How many civil servants were there in a county during the Qing Dynasty?

Since the Qin Dynasty unified China, the county system has been widely practiced in China. County system is an extension of imperial power under the emperor system and an important part of centralized monarchy. This system began in the Qin Dynasty, during which it experienced profit and loss changes and was implemented until the Qing Dynasty. Until today, the grass-roots political power in China still has the title of "county". However, how many officials are there in counties in traditional society? What are you responsible for? Let's make a brief introduction.

County government trial in Qing dynasty

Since the Qin dynasty, according to the size and importance of counties, county officials have been divided into county orders and county orders. In the Qing Dynasty, the county-level chief executive was the magistrate of a county. Compared with the whole country, the county is small, of course, but it is the grass-roots unit of previous dynasties' political power and the "starting point" of tax collection. With a large population and complicated affairs, it is certainly impossible to effectively govern by relying on a "one-man army" in a county. Under the magistrate of a county, there are XianCheng and ZhengJiuPin master books. Xian Cheng and the main book are both equivalent to the "deputy" of the county magistrate, and jointly assist the county magistrate in handling the affairs of a county. The number of these two official posts also depends on the importance of county affairs. It is worth noting that although Xian Cheng and Chief Booker are also sesame officials, their "treatment" is not low, and they both have independent offices.

In addition to Xian Cheng and the main book, there are many county-level officials. For example, classic history, whose level has not yet entered the market, is equivalent to the head of the county public security organ, managing the county to supervise prisoners. Yan Yingyuan, who rebelled against the Qing army in Jiading in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, was a county official. This shows that this official is an important official in the county. Generally, in the absence of the county magistrate, county magistrate and principal book, officials can temporarily handle the affairs in the county. For example, the inspection, starting from do officer. The Qing court set up a patrol department in important local areas, which was responsible for arresting bandits. Another example is Cheng Yi. In ancient China, there was a post station on the main road, and Cheng Yi was the manager of the post station. Responsible for sending and receiving documents in the station. The county level is generally responsible for medical and health work, and the specialized medical training department is roughly equivalent to the person in charge of county-level public medical institutions today.

Ya Xian Hall

China was a civilized country based on agriculture in ancient times, so irrigation and water conservancy affairs also needed the government to set up officials to manage. For example, the sluice officer, as can be seen from the name, is the manager of the water conservancy sluice. For example, the ambassador of the tax department is responsible for local food payment. Another example is Ambassador Cang, who is in charge of local warehouse security. For example, in many places near rivers, lakes and oceans, there are also river berthing ambassadors in Shangxian county, who are in charge of fishery affairs. In addition to general administrative work, county-level institutions in the Qing Dynasty were often responsible for astronomy, mathematics and religious affairs. For example, the training of Yin and Yang specialized in astrology and geomantic omen, the monks' association in charge of local monks and related affairs, and the Taoist association in charge of local Taoist affairs.

Guxianya former site

In addition to the above-mentioned officials at different levels, there are also special servants and chefs who are in charge of these officials from now on. The number of these personnel varies from place to place. Due to the limitation of space and time, I won't describe them here.