| name | commandery-county-administration |
| description | Use when replacing feudal states with centralized commandery-county (郡县) administration. Establishes 36 commanderies with three-tier governance (守/尉/监), merit-based appointments, and centralized treasury stipends per Li Si's rationale. |
Commandery-County Administration System
A governance procedure for establishing centralized administrative control over unified territories.
Overview
Replace feudal states with centrally administered divisions to prevent regional power bases from forming.
Steps
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Abolish feudal system: Eliminate hereditary regional rulers
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Divide territory: Create 36 commanderies (郡)
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Establish three-tier local administration:
- Governor (守/shou): Civil administration
- Commandant (尉/wei): Military affairs
- Inspector (监/jian): Surveillance and supervision
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Appoint officials: Select administrators based on merit, not heredity
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Centralize rewards: Provide stipends to nobles and officials through imperial treasury rather than land grants
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Implement reporting system: Require regular reports to central government
Rationale
As articulated by Li Si: The feudal system led to conflict because:
- Blood ties weaken over generations
- Regional lords become rivals
- Central authority cannot prevent wars between regions
Expected Outcomes
- No regional power centers to challenge central authority
- Uniform administration across all territories
- Peace and stability through centralized control
Validation
- Verify that each commandery has all three administrative positions filled (Governor/守, Commandant/尉, Inspector/监)
- Confirm that officials are appointed on merit rather than heredity and receive stipends from the imperial treasury
- Check that regular reporting systems to the central government are operational across all 36 commanderies
