Existing historical data show that China's private secretary originated in the Western Zhou Dynasty. At that time, under the slavery hierarchy of "the emperor founded the country, the princes got married, the Qing Dynasty set up a side room, there were two doctors, and the scholars had sons of slaves", all the princes in the Zhou Dynasty had retainers. The retainer is appointed and removed by Dr. Qing himself, not hereditary. After Zhou Pingwang moved eastward, the patriarchal clan system was gradually shaken and disintegrated, and the political focus of the Zhou Dynasty gradually shifted from the royal family to the vassal state. Ministers of various countries have also begun to set up ministers of household affairs, including Sima and Situ, who are in charge of housework, manor and army for young husbands.
You Ran, a disciple of Confucius, and Lu Ji were once the retainers of Ji Kangzi, a noble of Lu. Lu's other two nobles, Shi and his uncle, also had many retainers. People who are resourceful, eloquent and good at planning are responsible for giving advice to the host and handling paperwork. According to our definition of the profession or position of secretary today, it is the earliest private secretary. After the mid-Warring States period, with the upsurge of lobbying by scholars and the aristocratic cultivation of scholars in various vassal countries, private secretaries developed rapidly.
Among the "scholars" who lobbied among countries, some held secret positions such as "Guest Qing" and "Doctor" of the monarch, and more "scholars" were recruited by nobles or doctors of other countries, such as Tian Wen of Meng Changjun in Qi, Zhao Sheng of Ping Yuanjun in Zhao, Xin Lingjun Wei Wuji of Wei, Chun Shen Jun Huang Xie of Chu and Wen Xin Lv Hou of Qin. Among these people, those who are engaged in clerical work are called "judges". "Biography of Historical Records of Meng Changjun" said: "Meng Changjun is a guest, but there is often a waiting history behind the screen, mainly to remember what the gentleman and the guest said."
These scholars have complex sources and different levels of knowledge, but most of them are skilled. These masters either manage the host's family affairs, or assist the host in planning state affairs, or draft documents and letters for the host, or lobby on behalf of the host, or handle some specific affairs, or write books and make statements on behalf of the host. Actually, they are all private secretaries of the host. Private secretary serves the host with his knowledge and ability, solves problems for the host, and plays an important role in the host's political career.
For example, Feng Yuan, a public figure, made a plan of "Three Caves of Cunning Rabbits" after going to Xuedi to "assume the responsibility of the city (debt)", so as to "stay together for decades without causing any trouble". Xin compiled the Art of War of Wei Gongzi with the help of his disciples. After the thief saved Zhao, he listened to his disciples and returned to Wei. He led soldiers from five countries to attack Qin Jun on the other side of the river and drove Qin Jun to Hangu Pass, making the world powerful.
Because the owners of these private secretaries were mostly dazzling ministers who "assisted the state in power" at that time, they not only contributed to the cause of the natives, but also had an important impact on their domestic and foreign affairs. For example, when Xin was in power, "the princes were public and had many guests, and they dared not add troops for Wei in the rest of the year." For most tourists, becoming a private secretary of a noble prince or a doctor is not their ultimate pursuit.
As the most active class in society at that time, Tu often took suggestions as a stepping stone and came to power by lobbying the monarch. The aristocratic governors and doctors in various countries are often just a transit point between scholars and gentlemen, so the short term of office and the movement of stools have become an important feature of these private secretaries.