釋氏稽古略 1.128

1.128

按周禮自堯已前未有郡縣。舜巡五嶽始見州名。尚書禹貢已來方陳州號。春秋之時縣大郡小。以郡屬於縣。漢高已來以縣屬郡。典誥所明九州禹跡百郡秦并是也。

According to the *Rites of Zhou*, from before Yao there were no commanderies or counties. When Shun toured the Five Peaks, the names of provinces (*zhou*) first appeared. From the "Tribute of Yu" in the *Book of Documents* onward, provincial designations were first set forth. In the Spring and Autumn period, counties were large and commanderies small, with commanderies subordinate to counties. From Han Gaozu onwards, counties were made subordinate to commanderies. What the ancient canons and announcements make clear is that the Nine Provinces were the traces of Yu, and the hundred commanderies were annexed by the Qin.