For those who are interested in the late arrival of ancient dynasties, the History Encyclopedia editor brings detailed articles for your reference. What if ancient courtiers were late for court?
Modern people who are late for work will have their wages deducted at most, and it will only be very serious to lose their jobs. However, in ancient times, it was said that accompanying a ruler was like accompanying a tiger. What kind of punishment would a minister face if he was late for court? Will I lose my head because of this?
In ancient times, ministers went to court earlier than high school students today, and they had to stand at the door at five o’clock in the morning, so they had to wake up at three o’clock. Compared to ministers, the emperor is not much at ease, so this is a painful torment for both the monarch and his subjects.
Sometimes the emperor cannot get up and can be late or cancel the morning court, but courtiers do not have this right. Except for taking leave due to illness or business trips, it is a national policy to attend court on time at all other times. Once any violations are found, they must be treated as disrespectful.
During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, if a courtier was absent from the morning court, his salary for one quarter would be cancelled, and during the reign of Emperor Suzong, his salary for one month would be cancelled. In the Tang Dynasty, there was also a law that if someone was absent for more than 35 days, they would be sentenced to one year in prison. In the Ming Dynasty, if one was absent for any reason, it was not as simple as a fine of salary, they had to be punished directly.
