Song Dynasty Discretionary Rules Study

Bian yi xing shi means doing something directly without asking for instruction, or doing judgment not by law, even in case of execution. Although Jiang cong zhong yu, a measure that ensured the army to be directed by remote court or emperor rather than by commanding generals, was a basic policy for the Song Dynasty, Bian yi xing shi still played an important role in the political and military field of the Song Danasty. So it deserves studying while neglected by historians until now. Generally speaking, the power of Bian yi would be granted when the national security was threatened. However, it would be restricted and even taken back when the threat was removed.The power of Bian yi, mainly granted by the Central, had many forms, not only including military appointments like Du bu shu and vice Du bu shu, but also covering administration system and some important errands. Under the policy of "respecting pens and suppressing swords", the civil officials, in Song Danasty, got more trust from rulers than the military officer. In the beginning of Northern Song Dynasty, the military officer inherited the style of Five Dynasties, that is, yearning for the military exploits, so they, to some extent, automatically used the power of Bian yi. In the period of Emperor Song zhen zong, military officers were becoming more and more cautious. while the civil officials got more power of Bian yi. On the earlier stage of Southern Song Danasty, although the system of the civil service's leading soldiers was damaged, but some civil officials still occupied senior military positions, such as Du du, Xuan fu shi and Zhi zhi shi, and were granted the power of Bian yi.In order to avoid reappearance of separate regimes like those in the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, the central of the Song Danasty took various measures to control the power of Bian yi. On the one hand, the center usually granted the power of Bian yi xing shi to an individual with restriction on authority and duration, most of whom were emperor's favorite or junior officers. In addition, by strengthening the direct control on army, controlling strategic decision-making power, and emphasizing no Bian yi unless no waiting to request instructions, the central always restricted the power of Bian yi xing shi to a controllable range.Undoubtedly, the power of Bian yi xing shi could arouse the initiative to combat and promote in-time adjustment of strategy so as to win a battle. But it is undeniable that the power of Bian yi xing shi had its negative impacts. Employing the officer in defiance of rules made the situation of the nepotism and garbled promotion. Using the national asset without permission even affected the finance of the central. Press-gang brought huge suffering to common people, which might lead to unstable situation. Because the use of Bian yi xing shi depended mostly on the personal character and quality, coward or incapable civil officials could not made achievement in military action by using this power. On the contrary, due to no definite commanding power, the officials in battle with this power could not cooperate with each other to accomplish a common aim.