Abstract:      The military scribe (ZISHI) was the most basic level staff in charge of processing
documents for the Green Standard Army during the Qing Dynasty. Originating in the Ming Dynasty, the
system of military scribes continued operating under the Shunzhi reign and was took shape during the
mid- Kangxi reign. Most of these scribes were selected from the battalions by their officers. They were
paid without receiving military training, so there was an attempt to replace them with military clerks
during the Yongzheng period. Nevertheless, military officers kept this system for various reasons, related
to the military budget or their own interests. Therefore, military scribes were widespread, and this
system was difficult to abolish. To solve this problem and ensure the effective transmission of military
documents, the Qing court made corresponding regulations on the amount, status, and allocation of
military scribes in the mid - and late Qianlong period. The gradual institutionalization of military scribes
was a compromise and pragmatic measure when the military power had difficulty to reach the grass
roots society. However, problems resulting from the limited literacy of military officers could not be
ignored.

Key words:  , Qing Dynasty, the Green Standard Army, military scribe, military management, , information of documents