The Song Dynasty

Abstract

Of the five dynasties discussed in these lectures Song (960–1279) was the poorest and weakest. It was also the least accomplished as regards political system. As before, when we discuss the Song central government, our starting point will be the power of the Prime Minister. In Chinese political systems, the Qin (221–206 BC) and Han (206 BC–AD 220) dynasties represented fundamental change; the Tang (AD 618–907) was very different from the Han. The Song Dynasty more or less followed the political system of the Tang. There was not much change, with the exception of superficial modifications to suit the times and under pressure from issues other than politics. Such modification cannot be counted as political accomplishment. The difference between the Song and the Tang was comparable to the difference between the Eastern Han (AD 25–220) and the Western Han (206 BC–AD 25). The government did its work, but there was no accomplishment as regards the political system.

Glossary

Administration Hall

政事堂 Zhengshitang

Army Commander

督军 Dujun

Assessment Department

考课院 Kaokeyuan

Auditing Department

审官院 Shenguanyuan

Central Supervisor

御史丞

Chanyuan Peace Accord

澶渊之盟 Chanyuanzhimeng

Deputy Prime Minister

御史大夫 Yushidafu

Draft Order

劄 (子) Zhazi

economic prefecture

监 Jian

Executive Ministry

尚书省 Shangshusheng

Exhorter

正言 Zhengyan

farmer-soldier system

保甲制 Baojiazhi

Financial Supervisor

漕 Cao

Hall Orders

堂帖 Tangtie

Heads of Court Guards

都检点 Dujiandian

Imperial Academy

太学 Taixue

imperial decrees

敕命 Chiming

Imperial Gateman

光禄勋 Guangluxun

Imperial Supervisors

谏议大夫 Jianyidafu

Imperial Troops

禁军 Jinjun

Judicial Supervisor

宪 Xian

Landlord

蔷夫 Qiangfu

Local Troops

厢军 Xiangjun

Managing County Magistrate

知县 Zhixian

managing Prefect

知府 (知某府事) Zhifu / 知州 (知某州事) Zhizhou

Mercenary system

佣兵 Yongbing

Military Assessment Department

三班院 Sanbanyuan

military prefecture

军 Jun

Military Supervisor

帅 Shuai

Military Zones

藩镇 Fanzhen

Ministry of Military Affairs

枢密院 Shumiyuan

Ministry of Personnel

吏部 Libu

Ministry of Review

门下省 Menxiasheng

Ministry of Rituals

礼部 Libu

Ministry of Supervision

御史台 Yushitai

national military service system

民兵 Minbing

Nine High Officials

九卿 Jiuqing

one-whip taxation (system)

一条鞭法 Yitiaobianfa

Outlaws of the Marshes

《水浒传》 Shuihuzhuan

Police Head

游徼 Youjiao

prefecture

府 Fu

pre-reading

公卷 Gongjuan

public evaluation

通榜 Tongbang

Ready Draft

熟状 Shuzhuang

Recruits

配军 Peijun

Rectifier

补阙 Buque

Region

道 Dao

Region

路 Lu

Relief Supervisor

仓 Cang

Reminder

拾遗 Shiyi

Remonstrating Officials

谏官 Jianguan

Remonstrator

司谏 Sijian

Reviewer

给事中 Jishizhong

Secondary Deputy Prime Minister

御史中丞 Yushizhongcheng

Secretariat

中书省 Zhongshusheng

special prefecture

州 Zhou

Supervisor

观察使 Guanchashi

Supervisor

监司官 Jiansiguan

the First Emperor of Qin

秦始皇 Qinshihuang

the mercenary system

募兵制 Mubingzhi

Three Elders

三老 Sanlao

Tri-tax System

租庸调制 Zuyongdiaozhi

Two-season Taxation System

两税制 Liangshuizhi