The Tang Dynasty People Study

This paper takes the "gong chen hao" as the object of research. It intends to clarify how these titles were prescribed in the form of state systems in Song dynasty, from the granting in special circumstances in early Tang to the frequent granting in late Tang. The paper discusses the specific situation of Xuan Zong, Su Zong, Dai Zong, De Zong, Xi Zong and Zhao Zong by the sequence of the "gong chen hao" evolution. Thereby, it aims to sketch out the origin and evolution process of these titles in Tang dynasty.Chapter One focuses on the origin of "gong chen hao"and the overall situation of these titles which were awarded in early Tang dynasty. Firstly, this chapter defines the concept of gong chen hao"; secondly, it traces the original time of "gong chen hao"; finally, it explores the initial situation when "gong chen hao" was awarded. This chapter analyzes the objects, reasons, purposes and significance for the granting of "gong chen hao".The range for granting of "Tang Yuan Gong Chen" is relatively small in the period of Xuan Zong, which is confined to the members of the Old Guard Army; only about ten people totally. In addition,"Tang Yuan Gong Chen" is named after the title which is the characteristic of those titles conferred in this stage.Chapter Two discusses the situation of "gong chen hao" which were awarded in late Tang dynasty, mainly referring to the period of SuZong, DaiZong and DeZong. This chapter focuses on the development and characteristic of these titles in late Tang dynasty. SuZong ascended the throne in Ling’wu during the An’shi Rebellion. When Xuan Zong and SuZong escaped outside, those people who followed the emperor and eatablished merit were granted as "Shu Jun Yuan Cong Gong Chen" and "Ling Wu Yuan Cong Gong Chen". In the period of Emperor DaiZong "gong chen hao "was named after the reign title as "BaoYing Gong Chen". In addition, the emperor had granted the title of "Shan Zhou Yuan Cong " to eunuch in the process of fleeing desperately when Tibetan invaded the capital of Tang dynasty. Large amount of "Feng Tian Ding Nan Gong Chen" emerged in the period of Emperor DaiZong, which played a decisive role in the development of "gong chen hao". The people who were granted as "Tang Yuan Gong Chen" and "Bao Ying Gong Chen" were not so many. However, the emperor bestowed a large amount of people as "Fengtian Ding Nan Gong Chen ". Since then, the title of "yuan cong" no longer appeared. At the end of the Tang dynasty, there existed only "gong chen hao"Chapter Three focuses on the of "gong chen hao" which were awarded in the period of Emperor XiZong and Emperor ZhaoZong in late Tang dynasty. From then on,"gong chen hao" began to take the form of four or six characters and it extended to a wider range which was continued to be used by the later Five Dynasties and Ten States.