吳簡中的師佐是在官營作坊供職的手工業者，他們能樹從官府領取稟食等報酬，衣食方面有一定保障，但人身受到官府的嚴格控制，不能自主進行生產經營。在動盪的環境下，他們經常受到官府的調遣，遠離故土和親人，流轉各地，不得寧居。師佐並不是一個固定的或封閉的群體，而是具有一定的流動性。

The shi 師 and zuo 佐 seen in the Wu slips (wujian 吳簡) of Zoumalou 走馬樓 were artisans who served in state-run workshops and drew rations of food and clothing, but lost their independence to a great extent. In the turbulent period, they were often dispatched away from their home and were always on the move. Shi and zuo weren’t a fixed group but had some fluidness.