaanxi Strong Fierce are made Imperial Guard with grants above Zhuangyong levels, placed under the Infantry Bureau and circuit inspectors and supreme commands." Guangdong, Fujian, and Jiangxi were ordered to select strong assigned troops and recruits totaling 10,000 men for campaign service. In the third month Guangdong was ordered to form commands of 500 sturdy convict soldiers each, garrisoned at Guangzhou as New Chenghai, following the Guangxi model. In the seventh month a handwritten edict ordered: "Promote minor-rank troops under forty-five who can wear armor to major rank. Men fifty and older who wish to leave service may do so." Under old rules discharge came only at sixty-one, and even then not immediately. Many were discharged as civilians, greatly reducing redundant troops.
42
十年，遣官偕畿內，京東西、陝西、荊湖長吏簡募軍士，以補禁軍之闕。
In 1077 officers joined local officials in the capital districts, Eastern and Western Capital circuits, Shaanxi, and Jing-Hu to recruit soldiers for Imperial Guard vacancies.
43
六年，騎兵年五十以下，教武技不成而才可以肄習者，並以為步軍。
In 1073 cavalry under fifty who failed mounted training but could still be drilled were transferred to infantry.
44
元祐四年，詔：「今後歲揀禁軍節級，筋力未衰者，年六十五始減充剩員。」
In 1089 an edict ordered: "In future annual screenings, Imperial Guard officers whose strength has not declined are reduced to surplus rolls only at sixty-five."
45
八年，涇原路經略司奏：「揀選諸將下剩員，年六十以下精力不衰，仍充軍，以補闕額。」 從之。 陝西諸路如之。
In 1093 the Jingyuan frontier commissioner reported: "Select surplus personnel under generals who are sixty or younger and still vigorous to remain in service and fill vacancies." The request was approved. Shaanxi circuits followed the same practice.
46
紹聖四年，樞密院言：「龍騎係雜犯軍額，闕數尚多。 今欲將禁軍犯徒兵及經斷者，歲揀以填闕。」 從之。
In 1097 the Bureau of Military Affairs reported: "Dragon Cavalry is a convict-soldier quota with many vacancies still unfilled. We propose to fill them annually from Imperial Guard convicts and men already sentenced." The proposal was approved.
47
元符元年又言：「就糧禁軍闕額，於廂軍內揀選年四十以下者填。」 從之。
In 1098 it was again proposed: "Fill grain-paid Imperial Guard vacancies from garrison troops forty and younger." The proposal was approved.
48
宣和七年，詔京東西、淮南、兩浙帥司精選諸軍驍銳，發赴京畿輔郡兵馬製置使司。
In 1125 command offices in the Eastern and Western Capital circuits, Huainan, and the two Zhe were ordered to select elite troops and send them to the capital auxiliary army disposition commissioner.
49
靖康元年，詔：「軍兵久失教習，當汰冗濫，精加揀擇。」 然不能精也。 方兵盛時，年五十已上皆汰為民，及銷並之久，軍額廢闕，則六十已上復收為兵，時政得失因可見矣。
In 1126 an edict declared: "Troops have long gone undrilled. Redundant ranks must be culled and selection tightened." In practice the screening could not be made rigorous. When the army was large, men over fifty were discharged. After long consolidation left quotas empty, men over sixty were recruited again—the shifting fortunes of policy are plain to see.
50
中興以後，兵不素練。 自軍校轉補之法行，而揀選益精。 大抵有疾患則選，有老弱則選，藝能不精則選，或由中軍揀補外軍，或揀外邊精銳以升禁衛。 考《軍防令》，諸軍招簡等杖：天武第一軍五尺有八寸，捧日、天武第二軍、神衛五尺七寸三分，龍衛五尺有七寸，拱聖、神勇、勝捷、驍捷、龍猛、精朔五尺六寸五分，驍騎、雲騎、驍勝、宣武、殿前司虎翼、殿前司龍翼水軍五尺有六寸，武騎、寧朔、步軍司虎翼水軍、揀中龍衛、神騎、廣勇、龍騎、驍猛、雄勇、吐渾、擒戎、新立驍捷、驍武、廣銳、雲翼、有馬勁勇、步武、威捷、武衛、床子弩雄武、飛山雄武、神銳、振武、新招振武、新置振武、振華軍、雄武弩手、上威猛、廳子、無敵、上招收、冀州雄勝、澄海水軍弩手五尺五寸，廣捷、威勝、廣德、克勝、陝府雄勝、驍雄、雄威、神虎、保捷、清邊弩手、制勝、清澗、平海、雄武、龍德宮清衛、寧遠、安遠五尺四寸五分，克戎、萬捷、雲捷、橫塞、捉生、有馬雄略、效忠、宣毅、建安、威果、全捷、川效忠、揀中雄勇、懷順、忠勇、教閱忠節、神威、雄略、下威猛五尺四寸，亳州雄勝、飛騎、威遠、蕃落、懷恩、勇捷、上威武、下威武、忠節、靖安、川忠節、歸遠、壯勇、宣效五尺三寸五分、濟州雄勝、騎射、橋道、清塞、奉先、奉國、武寧、威勇、忠果、勁勇、下招收、壯武、雄節、靜江、武雄、廣節、澄海、懷遠、寧海、刀牌手、必勝五尺三寸，揀中廣效、武和、武肅、忠靖、三路廂軍五尺二寸。
After the dynastic restoration, troops were no longer regularly drilled. Once the system of officer promotion by transfer took effect, selection grew stricter. In general: the sick were screened out, the old and weak screened out, the unskilled screened out; central armies filled frontier vacancies, and frontier elites were promoted to the Imperial Guard. The Military Defense Regulations set recruitment heights by unit tier: five chi eight cun for Heavenly Martial First Army; five chi seven cun three fen for Sun-Bearer, Heavenly Martial Second Army, and Divine Guard; five chi seven cun for Dragon Guard; five chi six cun five fen for Gong Sheng, Shenyong, Shengjie, Xiaojie, Longmeng, and Jingshuo; five chi six cun for Xiaoqi, Yunqi, Xiaosheng, Xuanwu, and Palace Front Tiger and Dragon Wing naval units; five chi five cun for Wuji, Ningshuo, Infantry Bureau naval units, and a long list of frontier commands including Shenqi, Guangyong, Longqi, and crossbow units; five chi four cun five fen for Guangjie, Weisheng, Guangde, Kesheng, and related commands; five chi four cun for Kerong, Wanjie, Yunjie, and related units; five chi three cun five fen for Bozhou Xionsheng, Feiqi, Weiyuan, and related units; five chi three cun for Jizhou Xionsheng, Qishe, Qiaodao, and related units; and five chi two cun for selected Guangxiao, Wuhe, Wusu, Zhongjing, and three-circuit garrison troops.
51
建炎三年，詔：「江南、江東、兩浙諸州軍正兵、土兵、除鎮江、越州，委守臣兵官巡檢，六分中選一分，部轄人年四十五以下，長行年三十五以下，合用器甲，候旨選擇赴行在。 有軟弱不堪，年甲不應，或占庇不如數選發，其當職官有刑。」
In 1129 an edict ordered defending officials and patrol inspectors in Jiangnan, Jiangdong, and the two Zhe circuits—except Zhenjiang and Yue—to select one man in six from regular and local militia troops. Escorts must be forty-five or younger, senior ranks thirty-five or younger, fully equipped, and held for dispatch to the mobile court. Weak or overage men, or officials who shield favorites and fail to meet quotas, will be punished."
52
四年，詔：「神武義軍統製王燮下閱到第三等軍兵一千六百六十人，填廂禁軍，其不任披帶者，分填嚴州新禁軍。」
In 1130 an edict noted that Wang Xie, commander of the Divine Martial Righteous Army, reviewed 1,660 third-grade troops for garrison Imperial Guard service; men unfit for armor went to the new Yanzhou Imperial Guard.
53
紹興二年，上謂輔臣曰：「邵青、單德忠、李捧三盜，招安至臨安日久，卿等其極揀汰。」 呂頤浩、秦檜得旨與張俊同閱視，堪留者近七千人。 詔命張俊選精銳，得兵五千人詣行在。
In 1132 the emperor told his ministers: "Shao Qing, Shan Dezhong, and Li Peng were pacified long ago and have been in Lin'an. Conduct the strictest screening of their men." Lü Yihao and Qin Hui joined Zhang Jun in the review. Nearly 7,000 men were judged fit to remain. Zhang Jun was ordered to select elite troops; 5,000 were sent to the mobile court.
54
二十年，樞密院言都統吳玠選中護衛西兵千人，詔隸殿司。 又統製楊政選西兵三百二十五人，填步軍司。
In 1150 the Bureau of Military Affairs reported that Supreme Commander Wu Jie had selected 1,000 western guard troops; an edict assigned them to the Palace Bureau. Commander Yang Zheng also selected 325 western troops for the Infantry Bureau.
55
二十四年，詔：「禦龍直見闕數，可以殿、步二司選拍試填諸班。」 乾道二年，詔王琪選三百人充馬軍。
In 1154 an edict allowed the Palace Front and Infantry bureaus to fill Imperial Dragon Guard vacancies through trial shooting for palace guard roster posts. In 1166 Wang Qi was ordered to select 300 men for the cavalry.
56
慶元三年，殿司言：「正額效用萬一千五百九十二人，闕二百五十九人，於雄效內及效用帶甲拍試一石力弓、三石力弩合格人填闕額。」 詔：「崇政殿祗候、親從填班直人數，特與免。 其三衙舊司官兵及御馬直合揀班人，照闕額補。」
In 1197 the Palace Bureau reported: "Regular utility troops number 11,592 with 259 vacancies. Fill them from Xiongxiao and armored utility troops who pass trials with a one-strength bow and three-strength crossbow." An edict exempted Chongzheng Hall attendants and personal followers assigned to palace guard roster from the requirement. Troops of the three bureaus' old offices and the Imperial Horse Guard due for roster screening are to fill vacancies accordingly."
57
嘉定十一年，臣僚言「今軍政所先，莫如汰卒。」 謂「如千兵中有百人老弱，遇敵先奔，即千人皆廢矣。 乞嚴敕中外將帥，務核其實。」
In 1218 a court official declared: "In military administration today, nothing takes priority over culling unfit troops." They argued that if a hundred old and weak men lurked in a thousand-man unit and bolted at first contact, the entire thousand became worthless. They asked that the throne issue stern orders to commanders throughout the empire to verify troop rolls in earnest."
58
其省並法自咸平始。 建炎以後，臣僚屢言，軍額有闕，則並隸一等軍分，足其舊額，以便教閱，而指揮、製領、將佐之屬亦或罷或省，悉從其請。 蓋當多事之秋，患兵之不足，望增補以壯軍容。 事既寧息，患其有餘，必並省以核軍實，意則在乎少蘇民力也。
The policy of consolidating and merging units dated from the Xianping period. After Jianyan, officials repeatedly urged that vacant army quotas be filled by merging commands into a single branch of the same tier, restoring full roster strength to simplify drill. Commanders, unit directors, and junior officers were sometimes cut or abolished, and each request was granted. In troubled times, when troops seemed too few, the aim was to expand rosters and bolster the army's appearance of strength. Once crises passed and armies looked too large, consolidation followed to establish true troop counts—the underlying aim being to ease the burden on the people.
59
嘉熙初，臣僚言：「今日兵貧若此，思變而通之。 於卒伍中取強勇者，異其籍而厚其廩，且如百人之中揀十人，或二十，或三十，則是萬人中有三千兵矣。 時試之弓弩，課之武藝，暇則馳馬擊球以為樂，秋冬使之校獵。 其有材力精強，則厚賞賚之。 又於其中拔其尤者，數愈少而廩愈厚，待之如子弟，倚之如腹心，緩急可用。 蘇轍有言：『天子必有所私之將，將軍必有所私之士。』 又必申命主帥、製領，鼓動而精擇之，假之統御之權，嚴其階級之法。 將樂與士親，士樂為將用，則可以運動如意，不必別移一軍，別招新軍矣。」
Early in the Jiading period, officials declared: "The army is this poor today; we must find a way to change and adapt. Select the strongest and bravest from the ranks, register them separately, and increase their rations. Pick ten, twenty, or thirty from every hundred, and a nominal ten thousand would yield three thousand real fighters. Test them regularly with bow and crossbow and drill their martial skills. In off hours let them ride and play cuju for sport; in autumn and winter send them on organized hunts. Men of outstanding ability and strength were to receive generous rewards. From this elite pool, pick the very best: fewer in number but richer in rations, treated like family and trusted like one's inner circle—men who could be counted on when crisis struck. Su Che had written: "The emperor must have generals he trusts personally, and every general must have soldiers he trusts personally." Orders must reach commanders and unit directors, who should be roused to careful selection, granted real command authority, and held to strict rank discipline. When generals and soldiers take pleasure in serving one another, forces can be moved as needed without transferring whole armies or raising new ones."
60
咸淳間，招兵無虛日，科降等下錢以萬計。 奈何任非其人，白捕平民為兵，召募無法，揀選雲乎哉！
In the Xianchun period recruitment never paused for a day, and bounty payments for lowering enlistment standards ran into the tens of thousands. Yet the wrong men were put in charge: civilians were seized and pressed into service, recruitment had no rules, and selection was a mockery.
61
廩祿之制為農者出租稅以養兵，為兵者事征守以衛民，其勢然也。 唐以天下之兵分置藩鎮，天子府衛，中外校卒，不過十餘萬，而國用不見其有餘。 宋懲五代之弊，收天下甲兵數十萬，悉萃京師，而國用不見其不足者，經制之有道，出納之有節也。 國初，太倉所儲才支三、二歲。 承平既久，歲漕江、淮粟六百萬石，而縑帛、貨貝、齒革百物之委不可勝用。 其後軍儲充溢，常有餘羨。 內外乂安，非偶然也。
Regulations on Ration Provisions: farmers paid grain taxes to support the army; soldiers served on campaign and garrison duty to protect the people. Such was the natural arrangement. Under the Tang, armies were scattered among frontier commands. Imperial guards and central troops totaled little more than 100,000, yet the treasury never showed a surplus. The Song corrected the abuses of the Five Dynasties by concentrating several hundred thousand armored troops in the capital. The treasury never ran short because management was systematic and spending was disciplined. At the dynasty's founding, the Grand Granary held barely two or three years' supply. After decades of peace, six million shi of grain were shipped annually from the Yangtze-Huai region, and silk, goods, cowries, ivory, leather, and countless other commodities piled up beyond need. Military stores soon overflowed, and surplus became the norm. The peace within and without the realm was no accident.
62
凡上軍都校，自捧日、天武暨龍衛、神衛左右廂都指揮使遙領團練使者，月俸錢百千，粟五十斛； 諸班直都虞候、諸軍都指揮使遙領刺史者半之。 自餘諸班直將校，自三十千至二千，凡十二等； 諸軍將校，自三十千至三百，凡二十三等，上者有傔； 廂軍將校，自十五千至三百五十，凡十七等，有食鹽； 諸班直自五千至七百，諸軍自一千至三百，凡五等； 廂兵閱教者，有月俸錢五百至三百，凡三等，下者給醬菜錢或食鹽而已。 自班直而下，將士月給糧，率稱是為差； 春冬賜衣有絹綿，或加布、緡錢。 凡軍士邊外，率分口券，或折月糧，或從別給。 其支軍食，糧料院先進樣，三司定倉敖界分，而以年月次之。 國初，諸倉分給諸營，營在國城西，給糧於城東，南北亦然。 相距有四十里者，蓋恐士卒習墮，使知負簷之勤。 久之，有司乃取受輸年月界分，以軍次高下給之。
Upper-army chief officers—from Sun-Bearer and Heavenly Martial through Dragon and Divine Guard wing commanders who held honorary regiment-training commissioner titles—received monthly stipends of one hundred strings of cash and fifty shi of grain; palace guard roster deputy commanders and army commanders with honorary prefect titles received half as much. Other palace guard roster officers were paid in twelve grades from thirty strings down to two; Imperial Guard officers were paid in twenty-three grades from thirty strings down to three hundred cash, with attendants for the senior ranks; garrison troop officers in seventeen grades from fifteen strings down to three hundred fifty cash, with salt rations; palace guard roster soldiers in five grades from five strings down to seven hundred cash; Imperial Guard rank-and-file from one string down to three hundred cash; drilled garrison troops received monthly stipends in three grades from five hundred down to three hundred cash; the lowest tier got only sauce-and-vegetable money or salt. Below the palace guard roster, officers and soldiers received monthly grain rations scaled to rank; spring and winter clothing allowances included silk and cotton, sometimes supplemented with hemp cloth and cash. Frontier soldiers generally received split ration tickets, converted monthly grain allowances, or separate disbursements. Military grain was issued after the Grain and Forage Bureau submitted quality samples, the State Fiscal Commission fixed granary jurisdictions, and disbursements were scheduled by date. Early on, granaries distributed to camps by deliberate cross-town routing: units west of the capital drew grain from eastern warehouses, and the same rule applied north and south. Distances could reach forty li, lest troops grow soft and forget the labor of hauling their own rations. In time the responsible offices abandoned the cross-town rule and issued grain by delivery schedule and army rank.
63
凡三歲大祀，有賜賚，有優賜。 每歲寒食、端午、冬至，有特支，特支有大小差，亦有非時給者。 邊戍季加給銀、鞵鞋，邠、寧、環、慶緣邊難於爨汲者，兩月一給薪水錢，苦寒或賜絮襦褲。 役兵勞苦，季給錢。 戍嶺南者，增月奉。 自川、廣戍還者，別與裝錢。 川、廣遞鋪卒或給時服、錢、履。 屯兵州軍，官賜錢宴犒將校，謂之旬設，舊止待屯泊禁軍，其後及於本城。
Every three years at the major state sacrifices there were standard grants and special bonuses. Cold Food, Dragon Boat, and Winter Solstice each brought special disbursements of varying size; occasional off-schedule grants were also made. Frontier garrisons received quarterly silver and shoe allowances. In Bin, Ning, Huan, and Qing, where fuel and water were scarce, firewood money was paid every two months; in bitter cold, padded jackets and trousers were issued. Corvée troops received quarterly hardship pay. Troops garrisoning Lingnan received increased monthly stipends. Soldiers returning from Sichuan and Guangdong garrison duty received separate travel outfit allowances. Relay-post couriers in Sichuan and Guang sometimes received seasonal clothing, cash, or shoes. Stationed troops received official banquet funds for their officers, called the "ten-day provision." Originally limited to encamped Imperial Guard units, the practice later spread to local garrisons.
64
天聖七年，法寺裁定諸軍衣裝，騎兵春冬衣各七事，步兵春衣七事、冬衣六事，敢質賣者重置之法。
In 1029 the Judicial Office standardized army clothing: seven spring and winter items for cavalry, seven spring and six winter items for infantry, with severe penalties for pawning issued gear.
65
景祐元年，三司使程琳上疏，論：「兵在精不在眾。 河北、陝西軍儲數匱，而召募不已，且住營一兵之費，可給屯駐三兵，昔養萬兵者今三萬兵矣。 河北歲費芻糧千二十萬，其賦入支十之三； 陝西歲費千五百萬，其賦入支十之五。 自餘悉仰給京師。 自咸平逮今，凡二邊所增馬步軍指揮百六十。 計騎兵一指揮所給，歲約費緡錢四萬三千，步兵所給，歲約費緡錢三萬二千，他給賜不預。 合新舊兵所費，不啻千萬緡。 天地生財有限，而用無紀極，此國用所以日屈也。 今同、華沿河州軍，積粟至於紅腐而不知用； 沿邊入中粟，價常踴貴而未嘗足。 誠願罷河北、陝西募住營兵，勿復增置，遇闕即遷廂軍精銳者補之，仍漸徙營內郡，以便糧餉。 無事時番戍於邊，緩急即調發便近。 嚴戒封疆之臣，毋得侵軼生事以覬恩賞，違令者重寘之法。 如此，則疆場無事，而國用有餘矣。」 帝嘉納之。
In 1034 State Fiscal Commissioner Cheng Lin memorialized: "An army's strength lies in quality, not head count. Hebei and Shaanxi stores were chronically short, yet recruitment never stopped. One encamped soldier cost as much as three locally stationed men; an army that once numbered ten thousand now numbered thirty thousand on paper. Hebei spent 10.2 million on fodder and grain annually, while local tax revenue covered only three-tenths; Shaanxi spent 15 million, while local revenue covered only half. Everything else came from the capital. Since Xianping, the two frontier regions had added 160 cavalry and infantry commands. Each cavalry command cost roughly 43,000 strings of cash per year; each infantry command about 32,000—excluding other grants and bonuses. Total costs for old and new units ran to no less than ten million strings of cash. Heaven and earth produce finite wealth, but spending knows no limit—that is why the treasury grows tighter by the day. Along the Yellow River in Tong and Hua, grain piled up until it rotted, unused; while on the frontier, grain purchased through the contribution system always cost dearly and never sufficed. I urge ending encamped recruitment in Hebei and Shaanxi and adding no new units. Fill vacancies with elite garrison troops and gradually move camps inland to ease logistics. In peacetime rotate frontier garrison duty; in crisis dispatch the nearest available forces. Strictly warn frontier officials against raiding or provoking incidents to win rewards; violators should face heavy penalties. Then the frontier would stay quiet and the treasury would have surplus." The emperor praised the proposal and adopted it.
66
康定元年，詔戰場士卒給奉終其身。 宰臣張士遜等言禁兵久戍邊。 其家在京師者，或不能自給。 帝召內侍即殿隅條軍校而下為數等，特出內藏庫緡錢十萬賜之。
In 1040 an edict granted soldiers disabled in battle lifetime stipends. Chancellor Zhang Shisun and others reported that Imperial Guard troops had long garrisoned the frontier. Families left behind in the capital sometimes could not support themselves. The emperor had a eunuch rank officers by grade at a palace corner and specially disbursed 100,000 strings of cash from the inner treasury as a grant.
67
慶曆五年，詔：「湖南路發卒征蠻，以給裝錢者，毋得更予帶甲錢。」
In 1045 an edict ruled: "Hunan troops sent against the barbarians who receive travel outfit allowances shall not also receive armor money."
68
七年，帝因閱軍糧，諭倉官曰：「自今後當足數給之。」 初，有司以糧漕自江、淮，積年而後支，惟上軍所給斗升僅足，中、下軍率十得八九而已。
In 1047, while inspecting military grain, the emperor told granary officials: "Issue full rations from now on." Previously, because Yangtze-Huai grain took years to reach frontier stores, only upper-army units received full measure; middle and lower units typically got only eight or nine parts in ten.
69
嘉祐八年，殿前諸班請糧，比進樣異，輒不受散去。 御史中丞王疇以為言。 詔：「提點倉官自今往檢視，有不如樣，同坐之。 軍士不時請及有喧嘩，悉從軍法。」
In 1063 Palace Front guard rosters refused grain that did not match the submitted quality sample and dispersed in protest. Censor-in-Chief Wang Chou brought the incident to the throne's attention. An edict ordered: "Granary supervisors must inspect deliveries in person hereafter; if grain fails the sample standard, they share the penalty. Soldiers who fail to collect rations on time or cause disturbances shall all be punished under military law."
70
皇祐二年，詔：「在外禁軍，凡郊賚折色，並給以實估之直。」
In 1050 an edict ruled: "Imperial Guard units posted outside the capital shall receive suburban-sacrifice grants in converted goods at full appraised value."
71
五年，詔：「廣南捕蠻諸軍歲滿歸營，人賜錢二千，月增奉錢二百。 度嶺陣亡及瘴癘物故者子孫或弟侄，不以等樣收一人隸本營者，支衣廩之半。」
In 1053 an edict granted Guangnan anti-barbarian units, on completing their term and returning to camp, two thousand cash each plus a two-hundred-cash increase in monthly stipend. If a descendant or nephew of a soldier killed crossing the mountains or dead of miasma was enrolled in the original camp regardless of standard qualifications, half the usual clothing and ration allowance was granted."
72
治平二年，詔：「涇原勇毅軍揀為三等，差給奉錢一千至五百為三等，勿復置營，以季集渭州按閱。」
In 1065 an edict screened the Jingyuan Brave Resolute Army into three grades with stipends from 1,000 down to 500 cash, abolished permanent camps, and ordered quarterly musters at Weizhou.
73
熙寧三年，帝手詔：「倉使給軍糧，例有虧減，出軍之家，侵牟益甚，豈朕所以愛養將士意哉！ 自今給糧毋損其數，三司具為令。」 於是嚴河倉乞取減刻之事。
In 1070 the emperor wrote by hand: "Granary officials routinely shortchange military grain issues, and the families of deployed soldiers suffer worst of all—is this how I mean to care for my troops? Issue full rations from now on, and let the State Fiscal Commission codify the rule." Strict penalties followed for Yellow River granary officials who solicited bribes and shortchanged rations.
74
四年，詔付趙禼：「聞鄜延路諸軍數出，至鬻衣裝以自給，可密體量振恤之。」 先是，王安石言：「今士卒極窘，至有衣紙而擐甲者，此最為大憂，而自來將帥不敢言振恤士卒，恐成姑息，以致兵驕。 臣愚以為親士卒如愛子，故可與之俱死； 愛而不能令，譬如驕子不可用也。 前陛下言郭進事，臣案《進傳》，言進知人疾苦，所至人為立碑紀德； 士卒小有違令，輒殺之。 惟其能犒賞存恤，然後能殺違令者而人無怨。 今宜稍寬牽拘將帥之法，使得用封樁錢物隨宜振恤，然後可以責將帥得士卒死力也。」
In 1071 an edict sent Zhao Xu to investigate: "Troops on the Yan-yan Route are deployed so often they sell their gear to survive—assess the situation discreetly and provide relief." Earlier Wang Anshi had argued: "Soldiers are so destitute that some wear paper under their armor—this is the gravest concern. Yet commanders dare not seek relief for fear of spoiling the ranks and making troops arrogant. I believe that treating soldiers as one treats one's own children is what makes men willing to die with you; but love without discipline is like a spoiled child—good for nothing. Your Majesty once mentioned Guo Jin. His biography records that he understood his men's hardships and that people erected steles to his memory wherever he served; yet he executed soldiers for the smallest breach of orders. Only because he rewarded and cared for his men could he execute offenders without provoking resentment. Relax the rules that bind commanders and let them use sealed reserve funds to relieve hardship as needed—only then can we demand that generals win their men's utmost loyalty."
75
四年，樞密院言：「不教閱廂軍撥並，各帶舊請外，今後招到者，並乞依本指揮新定請受。 河北崇勝、河東雄猛、陝西保寧、京東奉化、京西壯武、淮南寧淮各醬菜錢一百，月糧二石，春衣絹二匹、布半匹、錢一千，冬衣絹二匹、半匹、錢一千、綿十二兩。 兩浙崇節、江東西效勇、荊南北宣節、福建保節、廣東西清化除醬菜錢不支外，餘如六路。 川四路克寧已上各小鐵錢一千，糧二石，春衣絹一匹、小鐵錢十千，冬衣絹一匹、一匹、綿八兩、小鐵錢五千。」 並從之。
In 1071 the Bureau of Military Affairs reported: "Merged undrilled garrison troops keep their old allowances; newly recruited men should receive the newly fixed rates of their command. For Hebei Chongsheng, Hedong Xiongmeng, Shaanxi Baoning, Jingdong Fenghua, Jingxi Zhuangwu, and Huainan Ninghuai: sauce-and-vegetable money of one hundred cash, two shi monthly grain, spring clothing of two bolts silk plus half a bolt of cloth and one thousand cash, winter clothing of two bolts silk plus half a bolt of hemp, one thousand cash, and twelve liang of cotton. For Two-Zhe Chongjie, Jiangdong and Jiangxi Xiaoyong, Jingnan North and South Xuanjie, Fujian Baojie, and Guangdong-Guangxi Qinghua, sauce-and-vegetable money was omitted; all other allowances matched the six circuits above. In the four Sichuan circuits, Kening and related units received one thousand small iron coins, two shi of grain, spring clothing of one bolt of silk plus ten thousand small iron coins, and winter clothing of one bolt of silk, one bolt of hemp, eight liang of cotton, and five thousand small iron coins." All were approved.
76
七年，增橋道、清塞、雄勝諸軍奉滿三百。 又詔：「今後募禁軍等賞給，並減舊兵之半。」
In 1074 stipends for Qiaodao, Qingse, Xionsheng, and related units were raised to a full three hundred cash. Another edict cut recruitment bonuses for newly enlisted Imperial Guard troops to half the reward given veteran soldiers.
77
十年，詔：「安南道死戰沒者，所假衣奉咸蠲除之。 弓箭手、民兵、義勇等有貸於官者，展償限一年。 又中外禁軍有定額，而三司及諸路歲給諸軍亦有常數。 其闕額未補者，會其歲給並封樁，樞密承旨司簿其餘數，輒移用，論如法。」
In 1077 an edict remitted all borrowed clothing stipends owed by soldiers killed in battle on the Annam expedition. Archers, militia, and righteous-army troops with outstanding government loans received a one-year extension on repayment. Imperial Guard units empire-wide had fixed quotas, and the State Fiscal Commission and circuit authorities had fixed annual disbursement schedules for each army. Unfilled quota funds were pooled and sealed; the Bureau of Military Affairs directive office recorded the surplus, and unauthorized diversion was punishable by law."
78
元豐二年，詔：「荊南雄略軍十二營南戍，瘴沒者眾，其議優恤之。 軍校子孫降授職。 有疾及不願為兵若無子孫者，加賜緡錢； 軍士子孫弟侄收為兵，並給賻，除籍後仍給糧兩月； 即父母年七十已上無子孫者，給衣廩之半，終其身。」
In 1079 an edict ordered: "Twelve camps of the Jingnan Xionglüe Army garrisoning the south have lost many men to miasma—propose preferential relief. Officers' descendants received appointments at reduced rank. Men who were ill, unwilling to serve, or left without heirs received bonus payments in strings of cash; When a soldier's sons, grandsons, younger brothers, or nephews were taken into service, burial allowances were paid; after discharge from the rolls, rations continued for two months; Parents seventy or older who had lost all descendants received half their son's clothing and ration allowance for life."
79
哲宗即位，悉依舊制。
When Emperor Zhezong came to the throne, all provisions reverted to the established rules.
80
徽宗崇寧四年，詔：「諸軍料錢不多，比聞支當十錢，恐難分用，自今可止給小平錢。」 初，蔡京謀逐王恩，計不行，欲陰結環衛及諸士卒，乃奏皇城輔兵月給食錢五百者，日給一百五十。 自是，每月頓增四貫五百。 欲因以市私恩也。
In 1105 Emperor Huizong ordered: "Army ration allowances are modest, yet I hear ten-cash pieces are being paid out and are hard to spend—hereafter only standard small flat coins are to be issued." Earlier Cai Jing had tried to oust Wang En. When that failed, he sought to win over palace guards and common soldiers by proposing that Imperial Palace City auxiliaries on 500-cash monthly food allowances receive 150 cash per day. This raised each man's monthly pay by four and a half strings of cash. He meant to buy personal loyalty this way.
81
五年，樞密院言：「自熙寧以來，封樁隸樞密院，比因創招廣勇、崇捷、崇武十萬人，權撥封樁入尚書省。 緣禁軍見闕數多，若專責戶部及轉運司應副，恐致誤事。」 詔：「尚書省候極足十萬人外，理合撥還。 自今應禁軍闕額封樁錢，仍隸樞密院。」
In 1106 the Bureau of Military Affairs reported: "Since the Xining reforms sealed reserve funds have belonged to the Bureau, but the recent recruitment of 100,000 Guangyong, Chongjie, and Chongwu troops temporarily diverted those funds to the central fiscal authorities. Imperial Guard vacancies are numerous; relying solely on the Ministry of Revenue and circuit transport offices to meet them risks failure." An edict ordered: "Once the central authorities had filled the 100,000 recruits, the surplus sealed funds must be returned. Henceforth sealed reserve funds for unfilled Imperial Guard quotas shall remain under the Bureau of Military Affairs."
82
宣和七年，詔：「國家養兵，衣食豐足。 近歲以來，官不守法，侵奪者多； 若軍司乞取及因事率斂，刻剝分數，反致不足。 又官吏冗占猥多，修造役使，違法差借。 雜役之兵，食浮於禁旅，假借之卒，役重於廂軍。 近因整緝軍政，深駭聽聞。 自今違戾如前者，重寘之法。」
In 1125 an edict declared: "The state supports its troops with generous clothing and food. In recent years officials have ignored the law, and diversions have multiplied; when army offices solicited bribes and levied arbitrary fees, shaving fractional shares until the men lacked enough. Officers filled posts redundantly, and construction and corvée duty involved illegal impressment. Miscellaneous-service troops ate better than Imperial Guard units, while borrowed soldiers were worked harder than garrison troops. A recent overhaul of military administration exposed abuses that shocked the court. Henceforth offenders will face severe punishment."
83
靖康元年，詔：「諸路州軍二稅課利，先行樁辦軍兵合支每月糧料、春衣、冬賜數足，方許別行支散官吏請給等。 禁軍月糧，並免坐倉。
In 1126 an edict ordered that across every circuit, two-tax revenues and commercial levies must first cover soldiers' monthly grain and ration allowances, spring clothing, and winter grants in full before any official stipends could be paid. Imperial Guard monthly grain was paid directly, without warehouse conversion.
84
自國初以來，內則三司，外則漕台，率以軍儲為急務，故錢糧支賜，歲有定數。 至於征戍調發之特支，將士功勞之犒賞，與夫諸軍闕額而收其奉廩以為上供之封樁者，雖無定數，而未嘗無權衡於其間也。 封樁累朝皆有之，而熙寧為盛。 其後雖有「今後再不封樁」之詔，然軍司告乏，則暫從其請，稍或優足，則封樁如舊。 蓋宰執得人，則闕額用於朝遷； 樞筦勢重，則闕額歸之密院。 此政和軍政所以益不逮於崇寧、大觀之間者，由兩府之勢互有輕重，而不能恪守祖宗之法也。
Since the dynasty's founding the State Fiscal Commission within and transport commissioners without have treated military stores as their foremost duty, and cash-and-grain disbursements were fixed year by year. Special payments for campaigns and deployments, merit rewards, and sealed reserves drawn from unfilled quota stipends all lacked fixed sums, yet were never wholly unregulated. Sealed reserve funds existed under every reign, but peaked in the Xining era. Later edicts declared "no more sealed reserves," yet when army offices cried shortage the court relented—and once funds were ample, sealing resumed. When capable chief ministers held power, vacancy funds went to court transfers; when the Bureau of Military Affairs held sway, vacancy funds reverted to the Bureau. This is why Zhenghe military administration declined from the Chongning and Daguan standards—the two councils' shifting balance of power prevented faithful adherence to ancestral regulations.
85
中興以後，多遵舊制。 紹興四年，御前軍器所言：「萬全雜役額五百，戶部廩給有常法。 比申明裁減，盡皆遁逃。 若依部所定月米五斗五升，日不及二升； 麥四斗八升，鬥折錢二百，日餐錢百，實不足贍。」 詔戶部裁定，月米一石七斗，增作一石九斗。
After the Southern Song restoration, most provisions followed earlier rules. In 1134 the Imperial Armory directorate reported: "The Wanquan miscellaneous-service quota is 500 men, with fixed Ministry of Revenue ration scales. After announced cuts, every man deserted. At the Ministry rate of five dou five sheng monthly rice, a man received less than two sheng per day; plus four dou eight sheng of wheat converted at two hundred cash per dou and one hundred cash daily meal money—hardly enough to live on. The Ministry of Revenue was ordered to raise monthly rice from one shi seven dou to one shi nine dou.
86
五年，詔：「效用入資舊法，內公據、甲頭名稱未正，其改公據為守闕進勇副尉，日餐錢二百五十、米二升； 甲頭為進勇副尉，日餐錢二百、米二升。 非帶甲入隊人自依舊法。」 宣撫使韓世忠言：「本軍調發，老幼隨行，緣效用內有不調月糧，不增給日請，軍兵米二升半、錢百，效用米二升、錢二百，乞日增給贍米一升半，庶幾戰士無家累後顧憂，齊心用命。」 詔分屯日即陳請。
In 1135 an edict reformed utility-troop paid-entry titles: service certificates became Candidate Advance Brave Vice Commandant, with 250 cash and two sheng of rice daily; squad leaders became Advance Brave Vice Commandant, with 200 cash and two sheng of rice daily. Men not entering in armor remained under the old rules. Pacification commissioner Han Shizhong argued: "When my army deploys, families follow. Some utility troops receive no monthly grain and no daily increase—regular soldiers get two and a half sheng of rice and one hundred cash daily, utility troops two sheng and two hundred cash. I ask one and a half sheng supplemental rice daily so warriors need not fear for their families and will fight as one. Troops were to submit requests as soon as they took up separate garrisons.
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十三年，詔：「殿司諸統領將官別無供給職田，日贍不足，差兵營運，浸壞軍政。 可與月支供給：統製、副統製月一百五十千，統領官百千，正將、同正將五十千，副將四十千，準備將三十千，皆按月給。 既足其家，可責後效。 若仍前差兵負販，從私役禁軍法，所販物計贓坐之，必罰無赦。 州縣知而不舉，同罪。」 主管步軍司趙密言：「比定諸軍五等請給，招填闕額，要以屏革奸弊。 第數內招收白身效用，填馬步軍使臣闕。 其五等請給例內，馬軍效用依五人衙官例，步軍效用依三人衙官例。 緣舊效用曾經帶甲出入，日止餐錢二百、米二升； 有少壯善射者，既見初收效用廩給稍優，因逃他軍以希厚請。 今擬五等招收白身效用與舊效用，不以馬步軍論，概增其給，人日支錢二百、米二升，填使臣闕。」
In 1143 an edict noted that Palace Bureau unit leaders lacked support lands, daily rations fell short, and impressing soldiers for transport and trade was undermining military discipline. Monthly allowances were granted: unit commanders and deputies 150,000 cash, unit leaders 100,000, chief and associate chiefs 50,000, vice chiefs 40,000, reserve chiefs 30,000—all paid monthly. Once their families were provided for, the court could demand results. Soldiers impressed for peddling would be punished under Imperial Guard private-service law, with goods counted as stolen property—no mercy. Local officials who knew and failed to report faced the same penalty. Infantry Bureau director Zhao Mi reported: "The recent five-grade allowance system was meant to fill vacancies and root out corruption. Within those grades, raw recruits were taken as utility troops to fill cavalry and infantry officer vacancies. Under the five-grade scales, cavalry utility troops matched the five-man gate-officer rate and infantry utility troops the three-man gate-officer rate. Veteran utility troops who had served in armor received only two hundred cash and two sheng of rice daily; Able young archers deserted to other units hoping for the richer allowances granted newly recruited utility troops. We propose uniform increases for new and veteran utility troops regardless of branch: two hundred cash and two sheng of rice daily, to fill officer vacancies."
88
隆興二年，殿前司言：「諸軍法，兵級年六十，將校年六十五，減充剩員給請，內有戰功亦止半給。 比來年及不與減落，乞每營置籍，鄉貫、年甲、招刺日月悉書之，一留本營，一留戶部，一留總領，以備開落。」
In 1164 the Palace Bureau reported: "Under army law, soldiers at sixty and officers at sixty-five are placed on surplus rolls; even men with battle merit receive only half pay. Men have not been retired on schedule. We ask each camp to keep registers noting birthplace, age, and enlistment date—copies at camp, Ministry of Revenue, and chief supervisor—to manage roll reductions."
89
乾道八年，樞密院言：「二月為始，諸軍七人例以上，二分錢、三分銀、五分會子； 五人例，三分錢、四分銀、三分會子。 軍兵折麥餐錢，全支錢。 使臣折麥、料錢，統製、軍佐供給分數仍舊。」
In 1172 the Bureau ordered that from the second month, units on seven-man stipends or higher would receive two parts cash, three parts silver, and five parts paper notes; five-man stipend units would receive three parts cash, four parts silver, and three parts paper notes. Soldiers' wheat-conversion meal allowances were paid entirely in cash. Officers' wheat conversion and ration allowances, and unit commanders' and adjutants' shares, remained unchanged."
90
淳熙三年，樞密院言：「兵部定請受格：效用一資守闕毅士，二資毅士，三資守闕效士，月各錢三千，折麥錢七百二十，米一石五升，春冬衣絹各二匹； 四資效士，錢三千，折麥錢九百七十二，米一石一斗三升有奇，衣絹各二匹； 五資守闕聽候使喚，錢四千五百，折麥錢一千八十，米一石二斗，絹三匹有半； 六資聽候使喚，錢四千五百，折麥錢一千二百六十，米一石四斗七升，絹五匹； 七資守闕聽候差使，八資聽候差使，錢四千五百，折麥錢一千四百四十，米一石六斗八升，絹各五匹； 九資守闕準備使喚，十資準備差使，錢五千，折麥錢一千四百四十，米六石八升，絹各五匹。」
In 1176 the Bureau reported the Ministry of War's allowance scales: utility troops at one rank Candidate Resolute Soldier, two ranks Resolute Soldier, and three ranks Candidate Effective Soldier each received 3,000 cash monthly, 720 wheat-conversion cash, one shi five sheng of rice, and two bolts of silk for spring and winter clothing; fourth rank Effective Soldier: 3,000 cash, 972 wheat-conversion cash, one shi one dou and a fraction of rice, two bolts of silk each; fifth rank Candidate Awaiting Summons: 4,500 cash, 1,080 wheat-conversion cash, one shi two dou of rice, three and a half bolts of silk; sixth rank Awaiting Summons: 4,500 cash, 1,260 wheat-conversion cash, one shi four dou seven sheng of rice, five bolts of silk; seventh rank Candidate Awaiting Assignment and eighth rank Awaiting Assignment: 4,500 cash, 1,440 wheat-conversion cash, one shi six dou eight sheng of rice, five bolts of silk each; ninth rank Candidate Ready Summons and tenth rank Ready Assignment: 5,000 cash, 1,440 wheat-conversion cash, six shi eight sheng of rice, five bolts of silk each."
91
紹熙元年，知常德府王銖言：「沿邊城砦之官，以備疆埸不虞，廩祿既薄，給不以時，孤寒小吏，何以養廉？ 致使熟視奸猾泄漏禁物，公私庇蓋，恬不加問，從而徇私受賕者有矣。 弓手、士軍、戍卒傭直糧食，累月不支，迫於饑寒，侵漁蠻獠，小則致訟爭，大則啟邊釁。 乞嚴敕州、軍按月廩給，如其未支，守倅即不得先請己奉。 庶俾城砦官兵有以存濟，緩急之際，得其宣力。 安邊弭盜，莫此為急。」
In 1190 Changde prefect Wang Zhu memorialized: "Border fort officials guarding against frontier emergencies receive thin stipends paid late—how can impoverished clerks remain honest? They look on as smugglers move contraband, shielding them in public and private without inquiry—and some take bribes. Bowmen, local troops, and garrison soldiers went unpaid for months; driven by hunger and cold they preyed on tribal peoples—sparking lawsuits at best and border clashes at worst. I ask that prefectures and garrisons pay rations monthly on pain of penalty, and that prefects and deputies draw no salary until their men are paid. Then fort garrisons could subsist and serve effectively in emergencies. Securing the frontier and suppressing banditry—nothing was more urgent."
92
厥後弊日以滋，迨至咸淳，軍將往往虛立員以冒稍食。 以建康言之，有神策二軍，有遊擊五軍，有親兵二軍，有制效二軍，有靖安、唐灣水軍，有遊擊采石水軍，有精銳破敵軍，有效用、防江軍，原其初起，惟騎、戎兩司額耳。 後仍各創軍分，額多而員少。 一統製月請，以會子計之，則成一萬五百千，推之他軍，概可見矣。
Abuses multiplied thereafter; by the Xianchun era army officers routinely created phantom posts to collect stipends. At Jiankang alone there were two Shence armies, five Youji armies, two personal-guard armies, two Zhixiao armies, Jing'an and Tangwan naval units, Youji Caishi naval forces, the Jingrui Pode army, and utility and river-defense armies—yet originally there had been only the quotas of the cavalry and infantry bureaus. Later each command spawned new army divisions—quotas swelled while actual head counts shrank. One unit commander's monthly allowance, reckoned in paper notes, reached 10,500 strings of cash—the same pattern held across every army.
93
九年，四川製司有言：「戍兵生券，人月給會子六千，蜀郡物賈翔貴，請增人月給九千。」 當是時財賦之出有限，廩稍之給無涯，浚民膏血，盡充邊費，金帛悉歸於二三大將之私帑，國用益竭，而宋亡矣。
In 1273 the Sichuan command reported: "Garrison soldiers' living certificates paid 6,000 paper notes monthly, but Sichuan prices had soared—it requested 9,000 per man. By then revenue was finite but military rations limitless. The state drained the people's wealth to fund the frontier while gold and silk flowed into a few great generals' private coffers. The treasury emptied—and Song fell.
94
臣僚嘗言：「古者兵與農一，官無供億之煩，國有備禦之責。 後世兵與農二，竭國力以養兵，奉之若驕子，用之若傭人。 今守邊急務，非兵農合一不可。 其說者有二：曰屯田，曰民兵。 川蜀屯田為先，民兵次之； 淮、襄民兵為先，屯田次之。 此足食足兵之良策也。」 其言厄於權奸，竟不行。
Officials once argued: "In antiquity soldier and farmer were one; officials bore no supply burden and the state held defense as its duty. Later soldier and farmer parted; the state exhausted its strength to feed an army it pampered like spoiled children yet employed like hired labor. Guarding the frontier today cannot succeed without reuniting soldier and farmer. Two proposals were offered: frontier farming colonies and militia. In Sichuan, frontier colonies should come first and militia second; On the Huai and Xiang frontiers, militia should come first and frontier colonies second. These were sound policies for securing both food and troops. Their proposals were blocked by powerful faction leaders and were never carried out.