中書檢正官 : 王安石政權のにないてたち

Abstract

Above all Wang Anshi possessed rationality, a characteristics of Northern-Sung scholars. When we try to throw light not on his individual policies, but on the administrative procedure controling them, 'Secretariat examiners' supply us with instructive information. They were first-class scholars, not only well-educated, but also competent to conduct business efficiently. Through them, Wang Anshi held actual power over the government. It is worth mentioning that each of the general directors of the Court of National Granaries 司農寺, which promoted the New Laws, concurrently held the post of 'Secretariat examiners', and that almost all the statutes were announced by way of them. However, centralizing power on the prime minister in order to increase administrative efficiency brought about friction with the absolute monarchy. After Wang's downfall, when Shentsung himself controlled the government, 'Secretariat examiners' were no more than clerks. The rejection of Wang's rationalism shows the limits of 'progressiveness' in late imperial China.