The Six Statutes of Tang
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Scholars and students of history and culture researching Tang political institutions and the official system
- Learners who need to consult material on the establishment and duties of Tang official posts
- Readers interested in ancient regulatory institutions who have some grounding in classical Chinese
- Students in university history and legal history courses who need to engage with primary sources
Not a good fit for
- General readers expecting storytelling or light entertainment
- Beginners with weak classical Chinese who need detailed vernacular annotation
- Readers seeking systematic discussion by modern scholars rather than primary sources
Reading tips
- First understand the basic framework of the Tang three departments and six ministries, then read selectively by agency or official post to lower the barrier to entry.
- Use the book as a reference work: turn to the relevant section when a specific question about an official post arises, rather than reading it cover to cover.
- Read alongside Tang historical works or studies of institutional history to help understand the realities behind the provisions.
- Make brief excerpts or notes on important entries, organized by agency, for easy consultation later.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 卷一 三师三公尚书都省
- 卷二 尚书吏部
- 卷三 尚书户部
- 卷四 尚书礼部
- 卷五 尚书兵部
- 卷六 尚书刑部
- 卷七 尚书工部
- 卷八 门下省
- 卷九 中书省集贤院史馆匦使
- 卷十 秘书省
- 卷十一 殿中省
- 卷十二 内官宫官内侍省
- 卷十三 御史台
- 卷十五 光禄寺
- 卷十六 卫尉宗正寺
- 卷十七 太仆寺
- 卷十八 大理寺鸿胪寺
- 卷十九 司农寺
- 卷二十 太府寺
- 卷二十一 国子监
- 卷二十二 少府军器监
- 卷二十三 将作都水监
- 卷二十四 诸卫
- 卷二十五 诸卫府
- 卷二十六 太子三师三少詹事府左右春坊内官
- 卷二十七 家令率更仆寺
- 卷二十八 太子左右卫及诸率府
- 卷二十九 诸王府公主邑司
- 卷三十 三府督护州县官吏
FAQ
What kind of book is the Tang Liudian?
Will the Tang Liudian be too dry for general readers?
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Is this book suitable as the sole basis for studying Tang institutions?
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About the author
Li Linfu is the author of the Tang Liudian (The Six Statutes of the Tang). Publicly available information about his life is limited: his native place, dates of birth and death, and official career all lack clear records that can be verified. Judging from the work that has come down to us, his writing centers on the institutional regulations of the Tang dynasty. Modeled on the Rites of Zhou, the Tang Liudian describes Tang officialdom, the establishment of government offices, and their duties in distinct categories. It is clearly organized and detailed in content, possessing value for both institutional history and textual scholarship, and is an important source for studying the political system and administrative operation of the Tang. Its language is concise and practical, notable for clear organization rather than elaborate rhetoric, reflecting a writing approach that emphasizes the actual state of institutions. In common library classifications, Li Linfu's work is placed under literary appreciation, though its actual content leans toward institutional documents; readers should understand it in the historical context of the Tang. Overall, although few of his works survive, the Tang Liudian's systematic account of institutions gives it a certain reference value.
