Abstract: Since Yin-Zhou and Qin-Han, the development of Chinese imperial system revolved around the dialectical tension between the feudal system of fiefdom (封建制) and the bureaucratic prefectural system (郡县制). In Fei Xiaotong's words, it is a dual-track politics of “Power of Monarch” and “Power of Gentry.” Under fiefdom, the relationship between monarch and his kinship was governed by the Confucian hierarchical principle of favoring the intimate (qin-qin) and respecting the superior (zun-zun), and ritualized by the patriarchal order of clan, mourning rites and ancestral worship. In addition, “Mandate of Heaven” solidified an organic relationship between the emperor and his subjects and became the foundation for the monarchical rule. The prefectural system highlighted the historical change since the Warring States that had abolished the feudal fiefdom system and gave the birth of an “All under the Heaven” (公天下). Thinkers like Wang Fuzi and Gu yanwu place emphasis on fiefdom as a counterpart of the prefectural system to break up the centralization of power and renew the debate on the dialectic between “public” and “private.” In sum, the feudal system of Fiefdom in China still needs to be clarified through reexamining the classical texts.

Key words: system of prefectures and counties, system of enfeoffment, double-track governance, destiny, potential change