Volume 84 Treatises 37: Selection of Officials 4

選舉四○考課

Selection of Officials, Part Four — Merit Examination

凡隨朝職官：至元六年格，一考升一等，兩考通升二等止。六部侍郎正四品，依舊例通理八十月，升三品。左右司郎中、員外郎、都事，考滿升二等。六部郎中、員外郎、主事，三十月考滿升一等，兩考通升二等。

For officials serving at court: under the regulations of Zhiyuan 6 (1269), one merit review advances one rank, and two reviews together advance two ranks at most. Vice ministers of the Six Ministries (rank 4a) are promoted to rank 3 after a combined total of eighty months of service, as under the former rule. Directors, vice directors, and chief clerks in the Left and Right Secretariat offices advance two ranks upon completing their review. Directors, vice directors, and section chiefs in the Six Ministries advance one rank after a thirty-month review and two ranks after two reviews combined.

凡官員考數：省部定擬：從九品擬歷三任，升從八。正九品歷兩任，升從八。正八品歷三任，升從七。從七歷三任，呈省。正七歷兩任，升從六。從六品通歷三任，升從五。正六歷兩任，升從五。從五轉至正五，緣四品闕少，通歷兩任，須歷上州尹一任，方入四品。內外正從四品，通理八十月，升三品。

On the number of reviews required for promotion, the central ministries prescribed: officials at rank 9b must complete three terms before advancing to rank 8b. Rank 9a officials advance to rank 8b after two terms. Rank 8a officials advance to rank 7b after three terms. Rank 7b officials, after three terms, are referred to the Secretariat for decision. Rank 7a officials advance to rank 6b after two terms. Rank 6b officials advance to rank 5b after three terms in all. Rank 6a officials advance to rank 5b after two terms. Promotion from rank 5b to 5a: because fourth-rank posts are scarce, after two terms one must also serve as prefect of an upper prefecture before entering the fourth rank. Fourth-rank officials, whether in the capital or in the provinces, are promoted to rank 3 after a combined total of eighty months.

凡取會行止：中統三年，詔置簿立式，取會各官姓名、籍貫、年甲、入仕次第。至元十九年，諸職官解由到省部，考其功過，以憑黜陟。大德元年，外任官解由到吏部，止於刑部照過，將各人所歷，立行止簿，就檢照定擬。

On verifying officials' conduct records: in Zhongtong 3 (1262) an edict established a register format requiring each official's name, birthplace, age, and sequence of appointments. In Zhiyuan 19 (1282), when officials' departure credentials reached the central ministries, their performance was reviewed to determine promotions and dismissals. In Dade 1 (1297), provincial officials' credentials went to the Ministry of Personnel, with criminal records checked only at the Ministry of Justice; each career was recorded in a conduct register and appointments were decided accordingly.

凡職官回降：至元十九年，定江淮官已受宣敕，資品相應，例升二等遷去。江淮官員依舊於江淮任用。其已考滿者，並免回降。不及考者，例存一等。有出身未合入流品受宣者，任回，三品擬同六品，四品擬同七品，正從五品同正八品；受敕者，正從六品同從八品，七品、八品同正從九品，正從九品同提領案牘、巡檢。無出身及白身人受宣者，三品同七品，四品同八品，正從五品同正九品；受敕者，正從六品同從九品，七品、八品同提領案牘、巡檢，正從九品擬院務監當官。其上項有資品人員，再於接連福建、兩廣溪洞州郡任用，擬升一等。兩廣、福建，別議升轉。至元十四年，都省未註江淮官已前，創立官府，招撫百姓，實有勞績者，其見受職名，若應受宣者，三品同七品，四品、五品擬同八品；若應受敕者，正從六品同正從九品，其七品、八品擬同提控案牘、巡檢，正從九品擬同院務監當官。無出身不應敘白身人，其見受職名，應受宣者，三品同八品，四品、五品同九品；應受敕者，正從六品同提控案牘、巡檢，七品以下擬院務監當官。其上項人員，若再於接連福建、兩廣溪洞州郡任用，擬升一等。兩廣、福建，別議升轉。至元十四年已後，新收撫州郡、準上例定奪。前資不應又升二等遷去江淮官員，任回，擬定前資合得品級，於上例升二等，止於江淮遷轉，若於腹裏任用，並依上例。七品以下，已歷三品、四品者，比附上項有出身未入流品人員例，從一高。前三件於見擬資品上增一等銓註。二十一年，詔：「軍官轉入民職，已受宣敕不曾之任者，擬自準定資品換授，從禮任月日為始，理算資考升轉。若先受宣敕已經禮任，資品相應者，通理月日升轉外，據驟升人員前任所歷月日除一考外，余月日與後任月日依準定資品通理升轉，不及考者，擬自準定資品換授，從禮任月日為始，理算資考升轉。腹裏常調官，除資品相應者依例升轉外，有前資未應入流品受宣敕者，六品以下人員，照勘有無出身，依驗職事品秩，自受敕以後歷一考者，同江淮例定擬，不及考者，更升一等。五品以上人員，斟酌比附議擬，呈省據在前已經除授者，任回通理定奪。」

On demotion upon return from assignment: in Zhiyuan 19 it was fixed that Jianghuai officials who held imperial appointment edicts at matching rank were routinely advanced two grades when transferred out. Jianghuai officials continued to be posted within the Jianghuai region as before. Those who had completed their merit review were exempt from demotion upon return. Those who had not completed a review retained one rank lower than the rule would otherwise allow. Officials with formal qualifications not yet in the regular civil ranks who held appointment edicts, upon return: rank 3 was treated as rank 6, rank 4 as rank 7, and ranks 5a/5b as rank 8a; Those holding commission edicts: ranks 6a/6b were treated as rank 8b, ranks 7–8 as ranks 9a/9b, and ranks 9a/9b as record clerks or patrol inspectors. Those without formal qualifications or commoners who held appointment edicts: rank 3 was treated as rank 7, rank 4 as rank 8, and ranks 5a/5b as rank 9a; Those holding commission edicts: ranks 6a/6b were treated as rank 9b, ranks 7–8 as record clerks or patrol inspectors, and ranks 9a/9b as bureau supervisors. The above officials with qualifying ranks, if posted again in adjoining Fujian or the two Guang stream-cave prefectures, were to advance one rank. Promotion rules for the two Guang regions and Fujian were considered separately. In Zhiyuan 14 (1277), for officials who before central registration had founded offices and pacified the populace with real merit: if entitled to appointment edicts, rank 3 was treated as rank 7 and ranks 4–5 as rank 8; If entitled to commission edicts, ranks 6a/6b were treated as ranks 9a/9b, ranks 7–8 as record clerks or patrol inspectors, and ranks 9a/9b as bureau supervisors. Commoners without formal qualifications not eligible for regular promotion: if entitled to appointment edicts, rank 3 was treated as rank 8 and ranks 4–5 as rank 9; If entitled to commission edicts, ranks 6a/6b were treated as record clerks or patrol inspectors, and rank 7 and below as bureau supervisors. The above officials, if posted again in adjoining Fujian or the two Guang stream-cave prefectures, were to advance one rank. Promotion rules for the two Guang regions and Fujian were considered separately. After Zhiyuan 14, newly pacified prefectures and districts were governed by the precedents above. Jianghuai officials whose prior rank did not qualify them but who had been advanced two grades and transferred out: upon return, their proper prior rank was fixed and they received two grades under the above rules, limited to Jianghuai transfers; interior postings followed the same rules. Officials of rank 7 and below who had previously served at ranks 3 or 4 were treated one rank higher than the precedent for qualified officials not yet in the regular civil ranks. The first three categories received one additional rank on their proposed qualifying grade at appointment. In the twenty-first year, an edict stated: “Military officers transferring to civil office who had received appointment edicts but had not taken up the post were to be reassigned at their approved qualifying rank, counting from the date of ceremonial assumption of office, and seniority and examinations were calculated for promotion. If they had first received appointment edicts and had already ceremonially assumed office with matching qualifications, besides counting months in total for promotion, for persons rapidly promoted the months of their prior post except one examination period, the remaining months together with months of the later post were counted in total for promotion at the approved qualifying rank; those not completing an examination period were reassigned at their approved qualifying rank, counting from the date of ceremonial assumption, and seniority and examinations were calculated for promotion. Regular officials of the interior regions: besides those with matching qualifications promoted according to precedent, those with prior qualifications not yet fitting the flowing ranks who received appointment edicts, personnel of rank 6 and below, after checking whether they had formal entry and verifying the rank of their duties, from after receiving the commission edict those who completed one examination period were fixed according to the Jianghuai precedent; those not completing an examination period were promoted one grade further. Personnel of rank 5 and above were deliberated by comparison and proposed; submitted to the Secretariat; for those already appointed previously, upon return from office a comprehensive decision was made.”

凡吏屬年勞差等：至元六年，吏部呈：「省部譯史、通事，舊以一百二十月出職，今案牘繁冗，合以九十月為滿。」十九年，部擬：「行省通事、譯史、令史、宣使或經例革替罷，所歷月日不等，如元經省掾發去，不及一考者，擬令貼補；及一考之上者，比臺院令史出身例定奪。自行踏逐者，降一等敘，不及一考者，發還本省區用。宣慰司人吏，經省院發，不及一考者，擬貼補；及一考之上者，比部令史出身降一等定奪。自行踏逐者，又降一等；不及一考者，別無定奪。」二十年，省擬：「雲南行省極邊重地令譯史人等，六十月考滿。甘肅行省令譯史人等，六十五月考滿，本土人員，依舊例用。」二十五年，省準：「緬中行省令史，依雲南行省一體出身。」大德元年，省臣奏：「以省、臺、院諸衙門令譯史、通事、知印、宣使等，舊以九十月為滿，升遷太驟，今以一百二十月為滿，於應得職事內升用。又寫聖旨、掌奏事選法、應辦刑名文字必阇赤等，以八月折十月，今後毋令折算。」四年，制以諸衙門令譯史、宣使人等一百二十月為滿。部議：「遠方令譯史人等，甘肅、福建、四川於此發去，九十月為滿。兩廣、海北海南道於此發去，八十月滿，雲南省八十月滿。土人一百二十月滿。」都省議：「俱以九十月為考滿，土人依例一百二十月為滿。」至大元年，部議：「和林行省即系遠方，其人吏比四川、甘肅行省九十月出職。」二年，詔：「中外吏員人等，依世祖定制，以九十月滿，參詳，歷一百二十月已受除者，依大德十一年內制，外任減一資。所有詔書已後在選未曾除受，並見告滿之人，歷一百二十月者，合同四考理算，外任一資不須再減。」省擬：「以九十月為滿，余有月日，後任理算。應滿而不離役者，雖有役過月日，不準。」三年，省準：「河西廉訪司書吏人等月日。」部議：「合準舊例，雲南六十月，河西、西川六十五月，土人九十月為滿。」皇慶二年，部議：「凡內外諸司吏員，舊以九十月為滿，大德元年改一百二十月為滿，至大二年復舊制。一紀之間，受除者眾。其元除有以三十月為一考者，亦有四十月為一考者，以所除不等，往往援例陳訴，有礙選法。擬合依已降詔絳為格，系大德元年三月七日以後入役，至未復舊制之前，已除未除俱以四十月為一考，通理一百二十月為滿，減資升轉。其未滿受除者，一體理考定擬，余二十六月已上，準升一等，十五月之上，減外任一資，十五月之下，後任理算。改格之後應滿而不離役者，役過月日，別無定奪。」

As for clerical staff seniority and grades: In the sixth year of Zhiyuan, the Ministry of Personnel submitted: “Secretariat and ministry interpreters and liaison officers formerly left office after one hundred twenty months; now because documents are numerous and burdensome, it is appropriate to set ninety months as completion.” In the nineteenth year, the ministry proposed: “Provincial liaison officers, interpreters, clerks, and envoys who had been abolished or replaced under precedent had unequal months served; if originally sent from secretariat clerks and not completing one examination period, they were proposed to be supplemented; Those of one examination period and above were decided by comparison to the precedent for Censorate and court clerks' entry qualifications. Those recruited on their own initiative were entered one grade lower; those not completing one examination period were sent back for use within their province. Personnel of pacification commissions sent from the Secretariat and court, not completing one examination period, were proposed to be supplemented; Those of one examination period and above were decided by comparison to ministry clerks' entry qualifications, one grade lower. Those recruited on their own initiative were lowered one grade further; Those not completing one examination period had no separate decision.” In the twentieth year, the province proposed: “Clerks, interpreters, and others of the Yunnan Branch Secretariat in extremely remote border regions complete examination after sixty months. Clerks, interpreters, and others of the Gansu Branch Secretariat complete examination after sixty-five months; native personnel are employed according to the old precedent.” In the twenty-fifth year, the province approved: “Clerks of the Burma Branch Secretariat follow the Yunnan Branch Secretariat as one body for entry qualifications.” In the first year of Dade, provincial ministers memorialized: “Because clerks, interpreters, liaison officers, seal keepers, and envoys of the various offices of the Secretariat, Censorate, and courts formerly completed service at ninety months and were promoted too rapidly, now one hundred twenty months is set as completion, and they are promoted within the posts they qualify for. Also those who wrote imperial edicts, managed memorial selection, and bituqchi who handled criminal documents counted eight months as ten; hereafter they must not be converted.” In year 4 a regulation set all office clerks, interpreters, and envoys at 120 months' completion. The ministry deliberated: “Clerks, interpreters, and others in distant regions sent from Gansu, Fujian, and Sichuan complete service at ninety months. Those sent from the two Guang regions and the Haibei Hainan Circuit complete at eighty months; Yunnan Province completes at eighty months. Native personnel complete at one hundred twenty months.” The Secretariat deliberated: “All complete examination at ninety months; native personnel according to precedent complete at one hundred twenty months.” In the first year of Zhida, the ministry deliberated: “The Karakorum Branch Secretariat is a distant region; its personnel leave office after ninety months like the Sichuan and Gansu branch secretariats.” In the second year, an edict stated: “Clerical personnel at home and abroad follow the Shizu emperor's fixed regulation of ninety months' completion; for deliberation, those who served one hundred twenty months and received appointment follow the interior regulation of the eleventh year of Dade; for exterior appointment reduce one qualification. All those in the selection roster after the edict who had not yet received appointment, and those currently reporting completion, who had served one hundred twenty months, were calculated together as four examination periods; for exterior appointment one qualification need not be reduced again.” The province proposed: “Ninety months as completion; remaining months are calculated in the later post. Those who should have completed service but did not leave their post, although they had months beyond service, were not approved.” In the third year, the province approved: “Months of clerks and others of the Hexi Surveillance Commission.” The ministry deliberated: “It fits the old precedent: Yunnan sixty months, Hexi and Xichuan sixty-five months, native personnel ninety months as completion.” In the second year of Huangqing, the ministry deliberated: “All clerical personnel of offices at home and abroad formerly completed at ninety months; in the first year of Dade it was changed to one hundred twenty months; in the second year of Zhida the old system was restored. Within one cycle, many received appointment. Of the original appointments some took thirty months as one examination period, some forty months; because appointments were unequal, they often cited precedents in appeals, obstructing the selection regulations. It was proposed to follow the issued edict as regulation: those entering service after the seventh day of the third month of the first year of Dade until before the old system was restored, whether appointed or not appointed, all took forty months as one examination period, counting one hundred twenty months in total as completion, with qualification reduction for promotion. Those appointed before completing service were treated uniformly in calculating examinations and fixing appointments; if more than twenty-six months remained, they qualified for promotion one grade; above fifteen months, reduce one qualification for exterior appointment; below fifteen months, calculate in the later post. After the regulation change, those who should have completed service but did not leave their post had months beyond service with no separate decision.”

凡吏員考滿授從六品：至元九年，省準：「省令史出身，中統四年已前，六品升遷，已後七品除授，至元之後，事繁責重，宜依準中統四年已前考滿一體註授。」三十一年，省議：「三師僚屬，蒙古必阇赤、掾史、宣使等，依都省設置，若不由臺院轉補者，降等敘。」元貞元年，省議：「監修國史僚屬，依三師所設，非臺院轉補者，降等敘。」大德五年，部呈考滿省掾各各資品。省議：「今後院臺並行省令史選充省掾者，雖理考滿，須歷三十月方許出職，仍分省發、自行踏逐者，各部令史毋得直理省掾月日。」

As for clerical personnel completing examination and receiving rank 6b: In the ninth year of Zhiyuan, the province approved: “Entry qualifications of secretariat clerks: before the fourth year of Zhongtong, promotion to rank 6; after that appointment at rank 7; after Zhiyuan, because affairs are numerous and responsibilities heavy, upon completing examination they should uniformly receive appointment like before the fourth year of Zhongtong.” In the thirty-first year, the province deliberated: “Staff of the Three Preceptors, Mongolian bituqchi, clerks, and envoys follow the Secretariat's establishment; if not transferred and supplemented from the Censorate and courts, they are entered at a lower grade.” In the first year of Yuanzhen, the province deliberated: “Staff of the National History compilation follow the Three Preceptors' establishment; those not transferred from the Censorate and courts are entered at a lower grade.” In Dade 5 the ministry reported the qualifying ranks of secretariat clerks who had completed review. The province deliberated: “Hereafter when court, Censorate, and branch secretariat clerks are selected as secretariat clerks, although their examination completion is calculated, they must serve thirty months before being allowed to leave office; still distinguishing those sent by the province and those recruited on their own initiative, ministry clerks may not directly calculate secretariat clerk months.”

凡吏員考滿授正七品：至元九年，部擬：「院、臺、大司農司令史出身，三考正七品。一考之上，驗月日定奪。一考之下，二十月以上為從八品；十五月以上正九品；十五月以下，十月之上為從九品，添一資，歷十月以下為巡檢。」十一年，部議：「紥魯火赤令史、譯史考滿，合依樞密院、御史臺令史、譯史出身，三考出為正七品，自用者降一等，有闕於部令史內選取。」十四年，部擬：「前諸站統領使司令史，同部令史出身，今既改通政院從二品，通事、譯史、令史人等，宜同臺、院人吏一體出身。」十五年，翰林國史院言：「本院令史系省準人員，其出身與御史臺一體，遇闕省掾時，亦合勾補。準吏部牒，本院令史以九十月考滿，同部令史出身，本院與御史臺皆隨朝二品，令史亦合與臺令史一體出身，有闕於部令史內選用。」十九年，部擬：「泉府司隨朝從二品，令史、譯史人等，由省部發者，考滿依通政院例定奪，自行用者降一等。」二十年，定擬安西王王相府首領官令史，與臺、院吏屬一體遷轉。二十二年，部擬：「宣徽院升為二品，與臺、院品秩相同，令史出身合依正七品遷除貢補，省、院有闕，於部令史內選取。」總制院與御史臺俱為正二品，部擬：「令譯史考滿，亦合一體出身。」二十三年，省準：「詹事院掾史，若六部選充者，考滿出為正七品，自用者降等。」二十四年，集賢院言：「本院與翰林國史院品級相同。」省議：「令史考滿，一體定奪。」二十五年，省議：「上都留守司兼本路總管府令史出身，三考正八品，其自部令史內選取者，同宣徽院、太醫院令史一體出身。上都留守司升為正二品，見設令史，自行踏逐者，考滿不為例，從七品內選用；部令史內選取，考滿宣徽院、大司農司令史一體出身。」部議：「都護府人吏依通政院令譯史人等出身，由省部發者，考滿出為正七品，自用者降一等。」二十六年，省準：「都功德使司隨朝二品，令譯史人等，比臺、院人吏一體升轉。」二十九年，部呈：「大司徒令史，若各部選發者，三考出為正七，自用者降等。崇福司與都護府、泉府司品秩相同，所設人吏，由省部發者，考滿出為正七品，自用者降一等。福建省征瓜哇所設人吏，出征回還，俱同考滿。」三十年，省準：「將作院令史，依通政院等衙門令史，考滿除正七品。」部議：「如系六部選發，考滿除正七品，自用者本衙門敘。」元貞元年，內史府秩正二品，令史亦於部令史內收補，考滿除正七品，自用者降等。大德九年，部擬：「闊闊出大司徒令史，若各部選發，考滿正七，自用者降等。」至大四年，省準：「會福院令史、知印、通事、譯史、宣使、典吏俱自用，前擬不拘常調，考滿本衙門區用。隆禧院令史人等，如常選者，考滿依例遷敘，自用者不入常調，於本衙門區用。」皇慶二年，部議：「崇祥院人吏，系部令史發補者，依例遷用，不應者降等敘。」延祐四年，部議：「隆禧院令史、譯史、通事、知印、典吏同五臺殊祥院人吏一體，常選內委付。其出身若有曾歷寺監並籍記各部令史人等，考滿同二品衙門出身，降等敘，白身者降等，添一資升轉；省部發去者，依例遷敘。後有闕，令史須於常選教授儒人職官並部令史見役上名內取補；宣使於職官並相應內參補；通事、知印從長官保選，仍參用職官，違例補充，別無定奪。殊祥院人吏，先未定擬，亦合一體。」

As for clerical personnel completing examination and receiving rank 7a: In the ninth year of Zhiyuan, the ministry proposed: “Entry qualifications of court, Censorate, and Grand Secretariat for Agriculture clerks: three examinations, rank 7a. Above one examination period, months are verified and a decision is made. Below one examination period, twenty months and above is rank 8b; fifteen months and above is rank 9a; below fifteen months, above ten months is rank 9b with one qualification added; below ten months is patrol inspector.” In the eleventh year, the ministry deliberated: “Jarquchi clerks and interpreters completing examination should follow the entry qualifications of Privy Council and Censorate clerks and interpreters; three examinations qualify for rank 7a; those employed on their own initiative are one grade lower; vacancies are filled from ministry clerks.” In the fourteenth year, the ministry proposed: “Former clerks of the various station superintendent offices shared ministry clerks' entry qualifications; now that the Communications Office has been changed to rank 2b, liaison officers, interpreters, clerks, and others should share the same entry qualifications as Censorate and court personnel.” In the fifteenth year, the Hanlin National History Academy stated: “Our academy's clerks are personnel approved by the province; their entry qualifications are the same as the Censorate's; when secretariat clerk positions are vacant, they should also be drawn to fill them. Following the Ministry of Personnel's dispatch, the academy's clerks complete examination at ninety months and share ministry clerks' entry qualifications; the academy and Censorate are both rank 2 at court; clerks should also share the Censorate clerks' entry qualifications; vacancies are filled from ministry clerks.” In the nineteenth year, the ministry proposed: “The Treasury Office is rank 2b at court; clerks, interpreters, and others sent from the province and ministries, upon completing examination are decided by the Communications Office precedent; those employed on their own initiative are one grade lower.” In year 20 chief clerks of the Anxi King's chancellor's office were placed under the same transfer rules as censorate and court clerical staff. In the twenty-second year, the ministry proposed: “The Xuanhui Court was raised to rank 2, the same rank as the Censorate and courts; clerks' entry qualifications should follow rank 7a for transfer, recommendation, and supplementation; when the Secretariat and courts have vacancies, they are selected from ministry clerks.” The General Regulatory Court and Censorate are both rank 2a; the ministry proposed: “Clerks and interpreters completing examination should also share unified entry qualifications.” In the twenty-third year, the province approved: “Clerks of the Household Administration of the Heir Apparent, if selected from the Six Ministries, upon completing examination qualify for rank 7a; those employed on their own initiative are entered at a lower grade.” In the twenty-fourth year, the Academy of Worthies stated: “Our academy and the Hanlin National History Academy are the same rank.” The province deliberated: “Clerks completing examination are decided uniformly.” In the twenty-fifth year, the province deliberated: “Entry qualifications of clerks of the Shangdu Garrison Command combined with the circuit chief administrator's office: three examinations, rank 8a; those selected from ministry clerks share the same entry qualifications as Xuanhui Court and Imperial Medical Academy clerks. The Shangdu Garrison Command was raised to rank 2a; for existing clerks recruited on their own initiative, completing examination does not set precedent; they are selected from within rank 7b; those selected from ministry clerks, upon completing examination share Xuanhui Court and Grand Secretariat for Agriculture clerks' entry qualifications.” The ministry deliberated: “Personnel of the Chief Protectorate follow the entry qualifications of Communications Office clerks and interpreters; those sent from the province and ministries, upon completing examination qualify for rank 7a; those employed on their own initiative are one grade lower.” In the twenty-sixth year, the province approved: “The Chief Merit Commission is rank 2 at court; clerks, interpreters, and others are promoted and transferred uniformly like Censorate and court personnel.” In the twenty-ninth year, the ministry presented: “Grand Preceptor clerks, if selected and sent from the various ministries, qualify for rank 7a after three examinations; those employed on their own initiative are entered at a lower grade. The Chongfu Office shares the same rank as the Chief Protectorate and Treasury Office; personnel established there, if sent from the province and ministries, upon completing examination qualify for rank 7a; those employed on their own initiative are one grade lower. Staff posted by Fujian Province for the Java campaign, upon returning from the expedition, are all treated the same as having completed their examination period.” In the thirtieth year, the province approved: “Clerks of the Palace Construction Office, following clerks of the Communications Office and similar yamens, upon completing examination are appointed at rank 7a.” The ministry deliberated: “If selected and sent from the Six Ministries, upon completing examination they are appointed at rank 7a; those employed on their own initiative are entered within their own yamen.” In Yuanzhen 1 (1295), with the Inner Secretariat at rank 2a, its clerks were recruited from ministry clerks and qualify for rank 7a upon review completion; locally employed staff at a lower rank. In the ninth year of Dade, the ministry proposed: “Clerks of Kuo-kuo's Grand Preceptor office: if selected and sent from the various ministries, upon completing examination rank 7a; those employed on their own initiative are entered at a lower grade.” In the fourth year of Zhida, the province approved: “Clerks, seal keepers, liaisons, interpreters, envoys, and record clerks of the Huifu Hall are all locally employed; the prior proposal exempts them from the regular rotation; upon completing examination they are used within their own yamen. Clerks and others of the Longxi Hall: if from the regular selection, upon completing examination they are promoted and entered according to precedent; those employed on their own initiative are not placed in the regular rotation and are used within their own yamen.” In the second year of Huangqing, the ministry deliberated: “Staff of the Chongxiang Hall, if dispatched from ministry clerks, are transferred according to precedent; those who do not qualify are entered at a lower grade.” In the fourth year of Yanyou, the ministry deliberated: “Clerks, interpreters, liaisons, seal keepers, and record clerks of the Longxi Hall are the same as staff of the Wutai Shuxiang Hall and are to be assigned within the regular selection. As for their entry qualifications, if they have formerly served in directorates and superintendencies and are registered ministry clerks and the like, upon completing examination they share the entry qualifications of rank-2 yamens and are entered at a lower grade; those without prior rank are entered at a lower grade and advance one qualification step in promotion; Those sent from the province and ministries are promoted and entered according to precedent. When vacancies occur afterward, clerks must be filled from among Confucian instructor officials in the regular selection and active ministry clerks on the rolls; envoys are to be supplemented from among officials and qualified candidates; liaisons and seal keepers are chosen on the recommendation of the chief official, still drawing from among officials; irregular appointments have no separate decision. Staff of the Shuxiang Hall, previously undetermined, should also be treated uniformly.”

凡吏員考滿授從七品：至元六年，省擬：「部令史、譯史、通事人等，中統四年正月以前收補者，擬九十月為滿，註從七品，回降正八一任，還入從七。以後充者，亦擬九十月為滿，正八品，仍免回降。」九年，吏、禮部擬：「凡部令史三考，注從七品。一考之上，驗月日定奪。一考之下，二十月以上者正九品。十五月以上從九品，十五月以下，令史提控案牘，通事、譯史巡檢。太府監改擬正三品，與六部同，人吏自行踏逐，將已歷月日準為資考，似為不倫，擬自改升月日為始，九十月為滿，同部令史出職，有闕於籍記部令史內挨次收補。」十一年，省議：「省斷事官令史，與六部令史一體出身，若是實歷俸月九十月，考滿遷除，有闕於應補部令史人內挨次補用。」省議：「中禦府正三品，擬同太府監令史出身，九十月於從七品內除授，自行踏逐者降一等，歇下名闕，於應補部令史人內補填。」十三年，省議：「行工部令史，與六部令史一體出身。四怯薛令史，九十月同部令史出身，有闕以籍記部令史內補填。」二十年，部呈：「行省令、譯史人等，比臺、院一體出身。行臺、行院令譯史、通事人等，九十月考滿，元系都省臺院發去及應補之人，合降臺院一等。」二十三年，省判：「大都留守司兼少府監令史，如系省部發去相應人員，同部令史出身，九十月考滿，從七品，自行踏逐者降等。」二十四年，省判：「中尚監令史人等，若系省部發去人員，同太府監令譯史等出身，自行踏逐者降等。」太史院令史，部議：「如省部發去人員，從七品內遷除，自行踏逐者，降等敘用。」部擬：「行省臺院令史，九十月考滿，若系都省臺院發去腹裏請俸人員，行省令史同臺院令史出身，行臺、行院降一等，俱於腹裏選用，自行踏逐遞降一等，於江南任用。」二十九年，省判：「鞏昌等處便宜都總帥府令史人等出身，擬與各道宣慰司一體，自行踏逐者降等敘用。」大德三年，省準：「上都留守司令史，舊以見役部令史發補，以籍居懸遠，擬於籍記部令史內選發，與六部見役令史一體轉升二品衙門令史，轉補不盡者，考滿從七品敘用。」八年，部擬：「利用監自大德三年八月已前入役者，若充各衙門有俸令史，及本監奏差、典吏轉補，則於應得資品內選用；由庫子、本把就升，並白身人，於雜職內通理定奪；自用之人，本監委用。」皇慶元年，制：「典瑞監人吏俱與七品出身。」部議：「太府、利用等四監同。省發者考滿與六部一體敘，其餘寺監令譯史正八品，奏差正九品。令典瑞監、前典寶監人吏出身同大府等監，系奉旨事理。」省議：「已除者，依舊例定奪。」三年，省準：「章慶使司秩正二品，見役人吏，若同隨朝二品衙門，考滿除正七品，緣系徽政院所轄司屬，量擬考滿除從七品，自用者降等，如系及考部令史轉充，考滿正七品，未及考者止除從七品。有闕須依例補，不許自用。」

As for clerks completing examination and granted rank 7b: In the sixth year of Zhiyuan, the province proposed: “Ministry clerks, interpreters, liaisons, and others recruited before the first month of the fourth year of Zhongtong are proposed ninety months as completion, registered at rank 7b, returned and lowered to rank 8a for one term, then re-entered at rank 7b. Those appointed afterward are also proposed ninety months as completion, at rank 8a, and are still exempt from return lowering.” In the ninth year, the Personnel and Rites ministries proposed: “All ministry clerks, after three examinations, are registered at rank 7b. Above one examination, the decision is made by verifying the months and days. Below one examination, those with twenty months or more receive rank 9a. Fifteen months or more receive rank 9b; below fifteen months, clerks become document controllers, and liaisons and interpreters become inspectors. The Grand Treasury Superintendency was reclassified to rank 3a, the same as the Six Ministries; staff personally recruited there counted prior months as examination qualification, which seemed inappropriate; it was proposed that from the date of the upgrade, ninety months constitute completion, the same as ministry clerk exit qualifications; vacancies are to be filled in order from registered ministry clerks.” In the eleventh year, the province deliberated: “Clerks of the Provincial Adjudication Office share the same entry qualifications as Six Ministry clerks; if they have actually completed ninety salaried months, upon completing examination they are appointed; vacancies are filled in order from eligible ministry clerks.” The province deliberated: “The Central Imperial Workshop is rank 3a; its clerks are proposed to share the entry qualifications of Grand Treasury clerks; after ninety months they are appointed within rank 7b; those personally recruited are one grade lower; vacant positions are filled from eligible ministry clerks.” In the thirteenth year, the province deliberated: “Clerks of the Mobile Works Ministry share the same entry qualifications as Six Ministry clerks. Clerks of the four kheshig corps, after ninety months, share ministry clerk entry qualifications; vacancies are filled from registered ministry clerks.” In the twentieth year, the ministry presented: “Regional administration clerks and interpreters and others are to share the same entry qualifications as censorate and court staff. Clerks, interpreters, and liaisons of regional censorates and courts, upon completing ninety months' examination, for those originally sent from the capital province, censorate, and court and eligible candidates, are one grade below censorate and court rank.” In the twenty-third year, the province decided: “Clerks of the Dadu Garrison Command combined with the Lesser Treasury Superintendency: if sent from the province and ministries as qualified personnel, they share ministry clerk entry qualifications; upon completing ninety months' examination, rank 7b; those personally recruited are entered at a lower grade.” In the twenty-fourth year, the province decided: “Clerks and others of the Central Imperial Attire Superintendency: if sent from the province and ministries, they share the entry qualifications of Grand Treasury clerks and interpreters; those personally recruited are entered at a lower grade.” For clerks of the Astronomical Bureau, the ministry deliberated: “If sent from the province and ministries, they are appointed within rank 7b; those personally recruited are entered and employed at a lower grade.” The ministry proposed: “Clerks of regional administrations, censorates, and courts, upon completing ninety months' examination: if sent from the capital province, censorate, and court as personnel drawing salary in the metropolitan core, regional administration clerks share censorate and court clerk entry qualifications; regional censorate and court staff are one grade lower; all are selected in the metropolitan core; those personally recruited are lowered one grade at each step and are appointed in Jiangnan.” In the twenty-ninth year, the province decided: “The entry qualifications of clerks and others of the convenience Grand Marshal Command at Gongchang and elsewhere are proposed to be the same as circuit Pacification Commissions; those personally recruited are entered and employed at a lower grade.” In the third year of Dade, the province approved: “Clerks of the Shangdu Garrison Command were formerly filled from active ministry clerks; because the registry is remote, it is proposed to select and dispatch from registered ministry clerks; they are to transfer and be promoted to rank-2 yamen clerks the same as active Six Ministry clerks; those not fully transferred are entered at rank 7b upon completing examination.” In the eighth year, the ministry proposed: “For staff of the Utilization Superintendency who entered service before the eighth month of the third year of Dade: if filling salaried clerk posts in various yamens, or transferring as memorial couriers or record clerks within the superintendency, they are to be selected within the qualification rank they deserve; those promoted from warehouse keepers and foremen, and persons without prior rank, are to be decided comprehensively within miscellaneous posts; persons locally employed are assigned by their own superintendency.” In the first year of Huangqing, a regulation stated: “Staff of the Diancui Superintendency are all granted rank-7 entry qualifications.” The ministry deliberated: “The Grand Treasury, Utilization, and the other four superintendencies are the same. Those sent by the province, upon completing examination, are entered the same as the Six Ministries; the remaining directorate clerks and interpreters receive rank 8a, and memorial couriers rank 9a. Order that staff of the Diancui Superintendency and the former Dianbao Superintendency share the entry qualifications of the Grand Treasury and other superintendencies; this is a matter of imperial decree.” The province deliberated: “Those already appointed are to be decided according to the old precedent.” In the third year, the province approved: “The Zhangqing Commissariat is rank 2a; for active staff, if treated the same as court rank-2 yamens, upon completing examination they are appointed at rank 7a; because it is a subordinate under the Huizheng Court, it is proposed that upon completing examination they be appointed at rank 7b; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade; if transferred from ministry clerks who have completed examination, upon completing examination rank 7a; those not yet having completed examination receive only rank 7b. Vacancies must be filled according to precedent; self-employment is not permitted.”

凡吏員考滿授正八品：至元十一年，省議：「秘書監從三品，令史擬九十月出為正八品，自用者降一等，有闕諸衙門考滿典吏內補填。」省議：「太常寺正三品，令史以九十月出為從八品，有闕於應補監令史內取用。」省議：「少府監正四品，準軍器監令史出身，是省部發去者，三考於正八品任用，自行踏逐人員，考滿降一等。」省議：「尚牧監正四品，省部發去令史，擬九十月出為正八品，自用者降一等，有闕於諸衙門典吏內選補。」部擬：「河南等路宣慰司系外任從二品，與隨朝各部正三品衙門相同，準令史以九十月同部令史遷轉。開元等路宣撫司外任正三品，令譯史比前例降一等，九十月於正八品內遷轉。」十四年，部擬：「樞密院斷事官令史，擬以九十月出為從八品，有闕於諸衙門考滿典吏內補用。」十六年，部擬：「樞密院斷事官今改從三品，所設人吏，若系上司發去人員，歷九十月，比省斷事官令史降等於正八品內遷除，自用者降一等，遇闕於相應人內發遣。」二十一年，部擬：「廣西、海北海南道宣慰司令史、譯史、奏差人等，與嶺南廣西道等處按察司書吏人等一體，二十月理算一考，擬六十月同考滿。」省準：「廣東宣慰司其地倚山瀕海，極邊煙瘴，令史議合優升，依泉州行省令譯史等，以二十月理算一考。」二十二年，省準：「詹事院府正、家令二司，給侍宮闈，正班三品，令史即非各司自用人員，俸秩與六部同，若遇院掾史有闕，於兩司令史內選補，擬定資品出身，依樞密院所轄各衛令史出身，考滿出為正八品。尚醞監令史，與六部令史同議，諸監令史考滿，正八品內遷用，及非省部發去者例降一等，尚醞監令史亦合一體。」二十三年，省準：「太常寺令史，歷九十月，正八品內任用，有闕於呈準籍記人內選取。雲南省羅羅斯宣慰司兼管軍萬戶府首領官、令史人等，依雲南行省令史例，六十月考滿，首領官受敕，例以三十月為一考。武備寺正三品，令譯史等出身，擬先司農寺令譯史人等，依各監例，考滿出為正八品，武備寺令史亦合依例遷敘。尚舍監令史，擬同諸寺監令史，考滿授正八品，自行用者降一等，尚舍監亦如之。陜西四川行省順元等路軍民宣慰司，依雲南令譯史人等，六十月為滿遷轉。」二十四年，部擬：「太史院、武備寺、光祿寺等令史，九十月正八品內遷用，自用者降一等。太醫院系宣徽院所轄，令史人等，若系省部發去，考滿同諸監令史，擬正八品，自用者降等任用。」二十六年，省準：「給事中兼修起居註人吏，依諸寺監令史出身例，考滿一體定奪。侍儀司令史，依給事中兼起居註人吏遷轉。」二十七年，省準：「延慶司令史，九十月，依已準家令、府正兩司例，由省部發者出為正八品，自用者降等敘。」二十八年，省準：「太僕寺擬比尚乘等寺令史，以九十月出為正八品，自用者降一等。拱衛直都指揮使司與武備寺同品，令史考滿，出為從八品，自用者降一等遷用。蒙古等衛令史，即系在先考滿令史，合於正八品內遷敘，各衛令史有闕，由省部籍記選發者，考滿出為正八品。樞密院所轄都元帥府、萬戶府各衛並屯田等司官吏，俱從本院定奪、遷調，見役令史，自用者考滿，合從本院定奪。宣政院斷事官令史，與樞密院及蒙古必阇赤，由翰林院發者，以九十月為從七品，通事、令史以九十月為正八品，奏差以九十月為正九品，典吏九十月轉本府奏差，自用者降等。」二十九年，部擬：「左右兩江宣慰司都元帥府令譯史人等，依雲南、兩廣、福建人吏，六十月為滿。兩廣敘用譯史，除從七品，非翰林院選發，別無定奪。令史省發，考滿正八品，奏差省發，考滿正九品，自用者降等敘。儀鳳司令史，比同侍儀司令史，考滿為正八品，自用者降一等。哈迷為頭只哈赤八剌哈孫達魯花赤令史，吏部議，與阿速拔都兒達魯花赤必阇赤考滿正八品任用，雖必阇赤、令史月俸不同，各官隨朝近侍一體，比依例出身相應。」三十年，省準：「孛可孫系正三品，令譯史人等，比依各寺監令譯史出身相應。都水監從三品，令譯史等依寺監令史一體出身，考滿正八品敘，自用者降等。只兒哈忽昔寶赤八剌哈孫達魯花赤本處隨朝正三品，與只哈赤八剌哈孫達魯花赤令史等即系一體，擬合依例，考滿出為正八品。」元貞元年，省準：「闌遺監令譯史人等，省部發去者，考滿正八品內任用，自行踏逐者降等。家令司、府正司改內宰、宮正，其人吏依元定為當。拱衛直都指揮使司升為正三品，其令譯史等俸，俱與光祿寺相同，擬系相應人內發補者考滿與正八品，奏差正九，自用者降等敘。」大德三年，部議：「鷹坊總管府人吏，依隨朝三品，考滿正八品內遷用。」五年，部擬：「和林宣慰司都元帥府人吏，合與隨朝二品衙門一體，及量減月日。」部議：「各道宣慰司令史，一百二十月正八品敘，自用者降等遷用。其和林宣慰司無應取司屬，又系酷寒之地，人吏已蒙都省從優以九十月為滿，今擬考滿，不分自用，俱於正八品內遷用。」八年，部言：「行都水監準設人吏，令史八人，奏差六人，壕寨一十人，通事、知印各一人，譯史一人，公使人二十人。都水監令譯史、通事、知印考滿，俱於正八品遷用，奏差考滿，正九品，自用者降等，壕寨出身並俸給同奏差。行都水監系江南創立衙門，令史比例，合於行省所轄常調提控案牘內選取，奏差、壕寨人等亦須選相應人，考滿比都水監人吏降等江南遷用，典吏公使人，從本監自用。」九年，部言：「尚乘寺援武備寺、大府、章佩等監例，求升加其人吏出身俸給。議得，各監人吏皆系奉旨升加，尚乘寺人吏合依已擬。」至大三年，部言：「和林系邊遠酷寒之地，兵馬司司吏歷一考余，轉本路總管府司吏。補不盡者，六十月升都目。總管府吏，再歷一考，轉青海宣慰司令史，考滿除正八品，不系本路司吏轉補者，降等敘，補不盡者，六十月，部劄提控案牘內任用，蒙古必赤比上例定奪。」部議：「晉王位下斷事官正三品，除怯裏馬赤、知印例從長官所保，蒙古必劄赤翰林院發，令史以內史府考滿典吏並籍記寺監令史發補，九十月除正八品，與職官相參用。奏差亦須選相應人，九十月依例遷用，自用者，考滿本衙門定奪。」皇慶元年，部言：「衛率府勾當人員，令都省與常選出身。議得，令史系軍司勾當之人，未有轉受民職定奪，合自奏準日為格，系皇慶元年二月九日以前者，同典牧監一體遷敘，以後者若系籍記寺監令史，常選提控案牘補充，依上銓除，自用者不入常調。」部議：「徽政院繕珍司見役令史，若系籍記寺監令史、常調提控案牘、院兩考之上典吏補充，內宰司令史例，考滿除正八，通事、譯史、知印亦依上遷敘，自用者降等。後有闕，須依例發補，違例補充，別無定奪。」二年，部議：「徽政院延福司見役令史，若系籍記寺監令史、常調提控案牘、本院兩考之上典吏補充者，依內宰司令史例，考滿除正八品，通事、譯史、知印依上遷敘，自用者降等。後有闕，須依例發補，不許自用。」延祐三年，省準：「徽政院所轄衛候司，奉旨升正三品，與拱衛直都指揮使司同品，合設令譯史，考滿除正八，自用者降等。衛候司就用前衛候司人吏，擬自呈準月日理算，考滿同自用遷敘，後有闕，以相應人補，考滿依例敘。徽政院掌飲司人吏，部議常選發補令譯史，考滿從八，奏差從九，自用者降等，後有闕須以相應人補，違例補充，考滿本衙門用。」四年，省準：「屯儲總管萬戶府司吏譯史出身，至大二年尚書省劄，和林路司吏未定出身，和林系邊遠酷寒去處，兵馬司司吏如歷一考之上，轉補本路司吏並總管府司吏，再歷一考之上，轉補青海宣慰司令史，考滿正八品遷除，補不盡人數，從優，擬六十月於部劄提控案牘內任用，蒙古必阇赤比依上例定奪。其沙州ˇ瓜州立屯儲總管萬戶府衙門，即系邊遠酷寒地面，依和林路總管府司吏人員一體出身。」

As for clerks completing examination and granted rank 8a: In the eleventh year of Zhiyuan, the province deliberated: “The Secretariat Superintendency is rank 3b; clerks are proposed to exit after ninety months at rank 8a; those locally employed are one grade lower; vacancies are filled from record clerks who have completed examination in various yamens.” The province deliberated: “The Court of Imperial Sacrifices is rank 3a; clerks exit after ninety months at rank 8b; vacancies are filled from eligible superintendency clerks.” The province deliberated: “The Lesser Treasury Superintendency is rank 4a; following the entry qualifications of Armaments Superintendency clerks: those sent from the province and ministries, after three examinations, are appointed within rank 8a; personally recruited personnel, upon completing examination, are one grade lower.” The province deliberated: “The Imperial Herds Superintendency is rank 4a; province-sent clerks are proposed to exit after ninety months at rank 8a; those locally employed are one grade lower; vacancies are selected and filled from record clerks in various yamens.” The ministry proposed: “The Henan and other circuit Pacification Commissions are external rank 2b, the same as court rank-3 ministries; clerks are to transfer after ninety months the same as ministry clerks. The Kaiyuan and other circuit Pacification Commissariats are external rank 3a; clerks and interpreters are one grade lower than the prior precedent and transfer within rank 8a after ninety months.” In the fourteenth year, the ministry proposed: “Clerks of the Military Council Adjudication Office are proposed to exit after ninety months at rank 8b; vacancies are filled from record clerks who have completed examination in various yamens.” In the sixteenth year, the ministry proposed: “The Military Council Adjudication Office is now rank 3b; its staff, if sent from a superior office, after ninety months, compared with provincial adjudication clerks are entered at a lower grade within rank 8a; those locally employed are one grade lower; when vacancies occur, qualified persons are dispatched.” In the twenty-first year, the ministry proposed: “Clerks, interpreters, and memorial couriers of the Guangxi, Haibei, and Hainan Pacification Commissions are the same as scribes of the Lingnan and Guangxi Surveillance Commission and elsewhere: twenty months count as one examination; sixty months are proposed as equivalent to completing examination.” The province approved: “The Guangdong Pacification Commission lies in mountains by the sea at the extreme frontier with miasma; it was proposed that its clerks receive preferential promotion, following Quanzhou regional administration clerks and interpreters, counting twenty months as one examination.” In the twenty-second year, the province approved: “The Household Administration and Chamberlain bureaus of the Heir Apparent serve the inner palace; their formal rank is 3; clerks are not self-employed by each bureau; salary and rank are the same as the Six Ministries; if household clerks have vacancies, selection is made from clerks of the two bureaus; fixed qualification origins follow guard clerks under the Military Council; upon completing examination they exit at rank 8a. Clerks of the Imperial Brewery Superintendency are deliberated the same as Six Ministry clerks; upon completing examination, superintendency clerks are appointed within rank 8a; those not sent from the province and ministries are by precedent one grade lower; Imperial Brewery clerks should also be treated uniformly.” In the twenty-third year, the province approved: “Court of Imperial Sacrifices clerks, after ninety months, are appointed within rank 8a; vacancies are selected from persons on the approved registry. Chief officers, clerks, and others of the Luoluo Pacification Commission of Yunnan Province combined with the Military Ten-thousand Household follow the precedent of Yunnan regional administration clerks: sixty months constitute completion; chief officers receiving edicts count thirty months as one examination. The Armaments Temple is rank 3a; the entry qualifications of clerks and interpreters follow the former Agriculture Temple clerks and interpreters according to superintendency precedent; upon completing examination they exit at rank 8a; Armaments Temple clerks should also be promoted and entered according to precedent. Clerks of the Imperial Lodging Superintendency are proposed to be the same as various directorate and superintendency clerks; upon completing examination they are granted rank 8a; those self-employed are one grade lower; the Imperial Lodging Superintendency is also the same. The Shunyuan and other Military-Civilian Pacification Commissions of the Shaanxi-Sichuan regional administration follow Yunnan clerks and interpreters: sixty months constitute completion and transfer.” In the twenty-fourth year, the ministry proposed: “Clerks of the Astronomical Bureau, Armaments Temple, Court of Imperial Entertainments, and others, after ninety months, are appointed within rank 8a; those locally employed are one grade lower. The Imperial Medical Academy is under the Xuanhui Court; clerks and others, if sent from the province and ministries, upon completing examination follow various superintendency clerks and are proposed at rank 8a; those locally employed are employed at a lower grade.” In the twenty-sixth year, the province approved: “Staff of the Censor-in-Attendance combined with Daily Record compilers follow the entry precedent of various superintendency clerks; upon completing examination a unified decision applies. Clerks of the Ceremonial Office follow the transfer rules of Censor-in-Attendance and Daily Record compiler staff.” In the twenty-seventh year, the province approved: “Yanqing Office clerks, after ninety months, follow the already approved precedents of the Chamberlain and Household Administration bureaus: those sent by the province and ministries exit at rank 8a; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade.” In the twenty-eighth year, the province approved: “The Imperial Stud is proposed to follow clerks of the Imperial Mounts and other temples; after ninety months they exit at rank 8a; those locally employed are one grade lower. The Palace Guard Direct Command is the same rank as the Armaments Temple; clerks, upon completing examination, exit at rank 8b; those locally employed are appointed one grade lower. Clerks of the Mongol and other guards are among clerks who completed examination earlier and should be entered and promoted within rank 8a; when guard clerk vacancies occur, those selected and dispatched from the province and ministry registry, upon completing examination, exit at rank 8a. Officials and clerks of Grand Marshal commands, ten-thousand household guards, and garrison-farming offices under the Military Council are all decided and transferred by that court; for active clerks locally employed, upon completing examination, the decision rests with the Military Council. Clerks of the Xuanzheng Court Adjudication Office, together with Military Council and Mongol bitchi dispatched from the Hanlin Academy: after ninety months, rank 7b; liaisons and clerks after ninety months, rank 8a; memorial couriers after ninety months, rank 9a; record clerks after ninety months transfer to memorial couriers of the court; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade.” In the twenty-ninth year, the ministry proposed: “Clerks and interpreters of the Left and Right River Pacification Commissions' Grand Marshal commands follow staff of Yunnan, the Two Guangs, and Fujian: sixty months constitute completion. Interpreters entered for appointment in the Two Guangs, except rank 7b; those not selected and dispatched from the Hanlin Academy have no separate decision. Province-sent clerks, upon completing examination, rank 8a; province-sent memorial couriers, upon completing examination, rank 9a; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade. Clerks of the Ceremonial Phoenix Office are compared with Ceremonial Office clerks; upon completing examination they receive rank 8a; those locally employed are one grade lower. Clerks of the Hami chief Jiaqachi Balakhasun darughachi: the Personnel ministry deliberated that they, together with Asud Badur darughachi bitchi, upon completing examination are appointed within rank 8a; although bitchi and clerks have different monthly salaries, each office as court attendants is the same and corresponds to entry qualifications according to precedent.” In the thirtieth year, the province approved: “Bekosun is rank 3a; clerks and interpreters and others correspond to the entry qualifications of various superintendency clerks and interpreters. The Waterways Superintendency is rank 3b; clerks and interpreters follow superintendency clerk entry qualifications; upon completing examination they are entered at rank 8a; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade. The Jirhaghusi Baoshi Balakhasun darughachi locally at court is rank 3a; with Jiaqachi Balakhasun darughachi clerks and others they form one entity; it is proposed that upon completing examination they exit at rank 8a according to precedent.” In the first year of Yuanzhen, the province approved: “Clerks and interpreters of the Remains Recovery Superintendency sent from the province and ministries, upon completing examination, are appointed within rank 8a; those personally recruited are entered at a lower grade. The Chamberlain and Household Administration bureaus were renamed Inner Steward and Palace Chief; their staff follow the original determination. The Palace Guard Direct Command was raised to rank 3a; the salaries of its clerks and interpreters are all the same as the Court of Imperial Entertainments; it is proposed that qualified personnel dispatched to fill posts, upon completing examination, receive rank 8a, memorial couriers rank 9a; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade.” In the third year of Dade, the ministry deliberated: “Staff of the Falconry Chief Office follow court rank-3 offices; upon completing examination they are appointed within rank 8a.” In the fifth year, the ministry proposed: “Staff of the Karakorum Pacification Commission's Grand Marshal command should be the same as court rank-2 yamens, with a measured reduction in months.” The ministry deliberated: “Clerks of circuit Pacification Commissions, after one hundred twenty months, are entered at rank 8a; those locally employed are appointed at a lower grade. The Karakorum Pacification Commission has no subordinate offices from which to draw staff, and moreover lies in an extremely cold region; its staff had already received favorable treatment from the capital province counting ninety months as completion; it is now proposed that upon completing examination, regardless of local employment, all are appointed within rank 8a.” In the eighth year, the ministry reported: “The authorized staff of the Regional Waterways Superintendency: eight clerks, six memorial couriers, ten trench guards, one liaison, one seal keeper, one interpreter, and twenty dispatchers. Clerks, interpreters, liaisons, and seal keepers of the Waterways Superintendency, upon completing examination, are all appointed within rank 8a; memorial couriers upon completing examination, rank 9a; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade; trench guards share memorial courier entry qualifications and salary. The Regional Waterways Superintendency is a newly established yamen in Jiangnan; the proportion of clerks should be selected from document controllers in the regular rotation under the regional administration; memorial couriers and trench guards must also select qualified persons; upon completing examination they are appointed in Jiangnan one grade lower than Waterways Superintendency staff; record clerks and dispatchers are self-employed by the superintendency.” In the ninth year, the ministry reported: “The Imperial Mounts Temple cites the precedents of the Armaments Temple, Grand Treasury, and Insignia superintendencies, seeking raised entry qualifications and salaries for its staff. Upon deliberation, staff of various superintendencies were all raised by imperial decree; Imperial Mounts Temple staff should follow what was already proposed.” In the third year of Zhida, the ministry reported: “Karakorum is a remote frontier in extreme cold; scribes of the Military-Horse Office, after somewhat more than one examination, transfer to scribes of the circuit chief administrator's office. Those not fully filled are promoted to office chief after sixty months. Chief administrator scribes, after another examination, transfer to clerks of the Qinghai Pacification Commission; upon completing examination they are appointed at rank 8a; those not transferred from local circuit scribes are entered at a lower grade; those not fully filled, after sixty months, are appointed as document controllers by ministry order; Mongol bitchi are decided according to the above precedent.” The ministry deliberated: “The Adjudication Office under the Prince of Jin is rank 3a; except quiremaichi and seal keepers, who are by precedent recommended by the chief official, Mongol bitchi are dispatched from the Hanlin Academy; clerks are filled from record clerks who completed examination in the Inner Secretariat and registered directorate clerks; after ninety months they are appointed at rank 8a, mixed with use of officials. Memorial couriers must also select qualified persons; after ninety months they are appointed according to precedent; those locally employed, upon completing examination, are decided by their own yamen.” In the first year of Huangqing, the ministry reported: “Office staff of the Guard Command—order the capital province to grant regular-selection entry qualifications. Upon deliberation, clerks are personnel of military office service; there is as yet no decision on transfer to civil appointment; it should take effect from the date of the approved memorial as the standard; those before the ninth day of the second month of Huangqing year 1 follow the Pasturage Superintendency in promotion and entry; afterward, if registered directorate clerks or regular-selection document controllers fill posts, appointment follows the above; those locally employed are not placed in the regular rotation.” The ministry deliberated: “Active clerks of the Huizheng Court Treasures Office, if filled from registered directorate clerks, regular-rotation document controllers, or record clerks with above two examinations within the court, follow Inner Steward clerk precedent; upon completing examination they are appointed at rank 8a; liaisons, interpreters, and seal keepers follow the above in promotion and entry; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade. When vacancies occur afterward, they must be filled according to precedent; irregular appointments have no separate decision.” In year 2, the ministry deliberated: “Active clerks of the Huizheng Court Yanfu Bureau, if filled from registered directorate clerks, regular-rotation document controllers, or record clerks with above two examinations within the court, follow Inner Steward clerk precedent; upon completing examination they are appointed at rank 8a; liaisons, interpreters, and seal keepers follow the above in promotion and entry; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade. When vacancies occur afterward, they must be filled according to precedent; self-appointment is not permitted.” In the third year of Yanyou, the province approved: “Guard Services under the Huizheng Court, by imperial decree raised to rank 3a, the same rank as the Palace Guard Direct Command, should establish clerks and interpreters; upon completing examination they are appointed at rank 8a; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade. The Guard Service uses former Guard Service staff; service is reckoned from the approval date; upon completing examination they follow the same promotion as locally employed staff; when vacancies occur afterward, qualified persons fill them; upon completing examination they are entered according to precedent. For staff of the Huizheng Court Provisions Bureau, the ministry deliberated regular selection to fill clerks and interpreters; upon completing examination, rank 8b; memorial couriers, rank 9b; those locally employed are entered at a lower grade; when vacancies occur afterward, qualified persons must fill them; irregular appointments, upon completing examination, are used within their own yamen.” In the fourth year, the province approved: “On the entry qualifications of scribes and interpreters of the Granary Storage Chief Command wanhu offices—in the second year of Zhida the Ministry of Works ordered that Karakorum Circuit scribes had no fixed entry; Karakorum is a remote frontier in extreme cold; scribes of the Military-Horse Office, after somewhat more than one examination, transfer to scribes of the circuit and chief command; after another examination, transfer to clerks of the Qinghai Pacification Commission; upon completing examination they are appointed at rank 8a; for numbers not fully filled, preferentially, after sixty months they are appointed as document controllers by ministry order; Mongol bitchi are decided according to the above precedent. The yamens of the Granary Storage Chief Command wanhu offices established at Shazhou and Guazhou likewise lie in remote, frigid frontier territory; their personnel follow the same entry qualifications as Karakorum Circuit chief administrator scribes.”

凡吏員考滿授正九品：至元二十年，省準：「宮籍監系隨朝從五品，令史擬九十月正九品，例革人員，驗月日定奪，自行踏逐，降一等。」二十八年，省擬：「廉訪司所設人吏，擬選取書吏，止依按察司舊例，上名者依例貢部，下名轉補察院，貢補不盡人數，廉訪司月日為始理算，考滿者正九品敘，須令回避本司分治及元籍路分。」部議：「察院書吏出身，除見役人三十月，轉補不盡者，九十月出為從八品。察院書吏有闕，止於各道廉訪司書吏內選取，依上三十月轉部，九十月從八品。如非廉訪司書吏取充者，四十五月轉部，補不盡者，九十月考滿，降一等，出為正九品。」三十年，省準：「行臺察院書吏歷一考之上者，轉江南宣慰司令史，並內臺察院書吏，於見役人內用之。若有用不盡人數，以九十月出為正九品。江南有闕，依內臺察院書吏，於各道廉訪司書吏內選取，依例轉補。」大德四年，省擬：「各道廉訪司書吏，至元二十八年七月元定出身，上名貢部，下名轉補察院書吏。貢補不盡者，廉訪司為始理算月日，考滿正九品用。今議廉訪司先役書吏，歷九十月依已定出身，正九品註，任回，添一資升轉。大德元年三月七日已後充廉訪司人吏，九十月考滿，須歷提控案牘一任，於從九品內用。通事、譯史，比依上例。察院書吏，至元二十八年十二月元定出身，於各道廉訪司書吏內選取，三十月轉部，九十月從八品內用。如非廉訪司書吏取充者，四十五月轉部。補用不盡者，九十月考滿，降一等，正九品用。今議先役書吏，九十月依已定出身遷用，任回，添一資升轉。大德元年三月七日為始創入役者，止依舊例轉部。行臺察院書吏，至元三十年正月元定出身，於廉訪司書吏內選取，歷一考之上，轉補江南宣慰司令史、並內臺察院書吏，用不盡者，九十月正九品，江南用。省議先役書吏，歷俸九十月，依已定出身，任回，添一資升轉。大德元年三月七日為始創入者，止依舊例，轉補江南宣慰司令史，北人貢內臺察院。」

On clerks completing examination and receiving rank 9a: in the twentieth year of Zhiyuan, the province approved: “The Palace Registry Superintendency is a court rank-5b office; clerks are proposed for rank 9a after ninety months; for personnel dismissed under precedent, months are verified to decide; those personally recruited are entered one grade lower.” In the twenty-eighth year, the province proposed: “Staff established by Surveillance Commissions should be selected from document clerks, following only the old Surveillance Branch precedent; top-ranked names are presented to the ministry according to precedent; lower-ranked names transfer to Investigation Branch posts; for numbers not fully presented and filled, service months begin from the Surveillance Commission; upon completing examination they are entered at rank 9a; they must avoid their commission's sub-district and native circuit.” The ministry deliberated: “On Investigation Branch document clerk entry—except active staff at thirty months, those not fully transferred are entered at rank 8b after ninety months. When Investigation Branch document clerk posts are vacant, selection is only from Surveillance Commission document clerks of each circuit; after thirty months they transfer to the ministry; after ninety months, rank 8b. If filled from persons who were not Surveillance Commission document clerks, they transfer to the ministry after forty-five months; for those not fully filled, upon completing examination after ninety months they are entered one grade lower at rank 9a.” In the thirtieth year, the province approved: “Investigation Branch document clerks of the Regional Secretariat who have served above one examination transfer to clerks of the Jiangnan Pacification Commission and to Investigation Branch document clerks of the Inner Secretariat; they are used from among active staff. If there are numbers not fully used, after ninety months they are entered at rank 9a. When Jiangnan has vacancies, following Inner Secretariat Investigation Branch document clerks, selection is from Surveillance Commission document clerks of each circuit, transferred and filled according to precedent.” In the fourth year of Dade, the province proposed: “Surveillance Commission document clerks of each circuit—the entry fixed in the seventh month of the twenty-eighth year of Zhiyuan: top-ranked names are presented to the ministry; lower-ranked names transfer to Investigation Branch document clerks. For those not fully presented and filled, service months are reckoned from the Surveillance Commission; upon completing examination they are used at rank 9a. It is now proposed that Surveillance Commission document clerks already in service, after ninety months following the fixed entry, receive rank-9a registration; upon return from assignment, they advance one qualification grade. For persons who entered Surveillance Commission staff after the seventh day of the third month of the first year of Dade, upon completing examination after ninety months they must serve one term as document controller and be used within rank 9b. Liaisons and interpreters follow the above precedent. Investigation Branch document clerks—the entry fixed in the twelfth month of the twenty-eighth year of Zhiyuan: selected from Surveillance Commission document clerks of each circuit; after thirty months they transfer to the ministry; after ninety months they are used within rank 8b. If filled from persons who were not Surveillance Commission document clerks, they transfer to the ministry after forty-five months. For those not fully filled, upon completing examination after ninety months they are entered one grade lower and used at rank 9a. It is now proposed that document clerks already in service, after ninety months following the fixed entry, are appointed accordingly; upon return from assignment, they advance one qualification grade. For those who first entered service beginning the seventh day of the third month of the first year of Dade, they transfer to the ministry only according to the old precedent. Investigation Branch document clerks of the Regional Secretariat—the entry fixed in the first month of the thirtieth year of Zhiyuan: selected from Surveillance Commission document clerks; after above one examination they transfer to clerks of the Jiangnan Pacification Commission and to Investigation Branch document clerks of the Inner Secretariat; for those not fully used, after ninety months rank 9a, used in Jiangnan. The province proposed that document clerks already in service, after ninety months of salary following the fixed entry, upon return from assignment advance one qualification grade. For those who first entered beginning the seventh day of the third month of the first year of Dade, they transfer only according to the old precedent to clerks of the Jiangnan Pacification Commission; northerners are presented to the Inner Secretariat Investigation Branch.”

凡吏員考滿除錢谷官、案牘、都吏目：至元十三年，吏、禮部言：「各路司吏四十五以下，以次轉補按察司書吏。補不盡者，歷九十月，於都目內任用；六十月以上，於吏目內任用。」省議：「上都、大都路司吏，難同其餘路分出身，依按察司書吏遷用。」十四年，省準：「覆實司司吏，俱授吏部劄付，如歷九十月，擬於中州都目內遷，若不滿考及六十月，於下州吏目內任用，有闕以相應人發充。」二十一年，省準：「諸色人匠總管府與少府監不同，又其餘相體管匠衙門人吏，俱未定擬出身，量擬比外路總管府司吏，考滿於都目內任用。」二十二年，省準：「大都等路都轉運使司令史，與河間等路都轉運鹽使司書吏出身同。外路總管府司吏三名，貢舉儒吏二名，貢不盡，年四十五之上，考滿都目內任用。」二十三年，省準：「各路司吏、轉運司書吏，年四十五以上，歷俸六十月充吏目，九十月充都目，余有役過月日不用。奏差宜從行省斟酌月日，量於錢谷官內就便銓用。」省準：「覆實司系正五品，令史出身比交鈔提舉司司吏出身，九十月務使，六十月都監，六十月之下、四十五月之上都監添一界遷用，四十五月之下轉補運司令史。」部擬：「京畿漕運司司吏轉補察院書吏，不盡，四十五以上，九十月依例於都目內任用。」二十四年，部議：「各道巡行勸農官書吏，於各路總管府上名司吏內選取，考滿於提控案牘內任用，奏差從大司農司選委。」省準：「諸司局人匠總管府令史，於都目內任用。」二十五年，省準：「大護國仁王寺、昭應宮財用規運總管府令譯史人等，比大都路總管府正三品司吏，九十月提控案牘內任用。」部議：「甘肅、寧夏等處巡行勸農司系邊陲遠地，人吏依甘肅行省並河西隴北道提刑按察司，以二十二月準一考，六十五月為滿。」省準：「供膳司司吏，比覆實司司吏，九十月出身，於務使內任用。」二十六年，省準：「巡行勸農司書吏，役過路司吏月日，三折二準算，通理九十月，於提控案牘內遷敘。尚書省右司郎中、管領大都等路打捕民匠等戶總管令史，比依諸司局人匠總管府令史例，九十月，於都目內任用。」省準：「諸路寶鈔都提舉司司吏，有闕於諸路轉運司、漕運司上名司吏內選取，三十月充吏目，四十五月之上、六十月之下都目，六十月已上轉提控案牘，充寺監令史者聽。諸路寶鈔提舉司同。」奏準：「大都路都總管府添設司吏一十名，委差五名。司吏六十月，於提控案牘內任用，委差於近上錢谷官內委用，有闕以有根腳請俸人補充，不及考滿，不許無故替換。」二十七年，省準：「京畿都漕運司令史，九十月充提控案牘，年四十五之上，比依都提舉萬億庫司吏，願充寺監令史者聽。」二十九年，部擬：「大都路令史四十五以上，六十月提控案牘內任用，任回減一資升轉，四十五以下、六十月之上選舉貢部，每歲二名。奏差六十月，酌中錢谷官內任用。」省準：「京畿都漕運司令史，比依諸路寶鈔提舉司司吏出身例，三十月吏目，四十五月之上、六十月之下都目，六十月之上提控案牘。」三十年，省準：「提舉八作司系正六品，司吏四十五月之上吏目，六十月之上都目。」元貞元年，省準：「大都等路都轉運司令史，九十月提控案牘。」大德三年，省準：「諸路寶鈔提舉司、都提舉萬億四庫司吏，九十月提控案牘內任用，如六十月之上，自願告敘者，於都目內遷除，有闕於平準行用庫攢典內挨次轉補。」省準：「寶鈔總庫司、提舉富寧庫司俱系從五品，其司吏九十月，都目內任用。如六十月之上，自願告敘，於吏目內遷除。有闕須於在京五品衙門及左右巡院、大興、宛平二縣，及諸州司吏並籍記各部典吏內選。」省準：「提舉左右八作司吏，九十月都目內任用，六十月之上，自願告敘，於吏目內遷除，有闕於在都諸倉攢典內選補。京畿都漕運使司令史，六十月之上，於提控案牘內用，遇闕於路府諸州並在京五品等衙門上名司吏內選。大都路司吏改為令史，六十月之上，年及四十五以下，貢部不過二名，四十五以上，六十月提控案牘內遷用，任回減資升轉。大都路都總管府令史，依舊六十月，於提控案牘內遷敘，不須減資，有闕於府州兵馬司、左右巡院、大興、宛平二縣上名司吏內選補。」大德五年，省準：「河東宣慰使司軍儲所司吏、譯史，九十月為滿，譯史由翰林院發補，司吏由州縣司吏取充，與各路總管府譯史、司吏一體升轉，自用譯史，別無定奪，司吏除酌中錢谷官，委差近下錢谷官。」七年，部擬：「濟南、萊蕪等處鐵冶都提舉司及廣平、彰德等處鐵冶都提舉司秩四品，司吏九十月比散府上州例，升吏目。蒙古必阇赤擬酌中錢谷官，奏差近下錢谷官，典吏三考，轉本司奏差。」省準：「陜西省敘州等處諸部蠻夷宣撫司正三品，其令譯史考滿，比各路司吏人等一體遷用奏差，行省定奪。」九年，宣慰司大同等處屯儲軍民總管萬戶府從三品，司吏、譯史、委差人等，九十月為滿，司吏除酌中錢谷官，委差近下錢谷官。大德十年，省準：「諸路吏六十月，須歷五萬石之上倉官一界，升吏目，一考升都目，一考升中州案牘或錢谷官，通理九十月入流。五萬石之下倉官一界，升吏目，兩考都目，一考依上升轉。補不盡路吏，九十月升吏目，兩考升都目，依上流轉，如非州縣司吏轉補者，役過月日，別無定奪。」

On clerks completing examination and receiving finance, document, and office-chief posts: in the thirteenth year of Zhiyuan, the Ministries of Personnel and Rites reported: “Circuit scribes under forty-five years of age transfer in order to Surveillance Branch document clerks. For those not fully filled, after ninety months they are appointed within office chief posts; after above sixty months they are appointed within record clerk posts.” The province deliberated: “Scribes of Shangdu and Dadu circuits cannot share the same entry as other circuits; they follow Surveillance Branch document clerk appointment.” In the fourteenth year, the province approved: “Scribes of the Verification Office all receive ministry personnel orders; if they have served ninety months, they are proposed for transfer within middle-prefecture office chiefs; if they have not completed examination or sixty months, they are appointed within lower-prefecture record clerks; when vacancies occur, qualified persons are dispatched to fill them.” In the twenty-first year, the province approved: “The Various Crafts Chief Office differs from the Palace Workshop Directorate; moreover, staff of other comparable craft-supervising yamens all lack fixed entry—provisionally they are compared to scribes of outer-circuit chief administrator offices and, upon completing examination, are appointed within office chiefs.” In the twenty-second year, the province approved: “Clerks of the Dadu and other circuits' Chief Transport Commissions share the same entry as document clerks of the Hejian and other circuits' Chief Salt Transport Commissions. Of the three scribes of outer-circuit chief administrator offices, two Confucian scribes are presented; for those not fully presented, if above forty-five years of age, upon completing examination they are appointed within office chiefs.” In the twenty-third year, the province approved: “Circuit scribes and transport commission document clerks, if above forty-five years of age, after sixty months of salary serve as record clerks; after ninety months serve as office chiefs; remaining excess service months are not counted. Memorial couriers should have months weighed by the regional administration and be conveniently selected and appointed within finance posts.” The province approved: “The Verification Office is rank 5a; clerk entry follows Paper Currency Superintendency scribe entry—after ninety months, service commissioner; after sixty months, chief supervisor; between forty-five and sixty months, chief supervisor with one additional term for promotion; below forty-five months, transfer to transport commission clerks.” The ministry proposed: “Capital-region transport scribes transfer to Investigation Branch document clerks; for those not fully filled, if above forty-five, after ninety months they are appointed within office chiefs according to precedent.” In the twenty-fourth year, the ministry deliberated: “Document clerks of itinerant agriculture-promotion officials of each circuit are selected from top-ranked scribes of circuit chief administrator offices; upon completing examination they are appointed as document controllers; memorial couriers are selected and delegated by the Chief Agriculture Office.” The province approved: “Clerks of the Various Bureaus Crafts Chief Office are appointed within office chiefs.” In the twenty-fifth year, the province approved: “Clerks, interpreters, and others of the Great Protector of the State King of Benevolence Temple and Zhaoying Palace Finance Regulation Chief Office follow Dadu Circuit chief administrator rank-3 scribes; after ninety months they are appointed as document controllers.” The ministry deliberated: “Itinerant agriculture-promotion offices of Gansu, Ningxia, and other places are frontier regions; their staff follow Gansu Regional Administration and Hexi Longbei Surveillance Branch rules—twenty-two months count as one examination, sixty-five months as completion.” The province approved: “Scribes of the Provisions Office follow Verification Office scribes; after ninety months they are appointed within service commissioners.” In the twenty-sixth year, the province approved: “For document clerks of itinerant agriculture-promotion offices, excess circuit scribe months are calculated at three-tenths to two—totaling ninety months—for promotion and entry as document controllers. Clerks of the Right Secretariat Office director and the Chief Office for Hunting, Capturing, and Craft Households of Dadu and other circuits follow the Various Bureaus Crafts Chief Office clerk precedent; after ninety months they are appointed within office chiefs.” The province approved: “When Circuit Paper Currency Chief Superintendency scribes have vacancies, selection is from top-ranked scribes of circuit transport and grain-transport offices; after thirty months they serve as record clerks; between forty-five and sixty months, office chiefs; after sixty months they transfer to document controllers; those wishing to serve as directorate clerks are permitted. Circuit Paper Currency Superintendencies follow the same rule.” By imperial approval: “Ten additional scribes were established for the Dadu Chief Administrator Office, five of them delegated appointments. After sixty months scribes are appointed as document controllers; delegated appointments are made within higher finance posts; when vacancies occur, persons with established salary records fill them; before completing examination, replacement without cause is not permitted.” In the twenty-seventh year, the province approved: “Clerks of the Capital-region Chief Grain Transport Office, after ninety months, serve as document controllers; if above forty-five years of age, following Chief Myriad Treasuries Superintendency scribes, those wishing to serve as directorate clerks are permitted.” In the twenty-ninth year, the ministry proposed: “Dadu Circuit clerks above forty-five, after sixty months, are appointed as document controllers; upon return from assignment they advance with one qualification grade reduced; those below forty-five with above sixty months are selected and presented to the ministry, two persons per year. Memorial couriers, after sixty months, are appointed within mid-level finance posts.” The province approved: “Clerks of the Capital-region Chief Grain Transport Office follow Circuit Paper Currency Superintendency scribe entry—after thirty months, record clerk; between forty-five and sixty months, office chief; after sixty months, document controller.” In the thirtieth year, the province approved: “The Eight Works Superintendency is rank 6a; scribes above forty-five months become record clerks; above sixty months become office chiefs.” In the first year of Yuanzhen, the province approved: “Clerks of the Dadu and other circuits' Chief Transport Commissions, after ninety months, serve as document controllers.” In the third year of Dade, the province approved: “Scribes of Circuit Paper Currency Superintendencies and the Chief Myriad Treasuries Four Treasuries Office, after ninety months, are appointed as document controllers; if above sixty months and voluntarily petitioning for entry, they are transferred within office chiefs; when vacancies occur, they transfer in order from treasury clerks of the Equalization and Circulation Office.” The province approved: “The Paper Currency Chief Treasury Office and the Prosperity and Tranquility Treasury Superintendency are both rank 5b; their scribes, after ninety months, are appointed within office chiefs. If above sixty months and voluntarily petitioning for entry, they are transferred within record clerks. When vacancies occur, selection must be from scribes of rank-5 yamens in the capital, the Left and Right Patrol Offices, Daxing and Wanping counties, scribes of various prefectures, and registered record clerks of the ministries.” The province approved: “Scribes of the Left and Right Eight Works Superintendencies, after ninety months, are appointed within office chiefs; if above sixty months and voluntarily petitioning for entry, they are transferred within record clerks; when vacancies occur, selection is from warehouse clerks of capital granaries. Clerks of the Capital-region Chief Grain Transport Office, if above sixty months, are used as document controllers; when vacancies occur, selection is from top-ranked scribes of circuits, prefectures, various prefectures, and capital rank-5 yamens. Dadu Circuit scribes were changed to clerks; if above sixty months and age forty-five or below, no more than two are presented to the ministry; if above forty-five, after sixty months they are appointed as document controllers; upon return from assignment they advance with reduced qualifications. Clerks of the Dadu Chief Administrator Office, still after sixty months, are promoted and entered as document controllers without qualification reduction; when vacancies occur, selection is from top-ranked scribes of prefectural Military-Horse Offices, Left and Right Patrol Offices, and Daxing and Wanping counties.” In the fifth year of Dade, the province approved: “Scribes and interpreters of the Hedong Pacification Commission Military Stores Office complete examination after ninety months; interpreters are dispatched from the Hanlin Academy; scribes are filled from prefectural and county scribes; they promote the same as circuit chief administrator interpreters and scribes; locally employed interpreters have no separate decision; scribes are appointed within mid-level finance posts; delegated appointments within lower finance posts.” In the seventh year, the ministry proposed: “The Jinan, Laigang, and other Ironworks Chief Superintendencies and the Guangping, Zhangde, and other Ironworks Chief Superintendencies are rank 4; scribes, after ninety months following scattered-prefecture upper-prefecture precedent, are promoted to record clerks. Mongol bitchi are proposed for mid-level finance posts; memorial couriers for lower finance posts; record clerks, after three examinations, transfer to memorial couriers of their own office.” The province approved: “The Various Tribes Barbarian Pacification Commissions of Xuzhou and other places in Shaanxi Province are rank 3a; upon completing examination their clerks and interpreters follow circuit scribes and others in appointment as memorial couriers; the regional administration decides.” In year 9 Pacification Commission Datong Granary Storage wanhu offices at rank 3b completed scribes, interpreters, and delegates at ninety months; scribes in mid-level finance, delegates in lower finance. In the tenth year of Dade, the province approved: “Circuit scribes, after sixty months, must serve one term as granary official of above fifty thousand shi capacity to be promoted to record clerk; one examination promotes to office chief; one examination promotes to middle-prefecture document or finance post; totaling ninety months to enter the regular ranks. One term as granary official of below fifty thousand shi capacity promotes to record clerk; two examinations to office chief; one examination promotes as above. Circuit scribes not fully filled, after ninety months promote to record clerk; two examinations promote to office chief; promotion follows the above flow; if not transferred from prefectural and county scribes, excess service months have no separate decision.”

凡通事、譯史考滿遷敘：至元二年，部議：「雲南行省極邊重地，令譯史等人員，擬二十月為一考，歷六十月，準考滿敘用。」九年，省準：「省部臺院所設知印人等，所請俸給，元擬出身，俱在勾當官之上，既將勾當官升作從八品，其各部知印考滿，亦合升正八品，據例減知印除有前資人員，驗前資定奪，無前資者，各驗實歷月日，定擬遷敘。」二十年，各道按察司奏差、通事、譯史、奏差已有定例，通事九十月考滿，擬同譯史一體遷敘。部議：「行省、行臺、行院五品以下官員並首領官，亦合比依臺院例，一考升一等任用。據行省人吏比同臺院人吏出身，已有定例，行院、行臺令史、譯史、通事、宣使人等，九十月滿考，元系都省臺院發及應補者，擬降臺院一等定奪。」部擬：「甘肅行省令譯史、通事、宣使人等，量擬以六十五月遷敘，若系都省發去人員，如部議，自用者仍舊例。」二十一年，部擬：「四川行省人吏，比甘肅行省所歷月日，一體遷除。」二十三年，部擬：「福建、兩廣行省令譯史、通事、宣使人等，擬歷六十月同考滿，止於江南遷用，若行省咨保福建、兩廣必用人員，於資品上升一等。」二十四年，部議：「行省、行臺、行院令史，九十月考滿，若系都省臺院發去腹裏相應人員，行省令史同臺院令史出身，行臺、行院降臺院一等，俱於腹裏遷用，自用者遞降一等，止於江南任用。」二十七年，省議：「中書省蒙古必阇赤俱系正從五品遷除，今蒙古字教授擬比儒學教授例高一等，其必阇赤擬高省掾一等，內外諸衙門蒙古譯史，一體升等遷敘。」二十八年，部擬：「諸路寶鈔都提舉司蒙古必阇赤，三十月吏目，四十五月都目，六十月提控案牘，役過月日，擬於巡檢內敘用。奏差九十月，近上錢谷官，六十月，酌中錢谷官內任用。翰林院寫聖旨必阇赤，比依都省蒙古必阇赤內管宣敕者，八月算十月遷轉正六品。」部議：「寫聖旨必阇赤比依管宣敕蒙古必阇赤一體，亦合八折十準算月日外據出身已有定例。崇福司令譯史、知印，省部發補者，考滿出為正七品，自用者降一等。宣使省部發去者，考滿出為正八品，自用者降一等。各道廉訪司通事、譯史出身，比依書吏擬合一體考滿正九。奏差考滿，依通事、譯史降二等量擬，於省劄錢谷官並巡檢內任用。」三十年，省準：「將作院令譯史人等，由省部選發者，考滿正七品遷敘，自用者止從本衙門定奪。大都路蒙古必阇赤若系例後入役人員，擬六十月於巡檢內遷用，任回減一資升轉。」大德三年，省議：「各路譯史如系翰林院選發人員，九十月考滿。除蒙古人依準所擬外，其餘色目、漢人先歷務使一界，升提控一界，於巡檢內遷用。」省議：「大都運司通事比依本司令史，滿考者於巡檢內任用。」四年，省準：「雲南諸路廉訪司寸白通事、譯史出身，比依書吏出身，九十月為滿，歷巡檢一任，轉升從九品，雲南地面遷用。」七年，宣慰司奏差，除應例補者，一百二十月考滿，依例自行保舉者降等，任回，添資定奪任用。廉訪司通事、譯史，大德元年三月七日已後創入補者，九十月歷巡檢一任，轉從九，如書吏役九十月，充巡檢者聽，如違不準。各路譯史，如系各道提舉學校官選發腹裏各路譯史，九十月考滿，先歷務使一界升提領，再歷一界充巡檢，三考從九，違者雖歷月日，不準。會同館蒙古必阇赤，九十月務提領內遷用。十年，省準：「中政院寫懿旨必阇赤，依寫聖旨必阇赤一體出身。八番順元、海北海南宣慰司都元帥府極邊重地令譯史人等，考滿依兩廣、福建例，於江南遷用。」

On liaisons and interpreters completing examination and promotion: in the second year of Zhiyuan, the ministry deliberated: “Yunnan Regional Administration is an extreme frontier; clerks, interpreters, and other personnel are proposed to count twenty months as one examination; after sixty months they qualify for completion entry.” In the ninth year, the province approved: “Seal keepers and others established by the province, ministries, and secretariats—the salaries and original entry for which they petitioned are all above office staff; since office staff have been raised to rank 8b, upon completing examination ministry seal keepers should likewise be raised to rank 8a; according to precedent, for seal keepers appointed with prior qualifications, prior qualifications are verified to decide; for those without prior qualifications, each verifies actual service months to determine promotion.” In Zhiyuan 20 (1283) circuit Surveillance Commission memorial couriers, liaisons, and interpreters had fixed rules; liaisons after ninety months would follow interpreters in unified promotion. The ministry deliberated: “Officials of regional administrations, regional secretariats, and regional courts below rank 5 and chief officers should likewise follow secretariat and court precedent—one examination raises one grade in appointment. According to regional administration staff matching secretariat and court staff entry, which already has fixed precedents—for clerks, interpreters, liaisons, and dispatchers of regional courts and regional secretariats, upon completing examination after ninety months, those originally dispatched from the capital secretariats and courts and qualified appointees are proposed to be decided one grade lower than secretariat and court staff.” The ministry proposed: “Clerks, interpreters, liaisons, and dispatchers of the Gansu Regional Administration are provisionally proposed for promotion after sixty-five months; if dispatched from the capital province, as the ministry deliberated; those locally employed follow the old precedent.” In the twenty-first year, the ministry proposed: “Staff of the Sichuan Regional Administration follow the months served in the Gansu Regional Administration in unified appointment.” In the twenty-third year, the ministry proposed: “Clerks, interpreters, liaisons, and dispatchers of the Fujian and Two Guang regional administrations are proposed to serve sixty months as completion, appointing only in Jiangnan; if the regional administration recommends essential Fujian and Two Guang personnel, they rise one grade in qualification rank.” In the twenty-fourth year, the ministry deliberated: “Clerks of regional administrations, regional secretariats, and regional courts, upon completing examination after ninety months—if dispatched from the capital secretariats and courts as qualified metropolitan personnel, regional administration clerks share secretariat and court clerk entry; regional secretariat and court staff are one grade below secretariat and court staff; all are appointed in the metropolitan core; those locally employed descend one grade in succession, appointing only in Jiangnan.” In the twenty-seventh year, the province deliberated: “Mongol bitchi of the Central Secretariat are all appointed within regular and associate rank 5; now Mongol-script professors are proposed one grade higher than Confucian professors; bitchi are proposed one grade higher than provincial clerks; Mongol interpreters of inner and outer yamens are uniformly raised one grade in promotion.” In the twenty-eighth year, the ministry proposed: “Mongol bitchi of Circuit Paper Currency Chief Superintendencies—after thirty months, record clerk; after forty-five months, office chief; after sixty months, document controller; excess service months are proposed for entry within patrol inspectors. Memorial couriers, after ninety months, within higher finance posts; after sixty months, within mid-level finance posts. Hanlin Academy bitchi who write imperial edicts, following capital-province Mongol bitchi who manage imperial commissions within the academy, count eight months as ten for transfer to rank 6a.” The ministry deliberated: “Edict-writing bitchi follow Mongol bitchi who manage imperial commissions as one body; they should likewise count eight-tenths as ten for months; apart from this, entry already has fixed precedents. Clerks, interpreters, and seal keepers of the Chongfu Office dispatched from province and ministries, upon completing examination emerge at rank 7a; those locally employed are entered one grade lower. Dispatchers dispatched from province and ministries, upon completing examination emerge at rank 8a; those locally employed are entered one grade lower. Entry of liaisons and interpreters of Surveillance Commissions of each circuit, following document clerks, is proposed to unify at rank 9a upon completing examination. Memorial couriers upon completing examination are provisionally measured two grades lower than liaisons and interpreters and appointed within ministry-order finance posts and patrol inspectors.” In the thirtieth year, the province approved: “Clerks, interpreters, and others of the Directorate of Imperial Construction dispatched by selection from province and ministries, upon completing examination are promoted at rank 7a; those locally employed are decided only by their own yamen. Dadu Circuit Mongol bitchi who entered service after the precedent was established are proposed, after sixty months, for appointment within patrol inspectors; upon return from assignment they advance with one qualification grade reduced.” In the third year of Dade, the province deliberated: “Circuit interpreters dispatched by selection from the Hanlin Academy complete examination after ninety months. Except Mongols following what was proposed, other persons of various categories and Han Chinese first serve one term as service commissioner, are promoted one term as document controller, and are appointed within patrol inspectors.” The province deliberated: “Liaisons of the Dadu Transport Office follow this office's clerks; those completing examination are appointed within patrol inspectors.” In the fourth year, the province approved: “Entry of Cunbai liaisons and interpreters of Surveillance Commissions of various circuits in Yunnan follows document clerk entry; ninety months as completion; after serving one term as patrol inspector, they are promoted to rank 9b, appointed within Yunnan territory.” In year 7 Pacification Commission memorial couriers except precedent appointees complete review after 120 months; self-recommended staff lower; qualifications weighed upon return. Surveillance Commission liaisons and interpreters entering after Dade 1 month 3 day 7 reach rank 9b after ninety months and one patrol inspector term; document clerks at ninety months may serve as patrol inspectors; violations denied. Circuit interpreters dispatched by circuit school supervisors from metropolitan interpreters qualify after ninety months through service commissioner, chief controller, and patrol inspector terms—three reviews to rank 9b; violators denied despite months served. Mongol bitchi of the Huitong Hall, after ninety months' service as chief controller, were transferred for internal appointment. In the tenth year, the province approved: "Bitchi of the Central Political Court who write empress-dowager edicts follow the same entry precedent as bitchi who write imperial edicts. Clerks, interpreters, and others at the far-frontier posts of the Bafan-Shunyuan and Haibei-Hainan Pacification Commissions and Grand Marshal's Offices, upon completing their terms, should follow the Guangdong-Guangxi and Fujian precedent and be transferred for appointment in Jiangnan."

凡官員致仕：至元二十八年，省議：「諸職官年及七十，精力衰耗，例應致仕。今到選官員，多有年已七十或七十之上者，合令依例致仕。」大德七年，省臣言：「內外官員年至七十者，三品以下，於應授品級，加散官一等，令致仕。」十年，省臣言：「官員年老不堪仕宦者，於應得資品，加散官、遙授職事，令致仕。」皇慶二年，省臣言：「蒙古、色目官員所授散官，卑於職事，擬三品以下官員，職事、散官俱升一等，令致仕。」

As for officials retiring from office: In the twenty-eighth year of Zhiyuan, the province deliberated: "All officeholders who reach seventy years, their vigor declining and exhausted, should by precedent retire from office. Among officials now presented for selection, many are already seventy or above seventy; they should be ordered to retire according to precedent." In the seventh year of Dade, provincial ministers stated: "For civil and military officials who reach seventy, those of rank 3 and below, upon the rank they should receive, add one grade of honorary rank and order retirement." In the tenth year, provincial ministers stated: "Officials who are old and unfit for office, upon the qualifications they should receive, add honorary rank and remotely conferred substantive office, and order retirement." In the second year of Huangqing, provincial ministers stated: "Mongol and various-category officials receive honorary rank lower than their substantive office; it is proposed that for officials of rank 3 and below, both substantive office and honorary rank be raised one grade, and they be ordered to retire."

凡封贈之制：至元初，唯一二勛舊之家以特恩見褒，雖略有成法，未悉行之。至元二十年，制：「考課雖以五事責辦管民官，為無激勸之方，徒示虛文，竟無實效。自今每歲終考課，管民官五事備具，內外諸司官職任內各有成效者，為中考。第一考，對官品加妻封號。第二考，令子弟承蔭敘仕。第三考，封贈祖父母、父母。品格不及封贈者，量遷官品，其有政績殊異者，不次升擢，仰中書參酌舊制，出給誥命。」至大二年，詔：「流官五品以上父母、正妻，七品以上正妻，令尚書省議行封贈之制。」禮部集吏部、翰林國史院、集賢院、太常等官，議封贈謚號等第，制以封贈非世祖所行，其令罷之。至治三年，省臣言：「封贈之制，本以激勸將來，比因泛請者眾，遂致中輟。」詔從新設法議擬與行，毋致冗濫。禮部從新分立等第：正從一品封贈三代，爵國公，勛正上柱國，從柱國母、妻並國夫人。正從二品封贈二代，爵郡公，勛正上護軍，從護軍，母、妻並郡夫人。正從三品封贈二代，爵郡侯，勛正上輕車都尉，從輕車都尉母、妻並郡夫人。正從四品封贈父母，爵郡伯，勛正上騎都尉，從騎都尉，母、妻並郡君。正五品封贈父母，爵縣子，勛驍騎尉，母、妻並縣君。從五品封贈父母，爵縣男，勛飛騎尉，母、妻並縣君。正從六品封贈父母，父止用散官，母、妻並恭人。正從七品封贈父母，父止用散官，母、妻並宜人。正從一品至五品宣授，六品至七品敕牒。如應封贈三代者，曾祖父母一道，祖父母一道，父母一道，生者各另給降。封贈者，一品至五品並用散官勛爵，六品七品止用散官職事，從一高。封贈曾祖，降祖一等，祖降父一等，父母妻並與夫、子同。父母在仕者不封，已致仕並不在仕者封之，雖在仕棄職就封者聽。父母應封，而讓曾祖父母、祖父母者聽。諸子應封父母，嫡母在，所生之母不得封。嫡母亡，得並封。若所生母未封贈者，不得先封其妻。諸職官曾受贓，不許申請，封贈之後，但犯取受之贓，並行追奪。其父祖元有官進一階，不在追奪之例。父祖元有官者，隨其所帶文武官上封贈，若已是封贈之官，止於本等官上許進一階，階滿者更不在封贈之限。〈（如子官至四品，其父祖已帶四品上階之類。）〉或兩子當封者，從一高。文武不同者，從所請。婦人因其夫、子封贈，而夫、子兩有官者，從一高。封贈曾祖母、祖母並母，生封並加太字，若已亡歿或曾祖、祖父、父在者，不加太字。職官居喪，應封贈曾祖父母、祖父母、父母者聽。其應受封之人，居曾祖父母、祖父母、父母、舅姑、夫喪者，服闋申請。應封贈者，有使遠死節，有臨陳死事者，驗事特議加封。應封妻者，止封正妻一人，如正妻已歿，繼室亦止封一人，余不在封贈之例。婦人因夫、子得封者，不許再嫁，如不遵守，將所受宣敕追奪，斷罪離異。父祖曾任三品以上官，亡歿，生前有勛勞，為上知遇者，子孫雖不仕，具實跡赴所在官司保結申請，驗事跡可否，量擬封贈。無後者，許有司保結申請。曾祖父母、祖父母、父母曾犯十惡奸盜除名等罪，及例所封妻不是以禮娶到正室，或系再醮倡優婢妾，並不許申請。凡告請封贈者，隨朝並京官行省、行臺、宣慰司、廉訪司見任官，各於任所申請。其餘官員，見任並已除未任，至得替日，隨其解由申請。致仕官於所在官司申請。正從七品至正從六品，止封一次。升至正從五品，封贈一次。升至正從四品，封贈一次。升至正從三品，封贈一次。升至正從二品，封贈一次。升至正從一品，封贈一次。凡封贈流官父祖曾任三品以上者，許請謚。如立朝有大節，功勛在王室者，許加功臣之號。至治三年，詔：「封贈之典，本以激勸忠孝，今後散官職事勛爵，依例加授，外任官員並許在任申請，其餘合行事理，仰各依舊制。」泰定元年，詔：「犯贓官員，不得封贈，沈郁既久，宜許自新，有能滌慮改過，再歷兩任無過者，許所管上司正官從公保明，監察御史、廉訪司覆察是實，並聽依例申請。」

On the system of posthumous honors: in the early Yuan only one or two distinguished old families received special enfeoffment; though rudimentary regulations existed, they were not consistently applied. In the twentieth year of Zhiyuan, a regulation stated: "Although merit examinations hold civil-administration officials responsible under the five criteria, because there is no means of incentive, they merely show empty documents and ultimately have no real effect. From now on, at each year's end in merit examination, civil-administration officials with all five criteria complete and officials of all internal and external departments with achievements within their term count as middle examination. At the first examination, add a title of enfeoffment for the wife corresponding to official rank. At the second examination, allow sons and younger relatives to inherit privilege and enter office. At the third examination, posthumously enfeoff grandparents and parents. Those whose character and rank do not reach posthumous enfeoffment have their official rank measured and transferred; those with extraordinary achievements are promoted out of turn; the Secretariat is to consult old regulations and issue patents of appointment." In the second year of Zhida, an edict stated: "For regular officials of rank 5 and above, parents and principal wives; for rank 7 and above, principal wives—order the Ministry of Works to deliberate and implement the system of posthumous enfeoffment." The Ministry of Rites convened the Ministry of Personnel, the Hanlin Academy and National History Institute, the Academy of Scholarly Worthies, the Grand Music Directorate, and others to set grades for posthumous honors and epithets—but a regulation held that Emperor Shizu had never instituted such enfeoffment, and ordered the practice abolished. In the third year of Zhizhi, provincial ministers stated: "The system of posthumous enfeoffment was originally meant to encourage the future; recently because those who broadly petitioned were many, it came to a halt midway." An edict ordered fresh regulations drafted and enforced, with care taken to prevent abuse and redundancy. The Ministry of Rites set new grades: ranks 1a and 1b could enfeoff three generations as State Duke, with the Primary Senior or Secondary Chief Pillar of State as honorary title; mother and wife both received the title State Lady. Ranks 2a and 2b could enfeoff two generations as Commandery Duke, with the Primary Senior or Secondary Guardian General as honorary title; mother and wife both received the title Commandery Lady. Ranks 3a and 3b could enfeoff two generations as Commandery Marquis, with the Primary Senior or Secondary Charioteer Commandant as honorary title; mother and wife both received the title Commandery Lady. Ranks 4a and 4b could enfeoff parents as Commandery Earl, with the Primary Senior or Secondary Cavalry Commandant as honorary title; mother and wife both received the title Commandery Lady of Lower Grade. Rank 5a could enfeoff parents as County Viscount, with the Valiant Cavalry Commandant as honorary title; mother and wife both received the title County Lady of Lower Grade. Rank 5b could enfeoff parents as County Baron, with the Flying Cavalry Commandant as honorary title; mother and wife both received the title County Lady of Lower Grade. Ranks 6a and 6b could enfeoff parents, but the father received only an honorary rank; mother and wife both received the title Lady of Respect. Ranks 7a and 7b could enfeoff parents, but the father received only an honorary rank; mother and wife both received the title Lady of Propriety. Ranks 1a through 5b received formal imperial patents; ranks 6 through 7 received decree documents. Those entitled to enfeoff three generations received one patent each for great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents; living recipients each received a separate patent at a reduced rank. For ranks 1 through 5, enfeoffment used both honorary rank and merit titles; for ranks 6 and 7, only honorary rank and substantive office applied, following whichever was higher. A great-grandfather was enfeoffed one grade below the grandfather, and the grandfather one grade below the father; parents and wife received the same honors as the husband or son. Parents still holding office were not enfeoffed; those retired or never in office were; and even parents still in office could abandon their posts to accept enfeoffment if they wished. If parents were eligible for enfeoffment but an applicant chose instead to honor great-grandparents or grandparents, that was permitted. When sons enfeoffed their parents, if the principal mother was still living, the birth mother could not be enfeoffed. If the principal mother had died, both mothers could be enfeoffed. If the birth mother had not yet received posthumous honors, the wife could not be enfeoffed first. Officials who had once taken bribes could not apply; and if after enfeoffment they committed bribery, the honors were fully revoked. Fathers and grandfathers who had originally held office with one rank of advancement were not subject to revocation. If father or grandfather had originally held office, enfeoffment followed the civil or military rank they had borne; if already enfeoffed, only one further rank was permitted at that grade, and those at the maximum rank were no longer eligible. (if the son reached rank 4, his father and grandfather might already bear upper-grade rank 4, and the like.) If two sons were both eligible to enfeoff, the higher rank prevailed. If civil and military ranks differed, the applicant's request prevailed. Women enfeoffed through husband or son followed the higher rank when both husband and son held office. When enfeoffing a great-grandmother, grandmother, or mother while she was still living, the prefix "Grand" was added; if she was already deceased, or if the great-grandfather, grandfather, or father still lived, it was not. Officeholders in mourning were permitted to enfeoff great-grandparents, grandparents, or parents when eligible. Those eligible to receive enfeoffment but in mourning for great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, parents-in-law, or a husband had to wait until mourning ended before applying. Those eligible for enfeoffment who died maintaining integrity on distant missions or fell in battle were investigated and considered for enhanced honors. Only one principal wife could be enfeoffed; if she had died, only one successor wife could be enfeoffed. Others were not eligible. Women enfeoffed through husband or son were forbidden to remarry; violators had their patents revoked and were sentenced to divorce. If a father or grandfather who had once held rank 3 or above died after meritorious service and imperial favor, descendants who did not hold office could submit verified records to local authorities for certification; the facts would be investigated and enfeoffment measured accordingly. Those without descendants were permitted to have officials certify and apply on their behalf. Applications were barred when great-grandparents, grandparents, or parents had committed the Ten Abominations, adultery, theft, or dismissal; or when the wife to be enfeoffed was not a principal wife properly married by ritual, or was a remarried woman, actress, concubine, or maid. All who petitioned for enfeoffment—court-attending and capital officials, and incumbents of branch secretariats, branch censorates, pacification commissions, and surveillance commissions—applied at their posts. Other officials, whether incumbent or appointed but not yet serving, applied with their discharge documents upon the day of replacement. Retired officials applied at the local office where they resided. From ranks 7 through 6, enfeoffment was permitted only once. Upon promotion to rank 5, one further enfeoffment was permitted. Upon promotion to rank 4, one further enfeoffment was permitted. Upon promotion to rank 3, one further enfeoffment was permitted. Upon promotion to rank 2, one further enfeoffment was permitted. Upon promotion to rank 1, one further enfeoffment was permitted. Regular officials enfeoffing a father or grandfather who had once held rank 3 or above were permitted to request a posthumous epithet. Those who had shown great integrity at court and rendered merit to the royal house were permitted to receive the title of meritorious minister. In the third year of Zhizhi, an edict stated: "The rite of posthumous enfeoffment was originally meant to encourage loyalty and filial piety; hereafter honorary rank, substantive office, and merit titles are added and conferred according to precedent; officials serving outside the capital are also permitted to apply while in office; all other applicable matters are to follow the old regulations." In the first year of Taiding, an edict stated: "Officials who committed bribery may not receive enfeoffment; they have been depressed for long and should be permitted to reform; those who can cleanse their thoughts and amend their faults, and serve two terms without fault, are permitted to have their supervising superior chief certify impartially, with surveillance censors and surveillance commissions re-investigating that the facts are true, and all are permitted to apply according to precedent."

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