从枢密使到枢密院——唐代枢密使演进轨迹的再考察

From the Privy Councilor to Privy Council:the Reinvestigation of Evolution Trajectory of Privy Councilor in Tang Dynasty

枢密使是唐代极为重要的宦官使职。关于唐代枢密使始置年代、有无从使到院的发展过程等问题,学界分歧较大。通过对枢密使的演进轨迹的考察可知,唐代枢密使始置于代宗时期,最初不置司局,设施简陋,宪宗时期始置枢密院,但是仍为一使,至穆宗时期始设立两使,分上下两院,并最终发展出与翰林学士院并立的一套文书系统。唐代枢密使的权势上升过程与中国历史上其他朝代卑品官升为宰相的轨迹并无二致。

As an extremely important eunuch post in Tang Dynasty,the original date of setup and the developmental phases of privy councilor aroused great academic divergence. The study of the evolution trajectory showed that the privy councilor was set up initially with poor facilities and without any divisions in Daizong-era of Tang Dynasty. Privy Council was set up in Xianzong-era and remained only one branch until Muzong-era when two branches were set up with upper and lower councils, and eventually developed into a parallel civil system with the Imperial Academy. The power trajectory of the privy councilor in Tang Dynasty was similar to those who were promoted from the humble eunuchs to prime ministers in any other dynasties of Chinese history.