Abstract: The clerks were the important groups. They were active around the local officials who became the intermediaries between the officials and the people. They constituted the understructure of the local government. From the mid term of the Northern Song, the clerks’ professionalization became more prominent which made them the new influence in the local politics. The clerks were familiar with the routine and affairs of the local government. They held the communication between the officials and the people through the documents and the positions. At the same time, the clerks came from the people and contacted with the people. Consequently they were drawn over to the local upper levels. And the local officials were dependent on them, and kept them within bounds which avoided their domination of the communication between the officials and the people.

Key words: the Song dynasty, local government, the clerks, information