What is the meaning of the system of "integration of Taiwan and remonstrance" in Yongzheng Dynasty?

Member of the Young Men's Christian Association of Lam Man Xiaojing Kiwo Slave Association

In ancient China's supervision legal system, there was a saying that "remonstrate with litigation, and judge with trial". Among them, giving things is an important part of the ancient remonstrance system, and six subjects give things the right to remonstrate. "Everything is ordered and announced, and major events are repeated, which is awarded by the Ministry of Small Affairs. If there is a mistake, the SEALs will still play a role. The internal and external chapters are sparse, classified and copied, paid by the department, and refuted. " Duchayuan is the competent authority of censor and has the function of supervision. In the early Qing dynasty, following the Ming system, the six subjects still enjoyed the right to remonstrate and supervise, which played a role in restricting the autocratic imperial power. In the first year of Yongzheng (1723), the emperor ordered the six subjects to be included in Douchayuan, which weakened the right of admonition to teach things, changed from restraining imperial power to supervising officials, and the duties of entrusting things to Douchayuan tended to be consistent, which was called "the unity of Taiwan and admonition", also known as "the unity of science and Taoism". The establishment of this system ended the remonstrance system in China's ancient supervisory legal system.

Six subjects are the main things.

The so-called "combination of remonstrance with Taiwan" and "Taiwan" refer to the institution Yushitai, which belongs to Shi Yu, and "remonstrance" refers to the remonstrance officer giving things to six families. Before Yongzheng Dynasty, Taiwan Province and remonstrance in ancient times were two parallel institutions. Until the first year of Yongzheng, it was stipulated that the Douchayuan would decide the candidates for six subjects. In this sense, the office of giving things has changed from an official position related to advice to a subordinate of the latter. On the one hand, Yong Zhengdi's move was to avoid overlapping functions of supervisory organs, but more importantly, it weakened the original right to block imperial power, thus strengthening monarchical power and building an institutionalized decision-making system.

network diagram

The most obvious change after the combination of "Taiwan remonstrance" is the disappearance of "remonstrance right" in giving things. Before that, I have the right to advise the emperor. When the emperor shunzhi was in office, I was especially encouraged to speak out. He ordered officials to say, "The appointment of a speech officer in the imperial court was originally a matter of correcting mistakes, which was related to my body." However, after the integration of Taiwan and Taiwan, the right to remonstrate was transformed into six subjects. In addition, the "rebuttal right" originally enjoyed in giving things has gradually lost its meaning. "Sealing" is the imperial edict of the emperor, and "refuting" is the throne of courtiers. However, the military department and secret folding system established by Yongzheng Dynasty challenged it. Since then, only the function of "correcting hundreds of officials" has been left, and its form and significance are quite different.

Inside the military department of the Forbidden City

The unity of remonstrance and remonstrance in Yongzheng dynasty had a far-reaching influence at that time. First, it strengthened imperial power and centralized rule. The centralization of the emperor's power is helpful to consolidate the imperial power and carry out various reforms. Second, there is indeed an overlap of powers and responsibilities between asking questions and making suggestions. When exercising power, the responsibilities are unclear, and when problems arise, they shirk each other and accumulate disadvantages. Although the "combination of Taiwan and remonstrance" weakened the authority of the six ministries, it was a great benefit to the Imperial censor of Douchayuan, the supervision authority and scope were further expanded, and the supervision system was becoming more and more mature. At the same time, however, the biggest drawback of "combination of remonstrance with Taiwan" is that it no longer restricts the imperial power, and it is easy for the emperor to "act arbitrarily". One of the major drawbacks of the absolute monarchy system is that the monarch's decision-making mistakes increase, and there is no external supervision function, which breeds more serious corruption.

References:

Wu: A study on the unity of Taiwan remonstrance in Yongzheng period of Qing Dynasty, master thesis of Taipei University, 2003.

Zhang Shichuang and Cheng Tianquan: Re-understanding of the gains and losses of the integration of science and Taoism in Qing Dynasty, No.5, North Law, 20 15.

He Tao: Analysis of the Reasons for the Combination of Taiwan and Taiwan in Yongzheng Dynasty, Master's Dissertation of Liaoning Normal University, 2065438+May 2005.

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