Anecdote · Elsewhere · Outer Court

The Subtleties of Precedence

Told by Tao Gu, Li Fang

Tao Gu proposed a reform to the Court Precedence. Upon the decree, Hanlin academicians, once ranked above ministers, were relegated below vice ministers, and then ranked by their primary posts. Thus, a hierarchy emerged between Tao Gu and academicians like Li Fang, who were once of equal station.