明代惜薪司的设置、运营与消亡

The Birth and Death of Xixinsi(Imperial Department of Fuels)in Ming

惜薪司是明代政府设立的专职宦官机构,负责燃料的采办、转运与供应,以满足内廷的燃料需求。惜薪司的设立,与明代迁都北京后面临的全新生态环境格局密不可分:生长期较短导致燃料资源禀赋不足,而寒冷的冬季又催生了额外的取暖需求。而以宦官管理惜薪司,既与内廷的人员结构有关,也与明代独特的政治生态密不可分。惜薪司拥有固定的管理人员,有较完备的运营体制,由工部和后军都督府的相关卫所负责燃料生产,其中又以工部最为重要。具体而言,明代前期由砍柴夫负责采办柴炭,由抬柴夫负责运送。明中期以后力役转为折征银两,采办与运输转为佥商买办,商人负担沉重,到明后期难以为继。随着时间推移,政治形势、生态环境与燃料格局都发生显著变化,惜薪司趋于没落并最终退出了历史舞台。

Xixinsi was exclusively run by eunuchs.It was responsible for purchasing and distributing fuels for the imperial court.Xixinsi was a response to the ecol ogical conditions of Beijing,Ming’s new capital.The role eunuchs played in Xixinsi was closely related to Ming’s unique politics.The present paper analyzes in detail Xixinsi’s function.Xixinsi ceased to operate in the late Ming.