A Historical Study On Han Dynasty

There were rural officials in Han Dynasty. They were consisted by Sanlao, Sefu, Youjiao and Xiangzuo. Although they are not the high position officials, but they are the straight bridge between countryside and court They played an important role in Han Dynasty.Sanlao was the spirit head in countryside. They were selected from old mans older than 50 in countryside. Most of them were men who lived well all life and had rather knowledge. They had big influence in local place. Sanlao, Xiaodi and Litian consisted the civilize system in Han Dynasty, and civilized the people with moral education. Otherwise, Sanlao always have the right to deal with things in countryside because their influence.Sefu was the administration head in countryside. They also were selected from the local people. They have the duty including controling household register, collecting taxes Judging the litigation and so on. All in one, Sefu controlled all the things in countryside. Xiangzuo was the deputy of Sefu. They assisted the Sefu in collecting taxes.Youjiao who send by county patrolled in countryside. They have no constant office, and patrolled in several rural. The duty of them was patrol and catch the thieves. In Han Dynasty, the position and duty of rural officials went on changing according the time, Sanlao was the representative of local power. At the beginning of the Han, the court respected Sanlao while controlling them. As the perfect of rural officials and the strength the country power, Sanlao lost their true right. Although the local power became stronger, Sanlao had never be used to the society situation. Sefu was the basic officials who controlled the countryside for government, but they were affected very much by the local power,There were many kinds of power in Han Dynasty, including country power, clan power and normal people power. The order in countryside was the result of balance among all kinds power. This balance heavily embodied in the rural officials. In this balance ,the countryside society develop from time to time, till a power broke the balance.