试论宋代令史的选拔和迁转

宋代令史是分布于三省、枢密院等中央机构的文吏,品秩不高,基本介乎官吏之间.令史的来源较为复杂,除相当一部分来自于中央朝臣等子弟亲属外,还有部分来源于地方文吏.与前代相较,宋代令史升迁较为容易,补官的现象比较常见.宋代令史的迁转途径很多,中央机构的主事令史、令史、书令史只要任职年满,勤恪无过,稍作考核,通过者即补为官.中央机构令史、书令史数量较多,其升迁又较易,除补充到中央机构外,还有一部分补充到地方各个机构.

The Selection and Promotion of Government Clerks(Lingshi)during the Song Dynasty

Government Clerks(Lingshi) in the Song Dynasty were low-rank civil servants appointed to the central authorities as the Three Ministries(San sheng) and the Privy Council,approximately between officials and government clerks.They were of various families: many of them,of families of courtiers and their relatives whereas many others,of families of local civilian officials.Compared with the previous dynasties,it was easier for the government clerks of the Song Dynasty to be promoted,and commoner for them to be promoted to official positions.There were many channels for them to be promoted: if a principal government clerk(Zhushi Lingshi),or a government clerk,or even a paperwork clerk(Shu Lingshi) was in office for one whole term,and was diligent in,and abiding by,his duties,he would be appointed to a regular official position only through a brief assessment.And it was quite easy for the government clerks and paperwork clerks in the central authorities to be promoted despite the fact that there were quite a number of them,for,in addition to the central authorities,they could be transferred to the various local authorities.