Research On Lingzuo In Qin Bamboo Manuscripts

Taking the newly emerged Lingzuo(令佐)in the bamboo and wooden slips as well as the corresponding officials(吏)as the study object,this paper firstly summarizes the bamboo texts related to Lingzuo in the Liye Qin Slips and compiles a statistical table of their names.Then,it discusses the establishment,functions,and nature of Lingzuo in the Qin Dynasty based on the bamboo texts related to Lingzuo in the Liye Qin Slips and the Collection of Yuelu Bamboo Slips from Qin Dynasty,and combined with related contents in the Shuihudi Qin bamboo texts and the Zhangjiashan Han bamboo texts as well as the records of the magistrates(Lingshi(令史),Guanzuo(官佐)etc.)in the literature handed down for generations.Generally speaking,Lingzuo came into being after Shang Yang Reforms,but according to the available materials,it might be an official post temporarily established by Xindi(新地)when the ruling order was unstable and there was a shortage of officials.Judging from analyzing the bamboo texts,the functions of Lingzuo mainly include dealing with paperwork,assisting in handling administrative and judicial affairs,and being responsible for supervision and financial issues.As a subordinate official of the county,the functions of Lingzuo are very similar to those of Lingshi,and there is mutual transfer between the two positions.As a result,it is presumed that the nature of Lingzuo should be the same as that of Lingshi,being a historical official.Finally,taking the functions and nature of Lingzuo as a clue,and combining the contents of relevant bamboo texts,the selection,transfer paths as well as status of Lingzuo are reviewed.It turns out that the hard-studying sons of official historians could be selected as Lingzuo,some people could be promoted as Lingzuo with the achievement made in the position of Zuoshi(佐史),and some people could get the post of Lingzuo on others’coattails,such as Sheren(舍人).Considering the paths of transfer,Lingzuo could be promoted from Zuoshi,there are often transfers between Lingzuo and Lingshi,and sometimes,Lingzuo could also act as a caretaker Guan Sefu(官啬夫).The status of Lingzuo should be between the position of Zuoshi and Doushi(斗食),higher than Guanzuo and lower than Lingshi.