The governmental machine was headed by three senior statesmen, whose titles can be translated as chancellor, imperial counselor, and commander of the armed forces. The last post was rarely filled, because individual campaigns, as against the Xiongnu, were led by specific appointees. The first two posts were filled by those close to the emperor who could formulate policy at the highest level. Below them were nine ministries, each with its own extensive staff. One such ministry had the duty to record the emperor’s actions and thus developed the role of official historian. Another was charged with control over divination and astrology, matters vital since the earliest Chinese dynasties of Shang and Zhou. There were ministries to oversee royal security and for the emperor’s transportation. One minister was responsible for receiving and housing foreign delegations. This function was important particularly when the delegation involved powerful border peoples, such as the Xiongnu. The embassies often presented exotic gifts that had to be recorded and safeguarded, as when they included live animals, such as an exotic rhinoceros from the south. The provision of legal services was under the authority of one of the nine ministries, and this often entailed appeals from the provinces or visits from the capital to investigate unusual cases. Another ministry was in charge of recording the history and membership of the royal clan. This was a vital task that ordered precedence. As most adult emperors had several official consorts and many children, this ministry kept track of descendants and was called on when the succession was not clearly apparent. Thus during the last few reigns of the Eastern Han, the emperors ZHIDI (138-146) and huandi (132-168) were chosen in part because they were the great-great-grandsons of ZHANGDI, who had died in 88 C. E.
One of the most important ministries oversaw finance and the management of the economy From 120 B. C.E., when it was resolved to nationalize key industries, this ministry also supervised the production and marketing of iron, salt, and alcohol products. Its officials collected tax revenues, often in kind, and paid the bureaucrats. The lower treasury worked in a supplementary role, collecting tax payments for less central industries, as well as controlling the royal workshops and the provision of music. Security in the capital beyond the immediate confines of the royal palace was the responsibility of a senior official, whose title translates as “bearer of the gilded mace.” His officers, acting as policemen, were sent to patrol the city, and he also had charge of the arsenal.
The commandant of waters and parks was an office created in 115 b. c.e. His officials were numerous, and among other duties, he ensured the maintenance of royal parks, the provision of food for the royal table, and the building and maintenance of the pavilions that dotted the extensive pleasure gardens. The prefect of the stables ensured that the emperor’s horses were well cared for. The host of orderlies employed in this office also manned the royal boats and cared for the water fountains and canals. In 115 b. c.e., the commandant of waters and parks was also placed in charge of the royal mint. With the Eastern Han dynasty and the move to Luoyang, this department was abolished. The Han center saw many major building projects, particularly palaces and royal parks and pavilions, and this program entailed a department of architects. This department was charged with many important duties. It was responsible for the design and building of palaces and the maintenance of the royal tombs. Its officials planted roadside trees and were active in repairing the dikes after serious flooding. Each of these ministries incorporated subsidiary offices. Thus the authorities in charge of the building program also had to identify and control sources of construction materials. There were prefects in charge of supplying large lengths of timber, and for quarrying stone.
The marked hierarchy in the administration, in which bureaucrats were ranked according to their salaries expressed as annual payment in bushels of grain, was also applied to that powerful institution the royal harem. WOMEN of high birth, unimpeachable personal life, and great beauty were carefully selected for admission. During the Western Han dynasty, the number of harem women rose to about 3,000, and the ranks increased progressively from six to as many as 14. Salaries matched each lady’s rank, which began at the top with the so-called brilliant companion and ended at the bottom with six maids with such titles as “pleasing maid” and “night attendant.” The most highly ranked ladies attracted salaries equivalent to those of the top bureaucrats. With the Eastern Han, only three grades were recognized, but the number of ladies doubled to about 6,000. The presence of so many attractive women in the household encouraged the employment of eunuchs.
Eunuchs also attended on the court of the empress. As many child or infant emperors were enthroned, the dowager empresses and their families wielded much power and in many cases, attracted such envy that they suffered virtual extinction. Each dowager empress had her own residence, known as the Palace of Prolonged Autumn, and a substantial staff. One was known as the prefect of the stables and would have been in charge of the chariots. Others supervised the provision of food, ran her treasury and accounts, and oversaw the pharmacy.
World History
