The Study Of The System Of The Eastern Palace In The Song Dynasty

Prince, also named Crown Prince 、 Eastern Palace, is the legal heir to the throne.The Song Dynasty Prince System was established focus on Imperial inherit and Prince, mainly include hire adopting system, prince education and Eastern Palace official system etc.On the basic of Eastern Palace system, combining with historical data and existing research achievement, this thesis explain the Eastern Palace system from several aspects, such as hire adopting system, Crown prince education, Eastern Palace officer system.Based on analysis, this thesis argues that Song Dynasty hire adopting system followed the inheriting system of lineal eldest son. One the order of inheritance right, the eldest legitimate son was the first in succession. If the legitimate son is not the eldest son, the hire adopting system should follow the succession of“first legitimate son then concubine’s son” & “first eldest son then younger son”, the real sense “eldest legitimate son” or “eldest concubine’s son” should have the first inheritance right.If the emperor have no children, he could adopt son from imperial clan and give him his throne, this is the Supplementary measures of Lineal Eldest Son.In Song dynasty the official attached great importance to the education and training of the prince, they set up a special school--Zishan Tang. They select outstanding knowledge and outstanding conduct superior as prince teacher, and take Confucianism as the central idea of education.In addition, they build up the crown prince’s ruling ability by practice.Through the appointment of set up office and assist the emperor to handle administrative affairs, etc., in this way, it can help the Prince to gain experience and ability in managing state affairs.The officer of Song Dynasty eastern Palace is very simple. They set up officers after set up crown prince. Most of the Eastern Palace officer are additional post of other official position and do not have much Ministry official.In the background of strengthen imperial power in the Song Dynasty, in order to prevent prince to corrupt politics, most of Song dynasty east officer become Virtual officer, such as transfer officer, minister retire officer, grants officer. Those official position just used to distinguish the grade and get salary, is the netting tool of the emperor and actual there is no relationship to east officer ministry.It must be noted that the build about EasternPalace system of Song dynasty, it’s reflection of strengthen imperial power in the Song Dynasty about weakening the power of Eastern Palace system,and it reflects the policy of strengthen the central forces and weaken the local ones.