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卷十九下 本紀第十九下: 僖宗

Volume 19 Annals 19: Xizong

Chapter 22 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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Chapter 22
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1
Under Sui Wendi's Kaihuang reign, Master of Works Yuwen Kai built a wooden Bright Hall model per the Monthly Ordinances and presented it. The emperor had offices stake a site in Anyeli; as grand construction neared, Ru scholars deadlocked debate and the work was dropped. Under Yangdi, Kai again offered a model and memorial; capital relocation and public works intervened, and again nothing was built. For all of Sui, the autumn great offering was always held at the Rain Altar.
2
'' ' ' '' 使 便 殿 使
Gaozu, taking the mandate, had no time to fix ritual. After Taizong pacified the realm, he ordered Ru officials to debate its design. Zhenguan 5: Palace Companion Kong Yingda, finding Ru proposals unfaithful to antiquity, memorialized that prior edicts, following Lu Kuan and Liu Bozhuang, held sacrifice to Heaven should ascend the Kunlun Way to an upper level. A later edict likewise required left and right covered walkways and tower sacrifice. Classics, histories, and masters all call the base level a hall and the upper an observatory—never a hall atop a double storey. The Classic of Filial Piety honors and sacrifices King Wen in the Bright Hall. It does not say Bright Tower or Bright Observatory—the sense is the same. The Bright Hall mirrors Heaven; sage kings showed thrift—artemisia pillars, straw roofs. Forms change with age, yet the great canon still demands plainness. Mats of winnowed stalks, pottery and gourds, cocoon and chestnut for sincerity, great fur for thrift—yet now flying towers, covered walkways, brocade pavilions cloud-high: the ancients would doubt it. The Suburban Sacrifice monograph: Wu's Bright Hall was open on four sides, thatched above, without walls. The Five Emperors at the upper seat; Earth at the lower berm. The upper seat is the base; the lower berm is its foot—nothing above. With no four walls, on what basis does Bo Zhuang place spirit sacrifice above and five chambers below? Wu's work leaned on fangshi lore, against the classics—not a model. Lu Kuan et al. wanted Heaven above, government below—men and spirits apart. Antiquity treated great affairs like spirit reception—audience and sacrifice shared the hall; not sacrifice aloft and court below. Covered walkways up a tower are cramped—carriage lacks reverence, walking wearies the Son of Heaven. Guards flank him; the hundred offices attend. Canons and ordinances know nothing of it. I do not cling to my own view for gain. The state's great rites demand caution. I beg the court to deliberate my words. The quote ended. Vice Censor Wei Zheng argued: round above, square below, layered temple and double roof—one aim, many paths. Cao had the mandate but no time for the rite; Jin took no model. Pei Song, amid swarming Ru disputes, abandoned debate and built only one hall. Song and Qi kept the old form; Liang and Chen unchanged. Sacrifice continued, yet the canonical Way was never fully realized. Filial piety springs from the heart; ritual from feeling. Hearts cannot be fully shown—objects display sincerity; feeling cannot be fully expressed—palaces widen reverence. Confucius's intent is here! We received command to join debate, offering dust to swell mountain and sea. Sage works shift with the times; all things witness adaptation. Cai Yong's line loses principle in excess text; Pei Song's line injures through bare plainness. Neither satisfies the mean. Today's debate has real choices. We propose five chambers, double roof, round above and square below—regulated image and solid precedent. Lower chambers for government, upper hall for Heaven—men and spirits apart, ritual fit. Heights, breadths, benches, and mats should follow the times and the task. Our own work need not ape antiquity. Clear millennial doubt; set a pattern for a hundred kings. Do not leave Mount Tai hearing only the Yellow Emperor; or the Wen River praising only Han Wu. Then spirits may be reached; the people will come and finish it quickly. The quote ended. Debate remained unsettled.
3
Seventeenth year, fifth month: Palace Library Director Yan Shigu memorialized:
4
西 退
Bright Hall design is ancient, yet full texts are lost on bamboo and silk. From the Yellow Emperor through Yu Shun, Xia, Yin, and Zhou—each named and shaped its own form. Sayings clash; great scholars none thorough. Fine chapters abound—no decision. At bottom it is the hall of government. Warring States scheming abandoned the classics; cruel Qin extinguished canonical ritual. What survives—miscellaneous records—is a muddy standard. Yet Zhou Documents' Bright Hall lists responding and pheasant gates—one hall, the king's usual dwelling. Qingyang, Zongzhang, Xuantang, Grand Temple, and left and right annexes match the four seasons—the road chamber is proved. King Wen Dwelling in the Bright Hall: girded with bow Shu, he sacrificed at the high Altars of Soil and Grain. At the nine gates he offered dismemberment against plague, cleared roads for farmers, and ordered state wine for the three clans. The quote ended. All match the Monthly Ordinances. All these acts belong in the road chamber. Elder Dai: the Duke of Zhou received lords at the Bright Hall; the Son of Heaven bore the axe-screen facing south. The Bright Hall clarifies lords' rank. The quote ended. Offices of Zhou: Zhou Bright Hall used a nine-foot bench; nine benches east and west, one bench for the hall. The quote ended. By its measure it is the great sleeping chamber. Shizi: the Yellow Emperor called it Harmonious Palace; Yu Shun Zongzhang; Yin the Yang Lodge; Zhou the Bright Hall. The quote ended. All mark the road chamber—not a separate site. Elder Dai first nears the suburbs, then calls it King Wen's temple—self-contradicting. Audience at the screen and daily comings and goings were inside the outer treasury—not suburban wilds. Filial Piety commentary: "in the state's yang"—no distance given.
5
Han Wu sought to innovate, asked the gentry, got no fixed answer, and built on the Wen River—distance and direction did not bind him. Cheng proposed south of the city on paper; nothing was built. Ping Yuanshi 4: the court planned construction. Kong Lao held Bright Hall, Imperial Academy, and Grand Academy were one thing with three names. Jin Bao said the classics lacked text to separate them. After restoration Cai Yong wrote: Bright Hall and Grand Temple—one thing, two names. The quote ended. Zheng Xuan: "in the state's yang, three li out." The quote ended. The quote ended. Chunyu Deng: "three li out, seven li in, bing-si direction." The quote ended. The quote ended. Ying Rong: "Bright Hall and Grand Temple have eight names; one substance." The quote ended. The quote ended. Each clever theory came from the breast, not from masters. Achievement brings music; settled principle brings ritual—drafts follow need, substance and ornament shift. Banners and caps, measures and balances all change with time—plain to see. Even Zhou Gong's statutes need yes-or-no choices; even Confucius's pattern needed patching. Zheng's guesses and Chunyu's hearsay are stump-guarding and peg-gluing. I say: within the pheasant wall, beside the palace—fitting and clear. Follow Heaven's command, build the dynasty's Bright Hall, and bequeath a model to posterity. Petty debate I pass over.
6
He also memorialized: Your Majesty has long ordered Bright Hall deliberation. Scholars are obstinate—each voice differs, nothing settles. From the Five Emperors through pre-Han times, round-above-square-below never repeated. Only Your Majesty's creation need be Tang's Bright Hall for ten thousand generations—why count doors or doubt the courtyard? Let Ru argue forever and the great rite stalls; Han Wu drafting fengshan heard many students, none right. Only Censor-in-Chief Ni Kuan urged the emperor to fix the rite himself—and fengshan was done. I hope Your Majesty will trim the text and not decline modesty into delay of the great rite. The quote ended. Liaohai affairs left no time to build.
7
Yonghui 2.7.2—edict: "High Mystery assists in silence; the king grasps the image, ordering things in Heaven's stead. five essences descend virtue to the emperor; nine chambers record the work of dwelling in Heaven. Harmonious Palace and Spirit Storehouse set high antiquity's models; Grand Chamber and Zongzhang marked the middle age. Forms differed, thrift and splendor shifted—yet center of Heaven, human pole, and teaching were one aim. We inherited martial glory yet the ritual palace lacks rites and the Bright Hall stands unfinished. The realm is calm and harvest full—now is the time to set pattern. Let offices and Ru scholars examine precedents, weigh gain and loss, and build the Bright Hall by canonical ritual. May ages' missing text find voice today; heartfelt reverence bequeathed to posterity. Bright Hall rules: ministers, vice ministers, Rites, Palace Library, and Hongwen scholars shall deliberate together. The quote ended.
8
Rites scholar Liu Xuan held Zheng Xuan's five chambers. Inner Rectifier Kong Zhiyue, following Elder Dai, Lu Zhi, and Cai Yong, held nine chambers. Zhao Cihao, Xue Wensi, and others each drew Bright Hall plans. Ru scholars clashed. The emperor first favored nine chambers and ordered form, gates, and towers fixed.
9
Next year, sixth month: an inner nine-chamber model was issued for revision. Offices reported:
10
便 便
Inner model: triple foundation, twelve steps per tier. Upper tier: nine zhi square, eight corners, one foot high. Middle tier: three hundred feet square, one bench high. Lower tier: three hundred sixty feet square, one zhang two feet high. Upper tier images the yellow tube, eight-cornered, twelve steps on four sides. We ask to fix the inner model. Height should follow Zhou's nine feet; square, the Secretariat standard of one hundred forty-eight feet. Middle and lower tiers should be dropped. Inner model: each chamber three benches square, four doors and eight windows. Round roof-beam diameter: two hundred ninety-one feet. Autumn offering to the Five Emperors in separate chambers is awkward—we follow two Han practice: one joint rite in the Grand Chamber. Seasonal qi rites stay in their directional chambers. Nine chambers should revise precedent in threes, layered three by three. Grand Chamber center: six zhang square. Four corners: left and right rooms, each two zhang four feet square. On four sides of the Grand Chamber: Qingyang, Bright Hall, Zongzhang, Xuantang—each six zhang long to match the center; two zhang four feet wide to match the corner rooms. Connecting lanes between chambers, each one zhang eight feet wide. Nine chambers and lanes atop the hall: one hundred forty-four feet square—Kun's number. Round beam, balustrade, and eaves remain unsettled. Per Zheng Xuan and Lu Zhi: front beam as main beam, diameter two hundred sixteen feet—Qian's number. Round pillars at the four corners, seven feet each—Heaven's seven. Beyond the pillars, each face leaves one zhang one foot by Secretariat measure. Inner model's four doors and eight windows match antiquity—we fix them. Doors, per antiquity, are set outside but not opened. Inner model: thirty-six outer pillars, ten beams each. Seven inner bays; pillar to beam three zhang; beam to ridge—total eight zhang one foot. Round above, square below, flying eaves on compass—we fix the inner model. Roof form: follow Crafts for four slopes, double eaves, and Grand Temple owl-tails. Four directions, five colors—we follow Zhou white fill. Each direction takes its color. We ask four walls and four gates.
11
·
Imperial Academy: Elder Dai and older sources often omit water breadth and inner diameter. Cai Yong: "water twenty-four zhang wide, encircling outside." The quote ended. Three Metropolises Chart: "water on four sides," like Cai Yong, with a circular embankment outside. Zhang Heng's Eastern Capital rhapsody speaks of boats as a bridge. Rites "Bright Hall Positions" and Yin-Yang Record: "water turns left to mirror Heaven. The quote ended. Twenty-four zhang may be too wide—we reduce to twenty-four paces, perimeter measured outside the wall. Keep the boat-bridge precedent, round embankment outside, and left-turning water per Yin-Yang.
12
殿殿殿殿
Hall wall per Three Metropolises Chart: square within the water, low enough for sun; hall gate seventy-two paces off. Present array practice still seems cramped. Gate distances should follow Grand Temple south-gate spacing. Four gates, eight towers; three gates each like Grand Temple, dark lattices, triple Wei towers at corners.
13
殿 便
Ru scholars then disputed, each clinging to his view. Yu Zhining urged nine chambers; Tang of the Minister of Rites urged five. Gaozong had both models set in Guande Hall for the emperor and ministers to view. The emperor said: "Bright Hall rites are ancient. Debates differed; nothing was built. Now two models are shown—which suits you? The quote ended. Minister of Works Yan Lide said: "Both have precedent. Nine chambers seem dim; five seem bright. The choice rests with Your Majesty." The quote ended. The emperor favored five chambers, debate stalled again, and work paused.
14
Qianfeng 2.2: the plan was roughly set and an edict issued: We are slight, inheriting the great line, holding the two sages' charge, soothing the millions, fearful on rotten wood, mindful of the ditch. Heaven protects; the altars bless; harvests are full and customs rich. Carriage script is one; culture and law align. Jade inspected, gold sealed, fengshan announced—barbarians tribute, states at court, all rejoice. Yet suburban matching lacks the Grand Chamber; government and teaching lack the Harmonious Palace. So we toil past sunset, study classics, weave debate, gather three ages' essence, and design the Bright Hall. Beam and compass rules draw on old facts; bench and offering measures are our own invention. We announce it widely for debate, seeking strengths and broader hearing. Great scholars called it perfect; gentry said it was thorough. This great model—we make our own antiquity. Heart shown, ritual restored; ancestral rites deeply comfort us. Let offices build at once, following the mean as we intend. The quote ended. A great amnesty followed, the era became Zongzhang, and Bright Hall County was split from Wannian. Next year, third month: dimensions were fixed again by edict:
15
Harmonious Palace at new moon opens Yellow Xuan's pattern; the Spirit Storehouse harmonizes, spreading imperial merit. Yin's Yang Lodge set green jade for ritual; Zhou's Xuantang offered red tablets. Fortunes and forms changed, yet Heaven's center, the imperial pole, and teaching were one. Wen River charts barely preserve Gongyu's rite; chamber and jade measures record only Zhongyuan. The Han fiery essence fell, the wise palace's pipes were ruined; seas boiled, lands sank to mud. The High Ancestor, the Grand Martial Emperor, took the field at Tang’s outskirts, gathered the seals of Yong and Ye, received auspicious talismans at the Cang River, and received the numinous mandate at Mount Pi. All that sink or float, all moving things and plants, drew life from that source. Emperor Taizong, the Literary Emperor, swore a bright oath at Meng Ford and, joining the descent of fire, ascended the altar; at Feng Valley he cut the serpent and, as clouds gathered, mustered his hosts. He enfeoffed at Golden Loan Ridge and proclaimed the accumulated merit of the sage line; he carved stone at Wandu and carried out his father’s long-held plan. Thus they could transform the realm through the Bright Hall and display merit in the Grand Chamber. They arrayed eight pillars and built four gates all around; carpentry needed no carving and earthworks no ornament—abundance and restraint were balanced, the work was not rushed, pattern was completed where it had been lacking, and the great rites were perfected.
16
The Bright Hall precinct measured three hundred sixty paces on each side, with a hall at the center. The Book of Changes gives Qian’s tally as two hundred sixteen and Kun’s as one hundred forty-four—three hundred sixty in all—so each face was made three hundred sixty paces. The central hall stood between Heaven and Earth, fixed the root of the Three Powers, and from this single structure looked out over the realm. Below the precinct, each face had three gates forming one structure, each gate-bay spanning five bays. The Documents say one cycle has four seasons, so each face had one gate-opening; with three months per season, each opening received three gates; and one cycle has twelve months, for twelve gates in all around the precinct. One gate per face matched the four seasons; because one season governs three months, three gates were set in each gate-structure. In the Book of Changes, three is yang and two is yin—five together—so each gate-structure had five bays. At the four corners stood double towers, and each enclosing wall took the color of its direction. The Huainanzi says the earth has four corners—hence four towers. The Monthly Ordinances assign distinct colors to water, fire, metal, wood, and earth—so each wall followed its direction’s color.
17
耀 耀
The base was octagonal, symbolizing the eight directions. The Rites of Zhou say, “the yellow jade cube sacrifices to Earth.” Zheng Xuan explains: the cube is jade of the eight directions, symbolizing earth’s form, and thus sacrifices to Earth. Hence the terrain has eight directions. The History of Han says Emperor Wu built the Eight Gu altars to sacrifice to Earth. The altar to Earth symbolizes earth’s form, so the base was made octagonal to match the terrain. The base stood one zhang two chi high and two hundred eighty chi across. The History of Han treats yang as the six pitch-pipes and yin as the six secondary pipes. Yang and yin join—hence the height of one zhang two chi. The Book of Changes makes three yang and eight yin. Three times eight gives two hundred forty chi. The History of Han’s tally of nine conjunctions adds forty to two hundred forty—two hundred eighty—fixing the base diameter. So Heaven and Earth’s harmonies met and yin-yang numbers were woven together. Yang does not move alone but borrows yin’s harmony to finish its work; yin does not act alone but waits for yang’s lead before answering. When yin and yang accord and Heaven and Earth penetrate, the hundred treasures arise and the nine categories fall into order. Each face of the base had three steps—twelve around—with twenty-five treads per step. The History of Han says Heaven has three steps—hence three steps on each face; Earth has the twelve chronograms—hence twelve steps around. The Wenzi counts twenty-five grades from commoner to sage—hence twenty-five treads per step. Steps matched the asterisms and patterned the terrace’s glory, above echoing the azure vault and below the earthly chronograms. The graded steps also measured sage against commoner. They symbolized the august pole’s height, looking down on all creatures in radiance.
18
調
Above the base stood one hall with a round upper roof-space. The Classic of the Way says Heaven with One grows clear, Earth with One grows still, and rulers with One become the world’s standard. It also says: the Way begets One; One begets Two; Two begets Three; Three begets the ten thousand things. The History of Han says the Grand Ultimate’s primordial qi enfolds three as one. It also says the Son of Heaven takes the four seas as his house. Hence one hall symbolized primordial qi and the four seas as home. The Rites of Zhou say, “the green jade disc sacrifices to Heaven.” Zheng Xuan explains: the disc is round to symbolize Heaven. Hence the upper roof-space was round. Each face of the hall had nine bays, each one zhang nine chi wide. The Documents say Earth has nine regions—hence nine bays. The Book of Changes makes ten yin—hence bays of one zhang nine chi, patterning the thick earth, fixing yin-yang, joining the two qi at the base, and gathering the nine regions in one hall. Twelve gates encircled the hall, each one zhang seven chi high and one zhang three chi wide. The Record of Rites gives twelve months in a year—hence twelve gates. The Book of Changes makes ten yin and seven yang—hence height of one zhang seven chi; five yang and eight yin fix the width at one zhang three chi. Thus the jade candle was tuned, golden splendor answered, the two qi cycled, and the four seasons were welcomed in turn. Twenty-four windows encircled the hall, each one zhang three chi high and one zhang one chi wide, with twenty-three lattice-bars and twenty-four lights. The Records say Heaven has twenty-four qi—hence twenty-four windows. The Documents’ twelve months plus intercalation are echoed in the height of one zhang three chi. The Book of Changes makes Heaven one and Earth ten—width one zhang one chi; nine and ten with the four seasons yield twenty-three lattice-bars. The eight pure hexagrams’ twenty-four lines give twenty-four lights. Ranked windows symbolized wind and seasonal qi, spanning Heaven and Earth’s numbers and matching yin-yang’s harmony.
19
耀 宿 宿宿 調
Eight pillars stood at the hall’s center, each fifty-five chi tall. The River Chart says eight pillars bear Heaven—hence eight pillars. The Book of Changes’ Great Expansion number is fifty-five—hence fifty-five chi. Eight pillars rose to bear nine bays—number matching Great Expansion, form matching the established pole. Pillars are yin in number while Heaven is yang in origin; pillars rise on yin qi as Heaven descends in yang harmony—yin and yang interchange and Heaven and Earth succeed each other. Outside the central eight pillars stood four more as the Four Assistants. The History of Han names four Assistant stars—hence four pillars symbolizing them. Eight pillars bore Heaven within; four Assistants displayed transformation without—above and below in communication, inner and outer complete, sharing the terrace’s glory and stringing pearls around the pole. Outside the eight pillars and four Assistants, the first ring held twenty pillars. Heaven’s five, Earth’s ten, and the Five Phases make twenty—hence twenty pillars. They embodied the Two Modes in number, the Five Positions in measure, the established pole’s work, and the way of firm and yielding. Beyond them, the second ring had twenty-eight pillars. The Records say Heaven has twenty-eight lodges—hence twenty-eight pillars. Looking up, one matches the Qian chart and the bright lodges, strings pearls to mark degrees, and watches the lodges to welcome the seasons. The third ring had thirty-two pillars. The History of Han lists eight nodes, eight policies, eight winds, and eight sounds—four eights, thirty-two pillars. Regulating wind and seasons, the ten thousand things borrow this to grow; spreading government and music, the nine regions look up and take it as model. Outside, thirty-six pillars ran all around. One cycle has thirty-six ten-day weeks—hence thirty-six outer pillars. They symbolized the seasons for use, followed cold and heat in subtle accord, kept the armillary without error, and matched the jade calendar’s term. Beyond the eight pillars, pillar heights fell into three grades. Heaven, Earth, and Man are the Three Powers—hence three grades of length. Thus the Three Powers fixed position, high and low contrasting; the ten thousand things were nurtured, long and short both employed. Beyond the eight pillars, pillars totaled one hundred twenty. The Record of Rites counts three dukes, nine ministers, twenty-seven grand masters, and eighty-one elemental officers—one hundred twenty—hence one hundred twenty pillars. Offices divided and officials set, transformation relies on many scholars; opening things and accomplishing tasks, the spring hall rests on a host of talents. Above, railing-courses ran two hundred fourteen around. Kun’s tally is one hundred forty-four and the History of Han’s nine conjunctions add sixty—two hundred fourteen railing-courses. They took Kun’s subtle tally, patterned the jia-yi refinement, circled to match the asterisms, and structured to yin-yang’s numbers. Because the base symbolizes Earth, the tally was applied to Kun’s origin; pillars followed their directions, again mapping the sexagenary cycle.
20
調 調
There were two hundred sixteen double lintels. Qian’s tally is two hundred sixteen—hence two hundred sixteen lintels. Thus the Changes’ image was patterned, Qian’s origin modeled, Great Expansion answered, and the divine tally matched. Bracket-arms large and small and tiered arches numbered six thousand three hundred forty-five. The History of Han’s conjunction-month number is six thousand three hundred forty-five—hence that many bracket pieces. They drew on the Three Systems, matched the conjunction-month number, joined golden measures, and paired the jade calendar to the seasons. There were four hundred eighty-nine double rafters. Rule-months are two hundred thirty-five and intercalary months two hundred fifty-four—four hundred eighty-nine—hence that many double rafters. They patterned fixing the beginning, symbolized raising the standard, modeled calendrical images, and displayed rule and intercalation. Seventy-two lower ring-beams were set. The Changes apocrypha lists seventy-two hou—hence seventy-two lower ring-beams. They patterned fine seasons, measured true hou, joined utmost harmony to the flourishing calendar, and paired divine numbers to the auspicious term. Eighty-four upper ring-beams were set. The History of Han’s nine conjunctions number seventy-eight. Zhuangzi says, “Beyond the six directions, the sage stores but does not discuss.” Sima Biao explains: Heaven, Earth, and the four quarters are the six directions. Together they make eighty-four—hence eighty-four upper ring-beams. They patterned the Two Modes, embraced the six directions, matched conjunction numbers, and joined the sources of seasonal qi. Sixty tenons were set. The Grand Year cycle has sixty steps—hence sixty tenons. They covered calendrical numbers, embraced yin and yang, took jia-yi subtlety, and exhausted the chen-zi mystery. Three hundred sixty linked bracket-arms were set. A full cycle has three hundred sixty days—hence three hundred sixty linked bracket-arms. They matched the Zhou Heaven’s measure, took the full cycle’s days as standard, divided the year equally, and turned with the gnomon’s motion. Sixty small beams were set. Sixty jiazi—hence sixty small beams. These rainbow beams patterned the distant Phoenix calendar and, rising beside the four quarters’ design, matched the six jia from afar. Two hundred twenty-eight ties were set. Within a rule are two hundred twenty-eight—hence that many ties. They answered the long calendar’s rule, symbolized the mid-month’s measure, interwove yin-yang numbers, and joined cold-heat harmony. Fifteen tiers of square cross-beams were set. The Five Phases’ birth-numbers total fifteen—hence fifteen tiers. Binding rafters and dividing bays, they patterned the Five Phases to unfold mystery; layering pillars, they matched birth-numbers to complete the rule. Two great beams ran north and south. The Grand Ultimate begets the Two Modes—hence two great beams. They patterned Qian and Kun, modeled Heaven and Earth, symbolized black-yellow union, and displayed covering and bearing. Thirty-six sun-horse courses were laid. The Changes apocrypha lists thirty-six nodes—hence thirty-six sun-horse courses. They displayed fine nodes, joined true chronograms, divided the six qi to harmonize yin and yang, and circled the four images to regulate wind and rain. Rafters numbered two thousand nine hundred ninety. The month method is two thousand three hundred ninety-two and the communication method five hundred ninety-eight—two thousand nine hundred ninety together. Thus the step-calculation rule was paired and the communication number joined. Spacing rafters to build the hall raises the Great Strength frame; months accumulating to a year keep the conjunction calendar without error. Large rafters: two tiers of thirty-six each—seventy-two in all. The Huainanzi says Great Peace brought a wind every five days—seventy-two winds a year—hence seventy-two large rafters. They joined the auspicious calendar, matched auspicious winds in number, echoed the pure age’s year, and followed the restful omen’s covenant. Seven hundred twenty-nine flying-eave rafters were set. From zi to wu the number is seven hundred twenty-nine—hence that many flying-eave rafters. They took the asterisms’ grand pattern and patterned the Zhou Heaven’s ultimate number. Wu is yin’s root and zi yang’s source; dividing the hours at zi and wu shows the way of generation; when yin and yang unite in virtue, covering and bearing are exalted.
21
調
The hall eaves spanned two hundred eighty-eight chi in diameter. Qian’s tally is two hundred sixteen and the Changes apocrypha adds seventy-two hou—two hundred eighty-eight—fixing the eaves’ diameter. They matched Qian’s tally above, joined true hou from afar, followed harmonious qi in sequence, and imitated the round canopy for oversight. The upper ridge-beam stood ninety chi above the base’s top. Heaven nine and Earth ten—nine times ten is ninety—hence ninety chi above the base. Above patterned round clarity, below square bearing, matching yin-yang’s ultimate numbers and interchange’s covenant. Heaven’s nine times Earth’s ten symbolizes yang leading and yin answering, Qian bestowing and Kun completing. The eaves stood fifty-five chi above the ground. The Great Expansion number is fifty-five—hence eaves fifty-five chi high. They imitated the great Changes’ number, joined the utmost spirit’s mystery—principle embracing all images, pattern threading the Three Powers. Above, clear yang was roofed with jade leaves. The Huainanzi makes clear yang Heaven—hence roofing in clear yang’s color.
22
After the edict, factions still had not settled the matter. Through Emperor Gaozong’s reign it was never built.
23
殿 西
When Empress Wu held court, scholars repeatedly asked to build the Bright Hall. Following Gaozong’s last intent, Wu discussed the design with Northern Gate academicians and would not heed wider opinion. In spring of Chuigong year 3, Luoyang’s Qianyuan Hall was torn down and the Bright Hall built on its site. On the fifth day of the first month, year 4, the Bright Hall was completed. It stood two hundred ninety-four chi high; three hundred chi on each side. It had three tiers: the lower symbolized the four seasons, each in its direction’s color; the middle followed the twelve chronograms under a round canopy borne on nine dragons; the upper followed the twenty-four qi, also under a round canopy. A timber ten arm-spans thick ran through the pavilion; bracket-arms, corbels, and bearing-blocks formed the core and iron cables spanned it. The canopy was shaped as a phoenix-pheasant, gilded, poised as if soaring. Wood was carved into tiles and lacquered between ramie layers. Below the Bright Hall ran an iron channel symbolizing the Bright Enclosure moat. It was named the Palace of Myriad Images. Henan county was renamed Hegong county. The edict read:
24
The Yellow Thearch governed the calendar and received the realm at the Hegong; Emperor Danling held the talisman and took counsel from the four peaks at the Crossroads Chamber. Emperor Shun gathered auspicious signs—the name Total Pattern already stood; Yu received the jade tablet—and the name Layered Houses was established. The Yin took the mandate and built the Yang Lodge to mark the directions; the Zhou fixed the chart and built the Bright Hall to order the realm. Thus they compassed the Three Ultimates, assisted the Five Spirits in secret, displayed reverence for ancestors, and extended ancestral sacrifice. From Han and Wei through Zhou and Sui, beginnings were made but full rules for expansion were never settled. I, mediocre, reverently received heavy trust, entrusted on the night of mourning, burdened before the almost-fallen throne. Gaozong had already turned his mind to the Yang Lodge; the capital counties were pre-named for the Bright Hall; and at the change of reign the name Total Pattern was applied first. At Qianfeng I had already memorialized; though it pleased the throne, there was no leisure to build. Now at this sacred site in the capital’s center, where yin-yang order, transport, and tribute converge, I borrow willing labor and follow the mandate to honor the ancestors.
25
使 使 沿
The Bright Hall is where the Son of Heaven sacrifices to ancestors and receives feudal lords in audience. It opens Qian and Kun’s hidden strategies and patterns emblems and qi—so calamity does not arise and turmoil is not made. Such splendor—how beautiful! Recently ritual scholars disagreed: all said the Bright Hall should stand three li outside and within seven li, on the state’s yang-bright ground. Placed so close to the palace, I fear it profanes the spirits; it is truly a seat for government, not yet a place for ancestral sacrifice. My seat lies in the bingsi quarter, far from the palace halls; each month I shift residence for seasonal rites, keeping vessels always in readiness—a constant burden, and hardly what I intend. We have trimmed the foundation at the Purple Forbidden and opened chambers at the red gate; the work has only begun, yet it will not take many days to finish. Only when Heaven and Earth are served with reverence does the virtue of spirits and gods shine forth; only when ancestors are honored in sacrifice does solemn respect unfold. If governance alone were the aim—leaning on the screen to face the realm—a thatched roof and earthen steps would suffice. Why weary the people and build nine mats to receive them? Truly it is to hold the offerings and serve the ancestral temple with reverence. Times have changed and none follow the old; we make the rite anew, fitting it to present need. The upper hall is for solemn matching sacrifice, the lower for government—radiating ritual teaching, displaying sincerity and reverence. On the first day of the first month next year, at the Bright Hall perform the ancestral sacrifice to the Three Sages, matching them to the High God. Let ritual officers, erudites, academicians, and all who understand ritual within and without fix the ceremonies in detail, strive for canonical essentials, and report swiftly.
26
使
On the first day of the first month of Yongchang year 1, she first personally sacrificed at the Bright Hall, proclaimed a great amnesty, and changed the era name. On the fourth day of that month, she attended the Bright Hall to dispense government and issued nine articles of instruction to admonish the hundred officials. The text is lengthy and is not recorded here. The next day, she again attended the Bright Hall, feasted the ministers, and bestowed silk and hemp in graded amounts. After the Bright Hall was completed, women of the eastern capital and elders from the prefectures were admitted to view it; food and drink were bestowed as well—this continued long before it ceased. Tibet and the various Yi peoples, learning the Bright Hall was completed, each sent envoys to congratulate. On the winter solstice, first day of the first month of Zaichu year 1, gengchen, she again personally feasted at the Bright Hall, proclaimed a great amnesty, changed the era name, and adopted the Zhou calendar. The next day, she dispensed government to the nobles. In the second month of that year, Wu Zetian again attended the Bright Hall and broadly opened the Three Teachings Inner Secretariat Director Xing Wenwei lectured on the Classic of Filial Piety; she ordered attending ministers, monks, and Daoist masters to debate in turn until the sun stood in the west.
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' '''' ' '' ' ' 西 殿
On yiyou, the winter solstice, in the first month of Tianshou year 2, she personally sacrificed at the Bright Hall, jointly sacrificing Heaven and Earth, matching King Wen of Zhou and the Wu clan's deceased father and mother, with the hundred spirits following—all at the altar seats, mats laid in sequence. Thereupon Spring Office Gentleman Wei Shuxia memorialized: "By your servant's examination, the Bright Hall great offering sacrifices only to the Five Emperors. The Monthly Ordinances says: "In this month, the great offering to the Emperors." What the Ceremonies calls the great offering does not ask the tortoise—Zheng Xuan explains as sacrificing to the Five Emperors throughout at the Bright Hall without divination—is correct. Per the Sacrificial Canon: "Take King Wen as zu and King Wu as zong." Zheng Xuan notes: "Sacrificing to the Five Emperors and Five Spirits at the Bright Hall is called zu and zong." The Classic of Filial Piety says: "The zong sacrifice to King Wen at the Bright Hall, matching the High God. By these texts, the correct Bright Hall rite sacrifices only to the Five Emperors, matching ancestors and the Five Emperors and Five Official Spirits; all other spirits should not participate. Your Majesty, pursuing the distant past, affection runs deep; in honoring the suburban sacrifice, will is keen—at the Bright Hall adding August Heaven High God and August Earth Spirit, further matching the Former Emperor and Former Empress: this repairs the former kings' missing canon and extends solemn matching sacrifice. Formerly, because the Divine Capital suburban altars were not built, the host of spirits was sacrificed below the Bright Hall—born of expedient times, not an unalterable rite. Per the ritual classics, inner-office spirits, palace spirits, the Five Marchmounts, and Four Watercourses should all follow in sacrifice at the two solstices. A general offering at the Bright Hall is uncanonical. Yet the zong sacrifice matching Heaven is intimate, while small spirits are offered together—in solemn reverence, reason finds this unsettled. Your servant hopes that each New Year's Day only the great spirits of Heaven and Earth be sacrificed to, matching the Emperor and Empress. For the Five Marchmounts and below, let them follow ritual at winter and summer solstice sacrifice at the square mound and round mound, avoiding troublesome repetition." The proposal was accepted At that time Wu Zetian also built the Hall of Paradise behind the Bright Hall to house Buddha images, more than a hundred chi high. When construction first began, a great wind shook it down Shortly they rebuilt, but the work was not finished. On the night of bingchen in the first month of Zhengsheng year 1, the Buddha hall caught fire and spread to the Bright Hall; by dawn both halls were entirely consumed. Shortly afterward thunder sounded though there were no clouds, rising from the northwest Wu Zetian wished to blame herself and avoid the main hall Chancellor Yao Shuang said: "This is truly human fire, not a heaven-sent calamity As for King Xuan of Zhou's terrace, divination showed the dynasty would long endure; Emperor Wu of Han's Jianzhang Palace—its flourishing virtue endured the longer. Now the Bright Hall is the place for dispensing government, not ancestral sacrifice. Wu Zetian thereupon attended the Vermilion Gate to view the communal feast and issued an edict ordering civil and military officials of the ninth rank and above to submit sealed memorials, speaking fully without concealment. Left Reminder Liu Chengqing submitted a memorial:
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滿 使
Your servant has heard that since antiquity emperors and kings have all had good and ill; auspicious omens display their virtue, calamities reveal their faults—the constant principle of Heaven's Way, the constant affair of kings. Yet when auspicious omens arrive repeatedly, one must not boast and grow self-satisfied; when calamities descend suddenly, one must not treat them lightly and fail to be alarmed. Thus the Yin ruler, when mulberry and grain grew in the court, harbored fear and examined himself—evil could not overcome virtue, and he established the achievement of restoration; King Zhou of Xin, when a sparrow hatched a great bird, relied on fortune and grew full—auspice could not overcome arrogance, and in the end he met ruin. Thus calamities are born to awaken the enlightened ruler, support the great enterprise, and keep flourishing from decay. Reason demands reverent fear of the spirits, alarm at Heaven's admonition, correcting the person and rectifying affairs, diligent and cautious—then the inauspicious departs, the auspicious comes, and misfortune turns to fortune. Formerly Tang prayed with his person and rain fell; King Cheng reduced affairs and the wind returned; Duke Mu of Song feared the Mars calamity and received three lodges' longevity; Emperor Gaozong chastised the crowing tripod and enjoyed a hundred years' fortune—these are of that kind.
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· 宿
Since Your Majesty received Heaven's principle and ordered the myriad things, serving the spirits with utmost Way—beautiful omens arriving in succession, close and abundant—more than your servant can fully narrate. Recently human fire arose, damaging the spirit palace—alarming the sage heart, shaking the people. respectfully per the Zuo Commentary: "Human fire is called huo; heaven fire is called zai. Human fire arises through men, hence it names the fire itself; heaven fire—one does not know whence it starts, and speaks only of what was harmed The names differ, but the harm does not Again the Han Documents, Treatise on the Five Phases: "When fire loses its nature it descends from above; when flames spread wantonly, it calamities the ancestral temple and burns palaces. Fire descending from above is called heaven fire; flames spreading wantonly is what is called human fire Their coming differs, but the affliction is the same. The king's raising, moving, building, and acting must touch the hidden and manifest The hidden is Heaven's Way, the manifest human affairs; hidden and manifest connect, Heaven and human principle unite. Now craftsmen had long kept their fire—they had no mind to set a blaze: the Bright Hall is the palace of teaching, and again is not a place where fire spreads. Baleful flames were secretly fanned and in a moment became calamity—though it arose through men, it also touches the spirit principle Your servant thinks the fire first started at the hemp master's quarters, then reached Total Splendor—meaning the Buddha lodge under construction, labor without benefit. Only honor the teaching—that itself is the ford; why need indigo palaces to draw up water? It stands secluded behind the Bright Hall and presses before the sacrificial beast pens—moreover its structure is lofty, the work hard to finish. Erecting images to spread the Law was meant to benefit the people; injuring wealth and conscripting men instead wearies state and family. Earlier the great wind toppled the timber—Heaven's admonition was already plain; now poisonous flames burn darkly—human evil is again displayed The sage's movements must borrow Heaven and man; once labor is raised, both are violated—the response is plain, and peril will likely follow.
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便祿 祿
thinks the Bright Hall is the position of upright yang, where the Most High dwells—displaying ritual, ordering the constant, honoring transformation and establishing government; jade and silk assemblies, spirits relying upon it. To build it is a great achievement; to damage it is no light matter—having lost the place of solemn sacrifice, again injuring filial feeling. Your Majesty yesterday issued a bright edict still declaring reverent fear; officials ought to be alarmed and trembling, striving in office—how accept favor, indulge in pleasure, and calmly feast? Moreover the people below, grateful for sage virtue, seeing the transformation are fearful—the spirit body can be at peace; is this not deep joy? But the fire has only just ceased and alarm remains; further worry has not subsided, yet joy affairs are used to check it. fears worry and joy contending injures reason and feeling. The tradition says: "To make joy of what should worry you is the way to fetch worry. in antiquity when there was fire, one sacrificed at the four embankments. The four embankments are accumulated yin qi; one prayed thereby to avert fire. Fire is yang qi— joy is a yang affair—when fire's qi is victorious, one cannot again raise a yang affair. Your servant has heard that calamities—even the utmost sage does not escape; cultivate virtue and coming peril can be averted. Your Majesty issued edicts broadly seeking counsel, permitting the utmost principle to be stated Yet Left Historian Zhang Ding thought "now that fire flows through the king's house, it all the more displays Great Zhou's auspice," and Communications Gentleman Feng Min said "when Maitreya first achieved Buddhahood, heavenly demons burned the palace and the seven-jewel terrace scattered in a moment." These are flattery and perverse words, not correct discourse between ruler and minister. They dim kingly transformation and benefit not the myriad affairs Though Heaven's Way is high, its scrutiny draws ever nearer; the spirit heart though still, its hearing is ever keener Their interchange with emperors and kings is like shadow and echo Now great wind and fierce fire, reprimand following in succession—truly Heaven and man admonishing the sage ruler, meaning the great foundation grows firmer and Heaven's emolument endures. Your servant hopes Your Majesty will be vigilant in thought, cautious in heart, as if crossing a great stream, as if undertaking a great sacrifice—examine why calamity came, detail the causes of reprimand, do not darken the heart toward Heaven and man, yet raise unurgent labor. Then the myriad people will rely upon you, fortune without end—most fortunate, most fortunate.
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西 殿 使 殿 宿 耀
Wu Zetian shortly ordered the Bright Hall rebuilt to former regulations; in all it was two hundred ninety-four chi high, three hundred chi wide on every side. On top was set a jeweled phoenix— shortly a fire pearl replaced it. Below the Bright Hall, a circular moat with iron channels was laid, as the image of the Ring Moat In the third month of Tianche Wansui year 2, the Bright Hall was rebuilt and completed, titled the Hall of Piercing Heaven On the first day of the fourth month, the personal offering was again performed, a great amnesty proclaimed, and the era changed to Wansui Tongtian. The next day, Wu Zetian attended the Screen Hall of the Hall of Piercing Heaven, ordered the offices to read the seasonal ordinances, and dispensed government to the nobles. That year bronze was cast into the Nine Provinces cauldrons; when completed, they were placed in the Bright Hall courtyard, each arrayed by direction. The Divine Capital cauldron was one zhang eight chi high and held one thousand eight hundred shi The Jizhou cauldron was named Martial Flourishing, Yongzhou Long Peace, Yanzhou Sun Vista, Qingzhou Lesser Yang, Xuzhou Eastern Plain, Yangzhou River Capital, Jingzhou River Mound, Liangzhou Chengdu. The eight provincial cauldrons were one zhang four chi high, each holding one thousand two hundred shi Director of Agriculture Zong Jinqing was made commissioner of the Nine Cauldrons— in all five hundred sixty thousand seven hundred twelve jin of copper were used. On the cauldrons were painted each province's mountains, rivers, and products; Jia Yingfu, Xue Changrong, Li Yuanzhen, Zhong Shaojing, and others inscribed titles; Cao Yuanlang painted the designs. When the cauldrons were completed, they were dragged in from outside the Dark Warrior Gate; chancellors and kings led more than a hundred thousand guard soldiers, with great oxen and white elephants from the inner guard, to drag them together. Wu Zetian herself composed the "Dragging Cauldron Song" and ordered ministers to sing in response At that time a great ceremonial bell was also made, gathering third-rank gold from all under Heaven—it was never completed. When the Nine Cauldrons were first completed, it was wished to gild them with a thousand liang of gold Chancellor Yao Shuang said: "Cauldrons are spirit vessels; they are honored for plain substance, with no need for floating ornament. Your servant observes their form—light of five colors, brilliant and interwoven; why wait for gold to dazzle? The plan was stopped In the ninth month of that year, the great offering was again performed at the Hall of Piercing Heaven Because the Khitan were destroyed and the Nine Cauldrons newly completed, a great amnesty was proclaimed The era name was changed to Divine Achievement
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In the first month of Shenglü year 1, the personal offering and court congratulations were again performed. Shortly an ordinance was made: on the first day of each month perform the announcing-new-moon rite at the Bright Hall Erudite Pilu Renxu submitted a deliberation, :
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· ·· 使 使 使
Respectfully per classics and histories, there is no Son of Heaven announcing the new moon each month. the Record of Rites, Jade Regalia, says: "The Son of Heaven hears the new moon outside the southern gate. the Zhou Offices, Heavenly Offices, Grand Steward: "On the auspicious day of the first month, dispense government to the states, capitals, and districts." Gan Bao notes: "The Zhou calendar beginning in the zi month—the day of announcing the new moon." This is the hearing the new moon of Jade Regalia Now each New Year's Day at the Hall of Piercing Heaven court is received, ordinances read, government dispensed—capital officials of the ninth rank and above and gathering envoys all stand in court: this completes hearing the new moon and accords with Zhou Offices and Jade Regalia. Yet Zheng Xuan's note on "hearing the new moon," because Qin monthly ordinances had Five Emperors and Five Official Spirits, says: "Whenever hearing the new moon, use a special victim to announce that month's Emperor and spirit, matching King Wen and King Wu." This is Zheng's error. from Han and Wei to the present none have used it. Per the Monthly Ordinances saying "its Emperor Taihao, its spirit Goumang"—that means announcing seasonal ordinances to those below; the ordinance words say its Emperor, its spirit. Therefore it is respectful granting text, wishing people to observe the season and attend to their work. Each month has an ordinance, hence Monthly Ordinances—not that on the Son of Heaven's new-moon day he matches ancestors to Emperors and announces. The monthly announcing of the new moon is the rite of feudal lords the Zuo Commentary says: "The duke having already viewed the new moon, then ascended the observation terrace. Zheng's note on the Analects: "Ritual: the lord each month announces the new moon at the temple; if there is sacrifice it is called court offering. lu from Duke Wen onward ceased viewing the new moon. the feudal lords' rite is clear. Now for the king to perform it is unheard of Per Zheng's announcing to the Emperors—that is Taihao and the other five; the spirits are Chongli and the other Five Phase officials. Though their achievements benefited people and they are in the sacrifice canon, there is no Son of Heaven bowing and announcing the new moon each month. Your servants examined Ritual Discussions, Three Rites Meaning Summaries, Jiangdu Collected Rites, Zhenguan Rites, Xianqing Rites, and sacrifice ordinances—nowhere the Son of Heaven announcing the new moon each month. If one thinks no Bright Hall meant no announcing-new-moon rite, then Jiangdu Collected Rites, Zhenguan Rites, Xianqing Rites, and sacrifice ordinances record Five Directional High Gods at the Bright Hall—the Classic of Filial Piety's "zong sacrifice to King Wen at the Bright Hall." Thus without Bright Hall the offering is recorded—why alone is announcing the new moon missing? If when the ruler has a Bright Hall he should announce the new moon, Zhou and Qin had Bright Halls, yet canonical texts nowhere have the Son of Heaven announcing the new moon each month. Your servants have examined past and present, broadly consulted records—since there is no rite, one cannot practice error. We hope the monthly first-day announcing-new-moon sacrifice may be stopped to rectify the state canon Your servant thinks the Son of Heaven's dignity using feudal lords' rite is not what is meant by issuing announced new moon to feudal lords for them to perform.
34
Vice Director Wang Fangqing also submitted a deliberation, :
35
西
per the Bright Hall—it is the Son of Heaven's palace for dispensing government. Broadly it accords with Heaven's qi, orders the myriad things, moves taking the Two Modes as model, virtue covering the four seas. Xia called it Generations Chamber, Yin Layered Roof, Zhou Bright Hall—the names of three dynasties. The Bright Hall is the Son of Heaven's Grand Temple, whereby he zong-sacrifices his ancestors, matching the High God East is Azure Yang, south Bright Hall, west Total Splendor, north Dark Hall, center Grand Chamber Though there are five names, Bright Hall is primary. Han accomplished scholars and penetrating ru all took Bright Hall and Grand Temple as one. Han Left Palace Gentleman Cai Yong established the deliberation, also holding it so taking its zong sacrifice, it is called Pure Temple; as main chamber, it is called Grand Chamber; as the sun-facing hall, it is called Bright Hall; as the place of learning, it is called Grand Academy; taking its circular water, it is called Ring Moat Different names, same affair—antiquity's institution The Son of Heaven on the first xin day of early spring at the southern suburb receives the twelve months' government, returns and stores it in the ancestral temple, each month taking one government and issuing it at the Bright Hall. Feudal lords in early spring attend the Son of Heaven, receive the twelve months' government and store it in the ancestral temple, each month taking one government and performing it. Broadly this harmonizes yin and yang and accords with Heaven's Way Thus calamity and disorder do not arise, disasters are not born. Thus Confucius praised it beautifully: "The enlightened king uses filial piety to order all under Heaven. the lord announcing ritual at the temple is called announcing the new moon; hearing and viewing that month's government is called viewing the new moon, also hearing the new moon. Though there are three names, the substance is one
36
· ·
Now the ritual officers say "canonical texts have no Son of Heaven announcing the new moon each month." respectfully per the Spring and Autumn: "Duke Wen year 6, intercalary tenth month—did not announce the new moon. The Guliang Commentary says: "Intercalation is the month's surplus days— the Son of Heaven does not announce the new moon for it." The Zuo Commentary says: "Not announcing intercalary new moon is uncanonical Intercalation corrects the seasons— seasons make affairs— affairs thicken life—the way of the living is therein. not announcing intercalary new moon abandons seasonal government. By this text, the Son of Heaven also announces new moon in intercalary months. how could there be other months while abandoning the rite? Broadly examining classics and histories, the text is very plain how is it clear? Zhou Offices, Grand Clerk's duty: "Issue announced new moon to the states intercalary month—announce to the king dwelling at the gate for the full month. Record of Rites, Jade Regalia: "In intercalary month close the gate's left leaf and stand within it." Both are the Son of Heaven performing announcing-new-moon affairs in intercalary months
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' '··' '' ' 使 宿
Ritual officers say: "Jade Regalia, 'the Son of Heaven hears the new moon outside the southern gate. zhou Offices, Heavenly Offices, Grand Steward, 'on the auspicious day of the first month, dispense government to the states, capitals, and districts.' Gan Bao notes, 'the Zhou calendar beginning in the zi month is the day of announcing the new moon.' This is Jade Regalia's hearing the new moon Now each New Year's Day at the Hall of Piercing Heaven court is received, ordinances read, government dispensed—officials of the ninth rank and above and gathering envoys stand in court: this completes hearing the new moon and accords with Zhou Offices and Jade Regalia. Ritual Discussions, Three Rites Meaning Summaries, Jiangdu Collected Rites, Zhenguan Rites, Xianqing Rites, and sacrifice ordinances have no king announcing the new moon. respectfully per Jade Regalia: "Dark regalia and attend the sun at the eastern gate outside, hear the new moon at the southern gate outside." Zheng notes: "Attending the sun is at the spring equinox. The eastern and southern gates both mean the state gate. The Bright Hall is in the state's yang; each month one goes to that season's hall to hear the new moon; when finished, one returns to lodge at the Road Chamber. Whenever hearing the new moon, one must use a special victim to announce that month's Emperor and spirit, matching King Wen and King Wu. Your servant thinks New Year's Day at the Hall of Piercing Heaven receiving court, reading ordinances and dispensing government is the ancient early-spring first xin rite of receiving twelve months' government and storing it in the ancestral temple—but taking one government monthly at the Bright Hall, though plain in meaning, is still not performed. If one follows the ritual officers, that affair is then lacking.
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·
Your servant further notes the Record of Rites, "Monthly Ordinances": each month the Son of Heaven dwells in Azure Yang, Bright Hall, Total Splendor, and Dark Hall—the monthly gaosu rite. Former scholars held that in a year the Son of Heaven entered the Bright Hall eighteen times: the great sacrifice without divination, once; monthly gaosu, twelve times; welcoming the qi of the four seasons, four times; in years of the imperial tour, once. Today the ritualists hold that the king enters only at the year's head—at odds with the old masters. Your servant cannot agree. Zheng Xuan says: "Whenever the court hears the new moon, it announces to that season's Thearch." Your servant holds that on gaosu day it is one of the Five Directional High Gods. Spring: Spiritual Power Uplifted; summer: Blazing Fury; autumn: White Summoner Repelled; winter: Radiant Light Eras; the season's last month: Pivot Token—each with the founding ancestor as consort. The human Thearchs and spirits in the sacrificial canon receive offerings in their proper months. From Duke Wen of Lu the state ceased viewing the new moon. Zigong saw the rite fall into ruin and wanted to abolish the sacrificial sheep. Confucius said that while the sheep remained one could still recognize the rite; without the sheep the rite was lost. Hence: "You love your sheep; I love the rite. The Analects quote ended.
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西
Han rose after Qin burned the schools; every institution was new. Bright Hall and Imperial Academy were never properly built. Emperor Wu's feng and shan raised a Bright Hall on Mount Tai—but not in the capital, so there was no gaosu. Under Emperor Ping, in the Yuanshi era, Wang Mang governed and sought to restore antiquity; he built Bright Hall and Imperial Academy. The emperor performed the collective autumn rite at the Bright Hall. More than nine hundred feudal kings, marquises, and clansmen assisted; when the rite ended each was rewarded—households enlarged, ranks granted, gold and silk bestowed, promotions and appointments, all by degree. Han ended in chaos, yet the rite still passed down. Under Later Han the sacrificial canon remained. Yongping year 2 of Mingdi: the Five Thearchs were sacrificed at the Bright Hall in the suburbs, with Guangwu as consort—one calf each, music as at the southern altar. Dong Zhuo's flight westward drowned the archives; the gaosu rite collapsed here. By Jin's end—"horses born in the suburbs"—ritual, music, caps and robes were swept away entirely. Emperor Yuan fled south in disarray; ritual and music crossed the river only in fragments. Canonical melodies were broken; old statutes did not return. What army and state required was improvised as events demanded. Without a Bright Hall, who could speak of gaosu? In Song, He Chengtian compiled texts into Discourses on Rites—well ordered, but the substance was missing. In Liang, Cui Lingen's Notes on the Meaning of the Three Rites added nothing new. Zhenguan Rites, Xianqing Rites, and the sacrificial code omit gaosu because no age transmitted it—the text was lost. Each omission has its cause; none can serve as proof. The ritualists now cite these as clear proof. Your servant is not persuaded.
40
Your Majesty has raised the Bright Hall and follows the ancients—yet gaosu still stands incomplete. To honor antiquity, the gap should be mended. Monthly audiences at the Bright Hall would be burdensome—but viewing the new moon in each season's first month must not be abandoned.
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使 沿
The emperor again ordered the Director of Sacrifices to gather scholars and weigh Fang Qing's and Ren Xu's memorials. The Chengjun erudite Wu Yangwu and Imperial University erudite Guo Shanyun said: "We have examined the Rites of Zhou, the Record of Rites, and the Three Commentaries—all attest the Son of Heaven's gaosu rite. The Son of Heaven proclaimed gaosu to the feudal lords. Qin burned the Odes and Documents—and gaosu perished. The Bright Hall rises anew, Total Splendor freshly founded—reviving the broken line of a hundred kings, planting a measure for ten thousand generations. Above, ancestors are solemnly matched; below, the seasons are reverently granted. Let the people know ritual and music; let the Way hold the center—then disasters will not arise and rebellion will not stir. To issue the calendar every month by rote is not timely. Ritual follows the season; affairs must be adapted. We ask to follow Wang Fangqing: on the first days of the four seasons and in the last month of summer, restore gaosu at the Bright Hall and proclaim it to the realm. For Thearchs and spirits as well, follow Fangqing and Zheng Xuan: announce to the five-season Thearchs upon the Bright Hall. Then the way of solemn matching reaches the spirits; utmost filial virtue shines across the four seas. The throne assented.
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In the fourth year of Chang'an a rule was set: on New Year's Day the Bright Hall received the new moon; reading the seasonal ordinances ceased. Zhongzong took the throne. In the ninth month of Shenlong year 1 he personally sacrificed at the Bright Hall, joining Heaven and Earth with Gaozong as consort. When the rite ended, the capital received a partial amnesty. The next year the court returned to the capital. The autumn great sacrifice was again held at the Round Mound—so it remained through Ruizong's reign.
43
Kaiyuan year 2, eighth month: the crown prince's guest-friend Xue Qianguang presented Inscriptions on the Nine Cauldrons. The Caizhou cauldron inscription, composed by the Heavenly Empress, reads: "Xi and Nong came first; Xuan and Hao took up the mandate. Tang and Yu followed in turn; Cheng Tang and Yu rode the hour. Heaven and earth were luminous; the realm knew peace. Heaven sent down its sign—and Great Prosperity was founded." Yao Chong, director of the Purple Forbidden, memorialized: "When a sage opens his fortune, auspicious signs must show. We ask that this be sent to the Historiography. The emperor assented. In the fifth year, first month, the emperor went to the eastern capital to perform the great sacrifice. Director of Sacrifices associate Wang Renzhong and erudites Feng Zong and Chen Zhenjie argued that the Wu clan's Bright Hall violated the canon. Their memorial said:
44
The Bright Hall's origin lies deep in antiquity! Heaven hung forth its signs; the sage took them as his model. Artemisia pillars, thatch eaves—round above, square below. By great number it does not exceed three-sevenths; fixed at the square's center it must sit in bing-si—is this not the Heart of the Room where policy is proclaimed, the Supreme Palace of the High God? Heaven above, earth below—names rectified, positions fixed. Human and spirit do not mingle; each keeps its order. Then auspicious omens answer and great harmony holds.
45
Han inherited Qin; the classics' Way went dark. What was drowned could barely be recovered; the details could not be made clear. Early in Emperor Wu's reign they debated a Bright Hall south of Chang'an. Empress Dowager Dou despised Ruist learning—the work stopped midway. Under Emperor Cheng they wished again to build south of the city. On the design none could agree. Only in Yuanshi year 4 of Emperor Ping was it first built at the southern suburb, for solemn matching. Guangwu, Zhongyuan year 1: it stood south of the capital walls. From Wei and Jin through Liang, forms differed—but the site always lay in bing-si. That is the Way no king changes.
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殿 便殿 便
High Ancestor the Heavenly August Emperor inherited an age of peace and honored simplicity. The four quarters came as guests; the nine regions were governed. Yonghui year 3: ritualists and scholars were ordered to debate the Bright Hall. The Ruists quarreled; each clung to his view; no decision came—and the work halted. Why? Not for lack of money or strength. Zhou and Confucius were far; the ritual classics were tangled. What did not follow antiquity might offend Heaven; what could not serve as standard lacked the spirits' blessing. The Heavenly Empress Dowager ruled the inner court, drew on the Terrace Pavilion's power, stood in the house's collapse, and walked He and Xi's path of expedience. She held that the Qianyuan great hall and Chengqing chambers sat where yang stood upright at noon—the very hall of the sage's judgment. She marked compliance at the correct gate and stored essence in the Encampment—yet from morning rites she never held court there. She raised laborers and had it pulled down. After the destruction thunder murmured; the crowd heard it—some said the spirits had been stirred. Then she piled timber and earth into splendor, drawing on full treasuries—south street, north gate, the Heavenly Pivot and Great Instrument; on Qianyuan's ruins, towers upon towers. Smoke veiled the sun; beams pierced the clouds. Men groaned under the labor; Heaven sent its warning. The ashes were barely cool when rebuilding began. Worse: the site was not bing-si—it did not answer the spirits. The footprint did not match the mandate—yet solemn matching was performed. The rite strayed from the canon; the spirits did not descend. That is the first impossibility. Again: Bright Hall wood is not carved, earth is not patterned. Today the form is wrong, the classics violated, ritual tangled—carving pushed to the furthest excess. That is the second impossibility. Bright Hall must be lofty, open, and pure—fit for reverence. Pressed against the palace quarters—how does one pray to Heaven? Human and spirit mingle; the vessels cannot be set forth properly. That is the third impossibility. The two capitals are models for the realm—yet the Son of Heaven lacks the seat facing the sun and holds court in a side hall. Those charged with duty cannot keep silent. Examine the calendar, choose what may be simplified; revise what fails; keep what serves. Strip the name Bright Hall, restore Qianyuan—then the throne is not skewed and the people recognize what was.
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An edict ordered the offices to debate and report.
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殿 殿殿 殿 殿 西 殿
Minister of Justice Wang Zhiyin and others agreed the hall's placement violated the canon. Most asked that it be cut back and Qianyuan Hall rebuilt as of old. An edict followed: "Those who held the imperial net and grasped the great image—when did they not look up to Heaven's Way and down to man's pole, change with the times, and trim or add to finish the work? The Crossroads Chamber was measured in mats: for spirits it glorified sacrifice; for government it was called viewing the new moon—the former kings' way of thickening human ties and moving Heaven and Earth. Lesser yang has its station; the High God delights—spirits are not profaned; ritual reaches utmost respect. Today's Bright Hall leans on the palace—this solemn rite is not solemnly performed. Without the statutes, what will the realm follow? Ritualists, erudites, and grandees deliberated and, reverencing antiquity, held that the dew-chamber form should remain and the Imperial Academy title be dropped. Let it be renamed Qianyuan Hall; audiences shall follow main-hall ritual." Henceforth at the eastern capital, New Year's Day and the winter solstice brought court congratulations at Qianyuan Hall. The autumn great sacrifice was still held at the Round Mound. In year 10 Qianyuan Hall was titled Bright Hall again—but no sacrifice was performed. Year 25: the court was at the western capital and ordered the master of works Kang Yuesu to destroy the eastern structure. Kang Yuesu, seeing that demolition burdened the people, asked to remove only the upper story—ninety-five chi below the old height. He removed the pillar cores and set an eight-sided tower on the level terrace; eight dragons coiled upward bearing the fire pearl. It was smaller still than the old measure—five chi around, roofed with true tile for lasting ease. As of old, it was Qianyuan Hall again.
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