2012•Journal of Sichuan Normal UniversityRequires access
A Study of the Relationship Between Emperor and Ministers in the Song Dynasty by Analysis of the Decision-making Activities
Huayu Wang
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Abstract
In the Song Dynasty,decision-making activities included submitting reports,getting and recording imperial edicts 3 sectors.By submitting reports to the Emperor,ministers could help the Emperor to obtain political information,but they still could mislead or hoodwink the Emperor.The Emperor had the final power to make decisions,but the Emperor always accepted advice from ministers,since the Emperor never had enough experience.Ministers would have opportunities to manipulate power for their personal ends.In principle,ministers needed to record imperial edicts honestly,but in fact they always revised imperial edicts.To maintain authority,the Emperor also used some tricks to cope with ministers.Cooperation between the Emperor and ministers was inseparable,and game-playing between the Emperor and ministers was delicate and complex.There was a kinetic balance between the Emperor and ministers in the Song Dynasty.