明代言官的职业风险与保障机制

The Career Risk and Security System of Supervisors in the Ming Dynasty

明代言官以言为职,在履职时面临着双重风险:一是皇帝的威胁和摧抑,二是周边各种势力的打击报复。为保证言官尽职,明代确立了一些激励和保障机制,包括鼓励直言、慎选言官、畀以重权、给予重赏等六个方面。这些保障机制在一定程度上刺激了言官不畏风险,恪尽职守,在明中期以前发挥了较好的作用。但由于专制体制下皇权决定一切,而明代皇帝素质又普遍低下,言官保障机制不断被破坏,言官的职业风险更为突出,从而促使言官群体在晚明时期不断分化蜕变,这从一个侧面揭示了明代士大夫的悲剧命运。

The supervisors＇ career in the Ming Dynasty is to criticize and suggest. When they spoke, they had to face up to two risks, that is, the menace from the emperor and the revenge from other officials. Some encouragement and security systems were built to make the supervisors do well, such as encouraging speech, selecting supervisors carefully, giving power and reward, etc. These security systems encouraged supervisors devote to their career gave full play during the earlier stage in the regardless of risk in some degree . The supervisors＇ function Ming Dynasty. However, under the circumstance of emperor power deciding everything and disappointing quality of emperors, the security system was destroyed gradually and supervisors＇ career risk was strengthened, which impelled supervisors to degenerate all the time during later Ming Dynasty. Supervisors ＇ tragedy destiny was reflected by this aspect.