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新唐書巻四十九上 志第三十九上 百官四上

新唐書巻四十九上 志第三十九上 百官四上

Chapter 49 of 新唐書 · New Book of Tang
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Chapter 49
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1
宿 簿 殿宿
Among the Sixteen Guards, the Left and Right Guards each had one Senior General of secondary second rank; Each also had one Grand General of upper third rank; Each had two Generals of secondary third rank. They oversaw palace security and night watches, exercising overall authority over all five inner guard offices and the outer commands. They received the rosters of men rotating to palace duty from the five inner offices, the Three Guards, and valiant cavalry of the assault-and-repulse commands, and assigned them their posts. When the emperor presided in the main audience hall, they guarded the gates and inner precincts, standing overnight watch and bearing ceremonial arms. Even on days without an imperial audience, one General supervised the guard formation; when that post was vacant, a Colonel served in his place as deputy to the Senior General.
2
The rank structure below the Senior Generals was identical for the Left and Right Valiant, Martial, Awesome, Army-leader, Gold Crow, and Gate-keeping Guards. In Wude 5 the Left and Right Assist Guards became the Left and Right Guard Offices; valiant cavalry guards became valiant cavalry offices; garrison guards became awesome guards; imperial guards became army-leader guards; and the bodyguard office became simply the left and right office — only the martial guard, gate-keeping, and escort guard offices retained their Sui titles. In Xianqing 5 the Left and Right Offices were renamed the Left and Right Thousand-Ox Offices. In Longshuo 2 the word "Office" was dropped from the guard, valiant cavalry, and martial guard titles; awesome guards became martial awesome guards; army-leader guards became military guards; escort guards became gold crow guards; gate-keeping offices became gate-keeping guards; and thousand-ox offices became imperial attendant guards — a name later reverted to thousand-ox guards. In Xianheng 1 the Left and Right Military Guards were restored to the name Army-leader Guards. In the first year of Guangzhai under Empress Wu, the valiant guards were renamed martial awesome guards; martial guards became soaring eagle guards; awesome guards became leopard strategy guards; and army-leader guards became jade seal guards. In Zhenyuan 2 the post of Senior General was first created for each of the Sixteen Guards. The Left and Right Guards each employed one clerk, one office assistant, two scribes, eight station chiefs, and four gate wardens.
3
祿
Each guard had one Chief Administrator of upper secondary sixth rank. They handled bureau business and oversaw stipends for the five inner and outer guard offices, troop and unit rosters, and inventories of arms and horses; on minor matters they could act on their own authority, and each autumn they assisted the Grand General in annual evaluations.
4
Each guard had one Recording Secretary of upper eighth rank. They received business from the bureaus and from the five inner and outer guard offices, audited and copied documents, and distributed paper and writing supplies.
5
使祿
Each guard had two Granary Bureau Secretaries of lower eighth rank. They oversaw merit records, temporary postings, salaries, official quarters, estates, rations, medical care, and travel permits for the civil staff of the five inner guard offices. The bureaus below the Granary Bureau shared the same rank structure. Each bureau had two office assistants and four scribes. The Military Bureau employed four office assistants and seven scribes. The Cavalry Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes. The Armor Bureau had three office assistants and three scribes. Early in Empress Wu's Chang'an reign the Armor Bureau was renamed the Helmet Bureau; Emperor Zhongzong restored the old title on his accession; and in Xiantian 1 it was again called the Helmet Bureau. Early in the Kaiyuan era the guard granary, military, cavalry, and armor secretaries were retitled Granary, Military, Cavalry, and Helmet Bureau Secretaries.
6
宿
Each guard had two Military Bureau Secretaries who managed the rotation rosters of military officers on palace guard duty in the five inner offices; they received the name lists and the Grand General made the assignments.
7
簿
Each guard had one Cavalry Bureau Secretary who kept the livestock records and supervised the pasturing of horses and other animals in the outer commands. Horses on standing duty at the guard commands were divided into seven watches according to distance and rotated monthly. Officials departing the palace precinct on imperial orders were issued horses.
8
Each guard had one Helmet Bureau Secretary who oversaw arms and armor, the construction and repair of official buildings, and disciplinary penalties. At major court assemblies and imperial processions they drew yellow ceremonial armor, bows, and arrows from the Commandant of the Guard.
9
The Chamberlain of the Imperial Carriage was responsible for driving the secondary imperial carriage. The post existed in name only; at grand ceremonies other officials were assigned to fill it. Chamberlains of the Imperial Son-in-Law had no fixed number of posts; both they and the Chamberlains of the Imperial Carriage held lower secondary fifth rank.
10
Each guard had two Stairway Officers of upper sixth rank; Three Middle Escorts each of lower seventh rank; Five Halberd Officers each of lower eighth rank; Five Halberd Bearers each of lower ninth rank; Twenty-five Senior Guards each of lower ninth rank. In Tianshou 2 under Empress Wu the Stairway Officer, Middle Escort, Halberd Officer, and Halberd Bearer posts were created in every guard — collectively known as the Four-Colored Offices.
11
The Personal Guard comprised one office, called the Personal Office. The Merit Guard had two offices: Merit First and Merit Second. The Assist Guard had two offices: Assist First and Assist Second. Five inner guard offices in all. Each office had one Colonel of lower fourth rank; One Left and one Right Vice Colonel each of upper fifth rank; Personal Guards held upper seventh rank; Merit Guards held upper secondary seventh rank; Assist Guards held upper eighth rank. The total strength was 4,963 men. Each office had one Military Bureau Secretary of upper ninth rank; Each office had five Captains of upper sixth rank. Under each Captain were two Brigade Commanders of upper secondary sixth rank; Each Brigade Commander commanded twenty Squad Leaders of upper seventh rank and twenty Deputy Squad Leaders of lower seventh rank.
12
宿 簿 宿 殿 退 祿
The Colonels of the five inner offices commanded the Captains, Brigade Commanders, and Personal and Merit Guards on palace watch, and oversaw all business of their offices; The Left and Right Vice Colonels served as their deputies. Men rotating to palace duty submitted their rosters to the Grand General, who assigned their posts. During the Wude and Zhenguan periods hereditary privilege weighed heavily: sons of second- and third-rank officials entered the Personal Guard; Great-grandsons of second-rank ministers, grandsons of third-rank ministers, sons of fourth-rank officials, sons or grandsons of fifth-rank officeholders, ennobled merit officials of third rank and above, and imperial princes' sons entered the Merit Guard or the Guard Command's Personal Guard; Grandsons of fourth-rank officials, fifth-rank officials themselves, and sons of Upper Pillars of State entered the Assist Guard or the Guard Command's Merit Guard; Second-rank merit officials and holders of district baron rank and above, together with sons or grandsons of fifth-rank honorary officials, entered the Assist Guards of the guard commands and Guard Command. Several thousand princely household attendants bearing arms or managing carriages rotated to duty each month, standing watch in the inner corridors and at the city gates and receiving grain rations. Three hundred fan-bearing Three Guards were chosen for youth, strength, even shoulders, and fine appearance; their home guard stamped their arms and sent them to the Palace Directorate for drill — and after each guard formation one Three Guard from each watch guided the imperial carriage for the Imperial Stud. Later the road to office grew steep: Three Guards lacking powerful family connections were repeatedly bumped from rotation, and sons of Pillars of State could grow old without ever advancing; Men from outside the regular hierarchy, however humble, received salaries and rations within a few years. The Three Guards thus fell ever further in esteem, and few aspired to enter them. Each inner office had one clerk, one office assistant, and three scribes. Under Tang the Personal and Merit Guards were headed by Commanders of Fast Cavalry and Commanders of Chariots and Cavalry; the Assist Guard had a Commander of Chariots and Cavalry. In Wude 7 Commanders of Fast Cavalry became Colonels and Commanders of Chariots and Cavalry became Vice Colonels, each divided into left and right; the Personal Guard formed one office and the Merit and Assist Guards two offices — together called the Three-Office Guards. The Assist Guards of the guard commands and the Personal and Merit Guards of the Guard Command were also collectively known as the Three Guards. In Yonghui 3, to avoid the crown prince's taboo name, Colonels were retitled Brigade Guard Lieutenants and Vice Colonels Assist-Army Lieutenants. When the crown prince was deposed, the original titles were restored.
13
The Left and Right Valiant Guards each had one Senior General, one Grand General, and two Generals. Their responsibilities matched those of the Left and Right Guards. They assigned men rotating to duty from the Assist Guards of the assist offices and the leopard cavalry of the outer commands. When troops were posted to guard the gates around the Imperial City and within the palace precinct, they shared auxiliary guard duty with the Left and Right Guards.
14
Each valiant guard had one Chief Administrator, one Recording Secretary, two Granary Bureau Secretaries, two Military Bureau Secretaries, one Cavalry Bureau Secretary, one Helmet Bureau Secretary, two Left and Right Stairway Officers, three Left and Right Middle Escorts, five Left and Right Halberd Officers, and five Left and Right Halberd Bearers. Each Assist Colonel Office had one Colonel, one Left and one Right Vice Colonel, one Military Bureau Secretary, five Captains, ten Brigade Commanders, twenty Squad Leaders, and twenty Deputy Squad Leaders. The staff included one clerk, two scribes, two station chiefs, and four gate wardens. The Granary Bureau had two office assistants and two scribes; The Military Bureau had three office assistants and five scribes; The Cavalry Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Helmet Bureau had three office assistants and three scribes. Each Assist Colonel Office had one clerk, one office assistant, and two scribes.
15
The Left and Right Martial Guards each had one Senior General, one Grand General, and two Generals. Their responsibilities matched those of the Left and Right Guards. They assigned men rotating to duty from the Assist Guards of the assist offices and the bear-channel troops of the outer commands.
16
Each martial guard had one Chief Administrator, one Recording Secretary, two Granary Bureau Secretaries, two Military Bureau Secretaries, one Cavalry Bureau Secretary, one Helmet Bureau Secretary, two Left and Right Stairway Officers, three Left and Right Middle Escorts, five Left and Right Halberd Officers, five Left and Right Halberd Bearers, and twenty-five Senior Guards. The staff of the Left and Right Assist Colonel Offices matched that of the Valiant Guard. The guard employed two Herald Chiefs, one clerk, two scribes, two station chiefs, and four gate wardens. The Granary Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Military Bureau had three office assistants and five scribes; The Cavalry Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Helmet Bureau had three office assistants and three scribes. The Herald Chiefs led the ceremonial calls that marked the rhythm for clearing the imperial procession route.
17
The Left and Right Awesome Guards each had one Senior General, one Grand General, and two Generals. Their responsibilities matched those of the Left and Right Guards. They assigned men rotating to duty from the Assist Guards of the assist offices and the imperial-forest troops of the outer commands. When troops were posted as chief guards, they were responsible for the eastern auxiliary guard posts of the Imperial City.
18
Each awesome guard had one Chief Administrator, one Recording Secretary, two Granary Bureau Secretaries, two Military Bureau Secretaries, one Cavalry Bureau Secretary, one Helmet Bureau Secretary, two Left and Right Stairway Officers, three Left and Right Middle Escorts, five Left and Right Halberd Officers, five Left and Right Halberd Bearers, and twenty-five Senior Guards. The staff of the Left and Right Assist Colonel Offices matched that of the Valiant Guard. The office had one clerk, two scribes, two station chiefs, and four gate wardens. The Granary Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Military Bureau had three office assistants and five scribes; The Cavalry Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Helmet Bureau had three office assistants and three scribes.
19
西
The Left and Right Army-leader Guards each had one Senior General, one Grand General, and two Generals. Their responsibilities matched those of the Left and Right Guards. They assigned men rotating to duty from the Assist Guards of the assist offices and the shooting-voice troops of the outer commands. When troops were posted as chief guards, they were responsible for the western auxiliary guard posts of the Imperial City and for the gates of the capital and park cities.
20
Each army-leader guard had one Chief Administrator, one Recording Secretary, two Granary Bureau Secretaries, two Military Bureau Secretaries, one Cavalry Bureau Secretary, one Helmet Bureau Secretary, two Left and Right Stairway Officers, three Left and Right Middle Escorts, five Left and Right Halberd Officers, five Left and Right Halberd Bearers, and twenty-five Senior Guards. The staff of the Left and Right Assist Colonel Offices matched that of the Valiant Guard. The office had one clerk, two scribes, two station chiefs, and four gate wardens. The Granary Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Military Bureau had three office assistants and five scribes; The Cavalry Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Helmet Bureau had three office assistants and three scribes.
21
宿
The Left and Right Gold Crow Guards each had one Senior General, one Grand General, and two Generals. They oversaw patrols within the palace and capital, managed beacon stations and roads, and ensured adequate water and forage supply. All men rotating to duty from the Assist Guards of the assist offices and the flying-attendant troops of the outer commands came under their authority. During imperial field hunts they enforced camp restrictions for the left and right formations; they assigned posts to palace night-guard officers of the Southern Yamen from the rank of General downward, and to Thousand-Ox guards on rotating duty. On major public works projects, they conducted patrol inspections jointly with the censor. Worn tent curtains and old felts were distributed to the infirmary wards.
22
The Military Bureau Secretary oversaw military officers of the assist and outer guard commands and also supervised hunting masters.
23
簿
The Cavalry Bureau Secretary kept records of miscellaneous livestock in the outer commands and oversaw their breeding and care.
24
The Helmet Bureau Secretary's responsibilities matched those of the Left and Right Guards. During grand court assemblies in imperial procession, they furnished the green dragon banner and ceremonial lances to the Guard Commandant.
25
使
Each gold crow guard had one Chief Administrator, one Recording Secretary, two Granary Bureau Secretaries, two Military Bureau Secretaries, one Cavalry Bureau Secretary, one Helmet Bureau Secretary, two Left and Right Stairway Officers, three Left and Right Middle Escorts, five Left and Right Halberd Officers, five Left and Right Halberd Bearers, one Left and Right Street Commissioner each, and two adjudicators each. The staff of the Left and Right Assist Colonel Offices followed the Valiant Guard model. The office had one clerk and two scribes. The Granary Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Military Bureau had three office assistants and five scribes; The Cavalry Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Helmet Bureau had three office assistants and three scribes. There were two Left and Right Street Directors, sixty Three Guards for the imperial escort, sixty-six flying attendants for the escort, and six hundred great horn blowers. The Sui had censors of misconduct, but the office was abolished under the Tang.
26
殿退
The Colonels of the Left and Right Assist Colonel Offices directed their staff, supervised patrol posts along the capital's six left and right streets, and were assisted by two resolute commandants in reconnaissance patrols. On days when the emperor entered the inner hall, one Colonel went up to the hall to receive reports; six hundred guardsmen served as horn blowers, training in six rotations; the great horn signaled dusk and dawn, by which all encampments regulated their movements.
27
使 使
The Left and Right Street Commissioners supervised patrol and inspection along the six capital streets. Martial sentry posts stood at every city gate and ward corner, manned by guardsmen and crossbow cavalry — one hundred at major gates, thirty at major posts, twenty at minor gates, and five at minor posts; at dusk, after eight hundred drumbeats, the gates were shut; During the second watch, street commissioners rode circuit patrols with challenge calls, while military officers conducted covert inspections; At the second point of the fifth watch the inner drum sounded, street drums answered in succession, and ward and market gates opened; after three thousand beats, the signal ceased at daybreak.
28
The Left and Right Gate-keeping Guards each had one Senior General, one Grand General, and two Generals. They oversaw gate security, guard duty, and entry registers. Each month, civil and military officials of rank nine and above submitted their registers to the imperial escort guard and Gate-keeping Guards, who reported the tally to the inner gate. They verified the numbers of officials attending court, presenting memorials, awaiting imperial summons, and those entering or leaving with ceremonial parasols and regalia. Items and goods brought into the palace required both registration records and pass documents. The Left Gate-keeping General handled entries and the Right Gate-keeping General handled exits, exchanging registers once each month. When the emperor traveled, they led their subordinates to stand guard at the palace gates.
29
The Chief Administrator adjudicated bureau affairs and restricted gates, inspected all comings and goings, and managed the registers and pass documents. All other arrangements matched those of the Left and Right Guards.
30
The Military Bureau Secretary also oversaw the Granary Bureau, and the Helmet Bureau Secretary also oversaw the Cavalry Bureau.
31
殿
The Left and Right Assist Colonel Offices were headed by Colonels. They supervised palace halls and city gates, enforcing the rule that all entered from the left and exited from the right. Each gate-keeping guard had four Colonels, one Chief Administrator, one Recording Secretary, one Military Bureau Secretary, and one Helmet Bureau Secretary. The office had one clerk, two scribes, two station chiefs, and two gate wardens. The Military Bureau had three office assistants and five scribes; The Helmet Bureau had three office assistants and four scribes. There were 320 gate-keeping company commanders, 680 duty chiefs, 20 senior guards for long-entry service, and 20 senior guards among the duty chiefs. Gate-keeping company commanders regulated the sequence of entries and exits. Under the Tang, the Vice Colonels of the Gate-keeping Office were renamed Generals.
32
宿 殿
The Left and Right Thousand-Ox Guards each had one Senior General, one Grand General, and two Generals. They provided close attendance guard service and supplied the emperor's ceremonial arms. Thousand-Ox bodyguards and attendants on the left and right carried bows and arrows on overnight palace watch, while master-of-arms guards kept custody of ceremonial weapons. On days of imperial audience, they led the bodyguard attendants up to the hall to stand in ranked attendance. When the emperor engaged in archery, they led their subordinates to accompany him.
33
宿 宿 宿 宿
The Armor Bureau Secretary oversaw armor and ceremonial arms. There were 219 types of imperial ceremonial arms and 300 types of ceremonial regalia, distributed for custody among ranks below the Thousand-Ox guards. On audience days, archers bearing imperial bows and arrows brought their own equipment when entering for overnight duty. Master-of-arms guards on monthly rotating duty were assigned their posts, and when traveling in procession they also served under the Cavalry Bureau. Each thousand-ox guard had two Colonels, one Chief Administrator, one Recording Secretary, one Military Bureau Secretary, and one Helmet Bureau Secretary. Under the Tang, bodyguard Vice Colonels became Generals, bodyguard captains became Colonels, and the thousand-ox and bodyguard attendants on the left and right were renamed Thousand-Ox bodyguards. Bodyguard master-of-arms guards were originally established at this time. The office had one clerk, two scribes, two station chiefs, and four gate wardens. The Military Bureau had one office assistant and two scribes; The Helmet Bureau had one office assistant and one scribe. There were twelve Thousand-Ox bodyguards, twelve bodyguard attendants on the left and right, one hundred bodyguards, and one hundred fifty master-of-arms guards. Thousand-Ox bodyguards carried the imperial sword, wore green brocade embroidered with floral patterns, held ivory tablets, and served on overnight palace watch and close attendance. Bodyguard attendants on the left and right carried imperial bows and arrows, serving on overnight palace watch and close attendance. Bodyguards performed overnight palace watch and close attendance duty. Master-of-arms guards kept custody of and supplied the emperor's ceremonial arms.
34
殿
The Colonels of the Left and Right Assist Colonel Offices oversaw ceremonial attendance and close guard service. All Thousand-Ox guards and bodyguard attendants who entered the hall bearing imperial swords and arms for ceremonial service were commanded by the Senior General, with Colonels serving as his deputies. When the emperor issued an oral decree, the relay chamberlain passed it down; if his voice did not carry, a Colonel repeated the announcement. Each guard's Assault-and-Repulse Commandant Office had one Assault-and-Repulse Commandant — upper fourth rank, upper grade in upper offices; secondary fourth rank, lower grade in middle offices; and upper fifth rank, lower grade in lower offices. Each office had one Left and Right Resolute Commandant — secondary fifth rank, lower grade in upper offices; upper sixth rank, upper grade in middle offices; and upper sixth rank, lower grade in lower offices. Each office had one Deputy General — upper seventh rank, lower grade in upper offices; secondary seventh rank, upper grade in middle offices; and secondary seventh rank, lower grade in lower offices. Each office had one Chief Administrator — upper seventh rank, lower grade in upper offices; secondary seventh rank, upper grade in middle offices; and secondary seventh rank, lower grade in lower offices. Each office had one Military Bureau Secretary — upper eighth rank, lower grade in upper offices; upper ninth rank, lower grade in middle offices; and secondary ninth rank, upper grade in lower offices. There were five company commanders of secondary seventh rank, lower grade. There were ten brigade leaders of secondary eighth rank, upper grade. There were twenty squad chiefs of upper ninth rank, lower grade; There were twenty deputy squad chiefs of secondary ninth rank, lower grade.
35
宿
The Assault-and-Repulse Commandant led his subordinates in preparing for palace guard duty; on campaigns he gathered equipment and provisions, conducted drills, and organized units of three hundred men under a company commander. Sentry post watchmen questioned any traveler day or night; if there was no answer, they drew their bows and shouted a warning; if still unanswered, they fired a warning shot to the side; if there was still no reply, they shot to kill. By day, gate-bar personnel kept distant watch; at night, watchmen listened for sounds from afar. If a crowd gathered and raised an outcry, they reported it to the commanding officer.
36
The Left and Right Resolute Commandants served as deputies to the Assault-and-Repulse Commandant. Each commandant office employed one clerk, one office assistant, and two scribes. The Military Bureau staff included two office assistants and three scribes. Each squad leader led a unit of fifty soldiers. In Wude 1 Eagle-Rising Vice Colonels were retitled Army Heads, with a rank of upper fourth rank, lower grade; Eagle-Striking Vice Colonels became Office Deputies, ranked upper fifth rank, upper grade; Army Supervisors were redesignated Chief Administrators of upper eighth rank, lower grade; Colonels held upper sixth rank, lower grade; brigade commanders held upper seventh rank, lower grade. The crossbow-cavalry and infantry colonels, together with the irregularity-inspection clerks, were eliminated. Army Heads were next renamed Commanders of Fast Cavalry and Office Deputies Commanders of Chariots and Cavalry, each organized as its own office. The Guard Commands were staffed with five Commanders of Fast Cavalry and ten Commanders of Chariots and Cavalry. In the second year Chariots-and-Cavalry offices were subordinated to Fast-Cavalry offices; twelve armies were created, and the guard commands throughout the Guanzhong region were placed under them. Each army had one commanding general and one deputy. The arrangement was abolished in the sixth year. In the seventh year Fast-Cavalry offices became Army Command Offices, and Chariots-and-Cavalry Generals were renamed Deputy Generals. In the eighth year the twelve armies were restored. In Zhenguan 10 Army Command Offices became Assault-and-Repulse Commandant offices and Deputy Generals became Resolute Commandants. Each military ward had a ward chief who checked household registers and promoted agriculture and sericulture, chosen from fifth-rank merit officials of that ward. Offices were established throughout the Three Metropolises and nearby metropolitan prefectures, six hundred thirty-three in all. During the Yonghui period Chief Administrators were eliminated and a single Army Supervisor was appointed to head both the Military and Cavalry bureaus. Under Empress Wu in the Chuigong era upper offices fielded twelve hundred men, middle offices one thousand, and lower offices eight hundred; offices in red counties became red offices, and those in capital counties capital offices. In Shengli 1 the Army Supervisor was removed; a Chief Administrator and Military Bureau Secretary were added, together with one Deputy General of secondary sixth rank, lower grade, ranking just below the Resolute Commandant — later split into left and right posts, then abolished. After an interval the post was restored as a single appointment, but at reduced rank. At the start of the Kaiyuan era guard soldiers were renamed warrior-guards, and Assault-and-Repulse Commandants, Resolute Commandants, and Deputy Generals from the guard commands who were chosen for their bearing served as ceremonial formation escort officers. Fifteen were drawn from the Right Feathered Forest Army and twenty-five from the Left, all in matching dress. Each guard maintained crossbowmen: the Left and Right Valiant Guards eighty-five apiece, the others eighty-three apiece.
37
The Left and Right Feathered Forest Armies each had one Senior General of upper third rank; Each army had three Generals of secondary third rank. They commanded the northern palace guard forces and oversaw the flying-cavalry ceremonial units on the left and right wings. At grand court assemblies they ringed the throne steps in guard formation; During imperial tours they flanked the imperial highway as the inner escort guard. Flying cavalry on palace rotation were assigned to these duties. When imperial orders required the guard to enter the southern offices, the Senior General received the written edict, notified the Golden Crow Guard, and together with escort officials and the Gate-keeping Supervisor submitted a memorial for approval; only after the edict was formally issued could they enter.
38
Each army had one Chief Administrator of secondary sixth rank, upper grade; Each army had one Recording Secretary of upper eighth rank, upper grade; Each army had one Granary Bureau Secretary who also oversaw Cavalry Bureau affairs; Each army had one Military Bureau Secretary; Each army had one Helmet Bureau Secretary. From the Granary Bureau Secretary down, all held upper eighth rank, lower grade. Each army had two Stairway Officers of upper sixth rank, upper grade; Each army had three Middle Escorts of upper seventh rank, lower grade; Each army had five Halberd Officers of upper eighth rank, upper grade; Each army had five Halberd Bearers of upper ninth rank, lower grade; Each army had ten Senior Guards. Each Assist Colonel Office of the Left and Right Assist Guards had one Colonel of upper fourth rank, lower grade; Each office had one Left and one Right Central Vice Colonel and one Left and one Right Vice Colonel, all of upper fifth rank, upper grade; Each office had one Military Bureau Secretary of upper ninth rank, upper grade; Each office had five Colonels, ten brigade commanders, twenty squad leaders, and twenty deputy squad leaders. The staff included one clerk, two scribes, two station chiefs, and four gate wardens. The Granary and Military Bureaus each had two office assistants and four scribes; The Helmet Bureau had two office assistants and two scribes. Each Left and Right Assist Colonel Office had one clerk, one office assistant, and two scribes; The Granary and Military Bureaus each had two office assistants and four scribes; The Helmet Bureau had two office assistants and two scribes.
39
The Left and Right Dragon Martial Armies each had one Senior General of secondary second rank; Each army had one Army Commander of upper third rank; Each army had three Generals of secondary third rank. Their responsibilities matched those of the Feathered Forest Armies.
40
Each army had one Chief Administrator, one Recording Secretary, one Granary Bureau Secretary, one Military Bureau Secretary, and one Helmet Bureau Secretary; two Stairway Officers; three Middle Escorts; five Halberd Officers and five Halberd Bearers; and ten Senior Guards. In Jingyun 1 the post of Dragon Martial General was created. In Xingyuan 1 Army Commanders were appointed for each of the Six Armies. In Zhenyuan 3 one General was added to the Dragon Martial Army; the staff included one clerk, two scribes, two station chiefs, and four gate wardens. The Granary Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Military Bureau had two office assistants and four scribes; The Helmet Bureau had two office assistants and two scribes.
41
The Left and Right Divine Martial Armies each had one Senior General of secondary second rank; Each army had one Army Commander of upper third rank; Each army had three Generals of secondary third rank. They commanded the archer-soldiers stationed before the headquarters gate.
42
Each army had one Chief Administrator, one Recording Secretary, one Granary Bureau Secretary, one Military Bureau Secretary, and one Helmet Bureau Secretary; two Stairway Officers; three Middle Escorts; five Halberd Officers and five Halberd Bearers; and ten Senior Guards. The staff included one clerk and two scribes; Granary, Military, and Helmet Bureau assistants and scribes followed the same pattern as the Dragon Martial Army. In Kaiyuan 26 detachments from the Feathered Forest were used to create the Left and Right Divine Martial Armies, which were soon abolished; They were restored in Zhide 2.
43
The Left and Right Divine Strategy Armies each had one Senior General of secondary second rank; Each army had two Army Commanders of upper third rank; Each army had four Generals of secondary third rank. They commanded the palace guards and the forces of the eight inner and outer garrison commands.
44
使
Each army had one Protecting-Army Central Commandant, one Central Protecting-Army Commandant, three case officers, two chief case officers, and one review officer. Each army had one memorial-drafting officer, one disbursement officer, two registry officers, and two messenger officers.
45
殿 使 殿 簿
From the Chief Administrator down, staffing matched that of the Dragon Martial Army. The Left and Right Dragon Martial, Divine Martial, and Divine Strategy Armies were collectively known as the Six Armies. In Zhenyuan 2 the Divine Strategy Army received Senior Generals and Generals; in the fourteenth year Army Commanders were added, with ranks identical to those of the Six Armies. At first the Hall-Front Left and Right Divine Might Armies each had two Senior Generals of secondary second rank; There were two Army Commanders of secondary third rank; There were two Generals of secondary fifth rank. At the start of the Yuanhe era the two were merged into a single army called the Heavenly Might Army. In the eighth year it was abolished and the force was placed under the Divine Strategy Army; cavalry and infantry generals and command commissioners were appointed, with a cavalry Senior General in charge of operations. The Divine Strategy Army was abolished in Tianfu 3 and restored in Tianfu 4. Among Eastern Palace offices, the Three Preceptors and Three Junior Preceptors of the Eastern Palace and the Crown Prince's Guests of Honor — the Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, and Grand Protector — were each one in number, of secondary first rank. They were charged with guiding and instructing the crown prince. Whenever they attended the crown prince, they greeted him with obeisance at the palace gate and the Three Preceptors returned the courtesy; at every gate they yielded precedence; the crown prince did not sit until the Three Preceptors were seated. In letters to the Three Preceptors one wrote "trembling with awe" before the name and "trembling with awe, bowing twice" after it. When the crown prince went abroad he rode the state carriage with full ceremonial escort.
46
The Junior Preceptor, Junior Tutor, and Junior Protector were each one in number, of secondary second rank. They explained the Three Preceptors' conduct and character to the crown prince, presenting him to observe their moral example. From the Grand Preceptor down, appointments were made only when a worthy person was available — the posts need not all be filled. In Xiantian 1 separate offices were opened with one director and one aide each, subordinate to the Grand Steward of the Heir Apparent. They were soon abolished.
47
There were four Guests of Honor to the Crown Prince, of upper third rank. They attended the crown prince in service, offered remonstrance, and assisted in ceremonial propriety; at banquets they took seats of honor. Reading Instructors had no fixed establishment; they lectured on the classics and guided the crown prince in their study. In the eighteenth year of Zhenguan, chancellors were also appointed to serve concurrently as Guests of Honor. During the Kaiyuan era the establishment was fixed at four posts. Under Taizong, Reading Instructors served in the Prince of Jin's household; when he became crown prince, the post was retained in the Eastern Palace as well. Afterward the office was sometimes filled and sometimes left vacant. At the start of Kaiyuan, the Ten Princes' Residence recruited literary scholars skilled in calligraphy to instruct the princes; they too held the title of Reading Instructor. The Grand Steward's Office had one Grand Steward of the Crown Prince, of upper third rank; and one Vice Grand Steward, of upper fourth rank. The Grand Steward directed the administration of the three courts and ten command offices, with the Vice Grand Steward as deputy. Documents issued by the crown prince were styled "orders"; from the Junior Tutors down, officials signed to carry them out, filed the record, and marked the date.
48
簿使
There were two aides of upper sixth rank. They decided routine business of the office and kept the registers of civil and military personnel and temporary appointments. Every imperial edict and order, and every dispatch from the Department of State Affairs or the two palace lodges to Eastern Palace offices, was routed through this office.
49
簿
There was one chief clerk of upper seventh rank; and two Recording Secretaries of lower ninth rank. Under the Sui the Grand Steward's Office was abolished. It was restored at the beginning of the Wude era. In Longshuo 2 the office was renamed the Endpoint Chief's Office; the Grand Steward became the Endpoint Chief and the Vice Grand Steward the Junior Chief. In the first year of Guangzhai under Empress Wu it was renamed the Palace Chief's Office; the Grand Steward was styled Palace Chief and the Vice Grand Steward Junior Chief. The staff included nine clerks and eighteen scribes.
50
西 使 簿
There were two Rectifiers of upper seventh rank. They investigated and censured palace officials and the soldiers of the command offices. When the crown prince attended court, they split oversight between the eastern and western formations. During a regency the Grand Steward and Junior Tutors acted as commissioners of the Three Offices; one Rectifier, together with Petition Examiners and Attendants, took petitions on rotation. When the crown prince went out, they divided inspection duties within the ceremonial escort. The staff included one clerk, two scribes, four station chiefs, and six gate wardens. The Left Spring Palace had two Left Junior Tutors of upper fourth rank; and two Palace Attendants of lower fifth rank. They attended the crown prince, assisted in ceremony, and reviewed petitions for errors. They oversaw the six bureaus — the Classics Bureau, Palace Provisions Bureau, Pharmacy Bureau, Inner Household Bureau, Equipment Bureau, and Palace Gate Bureau. When the crown prince departed, they made the tablet announcement, completed the outer preparations, and enforced inner security; on his return, security was relaxed. Whenever an order was issued, they joined Palace Attendants, Petition Examiners, and others in affixing approval, conducting a final review, keeping the marked copy on file, making a fresh copy with seals, noting assent to the order, and forwarding it to the Grand Steward's Office.
51
There were two Petition Examiners of upper sixth rank. They attended the crown prince, offered remonstrance, and corrected petitions. Events worthy of the historical record — the crown prince's movements, court audiences, accompanying sacrifices, libation rites, lectures, and regency orders — were entered as annalistic notes; together with omens and portents in the palace lodges, appointments and dismissals of senior officials, and deaths, all of which were copied at year's end and sent to the History Office.
52
There was one Left Mentor of Virtue of lower fourth rank. He instructed the crown prince in moral conduct, offering counsel and encouragement as occasions arose. When the crown prince received palace officials in audience, they stood in attendance on the left stairway and rode in escort when he went abroad.
53
殿殿
There were five Left Commissioners of Good Conduct of upper fifth rank. They relayed orders, admonished against misconduct, assisted in ritual propriety, and taught the classics to the imperial princes. There were two Recording Secretaries of lower eighth rank; and three case officers of lower ninth rank. The Sui dynasty had the post of Inner Attendant. In Wude 3 the title was changed to Palace Secretary and the office was placed under the Gate-Down Lodge. At the start of Zhenguan the title became Palace Attendant; in the eighteenth year Petition Examiners were added. In Yonghui 3, to avoid the crown prince's personal name, Palace Attendants were again renamed Inner Attendants. When the crown prince was deposed, the earlier titles were restored. In Longshuo 2 the Gate-Down Lodge became the Left Spring Palace; Left Junior Tutors were renamed Left Central Protectors, Palace Attendants became Left Commissioners of Good Conduct, Petition Examiners were split into left and right sections, and one Left and one Right Mentor of Virtue were appointed. In Xianheng 1 the old titles were all restored and Petition Examiners were no longer divided; later the Mentors of Virtue were abolished and the left-right division of Petition Examiners was reinstated. In Yifeng 4 ten Left and ten Right Commissioners of Good Conduct were appointed, all drawn from the imperial clan. In Jingyun 2 commoners were first admitted as well; the Gate-Down Lodge was renamed the Left Spring Palace and Mentors of Virtue restored; Junior Tutors were ranked equivalent to Vice Grand Councilors, Palace Attendants to Vice Gate Ministers, Petition Examiners to Drafting Attendants, Commissioners of Good Conduct to Remonstrance Officers, and Mentors of Virtue to Regular Attendants of the Loose Retinue. In the Right Lodge, Junior Tutors were ranked equivalent to Grand Councilors of the Secretariat and Palace Secretaries to Vice Secretaries; during a regency Junior Tutors were ranked equivalent to the Director of the Department of State Affairs. The staff included six clerks, twelve scribes, four order transmitters, two ceremonial attendants, three announcers, three station chiefs, and ten gate wardens. Two Academicians of the Palace of Exalted Literature managed the classics and library collections, instructed students, and conducted examinations and recommendations on the model of the Hall of Promoted Literature. There were two Collators of lower ninth rank. They collated and organized the book collections. The Palace of Exalted Worthies was founded in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan. In Xianqing 1 an enrollment of twenty students was fixed. In Shangyuan 2, to avoid the crown prince's personal name, it was renamed the Palace of Exalted Literature. Academicians, resident academicians, and collators had no fixed establishment; when none were in post, a Junior Tutor supervised the palace. In Kaiyuan 7 the title of collator was changed to Collator. At the start of Qianyuan chancellors were appointed academicians and put in charge of the palace. In Zhenyuan 8 it was placed under the Left Spring Palace. The staff included fifteen hall students, one document attendant, two clerks, two scribes, two book custodians, two rubbing copyists, ten regular-script copyists, one paper-preparation craftsman, two binding craftsmen, and one brush craftsman. The Classics Bureau had two Groom Commissioners of lower fifth rank. They kept the classics and attended the crown prince whenever he went abroad. Every book and document dispatched to the Eastern Palace was received and placed in storage. There were three Literary Officers of lower sixth rank. They shared oversight of the classics and assisted with literary composition. There were four Collators of lower ninth rank; and two Standardizers of upper ninth rank. They collated and edited the classics and historical texts. Under the Tang the crown prince's Correctors of Writing were renamed Standardizers. In Longshuo 3 the Classics Bureau became the Laurel Lodge, was detached from the Left Spring Palace, took charge of the Palace of Exalted Worthies, and was ranked on a par with the Censorate; one Grand Steward served as director with rank equivalent to the Censor-in-Chief; two Rectifiers were ranked like Attending Censors; and the Groom Commissioner became Director of the Classics Bureau. Four Literary Officers and one Recording Secretary of lower ninth rank were added. In the third year the Director of the Classics Bureau was renamed Laurel Lodge Director, with authority to correct misconduct and errors. In Xianheng 1 it was again placed under the Left Spring Palace and the Recording Secretary post was abolished. The staff included two scribes, two document clerks, four book custodians, twenty-five regular-script copyists, six gate wardens, two binding craftsmen, and one paper-preparation craftsman and one brush craftsman. The Palace Provisions Bureau had two Provisions Officers of lower sixth rank; and two aides of upper eighth rank. They supervised the presentation of meals and the tasting of food, with aides as deputies. Each night they took turns standing watch in the kitchen. In Longshuo 2 the title of Provisions Supervisor was changed to Provisions Officer. The staff included two scribes, four document clerks, six chief food attendants, two hundred food attendants, and four gate wardens. The Pharmacy Bureau had two Pharmacy Officers of lower sixth rank; and two aides of upper eighth rank. They compounded medicines, with aides as deputies. When the crown prince was ill, attendant physicians examined him and drafted prescriptions. Before any medicine was given, palace officials tasted it on the spot, following the practice of the Palace Pharmacy. The staff included one scribe, two document clerks, four attendant physicians, two pharmacy attendants, six pharmacy boys, and four gate wardens. The Inner Household Bureau had two Inner Household Officers of lower sixth rank; and two aides of lower eighth rank. They kept charge of seals, garments, parasols and fans, desks, writing materials, and palace walls. In Longshuo 2 Supervisors were renamed Inner Household Officers and Deputy Supervisors became aides. The staff included one clerk, three document clerks, twelve robe custodians, eight fan custodians, eight writing-material custodians, and six gate wardens. In the Wude era there were four Seal Custodians; they were abolished during Kaiyuan. The Equipment Bureau had four Equipment Officers of lower sixth rank; and two aides of lower eighth rank. They supervised bathing arrangements, lamps and candles, cleaning, and the setting out of furnishings. When the crown prince undertook preliminary fasting in a side hall or formal fasting in the main hall, they prepared curtained seats on the east side and within the inner chamber the day before, hanging drapery before the front pillars. In Longshuo 2 the Fasting Supervisors Bureau became the Equipment Bureau, and its supervisors were retitled Equipment Officers. The staff included two scribes, four document clerks, two hundred forty-five tent attendants, and twelve gate wardens. The Palace Gate Bureau had two Palace Gate Officers of lower sixth rank; and two aides of lower eighth rank. They controlled palace gates and keys. At the end of the night watch they sounded the clepsydra drum to open the gates; one quarter after the night clepsydra was reset, they sounded it again to close them. At the year-end exorcism rite the gates opened a quarter watch early. When the crown prince was away, they shut the main gate; upon his return with his escort, normal procedures resumed. Within the palace grounds no clepsydra drum was sounded during daylight hours. In Longshuo 3 Gate Supervisors were renamed Palace Gate Officers. The staff included one scribe, two document clerks, one hundred gate servants, and four gate wardens. The Right Spring Palace had two Right Junior Tutors of lower fourth rank; and two Palace Secretaries of lower fifth rank. They handled personal attendance, the submission of memorials, and petitions, with Palace Secretaries as deputies. During a regency, order documents bore the date when issued; at the Spring Palace Junior Tutors proclaimed and relayed them, and Palace Secretaries carried them out.
54
There were four Crown Prince Attendants of upper sixth rank. They drafted and transmitted order documents, memorials, and petitions. When officials addressed the crown prince, major matters were submitted as formal letters and minor ones as petitions; all sealed submissions were routed through the Communications Attendants of the Right Spring Palace.
55
There were eight Communications Attendants of lower seventh rank. They escorted palace officials at farewell audiences and, on order, conveyed the crown prince's condolences and inquiries.
56
There was one Right Mentor of Virtue, five Right Commissioners of Good Conduct, one Recording Secretary, and two case officers — all of the same ranks as their counterparts in the Left Spring Palace. Under the Sui, Inner Attendants served under the Classics Lodge. At the start of Wude the title became Palace Secretary, and record-keeping attendants were renamed Crown Prince Attendants. In Yonghui 1, to avoid the crown prince's personal name, Palace Secretaries were again renamed Inner Attendants. In Longshuo 2 the Classics Lodge became the Right Spring Palace; Right Junior Tutors were renamed Right Central Protectors, Palace Secretaries became Right Commissioners of Good Conduct, and Attendants became Right Petition Examiners. The staff included nine clerks, eighteen scribes, four order transmitters, four reception attendants, six station chiefs, and ten gate wardens. The Household Steward's Office had one Household Steward of upper secondary fourth rank. He oversaw food and drink and managed the granaries. He directed the three subordinate offices — the Food Officials Bureau, the Granary Bureau, and the Treasury Bureau. When the crown prince went abroad, the Household Steward rode ahead in a light carriage as guide; at sacrifices and for guests he provided food and wine; for bestowals he presented gold, jade, and currency. All beds, tables, mats, and utensils not drawn from the Directorate of Imperial Construction or the Palace Ateliers were furnished by this office.
57
Two aides of lower secondary seventh rank assisted in adjudicating the office's affairs. All receipts and disbursements of the three subordinate offices were reported to the Grand Steward. For estates and gardens they assessed the fertility of the soil to set collection quotas. Construction and repairs for the palace, court, lodges, and offices were assigned to the Treasury Bureau.
58
簿
There was one chief clerk of lower ninth rank. The Tang renamed the Steward of the Palace Office to Household Steward. In Longshuo 2 the Household Steward's Office became the Palace Household Office, and the Household Steward was styled Director. The staff included one recording secretary, ten office attendants, twenty clerks, four station chiefs, four gate wardens, and one hundred miscellaneous artisans. The Food Officials Bureau had one director of lower secondary eighth rank; and two aides of lower secondary ninth rank. They managed food, drink, and fermented beverages. They had exclusive charge of seasonal provisions and the service of meals. They provided New Year's, Cold Food Festival, and Winter Solstice meals from the Household Steward's kitchen for officials of sixth rank and below. The staff included two office attendants, four clerks, four food superintendents, one hundred forty food servers, and thirty cup-bearers. The Granary Bureau had one director of lower secondary eighth rank; and two aides of lower secondary ninth rank. They managed grain stores, fermented sauces and pickles, various delicacies, utensils, and lamps and candles. All garden and orchard cultivation came under their direction. Each month they recorded receipts and disbursements and reported to the Household Steward's Office; at year's end they forwarded accounts to the Grand Steward's Office. They issued rations and clothing to registered household slaves and servants, tributary households, and miscellaneous service households. The staff included three office attendants, five clerks, two garden aides, and two additional clerks. The Treasury Bureau had one director of lower secondary eighth rank; and two aides of lower secondary ninth rank. They managed storehouses, the receipt and disbursement of goods and funds, and construction and repairs. The staff included three office attendants, four clerks, and one accounting clerk. The Court of Palace Regulators had one director of upper secondary fourth rank. He oversaw clan precedence, rites and music, punishments, and the regulation of the clepsydra. For the crown prince's sacrificial offerings, lectures, and rank-order investitures with armor, he directed the ceremonial arrangements; when the crown prince went abroad he rode ahead in a light carriage as guide, ranking immediately below the Household Steward. Offenders in the lodges, courts, and offices who were sentenced — commoners receiving beating with the rod or lesser punishments — were all remitted to the Court of Judicial Review. When no crown prince had been appointed, cases were adjudicated by the Court of Judicial Review.
59
There was one aide of upper secondary seventh rank. He served as the director's deputy. When palace officials were tried by the Court of Palace Regulators, the director personally heard the case, withheld the sentence, and reported to the Grand Steward.
60
簿 輿
There was one chief clerk of lower ninth rank. He managed seals and the annotation of case records. Any disorder in clan precedence, lapse in ritual propriety, discord in pitch, inaccuracy in the clepsydra, or irregularity in criminal nomenclature was reported and set right. When sentences were pronounced, the chief clerk joined the aide in presiding. In Longshuo 2 it was renamed the Court of Time Regulation, and the director was styled Director of Time Regulation. The staff included one recording secretary, three office attendants, four clerks, three clepsydra masters, six clepsydra keepers, twenty clepsydra boys, twelve bell custodians, twelve drum custodians, four station chiefs, and four gate wardens. Clepsydra masters trained staff in clepsydra operation. The Transport Steward's Office had one Transport Steward of upper secondary fourth rank. He oversaw carriages, riding mounts, ceremonial regalia, and funeral arrangements, and directed the Stable and Pasturage Bureau. When the crown prince went abroad, the Transport Steward led the director of the Stable and Pasturage Bureau to clear the route and drove the carriage himself.
61
There was one aide of upper secondary seventh rank. He assisted in adjudicating the office's affairs. Each year in the fourth month of summer he reported horse, livestock, and fodder accounts to the Grand Steward, regulating timely disbursements and controlling quantities.
62
簿 西 調 使
There was one chief clerk of lower ninth rank. He oversaw stables and pasturage, carriage and cavalry teams, and ceremonial regalia. In Longshuo 2 it was renamed the Carriage Steward's Office, and the Transport Steward was styled Director. The staff included eleven horse presenters, one recording secretary, three office attendants, five clerks, three station chiefs, and three gate wardens. The Stable and Pasturage Bureau had one director of lower secondary eighth rank; and two aides of lower secondary ninth rank. They oversaw horses and carriages, reserved stables, and the pasturing of livestock. When the crown prince went abroad, the director beforehand led Carriage Custodians to exercise the route horses and drivers to ready the carriages; once the crown prince had departed, he cleared the route and placed the route carriage outside the western gate wing, facing south in waiting. All herd pasturage under the Eastern Palace fell under their authority. There were four Carriage Custodians of lower secondary ninth rank. The staff included three office attendants, six clerks, ten auxiliary drivers, fifteen carriage drivers, six hundred stable keepers, ten veterinary physicians, and thirty dairy stewards. Auxiliary drivers trained horses and managed the reins. The Crown Prince's Left and Right Command Offices each had one Commander of upper fourth rank; and two Vice Commanders each of upper secondary fourth rank. They managed arms and ceremonial guard duty. Every bureau, the three guard offices, and the outer offices fell under the Guard Command Office. On New Year's Day and the Winter Solstice, when the Crown Prince received palace officials and regional envoys in audience, the Commanders led their guard-command subordinates as escort. Each month men rotating to duty from the three offices, the Three Guards, and the five guard offices — including supernumerary carriage attendants — were assigned their posts. In Wude 5 the Left and Right Attendant Commanders became the Left and Right Guard Command Offices; the Left and Right Valiant Attendant Commanders became the Left and Right Ceremonial Guard Command Offices; and the Left and Right Palace Gate Generals became the Left and Right Gate-keeping Guard Command Offices. In Longshuo 2 the Left and Right Guard Command Offices became the Left and Right Model Military Guards; the Ceremonial Guard Command Offices became Ceremonial Guard Commands; the Patrol Command Offices became Clearway Guards; the Inner Command Offices became Provider of Abundance Guards; and the Gate-keeping Guard Command Offices became Honored Flank Guards. During Empress Wu's Chuigong reign the Left and Right Gate-keeping Guard Command Offices were renamed the Left and Right Crane Forbidden Guards. In Shenlong 1 the Left and Right Ceremonial Guard Commands became Ceremonial Guard Offices, and the Left and Right Clearway Guards became Patrol Command Offices. In Jingyun 2 the Left and Right Ceremonial Guard Offices were restored as Ceremonial Guard Commands. In the early Kaiyuan period the Left and Right Patrol Command Offices were again renamed Clearway Guard Commands.
63
Each command had one Chief Administrator of upper seventh rank. They adjudicated the business of every bureau office. Each autumn the Chief Administrators submitted their subordinates' merit records to the Commander for annual evaluation.
64
簿簿 宿
Each command had one Recording Secretary of upper secondary eighth rank; Each command had one Granary Bureau Secretary, one Military Bureau Secretary, one Helmet Bureau Secretary, and one Cavalry Bureau Secretary, all of lower secondary eighth rank. The Granary Bureau kept the civil staff registers; the Military Bureau kept the military staff registers; and the Helmet Bureau oversaw arms and the construction and repair of official buildings. Each command had one Stairway Officer of upper secondary sixth rank; Two Middle Escorts each of lower secondary seventh rank; Two Halberd Officers each of upper secondary eighth rank; Three Halberd Bearers each; ten Senior Guards at large each of lower secondary ninth rank. In the Ceremonial, Clearway, Gate-keeping, and Inner Guard Commands, ranks from the Commander down matched those of the Guard Command Office. The staff included one clerk, one office assistant, and one scribe. The Granary Bureau had one office assistant and two scribes; The Military Bureau and Helmet Bureau each had two office assistants and three scribes; The Cavalry Bureau had five office assistants and seven scribes. There were two station chiefs and two gate wardens. The Personal, Merit, and Assist Offices each had one Colonel of upper secondary fourth rank; and one Left and one Right Vice Colonel each of lower fifth rank. The Colonels and Vice Colonels commanded the Captains, Brigade Commanders, and Personal, Merit, and Assist Guards on palace watch, and oversaw all business of their offices.
65
簿
Each office had one Military Bureau Secretary of upper secondary ninth rank. They managed seals and the annotation of case records. During grand court assemblies and when the Crown Prince went abroad, they joined the ceremonial procession and directed the ritual arrangements. Personal Guards held lower secondary seventh rank; Merit Guards upper eighth rank; Assist Guards upper secondary eighth rank — all posts were vacant. Five Captains each of upper secondary sixth rank; Ten Brigade Commanders each of lower seventh rank; Twenty Squad Leaders each of upper secondary eighth rank. In Wude 1 the Merit Bureau became the Personal Guard, the Righteousness Bureau the Merit Guard, and the Good Bureau the Assist Guard; three offices were created, each with one clerk, one office assistant, and one scribe. The Crown Prince's Left and Right Ceremonial Guard Commands each had one Commander of upper fourth rank; and two Vice Commanders each of upper secondary fourth rank. Their responsibilities matched those of the Left and Right Guards. Every bureau and every escort guard of the outer offices rotating to duty came under their authority.
66
殿
Each command had one Chief Administrator of upper seventh rank; one Recording Secretary each of upper secondary eighth rank; one Granary Bureau Secretary, one Military Bureau Secretary, one Helmet Bureau Secretary, and one Cavalry Bureau Secretary each of lower secondary eighth rank; one Stairway Officer, two Middle Escorts, two Halberd Officers, and three Halberd Bearers each. From the Colonels down, the Personal, Merit, and Assist Guard offices matched the Left and Right Guard Command Offices. The staff included one clerk and two scribes. The Granary Bureau had one office assistant and two scribes; The Military Bureau had two office assistants and three scribes; The Helmet Bureau had two office assistants and two scribes. There was one station chief and two gate wardens. The Crown Prince's Left and Right Clearway Guard Commands each had one Commander and two Vice Commanders. They conducted patrols around the clock. Every bureau and every straight-line escort guard of the outer offices rotating to duty came under their authority. When the Crown Prince entered or left the palace, the clear-roving company went ahead as vanguard and the rear-guard company closed the procession.
67
Each command had one Chief Administrator and one Recording Secretary of upper secondary eighth rank; one Granary Bureau Secretary, one Military Bureau Secretary, and one Helmet Bureau Secretary each of lower secondary eighth rank; one Left and one Right Stairway Officer, two Left and Right Middle Escorts, one Left and Right Halberd Officer, and three Left and Right Halberd Bearers each. From the Colonels down, the Personal, Merit, and Assist Guard offices matched the Left and Right Guard Command Offices. The staff included one clerk, two scribes, two station chiefs, and two gate wardens. The Granary Bureau had one office assistant and two scribes; The Military Bureau had two office assistants and three scribes; The Helmet Bureau had two office assistants and two scribes. There were fifty fine-guidance staff escorts. The Crown Prince's Left and Right Gate-keeping Guard Commands each had one Commander and two Vice Commanders. They controlled gate security and palace guard. Every item of property or equipment removed had to be entered in the register.
68
殿 西 退
Each command had one Chief Administrator and one Recording Secretary of upper ninth rank; one Military Bureau Secretary each of lower ninth rank, who also headed the Granary Bureau; and one Helmet Bureau Secretary each of lower ninth rank; There were seventy-eight gate-keeping duty chiefs of lower secondary seventh rank. Under the Tang, Palace Gate Generals became Gate-keeping Commanders and gate duty officers became duty chiefs. The staff included one clerk, two scribes, one station chief, and two gate wardens. The Military Bureau had two office assistants and two scribes; The Helmet Bureau had two office assistants and three scribes. The Crown Prince's Left and Right Inner Guard Commands each had one Commander and one Vice Commander. They oversaw the Thousand-Ox attendants who served in the palace. On days when the Crown Prince held audience, they led the Thousand-Ox guards up to the hall. When he practiced archery at the archery hall, the Thousand-Ox guards stood on the eastern steps facing west, holding bows and arrows; the Commander carried the bow while the Vice Commander carried the arrows, thumb ring, and arm guard. Facing north they strung the bow, the left hand on the grip and the right on the bow tip as they stepped forward; the Vice Commander swept the arrows with the bow as he advanced; then each withdrew to his post. After the shot, the Left Inner Commander announced whether the arrow had struck the target.
69
使 0.85em|columns=2 西
Each command had one Chief Administrator and one Recording Secretary of upper ninth rank; one Military Bureau Secretary each of lower ninth rank, who also headed the Granary Bureau; and one Helmet Bureau Secretary each of lower ninth rank; Each command had forty-four Thousand-Ox guards of upper secondary seventh rank. Under the Tang a Military Bureau Secretary was added; Attendant Directors of the Left and Right were again called Thousand-Ox bodyguards; Archery Attendants of the Left and Right became bodyguard attendants; and bow-and-arrow bodyguards lost the bow-and-arrow prefix. In Longshuo 2 Thousand-Ox bodyguards were renamed Providers of Abundance. During the Kaiyuan era Thousand-Ox bodyguards and bodyguard attendants were merged into a single Thousand-Ox guard corps. The staff included twenty-eight bodyguard attendants, forty master-of-arms guards, one clerk, and two scribes. The Military Bureau had one office assistant and two scribes; The Helmet Bureau had one office assistant and one scribe. Princely household officials: one Tutor of upper secondary third rank. He guided the prince and corrected his faults. There was one Advisory Secretary of upper fifth rank. He offered counsel and deliberated on princely affairs. There was one Companion of lower secondary fifth rank. He accompanied the prince in his daily rounds, offering moral guidance and remonstrance. Reading Instructors had no fixed establishment. There was one Literary Officer of upper secondary sixth rank. He collated the library classics and assisted the prince in literary composition. Each side of the pavilion had one Libationer of upper secondary seventh rank. They received worthy visitors and conducted guest protocol. Every post from Libationer downward ranked as a princely household appointment. In the Wude period the court added one Preceptor, two Regular Attendants, and four Vice Directors, all charged with drafting memorials and letters and assisting in court ceremonial; Four Gentlemen-in-Attendance handled messages and guided visitors in and out. There were two Ushers, two Gentlemen-in-Attendance, an Advisory Secretary, and a Companion, all of lower fifth rank; The Literary Officer and the Libationers held lower sixth rank. Under Emperors Gaozong and Zhongzong a Chancellor doubled as Chief Administrator of the Prince of Xiang's household, while Ministers held the same post for the Wei, Yong, and Wei establishments; when the Princes of Xu and Han became prefectural governors, household staff were treated like regular territorial officials and the posts' prestige sank further. Before the Yongchun era a prince who had not yet been released from the Eastern Palace did not receive a separate princely household. In Tianshou 2 the court created household offices for imperial grandsons. Because most of Emperor Xuanzong's sons never left the Eastern Palace, princely appointments lost status and their establishments were cut back. In Jingyun 2 the Preceptor was retitled Tutor; the post was abolished in Kaiyuan 2 but soon reinstated, while Regular Attendants, Vice Directors, Ushers, and Gentlemen-in-Attendance were eliminated. In Kaicheng 1 Reading Instructors to the Princes became Attendants Lecturing the Princes; the original title was restored at the beginning of the Dazhong era.
70
簿 簿祿簿使 使 簿 簿 使使使
There was one Chief Administrator of upper secondary fourth rank; and one Vice Administrator of lower secondary fourth rank. Both oversaw the household staff and kept official business in order. One Registrar of upper sixth rank oversaw the Merit, Granary, and Household Bureaus; one Assistant of the same rank oversaw the Military, Cavalry, Justice, and Works Bureaus. One Chief Clerk reviewed official directives; two Secretariat Secretaries handled memorials and letters; and one Recording Secretary, all of upper secondary sixth rank, assigned tasks, audited accounts, and checked office registers. There was one recording secretary of lower secondary ninth rank. The Merit Bureau Secretary kept civil personnel records, ran evaluations, and arranged ceremonial display; the Granary Bureau Secretary supervised rations, kitchens, disbursements, market transactions, hunting and fishing, and fodder; the Household Bureau Secretary handled sealed households, servants, hunting licenses, and travel passes; the Military Bureau Secretary maintained military rosters, evaluations, guard formations, and temporary assignments; the Cavalry Bureau Secretary oversaw stables, mounts, ritual accoutrements, and equipment; the Justice Bureau Secretary conducted interrogations and pronounced punishments; the Works Bureau Secretary directed public construction — each bureau had one secretary of upper seventh rank. Two Secretaries of lower eighth rank; and four Acting Secretaries of upper secondary eighth rank. All handled special missions and ad hoc inspections. Two Document Attendants of lower secondary eighth rank conveyed official orders. In the Wude period clerks in the Merit Bureau and below, acting clerks in the Justice Bureau, and clerks in the Works Bureau were all retitled Secretaries; chiefs who also performed acting clerk duties became Acting Secretaries, and the Fort Bureau secretariat was abolished. The household also had two Armor Bureau Secretaries in charge of ceremonial guard weapons; one Fields Bureau Secretary overseeing offices, allotted fields, and hunting grounds; and two Water Bureau Secretaries responsible for boats, fishing, and fodder. All held lower seventh rank. There were two household clerks and one Bureau Affairs Usher of lower seventh rank. One Gate Manager of lower ninth rank. In the Zhenguan era the Armor, Fields, and Water Bureaus were abolished. In Empress Wu's reign household clerks and all posts beneath them were eliminated. The Chief Clerk and Secretariat each had two clerks; the Recording, Merit, Granary, Military, Cavalry, Justice, and Works bureaus each had one office attendant and two clerks; and the Household Bureau two attendants and two clerks. Posts from Document Attendant up counted as household officials; Commandery Princes and Successor Princes had no Chief Administrator. The Personal Service Office had two Commanders of upper fifth rank; and two Vice Commanders of upper secondary fifth rank. They commanded the guard and retinue ranks below Captain and also supervised horses and tack. Five Captains of upper secondary sixth rank; Company Commanders of lower secondary seventh rank; Squad Leaders of lower secondary eighth rank and Squad Deputies of lower secondary ninth rank. All led personal attendants and inner-tent escorts. Company Commanders and ranks below them were appointed in proportion to how many personal attendants were enrolled. The Inner Tent Office had two Commanders of upper fifth rank; and two Vice Commanders of upper secondary fifth rank. From Captain downward ranks and staffing matched the Personal Service Office. At first Commanders were selected from military officers and extrabureau staff, leading halberd-bearers, inner-tent guards, and similar personnel. The households of the Princes of Qin and Qi each maintained six Guard Offices on the left and right, Personal Guard Offices on both flanks, and Inner Tent Offices on both flanks. In the First Left and First Right Guard Offices each side had one Guard General, two Vice Guard Generals, a Chief Administrator and Recording Secretary, one secretary each for the Granary, Military, and Armor Bureaus, five Army Controllers, and one Separate General. The Second and Third Guard Offices on left and right had three fewer Army Controllers and six fewer Separate Generals. Each Personal Guard Office had one Army Controller, one Chief Administrator, a Recording Secretary, Military and Armor Bureau secretaries, and one Separate General on the left and one on the right. Inner Tent Office staffing matched that of the Guard Offices. There were also Armory Guards under the Personal Service Office; and Tent Escort Guards under the Inner Tent Office. Only men noted for ability and valor were chosen. In the Zhenguan era Armory Guards and all lesser posts were abolished. The Personal Service Office had one attendant and two clerks; sixteen personal attendants bearing halberds and ceremonial arms; and sixteen mounted attendants who provided horses for riding; Personal attendants numbered 330 in all. The Inner Tent Office had one attendant, one clerk, and 667 inner-tent guards. A Prince's Domain had one Magistrate of lower secondary seventh rank; and one Grand Agriculturist of lower secondary eighth rank. They oversaw the administration of the prince's fief. One Commandant of lower ninth rank; and one Assistant of lower secondary ninth rank. The Education Section had one chief and one assistant who taught members of the inner household; the Food Section had one chief and one assistant who managed meals; the Stable and Pasture Section had two chiefs and two assistants who oversaw livestock; and the Household Store Section had two chiefs and two assistants who handled miscellaneous domestic affairs. Section chiefs held lower ninth rank and assistants lower secondary ninth rank. Eight Guard Supervisors provided security and attended the prince in procession. The staff included four Gentlemen-in-Attendance, one recording secretary, four attendants, and eight clerks. A Princess's fief had one Magistrate of lower secondary seventh rank; and one Assistant of lower secondary eighth rank. They managed the princess's property, stores, fields, and gardens. One Chief Clerk of lower ninth rank; and one recording secretary of lower secondary ninth rank. They collected fief rents and kept accounts of household income and expenditure. The office employed eight clerks, two ushers, two gentlemen-in-attendance, and two household recorders. Among field appointments there were one each of Commander-in-Chief of All Forces Under Heaven, Vice Commander-in-Chief, Supreme Commander, Vice Supreme Commander, Campaign Chief Administrator, Campaign Vice Administrator, Left and Right Campaign Vice Administrators, Adjudicator, Secretary, Campaign Advisor, Forward, Central, and Rear Army Military Commissioners, and Central Army Chief Inspector.
71
使 西 使
Field marshals, supreme commanders, and pacification commissioners directed campaigns and were disbanded once the armies stood down. The supreme commander coordinated troops from every circuit but received no commission of authority. When Emperor Gaozu first took up arms he appointed Left and Right Army-leading Grand Commandants, each commanding three armies. After securing the capital he created Left and Right Marshals, a Taiyuan Circuit campaign marshal, and a Western Expedition marshal, all led by imperial princes. At the end of the Tianbao era the court created the post of Commander-in-Chief of All Forces Under Heaven to coordinate the Shuofang, Hedong, Hebei, and Pinglu frontier commands. This was the origin of the titles pacification commissioner and supreme commander. In Dali 8 the Commander-in-Chief of All Forces Under Heaven was abolished. In Jianzhong 4, after Li Xilie rebelled, the court appointed a Grand Marshal of All Campaign Headquarters Forces; and in Xingyuan 1 a vice supreme commander was added. During Huichang marshals were appointed for the six Ling and Xia frontier commands. During the Huang Chao uprising the court created a supreme commander over all circuit campaign headquarters. In Tianfu 3 the court reinstated a commander-in-chief of circuit forces, soon retitled Commander-in-Chief of All Forces Under Heaven.
72
The campaign vice administrator advised on military affairs. In peacetime he drilled the men through hunts and reviews; in wartime he laid out strategy and tactics; and weapons, rations, muster rolls, and grants fell entirely under his purview. In Wude 1 the title Assistant Administrator was changed to Central Administrator. When Emperor Gaozong took the throne the title became Vice Administrator, and it was instituted even in lower-tier prefectures. In Xianqing 2 the court established a Vice Administrator for Luozhou. In the first year of Dazu under Empress Wu, the court appointed Left and Right Vice Administrators for the Eastern and Northern Capitals and the prefectures of Yong, Jing, Yang, and Yi. They were abolished in Shenlong 2. In Taiji 1 the four great command headquarters of Yong and Luo each gained one additional Vice Administrator, likewise split into left and right posts.
73
The Secretary drafted documents for court audiences, diplomatic missions, condolences and recommendations, sacrifices and prayers, and handled orders governing promotions and demotions. The Campaign Advisor handled confidential military affairs. In Jinglong 1 the court established the post of Secretary. In Kaiyuan 12 the Campaign Advisor was abolished but soon reinstated.
74
使使使使使 使 使使 使使 使使 使
The establishment included one each of Military Commissioner, Vice Ambassador Managing Military Affairs, Campaign Vice Administrator, Deputy Commissioner, Adjudicator, Branch Commissioner, Secretary, Investigating Officer, Circuit Inspector, and Yamen Promoter; ten posts equivalent to the Vice Military Commissioner; four postal-station circuit inspectors; one each of legal examiner, priority registrar, and personal attendant; and four campaign attendants. When a military commissioner held the title Prince of a Commandery, he also had one Memorial Recorder; if he also served as Observation Commissioner, there was one each of Adjudicator, Branch Commissioner, Investigating Officer, Circuit Inspector, and Yamen Promoter; if he additionally served as Pacification Commissioner, one Deputy Commissioner and one Adjudicator were added; if he also held the titles of supply, garrison-farming, pacification-escort, or frontier strategy commissioner, one deputy commissioner and one adjudicator were added; The supply commissioner also had one transport adjudicator and one circuit inspector.
75
使 使 使使使使使 使 使 使 使 使使 使
The military commissioner commanded all troops and held sole authority over capital punishment. On first appointment they presented themselves at the Ministry of War in full regalia for a farewell audience, and observation commissioners followed the same rite. On the day of departure the court bestowed paired banners and paired credentials. On the road they displayed their commission and raised six military banners; eunuchs escorted them from the capital, and after every post station they reported to the throne. On entering their jurisdiction, prefectures and counties erected credential towers and welcomed them with drums and horns — yamen guards leading, banners at the center, senior generals sounding jade clappers, bronze gongs and horns bringing up the rear, while local officials met them on the road bearing their seals. On the day he took office a ceremonial table was set one foot two inches high and eight feet square, with three adjudication tables — the military commissioner before the chancellor, the observation commissioner before the military commissioner, and the training commissioner before the observation commissioner. Three days later the seal was washed and inspected for wear. Each August their performance was reviewed — demobilizing troops counted as the highest mark, securing adequate provisions as middling, and frontier exploits as the lowest. Observation commissioners were rated highest for abundant harvests, middling for lighter punishments, and lowest for collecting taxes. Training commissioners earned top marks for securing the populace, middling marks for punishing wrongdoers, and lowest marks for achieving justice in cases. Defense commissioners were rated highest when the region was free from alarm, middling for enduring hardship, and lowest for completing their administrative tasks. Frontier strategy commissioners received top marks for planning, middling marks for gathering affairs, and lowest marks for construction and repair. On leaving office they surrendered the yamen — the military commissioner kept his own seal, while observation, garrison-farming, and other seals were left behind under a palace official's charge. The credential tower and hall were closed down under a credential-office manager, with sacrifices performed at the proper seasons. Until they had been received in audience at court, they did not enter a private residence.
76
使 使
The intendants of Jingzhao and Henan, area commanders, and grand protector generals were all nominally held by imperial princes who remained at court. The two capitals were governed by their intendants; great area command headquarters by their chief administrators; and great protectorate headquarters by the deputy grand protector general, who also doubled as the princely household chief administrator. Later those who held a commission as military commissioner or vice ambassador managing military affairs became the regular military commissioners. Imperial princes appointed military commissioner ambassadors all remained in the capital.
77
使使使
The observation commissioner's staff included one each of deputy commissioner, branch commissioner, adjudicator, secretary, investigating officer, circuit inspector, yamen promoter, campaign attendant, priority registrar, and memorial presenter.
78
使使
The training commissioner had one each of deputy commissioner, adjudicator, investigating officer, circuit inspector, and yamen promoter.
79
使使
The defense commissioner had one each of deputy commissioner, adjudicator, investigating officer, and circuit inspector.
80
使 使使 使 綿 使 使使 使使使使
The observation and disposition commissioner inspected the virtue and misconduct of his jurisdiction and set policy in broad outline. All memorials and petitions were routed through the prefectures. In early Zhenguan the court dispatched thirteen grand ambassadors to inspect every prefecture; in years of flood or drought it also sent envoys titled for inspection, pacification, or relief. In Shenlong 2 twenty fifth-rank-and-above officials were appointed as ten-circuit inspection commissioners to investigate prefectures and counties, rotating after two complete tours. In Jingyun 2 the court appointed twenty-four area commanders to review prefects and subordinate officials, with two judicial attendants of attendants' censor rank to assist in investigations. Yang, Yi, Bing, and Jing were superior area commands; Bian, Yan, Wei, Ji, Pu, Mian, Qin, Hong, Run, and Yue were middle area commands — all of upper third rank; and Qi, Fu, Jing, Xiang, An, Tan, Sui, Tong, Liang, and Kui were inferior area commands of secondary third rank. Their powers were soon judged too heavy to control, and the posts were abolished — only the four great command headquarters remained. The court then established ten-circuit inspection commissioners, one per circuit. In Kaiyuan 2 they were retitled ten-circuit inspection and investigation disposition commissioners; abolished in year 4, restored as ten-circuit inspection commissioners in year 8 to tour prefectures and counties in autumn and winter, and abolished again in year 10. In year 17 they returned as ten-circuit, capital, and two-capital inspection commissioners; in year 20 became investigation and disposition commissioners across fifteen circuits; at the end of Tianbao they also served as promotion-and-demotion commissioners; and in Qianyuan 1 the title became observation and disposition commissioner.
81
西 西
The Western, Eastern, and Northern Capitals each had one Governor of secondary second rank. The Western, Eastern, and Northern Capitals and the prefectures of Fengxiang, Chengdu, Hezhong, Jiangling, Xingyuan, and Xingde each had one Intendant of secondary third rank. They spread imperial virtue, toured subordinate counties each year, observed local customs, reviewed prisoners, and cared for widows and orphans. When an imperial prince nominally held a prefecture, senior assistants made the annual county tours. In Wude 1 Yong Prefecture gained a governor's post held by an imperial prince, though a deputy prefect usually managed day-to-day affairs. During Yonghui the title Intendant was changed to Chief Administrator. When Emperor Taizong first campaigned against Goguryeo a capital garrison was established; thereafter whenever the emperor left the capital a garrison was appointed, with the Right Gold Crow Grand General serving as deputy garrison commander; in Kaiyuan 1 the chief administrators of Jingzhao and Henan were restored to the title Intendant and jointly managed prefecture affairs, acting in the governor's place when that post was vacant; and in year 11 Taiyuan also received an intendant and deputy intendant, the intendant serving as garrison commander and the deputy as deputy garrison commander — together called the Three Capitals garrison commanders. The three capitals' great command headquarters employed eighteen prison supervisors, twelve interrogators, and twenty-four day-and-night duty attendants; prison supervisors guarded detainees, and interrogators carried out punishments. Middle prefectures and upper prefectures had fourteen prison supervisors, eight interrogators, and twenty day-and-night duty attendants; lower prefectures and middle prefectures had twelve prison supervisors, six interrogators, and sixteen day-and-night duty attendants; and lower prefectures had eight prison supervisors, four interrogators, and ten day-and-night duty attendants. From the three capitals downward, every jurisdiction had fifteen sword bearers.
82
There were two Deputy Intendants of lower secondary fourth rank. They assisted in managing prefectural affairs and took turns each year traveling to the capital to render accounts.
83
簿
There were two Chief Recording Secretaries of upper seventh rank. Four recording secretaries of upper secondary ninth rank. Two secretaries each served the Merit, Granary, Household, Fields, Military, Justice, and Works Bureaus, all of lower seventh rank. There were six Secretaries of lower eighth rank. In the six prefectural capitals the recording secretaries and all posts below were reduced by one. The recording secretary corrected procedural errors and held charge of the seal and tally. At the start of Wude the prefecture chief clerk became recording secretary; in Kaiyuan 1 the title became chief recording secretary. The office employed ten clerks. Great command headquarters had four clerks, middle prefectures three, and lower prefectures, protectorate headquarters, and upper, middle, and lower prefectures two each.
84
使祿
The Merit Bureau Secretary oversaw performance reviews, temporary assignments, sacrifices, ritual and music, schools, memorials and petitions, correspondence, salary provisions, omens, medicine, divination, ceremonial display, and funerals. At the start of Wude the writing assistants of the Merit, Granary, Household, Military, Justice, and Works Bureaus became bureau secretaries; the staff included four office attendants and ten clerks. Great command headquarters had three office attendants and six clerks; middle prefectures two office attendants and three clerks; and lower prefectures one office attendant and three clerks. Protectorates of the highest rank employed one attendant and two clerks. Each upper prefecture staffed two attendants and two clerks. Upper prefectures had two assistants and five clerks; middle prefectures two fewer clerks.
85
調
The Granary Bureau Secretary managed land tax and corvée assignments, official buildings, kitchens, granaries, and market stalls. The bureau employed five office attendants and thirteen clerks. Great command headquarters had four office attendants and six clerks. Middle and lower prefectures each maintained three attendants and five clerks. Protectorate headquarters employed two attendants and two clerks apiece. Upper prefectures had two assistants and five clerks; middle and lower prefectures two fewer clerks.
86
The Household Bureau Secretary managed household registers, census accounts, roads, travel passes, tax exemptions, miscellaneous corvée, arrears, commoners and bondsmen, fodder, inns, marriage, field lawsuits, and commendations for filial piety and fraternity. The bureau had eight office attendants, sixteen clerks, and two ledger clerks who maintained the registers and tracked accounts to collect revenue. Great command headquarters had four office attendants, seven clerks, and two ledger clerks; middle prefectures three office attendants, five clerks, and one ledger clerk; and lower prefectures two office attendants, five clerks, and one ledger clerk. Upper prefectures staffed four assistants, six clerks, and one ledger clerk; middle prefectures three assistants, five clerks, and one ledger clerk; and lower prefectures two assistants, four clerks, and one ledger clerk. Each protectorate headquarters had two attendants, two clerks, and one ledger clerk.
87
The Fields Bureau Secretary managed gardens and estates, allotted fields, hereditary fields, and inherited fields. In Jinglong 3 the court first established the Fields Bureau Secretary; the post was abolished in Tanglong 1 and restored in Shangyuan 2. The bureau employed four office attendants and ten clerks. Great command headquarters had two attendants and six clerks; middle prefectures two attendants and two clerks apiece; and lower prefectures one attendant and two clerks. Upper prefectures had two assistants and five clerks; middle and lower prefectures two fewer clerks.
88
The Military Bureau Secretary managed selection of military officers, armor, weapons, equipment, gate security, keys, garrison defense, beacon stations, courier relays, and hunting. The bureau employed six office attendants and fourteen clerks. Great command headquarters had four office attendants and eight clerks; middle prefectures three attendants and six clerks; and lower prefectures two attendants and five clerks. Each protectorate headquarters had three attendants and four clerks. Upper prefectures had two assistants and five clerks; middle prefectures two fewer clerks.
89
The Justice Bureau Secretary conducted interrogations and applied the law, supervised banditry and theft, and handled confiscation of bribes and illicit goods. The bureau employed six office attendants and fourteen clerks. Great command headquarters had three office attendants and eight clerks; middle prefectures three attendants and six clerks; and lower prefectures two attendants and five clerks. Upper prefectures had four assistants and seven clerks; middle prefectures one assistant and four clerks; and lower prefectures one assistant and three clerks.
90
The Works Bureau Secretary managed bridges and crossings, transport, housing, and crafts. The bureau employed five office attendants and eleven clerks. Great command headquarters had four office attendants and eight clerks; Middle and lower prefectures each maintained three attendants and six clerks. Upper prefectures had two assistants and five clerks; and middle prefectures one assistant and four clerks.
91
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Secretaries handled diplomatic missions and protocol guidance. Early in the Wude period the title Acting Document Assistant became Acting Secretary, and was soon retitled Secretary. At first there were fifteen urgent couriers; the post was later abolished.
92
There was one Literary Officer of upper secondary eighth rank. He instructed students in the Five Classics. County appointments came from the prefecture; prefectural appointments came from the Ministry of Personnel. Yet the post carried no real duties, and educated men regarded it with contempt. Early in the Wude period the court established Classics Doctors, assistant instructors, and students. When Emperor Dezong took the throne the title Classics Doctor was changed to Literary Officer. In Yuanhe 6 the court abolished Literary Officers in middle and lower prefectures. The three capital prefectures each had two assistant instructors and eighty students. Great command headquarters and upper prefectures had one assistant instructor each; middle command headquarters fifty students; and lower command headquarters and lower prefectures forty students each.
93
There was one Medical Doctor of upper secondary ninth rank. He treated the people's illnesses. In Zhenguan 3 the court established medical schools with pharmaceutical doctors and students. In Kaiyuan 1 the Pharmaceutical Doctor was retitled Medical Doctor, assistant instructors were placed in every prefecture, and copies of the Materia Medica and the Collection of One Hundred Verified Formulas were deposited in storehouses. Before long the Medical Doctors and students were all cut, and remote prefectures still had little access to medicine as before. In year 27 medical students were restored to treat the people throughout the prefecture. In Yongtai 1 the Medical Doctor post was restored. The three capitals, command headquarters, upper prefectures, and middle prefectures each had one medical assistant instructor. The three capitals had twenty medical students; command headquarters and upper prefectures twenty; middle and lower prefectures ten.
94
Great Area Command Headquarters — one Area Commander of secondary second rank; one Chief Administrator of secondary third rank; two Vice Administrators of lower secondary fourth rank; one Recording Secretary of upper seventh rank; two recording clerks of upper secondary ninth rank; one each of Merit, Granary, Household, Fields, Military, Justice, and Works Bureau Secretaries, all of lower seventh rank; five Secretaries of lower eighth rank; one Market Director of upper secondary ninth rank; one Literary Officer of lower eighth rank; and one Medical Doctor of upper secondary eighth rank.
95
Middle Area Command Headquarters — one Area Commander of upper third rank; one Vice Prefect of lower fourth rank; one Chief Administrator of upper fifth rank; one Vice Administrator of lower fifth rank; one Recording Secretary of lower seventh rank; two recording clerks of upper secondary ninth rank; one each of Merit, Granary, Household, Fields, Military, Justice, and Works Bureau Secretaries, all of upper secondary seventh rank; four Secretaries of upper secondary eighth rank; one Market Director of upper secondary ninth rank; one Literary Officer of upper secondary eighth rank; and one Medical Doctor of upper ninth rank.
96
Lower Area Command Headquarters — one Area Commander of secondary third rank; one Vice Prefect of lower secondary fourth rank; one Chief Administrator of upper secondary fifth rank; one Vice Administrator of lower secondary fifth rank; one Recording Secretary of upper secondary seventh rank; two recording clerks of upper secondary ninth rank; one each of Merit, Granary, Household, Fields, Military, Justice, and Works Bureau Secretaries, all of lower secondary seventh rank; three Secretaries of lower secondary eighth rank; one Literary Officer of lower secondary eighth rank; and one Medical Doctor of upper ninth rank.
97
使 使 使使 使 祿使 使使 使西 使 使 使使使 使
The Area Commander supervised troops, armor, fortifications, garrisons, and grain supplies across the prefectures under his command and held general authority over headquarters affairs. Early in the Wude period the court placed area superintendents in key border regions to command troops, giving them the title Credential Holder — essentially reviving the Han Inspector's role. There were both mobile headquarters and grand mobile headquarters. Its staff included one Secretariat Chief of upper second rank who directed internal military and civilian affairs and held overall authority over the secretariat. There was one Vice Director of secondary second rank who assisted the chief. From the Left and Right Assistant Directors downward, bureau directors were organized much like those at the capital. There was also a Provisions Supervisor with two assistants who managed food, supplies, guests, tent furnishings, music, and medicine; an Agriculture and Gardens Supervisor with four assistants who managed granaries, gardens, fuel, fodder, and canal transport; a Weapons Supervisor with two assistants who managed arms and stables; and a Hundred Crafts Supervisor with four assistants who managed transport and construction. Supervisors held lower eighth rank and their assistants lower ninth rank. In year 7 the Area Superintendent was retitled Area Commander, and one commanding ten prefectures became Great Area Commander. In Zhenguan 2 the "great" designation was dropped; command headquarters still had prefects and lower officials as before, but the great area commander also served as prefect without actually supervising prefectural administration. Later, when area commanders received the Credential Holder title they became military generals; generals in turn were commonly called area commanders, though Shuofang still used the old title Great Area Superintendent. Border prefectures received separate frontier commissioners, and prefectures with productive garrison lands received garrison farming commissioners. In Empress Wu's Shengli 1 the Xiazhou Area Commander was also appointed Defense Commissioner of Yanzhou. When An Lushan rebelled, every commandery in the rebels' path established defense and garrison commissioners. In Qianyuan 1 the court established Training and Garrison Commissioners and Supreme Training and Garrison Commissioners; the larger posts commanded more than ten prefectures, the smaller two or three. When Emperor Daizong ascended the throne, Defense Commissioners were abolished everywhere except Southwestern Shannan Circuit, which remained unchanged. While Yuan Zai dominated the government and sought to win popular support, every prefect was allowed to serve concurrently as Training and Garrison Commissioner. After Yang Wan became chancellor, Training and Garrison Commissioners were abolished, except in Li, Lang, Xia, Xing, and Feng prefectures, which kept the posts. After the Jianzhong era, field headquarters likewise appointed Military Commissioners, Defense Commissioners, and Supreme Training Commissioners. As a rule, Military, Surveillance, Defense, and Training Commissioners all held concurrent appointment as prefect of the prefecture under their charge. An area command headquarters was led by a chief secretary and a protectorate headquarters by a protector-general, though a protector-general might also be appointed separately. Area command headquarters once employed clerks, subordinates, secretaries, and document custodians, but these posts were abolished in the Wude era.
98
There was one Market Director of upper secondary ninth rank. He supervised trade, banned illicit dealings, and oversaw market administration in general. The Market Director was abolished in Zhenguan 17. The post was restored in Chuigong 1. Area command headquarters, the three capitals, and every prefecture each had one market assistant, one aide, two clerks, and three chiefs who carried out inspections on separate rounds; two granary overseers who handled receipts and disbursements exclusively; and two clerks. Lower prefectures did without the market assistant.
99
Great Protectorate Headquarters: one Grand Protector-General of secondary second rank; two Vice Grand Protectors-General of secondary third rank; two Vice Protectors-General of upper regular fourth rank; one Chief Secretary of upper regular fifth rank; one Vice Administrator of lower regular fifth rank; one Records Secretary of upper regular seventh rank; two recorders of upper secondary ninth rank; one Merit Secretary, one Granary Secretary, one Household Secretary, one Military Secretary, and one Legal Secretary, all of lower regular seventh rank; and three Staff Secretaries of lower regular eighth rank.
100
Upper Protectorate Headquarters: one Protector-General of regular third rank; two Vice Protectors-General of upper secondary fourth rank; one Chief Secretary of upper regular fifth rank; one Vice Administrator of lower regular fifth rank; one Records Secretary of lower regular seventh rank; one Merit Secretary, one Granary Secretary, one Household Secretary, and one Military Secretary, all of upper secondary seventh rank; and three Staff Secretaries of upper secondary eighth rank.
101
The Protector-General commanded the foreign peoples, offered reassurance, conducted campaigns, recorded merit and punished offenses, and oversaw all protectorate business.
102
使
Upper Prefecture: one Prefect of secondary third rank, with duties equivalent to a regional governor or chief magistrate; and one Vice Prefect of lower secondary fourth rank. In Wude 1 the title Grand Administrator became Prefect with the added designation Commissioner with Full Powers, and the aide was renamed Vice Prefect. In year 10 the Vice Prefect of Yong Prefecture was retitled Chief Secretary. When Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, every Vice Prefect was renamed Chief Secretary. In Shangyuan 2 Vice Prefects were restored throughout the prefectures and assigned to imperial princes. The post was abolished in Yonglong 1 and restored in Yongchun 1. In Jingyun 2 men of common birth were first appointed to these posts. In Tianbao 1 the title Prefect was changed back to Grand Administrator. In year 8 every commandery abolished the Vice Prefect, while lower commanderies established one Chief Secretary. In Shangyuan 2 Vice Prefects were again established in all prefectures. Under Emperor Dezong they were abolished once more. During the Yuanhe and Changqing periods, as the two He regions saw constant warfare, meritorious staff officers were given posts in the Eastern Palace and princely households; dozens of men long overdue for promotion or awaiting reassignment while staying in the capital would petition the chancellor for appointments; Under Emperor Wenzong, Chancellor Wei Chuhou recommended restoring Vice Prefects for the two auxiliary capitals, the six great prefectures, the ten prestigious prefectures, and the ten critical prefectures.
103
One Chief Secretary of upper secondary fifth rank; one Vice Administrator of lower secondary fifth rank; one Records Secretary of upper secondary seventh rank; two recorders of lower secondary ninth rank; one Merit Secretary, one Granary Secretary, two Household Secretaries, one Fields Secretary, one Military Secretary, two Legal Secretaries, and one Works Secretary, all of lower secondary seventh rank; four Staff Secretaries of lower secondary eighth rank; one Market Director of upper secondary ninth rank; one assistant of lower secondary ninth rank; one Erudite of lower secondary eighth rank; and one Medical Doctor of lower secondary ninth rank.
104
Middle Prefecture: one Prefect of lower regular fourth rank; one Records Secretary of upper regular eighth rank; one recorder of upper secondary ninth rank; one Merit Secretary, one Granary Secretary, one Household Secretary, one Fields Secretary, one Military Secretary, one Legal Secretary, and one Works Secretary, all of lower regular eighth rank; three Staff Secretaries of lower regular ninth rank; and one Medical Doctor of lower secondary ninth rank.
105
Lower Prefecture: one Prefect of lower regular fourth rank; one Vice Prefect of upper secondary fifth rank; one Vice Administrator of upper secondary sixth rank; one Records Secretary of upper secondary eighth rank; one recorder of lower secondary ninth rank; one Granary Secretary, one Household Secretary, one Fields Secretary, and one Legal Secretary, all of lower secondary eighth rank; two Staff Secretaries of lower secondary ninth rank; and one Medical Doctor of lower secondary ninth rank.
106
使使使 使使
Every army had one commissioner; armies of five thousand or more also had a vice commissioner, and armies of ten thousand or more had a garrison-farm vice commissioner. Every army employed three bureau secretaries—for granary, military, and armor affairs. When a prefect also served as army commissioner, the staff included a vice commissioner, investigating officer, gate officers, a prefectural investigating officer, and an army investigating officer.
107
簿
Capital Counties: one Magistrate apiece of upper regular fifth rank; two assistants of upper secondary seventh rank; two chief clerks of upper secondary eighth rank; two recorders of lower secondary ninth rank; and six bailiffs of lower secondary eighth rank.
108
簿
Capital Vicinity Counties: one Magistrate apiece of upper regular sixth rank; one assistant of lower regular eighth rank; one chief clerk of upper regular ninth rank; and two bailiffs of lower regular ninth rank.
109
簿
Upper Counties: one Magistrate apiece of upper secondary sixth rank; one assistant of lower secondary eighth rank; one chief clerk of lower regular ninth rank; and two bailiffs of upper secondary ninth rank.
110
簿
Middle Counties: one Magistrate apiece of upper regular seventh rank; one assistant of lower secondary eighth rank; one chief clerk of upper secondary ninth rank; and one bailiff of lower secondary ninth rank.
111
簿
Lower-Middle Counties: one Magistrate apiece of upper secondary seventh rank; one assistant of upper regular ninth rank; one chief clerk of upper secondary ninth rank; and one bailiff of lower secondary ninth rank.
112
簿
Lower Counties: one Magistrate apiece of lower secondary seventh rank; one assistant of lower regular ninth rank; one chief clerk of upper secondary ninth rank; and one bailiff of lower secondary ninth rank.
113
調 簿
The county magistrate guided local customs, investigated unresolved grievances and delays, and adjudicated lawsuits. For all allotment and reclamation of commoners' fields, the county magistrate made the grants. At the end of each winter the county held the village drinking ceremony. Household registers, courier relays, granaries, banditry, and embankment roads each had their own officers, yet the magistrate was kept informed of them all. The assistant served as the magistrate's deputy; bailiffs divided authority among the bureaus and collected taxes and corvée levies. In Wude 1 writing assistants became bailiffs; soon afterward the title was changed to Rectifier. Every county had a chief clerk, appointed from outside the regular hierarchy. In Capital Counties and Upper Counties there was one assistant each; and Capital Vicinity Counties and Upper Counties four bailiffs apiece. In the seventh year county Rectifiers were again renamed bailiffs. Early in the Zhenguan period every county gained a recorder. Under Kaiyuan, upper counties of ten thousand households and middle counties of four thousand or more each received an additional bailiff. In the counties under Jingzhao and Henan, those with three thousand households or more had one Market Director, and those with ten thousand or more had three Charity Granary overseers. Later, Capital Vicinity Counties with fewer than four thousand households also received two bailiffs, with one added for every ten thousand households. Every county staffed Merit, Granary, Household, Military, Justice, and Works Bureau assistants, prison supervisors, gate attendants, and the like; Capital Vicinity Counties dropped the Military Bureau assistant, and Upper Counties retained only Household and Justice Bureau assistants. Every county had one Classics Doctor and one assistant instructor; Capital Counties enrolled fifty students, Capital Vicinity Counties forty, and middle counties and below twenty-five each.
114
使使
Upper Garrison: one General of lower regular sixth rank; two Garrison Vice Generals of lower regular seventh rank; and one Granary Bureau Secretary and one Military Bureau Secretary each of lower secondary eighth rank. Middle Garrison: one General of upper regular seventh rank; one Garrison Vice General of upper secondary seventh rank; and one Military Bureau Secretary of lower regular ninth rank. Lower Garrison: one General of lower regular seventh rank; one Garrison Vice General of lower secondary seventh rank; and one Military Bureau Secretary of lower secondary ninth rank. Every garrison also maintained one commissioner and one deputy commissioner. Army garrisons of twenty thousand men or more also had one Army Supervisor of upper regular sixth rank; with an additional Granary Bureau Secretary and Military Bureau Secretary of lower secondary seventh rank. Where strength fell short of twenty thousand, the Army Supervisor held upper secondary sixth rank and the Granary and Military Bureau Secretaries upper regular eighth rank.
115
Upper Garrison Post: one Commander of lower regular eighth rank; and one Garrison Vice Commander of lower secondary eighth rank. Middle Garrison Post: one Commander of lower secondary eighth rank. Lower Garrison Post: one Commander of lower regular ninth rank.
116
Garrison Generals, Garrison Vice Generals, Garrison Commanders, and Garrison Vice Commanders held the line and organized the defense. There were twenty upper garrisons, ninety middle garrisons, and one hundred thirty-five lower garrisons; eleven upper garrison posts, eighty-six middle garrison posts, and two hundred forty-five lower garrison posts. The Granary Bureau Secretary oversaw ceremonial display, granaries, provisions, medicine, task assignment, auditing, office registers, seal custody, paper and writing supplies, market transactions, and official quarters. At middle garrisons the Military Bureau Secretary handled these duties as well. The Military Bureau Secretary kept garrison troop rosters, managed weapons, keys, horses and donkeys, construction and earthworks, and disciplinary penalties. Upper garrisons employed one recording clerk, one clerk, one Granary Bureau assistant with two clerks, two Military Bureau assistants with two clerks, and one granary overseer with two clerks. Middle garrisons had one recording clerk, one Military Bureau assistant with four clerks, and one granary overseer with two clerks. Lower garrisons had one recording clerk, one Military Bureau assistant with two clerks, and one granary overseer with one clerk. In every army garrison five hundred men had one escort officer, one thousand had one sub-commander, and five thousand also had three office attendants and four clerks. Upper garrison posts had one assistant and two clerks; middle garrison posts two clerks; and lower garrison posts one clerk. The Tang abolished the garrison-son posts; every five hundred defense troops made an upper garrison, three hundred a middle garrison, and fewer a lower garrison; fifty men made an upper garrison post, thirty a middle garrison post, and fewer a lower garrison post. In Kaiyuan 15 each of the Five Cities of Shuofang received one Fields Bureau Secretary, with rank equal to army bureau secretaries, devoted exclusively to garrison farming. After the Yongtai era garrison offices were greatly expanded or cut back from the Kaiyuan establishment.
117
The Five Sacred Peaks and Four Rivers each had one Director of upper regular ninth rank who oversaw sacrifices. Each site had three Invocation Officers and thirty Fasting Attendants.
118
Upper Pass: one Director of lower secondary eighth rank; and two assistants of lower regular ninth rank. Middle Pass: one Director of lower regular ninth rank; and one assistant of lower secondary ninth rank. Lower Pass: one Director, likewise of lower secondary ninth rank. They barred idle wandering and detected treachery. All travelers, horses, and carts entering or leaving were checked against travel passes as credentials for passage. There were twenty-six passes in all: capital passes on courier routes ranked as upper passes, those without courier routes as middle passes, and the remainder as lower passes.
119
Assistants assigned tasks, audited accounts, watched the seal, and checked office registers, exercising joint authority over pass affairs. Upper passes had one recording clerk, two office attendants, four clerks, and six general attendants. Middle passes had one recording clerk, two office attendants, two clerks, and four general attendants. Lower passes had one office attendant, two clerks, and two general attendants each. General attendants handled patrol weeding and miscellaneous duties. At first every pass had a Commandant, and other officials were also appointed by imperial order to supervise. Upper fords had one warden who managed bridges and ferries; with one office attendant, two clerks, and four ford chiefs. Lower fords had one warden, one office attendant, two clerks, and two ford chiefs. During the Yonghui period ford wardens were abolished and upper passes were given eight ferry clerks. In Yongtai 1 middle passes received six ferry clerks and lower passes four; where no ford existed, none were appointed.
120
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Collation notes for this chapter.
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