What labor service did able-bodied Han men owe to the state?

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In addition to mandatory military service, able-bodied Han men were required to provide one month of labor annually to the state labor corps.1

These conscripted workers were tasked with a variety of infrastructure and logistical projects, including:

  • Constructing and repairing palaces and imperial mausoleums.1
  • Building and maintaining public infrastructure such as roads and bridges.1
  • Transporting essential goods, specifically grain and hemp.1
  • Performing emergency repairs on dikes and riverbanks.1
  • Working in state-controlled salt and iron industries.1

While this service was a general obligation for able-bodied males, individuals who had attained certain ranks of honor or social status were often granted exemptions from these labor and tax requirements.1