As a powerful weapon for the imperial court to control officials and prevent corruption, the supervision system reached an unprecedented height in the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty was the period when China's centralized system was at its peak, and the Imperial Historical Observatory played a huge role as a supervisory body during this period. When did the Goshidai originate? How has its function evolved? How was it established and operated in the Tang Dynasty? What kind of far-reaching impact did it have on future generations? Let's find out.
The birth and germination of the imperial history platform supervision system
China's ancient system of supervision dates back to ancient times. According to historical records, in the era of the Yellow Emperor, the founding ancestor of the Chinese nation, although the society was still in the period of primitive clan communes, a function similar to supervision had already emerged. At that time, the tribe had a "history" set up, which was responsible for recording major events and the code system, and assisting the clan chief in supervision.
In the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, with the establishment of a slave society and the strengthening of royal power, the supervision function became increasingly prominent. Among the "Seven Ministers", there is the position of Da Situ, who is specially responsible for "applying for the king's order and correcting the failure". By the end of the Western Weekend, there was also a kind of official who specialized in supervising the behavior of the royal family, called "Yushi", which shows that the supervision system has begun to take shape.
During the Qin and Han dynasties, the supervision system developed further, showing unprecedented specialization and institutionalization. The Qin Dynasty set up the post of "Imperial Historian" to be in charge of supervision. During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, full-time inspection agencies such as the "Assassin History" were created, and the Imperial History Zhongcheng served as the supreme chief inspector, and the supervision network of "upper and lower supervision" has been initially formed.
During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, the central supervision agency Yushitai was improved day by day. During the Three Kingdoms period, the Wei State was the first to set up a special "Imperial History Zhongcheng Mansion" and clearly defined the supervision function. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Yu Bing set up the "Dianzhong Province" and "Left and Right Red Opinions", etc., and comprehensively improved the supervision system. The Northern Zhou Dynasty inherited this system and laid the foundation for the Tang Dynasty's Imperial Historical Tower.
The establishment of the Tang Dynasty Imperial Historical Observatory supervision system
In 618 AD, Li Yuan was canonized as the founding emperor of the Tang Empire in Chang'an. In the early Tang Dynasty, in order to stabilize the power of the new dynasty and consolidate the foundation of the rule, the establishment and improvement of the Yushitai was regarded as the top priority.
In March of the seventh year of Wude, Tang Gaozu formally established a central state institution in Chang'an, including a six provinces and nine temples. As the highest supervisory body of the state, the Yushitai came into being, and its status is transcendent. Although the grade of the initial establishment of the Imperial History Observatory is not too high, the position of the Imperial History is extremely important, and it is praised as "clear and restorative". During the Gaozu period, the Imperial History Observatory was mainly controlled by the Imperial Historian and the Imperial Historian Zhongcheng, and there were auxiliary work such as serving the Imperial History and supervising the Imperial History.
During the Taizong period, as the foundation of the Tang Dynasty became more and more solid, the functions and status of the Yushitai were further demonstrated. Taizong attached great importance to the centralization of power, so the powers of the supervisory body continued to expand. Imperial Doctor was promoted to one of the prime ministers, directly served by him, and became a dignitary of the dynasty. Many famous prime ministers, such as Wang Shichong and Du Ruhui, have served as imperial historians.
During the Zhenguan period, in order to strengthen the supervision of the locality, Taizong set up two members of the left and right "palace attendants" and "supervising the imperial history" in addition to the imperial history platform, which were specially responsible for the supervision of the Beijing division and other provinces. This further consolidated and deepened centralized rule.
From the Wude period to the Yonghui period, the Tang Dynasty's supervision system has undergone continuous improvement and adjustment. In the last years of Zhenguan, in order to combine the supervision power with the judicial power, the Yushitai added the setting of the "East and West Two Prisons" to take charge of the judicial functions and powers such as the "prohibition of the case", so that its supervision power was more prominent.
An innovative measure to supervise the operation of the Tang Dynasty Imperial Historical Observatory
In order to strengthen the supervision and management of officials, the Tang Dynasty continued to innovate and explore in the setting and operation of the Imperial Historical Observatory. One of the most famous is the establishment of the Suzheng Observatory and its dual-track supervision system with the Imperial Historical Observatory.
In the second year of Longshuo (663), Tang Gaozong promulgated a major reform measure in order to eliminate redundant officials and strengthen supervision of officials. The original Imperial Historical Observatory was restructured into "Xiantai", and the Imperial Historian was renamed "Grand Priest Xian", and the title of the original Supervisor was cancelled. At the same time, in Chang'an City, another "Zuosu Zhengtai" was set up in parallel with Xiantai.
The original intention of the Zuosu Zhengtai was to supervise the central officials and the military in Beijing, while the Xiantai was responsible for supervising local officials in other provinces. The two stations perform their own duties and supervise each other. The supreme governor of the left platform is led by two "prime ministers", and there are officials such as "Si Xunlang" and "case owner" to handle supervision cases.
During the Wu and Zhou dynasties, the government became increasingly turbulent, and in order to strengthen the control of officials, the ruler once changed the left Su Zhengtai to the "Right Su Zheng Tai", which was in parallel with the left Su Zheng Tai in terms of supervision powers. The two bureaucratic systems are identical, and each has the right to supervise officials in Beijing and other provinces, resulting in contradictions and conflicts of power from time to time.
Until 705 A.D., Wu Zhou lost power, after the restoration of Tang Zhongzong, he thought that the two imperial histories were impeached indiscriminately in Beijing, which affected the operation of government affairs, so he ordered the two to be combined into one and renamed "Yushitai". Although this move avoided the contradictions caused by the dual-track system, the supervision function of the Imperial Historical Observatory was once again affected.
It was not until Xuanzong succeeded to the throne that the dual-track supervision system of left and right stations was completely abolished, and the "one" system during the Zhenguan period was restored. At the same time, the drawbacks of impeachment and indiscriminate issuance have been eliminated, and the supervision procedures have been standardized, so that the supervisory power of the Imperial Historical Observatory has become more rational.
The authoritative position of the Tang Dynasty's imperial history platform supervision system
In the Tang Dynasty, the authority of the Imperial Observatory as the highest supervisory body was unquestionable. This is not only reflected in the lofty rank of the post of Imperial Historian, but also highlights the breadth and depth of the supervisory power.
As the highest official of the Imperial History Tower, the Imperial Historian is second only to the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince and the Prince, and can be called the third in command of the dynasty. According to the Tang system, not only when Prince Xian and the princess get married, but even ordinary people get married, and the royal doctor must preside over the marriage. This fully illustrates the high status of the post of Imperial Historian among the government and the opposition.
More importantly, as representatives of the supervisory power, the Imperial Historian and his subordinates had the privilege of supervising and impeaching all civil and military officials, including the prime minister. This power was established during the reign of Sadakan and was carried on to future generations.
For example, in the fourth year of Yonghui, Li Na, who was the imperial historian at the time, advised Taizong Li Shimin to appoint his eldest son Dou Jiande as the crown prince, bluntly saying that "the son has no virtue", which was angrily reprimanded by Taizong. But in the end, according to Li Na's words, Li Zhi was changed to the crown prince. This shows the important influence of the Imperial Observatory in the selection of the heir to the imperial family.
It is also worth mentioning that in the Tang Dynasty, the supervisory power of the Yushitai had penetrated into the field of judicial adjudication. In particular, in the trial of major cases such as corruption and bribery, the Imperial Historical Observatory controlled all the powers of investigation, interrogation, and conviction, and became the de facto judicial organ.
In general, the authoritative position of the Tang Dynasty Imperial Historical Observatory is not only reflected in the prominent status of the supreme governor Yu Shi Dafu, but also highlights its special supervision power that penetrates into various fields such as politics, military affairs, and culture, which can be called an important magic weapon in the hands of the emperor to suppress traitors and prevent corruption.
The Tang Dynasty's supervision system had a profound impact on later generations
The Tang Dynasty Imperial Historical Observatory Supervision System was a milestone in ancient Chinese history, and its influence not only deeply penetrated all aspects of Tang Dynasty society, but also laid a solid foundation for later dynasties to establish similar supervision institutions.
Although the Song Dynasty was once damaged by the monopoly of political families, its position as the highest supervisory body of the central government was not shaken. During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty, the supervisory power of the Imperial Historical Observatory was further expanded, and new supervisory institutions such as "Tong Zhilang" were set up to strengthen the supervision of the local government. By the middle of the Northern Song Dynasty, Yushitai began to intervene in the military field and supervise the army.
After the Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty established the provincial system, they set up the "Xingyu Shitai" with reference to the Tang system, which was dedicated to supervising the Beijing division and provincial officials, and the imperial historian was honored as the "Taishi". The power of the Imperial Historical Observatory was extremely large, and the power of the Cabinet was weakened, and the Imperial Historical Observatory became one of the most powerful central institutions of the time.
The Ming Dynasty still continued the system of Xingyu Shitai, but changed its name to "Duchayuan", and the original imperial historian was renamed "Duchayuan Right Capital Yushi". The Metropolitan Procuratorate is in charge of all matters of supervision at the central and local levels, and the president has the privilege of supervising civil and military officials and princes of the clan, and is on an equal footing with the prime minister.
Although the Qing Dynasty Imperial Historical Observatory existed in name only, its spirit of supervision was continued and carried forward in all links, such as the establishment of "Imperial Ministers" to inspect the provinces, the implementation of "four changes through money" and other strict measures to supervise Beijing officials. This idea of using institutional supervision to check and balance power and prevent corruption actually originated from the practice of the Tang Dynasty's Yushitai.
end
It can be seen that the imperial history system of the Tang Dynasty has made great contributions to the construction of the supervision system in Chinese history, and has deeply influenced later dynasties, and its spirit has continued to this day. The centralized supervision system model established by the Tang Dynasty Yushitai has become the highest model of the ancient Chinese supervision system.