1
唐之官制，其名號祿秩雖因時增損，而大抵皆沿隋故。 其官司之別，曰省、曰臺、曰寺、曰監、曰衞、曰府，各統其屬，以分職定位。 其辯貴賤、敍勞能，則有品、有爵、有勳、有階，以時考覈而升降之，所以任羣材、治百事。 其為法則精而密，其施於事則簡而易行，所以然者，由職有常守，而位有常員也。 方唐之盛時，其制如此。 蓋其始未嘗不欲立制度、明紀綱為萬世法，而常至於交侵紛亂者，由其時君不能慎守，而徇一切之苟且，故其事愈繁而官益冗，至失其職業而卒不能復。
The Tang bureaucracy, for all that its titles, grades, salaries, and ranks shifted with the times, largely followed the Sui model. Government agencies were grouped as Departments, Bureaus, Directorates, Commissions, Guards, and Offices, each commanding its subordinates so that duties and posts were clearly assigned. To distinguish status and reward service, the system used official ranks, noble titles, orders of merit, and grade steps, reviewed on schedule for promotion or demotion—thus deploying talent across every branch of administration. The regulations were intricate in design yet straightforward in practice, because every office had a defined charge and every post a fixed complement. Such was the system at the height of Tang power. The dynasty had always intended to set institutions and clarify regulations as a lasting model, yet practice often dissolved into overlapping jurisdictions and confusion, because successive emperors failed to uphold the system and settled for makeshift compromises. Affairs multiplied, posts proliferated, offices lost their proper functions, and the original order could not be recovered.
2
初，太宗省內外官，定制為七百三十員，曰：「吾以此待天下賢材，足矣。」 然是時已有員外置，其後又有特置，同正員。 至於檢校、兼、守、判、知之類，皆非本制。 又有置使之名，或因事而置，事已則罷，或遂置而不廢。 其名類繁多，莫能徧舉。 自中世已後，盜起兵興，又有軍功之官，遂不勝其濫矣。 故採其綱目條理可為後法，及事雖非正後世遵用因仍而不能改者，著於篇。 宰相之職宰相之職，佐天子總百官、治萬事，其任重矣。 然自漢以來，位號不同，而唐世宰相，名尤不正。 初，唐因隋制，以三省之長中書令、侍中、尚書令共議國政，此宰相職也。 其後，以太宗嘗為尚書令，臣下避不敢居其職，由是僕射為尚書省長官，與侍中、中書令號為宰相，其品位既崇，不欲輕以授人，故常以他官居宰相職，而假以他名。 自太宗時，杜淹以吏部尚書參議朝政，魏徵以祕書監參預朝政，其後或曰「參議得失」、「參知政事」之類，其名非一，皆宰相職也。 貞觀八年，僕射李靖以疾辭位，詔疾小瘳，三兩日一至中書門下平章事，而「平章事」之名蓋起於此。 其後，李勣以太子詹事同中書門下三品，謂同侍中、中書令也，而「同三品」之名蓋起於此。 然二名不專用，而佗官居職者猶假佗名如故。 自高宗已後，為宰相者必加「同中書門下三品」，雖品高者亦然； 惟三公、三師、中書令則否。 其後改易官名，而張文瓘以東臺侍郎同東西臺三品，「同三品」入銜，自文瓘始。 永淳元年，以黃門侍郎郭待舉、兵部侍郎岑長倩等同中書門下平章事，「平章事」入銜，自待舉等始。 自是以後，終唐之世不能改。
Early in his reign, Emperor Taizong cut the inner and outer bureaucracy to a fixed quota of seven hundred thirty posts, declaring, "This is ample to employ the worthy talent of the empire." Even then, however, supernumerary appointees already existed; later came specially created posts treated as the equal of regular incumbents. Titles such as acting commissioner, concurrent appointment, provisional holder, acting judge, and supervisory assignment lay outside the original design. Special commissioners were appointed as needed—some dissolved when the task ended, others became permanent fixtures. The varieties multiplied beyond exhaustive listing. From the mid-Tang period, rebellion and civil war brought a flood of military-merit appointments until the system could no longer contain the excess. This chapter therefore records the main outlines that may serve as precedent, together with irregular practices that later ages adopted and could not undo. The Chancellorship. The chancellor assists the emperor in directing all officials and governing every branch of state affairs—a burden of the greatest weight. Since Han times the title had varied, but under Tang the designation of chancellor was more irregular than ever. Initially Tang followed Sui practice: the heads of the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Department of State Affairs deliberated together on national policy—the core chancellor posts. Because Emperor Taizong had once served as Director of the Department of State Affairs, later appointees declined that post, and the Vice Directors became the department heads who, with the Head of the Chancellery and the Director of the Secretariat, were called chancellors. The rank was so exalted that the court hesitated to confer it openly; chancellor duties were therefore often performed by other officials under alternate titles. Under Taizong, Du Yan joined policy deliberation as Minister of Personnel and Wei Zheng as Director of the Palace Library. Later titles such as "Deliberating on Policy" and "Participating in Government" proliferated—all equivalent to the chancellorship. In 634, Vice Director Li Jing resigned on grounds of illness. The court ordered that once he had recovered slightly he should attend the Secretariat-Chancellery every few days as Associate Director of the Department—the title "pingzhangshi" (Associate Director) appears to date from this episode. Later Li Ji, as Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent, was made Associate of the Secretariat-Chancellery Third Rank—equal in standing to the Head of the Chancellery and the Director of the Secretariat—giving rise to the title "Associate Third Rank." Neither title became exclusive; officials performing chancellor duties continued to use other designations as well. From Emperor Gaozong onward, every appointee to the chancellorship received the added title Associate of the Secretariat-Chancellery Third Rank, even those already of high rank; the Three Dukes, the Three Preceptors, and the Director of the Secretariat excepted. After a further renaming of offices, Zhang Wenguan received the title Associate of the Eastern and Western Terraces Third Rank—the first time "Associate Third Rank" appeared in the formal title. In 682, Guo Daiju and Cen Changqian were made Associates of the Secretariat-Chancellery as Associate Directors—the first time "pingzhangshi" entered the formal title. From then until the end of the dynasty, the practice did not change.
3
初，三省長官議事于門下省之政事堂，其後，裴炎自侍中遷中書令，乃徙政事堂於中書省。 開元中，張說為相，又改政事堂號「中書門下」，列五房于其後：一曰吏房，二曰樞機房，三曰兵房，四曰戶房，五曰刑禮房，分曹以主眾務焉。
Initially the three department heads met in the Chancellery's Hall of Administration; when Pei Yan moved from Head of the Chancellery to Director of the Secretariat, the hall was relocated to the Secretariat. Under Emperor Xuanzong, Chancellor Zhang Yue renamed the hall the Secretariat-Chancellery and established five chambers behind it—Personnel, Secretariat, Military, Revenue, and Punishments and Rites—to divide responsibility for the full range of government business.
4
宰相事無不統，故不以一職名官，自開元以後，常以領他職，實欲重其事，而反輕宰相之體。 故時方用兵，則為節度使； 時崇儒學，則為大學士； 時急財用，則為鹽鐵轉運使，又其甚則為延資庫使。 至於國史、太清宮之類，其名頗多，皆不足取法，故不著其詳。 學士之職學士之職，本以文學言語被顧問，出入侍從，因得參謀議、納諫諍，其禮尤寵； 而翰林院者，待詔之所也。
Because the chancellor's authority was all-encompassing, no single title sufficed; from the Kaiyuan period onward chancellors were routinely given additional posts—intended to enhance their weight, but in practice diminishing the dignity of the office. When war was in progress, he might also serve as military commissioner; when classical learning was in favor, as Grand Academician; when revenue was pressing, as Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner, or in extreme cases as Commissioner of the Extended Funds Storehouse. Titles connected with the National History, the Great Pure Palace, and similar posts were numerous but offer no useful precedent and are therefore omitted here. The Academicians. The post originally went to men of literary and rhetorical talent who attended the emperor as counselors and companions, joining deliberation and offering remonstrance—an honor of exceptional standing; the Hanlin Academy was the court where scholars awaited the emperor's summons.
5
唐制，乘輿所在，必有文詞、經學之士，下至卜、醫、伎術之流，皆直於別院，以備宴見； 而文書詔令，則中書舍人掌之。 自太宗時，名儒學士時時召以草制，然猶未有名號； 乾封以後，始號「北門學士」。 玄宗初，置「翰林待詔」，以張說、陸堅、張九齡等為之，掌四方表疏批答、應和文章； 既而又以中書務劇，文書多壅滯，乃選文學之士，號「翰林供奉」，與集賢院學士分掌制詔書敕。 開元二十六年，又改翰林供奉為學士，別置學士院，專掌內命。 凡拜免將相、號令征伐，皆用白麻。 其後，選用益重，而禮遇益親，至號為「內相」，又以為天子私人。 凡充其職者無定員，自諸曹尚書下至校書郎，皆得與選。 入院一歲，則遷知制誥，未知制誥者不作文書。 班次各以其官，內宴則居宰相之下，一品之上。 憲宗時，又置「學士承旨」。 唐之學士，弘文、集賢分隸中書、門下省，而翰林學士獨無所屬，故附列於此云。 三師三公太師、太傅、太保，各一人，是為三師； 太尉、司徒、司空，各一人，是為三公。 皆正一品。 三師，天子所師法，無所總職，非其人則闕。 三公，佐天子理陰陽、平邦國，無所不統。 親王拜者不親事，祭祀闕則攝。 隋廢三師，貞觀十一年復置，與三公皆不設官屬。 尚書省尚書令一人，正二品，掌典領百官。 其屬有六尚書：一曰吏部，二曰戶部，三曰禮部，四曰兵部，五曰刑部，六曰工部。 六尚書：兵部、吏部為前行，刑部、戶部為中行，工部、禮部為後行； 行總四司，以本行為頭司，餘為子司。 庶務皆會決焉。 凡上之逮下，其制有六：一曰制，二曰敕，三曰冊，天子用之； 四曰令，皇太子用之； 五曰教，親王、公主用之； 六曰符，省下於州，州下於縣，縣下於鄉。 下之達上，其制有六：一曰表，二曰狀，三曰牋，四曰啟，五曰辭，六曰牒。 諸司相質，其制有三：一曰關，二曰刺，三曰移。 凡授內外百司之事，皆印其發日為程，一曰受，二曰報。 諸州計奏達京師，以事大小多少為之節。 凡符、移、關、牒，必遣於都省乃下。 天下大事不決者，皆上尚書省。 凡制敕計奏之數、省符宣告之節，以歲終為斷。 龍朔二年，改尚書省曰中臺，廢尚書令； 尚書曰太常伯，侍郎曰少常伯。 光宅元年，改尚書省曰文昌臺，俄曰文昌都省。 垂拱元年曰都臺，長安三年曰中臺。
Under Tang practice, wherever the emperor traveled, literary and classical scholars were on hand, along with diviners, physicians, and skilled artisans, all quartered in a separate compound ready for imperial audiences; while formal documents and edicts remained the charge of the Secretariat Drafters. From Taizong's reign eminent scholars were summoned to draft edicts, though no formal title yet existed; after the Qianfeng era they were first called Northern Gate Academicians. Early in Xuanzong's reign the court created Hanlin Awaiting Edict posts, held by Zhang Yue, Lu Jian, Zhang Jiuling, and others, to draft replies to memorials from the provinces and compose literary pieces for court occasions; When Secretariat business grew overwhelming and documents piled up, literary scholars were selected as Hanlin Attendants to share edict drafting with the Academicians of the Hall of Assembled Worthies. In 738 the Hanlin Attendants were renamed Academicians, a separate Hanlin Academy was established, and it took exclusive charge of confidential imperial orders. Appointments and dismissals of generals and ministers, and orders for military campaigns, were issued on white hemp paper. Their selection grew more prestigious and their treatment more intimate, until they were called inner chancellors and regarded as the emperor's personal counselors. There was no fixed quota; appointees ranged from bureau ministers down to proofreaders. After one year in the Academy they were promoted to Drafting Edicts; only those so promoted could compose official documents. Seating followed regular rank; at inner banquets they sat below the chancellor but above first-rank officials. Under Emperor Xianzong the post of Academician Recipient of Edicts was added. Tang academicians of the Hongwen and Jixian halls fell under the Secretariat and Chancellery respectively, while Hanlin Academicians stood outside that structure—hence their treatment here. The Three Preceptors and Three Dukes. The Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, and Grand Guardian, one each, constitute the Three Preceptors; the Grand Commandant, Minister of Education, and Minister of Works, one each, constitute the Three Dukes. All held the senior first rank. The Three Preceptors were moral exemplars for the emperor, without administrative duties; the posts were left vacant when no suitable appointee existed. The Three Dukes assisted the emperor in harmonizing cosmic order and governing the realm, with nominally universal oversight. When a prince of the blood received appointment, he did not handle routine affairs but might officiate at sacrifices when needed. Sui had abolished the Three Preceptors; they were restored in 637. Neither the Preceptors nor the Dukes had subordinate offices. The Department of State Affairs had one Director of senior second rank, charged with overseeing all officials. Under it were six ministries: Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works. Among the six ministries, War and Personnel formed the leading row, Justice and Revenue the middle row, and Works and Rites the rear row; each row comprised four bureaus, with the ministry of that row as head bureau and the others as subordinate bureaus. All routine government business was decided there. Imperial communications downward took six forms: proclamation, edict, and investiture document, used by the emperor; order, used by the heir apparent; instruction, used by imperial princes and princesses; and warrant, issued from the department to prefecture, prefecture to county, and county to township. Communications upward took six forms: memorial, report, note, communication, petition, and dispatch. Inter-office communications took three forms: pass, query, and transfer. All assignments to central and local offices were stamped with the issue date as deadline: one day to acknowledge receipt, two days to report back. Deadlines for prefectural reports to the capital varied with the importance and volume of the matter. Warrants, transfers, passes, and dispatches had to pass through the central secretariat before issuance. Major unresolved matters throughout the realm were referred to the Department of State Affairs. Tallies of edicts and memorials and deadlines for departmental communications were reckoned to the year's end. In 662 the department was renamed Central Terrace and the post of Director abolished; ministers were titled Grand Constant Lord and vice ministers Lesser Constant Lord. In 684 it was renamed Wenchang Terrace, soon after Wenchang Directorate. In 685 it became Directorate Terrace; in 703, Central Terrace again.
6
左右僕射，各一人。 從二品，掌統理六官，為令之貳，令闕則總省事，劾御史糾不當者。 龍朔二年，改左右僕射曰左右匡政； 光宅元年曰文昌左右相； 開元元年曰左、右丞相； 天寶元年復。
Left and Right Vice Directors, one each. Junior second rank; they supervised the six ministries as the Director's deputies, managed the department when that post was vacant, and could impeach censors for improper prosecution. In 662 they were renamed Left and Right Rectifiers of Government; in 684, Wenchang Left and Right Chancellors; in 713, Left and Right Chief Ministers; in 742 the original titles were restored.
7
左丞一人，正四品上； 右丞一人，正四品下。 掌辯六官之儀，糾正省內，劾御史舉不當者，吏部、戶部、禮部，左丞總焉； 兵部、刑部、工部，右丞總焉。 郎中各一人，從五品上； 員外郎各一人，從六品上。 掌付諸司之務，舉稽違，署符目，知宿直，為丞之貳。 以都事受事發辰、察稽失、監印、給紙筆； 以主事、令史、書令史署覆文案，出符目； 以亭長啟閉、傳禁約； 以掌固守當倉庫及陳設。 諸司皆如之。 隋尚書省諸司郎及承務郎各一人，而廢左右司。 武德三年，改諸司郎為郎中，承務郎為員外郎。 貞觀元年，復置左右司郎中。 龍朔元年，改左右丞曰左右肅機，郎中曰左右承務，諸司郎中曰大夫。 永昌元年，復置員外郎。 神龍元年省，明年復置。 初有馹驛百人，掌乘傳送符，後廢。
One Left Assistant Director of upper senior fourth rank; one Right Assistant Director of lower senior fourth rank. They regulated protocol among the six ministries, corrected internal irregularities, and could impeach censors for improper prosecution; the Left Assistant Director oversaw Personnel, Revenue, and Rites; the Right Assistant Director oversaw War, Justice, and Works. One director per side of junior fifth rank upper; one vice director per side of junior sixth rank upper. They assigned work to the bureaus, reported delays and violations, signed warrant summaries, supervised night duty, and served as deputies to the assistant directors. Chief clerks received documents and set deadlines, inspected delays and errors, supervised seals, and supplied stationery; section chiefs and clerks reviewed and countersigned documents and issued warrant summaries; compound wardens controlled access and transmitted security regulations; storekeepers guarded warehouses and ceremonial furnishings. All ministries followed the same pattern. Under Sui each bureau had one director and one assistant director, and the Left and Right Secretariat Offices were abolished. In 620 bureau directors were renamed langzhong (directors) and assistant directors yuanwailang (vice directors). In 627 the Left and Right Secretariat Office directors were restored. In 661 assistant directors became Left and Right Rectifiers of Protocol, directors Left and Right Attendants, and bureau directors grandees. In 689 the vice director posts were restored. In 705 they were abolished and restored the following year. Initially there were one hundred relay couriers who managed travel passes for the post-horse system; the office was later abolished.
8
都事各六人，從七品上； 主事各六人，從八品下。 吏部考功、禮部主書皆如之。 諸司主事，從九品上。 有令史各十八人，書令史各三十六人，亭長各六人，掌固各十四人。 吏部尚書一人，正三品； 侍郞二人，正四品上； 郞中二人，正五品上； 員外郞二人，從六品上。 掌文選、勳封、考課之政。 以三銓之法官天下之材，以身、言、書、判，德行、才用、勞效較其優劣而定其留放，為之注擬。 五品以上，以名上而聽制授； 六品以下，量資而任之。 其屬有四：一曰吏部，二曰司封，三曰司勳，四曰考功。
Chief clerks, six per ministry, of junior seventh rank, upper grade; section chiefs, six per ministry, of junior eighth rank, lower grade. The Personnel Ministry's Bureau of Examination and the Rites Ministry's chief scribes followed the same pattern. Bureau section chiefs held junior ninth rank, upper grade. Each ministry had eighteen clerks, thirty-six document clerks, six compound wardens, and fourteen storekeepers. The Ministry of Personnel had one minister of senior third rank; two vice ministers of senior fourth rank, upper grade; two directors of senior fifth rank, upper grade; two vice directors of junior sixth rank, upper grade. They oversaw civil appointments, enfeoffments for merit, and official performance reviews. Through the three-tier selection process they evaluated candidates empire-wide, testing presence, speech, calligraphy, and judgment and weighing character, competence, and service record to decide who would remain or be released, then drafted nominations accordingly. For officials of fifth rank and above, nominations were sent to the throne and appointments were made by imperial decree; for sixth rank and below, assignments were made according to qualifications. It had four subordinate bureaus: Personnel, Enfeoffments, Merit, and Examination.
9
吏部郎中，掌文官階品、朝集、祿賜，給其告身、假使，一人掌選補流外官。 員外郎二人。 從六品上，一人判南曹。 皆為尚書、侍郎之貳。 凡文官九品，有正、有從，自正四品以下，有上、下，為三十等。 凡文散階二十九：從一品曰開府儀同三司，正二品曰特進，從二品曰光祿大夫，正三品曰金紫光祿大夫，從三品曰銀青光祿大夫，正四品上曰正議大夫，正四品下曰通議大夫，從四品上曰太中大夫，從四品下曰中大夫，正五品上曰中散大夫，正五品下曰朝議大夫，從五品上曰朝請大夫，從五品下曰朝散大夫，正六品上曰朝議郎，正六品下曰承議郎，從六品上曰奉議郎，從六品下曰通直郎，正七品上曰朝請郎，正七品下曰宣德郎，從七品上曰朝散郎，從七品下曰宣義郎，正八品上曰給事郎，正八品下曰徵事郎，從八品上曰承奉郎，從八品下曰承務郎，正九品上曰儒林郎，正九品下曰登仕郎，從九品上曰文林郎，從九品下曰將仕郎。 自四品，皆番上於吏部； 不上者，歲輸資錢，三品以上六百，六品以下一千，水、旱、蟲、霜減半資。 有文藝樂京上者，每州七人； 六十不樂簡選者，罷輸。 勳官亦如之。 以征鎮功得護軍以上者，納資減三之一。 凡流外九品，取其書、計、時務，其校試、銓注，與流內略同，謂之小選。
The Personnel Bureau director managed civil ranks and grades, court assemblies, salaries and gifts, and the issuance of commission certificates and leave permits; one director also handled appointments for officials outside the regular stream. There were two vice directors. Of junior sixth rank, upper grade; one supervised the Southern Registry. All served as deputies to the minister and vice ministers. Civil officials were divided into nine ranks, each with regular and adjunct grades; from senior fourth rank down, upper and lower subdivisions yielded thirty grades in all. There were twenty-nine honorary civil ranks, from Junior First Rank, Grand Preceptor of the Palace with Equal Privilege to the Three Dukes, down through Special Advancement, Grand Masters for Splendid and Glorious Happiness with golden or silver seals, the various Grand Masters and Gentlemen of court counsel and discussion, to Junior Ninth Rank, Gentleman Awaiting Office. From fourth rank down, all officials reported for rotating duty at the Ministry of Personnel; those who did not report paid an annual capital-residence fee—six hundred cash for third rank and above, one thousand for sixth rank and below—with the fee halved in years of flood, drought, pestilence, or frost. Officials with literary talent who preferred to remain in the capital were limited to seven per prefecture; at sixty, those who no longer wished to undergo selection were exempt from the fee. The same rules applied to holders of merit titles. Those who earned Defender of the State or higher through frontier service paid one-third less. Outside the regular stream there were nine ranks, with candidates tested in writing, accounting, and practical affairs; verification and nomination followed much the same procedure as the regular stream and was called the minor selection.
10
吏部主事四人，司封主事二人，司勳主事四人，考功主事三人。 武德五年改選部曰吏部，七年省侍郎。 貞觀二年復置。 龍朔元年改吏部曰司列，主爵曰司封，考功曰司績。 武后光宅元年改吏部曰天官。 垂拱元年改主爵曰司封。 天寶十一載改吏部曰文部，至德二載復舊。 有吏部令史三十人，書令史六十人； 制書令史十四人； 甲庫令史十三人，亭長八人，掌固十二人； 司封令史四人，書令史九人，掌固四人； 司勳令史三十三人，書令史六十七人，掌固四人； 考功令史十五人，書令史三十人，掌固四人。
The Personnel Bureau had four section chiefs, Enfeoffments two, Merit four, and Examination three. In 622 the Selection Department was renamed the Ministry of Personnel; in 624 the vice minister post was abolished. It was restored in 628. In 661 the ministry became the Directorate of Arrangement, the Bureau of Nobility became the Bureau of Enfeoffments, and the Bureau of Examination became the Bureau of Merit Records. In 684 Empress Wu renamed the ministry the Heavenly Office. In 685 the Bureau of Nobility was renamed the Bureau of Enfeoffments. In 752 it was renamed the Literary Department; in 757 the original name was restored. The ministry had thirty clerks and sixty document clerks; fourteen edict clerks; thirteen registry clerks for the A archive, eight compound wardens, and twelve storekeepers; the Enfeoffments Bureau had four clerks, nine document clerks, and four storekeepers; the Merit Bureau had thirty-three clerks, sixty-seven document clerks, and four storekeepers; the Examination Bureau had fifteen clerks, thirty document clerks, and four storekeepers.
11
司封郎中一人，從五品上； 員外郎一人，從六品上； 諸郎中、員外郎品皆如之。 掌封命、朝會、賜予之級。 凡爵九等：一曰王，食邑萬戶，正一品； 二曰嗣王、郡王，食邑五千戶，從一品； 三曰國公，食邑三千戶，從一品； 四曰開國郡公，食邑二千戶，正二品； 五曰開國縣公，食邑千五百戶，從二品； 六曰開國縣侯，食邑千戶，從三品； 七曰開國縣伯，食邑七百戶，正四品上； 八曰開國縣子，食邑五百戶，正五品上； 九曰開國縣男，食邑三百戶，從五品上。 皇兄弟、皇子，皆封國為親王； 皇太子子，為郡王； 親王之子，承嫡者為嗣王，諸子為郡公，以恩進者封郡王； 襲郡王、嗣王者，封國公。 皇姑為大長公主，正一品； 姊妹為長公主，女為公主，皆視一品； 皇太子女為郡主，從一品； 親王女為縣主，從二品。 凡王、公十五以上，預朝集，宗親女婦、諸王長女月二參。 內命婦，一品母為正四品郡君，二品母為從四品郡君，三品、四品母為正五品縣君。 凡諸王、公主、外戚之家，卜、祝、占、相不入門。 王妃、公主、郡縣主嫠居有子者，不再嫁。 凡外命婦有六：王、嗣王、郡王之母、妻為妃，文武官一品、國公之母、妻為國夫人，三品以上母、妻為郡夫人，四品母、妻為郡君，五品母、妻為縣君，勳官四品有封者母、妻為鄉君。 凡外命婦朝參，視夫、子之品。 諸蕃三品以上母、妻授封以制。 流外技術官，不封母、妻。 親王，孺人二人，視正五品，媵十人，視從六品； 二品，媵八人，視正七品； 國公及三品，媵六人，視從七品； 四品，媵四人，視正八品； 五品，媵三人，視從八品。 凡置媵，上其數，補以告身。 散官三品以上，皆置媵。 凡封戶，三丁以上為率，歲租三之一入于朝庭。 食實封者，得真戶，分食諸州。 皇后、諸王、公主食邑，皆有課戶。 名山、大川、畿內之地，皆不以封。
The Enfeoffments Bureau had one director of junior fifth rank, upper grade; one vice director of junior sixth rank, upper grade; directors and vice directors of the other bureaus held the same ranks. They managed patents of enfeoffment, court assemblies, and the grades of imperial grants. Nobility comprised nine ranks: first, Prince, with a fief of ten thousand households, senior first rank; second, Succession Prince and Commandery Prince, five thousand households, junior first rank; third, State Duke, three thousand households, junior first rank; fourth, Founding Commandery Duke, two thousand households, senior second rank; fifth, Founding County Duke, one thousand five hundred households, junior second rank; sixth, Founding County Marquis, one thousand households, junior third rank; seventh, Founding County Earl, seven hundred households, senior fourth rank, upper grade; eighth, Founding County Viscount, five hundred households, senior fifth rank, upper grade; ninth, Founding County Baron, three hundred households, junior fifth rank, upper grade. The emperor's brothers and sons were all enfeoffed with a state and titled Princes of the Blood; sons of the crown prince were made commandery princes; among a prince's sons, the legitimate heir became Succession Prince, other sons became commandery dukes, and those promoted by special grace were enfeoffed as commandery princes; those who inherited commandery princely or succession princely titles were enfeoffed as state dukes. The emperor's paternal aunts were titled Grand Long Princesses, senior first rank; sisters were Long Princesses and daughters were Princesses—all accorded first rank; daughters of the crown prince were Commandery Princesses, junior first rank; daughters of princes of the blood were County Princesses, junior second rank. Princes and dukes aged fifteen and above attended court assemblies; female imperial relatives and each prince's eldest daughter attended court twice a month. Among inner titled ladies, the mother of a first-rank official was a Commandery Lady of senior fourth rank, of a second-rank official a Commandery Lady of junior fourth rank, and of a third- or fourth-rank official a County Lady of senior fifth rank. Diviners, prayer masters, augurs, and physiognomers were forbidden to enter the households of princes, princesses, and imperial affines. Widowed princess consorts, princesses, and commandery or county princesses who had sons were forbidden to remarry. Outer titled ladies fell into six categories: mothers and wives of princes, succession princes, and commandery princes were Consorts; mothers and wives of first-rank civil and military officials and state dukes were State Ladies; those of third rank and above were Commandery Madams; those of fourth rank were Commandery Ladies; those of fifth rank were County Ladies; and mothers and wives of enfeoffed fourth-rank merit-title holders were Township Ladies. Outer titled ladies attended court according to the rank of their husband or son. For foreign tributary officials of third rank and above, titles for mothers and wives were granted by regulation. Technical officials outside the regular stream could not obtain titles for their mothers or wives. Princes of the Blood had two Ladies, accorded senior fifth rank, and ten secondary consorts, accorded junior sixth rank; second-rank officials had eight secondary consorts, accorded senior seventh rank; state dukes and third-rank officials had six secondary consorts, accorded junior seventh rank; fourth-rank officials had four secondary consorts, accorded senior eighth rank; fifth-rank officials had three secondary consorts, accorded junior eighth rank. When appointing secondary consorts, the number was reported to the authorities and commission certificates were issued. Honorary officials of third rank and above were all entitled to secondary consorts. Fief income was calculated in household units of three adult males or more; one-third of each household's annual land tax went to the court. Recipients of actual fief income received real households, with income distributed across the prefectures. The empress, princes, and princesses all drew fief income from assessed households. Famous mountains, great rivers, and lands within the capital region were never granted as fiefs.
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司勳郎中一人，員外郎二人，掌官吏勳級。 凡十有二轉為上柱國，視正二品； 十有一轉為柱國，視從二品； 十轉為上護軍，視正三品； 九轉為護軍，視從三品； 八轉為上輕車都尉，視正四品； 七轉為輕車都尉，視從四品； 六轉為上騎都尉，視正五品； 五轉為騎都尉，視從五品； 四轉為驍騎尉，視正六品； 三轉為飛騎尉，視從六品； 二轉為雲騎尉，視正七品； 一轉為武騎尉，視從七品。 凡以功授者，覆實然後奏擬，戰功則計殺獲之數。 堅城苦戰，功第一者，三轉。 出少擊多，曰上陣； 兵數相當，曰中陣； 出多擊少，曰下陣； 矢石未交，陷堅突眾，敵因而敗者，曰跳盪。 殺獲十之四，曰上獲； 十之二，曰中獲； 十之一，曰下獲。 凡酬功之等：見任、前資、常選，曰上資； 文武散官、衞官、勳官五品以上，曰次資； 五品以上子孫，上柱國、柱國子，勳官六品以下，曰下資； 白丁、衞士，曰無資。 跳盪人，上資加二階，次資、下資、無資以次降。 凡上陣：上獲五轉，中獲四轉，下獲三轉，第二、第三等遞降焉。 中陣之上獲視上陣之中獲，中獲視上陣之下獲，下獲兩轉。 下陣之上獲視中陣之中獲，中獲視中陣之下獲，下獲一轉。 破蠻、獠，上陣上獲，比兩番降二轉。 凡勳官九百人，無職任者，番上於兵部，視遠近為十二番，以彊幹者為番頭，留宿衞者為番，月上。 外州分五番，主城門、倉庫，執刀。 上柱國以下番上四年，驍騎尉以下番上五年，簡於兵部，授散官； 不第者，五品以上復番上四年，六品以下五年，簡如初； 再不中者，十二年則番上六年，八年則番上四年。 勳至上柱國有餘，則授周以上親，無者賜物。 太常音聲人，得五品以上勳，非征討功不除簿。 諸州授勳人，歲第勳之高下，三月一報戶部，有蠲免必驗。
The Merit Bureau had one director and two vice directors, who managed officials' merit grades. Twelve rotations conferred Upper Pillar of State, accorded senior second rank; eleven rotations conferred Pillar of State, accorded junior second rank; ten rotations conferred Upper Defender of the State, accorded senior third rank; nine rotations conferred Defender of the State, accorded junior third rank; eight rotations conferred Upper Chief Commandant of Light Chariots, accorded senior fourth rank; seven rotations conferred Chief Commandant of Light Chariots, accorded junior fourth rank; six rotations conferred Upper Commandant of Cavalry, accorded senior fifth rank; five rotations conferred Commandant of Cavalry, accorded junior fifth rank; four rotations conferred Commandant of Valiant Cavalry, accorded senior sixth rank; three rotations conferred Commandant of Flying Cavalry, accorded junior sixth rank; two rotations conferred Commandant of Cloud Cavalry, accorded senior seventh rank; one rotation conferred Commandant of Martial Cavalry, accorded junior seventh rank. Merit conferrals required verification before nomination was submitted; battlefield merit was calculated by the number of enemies killed or captured. For holding a city through bitter fighting, the highest merit rating earned three rotations. Engaging with fewer troops against more was termed a superior engagement; when forces were equal, a medium engagement; engaging with more troops against fewer, an inferior engagement; A charge through strong positions against the enemy mass before missiles were exchanged, causing the enemy to break, was called a sally. A kill-and-capture ratio of four-tenths was rated superior capture; two-tenths, medium capture; one-tenth, inferior capture. Merit rewards were graded by recipient status: incumbents, holders of prior qualifications, and regular selection candidates counted as upper qualification; civil and military prestige-rank holders, guard officials, and merit-title holders of fifth rank and above as second qualification; descendants of fifth-rank officials and above, sons of Upper Pillar of State and Pillar of State holders, and merit-title holders of sixth rank and below as lower qualification; commoners and guardsmen as no qualification. Sally fighters earned two extra grade steps at upper qualification; rewards for second, lower, and no qualification diminished in turn. In superior engagements, superior capture earned five rotations, medium capture four, and inferior capture three; second- and third-tier recipients were reduced step by step. In medium engagements, superior capture counted as medium capture in a superior engagement, medium capture as inferior capture in a superior engagement, and inferior capture two rotations. In inferior engagements, superior capture counted as medium capture in a medium engagement, medium capture as inferior capture in a medium engagement, and inferior capture one rotation. Victories over Man and Liao peoples, even at superior engagement with superior capture, were reduced by two rotations from the standard award. Nine hundred merit-title holders without active posts rotated through the Ministry of War, apportioned into twelve shifts by distance; the strongest led each shift, palace-guard detachments formed the monthly rotation, and returns were filed each month. Outer prefectures were split into five rotations, mainly guarding gates and granaries with drawn blades. From Upper Pillar of State down, four years of rotation duty; from Commandant of Valiant Cavalry down, five; candidates were screened at the Ministry of War and given prestige rank. Those who failed selection served another rotation—four years for fifth rank and above, five for sixth and below—then faced the same screening again. After two failures, rotation terms were shortened: twelve years' service meant six years on rotation; eight years meant four. Merit accumulated beyond Upper Pillar of State could pass to relatives within the five degrees of mourning; where no kin qualified, the surplus was paid out in goods. Court of Imperial Sacrifices musicians granted fifth-rank merit or above kept their registry entries—and thus their exemptions—only when the merit arose from active campaigning. Prefectures granting merit titles ranked recipients annually and reported to the Ministry of Revenue quarterly; every claimed exemption required verification.
13
考功郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌文武百官功過、善惡之考法及其行狀。 若死而傳於史官、謚于太常，則以其行狀質其當不； 其欲銘于碑者，則會百官議其宜述者以聞，報其家。 其考法，凡百司之長，歲較其屬功過，差以九等，大合眾而讀之。 流內之官，敍以四善：一曰德義有聞，二曰清慎明著，三曰公平可稱，四曰恪勤匪懈。 善狀之外有二十七最：一曰獻可替否，拾遺補闕，為近侍之最； 二曰銓衡人物，擢盡才良，為選司之最； 三曰揚清激濁，褒貶必當，為考校之最； 四曰禮制儀式，動合經典，為禮官之最； 五曰音律克諧，不失節奏，為樂官之最； 六曰決斷不滯，與奪合理，為判事之最； 七曰部統有方，警守無失，為宿衞之最； 八曰兵士調習，戎裝充備，為督領之最； 九曰推鞫得情，處斷平允，為法官之最； 十曰讎校精審，明於刊定，為校正之最； 十一曰承旨敷奏，吐納明敏，為宣納之最； 十二曰訓導有方，生徒充業，為學官之最； 十三曰賞罰嚴明，攻戰必勝，為軍將之最； 十四曰禮義興行，肅清所部，為政教之最； 十五曰詳錄典正，詞理兼舉，為文史之最； 十六曰訪察精審，彈舉必當，為糾正之最； 十七曰明於勘覆，稽失無隱，為句檢之最； 十八曰職事脩理，供承彊濟，為監掌之最； 十九曰功課皆充，丁匠無怨，為役使之最； 二十曰耕耨以時，收穫成課，為屯官之最； 二十一曰謹於蓋藏，明於出納，為倉庫之最； 二十二曰推步盈虛，究理精密，為曆官之最； 二十三曰占候醫卜，效驗多者，為方術之最； 二十四曰檢察有方，行旅無壅，為關津之最； 二十五曰市廛弗擾，姦濫不行，為市司之最； 二十六曰牧養肥碩，蕃息孳多，為牧官之最； 二十七曰邊境清肅，城隍脩理，為鎮防之最。 一最四善為上上，一最三善為上中，一最二善為上下； 無最而有二善為中上，無最而有一善為中中，職事粗理，善最不聞，為中下； 愛憎任情，處斷乖理，為下上； 背公向私，職務廢闕，為下中； 居官諂詐，貪濁有狀，為下下。 凡定考，皆集於尚書省，唱第然後奏。 親王及中書、門下、京官三品以上、都督、刺史、都護、節度、觀察使，則奏功過狀，以覈考行之上下。 每歲，尚書省諸司具州牧、刺史、縣令殊功異行，災蝗祥瑞，戶口賦役增減，盜賊多少，皆上於考司。 監領之官，以能撫養役使者為功； 有耗亡者，以十分為率，一分為一殿。 博士、助教，計講授多少為差。 親、勳、翊衞，以行能功過為三等，親、勳、翊衞備身，東宮親、勳、翊衞備身，王府執仗親事、執乘親事及親勳翊衞主帥、校尉、直長、品子、雜任、飛騎，皆上、中、下考，有二上第者，加階。 番考別為簿，以侍郎顓掌之。 流外官，以行能功過為四等：清謹勤公為上，執事無私為中，不勤其職為下，貪濁有狀為下下。 凡考，中上以上，每進一等，加祿一季； 中中，守本祿； 中下以下，每退一等，奪祿一季。 中品以下，四考皆中中者，進一階； 一中上考，復進一階； 一上下考，進二階； 計當進而參有下考者，以一中上覆一中下，以一上下覆二中下。 上中以上，雖有下考，從上第。 有下下考者，解任。 凡制敕不便，有執奏者，進其考。 貞觀初，歲定京官望高者二人，分校京官、外官考，給事中、中書舍人各一人涖之，號監中外官考使。 考功郎中判京官考，員外郎判外官考。 其後屢置監考、校考、知考使。 故事，考簿朱書，吏緣為姦； 咸通十四年，始以墨。 戶部尚書一人，正三品； 侍郞二人，正四品下。 掌天下土地、人民、錢穀之政、貢賦之差。 其屬有四：一曰戶部，二曰度支，三曰金部，四曰倉部。
The Bureau of Examination had one director and one vice director, charged with the rules for evaluating officials' merits and faults and with compiling their conduct records. When the historiographers took up a man's record or the Court of Imperial Sacrifices weighed a posthumous name, his conduct record was the standard of proof; those seeking a stele inscription had their case debated in assembly, the recommended text reported upward, and the family informed. Each year department heads rated subordinates' merits and faults, sorted them into nine grades, and read the results aloud in full assembly. Flow-within officials were judged on four virtues: repute for integrity, conspicuous probity, acknowledged fairness, and tireless diligence. Alongside virtue ratings stood twenty-seven supreme merits: first, approving what was sound, rejecting what was not, and mending every gap— the supreme merit for close attendants; second, weighing candidates and elevating every able man— the supreme merit for the Selection Bureau; third, elevating the upright and exposing the corrupt, with praise and censure always apt— the supreme merit for examining officers; fourth, rites and ceremony performed in faithful accord with the classics— the supreme merit for rites officials; fifth, pitch and measure kept in harmony, rhythm never lost— the supreme merit for music officials; sixth, judgments rendered without delay, awards and refusals always reasonable— the supreme merit for adjudicators; seventh, command exercised with order, watches kept without breach— the supreme merit for palace guards; eighth, troops drilled and equipped, armor and arms fully at hand— the supreme merit for military supervisors; ninth, interrogation that reached the truth, sentencing fair and even— the supreme merit for judges; tenth, collation exact and thorough, emendation lucid and sure— the supreme merit for textual proofreaders; eleventh, receiving the throne's intent and presenting memorials with clarity and dispatch— the supreme merit for memorial presenters; twelfth, instruction well ordered, students completing their course— the supreme merit for academy officers; thirteenth, rewards and punishments stern and lucid, every attack crowned with victory— the supreme merit for field commanders; fourteenth, rites and righteousness actively upheld, the jurisdiction kept in sober order— the supreme merit for civil administrators; fifteenth, records exact and authoritative, diction and argument equally strong— the supreme merit for literary and historical officers; sixteenth, inquiry precise and penetrating, impeachments always well aimed— the supreme merit for censors; seventeenth, audits conducted with clarity, every lapse traced and exposed— the supreme merit for auditors; eighteenth, duties kept in good repair, provisions supplied abundantly and on time— the supreme merit for superintendents; nineteenth, every labor quota met, corvée workers left without grievance— the supreme merit for labor overseers; twentieth, fields tilled and tended in season, harvests meeting their quotas— the supreme merit for garrison agricultural officers; twenty-first, stores kept with care, receipts and issues handled with precision— the supreme merit for granary officers; twenty-second, celestial cycles calculated with exactitude, theory pursued to the finest point— the supreme merit for calendar officers; twenty-third, divination, medicine, and augury with abundant verified results— the supreme merit for technical specialists; twenty-fourth, inspection orderly and effective, travelers never impeded— the supreme merit for pass and ferry officers; twenty-fifth, markets left untroubled, fraud and abuse kept out— the supreme merit for market superintendents; twenty-sixth, herds well fed and flourishing, stock multiplying abundantly— the supreme merit for pastoral officers; twenty-seventh, the border kept quiet and secure, walls and moats kept in repair— the supreme merit for frontier defense. One supreme merit plus four virtues rated top-top; one supreme merit plus three, top-middle; one supreme merit plus two, top-bottom; no supreme merit but two virtues, middle-top; no supreme merit but one virtue, middle-middle; duties only roughly managed, with no note of virtue or supreme merit, middle-bottom; partiality ruling judgment, decisions at odds with reason, bottom-top; serving private ends over public duty, office left in neglect, bottom-middle; flattery and deceit in office, greed and corruption plainly shown, bottom-bottom. Final ratings were convened at the Department of State Affairs, announced in rank order, and then submitted to the throne. Imperial princes, Secretariat and Chancellery officials, capital officers of third rank and above, area commanders, prefects, protectors-general, military commissioners, and observation commissioners submitted merit-and-fault records so the Examination Bureau could confirm their ratings. Each year every office under the Department of State Affairs forwarded to the Examination Bureau reports on prefects', governors', and magistrates' outstanding service, locust plagues and auspicious signs, changes in population and tax obligations, and levels of banditry. Supervising officials were credited for keeping corvée workers well provisioned; losses were measured in tenths, each tenth counting as one demerit mark. Erudites and assistant instructors were graded by hours of instruction delivered. Personal, Merit, and Resplendent Guards were rated upper, middle, or lower on conduct and performance; the same applied to their bodyguards, Eastern Palace and princely household guards, commanders, captains, duty chiefs, sons of ranked officials, miscellaneous appointees, and Flying Cavalry—and two top-tier ratings earned extra grade steps. Rotation-duty examinations were recorded in separate registers under the exclusive charge of the vice ministers. Flow-outside officials fell into four grades: pure, careful public service earned upper; impartial execution of duty, middle; neglect of office, lower; proven greed and corruption, bottom-bottom. From middle-top upward, each grade above the norm added one season's salary; a middle-middle rating kept standard pay; from middle-bottom down, each grade below the norm cost one season's salary. Officials of middle rank and below who earned middle-middle four times in a row advanced one grade step; one middle-top rating advanced another step; one top-bottom rating advanced two steps; When promotion was otherwise due but lower ratings intervened, one middle-top cancelled one middle-bottom, and one top-bottom cancelled two middle-bottom marks. From top-middle up, a single lower mark did not drag down the overall standing. A bottom-bottom rating meant removal from office. Officials who remonstrated against impracticable edicts received a higher examination rating. Early in Zhenguan, two senior capital officials were appointed annually to grade capital and provincial examinations separately, with one drafting attendant and one Secretariat drafter supervising— the Commissioners Overseeing Capital and Outer Examinations. The Bureau of Examination director handled capital ratings; the vice director, provincial ratings. Later reigns repeatedly appointed overseers, school examiners, and examination commissioners. By old custom examination registers were kept in vermilion ink, which clerks turned to fraud; in 873 black ink was adopted instead. The Ministry of Revenue had one minister of senior third rank; two vice ministers of junior fourth rank. They governed land, population, and grain policy empire-wide, and set the scales of tribute and taxation. Four bureaus reported to them: Revenue, Expenditure, Treasury, and Granaries.
14
戶部郎中、員外郎，掌戶口、土田、賦役、貢獻、蠲免、優復、姻婚、繼嗣之事，以男女之黃、小、中、丁、老為之帳籍，以永業、口分、園宅均其土田，以租、庸、調斂其物，以九等定天下之戶，以為尚書、侍郎之貳。 其後以諸行郎官判錢穀，而戶部、度支郎官失其職矣。 會昌二年著令：以本行郎官，分判錢穀。
Revenue Bureau directors handled population registers, land, tax and corvée, tribute, exemptions, relief, marriage, and inheritance—classing men and women as infants, minors, adults, or elderly; apportioning permanent, allotted, and homestead land; collecting rent, corvée, and equalization dues; ranking households empire-wide in nine grades; and assisting the minister and vice ministers. Later, directors drawn from every ministry row took over fiscal adjudication, and the Revenue and Expenditure bureau directors were stripped of their proper charge. An ordinance of 842 restored the rule that home-row directors should divide fiscal adjudication among themselves.
15
戶部巡官二人，主事四人； 度支主事二人； 金部主事三人； 倉部主事三人。 高宗即位，改民部曰戶部。 龍朔二年，改戶部曰司元，度支曰司度，金部曰司珍，倉部曰司庾。 光宅元年，改戶部曰地官。 天寶十一載，改金部曰司金，倉部曰司儲。 有戶部令史十七人，書令史三十四人，計史一人，亭長六人，掌固十人； 度支令史十六人，書令史三十三人，計史一人，掌固四人； 金部令史十人，書令史二十一人，計史一人，掌固四人； 倉部令史十二人，書令史二十三人，計史一人，掌固四人。
The Revenue Bureau had two touring officials and four section chiefs; the Expenditure Bureau, two section chiefs; the Treasury Bureau, three section chiefs; the Granaries Bureau, three section chiefs. On Gaozong's accession the Ministry of Population was renamed the Ministry of Revenue. In 662 Revenue became the Directorate of Origins, Expenditure the Directorate of Measures, Treasury the Directorate of Treasures, and Granaries the Directorate of Granaries. In 690 Revenue was renamed the Earth Office. In 752 Treasury became the Directorate of Metal and Granaries the Directorate of Stores. The Revenue Bureau employed seventeen clerks, thirty-four copy clerks, one reckoning clerk, six station chiefs, and ten custodians; the Expenditure Bureau sixteen clerks, thirty-three copy clerks, one reckoning clerk, and four custodians; the Treasury Bureau ten clerks, twenty-one copy clerks, one reckoning clerk, and four custodians; the Granaries Bureau twelve clerks, twenty-three copy clerks, one reckoning clerk, and four custodians.
16
度支郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌天下租賦、物產豐約之宜、水陸道涂之利，歲計所出而支調之，以近及遠，與中書門下議定乃奏。
The Expenditure Bureau had one director and one vice director, charged with empire-wide rent and levies, the balance of plentiful and scarce produce, and the revenue of land and water routes. They reckoned annual expenditures, allocated funds from the center outward, settled matters with the Secretariat-Chancellery, and then submitted memorials.
17
金部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌天下庫藏出納、權衡度量之數，兩京市、互市、和市、宮市交易之事，百官、軍鎮、蕃客之賜，及給宮人、王妃、官奴婢衣服。
The Treasury Bureau had one director and one vice director, overseeing treasury inflow and outflow empire-wide, weights and measures, trade in the two capitals' markets, frontier exchange, government purchase markets, and palace markets, along with grants to officials, garrisons, and foreign guests, and clothing for palace women, consorts, and official bondsmen.
18
倉部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌天下庫儲，出納租稅、祿糧、倉廩之事。 以木契百，合諸司出給之數，以義倉、常平倉備凶年，平穀價。 禮部尚書一人，正三品； 侍郎一人，正四品下。 掌禮儀、祭享、貢舉之政。 其屬有四：一曰禮部，二曰祠部，三曰膳部，四曰主客。
The Granaries Bureau had one director and one vice director, managing empire-wide storehouses and the intake and distribution of land tax, salary grain, and granary supplies. A hundred wooden tally slips tracked each agency's disbursements; benevolence granaries and ever-normal granaries were maintained against bad harvests to stabilize grain prices. The Ministry of Rites had one minister of senior third rank; and one vice minister of junior fourth rank. They governed ritual and etiquette, sacrificial observances, and the civil examination system. Four bureaus reported to them: the Bureau of Rites, the Bureau of Sacrifices, the Bureau of Provisions, and the Bureau of Receptions.
19
禮部郎中、員外郎，掌禮樂、學校、衣冠、符印、表疏、圖書、冊命、祥瑞、鋪設，及百官、宮人喪葬贈賻之數，為尚書、侍郎之貳。 五禮之儀：一曰吉禮，二曰賓禮，三曰軍禮，四曰嘉禮，五曰凶禮。 凡齊衰心喪以上奪情從職，及周喪未練、大功未葬，皆不預宴； 大功以上喪，受冊涖官，鼓吹從而不作，戎事則否。 凡朝，晚入、失儀，御史錄名奪俸，三奪者奏彈。 凡出蕃冊授、弔贈者，給衣冠。 皇帝巡幸，兩京文武官職事五品以上，月朔以表參起居； 近州刺史，遣使一參； 留守，月遣使起居； 北都，則四時遣使起居。 諸司奏大事者，前期三日具狀，長官躬署，對仗伏奏，仗下，中書門下涖讀。 河南、太原府父老，每歲上表願駕幸，遣使以聞。 駕在都，則京兆府亦如之。 凡景雲、慶雲為大瑞，其名物六十有四； 白狼、赤兔為上瑞，其名物三十有八； 蒼烏、朱雁為中瑞，其名物三十有二； 嘉禾、芝草、木連理為下瑞，其名物十四。 大瑞，則百官詣闕奉賀； 餘瑞，歲終員外郎以聞，有司告廟。 凡喪，三品以上稱薨，五品以上稱卒，自六品達于庶人稱死。 皇親三等以上喪，舉哀，有司帳具給食； 諸蕃首領喪，則主客、鴻臚月奏。
The Rites Bureau director and vice director oversaw ritual music, schools, dress codes, seals, memorials, books, investitures, auspicious omens, ceremonial arrangements, and funeral-gift scales for officials and palace staff, assisting the minister and vice minister. The five ritual categories were auspicious rites, guest rites, military rites, felicitous rites, and mourning rites. As a rule, officials in first-degree mourning or heart-mourning who had been released from mourning to serve, and those still within the first year before the lian rite or with a close relative's funeral still unburied, did not join banquets. In mourning above the close-relatives' degree, an appointee receiving his commission and taking office was escorted by drums and pipes that remained silent—except on military service. At court, late arrival or breach of ritual earned a censor's notation and salary deduction; three deductions brought an impeachment memorial. Envoys dispatched abroad for investiture or condolence were furnished with ceremonial robes. When the emperor was on tour, active civil and military officials of fifth rank and above in both capitals sent monthly health-inquiry memorials on the first of each month. Nearby provincial prefects sent envoys once to pay their respects. Capital caretakers sent monthly envoys to inquire after the emperor's health. For the Northern Capital, seasonal envoys were sent four times a year to inquire after his health. Agencies reporting major business filed written petitions three days ahead, signed by the chief in person; they knelt to present before the imperial guard, and after the guard withdrew the Secretariat-Chancellery read the memorial aloud. Each year elders of Henan and Taiyuan prefectures submitted memorials inviting the emperor to visit, sending envoys to announce their wish. When the emperor resided in the capital, Jingzhao Prefecture followed the same practice. Luminous and celebratory clouds ranked as great omens, with sixty-four recognized forms. White wolves and red hares ranked as supreme omens, with thirty-eight recognized forms. Dark birds and vermilion geese ranked as middling omens, with thirty-two recognized forms. Fine grain, spirit fungus, and conjoined trees ranked as lesser omens, with fourteen recognized forms. Upon a great omen, officials throughout the court went to the palace to offer congratulations. Lesser omens were reported by the vice director at year's end, and the responsible office announced them at the ancestral temple. Death terminology ran by rank: third rank and above were said to have "passed away," fifth rank and above to have "deceased," and sixth rank down to commoners simply to have "died." When imperial kin of the third degree or closer mourned, public lament was raised and the responsible office pitched tents and provided meals. When foreign chieftains died, the Bureau of Receptions and the Court of Imperial Entertainments filed monthly reports.
20
禮部主事二人，祠部主事二人，膳部主事二人，主客主事二人。 武德三年，改儀曹郎曰禮部郎中，司藩郎曰主客郎中。 龍朔二年，改禮部曰司禮，祠部曰司禋，膳部曰司膳，光宅元年，改禮部曰春官。 有禮部令史五人，書令史十一人，亭長六人，掌固八人； 祠部令史六人，書令史十三人，掌固四人； 主客令史四人，書令史九人，掌固四人。
The Rites Bureau had two section chiefs, the Sacrifices Bureau two, the Provisions Bureau two, and the Receptions Bureau two. In 620 the Protocol Bureau director became the Rites Bureau director, and the Foreign Affairs Bureau director became the Receptions Bureau director. In 662 Rites became the Directorate of Rites, Sacrifices the Directorate of Sacrifice, and Provisions the Directorate of Provisions; in 690 Rites was renamed the Spring Office. The Rites Bureau had five clerks, eleven copy clerks, six station chiefs, and eight custodians; the Sacrifices Bureau six clerks, thirteen copy clerks, and four custodians; the Receptions Bureau four clerks, nine copy clerks, and four custodians.
21
祠部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌祠祀、享祭、天文、漏刻、國忌、廟諱、卜筮、醫藥、僧尼之事。 珠玉珍寶供祭者，不求於市。 駕部、比部歲會牲之死亡，輸皮於太府。 郊祭酒醴、脯醢、黍稷、果實，所司長官封署以供。 兩京及磧西諸州火祆，歲再祀，而禁民祈祭。 凡巡幸，路次名山、大川、聖帝明王名臣墓，州縣以官告祭。 二王後享廟，則給牲牢、祭器，而完其帷帟、几案，主客以四時省問。 凡國忌廢務日，內教、太常停習樂，兩京文武五品以上及清官七品以上，行香於寺觀。 凡名醫子弟試療病，長官涖覆，三年有驗者以名聞。
The Sacrifices Bureau had one director and one vice director, overseeing sacrifices and offerings, astronomy, water clocks, national mourning days, temple taboo names, divination, medicine, and Buddhist and Daoist clergy. Pearls, jade, and other precious offerings for sacrifice were not purchased in the marketplace. Each year the Transport and Review bureaus accounted for sacrificial livestock that died and sent the hides to the Imperial Storehouse. Wine, dried and pickled meats, millet, and fruit for suburban sacrifices were sealed and signed by the responsible chief before delivery. In both capitals and the western desert prefectures, Zoroastrian fire temples received worship twice a year, while private prayer sacrifices by the people were prohibited. During imperial progress, prefectures and counties along the route performed official announcement and sacrifice at famous mountains, great rivers, and the tombs of sage emperors, enlightened kings, and renowned ministers. When the Two Founders' descendants held temple rites, they received sacrificial livestock and vessels, their curtains, screens, tables, and stands were kept in repair, and the Bureau of Receptions conducted seasonal inspections. On national mourning days when offices stood idle, the Inner Conservatory and Court of Imperial Sacrifices ceased musical rehearsal; capital civil and military officials of fifth rank and above, and pure officials of seventh rank and above, burned incense at temples and monasteries. Students of renowned physicians were tested in clinical treatment under supervisory review; after three years those whose skill was proven were reported by name.
22
膳部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌陵廟之牲豆酒膳。 諸司供奉口味，躬鐍其輿乃遣，進胙亦如之。 非大禮、大慶不獻食，不進口味。 凡羊，至廚而乳者釋之長生。 大齋日，尚食進蔬食，釋所殺羊為長生供奉。 凡獻食、進口味，不殺犢。 尚食有猝須別索，必奏覆，月終而會之。 凡尚食進食，以種取而別嘗之。 殿中省主膳上食於諸陵，以番上下，四時遣食醫、主食各一人涖之。
The Provisions Bureau had one director and one vice director, charged with sacrificial livestock, vessels, wine, and food for imperial tombs and ancestral temples. Delicacies submitted by various offices had to be personally sealed by the chief before the carts were sent; presentation of sacrificial meat followed the same rule. Food offerings and delicacies were presented only at major rites or major celebrations. As a rule, ewes that had given birth by the time they reached the kitchen were released alive as an act of mercy. On great fast days the Imperial Kitchen served vegetarian fare and released sheep slated for slaughter as long-life offerings. Calves were not killed for food offerings or delicacies. Emergency special requisitions by the Imperial Kitchen required memorial approval and were reconciled in a monthly account at month's end. Imperial meals were tested by taking a sample of each kind and tasting it separately. Palace provision stewards served food at the imperial tombs in rotation; each season one food physician and one chief provisioner were sent to supervise.
23
主客郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌二王後、諸蕃朝見之事。 二王後子孫視正三品，酅公歲賜絹三百，米粟亦如之，介公減三之一。 殊俗入朝者，始至之州給牒，覆其人數，謂之邊牒。 蕃州都督、刺史朝集日，視品給以衣冠、袴褶。 乘傳者日四驛，乘驛者六驛。 供客食料，以四時輸鴻臚，季終句會之。 客初至及辭設會，第一等視三品，第二等視四品，第三等視五品，蕃望非高者，視散官而減半，參日設食。 路由大海者，給祈羊豕皆一。 西南蕃使還者，給入海程糧； 西北諸蕃，則給度磧程糧。 蕃客請宿衞者，奏狀貌年齒。 突厥使置市坊，有貿易，錄奏，為質其輕重，太府丞一人涖之。 蕃王首領死，子孫襲初授官，兄弟子降一品，兄弟子代攝者，嫡年十五還以政。 使絕域者還，上聞見及風俗之宜、供饋贈貺之數。 兵部尚書一人，正三品； 侍郞二人，正四品下。 掌武選、地圖、車馬、甲械之政。 其屬有四：一曰兵部，二曰職方，三曰駕部，四曰庫部。 凡將出征，告廟，授斧鉞； 軍不從令，大將專決，還日，具上其罪。 凡發兵，降敕書於尚書，尚書下文符。 放十人，發十馬，軍器出十，皆不待敕。 衞士番直； 發一人以上，必覆奏。 諸蕃首領至，則備威儀郊導。 凡俘馘，酬以絹，入鈔之俘，歸於司農。
The Receptions Bureau had one director and one vice director, handling the Two Founders' descendants and court audiences by foreign envoys. The Two Founders' descendants were accorded senior third rank; the Duke of Xi received three hundred bolts of silk annually and the same quantity of grain, the Duke of Jie one-third less. Foreign envoys bound for court received travel documents at the first province they entered; their numbers were checked—these were called frontier travel slips. At the annual assembly, frontier protectors and prefects received ceremonial robes and riding dress according to rank. Travelers on urgent courier post covered four relay stages per day; those on regular post, six. Provisions for guests were forwarded to the Court of Imperial Entertainments each season and audited at quarter's end. Arrival and farewell banquets ranked guests as follows: first class as third rank, second as fourth, third as fifth; envoys of lesser standing were treated at half the scale of their honorary rank; banquets were held on the day of attendance. Travelers on routes crossing the open sea were supplied one sheep and one pig each for prayer sacrifices. Southwestern envoys returning home received rations for the sea crossing. Northwestern envoys received rations for crossing the desert. Foreign guests who sought palace guard service submitted memorials describing their appearance and age. Turkish envoys were lodged in designated market wards; trade was logged and reported, goods weighed to establish value, under supervision of an Imperial Storehouse vice director. When foreign kings or chieftains died, sons inherited the originally conferred rank; a brother's son dropped one rank; if a brother's son served as regent, authority reverted to the heir at age fifteen. Envoys back from distant lands submitted reports on what they had seen and heard, local customs, and the quantities of provisions and gifts exchanged. The Ministry of War had one minister of senior third rank; and two vice ministers of junior fourth rank. They governed military appointments, maps, chariots and horses, and armor and weapons. Four bureaus reported to them: the War Bureau, the Bureau of Operations, the Bureau of Transport, and the Bureau of Armory. Before a general took the field, the ancestral temple was notified and battle-axes were conferred upon him. When troops disobeyed orders, the commanding general decided punishment on his own authority; on return he submitted a full report of their offenses. Troop mobilization began with an edict to the minister, who then issued written orders. Dispatching ten men, ten horses, or ten pieces of military equipment did not require an edict. Palace guards served in rotating shifts. Sending even a single man required a memorial for imperial approval. When foreign chieftains arrived, full ceremonial escort went out to the suburbs to receive them. Captives and severed heads earned silk rewards; captives entered on tally registers were turned over to the Court of the National Granaries.
24
郎中一人判帳及武官階品、衞府眾寡、校考、給告身之事； 一人判簿及軍戎調遣之名數，朝集、祿賜、假告之常。 員外郎一人掌貢舉、雜請； 一人判南曹，歲選解狀，則覈簿書、資歷、考課。 皆為尚書、侍郎之貳。 武散階四十有五：從一品曰驃騎大將軍； 正二品曰輔國大將軍； 從二品曰鎮軍大將軍； 正三品上曰冠軍大將軍、懷化大將軍； 正三品下曰懷化將軍； 從三品上曰雲麾將軍、歸德大將軍； 從三品下曰歸德將軍； 正四品上曰忠武將軍； 正四品下曰壯武將軍、懷化中郎將； 從四品上曰宣威將軍； 從四品下曰明威將軍、歸德中郎將； 正五品上曰定遠將軍； 正五品下曰寧遠將軍、懷化郎將； 從五品上曰游騎將軍； 從五品下曰游擊將軍、歸德郎將； 正六品上曰昭武校尉； 正六品下曰昭武副尉、懷化司階； 從六品上曰振威校尉； 從六品下曰振威副尉、歸德司階； 正七品上曰致果校尉； 正七品下曰致果副尉、懷化中候； 從七品上曰翊麾校尉； 從七品下曰翊麾副尉、歸德中候； 正八品上曰宣節校尉； 正八品下曰宣節副尉、懷化司戈； 從八品上曰禦侮校尉； 從八品下曰禦侮副尉、歸德司戈； 正九品上曰仁勇校尉； 正九品下曰仁勇副尉、懷化執戟長上； 從九品上曰陪戎校尉； 從九品下曰陪戎副尉、歸德執戟長上。 自四品以下，皆番上於兵部，以遠近為八番，三月一上； 三千里外者免番，輸資如文散官，唯追集乃上。 六品以下，尚書省送符。 懷化大將軍、歸德大將軍，配諸衞上下； 餘直諸衞為十二番，皆月上。 忠武將軍以下、游擊將軍以上，每番，閱彊毅者直諸衞； 番滿，有將略者以名聞。
One director handled registers, military ranks and grades, guard-house strength, performance review, and commission certificates. One director managed ledgers, troop dispatch figures, annual assembly, salary grants, and routine leave. One vice director oversaw examinations and miscellaneous petitions. One director handled the Southern Registry; at annual selection he checked ledgers, credentials, and performance ratings. All assisted the minister and vice ministers. There were forty-five military honorary ranks; junior first rank was Grand General of Fast Cavalry. Senior second rank was Grand General Who Supports the State. Junior second rank was Grand General Who Suppresses Armies. Senior third rank, upper grade: Grand General Who Crowns the Army and Grand General Who Cherishes Transformation. Senior third rank, lower grade: General Who Cherishes Transformation. Junior third rank, upper grade: General of Cloud Pennons and Grand General Who Returns to Virtue. Junior third rank, lower grade: General Who Returns to Virtue. Senior fourth rank, upper grade: General of Loyal Martiality. Senior fourth rank, lower grade: General of Robust Martiality and Palace Guard General Who Cherishes Transformation. Junior fourth rank, upper grade: General Who Proclaims Might. Junior fourth rank, lower grade: General of Bright Might and Palace Guard General Who Returns to Virtue. Senior fifth rank, upper grade: General Who Secures the Distance. Senior fifth rank, lower grade: General Who Pacifies the Distance and Commandant Who Cherishes Transformation. Junior fifth rank, upper grade: General of the Roaming Cavalry. Junior fifth rank, lower grade: General of the Roaming Attack and Commandant Who Returns to Virtue. Senior sixth rank, upper grade, bore the title Captain of Manifest Martiality; senior sixth rank, lower grade, Deputy Captain of Manifest Martiality and Squire of Pacifying Transformation; junior sixth rank, upper grade, Captain of Quelling Might; junior sixth rank, lower grade, Deputy Captain of Quelling Might and Squire of Returning Virtue; senior seventh rank, upper grade, Captain of Attaining Merit; senior seventh rank, lower grade, Deputy Captain of Attaining Merit and Warden of Pacifying Transformation; junior seventh rank, upper grade, Captain Who Assists the Standard; junior seventh rank, lower grade, Deputy Captain Who Assists the Standard and Warden of Returning Virtue; senior eighth rank, upper grade, Captain Who Proclaims Integrity; senior eighth rank, lower grade, Deputy Captain Who Proclaims Integrity and Spear-Bearer of Pacifying Transformation; junior eighth rank, upper grade, Captain Who Repels Insult; junior eighth rank, lower grade, Deputy Captain Who Repels Insult and Spear-Bearer of Returning Virtue; senior ninth rank, upper grade, Captain of Humane Courage; senior ninth rank, lower grade, Deputy Captain of Humane Courage and Long-Service Halberd Bearer of Pacifying Transformation; junior ninth rank, upper grade, Captain Attending the Host; junior ninth rank, lower grade, Deputy Captain Attending the Host and Long-Service Halberd Bearer of Returning Virtue. From fourth rank down, all reported for rotating duty at the Ministry of War, apportioned into eight shifts by distance, each shift lasting three months; those posted three thousand li or more from the capital were exempt from rotation, paid capital-residence fees like civil prestige-rank holders, and reported only when called up. For sixth rank and below, the Department of State Affairs issued dispatch tallies. Generals of Pacifying Transformation and Generals of Returning Virtue were posted to upper and lower slots in the various Guards; the rest on direct palace-guard duty with the various Guards formed twelve monthly rotations. From Loyal Martial General down to Raider General up, each rotation picked the strongest and most resolute for direct guard duty; when a rotation term ended, men of proven martial talent were reported by name.
25
兵部主事四人，職方主事二人，駕部主事二人，庫部主事二人。 龍朔二年，改兵部曰司戎，職方曰司城，駕部曰司輿，庫部曰司庫。 光宅元年，改兵部曰夏官，天寶十一載曰武部，駕部曰司駕。 有兵部令史三十人，書令史六十人，制書令史十三人，甲庫令史十二人，亭長八人，掌固十二人； 職方令史四人，書令史九人，掌固四人； 駕部令史十人，書令史二十四人，掌固四人； 庫部令史七人，書令史十五人，掌固四人。
The Ministry of War had four section chiefs, Border Affairs two, Transport two, and Armories two. In 662 the ministry became the Directorate of Armies, Border Affairs the Directorate of Fortifications, Transport the Directorate of Carriages, and Armories the Directorate of Stores. In 684 War was renamed the Summer Office; in 752 it became the Military Department, and Transport the Directorate of Carriage. The ministry employed thirty clerks, sixty copy clerks, thirteen edict clerks, twelve armor-archive clerks, eight station chiefs, and twelve custodians; Border Affairs four clerks, nine copy clerks, and four custodians; Transport ten clerks, twenty-four copy clerks, and four custodians; Armories seven clerks, fifteen copy clerks, and four custodians.
26
職方郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌地圖、城隍、鎮戍、烽候、防人道路之遠近及四夷歸化之事。 凡圖經，非州縣增廢，五年乃脩，歲與版籍偕上。 凡蕃客至，鴻臚訊其國山川、風土，為圖奏之，副上於職方； 殊俗入朝者，圖其容狀、衣服以聞。
Border Affairs had one director and one vice director, charged with maps, walled cities, garrison posts, beacon towers, frontier personnel, road distances, and the submission of foreign peoples from the four quarters. Gazetteers were revised every five years unless a prefecture or county was abolished or created, and submitted each year together with household registers. When foreign envoys arrived, the Court of State Ceremonial questioned them on their homeland's mountains, rivers, and customs, drew a map for submission, and forwarded a copy to Border Affairs; foreigners presenting themselves at court had their features and dress sketched and reported upward.
27
駕部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌輿輦、車乘、傳驛、廄牧馬牛雜畜之籍。 凡給馬者，一品八匹，二品六匹，三品五匹，四品、五品四匹，六品三匹，七品以下二匹； 給傳乘者，一品十馬，二品九馬，三品八馬，四品、五品四馬，六品、七品二馬，八品、九品一馬； 三品以上敕召者給四馬，五品三馬，六品以下有差。 凡驛馬，給地四頃，蒔以苜蓿。 凡三十里有驛，驛有長，舉天下四方之所達，為驛千六百三十九； 阻險無水草鎮戍者，視路要隙置官馬。 水驛有舟。 凡傳驛馬驢，每歲上其死損、肥瘠之數。
Transport had one director and one vice director, who kept registers of imperial carriages, vehicles, relay stations, and stable herds of horses, cattle, and other livestock. Horses were allotted by rank: eight for first rank, six for second, five for third, four for fourth and fifth, three for sixth, and two for seventh rank and below; relay mounts ran ten horses for first rank, nine for second, eight for third, four for fourth and fifth, two for sixth and seventh, and one for eighth and ninth; third rank and above, when summoned by edict, received four horses; fifth rank, three; sixth rank and below, graded allotments. Each relay horse was granted four qing of land sown with alfalfa. Every thirty li marked a relay post, each with its chief; routes reaching every quarter of the empire totaled one thousand six hundred thirty-nine posts; where terrain was treacherous and garrison posts lacked water and fodder, government horses were posted at key points along the line. River relay stations maintained boats. Each year relay horses and donkeys reported deaths, losses, and counts of fat and lean stock.
28
庫部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌戎器、鹵簿儀仗。 元日冬至陳設、祠祀、喪葬，辨其名數而供焉。 凡戎器，色別而異處，以衞尉幕士暴涼之。 京衞旗畫蹲獸、立禽，行幸則給飛走旗。 凡諸衞儀仗，以御史涖其庋掌； 武庫器仗，則兵部長官涖其脩完。 京官五品以上征行者，假甲、纛、旗、幡、矟； 諸衞，給弓； 千牛，給甲。 刑部尚書一人，正三品； 侍郞一人，正四品下。 掌律令、刑法、徒隸、按覆讞禁之政。 其屬有四：一曰刑部，二曰都官，三曰比部，四曰司門。
Armories had one director and one vice director, charged with weapons and ceremonial guard regalia. For New Year's and Winter Solstice displays, sacrifices, and funerals, they identified each item by name and number and furnished them. Weapons were sorted by color, stored apart, and aired in the shade by curtain guardsmen of the Court of Palace Revenues. Capital Guard banners bore crouching beasts and standing birds; on imperial progress, fly-and-walk banners were issued. Ceremonial regalia of the various Guards was overseen by a censor who guarded the stores; armory weapons were overseen in repair and upkeep by the Ministry of War minister. Capital officials of fifth rank and above setting out on campaign were lent armor, battle standards, flags, pennants, and spears; the various Guards received bows; the Thousand-Ox Guard received armor. The Ministry of Justice had one minister of senior third rank; one vice minister of senior fourth rank, lower grade. They governed statutes, penal law, convict labor, and the review and verification of cases and prohibitions. Four bureaus reported to them: Justice, Convicts, Audit, and Passes.
29
刑部郎中、員外郎，掌律法，按覆大理及天下奏讞，為尚書、侍郎之貳。 凡刑法之書有四：一曰律，二曰令，三曰格，四曰式。 凡鞫大獄，以尚書侍郎與御史中丞、大理卿為三司使。 凡國有大赦，集囚徒于闕下以聽。
Justice Bureau directors handled penal law, reviewed cases from the Court of Judicial Review and memorialized cases empire-wide, and served as deputies to the minister and vice minister. Penal law comprised four codes: Statutes, Ordinances, Rescripts, and Formularies. Major trials were heard by a commission of three: the minister and vice minister, the censor-in-chief, and the Court of Judicial Review director. On a general amnesty, convicts were gathered beneath the palace gate to hear the proclamation.
30
刑部主事四人，都官主事二人，比部主事四人，司門主事二人。 龍朔二年，改刑部曰司刑，都官曰司僕，比部曰司計，司門曰司關。 光宅元年，改刑部曰秋官。 天寶十一載，改刑部曰司憲，比部曰司計。 有刑部令史十九人，書令史三十八人，亭長六人，掌固十人； 都官令史九人，書令史十二人，掌固四人； 比部令史十四人，書令史二十七人，計史一人，掌固四人； 司門令史六人，書令史十三人，掌固四人。
Justice had four section chiefs, Convicts two, Audit four, and Passes two. In 662 Justice became the Directorate of Punishment, Convicts the Directorate of Servants, Audit the Directorate of Accounts, and Passes the Directorate of Barriers. In 684 Justice was renamed the Autumn Office. In 752 Justice became the Directorate of Law and Audit the Directorate of Accounts. Justice employed nineteen clerks, thirty-eight copy clerks, six station chiefs, and ten custodians; Convicts nine clerks, twelve copy clerks, and four custodians; Audit fourteen clerks, twenty-seven copy clerks, one reckoning clerk, and four custodians; Passes six clerks, thirteen copy clerks, and four custodians.
31
都官郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌俘隸簿錄，給衣糧醫藥，而理其訴免。 凡反逆相坐，沒其家配官曹，長役為官奴婢。 一免者，一歲三番役。 再免為雜戶，亦曰官戶，二歲五番役。 每番皆一月。 三免為良人。 六十以上及廢疾者，為官戶； 七十為良人。 每歲孟春上其籍，自黃口以上印臂，仲冬送於都官，條其生息而按比之。 樂工、獸醫、騙馬、調馬、羣頭、栽接之人皆取焉。 附貫州縣者，按比如平民，不番上，歲督丁資，為錢一千五百； 丁婢、中男，五輸其一； 侍丁、殘疾半輸。 凡居作者，差以三等：四歲以上，為小； 十一以上，為中； 二十以上，為丁。 丁奴，三當二役； 中奴、丁婢，二當一役； 中婢，三當一役。
Convicts had one director and one vice director, who kept registers of captives and convicts, supplied clothing, grain, and medicine, and heard petitions for release. In treason and rebellion with guilt by association, the household was confiscated and assigned to government offices, and adult males were long-term convict laborers—government slaves. After one exemption, three corvée rotations per year. After two exemptions they became miscellaneous households—also called government households—performing five corvée rotations every two years. Each rotation lasted one month. After three exemptions they became commoners. Those sixty and above and the disabled were classed as government households; at seventy they became commoners. Each year in early spring their registers went upward; from childhood upward arms were stamped; in mid-winter they were sent to the Convicts Bureau, which itemized births and growth and reconciled the rolls. Musicians, veterinarians, gelding masters, horse trainers, herd chiefs, and grafting specialists were all recruited from their ranks. Those registered in prefectures and counties were treated like commoners, exempt from rotation duty, and paid an annual adult-male levy of one thousand five hundred cash; for adult female slaves and middle youths, one in five paid; attending youths and the disabled paid half. Laborers fell into three age grades: four years and above counted as minors; eleven and above as middle youths; twenty and above as adult males. Adult male slaves counted three for two corvée rotations; middle-youth slaves and adult female slaves counted two for one rotation; middle-youth female slaves counted three for one rotation.
32
比部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌句會內外賦斂、經費、俸祿、公廨、勳賜、贓贖、徒役課程、逋欠之物，及軍資、械器、和糴、屯收所入。 京師倉庫，三月一比，諸司、諸使、京都，四時句會於尚書省，以後季句前季； 諸州，則歲終總句焉。
Audit had one director and one vice director, charged with reconciling internal and external tax levies, expenditures, salaries, government offices, merit grants, fines and ransoms, convict-labor quotas, and arrears, together with military supplies, weapons, government grain purchases, and garrison harvest receipts. Capital granaries and storehouses were audited every three months; every quarter the various offices, commissioners, and capital agencies reconciled accounts at the Department of State Affairs, each quarter closing the one before; prefectures submitted a year-end aggregate audit.
33
司門郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌門關出入之籍及闌遺之物。 凡著籍，月一易之。 流內，記官爵、姓名； 流外，記年齒、貌狀。 非遷解不除。 凡有召者，降墨敕，勘銅魚、木契然後入。 監門校尉巡日送平安。 凡奏事，遣官送之，晝題時刻，夜題更籌。 命婦諸親朝參者，內侍監校尉涖索。 凡葦軬車，不入宮門。 闌遺之物，揭於門外，牓以物色，期年沒官。 天下關二十六，有上、中、下之差，度者，本司給過所； 出塞踰月者，給行牒； 獵手所過，給長籍，三月一易。 蕃客往來，閱其裝重，入一關者，餘關不譏。 工部尚書一人，正三品； 侍郞一人，正四品下。 掌山澤、屯田、工匠、諸司公廨紙墨之事。 其屬有四：一曰工部，二曰屯田，三曰虞部，四曰水部。
Passes had one director and one vice director, who kept gate-pass entry and exit registers and records of lost-and-found articles. Registered persons had their rolls renewed every month. Flow-within persons were recorded by office, rank, and name; flow-outside persons by age and appearance. Entries were not struck unless upon transfer or dismissal. When anyone was summoned, a black-ink edict was issued; bronze tally and wooden tally were checked, and only then was entry allowed. Gate-Guard captains on patrol submitted daily reports that all was secure. Memorials to the throne were delivered by dispatched officials; by day the hour was marked, by night the watch tally. Titled ladies and imperial relatives attending court were searched under supervision by Inner Service Bureau captains. Reed-canopied carts were not permitted through the palace gate. Unclaimed goods were displayed outside the gate with placards describing their appearance; after a year they escheated to the state. Twenty-six passes spanned the empire, graded upper, middle, and lower; travelers received transit permits from their home office; those leaving the frontier for longer than a month received frontier travel documents; hunting parties in transit received long-term registers, exchanged every three months. Foreign guests were weighed at the first pass they entered; thereafter the other passes did not re-inspect their baggage. The Ministry of Works had one minister of senior third rank; one vice minister of junior fourth rank. It oversaw mountains and marshes, garrison agriculture, artisans, and the paper and ink for every government office. Four bureaus reported to it: Works, Garrison Fields, Parklands, and Waterways.
34
工部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌城池土木之工役程式，為尚書、侍郎之貳。 凡京都營繕，皆下少府、將作共其用，役千功者先奏。 凡工匠，以州縣為團，五人為火，五火置長一人。 四月至七月為長功，二月、三月、八月、九月為中功，十月至正月為短功。 雇者，日為絹三尺，內中尚巧匠，無作則納資。 凡津梁道路，治以九月。
The Works Bureau had one director and one vice director, who set standards for fortifications and public works and served as the minister's deputies. Capital repairs were routed through the Court of the Imperial Treasures and the Directorate of Palace Buildings for shared supplies; any project of a thousand work-units had to be memorialized in advance. Artisans were mustered by prefecture and county into teams of five called fire units; every five fire units had one foreman. April to July was the long-work season, February–March and August–September the medium-work season, and October to January the short-work season. Day laborers were paid three feet of silk per day; master craftsmen on the palace rolls who had no assignment paid a substitute levy. Ferries, bridges, and highways were repaired in the ninth month.
35
工部主事三人，屯田主事二人，虞部主事二人，水部主事二人。 武德三年，改起部曰工部，龍朔二年，曰司平，屯田曰司田，虞部曰司虞，水部曰司川。 光宅元年，改工部曰冬官。 天寶十一載，改虞部曰司虞，水部曰司水。 工部有令史十二人，書令史二十一人，計史一人，亭長六人，掌固八人； 屯田令史七人，書令史十二人，計史一人，掌固四人； 虞部令史四人，書令史九人，掌固四人； 水部令史四人，書令史九人，掌固四人。
The Works Bureau had three section chiefs, Garrison Fields two, Parklands two, and Waterways two. In 620 the Directorate of Construction became the Ministry of Works; in 662 the ministry became the Directorate of Equilibrium, Garrison Fields the Bureau of Fields, Parklands the Bureau of Parks, and Waterways the Bureau of Rivers. In 684 it was renamed the Directorate of Winter. In 752 Parklands became the Bureau of Parks and Waterways the Bureau of Waters. The Works Bureau employed twelve clerks, twenty-one copy clerks, one reckoning clerk, six station chiefs, and eight custodians; Garrison Fields seven clerks, twelve copy clerks, one reckoning clerk, and four custodians; Parklands four clerks, nine copy clerks, and four custodians; Waterways four clerks, nine copy clerks, and four custodians.
36
屯田郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌天下屯田及京文武職田、諸司公廨田，以品給焉。
Garrison Fields had one director and one vice director, who administered state farming colonies empire-wide, salary lands for capital officials civil and military, and office plots for government agencies, apportioned by rank.
37
虞部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌京都衢閧、苑囿、山澤草木及百官蕃客時蔬薪炭供頓、畋獵之事。 每歲春，以戶小兒、戶婢仗內蒔種溉灌，冬則謹其蒙覆。 凡郊祠神壇、五岳名山，樵採、芻牧皆有禁，距壝三十步外得耕種，春夏不伐木。 京兆、河南府三百里內，正月、五月、九月禁弋獵。 山澤有寶可供用者，以聞。
Parklands had one director and one vice director, who oversaw the capital's streets and parks, mountain and marsh lands and their flora, provisions of fresh produce, fuel, and waystation supplies for officials and foreign guests, and the hunting grounds. Every spring, boys and maids from registered households were detailed inside the parks to plant and water; in winter they tended the protective mulching. Around suburban altars and the Five Sacred Peaks, woodcutting and grazing were prohibited; farming was allowed only beyond thirty paces from the ritual enclosure, and felling trees was banned in spring and summer. Within three hundred li of the Jingzhao and Henan metropolitan prefectures, fowling and hunting were forbidden in the first, fifth, and ninth months. When useful treasures were found in mountains or marshes, the discovery was reported upward.
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水部郎中、員外郎，各一人，掌津濟、船艫、渠梁、堤堰、溝洫、漁捕、運漕、碾磑之事。 凡坑陷、井穴皆有標。 京畿有渠長、斗門長。 諸州堤堰，刺史、縣令以時檢行，而涖其決築。 有埭，則以下戶分牽，禁爭利者。
Waterways had one director and one vice director, who handled ferries, shipping, canals and bridges, dikes and sluices, irrigation ditches, fisheries, grain transport, and water mills. Every pit, sinkhole, and well had to be posted with warning markers. The capital districts had canal overseers and sluice-gate overseers. In the provinces, prefects and magistrates inspected dikes and dams at the proper season and directed emergency repairs. Where haulage dams existed, lower-status households were rotated to tow boats through them, and private profit-seeking was prohibited.
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Collation notes.