From the Respected “Name” to the Despotism “Real” :The Pingzhang Junguo (zhong) shi System in the Song Dynasty

Pingzhang Junguo(zhong)shi system began in the Tang Dynasty,which started first as prime minister and then became kind of respected noble officer.Song Pingzhang Junguo(zhong)shi specifically could be divided into Pingzhang Junguo Zhongshi,Tongpingzhang Junguoshi,Pingzhang Junguoshi,which were all above the rank of the prime minister.There were alternative names or abbreviations such asPingzhang Junguo,PingzhangandZhongshiand their function and power were mostly about the national and military matters.There were 8 Pingzhang Junguo(zhong)shi altogether in the Song Dynasty.Wang Dan,Lv Yijian resigned and did not assume the office.The other 6officials were Pingzhang Junguo Zhongshi Wen Yanbo,Qiao Xingjian, Wang Yue,Tongpingzhang Junguoshi Lv Gongzhu,Pingzhang Junguoshi Han Tuozhou.Pingzhang Junguo(zhong)shi had a close relationship with the prime minister.They were in a position of honor,and they participated in national and ministry matters of the Sanshengand Shumiyuan.Especially the officials who were granted Pingzhang Junguo(zhong)shi initiatively by the Song government were worthy of their political behaviors.The Pingzhang Junguo(zhong)shi system went through a process ofnominal positiontopractical position.At the same time,some officials used Pingzhang Junguo(zhong)shi as a pretext or changed the name to dominate the government,which had responsibility for the decline and fall of the Song dynasty.