西漢武帝時期「省官」的變化及其原因

Abstract

本文討論的主要對象是漢武帝時期的近侍之臣，即嚴助、朱買臣、霍光等人。這些人多擔任侍中、給事中之職，屬於在省中工作的「省官」。「省」是位於宮中的禁區。在本文的開頭，將交代未央宮內各個宮省職官的活動空間，並論及「省」之範圍。其次，本文將透過考證，指出武帝前期的省官多為文人學士，而後期的省官多為貴戚子弟。接著本文試圖探討武帝時期省官變化的原因。筆者認為，武帝在位前期，利用省官在廷議上支持皇帝欲推行的政策，藉此干涉朝廷的決策機制。而到了武帝在位後期，則不再有此需要，因為武帝已控制了廷議。那麼，為何武帝能控制廷議？本文認為關鍵的原因應是武帝在其統治的過程中，逐步發揮皇帝所掌握的任用公卿之權，將公卿皆置換成聽命行事之徒。如此，皇帝便能直接控制朝廷的決策機制，不再需要以文人學士來干涉廷議。

This article aims to analyze the transformation of “Shengguan,” referring to people working in a forbidden area called “Sheng” (省) in the Palace. Government posts such as Palace Attendant (Shizhong 侍中), Palace Attendant-in-ordinary (Zhongchangshi 中常侍) and Palace Steward (Jishizhong 給事中) were considered as Shengguan and also parts of the Inner Court (中朝). To look at the transformation of Shengguan, this article will try to delineate the activity area of each position in the Palace and the scope of “Sheng.” Second, according to textual research, this article points out that during the earlier reign of Emperor Wu (武帝), Shengguan were usually served by Man of Letters (文學); however, during the later reign of Emperor Wu, Shengguan were mostly served by relatives of the Emperor or descendants of the ministers. By examining this transformation, the article argues such arrangement was first made for Emperor Wu to intervene in the Court Conference. Court Conference is a council held between the ministers before the Emperor proclaims a law or an important policy. By appointing Man of Letters as Shengguan, Emperor Wu gained support from the Court Conference when promoting certain policies. This arrangement later became unnecessary when Emperor Wu successfully controlled the Court Conference through the Imperial Secretary (御史大夫). By fully unleashing his power of authority and gradually promoting officials who followed his orders absolutely to the Three Lords (三公) and the Nine Chamberlains (九卿), in the end, Emperor Wu directly controlled the policy-making system and no longer needed the Man of Letters to interfere in the Court Conference for him.