Rural Control in Imperial China I - The Xiangli System (Before 960)

This book, the first of a two-volume set, presents the xiangli system throughout imperial China, tracing its development from the pre-Qin period to the Tang dynasty.

The xiangli system is a cornerstone of imperial China’s rural governance. This two-volume set illuminates how state power extended to the villages, while also examining how the rural population was integrated into the dynastic system. This volume begins by clarifying the concept of the xiangli system and introduces three perspectives for approaching this research topic — political, social and historical. The following four chapters then delve into the roots of the system and its implementation from the Pre-Qin period to the Tang dynasty, covering eight historical periods in ancient China.

The book will be essential reading for scholars and students of China and Chinese history, particularly those interested in rural governance and control in imperial China.