Jinzheng jiyao 晉政輯要

Jinzheng jiyao 晉政輯要 "Essentials of administration in the province of Shanxi" is a handbook for provincial governors written during the Qing period 清 (1644-1911) by G'ang'i (Ch. Gangyi 剛毅, 1837-1900), courtesy name Ziliang 子良, from the Tatara clan (Ch. Tatala 他他拉, also transcribed 他塔喇) a member of the Blue Bordered Manchu Banner, and for some time governor of Shanxi.

During that time, G'ang'i compiled his 40-juan long handbook that was finished in 1887. The text is divided according to the administrative responsibilities of the Six Ministries and describes the system of officials (Lizhi 吏制, 1-7), financial matters (Huzhi 戶制, 8-18), rituals and ceremonies (Lizhi 禮制 19-23), military matters (Bingzhi 兵制, 24-33), penal affairs (Xingzhi 刑制, 34-36), and official works (Gongzhi 工制, 37-40).

It covers all aspects of administration, from the censorial system, the appointment and pay of officials and their subordinates, household registration, taxation, monetary policy, salt distribution, granaries, ritual ceremonies, education, provincial examinations, border defense, public security, the courier system, judicial investigation and the execution of verdicts, to military supply and hydraulic works. The compilation was based on an earlier text of the same name, created by governor (or administration commissioner?) Haining 海寧 from 1789. This book was only 8-juan long and proved to be outdated during the Guangxu reign-period 光緒 (1875-1908).

The modernized version is to be found in the series Xuxiu siku quanshu 續修四庫全書.