Mufu
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While the ''mufu'' is beholden to the authority of the central imperial government, it has also led to separatism of the local military governors, later turned warlords, at various points in history when the central government loses its hold on power. Examples include the various power-struggles and coups in the [[Northern and Southern dynasties]] and with [[Tang dynasty]]'s [[jiedushi]]. {{cite book |last1=Zhang |first1=Jun |title=汉魏晋军府制度研究 |date=2006 |publisher=Zhonggong zhongyangdangxiao chubanshe |location=Beijing |isbn=9787503536038 |edition=1st}} It was also extensively used in the [[Qing dynasty]].Folsom, Kenneth E. Friends (1968). ''Friends, Guests, and Colleagues''. Los Angeles: University of California Press. LCCN 67-26479. p. 33 |
While the ''mufu'' is beholden to the authority of the central imperial government, it has also led to separatism of the local military governors, later turned warlords, at various points in history when the central government loses its hold on power. Examples include the various power-struggles and coups in the [[Northern and Southern dynasties]] and with [[Tang dynasty]]'s [[jiedushi]]. {{cite book |last1=Zhang |first1=Jun |title=汉魏晋军府制度研究 |date=2006 |publisher=Zhonggong zhongyangdangxiao chubanshe |location=Beijing |isbn=9787503536038 |edition=1st}} It was also extensively used in the [[Qing dynasty]].Folsom, Kenneth E. Friends (1968). ''Friends, Guests, and Colleagues''. Los Angeles: University of California Press. LCCN 67-26479. p. 33 |
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Many [[Scholar-official|''shidafu''-literati]] who sought to join often saw the ''mufu'' as an alternative way to achieving fame and a successful political career, when other systems like the [[imperial examination]] doesn't allow for it. Potentially an able adjutant could leave a name in history as an meritorious and talented official, particularly in times of war and disorder. Li Bai famously served briefly as staff adviser to Prince Yon under his tent for these purposes. {{cite journal |last1=李志茗 |title=离异与回归——中国幕府制度的嬗变 |journal=史林 |date=2008 |issue=5 |pages=14–25 |issn=1007-1873}}{{cite journal |author1=杨国宜|author2=陈慧群|title=唐代文人入幕成风的原因 |journal=Journal of Anhui Normal University(Hum.& Soc.Sci.) 安徽师范大学学报(人文社会科学版) |date=1991 |volume=3 |pages=332–340}} |
Many [[Scholar-official|''shidafu''-literati]] who sought to join often saw the ''mufu'' as an alternative way to achieving fame and a successful political career, when other systems like the [[imperial examination]] doesn't allow for it. Potentially an able adjutant could leave a name in history as an meritorious and talented official, particularly in times of war and disorder. Li Bai famously served briefly as staff adviser to Prince Yon under his tent for these purposes. Therefore, the ''mufu'' system became a well-oiled machine that produced the next generation of officials. {{cite journal |last1=李志茗 |title=离异与回归——中国幕府制度的嬗变 |journal=史林 |date=2008 |issue=5 |pages=14–25 |issn=1007-1873}}{{cite journal |author1=杨国宜|author2=陈慧群|title=唐代文人入幕成风的原因 |journal=Journal of Anhui Normal University(Hum.& Soc.Sci.) 安徽师范大学学报(人文社会科学版) |date=1991 |volume=3 |pages=332–340}}>> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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In the late Qing, powerful regional governors greatly modified the traditional ''mufu'' system, transforming it into a professional bureaucracy under their personal authority. These ''mufu'' could bypass the usual bureaucratic regulations to include members of the emerging capitalist class. Their capital and specialized skills were useful to the running of modern enterprises that were established under the [[Self-Strengthening Movement]], and many Western-trained experts were given considerable responsibilities in this way.{{lang|zh|李晚成《中国幕僚制度考论》，郭润涛《中国幕府制度的特征、形态和变迁》}}{{cite book |last1=Linda Pomerantz-Zhang |title=Wu Tingfang (1842-1922) Reform and Modernization in Modern Chinese History |date=1992 |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |isbn=9789622092877 |pages=72–73}} |
In the late Qing, powerful regional governors greatly modified the traditional ''mufu'' system, transforming it into a professional bureaucracy under their personal authority. These ''mufu'' could bypass the usual bureaucratic regulations to include members of the emerging capitalist class. Their capital and specialized skills were useful to the running of modern enterprises that were established under the [[Self-Strengthening Movement]], and many Western-trained experts were given considerable responsibilities in this way.{{lang|zh|李晚成《中国幕僚制度考论》，郭润涛《中国幕府制度的特征、形态和变迁》}}{{cite book |last1=Linda Pomerantz-Zhang |title=Wu Tingfang (1842-1922) Reform and Modernization in Modern Chinese History |date=1992 |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |isbn=9789622092877 |pages=72–73}} |
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Conventional officials were selected from the successful candidates of the literary [[imperial examination]] who had little practical skills to govern, and the [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] central government had no provision to provide them with technical staff since there was no training or recruiting of such experts. To perform their job well, the appointed scholars were forced to hire able men, ''muliao'', to staff the ''mufu'', to deal with floods, rebellions, finance and foreign affairs. |
Conventional officials were selected from the successful candidates of the literary [[imperial examination]] who had little practical skills to govern, and the [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] central government had no provision to provide them with technical staff since there was no training or recruiting of such experts. To perform their job well, the appointed scholars were forced to hire able men, ''muliao'', to staff the ''mufu'', to deal with floods, rebellions, finance and foreign affairs. |
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== Examples == |
== Examples == |
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