Duties of the Various Offices

朱元璋Jun 2024

4.3

Word count: 93K words
Chapters: 11

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought has a long history and is highly original, inventive, and literary. Early intellectual forms are distinctive: religious theology, classical Chinese medical texts, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and the Hundred Schools of Thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and local customs and gazetteers—all are profound and extensive.

This "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts" series preserves the original appearance of the books, with the priority on conserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers can cultivate their character and quietly absorb the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Zhisi Zhizhang, attributed to Zhu Yuanzhang, is an important documentary source on the official bureaucracy of the Ming dynasty. It systematically records the institutional structure and division of duties of the various government offices and is of foundational value for understanding the Ming administrative system. This edition is included in the "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts" series and follows the principle of preserving the original appearance of the text; it suits readers who need direct access to primary institutional documents. Its value lies not in narrative reading but in providing an original basis for institutional frameworks and official titles, and it can be cross-referenced with works such as the Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty. It is best read as a reference work: first grasp the overall institutional outline, then consult specific offices as needed. For Ming historians, institutional historians, and scholars of ancient book editing, this is a practical foundational resource; general readers will need some historical background to appreciate it. The original format and language bear the marks of their time, so on a first reading one need not aim to cover everything—selective reading is more feasible.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Scholars studying Ming political institutions and the official system
Researchers in history and literature who need to consult original records of Ming office duties
History enthusiasts interested in ancient bureaucracy and administrative operations
Those engaged in editing ancient texts and teaching institutional history

Not a good fit for

General readers looking for Ming historical stories or biographies
Complete beginners with no knowledge of ancient officialdom
Readers expecting vernacular explanations and detailed annotations

Reading tips

First map out the major categories of institutions covered in the book to build an overall framework of the official system.
Consult entries by office rather than reading straight through; use it as a reference work.
Read alongside the Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty or a dictionary of official titles to help with unfamiliar office names.
Note questions about institutional evolution as you read, then verify them in relevant scholarly works.

版权信息
诸司职掌
吏部
礼部
兵部
刑部
工部
都察院
通政司
大理寺
五军都督府断事官

FAQ

Is Zhisi Zhizhang suitable for reading straight through?

Not really. It is closer to a compilation of institutional regulations, listing duties office by office, and works best as a reference book. It is more efficient to first grasp the overall framework, then look up specific entries according to your research or interests.

What background knowledge is needed to read this book?

Basic knowledge of Ming history and ancient official titles is best, along with a general idea of the division of duties among institutions such as the Six Ministries and the Censorate. If your background is insufficient, read an introductory work on Ming institutional history first, then return to the primary text.

How does this book differ from the Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty?

Zhisi Zhizhang was compiled earlier and focuses on the original regulations of each office's duties; the Collected Statutes was compiled later and is more systematic, with fuller records of institutional evolution. The two can be cross-referenced, though specific differences require comparison of editions and contents.

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About the author

朱元璋 Author

Zhu Yuanzhang, known as the Hongwu Emperor, was the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty. The works attributed to him consist chiefly of edicts, admonitions, and institutional compilations, covering state governance, imperial household rules, and personal writings. Eight of his works are collected here, including Zhusi Zhizhang, which sets out official duties and administrative structures; Ming Taizu Baoxun and Huangming Zuxun, which record instructions on governance and family law; collected writings such as Ming Taizu Wenji and Zhu Yuanzhang Yuzhi Wenji; and inscriptions and prefaces including the Da Ming Huangling Bei, Yuzhi Zhoudian Xianren Zhuan, and Yuzhi Xiaoci Lu Xu. These works belong mainly to social science and historical reading, with touches of Eastern philosophy and literary appreciation. Their style is solemn and direct, bearing the clear tone of imperial instruction, and they are important sources for understanding early Ming institutions, political thought, and imperial edification. Public information on his personal life is limited, so this note focuses on the themes and influence of the works recorded here.