Volume 57 Treatises 33: Rites 11

志第三十三禮十一〈（軍禮）〉

Treatise 33: Rites Eleven (Military Rites)〉

親征遣將禡祭受降奏凱獻俘論功行賞大閱大射救日伐鼓

Personal campaign; dispatching generals; ma sacrifice; receiving surrender; reporting victory and presenting captives; assessing merit and granting rewards; grand troop review; grand archery rite; rescuing the sun and beating drums during eclipse.

四曰軍禮。親征爲首，遣將次之。方出師，有禡祭之禮。及還，有受降、奏凱獻俘、論功行賞之禮。平居有閱武、大射之禮。而救日伐鼓之制，亦以類附焉。

The fourth category of rites is military rites. The personal campaign takes precedence, followed by dispatching generals. When an army is about to march out, there is the ma sacrifice. Upon the army's return, there are rites for receiving surrender, reporting victory and presenting captives, and assessing merit and granting rewards. In peacetime there are rites for troop reviews and grand archery. The regulations for rescuing the sun and beating drums during an eclipse are also grouped here by category.

○親征

The emperor's personal campaign.

正德十四年，帝親征宸濠，禮部上祭告儀注如舊。帝令祭祀俱遣官代。及疏請遣官，有旨勿遣。其頒詔，亦如舊制。明年十一月將凱旋，禮臣言：「宸濠悖逆，皇上親統六師，往正其罪，與宣德間親征漢庶人高煦故事相同。但一切禮儀無從稽考。請於師還之日，聖駕從正陽門入，遣官告謝天地廟社。駕詣奉先殿、几筵殿，謁見畢，朝見皇太后。次日早，御午門樓，百官朝見，行獻俘禮。擇日詔告天下。」十二月，帝還京，百官迎於正陽門外，帝戎服乘馬入。

In the fourteenth year of the Zhengde reign, the emperor led a personal campaign against the Prince of Ning, Chen Hao, and the Ministry of Rites presented the sacrificial announcement protocols according to precedent. The emperor ordered that all sacrifices be performed by officials acting in his stead. When a memorial requested that officials be dispatched, an edict instructed that they should not be sent. The promulgation of edicts likewise followed established regulations. In the eleventh month of the following year, as the triumphal return approached, ritual officials said: "The Prince of Ning was rebellious and disloyal; Your Majesty personally commanded the six armies to punish his crime—a case identical to the Xuande-era personal campaign against the Han commoner Gao Xu. Yet every detail of the ceremonial protocol could not be verified against precedent. They requested that on the day the army returned, the imperial procession enter through the Zhengyang Gate, and that officials be dispatched to offer thanks at the altars of Heaven and Earth and at the temples of the ancestral spirits and of the soil and grain. The imperial procession should proceed to the Hall of Imperial Ancestors and the Hall of Spirit Tablets; after paying respects there, the emperor should have an audience with the empress dowager. Early the next morning, ascend the Meridian Gate tower; the officials should attend audience and perform the rite of presenting captives. On a chosen day, issue an edict announcing the victory to the realm." In the twelfth month, the emperor returned to the capital; officials welcomed him outside the Zhengyang Gate, and the emperor entered in military dress, mounted on horseback.

○遣將

Dispatching generals.

洪武元年，中書省臣會官議奏，王者遣將，所以討有罪，除民害也。《書》稱大禹徂徵，《詩》美南仲薄伐。《史記》引《兵書》曰：「古王者之遣將，跪而推轂。」漢高命韓信爲將，設壇具禮。北齊親授斧鉞。唐則告於廟社，又告太公廟。宋則授旌節於朝堂，次告廟社，又禡祭黃帝。今定遣將禮，皇帝武弁服，御奉天殿。大將軍入就丹墀，四拜，由西陛入殿，再拜跪。承製官宣制，以節鉞授大將軍。大將軍受之，以授執事者，俯伏，興，再拜出。降陛，復位，四拜。駕還宮，大將軍出。至午門外勒所部將士，建旗幟，鳴金鼓，正行列，擎節鉞。奏樂前導，百官以次送出。造廟宜社之禮，即命大將軍具牲幣，行一獻禮，與遣官祭告廟社儀同。其告武成王廟儀，前二日，大將省牲。祭日，大將於幕次僉祝版，入就位，再拜。詣神位前上香、奠帛、再拜。進熟酌獻，讀祝，再拜。詣位，再拜。飲福受胙，復再拜。徹豆，望燎。其配位，亦大將行禮。兩廡陪祀，諸將分獻。

In the first year of Hongwu, Secretariat officials convened colleagues to deliberate and memorialize: when a sovereign dispatches a general, it is to punish the guilty and remove harm from the people. The Book of Documents speaks of Yu the Great setting out on campaign; the Book of Odes praises Nan Zhong's expedition. The Records of the Grand Historian quotes the Art of War: "When ancient kings dispatched generals, they knelt and pushed the chariot wheel forward." Emperor Gaozu of Han appointed Han Xin as general and established an altar with full ceremony. Under the Northern Qi, the emperor personally bestowed the battle-axe and ceremonial axe. Under the Tang, announcement was made at the temples of the ancestral spirits and of the soil and grain, and also at the Temple of the Grand Duke. Under the Song, banners and credentials were bestowed in the audience hall; next came announcement at the temples of the ancestral spirits and of the soil and grain, and a ma sacrifice to the Yellow Emperor. The rite for dispatching generals is now fixed as follows: the emperor wears military cap and dress and presides in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The grand general enters and takes position on the red steps, performs four bows, enters the hall by the western steps, and again bows and kneels. The edict-recipient official announces the edict and bestows the credentials and battle-axe upon the grand general. The grand general receives them, passes them to the attendants, prostrates himself, rises, bows again, and withdraws. He descends the steps, returns to his position, and performs four bows. The imperial procession returns to the palace; the grand general departs. Outside the Meridian Gate he musters the officers and soldiers under his command, raises banners and standards, sounds gongs and drums, aligns the ranks, and holds aloft the credentials and battle-axe. Music leads the procession, and officials see him off in order of rank. For the rite of visiting the temples of the ancestral spirits and of the soil and grain, the grand general is immediately ordered to prepare sacrificial victims and silks and perform a single offering; the protocol matches that for officials dispatched to announce at those temples. For the protocol of announcing at the Temple of King Wu Cheng, two days beforehand the grand general inspects the sacrificial victims. On the day of sacrifice, the grand general at the tent pavilion jointly signs the prayer text, enters and takes position, and performs two bows. He proceeds before the spirit tablet, offers incense and lays silk, and bows twice. He presents the cooked offering and libation, reads the prayer, and bows twice. He returns to his position and bows twice. He drinks the blessing wine and receives the sacrificial meat, then bows twice again. The dishes are removed, and they gaze upon the burning of the offerings. At the associated spirit tablets, the grand general likewise performs the rites. In the two side halls for collateral sacrifice, the various generals make separate offerings.

○禡祭

The ma sacrifice.

親征前期，皇帝及大將陪祭官皆齋一日。前一日，皇帝服通天冠、絳紗袍省牲，詣神廚，視鼎鑊滌溉。執事設軍牙六纛於廟中之北，軍牙東，六纛西，籩豆十二，簠簋各二，鉶登俎各三。設瘞坎位於神位西北，設席於坎前。上置酒碗五，雄雞五，餘陳設如常儀。祭日，建牙旗六纛於神位後。皇帝服武弁，自左南門入。至廟庭南，正中北向立。大將及陪祭官分文武重行班於後。迎神，再拜，奠幣。行初獻禮，先詣軍牙神位前，再詣六纛神位前，俱再拜。亞獻、終獻如之。惟初獻讀祝，詣飲福位，再拜飲福，受胙，又再拜。掌祭官徹豆，贊禮唱送神，復再拜。執事官各以祝幣，掌祭官取饌詣燎所，太常奏請望燎。執事殺雞，刺血於酒碗中，酹神。燎半，奏禮畢，駕還。若遣將，則於旗纛廟壇行三獻禮。大將初獻，諸將亞獻、終獻。

Before a personal campaign, the emperor, the grand general, and collateral-sacrifice officials all observe a day of fasting. On the preceding day, the emperor wears the Tongtian crown and crimson gauze robe to inspect the sacrificial victims, proceeds to the spirit kitchen, and inspects the cauldrons, pots, washing, and rinsing. Attendants set up the military pennant and six great banners in the north of the temple—the military pennant to the east, the six great banners to the west—twelve platters and stands, two grain vessels and two covered grain vessels each, and three each of the meat stands and offering stands. A burial pit for offerings is set northwest of the spirit tablet, and mats are laid before the pit. Upon them are placed five wine bowls and five roosters; the remaining arrangements follow the usual protocol. On the day of sacrifice, the tooth-flag and six great banners are erected behind the spirit tablet. The emperor wears the military cap and enters through the left south gate. He arrives at the south of the temple courtyard and stands at the center, facing north. The grand general and collateral-sacrifice officials form separate civil and military double ranks behind him. They welcome the spirit, bow twice, and lay silks. They perform the initial offering: first proceeding before the military pennant spirit tablet, then before the six great banners spirit tablet, bowing twice at each. The secondary and final offerings follow the same procedure. Only at the initial offering is the prayer read; he proceeds to the blessing-wine position, bows twice and drinks the blessing wine, receives the sacrificial meat, and bows twice again. The sacrifice-master removes the dishes; the ritual announcer intones the sending-off of the spirit, and they bow twice again. Attendant officials each take the prayer silks; the sacrifice-master takes the food offerings and proceeds to the burning site; the Court of Imperial Sacrifices requests permission to gaze upon the burning. Attendants slaughter a chicken and let its blood drip into the wine bowls to libate the spirit. When the burning is half complete, they report that the rite is finished, and the imperial procession returns. If dispatching a general, the three offerings are performed at the banner-and-standard temple altar. The grand general makes the initial offering; the various generals make the secondary and final offerings.

○受降

Receiving surrender.

洪武四年七月，蜀夏明升降表至京師，太祖命中書集議受降禮。省部請如宋太祖受蜀主孟昶降故事，擬明升朝見日，皇帝御奉天門，升等於午門外跪進待罪表。侍儀使捧表入，宣表官宣讀訖，承製官出傳制。升等皆俯伏於地，侍儀舍人掖升起，其屬官皆起，跪聽宣制釋罪。升等五拜，三呼萬歲。承製官傳制，賜衣服冠帶。侍儀舍人引升入丹墀中四拜。侍儀使傳旨，升跪聽宣諭，俯伏四拜，三呼萬歲，又四拜出。百官行賀禮。帝以昶專治國政，所爲奢縱，升年幼，事由臣下，免其叩頭伏地上表請罪禮，惟命升及其官屬朝見，百官朝賀。

In the seventh month of the fourth year of Hongwu, Ming Yu of Shu-Xia presented a surrender memorial at the capital; the founding emperor ordered the Secretariat to convene deliberation on the rite of receiving surrender. The ministries requested following the precedent of Song Taizu receiving the surrender of the Shu ruler Meng Chang: on the day of Ming Yu's audience, the emperor would preside at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, and Ming Yu would kneel outside the Meridian Gate to present a memorial awaiting judgment. The ceremonial attendant bore the memorial in; the edict-announcing official finished reading it; the edict-recipient official came forth to transmit the edict. Ming Yu and his party all prostrated themselves on the ground; ceremonial ushers helped them rise; their subordinate officials all rose and knelt to hear the edict proclaiming absolution. Ming Yu and his party performed five bows and thrice shouted "Long live the emperor!" The edict-recipient official transmitted the edict bestowing robes, caps, and belts. Ceremonial ushers led Ming Yu up onto the red steps, where he performed four bows at the center. The ceremonial attendant transmitted the imperial instruction; Ming Yu knelt to hear the proclamation, prostrated himself and performed four bows, thrice shouted "Long live the emperor!", performed four more bows, and withdrew. The officials performed the congratulatory rite. The emperor held that Meng Chang had personally governed state affairs and acted with extravagance and license, while Ming Yu was young and affairs were decided by his ministers; he exempted them from the rite of knocking the head and prostrating to present a memorial pleading guilt, ordering only that Ming Yu and his officials attend audience while the officials offered congratulation.

○奏凱獻俘

Reporting victory and presenting captives.

凡親征，師還，皇帝率諸將陳凱樂俘馘於廟南門外，社北門外。告祭廟社，行三獻禮，同出師儀。祭畢，以俘馘付刑部，協律郎導樂以退。皇帝服通天冠、絳紗袍，升午門樓，以露布詔天下，百官具朝服以聽，儀與開讀詔赦同。

Whenever the emperor personally campaigns and the army returns, the emperor leads the generals to display victory music, captives, and severed ears outside the south gate of the ancestral temple and outside the north gate of the soil-and-grain altar. They announce and sacrifice at the temples of the ancestral spirits and of the soil and grain, performing the three offerings—the same protocol as when the army departs. When the sacrifice is complete, captives and severed ears are handed to the Ministry of Justice; the pitch-regulating officer leads the musicians in withdrawal. The emperor wears the Tongtian crown and crimson gauze robe, ascends the Meridian Gate tower, and with a victory bulletin proclaims victory to the realm; officials wear court dress to listen—the protocol matches that for opening and reading edicts of amnesty.

大將奏凱儀。先期，大都督以露布聞。內使監陳御座於午門樓上前楹，設奏凱樂位於樓前，協律郎位於奏凱樂北，司樂位於協律郎南。又設獻俘位於樓前少南，獻俘將校位於其北，刑部尚書奏位於將校北，皆北向。又設刑部尚書受俘位於獻俘位西，東向。設露布案於內道正中，南向。受露布位於案東，承製位於案東北，俱西向。宣露布位於文武班南，北向。至日清晨，先陳凱樂俘馘於廟社門外，不奏歌曲。俟告祭禮畢，復陳樂於午門樓前，將校引俘侍立於兵仗之外，百官入侍立位。皇帝常服升樓，侍衛如常儀。大將於樓前就位，四拜。諸將隨之，退，就侍立位。贊奏凱樂，協律郎執麾引樂工就位，司樂跪請奏凱樂。協律郎舉麾，鼓吹振作，編奏樂曲。樂止，贊宣露布。承製官以露布付受露布官，引禮引詣案跪受，由中道南行，以授宣露布官。宣訖，付中書省頒示天下。將校引俘至位，刑部尚書跪奏曰：「某官某以某處所俘獻，請付所司。」奏訖，退復位。其就刑者立於西廂，東向，以付刑官。其宥罪者，樓上承製官宣旨，有敕釋縛。樓下承旨，釋訖，贊禮贊所釋之俘謝恩，皆四拜三呼，將校以所釋俘退。如有所賜，就宣旨賜之。大將以下就拜位，舞蹈山呼如常儀。班前稍前跪，稱賀致詞訖，百官復四拜，禮畢還宮。

Protocol for a grand general reporting victory. In advance, the commander-in-chief reports victory by bulletin. The Directorate of Palace Attendants sets out the imperial seat in the front bay of the Meridian Gate tower; the position for victory music is set before the tower; the pitch-regulating officer stands north of the victory-music position; the music director stands south of the pitch-regulating officer. The captive-presentation position is also set slightly south before the tower; the captive-presenting officers stand north of it; the Ministry of Justice minister's reporting position is north of the officers—all facing north. The Ministry of Justice minister's position for receiving captives is also set west of the captive-presentation position, facing east. The victory-bulletin table is set at the center of the inner passage, facing south. The position for receiving the bulletin is east of the table; the edict-recipient position is northeast of the table—both facing west. The position for announcing the bulletin is south of the civil and military ranks, facing north. At dawn on the appointed day, victory music, captives, and severed ears are first displayed outside the temple and altar gates, without performing songs. After the announcement sacrifice is complete, music is displayed again before the Meridian Gate tower; officers lead captives to stand in attendance outside the weapons array; officials enter and take their attendance positions. The emperor in ordinary dress ascends the tower; the guard follows the usual protocol. The grand general takes position before the tower and performs four bows. The various generals follow him, withdraw, and take their attendance positions. The announcer intones the victory music; the pitch-regulating officer holds the baton and leads the musicians to position; the music director kneels to request performance of the victory music. The pitch-regulating officer raises the baton; drums and pipes strike up; the suite of music is performed in sequence. When the music stops, the announcer intones the announcement of the victory bulletin. The edict-recipient official hands the victory bulletin to the bulletin-receiving official; an usher leads him to the table to kneel and receive it, proceeds south along the central passage, and passes it to the bulletin-announcing official. When the announcement is finished, it is handed to the Secretariat for promulgation throughout the realm. Officers lead the captives into position; the Ministry of Justice minister kneels and reports: "Such-and-such an official presents captives taken at such-and-such a place; I request they be handed to the appropriate office." When the report is finished, he withdraws and returns to his position. Those condemned to execution stand in the west wing, facing east, and are handed over to the executioners. For those granted pardon, the edict-recipient official on the tower announces the edict ordering their bonds released. Below the tower the edict is received; once release is complete, the ritual announcer prompts the released captives to give thanks; all perform four bows and thrice shout "Long live the emperor!"; officers lead the released captives away. If gifts are to be bestowed, the edict is announced on the spot and they are granted. The grand general and those below take their bowing positions and perform the ceremonial dance and shouts of homage according to usual protocol. The lead official advances slightly and kneels; when the congratulatory address is finished, the officials again perform four bows; the rite concludes and the emperor returns to the palace.

洪武三年六月，左副將軍李文忠北征大捷，遣官送所俘元孫買的裏八剌及寶冊至京師。百官請行獻俘禮。帝不許，事詳《本紀》。止令服本俗服，朝見畢，賜中國衣冠就謝。復謂省臣曰：「故國之妃朝於君者，元有此禮，不必效之。」亦令衣本俗服，入見中宮，賜中國服就謝。十一月，大將軍徐達及文忠等師還，車駕出勞於江上。明日，達率諸將上《平沙漠表》。帝御奉天殿，皇太子親王侍，百官朝服陪列，達、文忠奉表賀。禮成，退自西階。皇太子親王入賀。後定，凡大捷，擇日以宣，其日不奏事，百官吉服賀，即日遣官薦告郊廟。中捷以下，止宣捷，不祭告慶賀。

In the sixth month of the third year of Hongwu, Left Deputy General Li Wenzhong won a great victory on the northern campaign and dispatched officials to bring to the capital the Yuan imperial grandson Maidibali and the precious registers among the captives. The officials requested performance of the captive-presentation rite. The emperor did not consent; details are given in the Basic Annals. He ordered only that they wear their native dress; after audience they were granted Chinese robes, caps, and belts and then gave thanks. He further told the provincial officials: "When a consort of a fallen state has audience with the sovereign, the Yuan had such a rite, but there is no need to imitate it." She too was ordered to wear her native dress, enter to see the empress, and after being granted Chinese dress, give thanks. In the eleventh month, Grand General Xu Da, Wenzhong, and the others returned with their armies; the imperial carriage went out to welcome them on the river. The next day, Xu Da led the generals in presenting the Memorial on Pacifying the Desert Sands. The emperor presided in the Hall of Supreme Harmony; the crown prince and imperial princes attended; officials in court dress stood in attendance as Xu Da and Wenzhong presented the memorial of congratulation. When the rite was complete, they withdrew by the western steps. The crown prince and imperial princes entered to offer congratulations. It was later fixed that for every great victory a day would be chosen for announcement; on that day no memorials would be heard; officials in festive dress would offer congratulations; and officials would be dispatched the same day to offer thanks at the suburban altars and temples. For moderate victories and below, only the victory was announced, without sacrificial thanksgiving or congratulatory rites.

永樂四年定，凡捷，兵部官以露布奏聞，大將在軍則進露布官行禮，次日行開讀禮，第三日行慶賀禮，餘如前儀。武宗徵宸濠還，禮部上獻俘儀，值帝弗豫，不果行。嘉靖二十三年十月，叛賊王三屢導吉囊入犯大同，官軍計擒之。遣官謝南北郊、景神殿、太社稷。擇日獻俘，百官表賀。天啓二年，四川獻逆犯樊友邦等，山東獻逆犯徐鴻儒等，俱遣官告祭郊廟，御樓獻俘。

In the fourth year of Yongle it was fixed that for every victory, Ministry of War officials reported by victory bulletin; if the grand general was still with the army, the bulletin-presenting official performed the rite; the opening-and-reading rite followed the next day and the congratulatory rite on the third; the rest followed previous protocol. When Emperor Wuzong returned from campaigning against the Prince of Ning, the Ministry of Rites presented the captive-presentation protocol, but as the emperor was unwell it was not carried out. In the tenth month of the twenty-third year of Jiajing, the rebel Wang San repeatedly guided Jibao in raids against Datong; government troops devised a plan and captured him. Officials were dispatched to offer thanks at the southern and northern suburban altars, the Hall of Imperial Splendor, and the Great Altars of the Soil and Grain. On a chosen day captives were presented and officials submitted congratulatory memorials. In the second year of Tianqi, Sichuan presented the rebel Fan Youbang and others and Shandong presented the rebel Xu Hongru and others; in each case officials were dispatched to announce sacrifices at the suburban altars and temples, and captives were presented at the imperial tower.

○論功行賞

Assessing merit and granting rewards.

凡凱還，中書省移文大都督府，兵部具諸將功績，吏部具勳爵職名，戶、禮二部具賞格。中書集六部論定功賞，奏取上裁。前期，陳御座香案於奉天殿，設寶案詔書案於殿中，誥命案于丹陛正中之北，宣制案於誥命案之北。吏、戶、禮三部尚書位於殿上東南，大都督、兵部尚書位於殿上西南，應受賞官拜位於丹墀中，序立位於丹墀西南，受賞位於誥命案之南，受賞執事位於受賞官序立位之西。每官用捧誥命、捧禮物各一人，俱北向。餘陳設如朝儀。是日，鼓三嚴，執事官各就位。皇帝袞冕升座，皇太子諸王袞冕，自殿東門入侍立，受賞官入就拜位，四拜。承製官跪承製，由殿中門出，吏、戶、禮尚書由殿西門出，立於誥命案東。承製官南向稱有制，受賞官皆跪，宣制曰：「朕嘉某等爲國建功，宜加爵賞。今授以某職，賜以某物，其恭承朕命。」宣畢，受賞官俯伏，興，再拜。唱行賞，受賞官第一人詣案前跪，吏部尚書捧誥命，戶部尚書捧禮物，各授受賞官。受賞官以授左右，俯伏，興，復位。餘官以次受賞訖，承製官、吏部尚書等俱至御前覆命，退復位。受賞官皆再拜，三舞蹈，山呼。俯伏，興，復四拜。禮畢，皇帝還宮。各官出，至午門外，以誥命禮物置於龍亭，用儀仗鼓樂各送還本第。明日進表稱謝，如常儀。

Whenever the army returns in triumph, the Secretariat notifies the Commander-in-Chief's Office; the Ministry of War prepares the generals' achievements; the Ministry of Personnel prepares ranks, titles, and offices; and the Ministries of Revenue and Rites prepare the reward scales. The Secretariat convenes the six ministries to fix merit and rewards, then memorializes for the emperor's decision. In advance, the imperial seat and incense table are set out in the Hall of Supreme Harmony; the seal table and edict table in the center of the hall; the patent-of-enfeoffment table north of the center of the red steps; and the edict-proclamation table north of the patent table. The ministers of Personnel, Revenue, and Rites stand southeast on the hall floor; the commander-in-chief and minister of War stand southwest; officials to receive rewards take bowing positions at the center of the red steps; lineup positions are southwest of the red steps; reward-receiving positions south of the patent table; reward attendants west of the lineup positions. For each official there is one bearer of the patent and one bearer of gifts, all facing north. The remaining arrangements follow court audience protocol. On that day the triple drum signal is sounded and attendant officials each take position. The emperor in full regalia ascends the throne; the crown prince and imperial princes in full regalia enter through the eastern hall gate to attend; officials to receive rewards enter, take bowing positions, and perform four bows. The edict-recipient official kneels to receive the edict and exits through the central hall gate; the ministers of Personnel, Revenue, and Rites exit through the western hall gate and stand east of the patent table. The edict-recipient official, facing south, announces that there is an edict; all officials to receive rewards kneel as the edict proclaims: "I commend such-and-such for establishing merit for the state and ought to add rank and reward. Now I confer such-and-such an office and bestow such-and-such objects; respectfully receive my command." When the proclamation is finished, the officials to receive rewards prostrate themselves, rise, and bow again. The announcer intones the granting of rewards; the first official to receive reward proceeds before the table and kneels; the minister of Personnel holds the patent and the minister of Revenue holds the gifts, each presenting them to the official. The official passes them to attendants at his sides, prostrates himself, rises, and returns to his position. The remaining officials receive rewards in order; when finished, the edict-recipient official, minister of Personnel, and others proceed before the throne to report completion, withdraw, and return to position. All officials to receive rewards bow again, perform the ceremonial dance three times, and shout the mountain homage. They prostrate themselves, rise, and perform four bows again. When the rite is complete, the emperor returns to the palace. The officials depart; outside the Meridian Gate the patents and gifts are placed in the dragon pavilion and, with guard of honor, drums, and music, each is escorted back to his residence. The next day they submit a memorial of thanks according to usual protocol.

○大閱

Grand troop review.

宣德四年十月，帝將閱武郊外，命都督府整兵，文武各堂上官一員、屬官一員扈從。正統間，或閱於近郊，於西苑，不著令。隆慶二年，大學士張居正言：「祖宗時有大閱禮，乞親臨校閱。」兵部引宣宗、英宗故事，請行之。命於明年八月舉行。及期，禮部定儀。

In the tenth month of the fourth year of Xuande, the emperor was about to review troops in the suburbs and ordered the Regional Military Commission to ready the army; one chief official and one subordinate from each civil and military bureau were to attend as escorts. During the Zhengtong reign, reviews were sometimes held in the near suburbs or at the Western Park, without fixed regulations. In the second year of Longqing, Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng said: "In the time of our ancestors there was a grand review rite; I beg Your Majesty to come in person to inspect and review." The Ministry of War cited precedents from Emperors Xuanzong and Yingzong and requested that it be carried out. An order was issued to hold it in the eighth month of the following year. When the date arrived, the Ministry of Rites fixed the protocol.

前期一日，皇帝常服告於內殿，行四拜禮，如出郊儀。司設監設御幄於將臺上，總協戎政大臣、巡視科道督率將領軍兵預肅教場。至日早，遣官於教場祭旗纛之神。三大營官軍具甲仗，將官四員統馬兵二千扈駕。文臣各堂上官，科道掌印官、禮兵二科、禮部儀制司、兵部四司官、糾儀監射御史、鴻臚寺供事官，武臣都督以上、錦衣衛堂上及南鎮撫司掌印僉書官，俱大紅便服，關領扈從，牙牌懸帶，先詣教場。是日免朝。錦衣衛備鹵簿。皇帝常服乘輦由長安左門出，官軍導從，鉦鼓振作。出安定門，至閱武門外。總協戎政官率大小將佐戎服跪迎，入將臺下，北向序立。駕進閱武門，內中軍舉號砲三，各營鉦鼓振作，扈從官序立於行宮門外。駕至門，降輦。兵部官導入行宮，鳴金止鼓，候升座。扈從官行一拜禮，傳賜酒飯。各官謝恩出，將臺下東西序立。兵部官奏請大閱。兵部、鴻臚寺官導駕登臺，舉砲三。京營將士叩頭畢，東西侍立。總協戎政官列於扈從官之北，諸將列從官之南。兵部尚書奏請，令各營整搠人馬。臺上吹號笛，麾黃旗，總協戎政及將佐等官各歸所部。兵部尚書請閱陣，舉砲三。馬步官軍演陣，如常法。演畢，復吹號笛，麾黃旗，將士俱回營。少頃，兵部尚書請閱射。總協戎政官以下及聽射公、侯、駙馬、伯、錦衣衛等官，俱於臺下較射。馬三矢，步六矢，中的者鳴鼓以報，御史、兵部官監視紀錄。把總以下及家丁、軍士射，以府部大臣並御史、兵部官於東西廳較閱。槍刀火器等藝，聽總協戎政官量取一隊，於御前呈驗。兵部尚書奏大閱畢，臺下舉號旗。總協戎政官及諸將領俱詣臺下，北向序立。鴻臚寺官奏傳制，贊跪。宣制訖，贊叩頭。各官先退，出門外，贊扈從官行叩頭禮。禮畢，駕回行宮，少憩，扈從等官趨至門內立。皇帝升輦。中軍舉砲三，各營皆鼓吹，鹵簿及馬兵導從如來儀，鉦鼓與大樂相應振作。總協戎政以下候駕至，叩頭退。馬兵至長安左門外止。鹵簿、大樂至午門外止。駕還，仍詣內殿參謁，如前儀。百官不扈從者，各吉服於承天門外橋南序立恭送，駕還，迎如之。次日，總協戎政官以下表謝，百官侍班行稱賀禮，如常儀。兵部以將士優劣及中箭多寡、教練等第奏聞。越二日，皇帝御皇極門，賜敕勉勵將士。總協戎政官捧至彩輿，將士迎導至教場，開讀行禮如儀。是日，即行賞賚並戒罰有差。次日，總協戎政官率將佐復謝恩。

One day in advance, the emperor in ordinary dress announced at the inner hall and performed four bows, as in the suburban departure protocol. The Directorate of Palace Equipment set the imperial tent on the command platform; the grand coordinator of military affairs and inspecting censorial officials supervised generals and troops in preparing the drill ground. Early on the appointed day, officials were dispatched to sacrifice to the spirit of banners and standards at the drill ground. The troops of the three great camps were fully armed; four generals commanded two thousand cavalry to escort the imperial carriage. Civil officials—the chief of each bureau, censorial seal-holding officials, the two sections of Rites and War, the Ministry of Rites Protocol Office, the four sections of the Ministry of War, the supervising archery censor, and Court of State Ceremonial attendants; military officials—regional commanders and above, the chief officials of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Southern Pacification Office seal-holding clerks—all in great red informal dress, with passes for escort and tally plaques suspended, proceeded first to the drill ground. On that day court audience was waived. The Embroidered Uniform Guard prepared the imperial guard of honor. The emperor in ordinary dress rode the palanquin out through the left Chang'an Gate; officers and soldiers led the escort as gongs and drums struck up. He went out through the Anding Gate to outside the Review Troops Gate. The grand coordinator of military affairs led great and small generals and aides in military dress to kneel in welcome; they entered below the command platform and stood in order facing north. The imperial procession entered the Review Troops Gate; the inner central army fired three signal guns; each camp's gongs and drums struck up; escort officials stood in order outside the traveling palace gate. When the procession reached the gate, the emperor descended from the palanquin. Ministry of War officials led him into the traveling palace; gongs sounded to stop the drums while they awaited his ascending the seat. Escort officials performed one bow; wine and food were transmitted as gifts. The officials gave thanks and withdrew; below the platform they stood in order to east and west. Ministry of War officials memorialized requesting the grand review. Ministry of War and Court of State Ceremonial officials guided the emperor to ascend the platform; three guns were fired. When the capital-camp officers and soldiers had finished knocking their heads, they stood in attendance to east and west. The grand coordinator of military affairs stood north of the escort officials; the various generals south of the attendants. The minister of War memorialized requesting that each camp ready its men and horses. On the platform horns and flutes sounded; the yellow banner was waved; the grand coordinator, generals, and aides each returned to their units. The minister of War requested review of the formations; three guns were fired. Cavalry and infantry performed formations according to usual method. When the drill was finished, horns and flutes sounded again; the yellow banner was waved; officers and soldiers all returned to camp. Shortly afterward the minister of War requested review of archery. The grand coordinator and those below, together with the archery-listening dukes, marquises, imperial sons-in-law, earls, and Embroidered Uniform Guard officials, all shot in competition below the platform. Mounted archers shot three arrows and foot archers six; when the target was hit drums sounded in report; censors and Ministry of War officials supervised and recorded. Company commanders and below, household retainers, and soldiers shot; ministry grand coordinators together with censors and Ministry of War officials reviewed the competition in the east and west halls. For skills with spears, blades, firearms, and the like, the grand coordinator was permitted to select one unit as he saw fit to present for inspection before the emperor. The minister of War memorialized that the grand review was complete; below the platform the signal banner was raised. The grand coordinator and all generals proceeded below the platform and stood in order facing north. Court of State Ceremonial officials memorialized transmitting the edict; the announcer intoned kneeling. When the edict was announced, the announcer intoned knocking the head. The officials withdrew first; outside the gate the announcer intoned the head-knocking rite for escort officials. When the rite was complete, the procession returned to the traveling palace for a brief rest; escort and other officials hurried to stand inside the gate. The emperor ascended the palanquin. The central army fired three guns; each camp played music; the guard of honor and cavalry escorted as on the outward journey; gongs and drums and great music struck up in response. The grand coordinator and those below awaited the procession's arrival, kowtowed and withdrew. The cavalry halted outside the left Chang'an Gate. The guard of honor and great music halted outside the Meridian Gate. When the procession returned, the emperor again proceeded to the inner hall to pay respects, as in the previous protocol. Officials who did not escort, each in festive dress, stood in order south of the bridge outside the Chengtian Gate to see him off respectfully; when the procession returned, they welcomed him in the same way. The next day the grand coordinator and those below submitted a memorial of thanks; officials in attendance performed the congratulatory rite according to usual protocol. The Ministry of War reported the merits and faults of officers and soldiers, how many arrows hit the mark, and their training grades. Two days later the emperor presided at the Huangji Gate and bestowed an edict encouraging the officers and soldiers. The grand coordinator bore it to the ceremonial carriage; officers and soldiers welcomed and escorted it to the drill ground, where it was opened, read, and the rite performed according to protocol. That same day rewards were granted and warnings and punishments meted out in varying degrees. The next day the grand coordinator led generals and aides to give thanks again.

詔如議行。駕還，樂奏《武成之曲》。

An edict ordered that it be carried out as deliberated. When the procession returned, music performed the "Martial Completion" suite.

萬曆九年大閱，如隆慶故事。

The grand review in the ninth year of Wanli followed the Longqing precedent.

○大射

Grand archery rite.

大射之禮，後世莫講，惟《宋史》列於嘉禮。至《明集禮》則附軍禮中，《會典》亦然。

The rite of grand archery was not practiced in later ages; only the History of Song lists it among auspicious rites. In the Collected Rites of the Ming it is grouped under military rites, and the Statutes likewise.

其制洪武三年定。凡郊廟祭祀，先期行大射禮，工部制射侯等器。其射鵠有七。虎鵠五采，天子用之。熊鵠五采，皇太子用之。豹鵠五采，親王用之。豹鵠四採，文武一品、二品者用之。糝鵠三採，三品至五品用之。狐鵠二採，六品至九品用之。布鵠無採，文武官子弟及士民俊秀用之。凡射時，置乏於鵠右。乏又名容，見《周禮·大司馬》服不氏，職執旗及待獲者以蔽身。設楅及韋，當射時置於前，以齊矢。設射中五。皮樹中，天子大射用之。閭中，天子宴射用之。虎中，皇太子親王射用之。兕中，一品至五品文武官用之。鹿中，六品至九品及文武官子弟士民俊秀通用之。其職事，設司正官二，掌驗射者品級尊卑人力強弱而定耦，其中否則書於算，兵部官職之。司射二，掌先以強弓射鵠誘射，以鼓衆氣，武職官充之。司射器官二，掌辨弓力強弱，分爲三等，驗人力強弱以授，工部官職之。舉爵者，掌以馬湩授中者飲，光祿寺官職之。請射者，掌定耦射。射畢，再請某耦射，侍儀司職之。待獲者、掌矢納於司射器者，以隸僕供其役。執旗者六人，掌於容後執五色旗。如射者中的，舉紅旗應之。中採，舉採旗應之。偏西，舉白旗。偏東，舉青旗。過於鵠舉黃旗。不及鵠，舉黑旗。軍士二人掌之。引禮二，掌引文武官進退，侍儀司舍人職之。

Its regulations were fixed in the third year of Hongwu. For all suburban and temple sacrifices, the grand archery rite was performed in advance; the Ministry of Works made archery targets and other implements. There are seven types of shooting target. The five-colored tiger target is used by the Son of Heaven. The five-colored bear target is used by the crown prince. The five-colored leopard target is used by imperial princes. The four-colored leopard target is used by civil and military officials of the first and second ranks. The three-colored grain-paste target is used by officials of the third through fifth ranks. The two-colored fox target is used by officials of the sixth through ninth ranks. The plain cloth target is used by sons of civil and military officials and talented commoners. Whenever shooting takes place, the screen is placed to the right of the target. The screen is also called the cover; it appears in the Zhou Rites under the Grand Marshal's Fu Bu Shi, whose duty is to hold the banner and shield the retriever from view. The arrow-frame and leather mat are set out before shooting to align the arrows. Five types of hit-markers are set out. The leather tree-marker is used in the Son of Heaven's grand archery. The lane-marker is used in the Son of Heaven's banquet archery. The tiger marker is used in archery by the crown prince and imperial princes. The rhinoceros marker is used by civil and military officials of the first through fifth ranks. The deer marker is used in common by officials of the sixth through ninth ranks, sons of officials, and talented commoners. For duties: two rectifying officials verify shooters' rank, seniority, and physical strength to form pairs; hits and misses are recorded on tallies—Ministry of War officials hold this office. Two archery masters first shoot the target with a strong bow to lead the shooting and rouse everyone's spirit—military officials fill this role. Two archery-equipment officials distinguish bow strength, divide bows into three grades, and verify human strength to assign them—Ministry of Works officials hold this office. The cup-raisers give mare's milk to those who hit the mark to drink—Court of Imperial Entertainments officials hold this office. The shooting-requesters manage forming pairs for shooting. When shooting is finished, they again request such-and-such a pair to shoot—the Ceremonial Attendants Directorate holds this office. Retrievers and those who place arrows in the archery master's vessel are supplied by menial servants. Six banner-bearers hold the five-colored banners behind the screen. If the shooter hits the center, they raise the red banner in response. If he hits a colored fold, they raise the colored banner in response. If the shot lands off-center toward the west, they raise the white banner. If the shot lands off-center toward the east, they raise the green banner. If the shot passes beyond the target, they raise the yellow banner. If it falls short of the target, they raise the black banner. Two soldiers manage this. Two ushers lead civil and military officials forward and back—Ceremonial Attendants Directorate clerks hold this office.

太祖又以先王射禮久廢，弧矢之事專習於武夫，而文士多未解，乃詔國學及郡縣生員皆令習射，頒儀式於天下。朔望則於公廨或閒地習之。其官府學校射儀，略仿大射之式而殺其禮。射位初三十步，自後累加至九十步。射四矢，以二人爲耦。

The founding emperor further held that the archery rites of former kings had long been abandoned, bow and arrow skills were practiced only by military men while most literati did not understand them; he therefore ordered students of the National University and prefectural and county schools all to practice archery and promulgated the protocol throughout the realm. On the first and fifteenth of each month they practiced at government offices or open ground. The archery protocol for government offices and schools followed the grand archery form in outline but reduced the ceremony. The shooting position began at thirty paces and was progressively increased to ninety paces. Four arrows were shot, with two persons forming a pair.

永樂時有擊球射柳之制。十一年五月五日幸東苑，擊球射柳，聽文武羣臣四夷朝使及在京耆老聚觀。分擊球官爲兩朋，自皇太孫而下諸王大臣以次擊射，賜中者幣布有差。

During the Yongle reign there were regulations for polo and willow-shooting. On the fifth day of the fifth month of the eleventh year he visited the Eastern Park for polo and willow-shooting, permitting civil and military officials, envoys from the four directions, and elders in the capital to gather and watch. Polo players were divided into two teams; from the imperial great-grandson down, princes and great ministers shot in order; those who hit were granted silks and cloth in varying amounts.

○救日伐鼓

Rescuing the sun and beating drums during eclipse.

洪武六年二月，定救日食禮。其日，皇帝常服，不御正殿。中書省設香案，百官朝服行禮。鼓人伐鼓，復圓乃止。月食，大都督府設香案，百官常服行禮，不伐鼓，雨雪雲翳則免。

In the second month of the sixth year of Hongwu, the rite for rescuing a solar eclipse was fixed. On that day the emperor wore ordinary dress and did not preside in the main hall. The Secretariat set out an incense table; officials in court dress performed the rite. Drummers beat the drums; when the sun returned to fullness they stopped. For a lunar eclipse, the Commander-in-Chief's Office set out an incense table; officials in ordinary dress performed the rite without beating drums; if there was rain, snow, or cloud cover the rite was waived.

二十六年三月更定，禮部設香案於露臺，向日，設金鼓於儀門內，設樂於露臺下，各官拜位於露臺上。至期，百官朝服入班，樂作，四拜興，樂止，跪。執事者捧鼓，班首擊鼓三聲，衆鼓齊鳴，候復圓，復行四拜禮。月食，則百官便服於都督府救護如儀。在外諸司，日食則於布政使司、府州縣，月食則於都指揮使司、衛所，如儀。

In the third month of the twenty-sixth year it was revised: the Ministry of Rites set an incense table on the open terrace facing the sun; set gold drums inside the ceremonial gate; set music below the terrace; each official's bowing position was on the terrace. When the time came, officials in court dress entered ranks; music played; they performed four bows and rose; music stopped; they knelt. Attendants bore the drums; the lead official struck three beats; all drums sounded together; they waited until the sun returned to fullness, then performed four bows again. For a lunar eclipse, officials in informal dress performed the rescue rite at the Regional Military Commission according to protocol. In outer offices, solar eclipses were handled at the provincial administration commission, prefecture, and county; lunar eclipses at the regional military commission and guard post—according to protocol.

隆慶六年，大喪。方成服，遇日食。百官先哭臨，後赴禮部，青素衣、黑角帶，向日四拜，不用鼓樂。

In the sixth year of Longqing there was a great mourning. Just as mourning dress had been assumed, a solar eclipse occurred. Officials first went to wail at the mourning hall, then proceeded to the Ministry of Rites in blue plain dress and black horn belt, performed four bows facing the sun, without drums or music.

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