大越李朝官爵制度初探

Abstract

This paper deals with the bureaucratic and peerage systems under the Lý Dynasty (1009-1226), the first long-lived patrilineal dynasty in Đại Việt, which gained independence in the 10ᵗʰ century. Research in this field is by no means developed because there are no sources from the Lý period that explain the systems themselves. Given these circumstances, this paper tries to address basic questions and grasp general features of the bureaucracy and peerage under the Lý dynasty by comparing them with Chinese systems during the Tang and Song periods and by employing epigraphic sources of Đại Việt. The records in Đại Việtʼs dynastic annals (Đại Việt sử lược and Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư), especially the records of investiture on the occasion of emperors' ascension (of Đại Việt) to the throne, for example can be compared with the list of nobles and officials in Guihai Yuhengzhi桂海虞衡志compiled by Fan Chengda 范成大 in the Southern Song and also with that in An Nam chí lược 安南志略by Lê Tắc 黎崱that mentions the system in the late 13ᵗʰ century under the Trắn dynasty (1226-1400). Through such comparisons, it can be inferred that there were systems of bureaucratic rank, assignments, and nobility as well, which basically corresponded to the systems from the Tang to the Song period centered on the ninerank (九品) official system. It seems that there were also regulations of correspondence among rank, assignment and nobility, with which an official (or a noble or petty official) should be called by the title of the category that was also stipulated. In such systems, the emperors' court attendants, of whom civil and military functions had not yet been differentiated, appear to have been quite strong, and civil secretariats were also rising. Based on these basic features, epigraphic sources from the 12ᵗʰ century can be fruitfully exploited. According to these sources, the titles show an extremely meticulous application of Tang-Song entitlement systems including acting officials (檢校官), concurrent officials (兼官), merit titles (勳級) and meritorious ministers (功臣號). Military titles including generals and local military commissioners (節度使) are also recorded. These titles generally correspond to those in the late Tang and early Song period, when the policy-making function was put under the ministry of Zhongshu Menxia 中書門下. However, the reformed system enforced by Wang Anshi 王安石 in the Yuanfeng era (元豐官制), in which the three ministries of Zhongshu 中書, Menxia 門下 and Shangshu 尙書 were again separated, was clearly rejected, while partial influence of the reform in the Zheghe 政和and Jianyan 建炎 eras can be found in the annals from the 1180s onward. As shown in the titles of the head of the Palace Eunuch Service (入內內侍省) held by famous top-ranking figures such as Lý Thường Kiệt 李常傑 and Đỗ Anh Vũ 杜英武, inner palace officials (who may not necessarily have been eunuchs in the case of Vietnam) still seized power in the court, while powerful local chiefs who married princesses were also conferred similar titles. It is under their leadership that systems to appoint local talent to administrative positions of the court can be seen to be functioning. Many other topics such as the influence of the system of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the systems of evaluation, promotion and discharge, for instance, await further examination. Fragmented information on female officials is also in need of study. In sum, the bureaucratic and peerage systems in early Đại Việt deserve more in-depth study.