The Bureaucracy and ‘Yanlun(言論)’ in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

This article explores the historical evolution of Yanlun (言論) during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In early modern Chinese society, Yanlun carried a specific political connotation. During the Ming dynasty, the censorial system expanded nationwide, and circuit censors were responsible not only for overseeing judicial and administrative matters but also for evaluating the local officials. Amidst this trend, the mid-Ming period witnessed a significant expansion of channels for public discourse (Yanlu, 言路).BR/ Under Qing rule, the Yanlu, which had flourished just a century earlier and served as a bridge between central and local society, came to an almost complete halt. The role of circuit censors (巡按御史) in relaying public discourse was abolished, and the system of transmitting information through public opinion channels was replaced by the new Memorials (Zouzhe, 奏摺), which established direct communication between the Emperor and provincial high officials. From the perspective of power and communication, the Ming and Qing dynasties present a stark contrast, to the extent that each could serve as a cautionary example for the other. The state’s monopoly over communication methods in this way is believed to have influenced the Qing dynasty’s response strategies during the late 18th century when it faced rapidly escalating crises.