A Study On The Xu-shi Zongzu In Eastern Shexian During The Ming And Qing Dynasties

This paper is based on the study of the Xu-shi zongzu in the eastern Shexian in Huizhou during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and tries to show a typical Huizhou zongzu with its development during this period.The scope of the study includes Xu-shi origin?organization,development of the business and the imperial examination,also contains the social interaction and contribution to various aspects of the society.Xu-Shi originated from Xu Wenshu who was separated in XuGuo.At the end of the Tang Dynasty,Xu Ru moved to Huangdun,then his descendants were all spread in Huizhou,and the Xu-shi of eastern Shexian gradually proliferated after that.In the Ming and Qing Dynasties,in order to strengthen the management of the zongzu itself,Xu-shi forms a strict management structure,added with a series of family rules and rituals which provide a strong restrict for regulating the behavior of the people.As an urban zongzu,Xu-shi with its own efforts have made great success in the aspects of imperial examination and business during this time.The prosperity of the business and the imperial examination has not only provided favorable conditions for the construction of the zongzu,but also played a considerable role in enhancing the prestige of the zongzu.Also,the promotion of the zongzu's reputation has made the diplomacy and the marriage with a sense of identity.Like other big families in Huizhou,Xu-shi also relies on its superior clan status and image to help local social development,not only to build the society,but also to maintain the stability of the local order.The participation and management of the Xu-shi zongzu in local affairs made it possible for the local government to rely on Xu-shi in managing the society,which could further promote zongzu's own development in turn.During the Ming and Qing Dynasties,the orderly combination of the control of local governments with the management of Xu-shi in the basic social governance not only promoted the construction of local undertakings and the improvement of social order,but also reflected a positive interaction between the feudal regime and the zongzu's power at the level of Social control.