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卷三十八 志第十九: 禮十一 外國使入見儀 曲宴儀 朝辭儀 新定夏使儀注

Volume 38 Treatises 19: Rites 11 - Ceremonies for Receiving Foreign Emissaries; Music for Banquets; Farewell Rituals; Ceremonies for Newly Appointed Officials

Chapter 38 of 金史 · History of Jin
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Chapter 38
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1
使
Ceremonies for Foreign Emissaries' Audiences
2
殿 殿 使使 使 使 使 使使使 使退使 使 使使 使使 使使 使使使使使退殿 使 使 使 使 使 殿
Once the emperor had taken the throne, the time was announced and the whip sounded. The front-hall formation made the minor bow of respect and was escorted to their standing-attendance posts. Officials were led in from both sides to the court terrace. After the minor bow, the chief ministers went up to the hall while the rest of the officials filed out by formation. The Gate Office commissioner announced the notice of the emissaries' audience. The Song envoy and deputy were led in first. They produced their court tablets, entered from the left bearing the letter, and stood facing north on the court terrace. The Gate commissioner descended on the left to receive the letter. The bearer knelt on one knee to hand it over, bowed, and stood up again. The Gate commissioner went up the open steps on the left, entered the railing on the right, and reported: "The seal is intact." After the letter had been read aloud, the envoy and deputy were led up the open steps on the left. They bowed together and entered the railing. The envoy and deputy were prompted to bow; the envoy stepped slightly forward, knelt and bowed, presented the attached memorial, then rose and returned to his place. When the emperor's inquiry about the Song emperor was announced, all bowed and received the edict. They were prompted to bow again; the envoy stepped forward, knelt and bowed, and finished his report. Then they all withdrew together, and the envoy and deputy were led down on the left to stand facing north on the court terrace. Tribute gifts were brought in from the right and taken out on the left until all had been presented. The envoy and deputy were led through the formation and back to the court terrace, where they performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. Without leaving formation they reported: "May Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." They bowed again. The envoy and deputy were prompted to bow. The envoy stepped out of formation to thank the emperor for granting him an audience, returned to his place, and performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. The deputy was prompted to bow again. The envoy stepped out of formation to thank the court for the long-distance escort and reception and for the medicinal broth and other gifts, then returned to his place and performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. Each remained in attendance. They were led out on the right and granted robes of honor. Next the Song attendants were led in. From the announcement of names onward they bowed again without leaving formation, then bowed once more. Each remained in attendance before being led out on the right as well. Next the Goryeo envoy was led in from the left, paused briefly facing north on the court terrace, and was escorted up the open steps on the left to take his place. The lateral envoys were prompted to bow. The chief envoy stepped forward, knelt and bowed, and presented the attached memorial before rising and returning to his place. When the Gate commissioner announced the inquiry about the king of Goryeo, all bowed and received the edict. The lateral envoys were prompted to bow again; the chief envoy stepped forward, knelt and bowed, and finished his report before rising. They all withdrew together, were led down on the left to the court terrace, and stood facing the hall. Tribute gifts were brought in from the right and taken out on the left until all had been presented. The envoy was led through the formation and back to the court terrace, where he performed seventeen prostrations in all. Each remained in attendance standing at ease before being posted on the left steps. Next the Western Xia envoy was received according to the same protocol and posted on the right steps. The Song envoy and deputy were then led in again from the left to the court terrace to offer thanks for imperial favor. They performed the ritual dance and five prostrations, remained in attendance, and stood at ease. Next the Goryeo and Western Xia envoys were led together to the court terrace. All three envoys bowed together. When an edict granted wine and food, they performed the ritual dance and five prostrations, remained in attendance, and were led out on the right. The chief ministers were then led down from the hall, and the ceremony was complete.
3
Banquet Ceremonies
4
殿 使 殿 殿 使 使 使 使 使殿 使殿 使殿
Once the emperor had taken the throne, the time was announced and the whip sounded. The front-hall formation made the minor bow of respect and took up their standing-attendance posts. Officials and the envoy-guests were led in from the left, passed through the formation, and came to the court terrace, where they performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. Without leaving formation they reported: "May Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." They bowed again. They stepped out of formation to thank the court for the banquet, performed the ritual dance and five prostrations, and each went up to the hall to take up attendance. Those officials scheduled to attend the banquet were led up to the hall in turn, while the rest of the officials exited on the right. Next the Song attendants were led in. They came to the court terrace and bowed again, then reported without leaving formation: "May Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." They bowed again. When an edict granted wine and food, they bowed again and were posted to stand in the left corridor. Next the Goryeo and Western Xia attendants were led in and posted to stand in the left and right corridors respectively. The fruit table was brought in and wine was served. When the emperor raised his cup, all standing officials above and below bowed again and received their cups. After this was done, they waited until the wine-presenting officer was in place. Those who were to be seated bowed again and sat down, and wine was then served to the envoys and officials. At the transmitted command they stood, finished drinking, bowed again, and sat down. The attendants then bowed again and sat down. At the fourth round of wine, cakes and tea were brought in and congratulatory words were delivered. When drums and flutes sounded, the envoys and attendants were prompted to rise. When the shouted refrain ended, those seated at the banquet and the standing officials all bowed again and sat down, and then the attendants bowed again and sat as well. Food was served. At the fifth round the banquet paused. After the Directorate of Music had finished offering thanks, the envoys were prompted to rise and the fruit table was withdrawn. The emperor rose and withdrew to the side chamber. The envoys left the hall and returned to their lodging quarters. Flowers were granted. The attendants went out to put them on, and once they had done so the attendants were led in first to stand in the left and right corridors. The envoys were then led in to take their standing positions on the left and right sides of the hall. The emperor came out of the side chamber and took his seat. The fruit table was brought in. Those standing and those seated all bowed again and sat down, and then the attendants bowed again and sat as well. At the ninth round, as the music was nearing its end, the attendants were prompted to their places, bowed again, and were led out. When the music sounded, the envoys were prompted to rise, bowed again, and left the hall. The fruit table was withdrawn. They came to the court terrace to thank the court for the banquet and performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. They were led out in separate groups.
5
Farewell Audience Ceremonies
6
殿 殿 使 使 使使 使 使 使 使使 使退 殿 使 使 使使 殿殿 使使使 使使使 使 使 使使 使
Once the emperor had taken the throne, the time was announced and the whip sounded. The front-hall formation made the minor bow of respect and took up their standing-attendance posts. Officials were led in as a combined formation to the court terrace for the minor bow of respect. The chief ministers were escorted up to the hall while the remaining officials filed out by formation. The Gate Office commissioner announced the farewell notice. The Western Xia envoy was led in first from the left. After passing through the formation, he came to the court terrace and bowed again, then reported without leaving formation: "May Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." He bowed again. The envoy and deputy were prompted to bow. The envoy stepped out of formation to deliver the parting words expressing reluctance to leave the court, returned to his place, and bowed again. The herald called out: "Each of you, go in peace." He was led out on the right. Next the Goryeo envoy was received according to the same protocol and was also led out on the right. Next the Song envoy and deputy were led in from the left. After passing through the formation, they came to the court terrace and performed six prostrations in all as prescribed above. Each remained in attendance standing at ease. The Gate commissioner granted robes and horses. They bowed, heard the edict, and bowed again. When the robes and horses had been granted, they stood upright, tucked in their court tablets, and knelt on one knee to receive the separate recorded items until all had been presented. They then produced their tablets, bowed and rose, offered thanks for imperial favor, and performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. When an edict granted wine and food, they performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. The envoy and deputy were led up the open steps on the left. They bowed together and entered the railing. The chief envoy was prompted to bow, stepped forward, knelt and bowed to receive the letter, then rose and returned to his place. The envoy and deputy were prompted to bow together. When the transmitted message had been received, they all withdrew. They were led down on the left to the court terrace, bowed, and the herald called out: "Each of you, go in peace." They were led out on the right. The chief ministers were then led down from the hall, and the ceremony was complete. During the reign of Emperor Xizong, the Western Xia envoy's audience was changed to use the major bow of respect. Regulations fixed the Song envoy in the third-rank formation and the Goryeo and Western Xia envoys in the fifth-rank formation. In the sixth month of the second year of Huangtong, regulations fixed that for envoys' farewell audiences, officials' dress colors and number of bows followed only the regular court bow of respect, while the three states' envoys kept their former formation ranks. Only after the front-hall formation and the officials' minor bow of respect were finished, the chief ministers had ascended the hall, and the remaining officials had taken their formations was the court ordered to proceed with the audience and farewell ceremonies. At audiences the Song envoy always came first. When his ceremony was finished, the Western Xia envoy entered, and when that was finished, the Goryeo envoy entered. At farewell audiences the Western Xia envoy came first. When his ceremony was finished, the Goryeo envoy entered, and when that was finished, the Song envoy entered. Grants at the Western Xia and Goryeo farewell audiences were sent by envoys to bestow at the Hall of Joint Harmony. Only the Song envoy's grants were conferred in the courtyard. Formerly Goryeo envoys always presented private gifts upon reaching the capital. In the fifth year of Dading, the emperor said that Song and Western Xia envoys had no such practice while a small state alone maintained it, which was unacceptable. He then ordered the practice abolished. In the sixth year, an edict ordered that foreign envoys should use the Left Flank Gate for their first audience and farewell audience, but the eastern side gate of the Gate of Accepting Heaven for court congratulations and granted banquets.
7
使 使殿 使 使 使 使 殿 使殿 使使 使 使 滿使 使 使
In the third month of the twenty-ninth year of Dading, because Emperor Zhangzong was in mourning seclusion, the Song envoy's farewell audience was waived. The Directorate of Ceremonies said: "If the letter is not conferred face to face and the transmitted message is not delivered, there may later be misunderstandings." The Song envoy was therefore ordered first to take leave at the mourning canopy, then to proceed to the Hall of Benevolent Governance for his farewell audience and receive the letter. At that time the Right Chancellor Xiang said: "I observe that Emperor Xizong's sacred birthday fell on the seventh day of the seventh month, but because of Jingxuan's death anniversary it was moved to the following day, and foreign congratulations were again received on the seventeenth day of the first month. If the present sacred birthday is kept on schedule and foreign envoys are required to cross the border, they may be delayed by rain and flooding. Even if they reach the capital, overcast weather would make the ceremony difficult to perform. I beg that the eleventh day of the first month or the fifteenth day of the third month be made the sacred festival and that the date for Song envoys to cross the border be fixed accordingly." The Grand Councilors Zhang Rulin and Liu Wei and others said: "A ruler should display trustworthiness. To change the date merely because rain and flooding block the roads may cause the court to lose credibility. Moreover, the Song emperor's birthday also falls in the fifth month. At that time both courts are at Huining, and our state sends envoys to grant birthday gifts. They cross rivers for thousands of miles without avoiding heavy rain and flooding, and still arrive on schedule. Now that we have long been on good terms with Song, we cannot show insincerity over a minor obstruction. If they cross the border, even with many relay stages they need not be detained. Even if rain delays their audience past the scheduled day, that is still better than changing to another day." The Censor-in-Chief Tangut Gong, Vice Censor-in-Chief Li Yan, Minister of Justice and Right Remonstrance Officer Wanyan Shouzhen, and others also all opposed the change. The emperor at first followed them, but in the end adopted Xiang's proposal and ordered the responsible offices to notify the foreign court so that the envoys would know the true sacred birthday and understand that the day had been specially changed to show favor toward traveling envoys. In the first month of the third year of Cheng'an, the emperor instructed the responsible offices: "I have heard that at the Song flower banquet no dishes are set out in the hall, and food is prepared only in the corridors during the pause. At our present flower banquet the granted food is very constrained. Would it be acceptable to follow their example? Moreover, formerly at envoys' audiences and farewells there was also a wine ceremony in the hall, but that has now been moved to banquets at the hostel." The responsible offices reported: "The banquet ceremony is long established. In their state, each round of wine and each serving of food must follow one another to complete the ceremony. But in our dynasty's precedent, food is brought in only after the wine rounds are finished. On the flower banquet day, when the Song envoy comes to the Guest Reception Office quarters there is a wine ceremony, while when our envoy comes to their quarters there is food but no wine. Each side follows its own established practice and need not be the same. In antiquity banquet ceremony set out food to display kindness and favor. To change it abruptly now may cause distant peoples to doubt the court and lose the intent behind the court's generous treatment of envoys." The emperor then ordered that matters remain as before. In the tenth month of the first year of Zhengda, the Western Xia sent envoys to restore friendly relations. In the ninth month of the second year, the peace agreement with Western Xia was settled. Xia would treat Jin as an elder brother state, each side would use its own reign title, and the prescribed ceremonies for envoys' audiences and farewells were fixed as follows. The Western Xia had been subjects of Jin for more than eighty years since the Tianhui peace agreement, without military conflict between them. By the beginning of Zhenyou there had been small raids and plunder, leading to ten years of strife that exhausted both states. Only then did they achieve peace as brother states. In the tenth month, the Minister of Rites Aodun Liangbi, the Director of the Court of Judicial Review Peiman Qinfu, and the Attending Censor Wugusun Hongyi were dispatched as envoys to report the completion of the agreement. In the tenth month of the third year, the Western Xia reported mourning, and Wanyan Lüxin, Grand Master of Palace Attendance, was dispatched as condolence envoy. Because military affairs were then pressing for both sides, each suspended envoy missions. In the fourth year, Wang Lizhi was sent on a friendly mission, but before he could report back, Western Xia had fallen.
8
使
Newly Fixed Ceremonial Regulations for Western Xia Envoys
9
使使 使 宿 使使 使使使使使 使 使使 使 使 使 使使 使使 使使 使 使 使使 使使使 使使使使使退 使使使 使使 使 使使 使 使 使 退 使使
The Western Xia mission consisted of one envoy, one deputy, and one counsellor. There were three chief stewards. There were five upper-rank attendants, five middle-rank attendants, and twenty-four lower-rank attendants, collectively called the three-rank mission staff. When notice reached the branch secretariat, a reception envoy and document officers were dispatched to welcome the mission at the border. Upon entering the frontier, relay stages and overnight lodging stops were prepared in advance. When they first reached the Jingzhao branch secretariat, a banquet was granted the next day. The same applied at the Henan branch secretariat. This was called the arrival banquet. As they were nearing the capital, one inner attendant was sent ahead to Weishi County in the near frontier with three silver boxes wrapped in oiled silk covers, holding twenty-six kinds of medicinal broth, and granted them to the mission. They reached the Enhua Lodge, formerly called the Lodge for Entertaining Guests and renamed the Dressing Lodge in the third year of Cheng'an. They entered by the Gate of Suitable Illumination, where two hostel escorts, four document officers, and thirty leading officers had been assigned to await them. The mission's three-rank staff reached the Hall of Joint Harmony, called the Assembly Hall. First the hostel escort's name and title were delivered to them, and the envoys presented their own titles in return. Then the envoy, deputy, chief stewards, and upper- and middle-rank staff met the hostel escort in turn. The protocol for the reception envoy's first meeting was the same. Next, using the hostel escort's written list of persons, the envoys were received. The hostel escort's leading officers and the lower-rank staff paid mutual visits. When this was finished, the hostel escort, reception personnel, envoy, and deputy were invited in formal dress to leave the tent quarters together and walk opposite one another outside the upper hall railing, with the hostel escort on the north side facing them. First the reception envoy bowed. Next the incoming envoy and deputy and the hostel escort exchanged presentation documents and bowed. Each side transmitted them for display and bowed again. Each took his place and was asked to put away his court tablet and sit down. Broth was served first, then three rounds of wine with fruits and delicacies. When tea was finished, they took up their tablets and rose together. Outside the railing the hostel escort stood on the south side facing them. First the hostel escort bowed. Next the reception farewell document was displayed and they bowed in parting. Each side transmitted it for display and bowed again, then bowed together and separated to their places. That day the emperor sent an envoy to offer comforting inquiry. When the imperial envoy reached the hostel, titles were exchanged according to the same protocol used for the hostel escort's first meeting. The hostel escort, imperial envoy, and incoming envoy and deputy, each in formal dress, walked together to their places and faced one another. The incoming envoy and deputy were asked to step onto the bowing mat and stand facing the palace gate. The imperial envoy was then asked onto the bowing mat to stand slightly forward. The incoming envoy and deputy bowed. The imperial envoy said: "There is an edict." They then bowed again with bent body. When the imperial envoy had finished orally announcing the message, he returned to his place. The incoming envoy bowed again, performed the ritual dance and three prostrations, and returned to his place. The incoming envoy and imperial envoy each displayed their documents and bowed in meeting. The hostel escort then bowed. The incoming envoy had a messenger request that the hostel escort, imperial envoy, and incoming envoy walk opposite one another up to the hall, each take his chair, and bow together. They respectfully put away their tablets and sat down. Broth, wine, delicacies, and tea followed as before. When finished, they took up their tablets, came forward, rose together, went to the bowing mat, and faced one another as before. The incoming envoy and deputy were asked onto the mat to present a memorial thanking the court for the comforting inquiry. They bowed again. The deputy stood upright while the envoy knelt and presented the memorial. The imperial envoy came forward, tucked in his tablet to receive it, then produced his tablet and returned to his place. The incoming envoy completed his bow, withdrew, and they again faced one another. The incoming envoy had a messenger inform the hostel escort that local products were to be sent in writing to the imperial envoy according to precedent. When this was finished, the imperial envoy's farewell document was displayed. They bowed in parting, then the hostel escort bowed, and each was asked to his separate place. After this, messages were transmitted every morning and evening, and the leading officers' ceremonial calls followed protocol. On the day after arrival at the hostel, an envoy was sent to grant wine and fruit. After the imperial envoy's first arrival and exchange of titles, the bow toward the palace and transmitted announcement all followed the comforting-inquiry protocol. The envoy and deputy knelt on one knee as the wine and fruit passed by. They bowed and performed the ritual dance according to protocol. When the upper-hall broth, wine, and tea were finished, they went to the bowing mat, knelt, and presented a memorial thanking the court for the grant of wine and fruit. Presenting local products to the imperial envoy followed the comforting-inquiry protocol, and the escort troops for the wine and fruit also received gifts of local products. The Gate Office deputy commissioner was then ordered to come to the hostel to rehearse the ceremony. Before and after the first exchange of titles, everything followed the hostel escort meeting protocol. When broth and tea were finished, the hostel escort and Gate deputy informed the envoy and deputy that they would have an audience the next day and must rehearse the ceremony as required. The incoming envoy and deputy sent back word that the rehearsal was finished. After the second round, the rehearsal instructor was urged face to face to drink one cup of wine. He bowed first, drank, bowed again, and withdrew. When the three rounds, fruit, and tea were finished, they took up their tablets and rose together. Outside the railing the south side took precedence, and they faced one another. Because they would have an audience the next day, they only bowed and did not display farewell documents, then separated to their places. The audience notice was then given to the Gate Office to take to the Presentation Office. The incoming envoy and deputy sent local products in writing to the Presentation Commissioner and to the troops and personnel handling presented goods. The Gate deputy and rehearsal instructor each received gifts of local products.
10
使 使 使使 使 使 使 使退 使 使 退 殿殿退使使 使 使 使殿使使 使 使殿使 使使 退 使 使 使 使 使使使 使使使 使 使 使 使 使 使 使 使 使 西 使使退 使
On the third day they had their audience. That day at dawn the chief stewards and three-rank staff all wore sashes. The hostel escort and incoming envoy and deputy, each in formal dress, were invited together to the horse platform. The hostel escort's leading officer called: "Arrange the horses." The incoming mission's leading officer called: "Lead the horses." Each mounted and opened his canopy. The chief steward bore the letter on horseback before the envoy. They reached the area outside the central gate, where the outside took precedence, and faced one another. First the incoming mission's leading officer gave two ceremonial calls, then the hostel escort's leading officer did the same. They bowed together, each side transmitted the message for display, bowed again, and were invited to proceed. Five hundred paces outside the Left Flank Gate, the hostel escort and the envoy and deputy exchanged left and right positions as they walked. When the bowing was finished, one hundred paces from the gate they closed their canopies and dismounted, produced their court tablets, and walked opposite one another. All later entries for congratulations and banquets followed this same protocol. Attendants of the incoming mission who carried objects were not permitted to enter the gate; the leading officers temporarily took charge of the items. Two Guest Reception Office commissioners transmitted messages, and the hostel escort and incoming envoy each had a messenger send back word. They reached the front of the Guest Reception Office tent. The hostel escort's written list was posted above. They bowed together and then entered the tent. First the hostel escort's written list was transmitted for display, then the incoming envoy's written list. They stood outside the railing as before, bowed, were urged face to face to drink one cup of wine, bowed again, and withdrew. The hostel escort and incoming envoy were led into the Guest Reception Office tent, where the inside took precedence. When the facing bows were finished, they were asked to stand in separate places. First the hostel escort bowed. Next the Guest Reception Office bow-of-respect document was displayed. They bowed, each side transmitted it for display, bowed again, and bowed together. They were invited to their places, bowed again, and were asked to put away their court tablets and sit down. Broth was served first, then three rounds of wine, each with fruits and delicacies. When the second round of wine was finished, the Guest Reception Office informed the incoming envoy that the chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff should be urged to drink. When the return message was finished, the chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff were led to line up below the steps before the tent quarters. They bowed, drank, bowed again, and were led back. When the third round of wine and tea were finished, they took up their tablets and rose together. They stood before the tent quarters, bowed together, and each returned to his own quarters. They waited until the minor bow of respect in the hall was finished, the chief ministers had ascended the hall, and the remaining officials had filed out by formation. The Gate commissioner then announced the incoming envoy's audience notice. The hostel escort was then invited into formation first. When the Gate Office summoned them, the Guest Reception Office and the incoming envoy and deputy were invited to face one another before the tent, with the outside taking precedence. The envoy bore the letter. When the bowing was finished they walked opposite one another to outside the Triple Gate and bowed with the ushering Gate deputy. The envoy bore the letter while the deputy produced his tablet and followed behind. They ascended on the left to the area outside the hall eaves columns on the open terrace. The envoy knelt on one knee to present the letter. Under the old protocol the letter had been presented inside the court terrace; the Gate commissioner received it, and the envoy and deputy completed their bow and stood. The Gate commissioner entered the railing on the right and reported: "The seal is intact." When the reading aloud was finished, by precedent the letter was not read in full. The envoy and deputy were led inside the hall railing. They were prompted to bow with bent body and bow again. The envoy was led slightly forward to kneel and report: "The younger brother, the Great Western Xia emperor, sends inquiry to the elder brother, the Great Jin emperor: may Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." He bowed again, rose, and returned to his place. The emperor then announced an inquiry concerning the Western Xia emperor. The envoy and deputy bowed with bent body and received the instruction. The envoy was then led slightly forward to kneel and report: "The younger brother, the Great Western Xia emperor, enjoys ten thousand blessings of sacred person." He bowed, returned to his place, and stood. They all withdrew together, descended the steps on the left, and stood facing north on the court terrace. Tribute gifts were brought in from the right and taken out on the left until all had been presented. The envoy and deputy were led through the formation. They were led again to the court terrace, performed the ritual dance and five prostrations, and without leaving formation the deputy reported on their behalf: "May Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." When finished, they bowed again. The envoy and deputy were led forward and knelt on both knees. The emperor sent someone to offer comforting inquiry. They returned to their places, offered thanks for imperial favor, and performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. The envoy and deputy were again prompted to step out of formation and thank the emperor for granting them an audience. They returned to their places and performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. The Gate deputy was again prompted to bow with bent body. The envoy was led out of formation to thank the court for the long-distance escort and reception and for the medicinal broth and other gifts. He returned to his place and performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. The herald called: "Each remain in attendance." They were led out on the right to below the steps of the Triple Gate, bowed in parting with the Gate deputy, walked together with the Guest Reception Office to the front of the tent quarters and bowed facing one another, and each returned to his quarters. The chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff were led in from the left to stand on the court terrace, while the lower-rank staff stood below the steps outside the gate. All bowed with bent body and announced their names, then bowed again. Without leaving formation they reported: "May Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." They bowed again. The lower-rank staff bowed with bent body and gave ceremonial calls: at the first bow they called "Long live"; at the second bow they called "Long live"; as they were about to rise they called "Long live ten thousand times." The herald called: "Each remain in attendance." They stood at ease and were led out on the right. Robes were then granted to the envoy. The bows and dance all followed the protocol for granting wine and fruit. When finished, the envoy and imperial envoy faced one another. Next the chief stewards and three-rank staff were invited to stand facing the palace gate. The imperial envoy stood slightly forward. The chief stewards and staff bowed with bent body as the imperial envoy transmitted the edict. They bowed in thanks according to the envoy protocol, and when the bow was finished they offered thanks for imperial favor and bowed again. The lower-rank staff bowed with bent body and gave ceremonial calls as in the audience protocol. They were then led in again and granted wine and food. The Gate summons and Guest Reception Office all followed the audience protocol. They came to the court terrace, thanked the court for the grant of robes, bowed again, performed the ritual dance and three prostrations, and bowed with bent body. The announcer said: "There is an edict granting wine and food." They performed the ritual dance and five prostrations. The herald called: "Each remain in attendance." They were led out on the right according to the previous protocol and returned to the tent. They were then invited to leave. The hostel escort and the envoy and deputy bowed facing one another before the tent, each side transmitted the message for display, bowed again, and were invited to proceed. They reached the original dismounting place and again exchanged left and right positions as they walked. When the bowing was finished, each put away his court tablet, mounted, and returned to the hostel. They again exchanged left and right positions upon entering the gate, where the inside took precedence, and faced one another. First the incoming mission's leading officer, then the hostel escort's leading officer, each gave ceremonial calls and bowed again. When finished, they were asked to their separate places. Then the escort commissioner was sent to host a banquet at the hostel. When the escort commissioner reached the hostel and had finished exchanging names and titles, he, the hostel escort, and the incoming envoy, all in formal dress, went together to the bowing mats and faced one another, with the escort commissioner standing slightly forward. First the escort commissioner and hostel escort were invited onto the bowing mats. They bowed toward the palace gate and thanked the court for the seats, bowed again, performed the ritual dance and three prostrations, and rose. First the escort commissioner was invited to stand on the secondary steps. Then the envoy and deputy were led onto the bowing mats, where they also bowed toward the palace gate and thanked the court for the seats, following the same protocol. Then they walked opposite the hostel escort up to the hall. The escort commissioner, standing on the secondary steps, exchanged presentation documents with the envoy and deputy. The incoming envoy and deputy first had a messenger report upward. The escort commissioner sent back a message for display, and they bowed again. The escort commissioner was invited to enter first and take his chair before the table. The hostel escort and the envoy and deputy bowed facing one another, each took his place, and bowed together. They were asked to sit holding their tablets properly. When broth was served, the chief stewards and attendants were arranged in ranks on the bowing mat. When the broth bowls were removed, they bowed and rose. The escort commissioner and the others left their seats and stood. The chief stewards and attendants bowed with bent body. The lower-rank staff gave ceremonial calls, following the audience protocol. They called "Long live." When finished, the herald called: "The escort commissioner and the envoy and deputy shall all take their seats." The three chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff were led up to the hall on left and right, entering from the south with the north side as superior. The lower-rank staff stood below the west corridor. When the escort commissioner and the others had finished the first round and the music ceased, they sat down. When the third round was served, the meal was finished. When the fourth round was served, the wine was finished. The escort commissioner informed the incoming envoy that the chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff should be urged face to face to drink one cup of wine. The incoming envoy replied upward. The chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff were arranged in ranks below the secondary steps. They bowed, drank as urged with a transmitted court instruction, bowed again, and withdrew. When the fifth round was served, the wine was finished and tea was brought in. The chief stewards and attendants were arranged in ranks on the bowing mat. When tea was finished, they bowed to signal the escort commissioner and the others to rise. Leaving their seats, they stood. The chief stewards and attendants bowed with bent body as the herald called: "Offer thanks for imperial favor." They bowed. The lower-rank staff gave ceremonial calls as above, then took their places and stood. The escort commissioner and the others were invited down from the hall together to the bowing mat, where they faced one another. First the envoy and deputy were invited to the bowing mats to offer thanks for imperial favor. They bowed again, performed the ritual dance and three prostrations, and returned to their places. Then the escort commissioner and hostel escort were invited to the bowing mats to offer thanks as above, and returned to their places.
11
使使使 使 使使使使 使使 使使 使使西 使退 使 使 西 使 使退 退 使 使 使 使 使使 使退 使使使使 使
On the fourth day, banquet commissioners and banquet-granting officials were ordered to host a banquet at the hostel. First the banquet-granting imperial envoy exchanged titles as in the previous protocol. All in formal dress, the hostel escort, imperial envoy, and incoming envoy were invited to the bowing mats to face one another. First the envoy and deputy were invited to the bowing mats and stood facing the palace gate. Next the banquet-granting imperial envoy was invited to the bowing mat slightly forward. The envoy and deputy bowed with bent body as the imperial envoy transmitted the announcement. The envoy and deputy bowed in thanks, all as in the previous protocol. The envoy and deputy and the imperial envoy exchanged documents, exchanged greetings, and bowed. Next the hostel escort bowed. The envoy and deputy had a messenger request that the banquet-granting imperial envoy be offered tea and wine according to precedent. The hostel escort then temporarily returned to the tent. The incoming envoy and deputy and the imperial envoy, as host and guest, walked opposite one another up to the hall. In the west chamber each went to his chair, bowed, put away his tablet, and sat down. First broth, then three rounds of wine with fruits and delicacies. When tea was finished, they took up their tablets and came forward to rise. The banquet-granting imperial envoy withdrew discreetly. The banquet commissioner was invited to the bowing mat to stand. Next the hostel escort was invited together onto the bowing mats and bowed again toward the palace gate. They stood upright, tucked in their tablets, and bowed with bent body. They performed three ritual dances, knelt on the left knee and knocked their heads three times, then produced their tablets to complete the bow. They rose, bowed again, returned to their places, and faced one another. The banquet commissioner was invited up to the hall. Next the incoming envoy and deputy were invited to the bowing mats to thank the court for the seats. They bowed again and performed the ritual dance and three prostrations. They were invited to ascend the hall by separate staircases. Outside the railing, with the inside taking precedence, they faced one another. First the hostel escort bowed. Next they exchanged the banquet commissioner's greeting document, bowed in meeting, and bowed again. Each side transmitted the document for display and bowed again. They bowed together, were invited to their places, and went to their chairs. They bowed together and were asked to sit holding their tablets properly. Because it was an imperial banquet, they did not dare use footrests. When broth was served, the chief stewards and three-rank staff and attendants were arranged in ranks on the bowing mat. When the broth bowls were removed, the banquet commissioner left his seat, stood, and bowed. The chief stewards and attendants bowed with bent body. The lower-rank staff and attendants gave ceremonial calls and called "Long live" as in the audience protocol. The herald called: "Each take your seat." The banquet commissioner and the others were invited to sit. The chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff were led up to the hall on left and right, entering from the north with the south side as superior, and stood. The lower-rank staff below the west corridor entered from the south, with the north side as superior, and stood. When the banquet commissioner and the others had finished the first round and the music ceased, they sat down. When the fifth round was served, food followed. At the sixth and seventh rounds there were variety performances. When the eighth round was served, the wine was finished. The banquet commissioner informed the envoy and deputy that the chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff should be urged face to face to drink wine according to precedent. The envoy replied upward. The chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff were again led to stand in ranks below the steps outside the railing. They bowed, drank wine, bowed again, and withdrew. When the ninth round was served, the wine was finished and the Music Office withdrew. Then the banquet-granting imperial envoy was invited before the tent quarters. When tea was served, the chief stewards and three-rank staff and attendants were arranged in ranks on the bowing mat. When the tea bowls were removed, they bowed and rose. The banquet commissioners and the others left their seats, stood, and bowed. The chief stewards and attendants bowed with bent body as the herald called: "Offer thanks for imperial favor." They bowed. The lower-rank staff gave ceremonial calls and called "Long live" as in the audience protocol. All bowed with bent body as the herald called: "Each remain in attendance." The banquet commissioners and the others were invited out together, descended the hall by separate staircases, and walked opposite the imperial envoy to stand before the bowing mat. The envoy and deputy were invited to their places to offer thanks facing the palace gate. They bowed again, performed the ritual dance and three prostrations, and when finished stood in their places. The banquet commissioner and hostel escort were invited together to the bowing mats to offer thanks for imperial favor. The incoming envoy then presented a memorial thanking the court for the imperial banquet. He bowed again first and stood upright. The envoy knelt and presented the memorial. The imperial envoy came forward, tucked in his tablet to receive it, then produced his tablet and returned to his place. The envoy completed his bow, withdrew to his place, and stood. The envoy and deputy reported upward. According to precedent they sent local products in writing to the imperial envoy. When these were received, the imperial envoy reciprocated with gifts. Then the imperial envoy's farewell document was displayed. They bowed again, then the hostel escort bowed, they bowed together, and each was invited to his separate place. That day the incoming envoy gave gifts to the wine-supervising officials at the banquet and to the Music Office personnel.
12
使 退 使 使 使 殿使 使 使使 使退 使 使
On the fifth day came the congratulations ceremony. Upon reaching the Guest Reception Office quarters to face one another, everything followed the audience protocol. When they put away their tablets and sat down, broth was served first, then three rounds of wine. When finished, the Guest Reception Office informed the incoming envoy: "Please urge the chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff face to face to drink wine." When the reply had been transmitted, the chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff were led to stand in ranks below the steps before the tent quarters. They bowed, drank wine, bowed again, and were led to withdraw. When the third round of wine and tea were finished, they produced their tablets and came forward. All were invited out of the tent quarters, where the front outside took precedence. They faced one another, bowed together, separated to their places, and each returned to his quarters. When awaiting the Gate Office summons, the Guest Reception Office and the envoy and deputy were invited before the tent quarters, where the outside took precedence, and bowed facing one another. Walking opposite one another, they reached below the steps outside the gate and bowed with the ushering Gate deputy. The envoy and deputy were led in from the left and joined the ministers' combined formation. They came to stand facing north on the court terrace. Together with the ministers they bowed again first, then stood upright, tucked in their tablets, and bowed with bent body. They performed three ritual dances, knelt on the left knee and knocked their heads three times, then produced their tablets to complete the bow. They rose, bowed again, and stood at ease. When the wine presentation and formal address were finished, they bowed again. The Palace Intendant declared: "There is an edict." They bowed again. When the announcement and reply were finished, they bowed again first, performed the ritual dance, stood at ease, and separated into ranks. When the emperor raised his cup, they bowed again. The combined formation bowed again and ascended the hall. The Western Xia envoy and deputy stood at the north end of the second row to the right of the emperor's seat. Next the chief stewards and upper- and middle-rank staff were led in from the left to stand on the court terrace, while the lower-rank staff were arranged in ranks below the steps outside the gate. All bowed with bent body. When their names had been announced, they bowed again first and bowed with bent body. Without leaving formation they reported: "May Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." The herald called: "Bow." They bowed again. The lower-rank staff gave ceremonial calls and called "Long live" as in the previous protocol. The herald called: "Each remain in attendance." When finished they stood at ease, bowed with bent body again, and the herald called: "Wine and food are granted." They gave ceremonial calls, bowed again, and called "Long live" as in the previous protocol. They were led to stand in the left corridor. When the couch was brought in, wine was presented. When the emperor drank wine, all who attended above and below, standing in service, bowed again. When the wine-presenting officials had reached their places, the seated officials bowed again as a group, and all sat down. Then wine was served to the ministers and envoys. The announcement was transmitted to all. They stood, drank, bowed again, and sat down again. Next the attendants' protocol of bowing with bent body, giving ceremonial calls, bowing again, and calling "Long live" followed as before. All sat down. At the third round, the announcement was transmitted. They stood and drank. When finished, they bowed again and sat down again. Next the attendants followed as before. When finished, they sat down. During the formal address, at the sound of drums and flutes the ministers and envoys were prompted to rise. When the chorus ended they bowed again and sat down. Next the attendants followed the previous protocol and sat down again. Next at the fifth round, as the music was about to end, the attendants stood and again followed the previous protocol. When finished, they were led out first. The ministers and envoys rose and bowed again, withdrew to the court terrace, and formed a combined formation. They thanked the court for the banquet, bowed again, and performed the ritual dance and three prostrations. The herald called: "Each remain in attendance." They were led out to below the steps of the Triple Gate, bowed in parting with the Gate Office deputy commissioner, and walked together with the Guest Reception Office to the front of the tent quarters. They faced one another, bowed, each side transmitted the message for display, bowed again, were invited to separate places, and went to their quarters. After a little while the hostel escort and the envoy and deputy were invited out of the tent quarters, where the outside took precedence, and faced one another. They bowed, each side transmitted the message for display, bowed again, and were led on. At the original dismounting place they exchanged left and right positions, bowed facing one another, put away their tablets and mounted, and returned to the hostel. They gave ceremonial calls, bowed, and separated to their places, following the same return ceremony as upon first entering for the audience.
13
使 使使 使 使 殿 使使使使 使
On the sixth day came the grant of distributed meals and the wine-and-fruit ceremony. When the imperial envoy reached the hostel, the ceremony followed the same protocol as the second day's grant of wine and fruit. That day local products were dispensed to the escort troops for the distributed meals and wine and fruit, as well as the standard gifts for officials and attendants assigned to each bureau at the hostel. In general the inner and outer gate generals, kitchen supervisors and section chiefs, hostel chief stewards, wine-and-food supervising officials, attendants of the service corps, all the cooks, hostel staff, patrol guards, and the leading officers attached to the hostel escort were all broadly included. On the seventh day came the separate banquet ceremony, following the previous protocol. On the eighth day came the farewell ceremony. When the minor bow of respect was finished, the Gate commissioner first presented the incoming envoy's farewell memorial. The envoy was led in from the left, passed through the formation, and came to the court terrace, where he bowed again and reported without leaving formation: "May Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." He bowed again. The deputy was prompted to bow with bent body. The envoy stepped out of formation to deliver the parting words expressing reluctance to leave the court, returned to his place, and bowed again. The herald called out: "Each of you, go in peace." He was led out on the right. The chief ministers were then led down from the hall, and the ceremony was complete. On the ninth day they assembled in the hall, were escorted to the Enhua Lodge to change dress, and departed. In general, when an envoy was nearing the border, a reception envoy was assigned upon notice of arrival, a hostel escort upon arrival, and a farewell escort upon departure. Each had a deputy, and document officers were always assigned to accompany them. Banquet commissioners for arrival and return banquets at branch secretariats were assigned by the branch secretariat, borrowing the titles of high civil and military offices to lend dignity to the exchange of formal titles. Imperial envoys granting banquets on arrival and departure were drawn from Gate Office attendants. Edicts and oral announcements were issued by the central secretariat and drafted by the Hanlin Academy.
14
使貿 使使 使使使 使
When a Western Xia envoy arrived, trade in the market might be permitted for two days. When the envoy arrived, the court assigned one hostel escort and one deputy; one surveillance commissioner, one service officer, and one secretariat clerk; four document officers; one chief control officer, wine-and-food officer, kitchen supervisor, and meat-weighing officer; thirty leading officers; and one director each from the Imperial Kitchen Bureau for documents, chief stewards, handlers, medicinal-broth service, and long-service attendants. There were also five cooks; one drink-serving director and two attendants; two delicacy servers; one ceremonial guard director and ten attendants; two gatekeepers for the inner and outer gates; thirty patrol troops outside the hostel; sixty-two armored troops guarding the hostel; sixty miscellaneous service troops; ten troops at relay stations who did not understand Chinese, all miscellaneous laborers in black clothing; eighty food-service clerks; forty market cooks; one physician each for pulse diagnosis and miscellaneous specialties; one veterinary physician; twenty-four saddle horses, later reduced to eight; and one horse-escort officer. One protocol-instruction duty officer was also assigned. All furnishings, bedding, vessels, and miscellaneous objects in the hostel were jointly inspected by an officer from the Ministry of Revenue and a direct attendant of the Eastern Upper Pavilion. All bridges and roads along the route were ordered repaired in advance by the Ministry of Works. For granted robes, the envoy and deputy each received three pairs and the attendants two pairs each. The envoy and deputy received one hundred forty bolts of silk. Formerly two sable fur coats were also granted; if unavailable, the envoy substituted three ingots of silver and the deputy sixty bolts of silk, though this practice was later reduced. Only for live provisions were thirty-nine bolts of gauze silk, sixty-two bolts of plain silk, and four bolts of cloth substituted instead. There were three gold belts, three gold-plated silver girdles, three gold-overlaid silver decorated saddles and bridles, three gold-overlaid silver fully wrapped document cases, and one each of gold-inlaid silver-mounted black-lacquer edict cases with document wrappers and edict-case covers. At the farewell audience, attendants were granted two hundred thirty-five taels of silver and two hundred thirty-five bolts of silk. The quantities of items granted to Song and Goryeo envoys cannot be verified.
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