The Transfer of Officials in the Shang Dynasty: A Discussion Engendered by the New Interpretation of Shusi Ding

Shusi Ding unearthed in the circular pit of Hougang in Anyang, Henan Province, is an important ware of the late Shang Dynasty. Its owner is Shusi, whose name came from the combination of his official position title “Shu” and his clan name “Si.” In the inscriptions of Shusi Ding, the character “” regarded by most scholars as “zong,” is actually “zai.” It was a new position granted to Shusi by the king of the Shang Dynasty, and Shusi’s official position was changed from “shu” to “zai.” This phenomenon triggers our discussion on the transfer of officials in the Shang Dynasty. The officials of the Shang Dynasty were highly mobile in terms of taking office, promotion, demotion, dismissal, and position change. The flexible transfer of officials in the Shang Dynasty reminds us of the need to re-evaluate the development of the official system in the Shang Dynasty.