1
凡選有文、武，文選吏部主之，武選兵部主之，皆為三銓，尚書、侍郎分主之。
Selection was divided into civil and military tracks: the Ministry of Personnel oversaw civil appointments, the Ministry of War military ones. Each route used three evaluation boards, with ministers and vice-ministers taking charge in turn.
2
凡官員有數，而署置過者有罰，知而聽者有罰，規取者有罰。 每歲五月，頒格於州縣，選人應格，則本屬或故任取選解，列其罷免、善惡之狀，以十月會於省，過其時者不敘。 其以時至者，乃考其功過。 同流者，五五為聯，京官五人保之，一人識之。 刑家之子、工賈異類及假名承偽、隱冒升降者有罰。 文書粟錯，隱幸者駁放之； 非隱幸則不。
Every office had a fixed establishment. Appointing beyond that quota, knowingly permitting such over-appointment, or scheming to secure a post all carried penalties. Each year in the fifth month, qualification standards were issued to prefectures and counties. Candidates who met them had their home jurisdiction or former post prepare a selection dossier listing dismissals and merits, then convene at the capital in the tenth month; latecomers were not enrolled. Only after candidates arrived on time were their merits and faults reviewed. Candidates of the same intake were grouped in fives and tens; five capital officials would jointly guarantee each group, with one official formally attesting it. Sons of convicted households, artisans and merchants of disqualified categories, and anyone who used false names, feigned succession, or concealed promotions and demotions were liable to punishment. Errors in documents or grain accounts arising from concealed favoritism led to rejection and dismissal; if favoritism was not concealed, they were not.
3
凡擇人之法有四：一曰身，體貌豐偉； 二曰言，言辭辯正； 三曰書，楷法遒美； 四曰判，文理優長。 四事皆可取，則先德行； 德均以才，才均以勞。 得者為留，不得者為放。 五品以上不試，上其名中書門下； 六品以下始集而試，觀其書、判。 已試而銓，察其身、言； 已銓而注，詢其便利而擬； 已注而唱，不厭者得反通其辭，三唱而不厭，聽冬集。 厭者為甲，上於僕射，乃上門下省，給事中讀之，黃門侍郎省之，侍中審之，然後以聞。 主者受旨而奉行焉，謂之「奏受」。 視品及流外，則判補。 皆給以符，謂之「告身」。 凡官已受成，皆廷謝。
There were four criteria for assessing candidates: first, physique—a stately and imposing bearing; second, speech—clear and correct expression; third, writing—forceful, beautiful regular script; fourth, judgment—outstanding literary reasoning in written decisions. When all four tests were passed, virtue and conduct took precedence; if virtue was equal, talent decided; if talent was equal, length of service decided. Those who qualified were retained; those who failed were dismissed. Officials of fifth rank and above were exempt from examination; their names went up to the Secretariat and Chancellery; those of sixth rank and below were first assembled for examination of their writing and judgment papers. After the written exam came board evaluation, inspecting physique and speech; after evaluation came nomination, with posts proposed according to suitability; after nomination came public announcement; dissatisfied candidates could lodge objections, and after three announcements without acceptance they might wait for the winter intake. Accepted candidates formed the primary list, went to the vice directors, then to the Department of State Affairs, where drafting reviewers read it, vice ministers of the gate inspected it, the chief minister reviewed it, and only then was it reported to the throne. The responsible office received the imperial order and executed it—this was called "memorial receipt." For nominal ranks and extra-stream posts, appointment was made by judgment examination alone. All received official tallies called "appointment credentials." Once an appointment was fully confirmed, every appointee offered thanks at court.
4
凡試判登科謂之「入等」，甚拙者謂之「藍縷」。 選未滿而試文三篇，謂之「宏辭」； 試判三條，謂之「拔萃」。 中者即授官。
Passing the judgment examination and making the roster was called "entering the grade"; very poor performances were called "ragged blue." Candidates not yet through regular selection who submitted three literary compositions took the "grand rhetoric" examination; submitting three judgment papers took the "outstanding selection" examination. Those who passed were appointed at once.
5
凡出身，嗣王、郡王，從四品下； 親王諸子封郡公者，從五品上； 國公，正六品上； 郡公，正六品下； 縣公，從六品上； 侯，正七品上； 伯，正七品下； 子，從七品上； 男，從七品下； 皇帝緦麻以上親、皇太后期親，正六品上； 皇太后大功、皇后期親，從六品上； 皇帝袒免、皇太后小功緦麻、皇后大功親，正七品上； 皇后小功緦麻、皇太子妃期親，從七品上。 外戚，皆以服屬降二階敘。 娶郡主者，正六品上； 娶縣主者，正七品上； 郡主子，從七品上； 縣主子，從八品上。
By birth qualification: heirs apparent and commandery kings entered at lower supplementary fourth rank; sons of imperial princes enfeoffed as commandery dukes, upper supplementary fifth rank; state dukes, upper regular sixth rank; commandery dukes, lower regular sixth rank; county dukes, upper supplementary sixth rank; marquises, upper regular seventh rank; earls, lower regular seventh rank; viscounts, upper supplementary seventh rank; barons, lower supplementary seventh rank; imperial relatives within the highest mourning circle and the empress dowager's one-year mourning kin, upper regular sixth rank; the empress dowager's second-grade mourning kin and the empress's one-year mourning kin, upper supplementary sixth rank; imperial kin in the bare-shoulder mourning grade, the empress dowager's third- and highest-grade mourning kin, and the empress's second-grade mourning kin, upper regular seventh rank; the empress's third- and highest-grade mourning kin and the crown prince's consort's one-year mourning kin, upper supplementary seventh rank. Imperial affines were all registered two ranks lower according to their mourning relationship. Men who married commandery princesses, upper regular sixth rank; men who married county princesses, upper regular seventh rank; sons of commandery princesses, upper supplementary seventh rank; sons of county princesses, upper supplementary eighth rank.
6
凡用廕，一品子，正七品上； 二品子，正七品下； 三品子，從七品上； 從三品子，從七品下； 正四品子，正八品上； 從四品子，正八品下； 正五品子，從八品上； 從五品及國公子，從八品下。 凡品子任雜掌及王公以下親事、帳內勞滿而選者，七品以上子，從九品上敘。 其任流外而應入流內，敘品卑者，亦如之。 九品以上及勳官五品以上子，從九品下敘。 三品以上廕曾孫，五品以上廕孫。 孫降子一等，曾孫降孫一等。 贈官降正官一等，死事者與正官同。 郡、縣公子，神從五品孫。 縣男以上子，降一等。 勳官二品子，又降一等。 二王后孫，視正三品。
By yin privilege: sons of first-rank officials, upper regular seventh rank; sons of second rank, lower regular seventh rank; sons of third rank, upper supplementary seventh rank; sons of supplementary third rank, lower supplementary seventh rank; sons of regular fourth rank, upper regular eighth rank; sons of supplementary fourth rank, lower regular eighth rank; sons of regular fifth rank, upper supplementary eighth rank; sons of supplementary fifth rank and sons of state dukes, lower supplementary eighth rank. Sons of ranked officials who completed service as clerks, princely household attendants, or tent guards and then entered selection—if their fathers were seventh rank or above—were registered at upper supplementary ninth rank. Those who had served outside the regular stream and were eligible to enter it, at the lower registered rank, followed the same rule. Sons of officials of ninth rank and above and sons of merit officers of fifth rank and above were registered at lower supplementary ninth rank. Third rank and above could extend yin privilege to great-grandsons; fifth rank and above to grandsons. Grandsons were registered one rank lower than sons; great-grandsons one rank lower than grandsons. Posthumous offices counted one rank below the living rank, except for those who died in service, who were treated like active rank. Sons of commandery and county dukes were rated as supplementary fifth-rank grandsons. Sons of county barons and higher titles were lowered one rank. Sons of second-rank merit officers were lowered another rank. Grandsons of the two former dynasties were treated as regular third rank.
7
凡秀才，上上第，正八品上； 上中第，正八品下； 上下第，從八品上； 中上第，從八品下。 明經，上上第，從八品下； 上中第，正九品上； 上下第，正九品下； 中上第，從九品下。 進士、明法，甲第，從九品上； 乙第，從九品下。 弘文、崇文館生及第，亦如之。 應入五品者，以聞。 書、算學生，從九品下敘。
For Xiucai graduates: highest tier, upper regular eighth rank; upper-middle tier, lower regular eighth rank; upper-lower tier, upper supplementary eighth rank; middle-upper tier, lower supplementary eighth rank. For Mingjing graduates: highest tier, lower supplementary eighth rank; upper-middle tier, upper regular ninth rank; upper-lower tier, lower regular ninth rank; middle-upper tier, lower supplementary ninth rank. Jinshi and Mingfa graduates: class A, upper supplementary ninth rank; class B, lower supplementary ninth rank. Graduates of the Hongwen and Chongwen academies were registered the same way. Cases warranting fifth rank or above were reported to the throne. Students of writing and calculation were registered at lower supplementary ninth rank.
8
凡弘文、崇文生，皇緦麻以上親，皇太后、皇后大功以上親，一家聽二人選。 職事二品以上、散官一品、中書門下正三品同三品、六尚書等子孫並侄，功臣身食實封者子孫，一廕聽二人選。 京官職事正三品、同中書門下平章事、供奉官三品子孫，京官職事從三品、中書黃門侍郎並供奉三品官、帶四品五品散官子，一廕一人。
For Hongwen and Chongwen students: imperial kin within the highest mourning circle, and the empress dowager's and empress's second-grade mourning kin and closer—each household could send two candidates. Active officials of second rank and above, honorary first rank, Secretariat regular third rank treated as third rank, sons and nephews of the six ministers, and descendants of merit holders with substantive fiefs—each yin privilege allowed two selections. Capital officials of regular third rank, chief ministers, and third-rank palace attendants' descendants; supplementary third rank, Secretariat and Gate vice ministers, third-rank attendants, and sons bearing fourth- or fifth-rank honorary titles—each yin privilege allowed one candidate.
9
凡勳官選者，上柱國，正六品敘； 六品而下，遞降一階。 驍騎尉、武騎尉，從九品上敘。
For merit officers entering selection: Upper Pillar of the State, regular sixth rank; from sixth rank downward, each title lowered one rank. Valiant Cavalry and Martial Cavalry commandants were registered at upper supplementary ninth rank.
10
凡居官必四考，四考中中，進年勞一階敘。 每一考，中上進一階，上下二階，上中以上及計考應至五品以上奏而別敘。 六品以下遷改不更選及守五品以上官，年勞歲一敘，給記階牒。 考多者，准考累加。
Holding office required four performance reviews; four reviews at middle-middle advanced one seniority step per year served. Each review: middle-upper gained one step, upper-lower two steps; upper-middle and above, and cumulative reviews reaching fifth rank, were reported separately for special registration. Officials of sixth rank and below transferred without re-selection, and those holding fifth rank and above, had seniority registered yearly and received step-record documents. Extra evaluations could be accumulated toward advancement.
11
凡醫術，不過尚藥奉禦。 陰陽、卜筮、圖畫、工巧、造食、音聲及天文，不過本色局、署令。 鴻臚譯語，不過典客署令。 凡千牛備身、備身左右，五考送兵部試，有文者送吏部。 凡齋郎，太廟以五品以上子孫及六品職事並清官子為之，六考而滿； 郊社以六品職事官子為之，八考而滿。 皆讀兩經粗通，限年十五以上、二十以下，擇儀狀端正無疾者。
Physicians could rise no higher than Court Physician for Imperial Medicines. Yin-yang specialists, diviners, painters, artisans, cooks, musicians, and astronomers could not rise above director of their own bureau. Honglu interpreters could not rise above Director of the Bureau of Receptions. Thousand-Ox guards and left and right bodyguards, after five reviews, were sent to the Ministry of War for examination; literate candidates went to the Ministry of Personnel. Temple acolytes for the Imperial Ancestral Temple were drawn from sons of fifth rank and above and sons of sixth-rank active or pure officials, with service complete after six reviews; Suburban and Altar temples took sons of sixth-rank active officials, with service complete after eight reviews. All had to show rough mastery of two classics, be between fifteen and twenty, and be chosen for proper bearing, good appearance, and sound health.
12
武選，凡納課品子，歲取文武六品以下、勳官三品以下五品以上子，年十八以上，每州為解上兵部，納課十三歲而試，第一等送吏部，第二等留本司，第三等納資二歲，第四等納資三歲； 納已，復試，量文武授散官。 若考滿不試，免當年資； 遭喪免資。 無故不輸資及有犯者，放還之。 凡捉錢品子，無違負滿二百日，本屬以簿附朝集使，上於考功、兵部。 滿十歲，量文武授散官。 其視品國官府佐應停者，依品子納課，十歲而試，凡一歲為一選。 自一選至十二選，視官品高下以定其數，因其功過而增損之。
For military selection, tuition-paying sons of ranked families: each year sons of civil and military officials of sixth rank and below, and sons of merit officers from supplementary third through fifth rank, aged eighteen or above, were nominated by prefecture to the Ministry of War. After thirteen years of tuition they were examined: first class went to the Ministry of Personnel, second stayed with the Ministry of War, third paid two years' fees, fourth paid three years' fees; After fees were paid, they were re-examined and granted honorary civil or military rank as appropriate. If service was complete but they skipped the exam, that year's seniority credit was forfeited; mourning exempted fee payment. Those who failed to pay fees without cause, or who committed offenses, were dismissed and sent home. For money-lending sons of ranked families, after two hundred days without default, the home jurisdiction forwarded the register with the capital assembly envoy to the Ministries of Merit and War. After ten years, they were assessed and granted honorary civil or military rank. Nominal-rank aides in state and princely offices slated for dismissal paid tuition like ranked sons, were examined at ten years, with one selection round per year. From one to twelve selection rounds, the required number depended on official rank and was adjusted for merit or fault.
13
初，武德中，天下兵革新定，士不求祿，官不充員。 有司移符州縣，課人赴調，遠方或賜衣續食，猶辭不行。 至則授用，無所黜退。 不數年，求者浸多，亦頗加簡汰。
Early in the Wude reign, with the realm newly settled after war, scholars did not seek office and posts went unfilled. Authorities ordered prefectures and counties to send candidates; distant regions might receive clothing and travel rations, yet many still refused to come. Those who came were appointed outright, with no screening out. Within a few years applicants multiplied, and the process grew somewhat more selective.
14
貞觀二年，侍郎劉林甫言：「隋制以十一月為選始，至春乃畢。 今選者眾，請四時注擬。」 十九年，馬周以四時選為勞，乃復以十一月選，至三月畢。
In Zhenguan 2, Vice Minister Liu Linpu said: "Under the Sui, selection began in the eleventh month and did not finish until spring. Candidates are now too numerous; please allow nominations in all four seasons. In year 19, Ma Zhou argued that year-round selection was too burdensome, so selection again ran from the eleventh month through the third month.
15
太宗嘗謂攝吏部尚書杜如晦曰：「今專以言辭刀筆取人，而不悉其行，至後敗職，雖刑戮之，而民已敝矣。」 乃欲放古，令諸州辟召。 會功臣行世封，乃止。 它日復顧侍臣曰：「致治之術，在於得賢。 今公等不知人，朕又不能遍識，日月其逝，而人遠矣。 吾將使人自舉，可乎？」 而魏徵以為長澆競，又止。
Emperor Taizong once told acting Minister of Personnel Du Ruhui: "We now choose men only by eloquence and paperwork, without truly knowing their conduct. When they later fail in office, even execution cannot undo the harm already done to the people. He then wished to revive the ancient practice of prefectural recruitment. But when merit holders received hereditary fiefs, the plan was dropped. Another day he told his attendants: "Good government depends on finding worthy men. You do not know men, and I cannot know them all either. Days pass, and worthy men slip away. Shall I let men recommend themselves? Wei Zheng argued it would only encourage empty rivalry, and the idea was dropped again.
16
初，銓法簡而任重。 高宗總章二年，司列少常伯裴行儉始設長名榜，引銓注法，復定州縣升降為八等，其三京、五府、都護、都督府，悉有差次，量官資授之。 其後李敬玄為少常伯，委事于員外郎張仁禕，仁禕又造姓曆，改狀樣、銓曆等程式，而銓總之法密矣。 然是時仕者眾，庸愚鹹集，有偽主符告而矯為官者，有接承它名而參調者，有遠人無親而置保者。 試之日，冒名代進，或旁坐假手，或借人外助，多非其實。 雖繁設等級、遞差選限、增譴犯之科、開糾告之令以遏之，然猶不能禁。 大率十人競一官，餘多委積不可遣，有司患之，謀為黜落之計，以僻書隱學為判目，無復求人之意。 而吏求貨賄，出入升降。 至武后時，天官侍郎魏玄同深嫉之，因請復古辟署之法，不報。
At first the evaluation system was simple but carried real weight. In Gaozong's Zongzhang 2, Pei Xingjian created the long-name roster and nomination rules, ranked prefectures and counties in eight grades, and set posting sequences for the capitals, major prefectures, protectorates, and area commands according to rank and seniority. Later Li Jingxuan delegated the work to Zhang Renyi, who devised surname registers and revised dossiers and evaluation schedules until the system grew highly intricate. Yet office-seekers crowded in: some forged credentials, some entered under others' names, and some distant candidates without kin arranged false guarantors. On exam day many submitted under false names, had others write for them, or used outside help—most entries were fraudulent. Though the state multiplied grades, staggered selection limits, stiffened penalties, and encouraged denunciation, abuse could not be stopped. Roughly ten men competed for each post; the rest piled up unplaceable. Frustrated officials sought to weed candidates out by testing obscure scholarship, no longer trying to find talent. Clerks took bribes and controlled who rose or fell. Under Empress Wu, Vice Minister Wei Xuantong deplored this and asked to restore ancient prefectural recruitment, but was not heeded.
17
初，試選人皆糊名，令學士考判，武后以為非委任之方，罷之。 而其務收人心，士無賢不肖，多所進獎。 長安二年，舉人授拾遺、補闕、御史、著作佐郎、大理評事、衛佐凡百餘人。 明年，引見風俗使，舉人悉授試官，高者至鳳閣舍人、給事中，次員外郎、御史、補闕、拾遺、校書郎。 試官之起，自此始。 時李嶠為尚書，又置員外郎二千餘員，悉用勢家親戚，給俸祿，使厘務，至與正官爭事相毆者。 又有檢校、敕攝、判知之官。 神龍二年，嶠復為中書令，始悔之，乃停員外官厘務。
At first exam papers were sealed and graded by academicians; Empress Wu thought that was not true appointment and ended the practice. She sought popular support instead, advancing and rewarding candidates regardless of merit. In Chang'an 2, more than a hundred graduates were appointed Reminders, Supplementation officials, censors, assistant archivists, court reviewers, and guard aides. The next year, after presentation to the customs commissioner, all graduates received provisional posts, up to Phoenix Pavilion attendant or drafting reviewer, then aide, censor, supplementation, reminder, or collator. Provisional appointments began here. Li Qiao then created more than two thousand aide posts for powerful families' relatives, paid them salaries, and set them to work—some even brawled with regular officials over duties. There were also inspecting, edict-assigned, and acting-supervisor posts. In Shenlong 2, Li Qiao again became Secretariat Director, regretted the abuse, and barred aide officials from handling regular duties.
18
中宗時，韋後及太平、安樂公主等用事，於側門降墨敕斜封授官，號「斜封官」，凡數千員。 內外盈溢，無聽事以居，當時謂之「三無坐處」，言宰相、御史及員外郎也。 又以鄭愔為侍郎，大納貨賂，選人留者甚眾，至逆用三年員闕，而綱紀大潰。 韋氏敗，始以宋璟為吏部尚書，李乂、盧從願為侍郎，姚元之為兵部尚書，陸象先、盧懷慎為侍郎，悉奏罷斜封官，量闕留人，雖資高考深，非才實者不取。 初，尚書銓掌七品以上選，侍郎銓掌八品以下選。 至是，通其品而掌焉。 未幾，璟、元之等罷，殿中侍御史崔涖、太子中允薛昭希太平公主意，上言：「罷斜封官，人失其所，而怨積於下，必有非常之變。」 乃下詔盡復斜封別敕官。
Under Zhongzong, Empress Wei and the Princesses Taiping and Anle ruled through side-gate edicts with slanted seals, creating thousands of "slanted-seal" appointees. Offices overflowed so that chancellors, censors, and aides had nowhere to sit—the age called it "three offices with no seat." Zheng Yin as vice minister took huge bribes, detained masses of candidates, and even filled posts three years in advance, collapsing the system. After the Wei clan's fall, Song Jing, Li Yi, Lu Congyuan, Yao Yuanzhi, Lu Xiangxian, and Lu Huaiqian abolished slanted-seal posts, matched vacancies to candidates, and refused men of high seniority but no real ability. Originally the minister handled selection for seventh rank and above, vice ministers for eighth rank and below. Now they handled all ranks together. Soon Song and Yao were dismissed; Cui Li and Xue Zhao, courting Princess Taiping, warned: "Abolishing slanted-seal posts leaves men displaced, resentment builds below, and disaster will follow. An edict then fully restored slanted-seal and special-edict appointments.
19
玄宗即位，厲精為治。 左拾遺內供奉張九齡上疏言：「縣令、刺史，陛下所與共理，尤親於民者也。 今京官出外，乃反以為斥逐，非少重其選不可。」 又曰：「古者或遙聞辟召，或一見任之，是以士脩名行，而流品不雜。 今吏部始造簿書，以備遺忘，而反求精於案牘，不急人才，何異遺劍中流，而刻舟以記。」 於是下詔擇京官有善政者補刺史，歲十月，按察使校殿最，自第一至第五，校考使及戶部長官總核之，以為升降。 凡官，不曆州縣不擬台省。 已而悉集新除縣令宣政殿，親臨問以治人之策，而擢其高第者。 又詔員外郎、御史諸供奉官，皆進名敕授，而兵、吏部各以員外郎一人判南曹，由是銓司之任輕矣。 其後戶部侍郎宇文融又建議置十銓，乃以禮部尚書蘇頲等分主之。 太子左庶子吳兢諫曰：「《易》稱'君子思不出其位'，言不侵官也。 今以頲等分掌吏部選，而天子親臨決之，尚書、侍郎皆不聞參，議者以為萬乘之君，下行選事。」 帝悟，遂復以三銓還有司。
When Xuanzong took the throne, he threw himself into reform. Zhang Jiuling submitted: "Magistrates and prefects are Your Majesty's partners in governing the people. Yet capital officials treat local posts as exile; their selection must be taken more seriously. He added: "In antiquity men were recruited by reputation or appointed at first meeting, so scholars cultivated conduct and ranks stayed pure. Now the Ministry keeps ledgers against forgetfulness yet prizes paperwork over talent—like marking the boat after losing a sword in the river. The throne then chose capital officials with good records for prefectures; each tenth month investigators graded them from first to fifth rank, and review commissioners with the revenue chief determined promotions. In general, officials who had not served locally were not nominated for central posts. He then assembled new magistrates in the Hall of Proclaiming Governance, questioned them on governance, and promoted the best answers. Aides, censors, and palace attendants were ordered to submit names for direct appointment; each of the war and personnel ministries assigned one aide to the southern registry, lightening the evaluation offices' role. Later Yuwen Rong proposed ten evaluation boards, with Su Ting and others placed in charge. Wu Jing remonstrated: "The Changes says the noble man does not think beyond his post—one must not usurp another's duties. Now Su Ting and others run personnel selection while the emperor decides in person, leaving minister and vice ministers out—critics said the Son of Heaven was doing clerks' work. The emperor took the point and restored the three boards to the regular ministries.
20
開元十八年，侍中裴光庭兼吏部尚書，始作循資格，而賢愚一概，必與格合，乃得銓授，限年躡級，不得逾越。 於是久淹不收者皆便之，謂之「聖書」。 及光庭卒，中書令蕭嵩以為非求材之方，奏罷之。 乃下詔曰：「凡人年三十而出身，四十乃得從事，更造格以分寸為差，若循新格，則六十未離一尉。 自今選人才業優異有操行及遠郡下寮名跡稍著者，吏部隨材甄擢之。」
In Kaiyuan 18, Pei Guangting as chief minister and personnel minister introduced seniority rules: worthy and unworthy alike had to match the schedule, advancing rank by rank without skipping years. Long-stalled candidates welcomed it and called it the "sage's writ." After Guangting died, Xiao Song argued it was not a way to find talent and had it abolished. An edict said: "Men normally enter service at thirty and take active posts at forty; under the new minute grades, a man might still be a captain at sixty. Henceforth the Ministry of Personnel should promote candidates of outstanding talent, conduct, or local reputation without waiting on the schedule."
21
初，諸司官兼知政事者，至日午後乃還本司視事。 兵部、吏部尚書侍郎知政事者，亦還本司分闕注唱。 開元以來，宰相位望漸崇，雖尚書知政事，亦於中書決本司事以自便。 而左、右相兼兵部、吏部尚書者，不自銓總。 又故事，必三銓、三注、三唱而後擬官，季春始畢，乃過門下省。 楊國忠以右相兼文部尚書，建議選人視官資、書判、狀跡、功優，宜對眾定留放。 乃先遣吏密定員闕，一日會左相及諸司長官于都堂注唱，以誇神速。 由是門下過官、三銓注官之制皆廢，侍郎主試判而已。
At first officials who also handled state affairs returned to their home ministries only after noon. War and personnel ministers who handled state affairs likewise returned to divide vacancies, nominate, and announce appointments. Since Kaiyuan, chancellors' status rose; even personnel ministers decided their ministry's business at the Secretariat. Left and right chancellors who also headed war or personnel did not personally run evaluation. By precedent three evaluations, nominations, and announcements preceded appointment, finishing only in late spring before passing the Department of State Affairs. Yang Guozhong as right chancellor and literary minister proposed deciding retention publicly from qualifications, judgment papers, records, and merit. Clerks secretly fixed vacancies beforehand; in one day he gathered chancellors and bureau heads in the capital hall to announce appointments and boast of speed. Department review and the three-board nomination system were abolished; vice ministers handled judgment exams only.
22
肅、代以後兵興，天下多故，官員益濫，而銓法無可道者。 至德宗時，試太常寺協律郎沈既濟極言其敝曰：
After Suzong and Daizong, war and turmoil multiplied officials until evaluation law collapsed entirely. Under Dezong, Shen Jiji, a probationary harmonizing officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, denounced the abuses at length:
23
近世爵祿失之者久，其失非他，四太而已：入仕之門太多，世胄之家太優，祿利之資太厚，督責之令太薄。 臣以為當輕其祿利，重其督責。 夫古今選用之法，九流常敘，有三科而已，曰德也，才也，勞也； 而今選曹，皆不及焉。 且吏部甲令，雖曰度德居任，量才授職，計勞升敘，然考校之法，皆在書判簿曆、言辭俯仰之間，侍郎非通神，不可得而知。 則安行徐言，非德也； 空文善書，非才也； 累資積考，非勞也。 苟執不失，猶乖得人，況眾流茫茫，耳目有不足者乎？ 蓋非鑒之不明，非擇之不精，法使然也。 王者觀變以制法，察時而立政。 按前代選用，皆州、府察舉，至於齊、隋，署置多由請托。 故當時議者，以為與其率私，不若自舉； 與其外濫，不若內收。 是以罷州府之權，而歸於吏部。 此矯時懲弊之權法，非經國不刊之常典。 今吏部之法蹙矣，不可以坐守刓弊。 臣請五品以上及群司長官、宰臣進敘，吏部、兵部得參議焉； 六品以下或僚佐之屬，聽州、府辟用。 則銓擇之任，委于四方； 結奏之成，歸於二部。 必先擇牧守，然後授其權。 高者先署而後聞，卑者聽版而不命。 其牧守、將帥，或選用非公，則吏部、兵部得察而舉之。 聖主明目達聰，逖聽遐視，罪其私冒。 不慎舉者，小加譴黜，大正刑典。 責成授任，誰敢不勉？ 夫如是，則接名偽命之徒，菲才薄行之人，貪叨賄貨，懦弱奸宄，下詔之日，隨聲而廢，通大數，十去八九矣。 如是，人少而員寬，事核而官審，賢者不獎而自進，不肖者不抑而自退。 或曰：'開元、天寶中，不易吏部之法，而天下砥平，何必外辟，方臻於理？ '臣以為不然。 夫選舉者，經邦之一端，雖制之有美惡，而行之由法令。 是以州郡察舉，在兩漢則理，在魏、齊則亂。 吏部選集，在神龍、景龍則紊，在開元、天寶則理。 當其時久承升平，禦以法術，慶賞不軼，威刑必齊，由是而理，匪用吏部而臻此也。 向以此時用辟召之法，則理不益久乎？」
Rank and salary have long been corrupted by four excesses: too many paths to office, too much favor for noble houses, salaries too rich, and oversight too weak. I believe salaries should be reduced and oversight strengthened. Ancient and modern selection rests on three standards: virtue, talent, and service; yet today's selection office reaches none of them. Though regulations speak of virtue, talent, and service, examination rests on paperwork and mannerisms—no vice minister can truly know a man's worth. Calm bearing and slow speech are not virtue; fluent prose and fine calligraphy are not talent; stacked seniority and evaluations are not service. Even rigid adherence misses the right men, let alone when countless candidates overwhelm human judgment. The fault lies not in poor judgment but in the law itself. A ruler must read change to make law and read the times to set policy. Former ages relied on prefectural recommendation; by Qi and Sui appointments came mostly through patronage. Critics then said: better self-recommendation than private favoritism; better central control than outside abuse. So prefectural power was withdrawn and centralized in the Ministry of Personnel. That was a temporary remedy, not an eternal statecraft. Personnel law is now cramped; we cannot cling to a failing system. I propose that fifth rank and above, bureau heads, and chancellors nominate candidates, with personnel and war ministries consulting; sixth rank and below and aides may be recruited by prefectures. Evaluation would rest with the regions; final approval would return to the two ministries. Choose good governors first, then grant them authority. Higher posts would be signed locally then reported; lower ones confirmed by board without edict. If governors or generals appoint unfairly, personnel and war ministries may investigate and impeach. The sage ruler sees and hears afar and punishes private abuse. Careless recommenders face censure or criminal punishment. Hold appointees accountable—who would not strive? Then name-seizers, mediocrity, bribe-takers, and the weak or treacherous would vanish at the edict's promulgation—eight or nine in ten of today's abuses. Then posts would be ample, duties clear, the worthy would rise unbidden, and the unworthy would withdraw on their own. Some objected: "Under Kaiyuan and Tianbao the realm was at peace without changing personnel law—why recruit outside to achieve good order?" I disagree. Selection is one pillar of statecraft; systems may be good or bad, but results depend on how laws are enforced. Prefectural recommendation worked in the two Han dynasties but failed in Wei and Qi. Centralized personnel selection failed under Shenlong and Jinglong but succeeded under Kaiyuan and Tianbao. Those eras enjoyed long peace, firm law, timely rewards, and even punishments—order came from governance itself, not from the personnel system alone. Had recruitment been used then, would order not have lasted even longer?"
24
天子雖嘉其言，而重於改作，訖不能用。
The emperor praised him but feared sweeping reform and never adopted the plan.
25
初，吏部歲常集人，其後三數歲一集，選人猥至，文簿紛雜，吏因得以為奸利，士至蹉跌，或十年不得官，而闕員亦累歲不補。 陸贄為相，乃懲其弊，命吏部據內外員三分之，計闕集人，歲以為常。 是時，河西、隴右沒于虜，河南、河北不上計，吏員大率減天寶三之一，而入流者加一，故士人二年居官，十年待選，而考限遷除之法浸壞。 憲宗時，宰相李吉甫定考遷之格，諸州刺史、次赤府少尹、次赤令、諸陵令、五府司馬、上州以上上佐、東宮官詹事諭德以下、王府官四品以上皆五考。 侍御史十三月，殿中侍御史十八月，監察御史二十五月。 三省官、諸道敕補、檢校五品以上及台省官皆三考，餘官四考，文武官四品以下五考。 凡遷，尚書省四品以上、文武官三品以上皆先奏。
At first personnel held annual assemblies, then only every few years. Crowds of candidates and chaotic paperwork let clerks profit; some scholars waited ten years for office while vacancies went unfilled for years. Chancellor Lu Zhi reformed the abuse, ordering personnel to fill one-third of posts annually according to vacancies. With Hexi and Longyou lost and the north in turmoil, posts fell by a third from Tianbao levels while candidates doubled; scholars served two years but waited ten for promotion, and review laws decayed. Under Xianzong, Li Jifu set review standards: prefects, secondary-capital officials, tomb directors, capital marshals, senior prefectural aides, Eastern Palace staff from grand tutor down, and fourth-rank princely officials—all required five reviews. Attending censors thirteen months, palace attending censors eighteen, investigating censors twenty-five. Three-department officials, circuit appointees, inspecting fifth rank and above, and secretariat staff took three reviews; other offices four; civil and military fourth rank and below five. Transfers of secretariat fourth rank and above and third-rank civil or military officials required prior memorial.
26
唐取人之路蓋多矣，方其盛時，著於令者，納課品子萬人，諸館及州縣學六萬三千七十人，太史曆生三十六人，天文生百五十人，太醫藥童、針咒諸生二百一十一人，太卜卜筮三十人，千牛備身八十人，備身左右二百五十六人，進馬十六人，齋郎八百六十二人，諸衛三衛監門直長三萬九千四百六十二人，諸屯主、副千九百八人，諸折沖府錄事、府、史一千七百八十二人，校尉三千五百六十四人，執仗、執乘每府三十二人，親事、帳內萬人，集賢院禦書手百人，史館典書、楷書四十一人，尚藥童三十人，諸台、省、寺、監、軍、衛、坊、府之胥史六千餘人。 凡此者，皆入官之門戶，而諸司主錄已成官及州縣佐史未敘者，不在焉。
Tang had many paths to office. At its height, statutes recorded: ten thousand tuition-paying sons of ranked families; sixty-three thousand academy and local school students; thirty-six calendar students; one hundred fifty astronomy students; two hundred eleven medical, acupuncture, and incantation students; thirty diviners; eighty Thousand-Ox guards; two hundred fifty-six bodyguards; sixteen presenting-horse officers; eight hundred sixty-two acolytes; nearly forty thousand guard and gate officers; nearly two thousand garrison chiefs; nearly eighteen hundred area-command clerks; three thousand five hundred commandants; halberd and carriage bearers in each command; ten thousand personal and tent attendants; one hundred imperial library copyists; forty-one historiography clerks; thirty pharmacy youths; and more than six thousand clerks across the bureaucracy. These were all gateways to office, not counting existing chief recorders or unregistered local aides.
27
至於銓選，其制不一，凡流外，兵部、禮部舉人，郎官得自主之，謂之「小選」。 太宗時，以歲旱穀貴，東人選者集於洛州，謂之「東選」。 高宗上元二年，以嶺南五管、黔中都督府得即任土人，而官或非其才，乃遣郎官、御史為選補使，謂之「南選」。 其後江南、淮南、福建大抵因歲水旱，皆遣選補使即選其人。 而廢置不常，選法又不著，故不復詳焉。
Evaluation systems varied: extra-stream candidates, war and rites graduates, and aides could be appointed independently—the "small selection." Under Taizong, drought and costly grain led eastern candidates to assemble at Luozhou—the "eastern selection." In Gaozong's Shangyuan 2, because the south could appoint locals who were not always capable, aides and censors were sent as selection commissioners—the "southern selection." Later Jiangnan, Huainan, and Fujian likewise sent commissioners to select candidates locally after floods or drought. These practices were irregular and undocumented, so they are not described further here.