北齊の中書舍人について : 顔之推、そのタクチクスの周邊

Abstract

Under the Northern Qi regime, the functions of the Zhongshu Sheren, or privy secretariat, included the drafting and implementation of imperial orders and decrees, in addition to exercising control over all civilian and military classified information. In the Tianbao 天保 period, the officials of the Zhongshu Sheren were in charge of military affairs. These officials were appointed to their posts in order to assist Emperor Wenxuan 文宣帝 to resist the pressure of the Xungui 勳貴, or "meritorious dignitaries", and for the purpose of gaining control over the military. In the latter half of the dynasty, many officials of the Zhongshu Sheren served Emperor Houzhu 後主 as literary advisers. These officials were primarily civilians who had risen to power in struggled against Enxing 恩倖, the emperor's favorites, and against the Xungui. Most of the officials of the Zhongshu Sheren under the Northern Qi were selected on the basis of their accomplishments, including literary and business ability, regardless of their family status. The selection of these officials was thus based on the system of recognition of merit, a system which was to become a distinctive characteristic of the latter part of the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. This practice of official appointment based on merit was also a distinctive characteristic of the Zhongshusheng 中書省, or bureau of the imperial secretariat, under the Northern Qi regime.