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What labor service did able-bodied Han men owe to the state?
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Han dynasty
Map showing the extent of the Han empire c. 100 bce.
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