從〈為人興利判〉看唐代官員的均水理念與為政經驗

The “Judgment of Benefiting People” and Tang Officials' Concept and Practice of Equitable Water Use

本文引用唐判為研究基礎，探討其間所蘊含的治政理念、法禮思想、經史背景與為政經驗等。其中《文苑英華》所載〈為政門〉之唐判，充分展現唐代官員對於地方事務的治政理念與經驗落實。以「為人興利判」為例，出題者引用西漢召（邵）信臣均水約束之典故擬題，針對官員在地方訂立用水規則是否適當一事進行論證。本判題收有兩道判詞，寫判者引召（邵）信臣的典故推論官員的均水理念，認同均水策略的推行，以避免爭水糾紛。若再結合唐代法律規定，律、令、水部式等皆有明確規範用水規則。唐判擬題除了參考典故，也配合當時制度與法典的落實，意即寫判者要同時具備豐富學識、基本的法律知識與為政經驗。此外，寫判者也須考量當時的社會經濟，唐代碾磑是重要的營利事業，但用水量大，常與農耕相牴觸，造成灌溉不足、降低農利。因此，「為人興利判」檢視寫判者的經史背景與法律知識，也考驗著他們在地方上的治政能力。所謂「興利」可能不只是興農利，也包含碾磑產生的龐大利益。「均水刻石」是官員立下的規則，協調各方的用水權，防止紛爭。

This paper discusses the ideas of governance, legal thought, historical background, and government experience expressed in Tang “judgments” (pan 判), taking a "judgment on benefiting people" (為人興利判) as an example. This judgment starts with an allusion about how a Han official arranged the use of water. Two respondents give their answers, using the Han allusion to discuss the concept of equitable water use, agreeing that this approach can reduce disputes over water. Integrating the provisions of Tang law, we can clearly see the status of law and its implementation. In addition to the allusions, the Tang judgment also complies with the implementation of the contemporary legal system and code, meaning that respondents should have rich historical knowledge, basic legal knowledge and political experience. The respondents must also consider the social economy at the time. The mill powered by water (nianwei 碾磑) was an important profit-making undertaking in the Tang. However, it used a large amount of water and so often conflicted with farming, resulting in insufficient irrigation and reducing agricultural profits. Therefore, the judgment not only tests respondents’ learning and legal knowledge, but also their real ability to govern a locality. The “stone inscription to arrange water use” (junshui keshi 均水刻石) is the rule laid down by the officials, to coordinate the water rights of all parties and prevent disputes.