As a result of the increasing administrative needs in the early imperial period, the profession of scribes was liberated from being the exclusive reserve of traditional hereditary families and opened to aspirants from non-hereditary families. Based on the excavated legal and administrative texts from Liye, Shuihudi, and Zhangjiashan, this paper explores the complementary nature of

Although there is substantial number of studies on hired laborers in Han period, they have not yet constructed a vivid image of this group of personnel. These studies focus on investigating hired laborers’ economic backgrounds, as well as the types of job engaged with and extent of freedom enjoyed. But the appearances of laborers have

Residents in Qin-Han rural society had close relationship with their land, kinship, and neighborhood. Leaving home was regarded as full of uncertainty and fear due to the difficulty and danger of transportation. Thus, residents were not easily intended to depart from their home or take a long distance journey. Their mobility was limited and their