The three yamen of the Northern Song Dynasty always enjoyed relatively high treatment in terms of salary, favor, etiquette, etc., but their political status was bounded by the "Qingli New Deal" of the Renzong Dynasty. It went through a process of change from low to high again. Zhongjing Yingzong,

The three dynasties of Shenzong, Zhezong, and the Huizong Dynasty reached their peak. However, because the Northern Song Dynasty adopted "emphasis on literature over military affairs" as the national policy, military personnel were strictly prohibited from intervening in politics. Their role was strictly limited to the military field, and their participation in politics and deliberation of political power were basically deprived. However, due to the three yamen

Occupying the special position of commanding the Gyeonggi Forbidden Army, he inevitably exerted an influence that cannot be underestimated in the change of imperial power. Especially after the Renzong Dynasty, he often worked together with the prime minister to advantageously and methodically exert his military power.

The deterrence of strength has played a good role in stabilizing the political situation at that time many times. This is one of the important manifestations of the civilization and rationalization of political operations in the Northern Song Dynasty.

The three yamen of the Northern Song Dynasty refer to the Imperial Palace Division, the Guards Ma Jun Division, and the Infantry Guard Division. Generally speaking, the rulers of the Northern Song Dynasty paid attention to the historical lessons of the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties when warriors were rampant and commanded politics with spears and swords.

Establish the authority of the prime minister, privy envoys and other civil servants, use civility to control military affairs, guard against generals, and consciously guide the transformation of social values ​​​​to emphasize civility over military affairs. As a result, the status of generals in charge of military affairs has declined significantly compared with that of the Five Dynasties. The so-called

: "In the ancestors' time, military ministers did not respect the three yamen. When they saw the ministers, they would stand tall and approach the court, bow solemnly and retreat. They were not stationery. They thought that the power was not as strict as this, and it was not enough to control them." [1] (Volume 1 "Xing")

"Current Affairs in Yuezhou")

However, although the status of the three yamen in the Northern Song Dynasty was not as good as that of the Five Dynasties, it should not be underestimated. Because the Northern Song Dynasty was founded in Kaifeng, the place where the four battles were fought, "the country was founded on the military" [2] (Volume 24 "On the National Plan"

) and had continuous wars with Liao and Xixia, so it was inevitable to attach great importance to generals. As the "general commander of the Chinese and foreign divisions and brigade, the three yamen were responsible for suppressing the tigers internally and coercing the Yixia externally. They had the most important responsibilities" [3]

(Volume 45 "Qiding Chaoshan Military Officials Zha Zi") "The military ministers are extremely responsible" [4] (7 out of 32 official positions). The importance of his status is self-evident. Regarding this, Zhang Ruyu, a scholar of the Southern Song Dynasty, wrote in "Qunshu Kao"

Volume 44 of the sequel to "Suo" accurately summarizes: "That's why when you see the prime minister, you bow and bow, and it's a courtesy. After that, it's just a horizontal staff; when you see the two systems, you ride on the same name, and after that, you separate the lanes."

Exactly. As for Xining, the etiquette of treatment continues from the second government, and even if there is a temple supervisor who summons him, he can't get it. Call on him! How important it is."

A more obvious example is that the San Yamen enjoyed considerable treatment in the Northern Song Dynasty. "If they are given heavy responsibility, they will not be treated lightly."[5] (Sequel Volume 44) was the consensus of the Northern Song Dynasty at that time, such as

In the Song Dynasty, Taizu Dynasty said: "Female fathers and ancestors, protect wives; honor and respect people, and pay tribute to them." [6] (Volume 8) Shenzong also commented: "In front of the palace, there are three commanders of horse and infantry, and the treatment of the court is followed by etiquette."

In the second government office, matters are of the utmost importance." [7] (Volume 274) The so-called "treat them not lightly" and "the matter of matters is of the utmost importance", except for the third government office, which was the "most responsible military official" in the Northern Song Dynasty and ranked first among the generals.

, specifically speaking, there are roughly the following names:

1. Salaries are generous. The generous salaries of military ministers were originally a characteristic of the salary system of the Northern Song Dynasty. As Zhang Yan, a contemporary, said: "The way the Song Dynasty treated its military ministers was to treat military officials with generous salaries but with less courtesy." [5] (Volume 21 of the Later Collection) Sanyamen

Being a "military official with the highest responsibility" is of course even more prominent. For example, Jia Changchao, Zhongcheng, the censor of the Renzong Dynasty, said when analyzing the reasons why his relatives and other "lucky children" coveted the position of Sanya: "Their ambitions are not conducive to the speed of transfer, but the salary is given to them."

Thick ears." [7] (Volume 138) This is the fact. To illustrate this issue more intuitively, please look at the table below.

Table 1 Comparison of the salaries of the three yamen (the salaries of the three yamen are basically paid according to the official ranks of Jiedushi, Liuhou, Observer, Defense, Tuanlianshi, and governor) and the governor's salary

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Position salary, money, clothing, and grain (year, two)

Moon Passing (Thousand) Silk Silk Mianluo Moon Stone

Prime Minister, Privy Councilor 30040601001100

Participate in political affairs, pivot

Secret Deputy Envoy 2002030501100

Know the affairs of the academy, know together

Court affairs 2002030501100

Signed Privy Council 150203050170

Sanya Jiedushi 4004020050010150

Jiedu observation stay after 20020100100

Observation makes 20020100100

Defense makes 20020100100

Group training envoy 1502010070

Governor 502010050

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It is not difficult to see from this that the overall salary level of the three yamen is on the same level as that of the prime minister. The salary of the deputy commander of the horse and infantry in front of the palace of the Jiedushi is even higher than that of the prime minister. (Note: This table is mainly based on

Wang Shengduo: "Financial History of the Two Song Dynasties", (Zhonghua Book Company 1995 edition, Volume 2, pp. 780-784) "Table of Materials, Money and Clothing Grants for Civil and Military Officials Before the Reform of Yuanfeng in the Northern Song Dynasty"; and see Zhuge Yibing: "Zaifu of the Song Dynasty"

Institutional Research", China Social Sciences Press, 2000 edition, page 158.)

2. Enyin's wife, son. Enyin, also known as "Renzi", "Menyin", and "Shishen", refers to the system in which the imperial court awards official titles or dispatches to descendants or relatives based on the official's position and rank.

The number of favors in the Northern Song Dynasty is unprecedented. The names are divided into five categories: suburban sacrifices, holy festivals (emperor's birthday), official appointments, official declarations and temporary favors. Starting from the Zhenzong Dynasty, the favor system in the Northern Song Dynasty tended to be fixed.

, it is stipulated that for civil servants who are above the imperial censor and know miscellaneous matters, one person will be supplemented every year; for officials who are above the rank of wailang, one person will be supplemented every three years; for military ministers who are above the level of hengxing, one person will be supplemented every year; for ministers who are deputy envoys and above, one supplement will be supplemented every three years

Yinbu one person[8](P640)

In addition to enjoying the above-mentioned treatment in accordance with the regulations, the three yamen also have the so-called "benefit rules for the initial removal of military governors". Taking the deputy commander of the palace as the governor of Jiedushi as an example, one is to add the title of mother and wife, "mother title"

"The wife of the county queen, the wife is granted the title of county wife". [9] (Volume 2) The second is to make up for the marriage of a parent, child or grandchild. For example, on October 4th of the first year of Yuanfeng of Emperor Shenzong, Jia Yu, the left servant, was the only candidate to join the family.

, "First, Jia Kui painted the sky with scriptures." After the Yanbian incident, he got his son You and joined the family as a minister. Later, he removed the deputy commander of the capital in front of the palace. He used begging to remove Yu and join his post, and the imperial edict stopped him from moving to an official position. Finally, Kui begged again.

. Previous batch: 'Yuyuan joined forces with the government to send Kui Sutra to deal with side affairs, especially to express favors. What Kui begged now is to remove the favor of the palace commander and follow the instructions.'" [4] (Zhiguan 3)

2-5) Another example is that on October 22nd of the first year of Emperor Gaozong's Shaoxing reign, "The Privy Council stated that Guo Zhongxun had been dismissed from the army at the beginning of his career, and the Ministry of Personnel proposed to apply for a joint post." A joint post was an easy promotion at that time.

People at that time had the so-called "favor in conjunction with the official position" when it came to good positions. Therefore, after Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty approved Guo's request to remove the three government officials, he said, "The ancestors treated the three government officials so well" [4] (the third official position)

2/9) lamented. The favors of the other military officers in the San Yamen were slightly lower than those of the deputy commander in front of the palace, but they were still quite generous. Therefore, during the Zhenzong Dynasty, Feng Shouxin was the Sanyamen.

"Keeping one's word, in order to get a high position". [7] (Volume 95) In addition, due to their close proximity due to their duties, the three yamen often had the convenience to ask for relatives' favors in front of the emperor. Renzong had to issue an edict, requiring that "officials, soldiers and ministers must not

During the Qianyuan Festival and great gifts, one must not beg for relatives’ favors.” [7] (Volume 136)

3. Go to the palace to report matters. The Renzong Dynasty stipulated: "In front of the imperial edict, the horse and infantry troops will report the company's business affairs from now on. Unless they are regular or routine reports, if there are non-general plans or urgent official matters, they will be reported in the back hall." If you only respond, you will be ordered to go to the palace without a stick and wearing narrow clothes; if it is not the company's official business, do not report to others, and then close the door and go to the palace according to the regulations, let alone take the order." [7] (Volume 156)

4. Give a banquet when returning to the court. Since the Zhenzong Dynasty, the three yamen have been given a banquet when returning to the court to see the emperor. According to the record in Volume 84 of "Changbian": "Calming the Ludu deployment, the infantry deputy capital commander, Zhenwu Jiedushi King Neng came to the court. The story is that the commander-in-chief will give a banquet when he sees it, but the commander of the army will not be able to do so. As a result, a special order was made to use the example of a vassal minister. A minister Yan Neng went to sit down, and in front of the palace, Cao Can, the commander of the horse army, and others were there. The servants are standing, and their rank is inconvenient. They have ordered Can Can and others to sit down, so the commander of the army will take the lead as an example."

5. Bow to meet the prime minister. In the Northern Song Dynasty, the prime minister held a high position and had a distinguished etiquette. When meeting the prime minister in the three yamen, he must be very respectful. Volume 58 of "Wenwen Tongkao" "Twelve Officials" quoted Shen Kuo's "Bi Tan" as saying: "In the three yamen When the prime ministers are seen, they all put their staffs across the back of the Wende Hall and sing "Nai" under the steps of the corridor. When the prime minister comes out, he stands on the steps and bows to him. If he has an affair with an official in the thoroughfare, they all avoid it. This ritual has been abolished for a long time, but the ritual of the horizontal staff inside is used. It has not been abolished to this day." However, the prime minister must also return the favor with courtesy. For example, King Renzong once served as the prime minister. "The deputy capital commander in front of the palace, Zhenwu Jiedushi Yang Chongxun tasted the white matter of Zhongshu. It was a light rain in the new year. "Xun walked straight up the steps through the mud, and Zeng shook his head and did not extend his seat with common courtesy." [7] (Volume 103) Although Yang Chongxun was not allowed to sit in advance, it can be seen from this incident that under "common courtesy", that is, under normal circumstances, the prime minister must It was used to sit in the third government office.

6. Borrow official horses. All three yamen can borrow official horses, and they can keep them after dismissal. The system before the Qingli period of Renzong was "the old system: everyone in charge of the army borrowed five horses, and when they were dismissed, they would still borrow them." On the eighth day of Qingli period, Nian Sui: "Edict to the Qun Mu Division. From now on, in front of the palace, the horse and infantry troops will command the envoys, and each of them will be given three borrowed horses. In front of the palace, the horse and infantry troops will all wait for you. The four compartments of the Tianwu Dragon Divine Guard will command two envoys. A horse; the commander of the military capital envoys a horse."[7] (Volume 165)

7. You must have your own tooth troops. In the fourth year of Emperor Qiande of the Song Dynasty, he began to strictly order the military commanders in front of the palace and the border guardian envoys not to select brave men in the army to serve as their own tooth troops. After the outbreak of the Song-Xia war, this policy changed. After the war was loosened, the Shenzong Dynasty specifically stipulated that when the official reached the third yamen, the court could select soldiers as personal troops. For example, in the fourth year of Yuanfeng, the eunuch Li Xian who commanded the army in Xihe asked "to beg for Xuanwu, be brave, and be a tiger in front of the palace." When asked to "take command of Yi Chai and serve as my personal soldiers", Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty wrote a written reply to reject it, and explained: "The request for personal soldiers and tooth troops will be approved by the military commander, and you will be notified by Li Xianling." [7] (Volume 313) )

8. Posthumous titles for three generations. Anyone who has reached the Jiedu position in the three yamen can, like the current prime minister and privy dean, grant titles to their ancestors of three generations as officials after performing sacrifices in the suburbs. For example, in the Taizong Dynasty, Liu Tinghan was the commander in front of the palace. "Taste the kindness of the sacrifices in the suburbs, When he was granted the title of third generation, Tinghan was a young orphan. His eldest father and above did not get into trouble, and he forgot his family name, so he wrote a personal letter to give it to him." [10] ("Biography of Liu Tinghan") In the early years of Shenzong Yuanfeng, Jia Kui He paid homage to the Jiedu Envoy of the Jianwu Army, and commanded envoys in front of the palace, "Please do not wait until Jiao pardons the third-generation official. Shenzong said: 'Kui Wu people can have the ambition to miss their relatives, and they will listen to it.'" [10] (" "The Biography of Jia Kui")

9. Funeral rituals. The system of funeral rituals for the generals of the three yamen in the Northern Song Dynasty included: the emperor retired from court for one day. For example, in the Renzong Dynasty, "all the envoys were commanded in front of the palace. Baojing Jiedu envoy Wei Zhaomin died and was presented to the attendants. Story, one day after the emperor's absence from court." , the edict was suspended for two days." [7] (Volume 102) The emperor often came to pay homage in person. For example, in the Shenzong Dynasty, "the deputy (capital) commander in front of the palace, Lu Zhengzu, the military commander of Wutai Festival. , presented as a gift to the three divisions of Kaifu Yitong." [7] (Volume 315) When posthumous official positions were awarded, the senior ones could often go to the attendants, such as Hao Zhi and Jia Kui were all given to the attendants; after the Shenzong Dynasty, in front of the palace, they were appointed as deputy commanders. Most of them were given as gifts to the three divisions of Kaifu Yitong, Liu Changzuo, Miao Shuo, Yao Lin, etc. Those who reached the rank of Jiedu envoy could also receive posthumous titles, such as "Ma Jun deputy capital commander, Wuchang Jiedu envoy Peng Ruizi..." ...fa should be given a posthumous title." [7] (Volume 106) Yinbu's children became officials, such as: "The commanders of all four compartments of the Longshen Guard, Qin Feng and other deputy generals Xiang Baozu, extended favors and granted Chen Qier to his family. "[7] (Volume 299) If the deputy commander of the infantry army is appointed as the deputy commander of the infantry and the above person dies, his family can still use the official residence to organize the funeral. For example, the Shenzong Dynasty stipulates: "The imperial edict is to appoint the deputy commander of the infantry army and the above person dies. Borrowing the vacant official residence to stay for no more than thirty couplets, and then returning it to the official residence." [7] (Volume 261).

The changes in the status of the three yamen

It should be emphasized that the political status of the three yamen in the Northern Song Dynasty experienced a dynamic change process from low to high. For example, Volume 1 of Ouyang Xiu's "Guitian Lu" records: "Between Baoyuan and Kangding, Yu was demoted and returned to the capital.

, I saw Wang Junkuan, who had been a servant of the house for the first time, and returned from the Khitan envoy. When I was here, I saw that everyone knew that the escort team, a horse and infantry team in front of the palace, stood outside the door, and presented a list saying, "I dare not ask for permission to see you." The servant of the king sent someone to thank him.

Go. In the third year of Qingli, I served as a housekeeper, and this ritual was abolished. However, the three yamen, military officials and officials met on the road and saw the housekeeper. The one who greeted him immediately gathered his horse and stood up. The one in front of him shouted, "The Taiwei immediately rode up."

', he sent people to thank him urgently, and he passed by others and then dared to go. After more than ten years as an official, he returned, and then entered the Hanlin Academy as a bachelor. He saw that the three yamen were very powerful, and he was no longer what he was at that time. When he met the bachelor,

Passing by in separate lanes, there is no etiquette of restraint and avoidance, so the two systems gradually become lighter and the three yamen become more and more important." Zhu Xi, a great scholar in the Southern Song Dynasty, explained this matter, "It is also the result of accumulation. After he gained weight, it was naturally like this."[11

] (Volume 128) can be said to be clear in one sentence.

Generally speaking, after the Chenqiao mutiny and before Song Taizu released his military power over a cup of wine, the three yamen were in a prominent position. Shi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi and others "were given the highest rank and rank, and they were rewarded with the honor of Yidai" [7] (Volume.

1) Unmatched by all civil servants. However, since the "Release of Military Power over a Drink of Wine" and the two dynasties of Taizong and Zhenzong, the status of the three yamen has shown a sharp downward trend. In the early Renzong Dynasty, that is, what Ouyang Xiu mentioned as "Baoyuan,

"Between Kangding and Kangding", on the one hand, the policy of "valuing literature over military affairs" reached its peak. It is said that "the country has been at peace for a long time, and the cultural affairs are too prosperous. Scholars are ashamed of military training, and scholars are ashamed of talking about military affairs."[12](

Volume 59 "Discussion") On the other hand, the quality of the Sanya itself has also dropped to the bottom. For example, some scholars have pointed out: "Long-term suppression and discrimination caused a further decline in the quality of the generals during the Song Renzong Dynasty.

As a result, a group of generals were produced who were cowardly, incompetent and of poor conduct." [13] Under the combined effect of the two, their status basically dropped to the lowest point in the Northern Song Dynasty. However, starting from the "Qingli New Deal" in the third year of Qingli,

That is to say, when Ouyang Xiu was "Yu Zuoshe Ren", in view of the serious problems exposed in the Song-Xia War, the national policy of the Northern Song Dynasty "emphasis on literature but not military" gradually changed to "emphasis on literature but not military". With the help of a large number of people such as Di Qing,

The heroes who fought against Xixia entered Sanya, and the quality of Sanya also improved slightly, and its status was on the rise. More than ten years later, at the end of Renzong and the beginning of Yingzong, when Ouyang Xiu was appointed Hanlin bachelor and then returned to power, he had already shown

There has been a significant improvement, which is the so-called "three yamen gradually become more important".

Since then, except for a few periods when the old party of Yuanyou was in power, the emperors Shenzong, Zhezong, and Huizong were all interested in using troops abroad, and it was inevitable to favor their generals. Therefore, the political status of the three yamen continued to rise. For example, in the fourth year of the ninth year of Xining in the reign of Shenzong

In the month before the palace, the commander Hao Zhi and others said: Go to the military weapons supervisor and the power judge Liu Fengshi and others to meet with the military weapons. The first batch: "In front of the palace, the three commanders of the horse and infantry troops are treated by the imperial court, and the courtesy is followed by the second government.

It’s most important. How can a small official in the temple summon an envoy to attend a scheduled meeting? The superiority and inferiority are reversed, and the situation is not in line with the situation. From now on, the order will be stopped and the document will be settled." [7] (Volume 274) Song people commented on this matter and said: "As for the matter,

In Xining, the etiquette of treatment continued from the second government, and even if there was a temple supervisor who summoned him, he could not get it. Call! How important it is." By the Huizong Dynasty, the three Yamen had reached the level of "being the best official" [14] (Volume 192)

). In June of the fourth year of Xiangzhenghe, Chen Bangguang, a member of Zhongshushe, said: "Guan Jun is the most responsible military minister. Now it is not included in the ranking. I am only regarded as the second level. I hope that there will be a special edict to have a supervisor to consider the rectification."

"Then he issued an edict to send gifts to establish the bureau. "This bureau has taken the rank of officials in charge of military affairs. Now the commander of the capital in front of the palace is above the Jiedushi.

The commander, the deputy commander of the cavalry army is above the official observation envoy, the commander in front of the palace is Yuhou, the cavalry commander is Yuhou, the infantry commander Yuhou is above the official defense envoy, holding the sun, and Tianwu is in command of all four compartments.

He should be above the official Tuan Lian Envoy and follow him." [4] (Zhiguan 32-7)

The political role of the three yamen

As Mr. Zhu Ruixi pointed out: "Generals of the Three Yamen cannot participate in politics." [8] (P552) Restricting the participation of military generals, especially senior military generals led by the Three Yamen, is a consistent basic national policy in the Northern Song Dynasty. For example, in the Taizu Dynasty of the Song Dynasty , "One day, Taizu said (Shi) that Shoushi would use Zhou Han to hold the imperial edict. Shouxian showed his words slightly, and Zhou Han suddenly came up to express his thanks. Taizu was angry and died of his death." [10] ("The Biography of Liang Zhouhan" ") Song Taizong even made a clear statement: "Since the Liang Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty, the king has been weak and the ruler has been weak, and the government has lost control. The court has a small opportunity, and all the generals and schools have to sit in advance and consult. This generation is not the only one who rules over the world and even serves as the emperor. Even if Li Guang is resurrected, there will be no reason to tolerate him." [7] (Volume 37) Therefore, from an overall perspective, the role played by the three yamen in the political life of the Northern Song Dynasty not very big.

Of course, restricting the generals' participation rights cannot be understood as absolutely not allowing them to participate in politics. In fact, it was not uncommon for the Sanyamen to express personal opinions on government affairs in the Northern Song Dynasty. For example, Renzong stipulated that the Sanyamen, in addition to the company's business affairs, should "do not report anything" Seeing the benefit, he closed the door and went to the palace according to the rules." [7] (Volume 156) During the Zhenzong Dynasty, Zhang Qi placed Yuhou in front of the palace and took office. "When the Yuqing Palace was built, the senior memorial said that the country's financial resources were sacrificed, so it was not the will of heaven. "; [10] ("The Biography of Zhang Qi") Yang Chongxun, "He has served in the military for a long time, and when he was the Zhenzong, every couple would talk about Chinese and foreign affairs, and he would hurt others when he was happy, which made people fear him."; [10] ("The Biography of Yang Chongxun") ") Guo Chengyou of the Renzong Dynasty said, "If he speaks well and points out people's faults, he is called a military admonisher at that time"; [15] ("The Biography of Guo Chengyou") and so on.
To be continued...