2024 HKDSE 中國歷史 Practice Paper | DSE Mock

Study the following sources regarding the political system of the Ming Dynasty and answer the sub-questions.

**Source A**
"Since ancient times, the Three Dukes discussed the Dao and the Six Ministers divided the responsibilities. Since the Qin Dynasty first established the Prime Minister, it collapsed in no time. The Han, Tang, and Song dynasties followed this system; although there were virtuous prime ministers, there were also many petty men who monopolized power and disrupted the administration. Now I have abolished the Prime Ministership, and established the Five Military Commissions, the Six Ministries, the Censorate, the Office of Transmission, and the Court of Judicial Review to manage the affairs of the realm. They balance and check each other, and none dare to suppress the other. All affairs are centralized under the imperial court, which is highly stable. Future ruling descendants are strictly forbidden from establishing a Prime Minister. If any minister dares to propose such a post, the civil and military officials shall immediately impeach them, and they shall be executed by the extreme penalty."
— Adapted from the *Ancestral Injunctions of the August Ming* (《皇明祖訓》)

**Source B**
"After Ming Taizu abolished the Prime Ministership, the Emperor personally managed all administrative affairs and had to review a vast number of memorials daily, bearing an extremely heavy burden. During the reign of Ming Chengzu, to meet this need, the Grand Secretariat (Cabinet) was first established, with low-ranking officials from the Hanlin Academy participating in confidential state affairs. From the reign of Emperor Xuanzong onwards, the power of the Cabinet grew, and it acquired the power of 'drafting suggestions' (*piaoni*). However, to prevent Cabinet ministers from threatening the imperial power, emperors often placed heavy reliance on the eunuchs close to them, granting the Directorate of Ceremonial the power of 'red endorsement' (*pihong*). The Cabinet's draft suggestions had to be approved by the eunuchs' red endorsement to be implemented. This instead allowed the eunuchs to seize substantive decision-making power, leading to a degree of eunuch misrule during the Ming Dynasty that far exceeded previous dynasties."
— Adapted from a modern historian's analysis of the Ming central decision-making mechanism

**Sub-questions:**
(a) According to Source A, what historical lessons and practical reasons did Ming Taizu use to justify the abolition of the Prime Minister? What severe warning did he issue to his descendants? (5 marks)
(b) According to Source B, trace the evolution of the Grand Secretariat (Cabinet) from its establishment to the acquisition of the "piaoni" power, and explain how this development eventually led to the serious problem of eunuch dictation of politics in the Ming Dynasty. (5 marks)
(c) "The abolition of the Prime Ministership in the Ming Dynasty successfully strengthened the emperor's power, but it also sowed the seeds of political decline." Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer with reference to Source A, Source B, and your own historical knowledge of the Ming Dynasty's political system. (10 marks)

Source A: "The militia system (Fubing) of the Tang was established so that soldiers returned to farming in peace, and fought in times of war... However, during the reign of Xuanzong, land equalization collapsed, and soldiers fled from their registries. Li Linfu then proposed to recruit permanent professional soldiers (Jian'er) to guard the frontiers. Since then, the frontier commanders came to control these permanent troops for decades..." (Adapted from New Book of Tang)

Source B: "An Lushan was appointed as the military commissioner (Jiedushi) of Pinglu, Fanyang, and Hedong. He controlled more than 150,000 elite troops, nearly half of the empire's frontier forces. Emperor Xuanzong, believing in his loyalty, granted him excessive power. Meanwhile, the central government's imperial guards were weak and poorly trained, totaling less than 80,000..." (Adapted from Zizhi Tongjian)

Questions:
(a) According to Source A and your historical knowledge, identify the major transition in the military recruitment system during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and outline TWO reasons for the collapse of the Fubing (militia) system. (6 marks)
(b) Based on Source B, analyze how Emperor Xuanzong's military deployments and personnel policies facilitated An Lushan's rebellion. (9 marks)
(c) "The Fanzhen (regional commanderies) after the An-Shi Rebellion were entirely destructive forces that led to the fall of the Tang Dynasty." Do you agree with this statement? Explain your views with historical facts. (10 marks)

Source A: "From the Qin Dynasty onwards, prime ministers were established, and they often monopolized power, misleading the rulers... Therefore, I decided to abolish the Secretariat (Zhongshusheng) and the position of Prime Minister (Chengxiang). The six ministries shall directly report to the Emperor, so that imperial authority is not usurped." (Adapted from Ancestral Injunctions of the Ming / 《皇明祖訓》)

Source B: "When Taizu abolished the prime minister, the workload became overwhelming. Emperor Chengzu then selected members of the Hanlin Academy to enter the Wenyuan Chamber to participate in confidential state affairs, which was called the 'Grand Secretariat' (Neige). By the middle of the dynasty, grand secretaries had great power, drafting proposals (Piaoyi). However, the ultimate decision-making power remained with the Emperor, who often let close eunuchs write the final approvals (Pihong) on his behalf, leading to the rise of eunuch power..." (Adapted from History of Ming·Office of Grand Secretariat)

Questions:
(a) According to Source A and your historical knowledge, state the major administrative change implemented by Ming Taizu in the 13th year of Hongwu (1380), and explain his primary motive for this policy. (6 marks)
(b) Based on Source B and your historical knowledge, trace the evolution of the Grand Secretariat (Neige) from Ming Taizu to Ming Chengzu (Yongle) and down to the late Ming period. (9 marks)
(c) "The concentration of power in the hands of the emperor during the Ming Dynasty actually laid the groundwork for the rampant interference of eunuchs in politics." Discuss this statement with reference to the interplay between the imperial power, the Grand Secretariat, and eunuchs. (10 marks)

The civil service examination system (Keju) underwent significant transformations from the Song to the Ming dynasties, reflecting changes in the relationship between the state and the intellectual class.

(a) Compare the differences in the subjects and format of the civil service examinations between the Song and Ming dynasties, and analyze how the Ming dynasty's adoption of the "Eight-legged Essay" (Baguwen) restricted the intellectual development of scholars. (10 marks)

(b) "The civil service examination system in the Song and Ming dynasties successfully facilitated social mobility, yet at the same time, it served as an effective tool for consolidating absolute monarchy." To what extent do you agree with this statement? Discuss with reference to historical developments in both dynasties. (15 marks)

As key representatives of Northern Song intellectuals, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang held contrasting visions for state governance and reform.

(a) Contrast the political ideals and specific reform measures of Wang Anshi and Sima Guang in the areas of "enriching the state" (rich state/financial management) and "strengthening the military" (military reinforcement). (12 marks)

(b) "The fierce factional struggle (Xinjiu Dangzheng) between Wang and Sima was not merely a clash of political policies, but fundamentally a conflict over the ethical and practical duties of Confucian intellectuals." Do you agree with this statement? Explain with reference to their intellectual pursuits and political actions. (13 marks)