| Horses-and-oxen raising farmyards belonging to state were founded for the war against Hsiungnu at the period of Qin and Han Dynasty. There were a few differences in horse-raising farmyards between Qin and Han Dynasty.We can find out some facts about unearthed Yunmeng bamboo slip of Qin Dynasty. State-operated horses-and-oxen raising farmyards were scattered at many counties. Its administrative setup was divided into three levels: central authorities—counties—horses-and-oxen raising farmyards. In farmyards, Yuan Sefu was the general manager, Yuanji and other officials were subordinate officials. The country organized to graze these horses and oxen group at many counties to guarantee quality, and promulgated some decrees to protect them.At the period of the Western Han Dynasty, thirty-six horse-raising farmyards were founded in the northwestern remote region. Its administrative setup was divided into three levels: (first) the high-ranking official in charge of affairs about carriages and horses, (second) six managers who administered horse-raising farmyards , (third) thirty-six horse-raising farmyards . Six managers led all subordinate officials, which were distributed over six prefectures being situated in the west of the Huanghe River. Thirty-six horse-raising farmyards were mainly distributed over Liang Prefecture, which were founded and developed at the period of Hanwu Emperor or later. The names of eleven horse-raising farmyards have been known up to now. The eleven farmyards were scattered at eight prefectures. Besides horse-raising, oxen, sheep, donkeys and camels were raised either in farmyards. The Chinese army captured enormous livestock in the remote area war at that time, which were raised in nearby farmyards to supplement martial horses. In farmyards, all affairs were administered by Yuanjian, horses were raised by government slaves, and prison was also set up. After Eastern Han Dynasty founded, thirty-six horse-raising farmyards were destroyed but one. Its up and down reflected the Han Dynasty' ebb and flow. |
