Northern Song (jan 1, 960 – jan 1, 1127)

Description:

***" Embedded absolutist power into the administrative structure" rather than personal power

Became the model for the Chinese state system for centuries

I. Military Organization
1. Imperial Army- controlled by Civil Bureau of Military Affairs (shu-mi-yuan)
A. Palace Command - Best Troops
a. Imperial Elite-
b. Capital Security Office- Outside palace
B. Upper Four Armies
a. 2 armies from Palace Command -inner city
b. 2 armies from Metropolitan Command - outer city

C. Metropolitan Command
a. Infantry
b. Calvary

II. Non-Imperial Armies
A. Prefectural Armies
a. Mercenaries, conscripts
b. Typically assigned to menial lo labor

B. Local Militias
- provided by villages and local organizations for local defense

C. Frontier Troops

Best soldiers form Non Imperial Armies routed into Imperial Armies. Soldiers not fit for Imperial Army sent to Non Imperial Armies. Therefore Imperial Armies always strongest.


CIVIL SERVICE
- Revived the civil service exams
-Allowed access of upper and lower classes
-Created a heterogeneous administration (lessening cliques against the Emperor)
-Separated official titles from actual duties
-Duties assigned by the Emperor=" Stipendiary office" and "Duty assignment"

-Allowed Emperor more flexibility

Three units of Power
-Secretariat Chancellery
---- Controlled the Six Ministries ( Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice and Works)
-Bureau of Military Affairs- See above
- Finance Commission

Each was Autonomous and answered to the Emperor.

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