1
禮十九 〈（賓禮一）〉 ○大朝會儀常朝儀
Rites 19 (Guest Rites I)› ○ Ceremonies for Grand Court Assemblies and for Regular Court Audiences
2
《周官》：司儀掌九儀賓客擯相，詔王南鄉以朝諸侯。 「大行人掌大賓之禮、大客之儀，以親諸侯」。 蓋君臣之際體統雖嚴，然而接以仁義，攝以威儀，實有賓主之道焉。 是以《小雅·鹿鳴》燕其臣下，皆以嘉賓稱之。 宋之朝儀，政和詳定五禮，列為賓禮。 今修《宋史》，存其舊雲。
According to the Offices of Zhou, the Director of Ceremonies oversaw the nine ritual forms for receiving guests and guiding them in audience, and directed the king to face south when the feudal lords came to court. "The Grand Usher was charged with the rites for great guests and the ceremonial forms for great visitors, to keep the feudal lords close to the throne." Though the protocol between ruler and minister was strict in outward form, they still met through humaneness and righteousness and were bound by dignity and ritual decorum; in truth there was something of the relationship between host and guest. Hence in the "Deer Cry" of the Minor Odes, when the lord feasted his ministers below him, he addressed them all as honored guests. Under the Song, court ritual was set forth in detail in the Zhenghe reign, when the Five Rites were codified, with these matters placed under Guest Rites. In compiling the present History of Song, we preserve these former provisions as recorded.
3
大朝會。 宋承前代之制，以元日、五月朔、冬至行大朝會之禮。 太祖建隆二年正月朔，始受朝賀於崇元殿，服袞冕，設宮縣、仗衛如儀。 仗退，群臣詣皇太后宮門奉賀。 帝常服御廣德殿，群臣上壽，用教坊樂。 五月朔，受朝賀於崇元殿，帝服通天冠，絳紗袍，宮縣、儀仗如元會儀。 乾德三年冬至，受朝賀於文明殿，四年於朝元殿，賀畢，常服御大明殿，群臣上壽，始用雅樂登歌、二舞，群臣酒五行罷。
Grand Court Assembly. The Song followed earlier dynastic practice and held the Grand Court Assembly rites on New Year's Day, on the first day of the fifth month, and at the winter solstice. On New Year's Day of the second year of the Jianlong era, Emperor Taizu first received court congratulations in the Chongyuan Hall, wearing imperial full dress, with palace musicians and the guard of honor arrayed as prescribed. After the guard of honor withdrew, the ministers went to the Empress Dowager's palace gate to offer their congratulations. The emperor then appeared in ordinary dress at the Guangde Hall, where the ministers offered longevity toasts, accompanied by music from the Court Entertainment Office. On the first day of the fifth month he received court congratulations in the Chongyuan Hall, wearing the open-topped cap and crimson gauze robe, with palace musicians and ceremonial guard arrayed as at the New Year assembly. At the winter solstice of the third year of Qiande he received court congratulations in the Wenhua Hall, and in the fourth year in the Chaoyuan Hall. When the congratulations were finished, he appeared in ordinary dress at the Daming Hall, where the ministers offered longevity toasts; for the first time elegant court music with elevated song and two dances was performed, and the ceremony ended after five rounds of wine for the ministers.
4
太宗淳化三年正月朔，命有司約《開元禮》定上壽儀，皆以法服行禮，設宮縣、萬舞，酒三行罷。
On New Year's Day of the third year of the Chunhua era, Emperor Taizong ordered the relevant offices to draw on the Kaiyuan Rites to establish the longevity-wishing ceremony; all participants wore formal court dress, palace musicians and the myriad dances were arrayed, and the ceremony ended after three rounds of wine.
5
真宗咸平三年五月朔，雨，命放仗，百官常服，起居於長春殿，退詣正衙，立班宣製。
On the first day of the fifth month in the third year of the Xianping era, rain fell; the emperor ordered the guard of honor dismissed, the hundred officials in ordinary dress performed the audience rite at the Changchun Hall, then withdrew to the main administrative hall, formed ranks, and the edict was proclaimed.
6
仁宗天聖四年十二月，詔明年正月朔先率百官赴會慶殿，上皇太后壽，酒畢，乃受朝天安殿，仍令太常禮院修定儀製。
In the twelfth month of the fourth year of the Tiansheng era, Emperor Renzong decreed that on the following New Year's Day he should first lead the hundred officials to the Huiqing Hall to offer longevity wishes to the Empress Dowager; only after the wine ceremony was finished would he receive court at the Tian'an Hall, and he also ordered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and Rites to revise the ceremonial regulations.
7
五年正月朔，曉漏未盡三刻，宰臣、百官與遼使、諸軍將校，並常服班會慶殿。 內侍請皇太后出殿後幄，鳴鞭，升坐； 又詣殿後皇帝幄，引皇帝出。 帝服靴袍，於簾內北向褥位再拜，跪稱：「臣某言：元正啟祚，萬物惟新。 伏惟尊號皇太后陛下，膺時納祐，於天同休。」 內常侍承旨答曰：「履新之祐，與皇帝同之。」 帝再拜，詣皇太后御坐稍東。 內給事酌酒授內謁者監進，帝跪進訖，以盤興，內謁者監承接之，帝卻就褥位，跪奏曰：「臣某稽首言：元正令節，不勝大慶，謹上千萬歲壽。」 再拜，內常侍宣答曰：「恭舉皇帝壽酒。」 帝再拜，執盤侍立，教坊樂止，皇帝受虛盞還幄。 通事舍人引百官橫行，典儀讚再拜、舞蹈、起居。 太尉升自西階，稱賀簾外，降，還位，皆再拜、舞蹈。 侍中承旨曰：「有制。」 皆再拜，宣曰：「履新之吉，與公等同之。」 皆再拜、舞蹈。 閣門使簾外奏：「宰臣某以下進壽酒。」 皆再拜。 太尉升自東階，翰林使酌禦酒盞授太尉，執盞盤跪進簾外，內謁者監跪接以進，太尉跪奏曰：「元正令節，臣等不勝慶抃，謹上千萬歲壽。」 降，還位，皆再拜。 宣徽使承旨曰：「舉公等觴。」 皆再拜。 太尉升，立簾外，樂止。 內謁者監出簾授虛盞。 太尉降階，橫行，皆再拜、舞蹈。 宣徽使承旨宣群臣升殿，再拜，升，及東西廂坐，酒三行，侍中奏禮畢，退。 樞密使以下迎乘輿於長春殿，起居稱賀。 百官就朝堂易朝服，班天安殿朝賀，帝服袞冕受朝。 禮官、通事舍人引中書令、門下侍郎各於案取所奏文，詣褥位，脫劍舄，以次升，分東西立。 諸方鎮表、祥瑞案先置門外，左右令史絳衣對舉，給事中押祥瑞、中書侍郎押表案入，分詣東、西階下對立。 既賀，更服通天冠、絳紗袍，稱觴上壽，止舉四爵。 乘輿還內，恭謝太后如常禮。
On New Year's Day of the fifth year, before the third quarter of the dawn watch had passed, the chief ministers, the hundred officials, the Liao envoy, and the military commanders of the various armies, all in ordinary dress, formed ranks at the Huiqing Hall. Inner attendants invited the Empress Dowager to emerge from the rear curtain of the hall; the whip was sounded, and she ascended and took her seat; they then went to the emperor's curtain behind the hall and led the emperor out. The emperor, wearing boots and robe, within the curtain bowed twice at the cushion seat facing north and, kneeling, said: "Your subject [name] states: At the New Year the mandate is renewed, and the ten thousand things are all made new. I humbly consider that Your Majesty the Empress Dowager of honored title, having received the age and drawn in blessings, shares felicity with Heaven." The inner chamberlain, receiving the edict, replied: "The blessings of treading the new year are shared with the emperor." The emperor bowed again and went to a place slightly east of the Empress Dowager's imperial seat. The inner steward poured wine and handed it to the inner usher superintendent to present; the emperor knelt and presented it; when finished, it was raised on a tray; the inner usher superintendent received it; the emperor withdrew to the cushion seat and, kneeling, reported: "Your subject [name], bowing the head, states: On this New Year festival, unable to contain great rejoicing, I respectfully offer ten thousand years of longevity." He bowed again; the inner chamberlain proclaimed the reply: "Respectfully raise the emperor's longevity wine." The emperor bowed again, held the tray and stood waiting; the Music Bureau music ceased; the emperor received the empty cup and returned to the curtain. The communication officer led the hundred officials in lateral procession; the ceremonial director intoned bow twice, dance, and audience. The Grand Commandant ascended from the western steps, offered congratulations outside the curtain, descended, and returned to his place; all bowed twice and danced. The Palace Attendant, receiving the edict, said: "There is an edict." All bowed twice; it was proclaimed: "The auspiciousness of treading the new year is shared with you, lords, alike." All bowed twice and danced. The Gate Commissioner reported outside the curtain: "The chief minister [name] and those below present longevity wine." All bowed twice. The Grand Commandant ascended from the eastern steps; the Hanlin envoy poured the imperial wine cup and handed it to the Grand Commandant, who held the cup and tray, knelt, and presented it outside the curtain; the inner usher superintendent knelt, received it, and presented it inward; the Grand Commandant knelt and reported: "On this New Year festival, your subjects cannot contain our rejoicing and prostration of joy; we respectfully offer ten thousand years of longevity." He descended and returned to his place; all bowed twice. The Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service, receiving the edict, said: "Raise your cups, lords." All bowed twice. The Grand Commandant ascended and stood outside the curtain; the music ceased. The inner usher superintendent came out from the curtain and handed over the empty cup. The Grand Commandant descended the steps and moved laterally; all bowed twice and danced. The Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service, receiving the edict, proclaimed that the assembled ministers should ascend the hall; all bowed twice, ascended, and took seats in the eastern and western side chambers; after three rounds of wine, the Palace Attendant reported that the rites were finished, and they withdrew. The Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs and those below met the imperial carriage at the Changchun Hall, performed the audience rite, and offered congratulations. The hundred officials went to the court hall to change into court dress, formed ranks at the Tian'an Hall for court congratulations, and the emperor, wearing imperial full dress, received court. The ritual officers and communication officers led the Director of the Secretariat and the Vice Director of the Chancellery each to take from the table the memorial to be presented, go to the cushion seat, remove sword and shoes, ascend in order, and stand divided east and west. The tables of memorials from the various regional commands and of auspicious omens were first placed outside the gate; the left and right clerks in crimson robes raised them facing each other; the Attendant Within the Yellow Gate escorted the auspicious omens and the Vice Director of the Secretariat escorted the memorial table inward, each going to stand facing one another below the eastern and western steps. When congratulations were finished, he changed into the open-topped cap and crimson gauze robe, raised the cup to offer longevity wishes, and only four rounds of wine were performed. The imperial carriage returned within; he respectfully thanked the Empress Dowager according to the usual rites.
8
元正、冬至大朝會，有司設御坐大慶殿，東西房於御坐之左右少北，東西閣於殿後，百官、宗室、客使次於朝堂之內外。 五輅先陳於庭，兵部設黃麾仗於殿之內外。 大樂令展宮架之樂於橫街南。 鼓吹令分置十二案於宮架外。 協律郎二人，一位殿上西階之前楹，一位宮架西北，俱東向。 陳輿輦、御馬於龍墀，傘扇於沙墀，貢物於宮架南 〈（冬至不設貢物）〉 ，餘則列大慶門外。 陳布將士於街。 左、右金吾六軍諸衛勒所部，列黃麾大仗於門及殿庭。 百僚、客使等俱入朝。 文武常參官朝服，陪位官公服，近仗就陳於閣外。 大樂令、樂工、協律郎入就位。 中書侍郎以諸方鎮表案、給事中以祥瑞俟於大慶門外之左右 〈（冬至不設給事中位、祥瑞案）〉。 諸侍衛官各服其器服。
For the Grand Court Assembly on New Year's Day and at the winter solstice, the relevant offices set the imperial seat in the Daqing Hall; the eastern and western chambers slightly north to the left and right of the imperial seat; the eastern and western pavilions behind the hall; the hundred officials, the imperial clan, and guest envoys took their places inside and outside the court hall. The five imperial carriages were first displayed in the courtyard; the Ministry of War set the yellow-banner guard inside and outside the hall. The Director of Grand Music deployed the palace-frame musicians south of the cross street. The Director of Wind and Percussion Music placed the twelve music stands outside the palace frame. Two pitch-regulating officers: one at the front pillar before the western steps on the hall, one northwest of the palace frame; both faced east. Imperial carriages and horses were displayed on the dragon terrace, parasols and fans on the sand terrace, and tribute objects south of the palace frame (at the winter solstice tribute objects are not set out)› , while the rest were arrayed outside the Daqing Gate. Soldiers were arrayed along the street. The left and right Golden Crow guards, the Six Armies, and the various guards mustered their commands and arrayed the great yellow-banner guard at the gate and in the hall courtyard. The hundred officials, guest envoys, and the rest all entered court. Civil and military officials regularly attending court wore court dress; officials in attendance positions wore public dress; the near guard took their stations outside the pavilion. The Director of Grand Music, musicians, and pitch-regulating officers entered and took their places. The Vice Director of the Secretariat with the table of memorials from the various regional commands and the Attendant Within the Yellow Gate with the auspicious omens waited to the left and right outside the Daqing Gate (at the winter solstice the position of Attendant Within the Yellow Gate and the auspicious-omens table are not set out)› All guard officers each wore their proper equipment and dress.
9
輦出，至西閣降輦，符寶郎奉寶詣閣門奉迎，百官、客使、陪位官俱入就位。 侍中版奏中嚴，又奏外辦。 殿上鳴鞭，宮縣撞黃鍾之鍾，右五鍾皆應。 內侍承旨索扇，扇合，帝服通天冠、絳紗袍。 禦輿出，協律郎舉麾奏《乾安》樂，鼓吹振作。 帝出自西房，降輿即坐，扇開，殿下鳴鞭。 協律郎偃麾樂止，爐煙升。 符寶郎奉寶置御坐前，中書侍郎、給事中押表案、祥瑞案入，詣東西階下對立，百官、宗室及遼使班分東西，以次入，《正安》樂作，就位。 樂止，押樂官歸本班，起居畢，復案位。 三師、親王以下及御史臺、外正任、遼使俱就北向位。 典儀讚拜，在位者皆再拜，起居訖，太尉將升，中書令、門下侍郎俱降至西階下立 〈（凡太尉行則樂作，至位樂止）〉。 太尉詣西階下，解劍脫舄升殿。 中書令、門下侍郎各於案取所奏之文詣褥位，解劍脫舄以次升，分東西立以俟。 太尉詣御坐前，北向跪奏：「文武百寮、太尉具官臣某等言：元正啟祚，萬物咸新 〈（冬至易為「晷運推移，日南長至」）〉。 伏惟皇帝陛下應乾納祐，與天同休。」 俯伏，興，降階，佩劍納舄 〈（餘官準此）〉。 還位，在位官俱再拜、舞蹈，三稱萬歲，再拜。 侍中進當御坐前承旨，退臨階，西向，稱製宣答曰：「履新之慶 〈（冬至易曰「履長之慶」）〉 ，與公等同之。」 讚者曰「拜」，舞蹈，三稱萬歲。 橫行官分班立。 中書令、門下侍郎升詣御坐前，各奏諸方鎮表及祥瑞訖，戶部尚書就承製位俯伏跪奏諸州貢物，請付所司。 禮部尚書奏諸蕃貢物如之。 司天監奏雲物祥瑞，請付史館，皆如上儀。 侍中進當御坐前奏禮畢，殿上承旨索扇，殿下鳴鞭，官縣撞蕤賓之鍾，左五鍾皆應，協律郎舉麾，宮縣奏《乾安》樂，鼓吹振作，帝降坐，禦輿入自東房，扇開，偃麾樂止。 侍中奏解嚴，百官退還次。 客使、陪位官並退。
The carriage came forth; arriving at the western pavilion he descended from the carriage; the seal-and-talisman officer bore the seal and went to the gate office to welcome him; the hundred officials, guest envoys, and officials in attendance positions all entered and took their places. The Palace Attendant reported on the tablet that the inner strictness had begun, and again reported that the outer preparations were complete. The whip was sounded on the hall; the palace frame struck the bell of the Yellow Bell note, and the five bells to the right all responded. The inner attendant, receiving the edict, requested the fans; the fans were closed; the emperor wore the open-topped cap and crimson gauze robe. The imperial carriage came forth; the pitch-regulating officer raised the baton and performed the music "Qian'an"; the wind and percussion music sounded vigorously. The emperor came forth from the western chamber, descended from the carriage and immediately took his seat; the fans were opened; the whip was sounded below the hall. The pitch-regulating officer lowered the baton and the music ceased; censer smoke rose. The seal-and-talisman officer bore the seal and placed it before the imperial seat; the Vice Director of the Secretariat and the Attendant Within the Yellow Gate escorted the memorial table and the auspicious-omens table inward and went to stand facing one another below the eastern and western steps; the hundred officials, the imperial clan, and the Liao envoy formed ranks divided east and west, entered in order, the music "Zheng'an" was performed, and they took their places. The music ceased; the music officers escorting the tables returned to their original ranks; when the audience rite was finished, they returned to their table positions. The Three Preceptors, imperial princes and those below, the Censorate, regular appointees from outside, and the Liao envoy all took their north-facing positions. The ceremonial director intoned bow; those in position all bowed twice; when the audience rite was finished, as the Grand Commandant was about to ascend, the Director of the Secretariat and the Vice Director of the Chancellery both descended and stood below the western steps (whenever the Grand Commandant moves, music is performed; when he reaches his place, the music ceases)› The Grand Commandant went to below the western steps, removed his sword and shoes, and ascended the hall. The Director of the Secretariat and the Vice Director of the Chancellery each took from the table the memorial to be presented and went to the cushion seat; they removed sword and shoes, ascended in order, and stood divided east and west to wait. The Grand Commandant went before the imperial seat, knelt facing north, and reported: "The civil and military hundred officials, the Grand Commandant and official [name] and the rest state: At the New Year the mandate is renewed, and the ten thousand things are all made new (at the winter solstice this is changed to "the shadow's movement shifts, and the sun reaches its southern limit")› I humbly consider that Your Majesty the Emperor, having responded to Qian and drawn in blessings, shares felicity with Heaven." He bowed prostrate, rose, descended the steps, and put on sword and shoes (the remaining officials follow this precedent)› He returned to his place; the officials in position all bowed twice, danced, thrice called "Ten thousand years," and bowed again. The Palace Attendant advanced before the imperial seat to receive the edict, withdrew to the steps, faced west, and proclaimed the edict in reply: "The celebration of treading the new year (at the winter solstice this is changed to "the celebration of treading the lengthening day")› , and is shared with you, lords, alike." The intoner called "Bow," and they danced and thrice shouted "Ten thousand years." The officials processing laterally formed ranks and stood in place. The Director of the Secretariat and the Vice Director of the Chancellery ascended before the imperial seat and each presented the memorials from the regional commands and the auspicious omens; when they had finished, the Minister of Revenue took the position for receiving the edict, bowed prostrate, knelt, and reported the tribute goods from the prefectures, asking that they be handed over to the appropriate offices. The Minister of Rites reported the tribute goods from the foreign states in the same way. The Directorate of Astronomy reported cloud signs and auspicious omens and asked that they be sent to the Historiography Office; all followed the procedure described above. The Palace Attendant advanced before the imperial seat and announced that the rites were finished; on the hall the edict was received to close the fans; below the hall the whip was sounded; the palace musicians struck the Flaming Guest bell, and the five bells to the left answered; the pitch-regulating officer raised the baton; the palace frame played "Qian'an"; wind and percussion music swelled; the emperor left his seat; the imperial carriage entered from the eastern chamber; the fans were opened; the baton was lowered and the music stopped. The Palace Attendant announced the lifting of strictness; the hundred officials withdrew to their stations. The guest envoys and officials in attendance positions all withdrew.
10
有司設食案，大樂令設登歌殿上，二舞入，立於架南。 預坐當升殿者位御坐之前，文武相向，異位重行，以北為上，非升殿者位於東西廊下。 尚食奉御設壽尊於殿東楹少南，設坫於尊南，加爵一。 有司設上下群臣酒尊於殿下東西廂。 侍衛官及執事者各立其位，仗衛仍立俟，上壽百官立班如朝賀儀。
The relevant offices set out the food tables; the Director of Grand Music arranged the elevated song on the hall; the two dance troupes entered and stood south of the music frame. Those who were to ascend the hall and take seats stood before the imperial seat; civil and military officials faced one another in staggered ranks, with the north as the place of honor; those not ascending the hall stood below the eastern and western corridors. The Imperial Food Service attendant placed the longevity wine vessel slightly south of the hall's eastern pillar, set the altar south of it, and added a single cup. The relevant offices set out wine vessels for the ministers above and below in the eastern and western side chambers beneath the hall. Guard officers and ritual attendants each took their stations; the guard of honor remained standing at attention; the hundred officials for the longevity ceremony formed ranks as at the court-congratulation ritual.
11
侍中版奏中嚴、外辦，聞鳴鞭，索扇，帝服通天冠、絳紗袍，禦輿出東房，樂作。 帝即坐，扇開，樂止。 讚拜畢，光祿卿詣橫街南，跪奏：「具官臣某言，請允群臣上壽。」 興，侍中承旨稱「製可」，少退。 舍人曰「拜」，光祿卿再拜訖，復位。 三師以下就位，讚者曰「拜」，在位者皆拜舞，三稱萬歲。 太尉升殿，詣壽尊所，北向，尚食奉御酌禦酒一爵授太尉，搢笏執爵詣前跪進，帝執爵，太尉出笏，俯伏，興，少退，跪奏：「文武百寮、太尉具官臣某等稽首言：元正首祚，臣等不勝大慶，謹上千萬壽。」 俯伏，興，降，復位。 讚者曰「拜」在位者皆再拜，三稱萬歲，侍中承旨退，西向宣曰：「舉公等觴。」 讚者曰「拜」，在位者皆再拜，三稱萬歲，北向，班分東西序立。 太尉自東階侍立。 帝舉第一爵，《和安》樂作，飲畢，樂止。 太尉受虛爵復於坫，降階。 三師以下再拜、舞蹈，稱萬歲如上儀。
The Palace Attendant reported on the tablet that inner strictness and outer preparations were complete; the whip sounded; the fans were closed; the emperor wore the open-topped cap and crimson gauze robe; the imperial carriage emerged from the eastern chamber; music began. The emperor took his seat at once; the fans were opened; the music stopped. When the intoned bowing was finished, the Director of the Imperial Household went to the south side of the cross street, knelt, and said: "Official [name] requests permission for the assembled ministers to offer longevity wishes." He rose; the Palace Attendant, receiving the edict, said "Approved," and withdrew a step. The usher called "Bow"; the Director of the Imperial Household bowed twice, then returned to his place. The Three Preceptors and those below took their places; the intoner called "Bow"; those in position all bowed, danced, and thrice shouted "Ten thousand years." The Grand Commandant ascended the hall and went to the longevity vessel, facing north; the Imperial Food Service attendant poured one cup of imperial wine and handed it to him; he inserted his tablet, held the cup, advanced, knelt, and presented it; the emperor took the cup; the Grand Commandant removed his tablet, bowed prostrate, rose, withdrew a step, knelt, and said: "The civil and military hundred officials, the Grand Commandant and official [name] and the rest, bowing the head, state: At the first renewal of the New Year mandate, we cannot contain our great rejoicing and respectfully offer ten thousand years of longevity." He bowed prostrate, rose, descended, and returned to his place. The intoner called "Bow"; those in position all bowed twice and thrice shouted "Ten thousand years"; the Palace Attendant, receiving the edict, withdrew, faced west, and proclaimed: "Raise your cups, lords." The intoner called "Bow"; those in position all bowed twice and thrice shouted "Ten thousand years," faced north, and formed ordered ranks east and west. The Grand Commandant stood in attendance beside the eastern steps. The emperor raised the first cup; the music "He'an" was played; when he had finished drinking, the music stopped. The Grand Commandant received the empty cup and returned it to the altar, then came down the steps. The Three Preceptors and those below bowed twice, danced, and shouted "Ten thousand years" as in the procedure above.
12
侍中進奏：「侍中具官臣某言，請延公王等升殿。」 俯伏，興，降，復位，侍中承旨退，稱「有制」，讚者曰「拜」，在位者皆再拜。 宣曰：「延公王等升殿。」 讚者曰「拜」，在位者皆再拜。 公王等詣東西階，升立於席後。 尚食奉御進酒，殿中監省酒以進。 帝舉第二爵，登歌作《甘露之曲》。 飲訖，殿中監受爵，樂止。 群臣升殿，就橫行位。 舍人曰：「各賜酒。」 讚者曰「拜」，群官皆再拜，三稱萬歲。 舍人曰：「就坐。」 太官令行酒，群官搢笏受酒，宮縣作《正安》之樂，文舞入，立宮架北。 觴行一周。 凡行酒訖，並太官令奏巡周，樂止。 尚食進食升階，以次置御坐前。 又設群官食，訖，太官令奏食遍。 太樂丞引《盛德升聞》之舞入，作三變，止，出。 殿中監進第三爵，群官立席後，登歌作《瑞木成文》之曲。 飲訖，樂止。 殿中丞受虛爵，舍人曰：「就坐。」 群官皆坐。 又行酒、作樂、進食，如上儀。 太樂丞引《天下大定之舞》，作三變，止，出。 殿中監進第四爵，登歌奏《嘉禾之曲》，如第三爵。 太官令行酒又一周，樂止，舍人曰：「可起。」 百寮皆立席後，侍中進御坐前跪奏，禮畢，俯伏，興，與群官俱降階復位，讚者曰：「拜。」 皆再拜、舞蹈，三稱萬歲，起，分班立。 殿上索扇，扇合，殿下鳴鞭，太樂令撞蕤賓之鍾，左右鍾皆應。 協律郎俯伏，舉麾。 太樂令令奏《乾安之樂》，鼓吹振作。 帝降坐禦輿入自東房，扇開，樂止。 侍中奏解嚴，所司承旨放仗。 百寮再拜，相次退。
The Palace Attendant advanced and said: "The Palace Attendant and official [name] requests that the dukes and princes be invited to ascend the hall." He bowed prostrate, rose, descended, and returned to his place; the Palace Attendant, receiving the edict, withdrew and announced "There is an edict"; the intoner called "Bow"; those in position all bowed twice. It was proclaimed: "Let the dukes and princes ascend the hall." The intoner called "Bow"; those in position all bowed twice. The dukes and princes went to the eastern and western steps, ascended, and stood behind the mats. The Imperial Food Service attendant presented the wine; the Palace Domestic Service superintendent inspected it and had it brought forward. The emperor raised the second cup; the elevated song performed the tune "Sweet Dew." When he had finished drinking, the Palace Domestic Service superintendent received the cup; the music stopped. The assembled ministers ascended the hall and took their lateral positions. The usher announced: "Wine is granted to each." The intoner called "Bow"; the assembled officials all bowed twice and thrice shouted "Ten thousand years." The usher announced: "Take your seats." The Director of the Imperial Kitchen circulated the wine; the assembled officials inserted their tablets and received it; the palace musicians played "Zheng'an"; the civil dancers entered and stood north of the music frame. The cups circulated once around the hall. When the wine had circulated in full, the Director of the Imperial Kitchen reported that the round was complete, and the music stopped. The Imperial Food Service brought food up the steps and set it in order before the imperial seat. Food was also set out for the assembled officials; when this was finished, the Director of the Imperial Kitchen reported that everyone had been served. The Assistant Director of Grand Music led in the dance "Shengde Shengwen," which was performed in three variations, then stopped and withdrew. The Palace Domestic Service superintendent presented the third cup; the assembled officials stood behind the mats; the elevated song performed the tune "Auspicious Tree Forms Patterns." When he had finished drinking, the music stopped. The Palace Domestic Service assistant received the empty cup; the usher announced: "Take your seats." The assembled officials all sat down. Wine was circulated again, music was played, and food was served, following the procedure above. The Assistant Director of Grand Music led in the dance "All Under Heaven Greatly Settled," performed in three variations, then stopped and withdrew. The Palace Domestic Service superintendent presented the fourth cup; the elevated song performed the tune "Fine Grain," as at the third cup. The Director of the Imperial Kitchen circulated the wine for another full round; the music stopped; the usher announced: "You may rise." The hundred officials all stood behind the mats; the Palace Attendant advanced before the imperial seat, knelt, and announced that the rites were finished; he bowed prostrate, rose, and together with the assembled officials descended the steps and returned to their places; the intoner called: "Bow." All bowed twice, danced, thrice shouted "Ten thousand years," rose, and formed ranks in divisions. On the hall the fans were closed; below the hall the whip sounded; the Director of Grand Music struck the Flaming Guest bell, and the bells on both sides answered. The pitch-regulating officer bowed prostrate and raised the baton. The Director of Grand Music ordered the performance of "Qian'an"; wind and percussion music swelled. The emperor left his seat; the imperial carriage entered from the eastern chamber; the fans were opened; the music stopped. The Palace Attendant announced the lifting of strictness; the relevant offices, receiving the edict, dismissed the guard of honor. The hundred officials bowed twice and withdrew one after another.
13
舊制，朝賀、上壽，帝執鎮圭，至是始罷不用。
Under the old regulations, at court congratulations and longevity offerings the emperor had held the stabilizing jade tablet; from this point it was discontinued.
14
元祐八年，太常博士陳祥道言：「貴人賤馬，古今所同。 故覲禮馬在庭，而侯氏升堂致命。 聘禮馬在庭，而賓升堂私覿。 今元會儀，御馬立於龍墀之上，而特進以下立於庭，是不稱尊賢才、體群臣之意。 請改儀注以御馬在庭，於義為允。」
In the eighth year of the Yuanyou era, Chen Xiangdao, Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, said: "Honoring men and treating horses as lowly has been the same in every age. Thus in the audience rite the horses remained in the courtyard while the marquis ascended the hall to deliver his message. In the mission rite the horses stayed in the courtyard while the guest ascended the hall for a private audience. In the present New Year assembly ritual, however, the imperial horses stand on the dragon terrace while officials of Special Advancement rank and below stand in the courtyard below—this fails to honor worthy talent or embody proper regard for the assembled ministers. I ask that the ritual regulations be revised so that the imperial horses stand in the courtyard; that would be proper in principle."
15
舊制，五月朔受朝，熙寧二年詔罷之。 元符元年四月，得傳國受命寶，禮官言：「五月朔於故事當大朝會，乞就是日行受寶之禮，依上尊號寶冊儀。」 前一日，帝齋於殿內，翼日，服通天冠、絳紗袍，禦大慶殿，降坐受寶，群臣上壽稱賀。 其後，徽宗以元日受八寶及定命寶、冬至日受元圭，皆於大慶殿行朝賀禮。
Under the old regulations, court was received on the first day of the fifth month; in the second year of the Xining era an edict abolished the practice. In the fourth month of the first year of the Yuanfu era, the heirloom seal of receiving the mandate was obtained; the ritual officials said: "On the first day of the fifth month, precedent calls for a Grand Court Assembly; we ask that the ceremony of receiving the treasure be held that day, following the ritual for presenting honored-title treasure registers." On the previous day the emperor fasted within the hall; the next day he wore the open-topped cap and crimson gauze robe, took his seat in the Daqing Hall, descended to receive the treasure, and the assembled ministers offered longevity wishes and congratulations. Thereafter, on New Year's Day Emperor Huizong received the Eight Treasures and the Mandate-Determining Treasure, and on the winter solstice he received the Primordial Gui—all court-congratulation rites were performed in the Daqing Hall.
16
《新儀》成，改《元豐儀》太尉為上公，侍中為左輔，中書令為右弼，太樂令為大晟府，《盛德升聞》為《天下化成之舞》，《天下大定》為《四夷來王》之舞，及增刑部尚書奏「天下斷絕，請付史館」，餘並如舊儀。 凡遇國恤則廢，若無事不視朝，則下敕云：「不御殿。」 群臣進表稱賀於閣門。
When the New Ritual was completed, the Yuanfeng Ritual's Grand Commandant became Grand Duke, the Palace Attendant Left Assistant, the Director of the Secretariat Right Assistant, and the Director of Grand Music head of the Dasheng Office; "Shengde Shengwen" became the dance "All Under Heaven Transformed into Patterns," and "Tianxia Dading" became "The Four Barbarians Come as Kings"; the Minister of Justice was additionally required to report "Capital punishment throughout the realm has ceased—please record this in the Historiography Office"; everything else followed the old ritual. Whenever the state was in mourning the ceremony was suspended; if there was no pressing business and the emperor did not hold court, an edict was issued: "The hall will not be attended." The assembled ministers instead presented memorials of congratulations at the gate office.
17
紹興十二年十月，臣僚言：「竊以元正一歲之首，冬至一陽之復，聖人重之，制為朝賀之禮焉。 自上世以來，未之有改也。 漢高祖以五年即位，而七年受朝於長樂宮。 我太祖皇帝以建隆元年即位，受朝於崇元殿。 主上臨御十有六年，正、至朝賀，初未嘗講，艱難之際宜不遑暇。 茲者太母還宮，國家大慶，四方來賀，亶惟其時。 欲望自今元正、冬至舉行朝賀之禮，以明天子之尊，庶幾舊典不至廢墜。」 禮部太常寺考定朝會之禮，依國故事，設黃麾、大仗、車輅、法物、樂舞等，百寮服朝服，再拜上壽，宣王公升殿，間飲三周。 詔：「自來年舉行。」 十一月，權禮部侍郎王賞等言：「朝會之制，正旦、冬至及大慶受朝受賀，係禦大慶殿。 其文德、紫宸、垂拱殿禮制各有不同，月朔視朝則禦文德殿，謂之前殿正衙，仍設黃麾半仗； 紫宸、垂拱皆係側殿，不設儀仗。 元正在近，大慶殿之禮事務至多，乞候來年冬至別行取旨。」 詔從之。
In the tenth month of the twelfth year of the Shaoxing era, a minister said: "I venture to observe that New Year's Day marks the head of the year and the winter solstice marks the return of the single yang; the sages valued these occasions and established court-congratulation rites for them. From high antiquity to the present, these have never been changed. Emperor Gaozu of Han took the throne in the fifth year and did not receive court at the Changle Palace until the seventh year. Our Taizu Emperor took the throne in the first year of the Jianlong era and received court at the Chongyuan Hall. Our sovereign has ruled for sixteen years, yet New Year and solstice court congratulations have never once been held—in times of hardship that was only to be expected. Now the Grand Empress Dowager has returned to the palace, the state celebrates a great occasion, and congratulations arrive from every quarter—surely this is the moment. I ask that from now on the court-congratulation rites be performed on New Year's Day and at the winter solstice, to display the dignity of the Son of Heaven, so that the old regulations may not fall into disuse." The Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices examined and fixed the ritual for court assemblies; following national precedent they arranged the yellow-banner guard, great guard of honor, carriages, ritual objects, music and dances, and the like; the hundred officials wore court dress, bowed twice and offered longevity wishes, proclaimed that the dukes and princes should ascend the hall, and wine was circulated in three rounds. An edict ordered: "Begin performing this next year." In the eleventh month, Wang Shang, Acting Vice Minister of Rites, and others said: "Under the regulations for court assemblies, New Year's Day, the winter solstice, and great celebrations for receiving court and congratulations all take place in the Daqing Hall. The rituals for the Wende, Zichen, and Chuigong halls each differ; for the monthly first-day audience the emperor holds court at the Wende Hall, called the front hall and main administrative hall, with a half guard of yellow banners; Zichen and Chuigong are both side halls and do not set out ceremonial guard. New Year's Day is near, and the ritual affairs of the Daqing Hall are extremely numerous; I ask that we wait until the winter solstice of next year to seek separate instructions." An edict approved the request.
18
明年，閣門言：「依汴京故事，遇行大禮，則冬至及次年正旦朝會皆罷。」
The following year the Gate Office reported: "According to Bianjing precedent, when a great ritual is performed, the winter solstice and the following New Year court assembly are both suspended."
19
十四年九月，有司言：「明年正旦朝會，請權以文德殿為大慶殿，合設黃麾大仗五千二十七人，欲權減三分之一； 合設八寶於御坐之東西，及登歌、宮架、樂舞、諸州諸蕃貢物。 行在致仕官、諸路貢士舉首，並令立班。」 詔從之。 十五年正旦，禦大慶殿受朝，文武百官朝賀如儀。
In the ninth month of the fourteenth year the relevant offices reported: "For next year's New Year court assembly, we ask provisionally to use the Wende Hall in place of the Daqing Hall; the full yellow-banner guard should number 5,027 men, and we propose provisionally to reduce this by one third; the Eight Treasures should be set to the east and west of the imperial seat, along with elevated song, the palace frame, music and dances, and tribute goods from the prefectures and foreign states. Retired officials at the temporary capital and chief candidates from the various routes in the tribute-student examinations were all ordered to form ranks." An edict approved the proposal. On New Year's Day of the fifteenth year, he took his seat in the Daqing Hall and received court; civil and military officials offered congratulations according to the ritual.
20
常朝之儀。 唐以宣政為前殿，謂之正衙，即古之內朝也。 以紫宸為便殿，謂之入閣，即古之燕朝也。 而外又有含元殿，含元非正、至大朝會不禦。 正衙則日見，群臣百官皆在，謂之常參，其後此禮漸廢。 後唐明宗始詔群臣每五日一隨宰相入見，謂之起居，宋因其制。 皇帝日禦垂拱殿。 文武官日赴文德殿正衙曰常參，宰相一人押班。 其朝朔望亦於此殿。 五日起居則於崇德殿或長春殿，中書、門下為班首。 長春即垂拱也。 至元豐中官制行，始詔侍從官而上日朝垂拱，謂之常參官。 百司朝官以上，每五日一朝紫宸，為六參官。 在京朝官以上，朔望一朝紫宸，為朔參官、望參官，遂為定制。
Regular Court Ceremony. Under the Tang, Xuanzheng served as the front hall, called the main administrative hall—the inner court of antiquity. Zichen served as the convenience hall, called entering the pavilion—the informal court of antiquity. Beyond these stood the Hanyuan Hall, used only for New Year and solstice Grand Court Assemblies. At the main administrative hall the emperor met officials daily; the assembled ministers and hundred officials were all present—this was called regular attendance; later the rite gradually fell into disuse. Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang first ordered the assembled ministers to follow the chief minister in audience once every five days—this was called the audience rite—and the Song inherited the practice. The emperor held daily audience at the Chuigong Hall. Civil and military officials went daily to the main administrative hall at the Wende Hall for what was called regular attendance, with one chief minister supervising the ranks. The first- and fifteenth-day audiences were also held in this hall. The five-day audience rite was held at the Chongde or Changchun Hall, with the Secretariat and Chancellery at the head of the ranks. Changchun was another name for Chuigong. When the Yuanfeng official system took effect, it was ordered that attendant officials and above should attend court daily at Chuigong; these were called regular-attendance officials. Court officials of the hundred offices and above attended at Zichen every five days; these were the six-attendance officials. Capital court officials and above attended at Zichen on the first and fifteenth of the month as first-day-attendance and fifteenth-day-attendance officials, and this became standard practice.
21
正衙常參。 國朝之制：兩省、台官、文武百官每日赴文德殿立班，宰臣一員押班。 常朝官有詔旨免常朝，及勾當更番宿者不赴。 遇假並三日以上，即橫行參假。 宰相、參知政事及免常朝者悉集 〈（事務急速，赴橫行不及者，牒報台。 如遇親王、使相過正衙，則取別旨）〉。 群官見、謝、辭者，皆赴正衙。 其日，文武班尚書、上將軍以下，並先敘立於殿門之外，東西相向 〈（文班一品、二品不敘立）〉。 正衙見、謝、辭官立於大班之南，右巡使立正衙位南，北向。 台官大夫、中丞、三院御史各就揖，班位再揖 〈（三院不全即不揖）〉。 揖訖，台官與左巡使先入，各就位 〈（左右巡使立鍾鼓樓下，左巡使奏武班，右巡使奏文班。 如隻巡使一員，即就入班南立，單奏。 如俱闕，即於台官或員外郎以下差攝）〉。 次兩班及右巡使入，次見、謝、辭官入，次兩省官入 〈（兩省官自殿西偏門入，於右勤政門北偏門立，候文武班將至，循午階就位）〉 ，次文班一品、二品入。 次宰臣出東上閣門，就位，通事舍人一員立於閣門外，北向，四色官立其後。 舍人通承旨奉敕不坐，四色官應喏急趨至放班位宣敕，在位官皆再拜而退。 其應橫行者班定，通事舍人揖群官轉班北向，舍人揖再拜復位，如常朝之儀 〈（兩省官幕次舊在中書門外，近製就使權就朝堂門南上將軍幕次）〉。 凡見、謝、辭官 〈（新受、加恩、出使到闕者）〉 ，宰臣、親王、使相 〈（俟班定，引讚引出東上閣門，至押班位，西向立定，先赴午階南中書門下正衙位再拜，卻還押班位）〉 、樞密使、副使、知院、同知院、簽書院事、參知政事、宣徽使、宗室節度使以下至刺史將軍 〈（俟班定，四方館吏引出東上閣門，至殿庭，由東黃道赴正衙位，北向，以西為首，將軍以東為首。 正衙畢，宰臣、樞密出西便門，親王宗室入東上閣門）〉 ，觀文殿大學士、資政殿大學士、觀文殿學士、三司使、翰林資政侍講、侍讀學士、直學士、知制誥、待制 〈（直學士以上集丞郎幕次，待制集上將軍幕次。 俟班定，四方館吏引入殿西便門赴班，於大夫、中丞前出）〉 ，門下，中書侍郎至正言 〈（四方館吏引先集勤政門北，俟班定，於一品、二品官未就位前先就位，放班訖，由西偏門出）〉 ，御史大夫至御史 〈（序班如常朝）〉 ，三師、三公、僕射，東宮三師、三少 〈（班入殿門，朝堂吏引入殿東便門赴班，於兩省、台官前出）〉 ，尚書丞郎、左右金吾上將軍至將軍 〈（序班如堂朝）〉 ，節度使至刺史、軍職四廂都指揮使以上，三司副使、文班京朝官、武官郎將以上，分司官、樞密都承旨、諸使副、醫官帶正員官者 〈（並文東武西相向，重行序立，餘如常朝）〉 ，其權三司使、開封府，吏部銓、秘書監、修撰、直館閣校理檢討、三司判官、主判官、開封府判官、推官、宮僚、內職、軍校領郡者，內客省使至通事舍人，節度行軍司馬至團練副使，幕職上佐州縣官，諸司勒留官新受者，京朝官改賜章服者，致仕、責授、降授、並謝 〈（行軍副使仍辭）〉。 京朝官、貢舉發解畢者亦見 〈（準儀製，知貢舉官合謝辭。 近歲皆即時鎖宿，故謝辭皆停）〉。
Regular Attendance at the Main Administrative Hall. Under our dynasty's regulations, officials of the two departments, the censorate, and the civil and military hundred officials went daily to the Wende Hall to form ranks, supervised by one chief minister. Regular-court officials exempted by edict, and those on rotating night duty, did not attend. When leave totaled three days or more, they reported leave in lateral procession. The chief minister, Vice Directors of the Administration, and those exempt from regular court all assembled (when business was urgent and one could not reach the lateral procession in time, a note was sent to the censorate. if an imperial prince or envoy-minister passed through the main administrative hall, a separate edict was obtained)› Officials making audience, offering thanks, or taking leave all went to the main administrative hall. On that day, the civil and military ranks from Ministers down to Senior Generals first took their ordered stations outside the hall gate, facing one another east and west (first- and second-rank civil officials did not take stations outside)› Officials making audience, thanks, or farewell at the main administrative hall stood south of the great rank; the right patrol officer stood south of the main hall position, facing north. the Censor-in-Chief, Vice Censor-in-Chief, and censors of the three bureaus each bowed in place, then bowed again at their rank positions (if the three bureaus were not all present, no bow was performed)› when the bows were finished, the censorate officials and the left patrol officer entered first and each took his place (the left and right patrol officers stood below the bell-and-drum tower; the left patrol officer announced the military rank, the right patrol officer announced the civil rank. If there was only one patrol officer, he stood south of the entering rank and reported alone. If both were absent, a substitute was assigned from the censorate or from Vice Director rank and below)› next the two ranks and the right patrol officer entered; next the officials making audience, thanks, or farewell entered; next the officials of the two departments entered (officials of the two departments entered through the western side gate, stood at the north side gate of the right Qinzheng Gate, waited for the civil and military ranks to approach, then followed the noon steps to their places)› , next first- and second-rank civil officials entered. Next the chief minister emerged from the eastern upper pavilion gate and took his place; one communication officer stood outside the gate facing north, with the four-color officers behind him. The officer reported the edict that the emperor would not take his seat; the four-color officers answered "Yes," hurried to the dismissal position, proclaimed the edict, and the officials in position all bowed twice and withdrew. When those processing laterally had formed ranks, the communication officer bowed to turn the assembled officials northward; the officer bowed, all bowed twice, and returned to their places, as in the regular-court ritual (the waiting quarters for officials of the two departments were formerly outside the Secretariat gate; by recent regulation they provisionally used the Senior General waiting quarters south of the court-hall gate)› All officials making audience, offering thanks, or taking leave (newly appointed, granted favor, or returned from mission at the capital)› , chief ministers, imperial princes, and envoy-ministers (when ranks were fixed, the usher-intoner led them from the eastern upper pavilion gate to the rank-supervision position, where they stood facing west; they first went to the main hall position south of the noon steps below the Secretariat and Chancellery, bowed twice, then returned to the rank-supervision position)› , the Commissioner and Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, the Director, Associate Director, and Signing Officer, the Vice Director of the Administration, the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service, and imperial-clan military governors down to prefectural generals (when ranks were fixed, clerks of the Four Directions Hostel led them from the eastern upper pavilion gate into the hall courtyard, proceeded by the eastern yellow path to the main hall position, and faced north—the west as head for civil officials and the east as head for generals. When the main hall rite was finished, the chief minister and Military Affairs Bureau left by the western convenience gate; imperial princes and the imperial clan entered the eastern upper pavilion gate)› , Grand Academicians and Academicians of the Halls for Viewing Literature and Assisting Governance, the Commissioner of the Three Departments, Hanlin lecturers and readers, Direct Academicians, Drafters of Edicts, and Attendant Drafters (Direct Academicians and above waited at the Vice Director quarters; Attendant Drafters waited at the Senior General quarters. When ranks were fixed, clerks of the Four Directions Hostel led them through the western convenience gate to their ranks and had them emerge before the Censor-in-Chief and Vice Censor-in-Chief)› , Chancellery and Secretariat Vice Directors down to Rectifiers of Discourse (clerks of the Four Directions Hostel led them to assemble north of the Qinzheng Gate; when ranks were fixed they took their places before first- and second-rank officials; when dismissal was finished they left by the western side gate)› , Censor-in-Chief down to Censor (rank order as at regular court)› , Three Preceptors, Three Dukes, Grand Counselors, and the Eastern Palace Three Preceptors and Three Juniors (the rank entered the hall gate; court-hall clerks led them through the eastern convenience gate to their ranks and had them emerge before the two departments and censorate officials)› , Secretariat Vice Directors, and left and right Golden Crow Senior Generals down to Generals (rank order as at hall court)› , military governors down to prefects, four-guard commanders and above, the Vice Commissioner of the Three Departments, capital civil officials, military officials of Commandant rank and above, branch-office officials, the Chief Secretariat Officer of Military Affairs, various vice commissioners, and medical officials holding regular appointments (all with civil officials east and military west, facing one another in double ordered rows; the rest as at regular court)› , acting Commissioner of the Three Departments and officials of Kaifeng Prefecture, the Ministry of Personnel selection office, the Secretariat Directorate, compilers, institute editors and collators, Three Departments and Kaifeng judges, palace and inner-service staff, military officers commanding prefectures, Commissioners of the Inner Reception Bureau down to communication officers, expedition vice commandants down to training-regiment vice commissioners, secretariat and senior local officials, newly appointed retained officials, capital officials granted new insignia robes, and retired, demoted, or reduced appointees—all offered thanks (expedition vice commissioners also took leave)› Capital officials and those who had finished presenting tribute-examination candidates also made audience. (according to the ritual regulations, the official in charge of the tribute examination should offer thanks and take leave. In recent years all were immediately sequestered, so thanks and leave were suspended)›
22
垂拱殿起居，則內侍省都知、押班，率內供奉官以下並寄班等先起居； 次客省、閣門使以下 〈（呈進目者）〉 ，次三班使臣 〈（節度、觀察、防禦、團練、刺史等子弟充供奉官、侍禁、殿直，有旨令內朝起居者）〉 ，次內殿當直諸班 〈（殿前指揮使、左右班都虞候以下、內殿直、散員、散指揮、散都頭、金槍班等）〉 ，次長入祗候、東西班殿侍，次御前忠佐，次殿前都指揮使率軍校至副指揮使，次駙馬都尉 〈（任刺史以上者綴本班）〉 ，次諸王府僚，次殿前諸軍使、都頭，次皇親將軍以下至殿直，次行門指揮使率行門起居 〈（以上並內侍讚喝）〉。 如傳宣前殿不坐，即宰相、樞密使、文明殿學士、三司使、翰林樞密直學士、中書舍人、三司副使、知起居注、皇城內監庫藏朝官、諸司使副、內殿崇班、供奉官、侍禁、殿直、翰林醫官、待詔等同班入； 次親王、侍衛親軍馬步軍都指揮使率軍校至副都指揮使，次使相，次節度使，次統軍，次兩使留後、觀察使，次團練、防禦使、刺史，次侍衛馬步軍使、都頭，起居畢，見、謝班入。 如禦崇德殿 〈（即紫宸殿也）〉。 即樞密使以下先就班，候升坐 〈（諸司使副以下至殿直，分東西對立，餘皆北面。 長春殿皆北面）〉 ，宰相、參知政事最後入 〈（以上並閣門讚喝）〉。 日止再拜，朔望及三日假，樞密使以下皆舞蹈。 早朝，則宰相、樞密、宣徽使起居畢，升殿問聖體。 宰相奏事，樞密、宣徽使退候。 宰相對畢，樞密使復入奏事。 次三司、開封府、審刑院及群臣以次登殿 〈（大兩省以上領務京師有公事，許即時請對。 自餘受使出入要切者，欲回奏事，則聽先進取旨）〉。 其見、謝、辭官，以次入於庭。 凡見者先之，謝次之，辭又次之 〈（出使閑慢或未升朝官，或止拜於門外，自秘書監、上將軍、觀察使、內客省使以上得拜殿門階上，及升殿止拜御坐前，餘皆庭中班次）〉。 惟宰相、親王、使相赴崇德殿，即宣徽使通喚，餘皆側立候通，再拜舞蹈； 致辭，即不舞蹈； 見，即將相升殿問聖體。 其賜分物酒食及收進奉物，皆舞蹈稱謝 〈（凡收進奉物皆入謝）〉。 幕職、州縣官謝、辭，即判銓官引對，兼於殿門外宣辭戒勵。 凡國有大慶瑞及出師勝捷，樞密使率內職軍校入賀致辭，閣門使宣答； 宰相致辭，宣徽使宣答。 如賜酒，即預坐官後入，作樂送酒，如曲宴之儀。 晚朝則宰相、樞密、翰林學士當直者，洎近侍執事之臣皆赴。
At the Chuigong Hall audience rite, the Director and Supervisor of the Inner Attendant Service led the inner service officials and attached ranks in audience first; next the Guest Reception Bureau and Gate Commissioners and below (those presenting the daily agenda)› , next the three-rank envoys (sons of military governors, observation commissioners, defense commissioners, training-regiment commissioners, and prefects serving as inner service officials, attendants-in-waiting, and hall attendants, when ordered by edict to attend inner court)› , next the various inner-hall duty ranks on active service (Hall Front commander, left and right guard deputy commanders and below, inner-hall attendants, scattered personnel, scattered commanders, scattered squad leaders, golden-spear guard, and the like)› , next long-entry attendants and eastern and western hall attendants, next loyal assistants before the throne, next the Hall Front commander leading military officers down to vice commander, next the Commandant of Cavalry (those holding prefect rank or higher were attached to their original ranks)› , next the staff of the various princely establishments, next the Hall Front army commissioners and squad leaders, next imperial-clan generals down to hall attendants, next the procession-gate commander leading the procession-gate audience (all the above were announced by inner attendants)› If it was announced that the emperor would not take his seat in the front hall, then the chief minister, Commissioner of Military Affairs, Academician of the Hall of Civil Culture, Commissioner of the Three Departments, Hanlin and Military Affairs Direct Academicians, Secretariat Drafter, Vice Commissioner of the Three Departments, Recorder of Imperial Actions, capital officials of the Imperial City Inner Directorate storehouses, various vice commissioners, inner-hall honored guards, inner service officials, attendants-in-waiting, hall attendants, Hanlin medical officials, and awaiting-edict officials entered together; next imperial princes; the Palace Guard horse and foot army commander leading officers down to vice commander; next envoy-ministers; next military governors; next army commanders; next acting commissioners and observation commissioners; next training-regiment commissioners, defense commissioners, and prefects; next Palace Guard army commissioners and squad leaders; when the audience rite was finished, the audience and thanks ranks entered. If the emperor held court at the Chongde Hall (that is, the Zichen Hall)› those from the Commissioner of Military Affairs down first formed ranks and waited for the emperor to take his seat. (Commissioners of the various offices, vice commissioners, and officials down to hall attendants stood east and west facing one another; all others faced north. At the Changchun Hall everyone faced north)› , the chief minister and Vice Director of the Chancellery entered last (all the above were called out by Gate Commissioners)› On ordinary days they performed only double bows; on the first and fifteenth of the month and on the three-day holidays, everyone from the Commissioner of Military Affairs down performed the dance bow. At the morning audience, once the chief minister, Commissioner of Military Affairs, and Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service had finished the audience rite, they ascended the hall to inquire after the emperor's health. While the chief minister reported on affairs, the Commissioner of Military Affairs and Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service withdrew and waited. After the chief minister had finished, the Commissioner of Military Affairs entered again to report on affairs. Next the Three Departments, Kaifeng Prefecture, Court of Judicial Review, and the other ministers ascended the hall in order (Officials of the Two Secretariats and above who held posts in the capital and had official business were allowed to request immediate audience. Others sent out on urgent commissions who wished to return and report were permitted to enter first and receive instructions)› Officials making audience, offering thanks, or taking leave entered the courtyard in order. As a rule, audience came first, thanks next, and leave last (Envoys on leisurely missions or officials not yet promoted to court rank sometimes bowed only outside the gate; from the Secretariat Directorate, Senior General, observation commissioner, and Commissioner of the Inner Reception Bureau upward, they might bow on the hall steps or, upon ascending, bow only before the imperial seat; all others took their places in the courtyard)› Only the chief minister, imperial princes, and envoy-ministers proceeding to the Chongde Hall were summoned through by the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service; all others stood aside waiting to be called, then performed double bows and the dance bow; when delivering formal addresses, they did not perform the dance bow; When making audience, the chief minister and envoy-ministers ascended the hall to inquire after the emperor's health. Whenever distributed gifts, wine, and food were granted, or tribute items were received, all performed the dance bow and expressed thanks (whenever tribute items were received, all entered to offer thanks)› When secretariat staff and prefectural and county officials offered thanks or took leave, the selection-judge official led them in audience, while outside the hall gate their leave-taking and admonitions were proclaimed. Whenever the state celebrated great felicities, auspicious omens, or victorious campaigns, the Commissioner of Military Affairs led inner-service officials and military officers to enter, offer congratulations, and deliver formal addresses, and the Gate Commissioner proclaimed the imperial reply; The chief minister delivered the formal address, and the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service proclaimed the reply. If wine was granted, they entered after the seated officials, music was performed as the wine was presented, following the ceremony of a private banquet. At the evening audience the chief minister, Commissioner of Military Affairs, Hanlin Academicians on duty, and the close attendants and executive officials all attended.
23
乾德六年九月，始以旬假日禦講武殿 〈（又名崇政）〉 ，近臣但赴早參 〈（宰相以下靴笏，諸司使以下係帶）〉。 其節假及大祀，並令如式。
In the ninth month of the sixth year of Qiande, the emperor first began to hold court at the Jiangwu Hall on the ten-day holidays (also called Chongzheng)› , the near ministers attended only the morning audience (from the chief minister down, boots and tablet; from commissioners of various offices down, belts fastened)› On festival holidays and at great sacrifices, all were ordered to follow the established form.
24
開寶九年四月，詔旬休日不視事。 及太宗即位，復如舊視朝。 退進食訖，則易服，禦崇政殿。 先群臣告謝，次軍頭引見司奏事於殿下，次三班、審官院、流內銓、刑部及諸司引見官吏。 如假日起居辭見畢，即移御坐，臨軒視事。 既退，復有奏事，或閱器物之式者，謂之後殿再坐。
In the fourth month of the ninth year of Kaibao, an edict ordered that on the ten-day rest days the emperor would not attend to affairs. When Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he restored holding court as before. After withdrawing and finishing his meal, he changed dress and went to the Chongzheng Hall. First the ministers offered thanks; next the military officers' introduction office reported affairs below the hall; then the Three Ranks, Court of Appointments, Internal Flow Selection Office, Ministry of Justice, and various offices presented officials for audience. When holiday audience rites, leave, and audiences were finished, the imperial seat was moved and he held court before the steps. After withdrawing, if there were further reports or inspection of the forms of utensils, this was called a second session in the rear hall.
25
淳化三年，令有司申舉十五條：常參文武官或有朝堂行私禮，跪拜，待漏行立失序，談笑喧嘩，入正衙門執笏不端，行立遲緩，至班列行立不正，趨拜失儀，言語微喧，穿班仗，出閣門不即就班，無故離位，廊下食、行坐失儀，入朝及退朝不從正衙門出入，非公事入中書。 犯者奪奉一月； 有司振舉，拒不伏者，錄奏貶降。
In the third year of Chunhua, the relevant offices were ordered to report fifteen violations: regularly attending civil and military officials who performed private rites in the court hall, knelt and bowed, stood out of order while waiting for the gate to open, talked and laughed noisily, entered the main administrative hall gate holding the tablet improperly, moved and stood slowly, stood improperly upon reaching their ranks, performed hurried bows incorrectly, spoke too loudly, crossed through the guard formation, failed to take their places immediately upon leaving the gate, left their positions without cause, ate or sat improperly in the corridor, entered and left court without passing through the main administrative hall gate, or entered the Chancellery without official business. Offenders had one month's salary withheld; If the relevant office investigated and reported the violation and the offender refused to accept it, a memorial was recorded and submitted for demotion.
26
景德二年，光祿寺丞錢易言：「竊睹文德殿常朝班不及三四十人，蓋以凡掌職務止赴五日起居，頗違舊章。 望令並赴朝參。」 乃詔應三館、秘書閣、尚書省二十四司、諸司寺監朝臣內殿起居外，並赴文德殿常參。 其審刑院、大理寺、台直官、開封府判官推官司錄兩縣令、司天監、翰林天文、監倉場庫務等仍免。
In the second year of Jingde, Assistant Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments Qian Yi said: "I have observed that fewer than thirty or forty officials form the regular court ranks at the Wende Hall, because in general those holding office attend only the five-day audience rite, which greatly departs from the old regulations. I request that all be ordered to attend regular court." An edict then ordered that apart from the Three Institutes, Secretariat Pavilion, the twenty-four bureaus of the Department of State Affairs, and the various directorates and commissions whose court officials attended inner-hall audience rites, all should attend regular court at the Wende Hall. The Court of Judicial Review, Court of Review, censorial direct appointees, Kaifeng judges, investigators, and recorders, magistrates of the two counties, Directorate of Astronomy, Hanlin astronomical officials, warehouse and depot supervisors, and the like remained exempt.
27
大中祥符二年，御史知雜趙湘言：「伏見常參官每日趨朝，多不整肅。 舊制，並早赴待漏院，候開內門齊入。 伏緣每日迨辰以朝，以故後時方入。 又風雨寒暑，即多稱疾，宜令知班驅使官視其入晚者申奏。 疾者遣醫親視。」
In the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu, Supervising Censor Zhao Xiang said: "I observe that officials regularly attending court hurry to audience each day, yet many are not properly disciplined. Under the old system, all arrived early at the waiting-for-the-gate-to-open courtyard and waited for the inner gate to open before entering together. Because court is now held close to the chen watch each day, they therefore enter late. Moreover, in wind, rain, cold, and heat many claim illness; the rank-supervising attendants should be ordered to report those who enter late. For those claiming illness, physicians should be sent to examine them in person."
28
天禧四年十月，中書、門下言：「唐朝故事：五日一開延英，隻日視事，雙日不坐。 方今中外晏寧，政刑清簡，望準舊事，三日、五日一臨軒聽政，隻日視事，雙日不坐。 至於刑章、錢穀事務，遣差臣僚，除急切大事須麵對外，餘並令中書、樞密院附奏。」 詔禮儀院詳定，雙日前後殿不坐，隻日視事； 或於長春殿，或於承明殿，應內殿起居群臣並依常日起居； 餘如中書、門下之議。 俄又請隻日承明殿常朝，依假日便服視事，不鳴鞭。 詔可。
In the tenth month of the fourth year of Tianxi, the Chancellery and Secretariat said: "Under Tang precedent, Yanying Hall was opened every five days; on odd-numbered days the emperor attended to affairs, on even-numbered days he did not take his seat. At present the realm is tranquil within and without, and government and punishments are clear and simple; we request that the old practice be followed, holding court before the steps every three or five days, attending to affairs on odd-numbered days and not taking the seat on even-numbered days. As for penal statutes and fiscal affairs, officials may be dispatched as needed; apart from urgent major matters requiring face-to-face audience, all the rest should be submitted in attached memorials by the Chancellery and Bureau of Military Affairs." An edict ordered the Court of Ritual to determine the details: on even-numbered days the front and rear halls would not be occupied, and on odd-numbered days affairs would be attended to; whether at the Changchun Hall or the Chengming Hall, the various ministers attending inner-hall audience rites should perform audience as on ordinary days; the rest followed the proposal of the Chancellery and Secretariat. Soon they also requested regular court at the Chengming Hall on odd-numbered days, attending to affairs in ordinary dress as on holidays, without sounding the whip. The edict approved it.
29
康定初，詔中書、樞密、三司，大節、大忌給假一日，小節、旬休並後殿奏事，前後毋得過五班，餘聽後殿對，禦廚給食。 假日，崇政殿辰漏，上入內進食，俟再坐復對。
At the beginning of the Kangding era, an edict ordered that for the Chancellery, Bureau of Military Affairs, and Three Departments, one day's leave be granted on major festivals and major mourning days; on minor festivals and ten-day rest days they should report affairs in the rear hall, with no more than five ranks before and after; the rest might respond in the rear hall, and the imperial kitchen would provide food. On holidays, at the chen watch at the Chongzheng Hall, the emperor entered to take his meal and waited for the second session before responding again.
30
神宗即位，御史中丞王陶以《皇祐編敕》宰臣押班儀製移中書，謂「天子新即位，大臣不應隳廢朝儀」，不報。 舊制：祖宗以來，日禦垂拱殿，待制、諸司使以上俱赴，而百官班文德殿，曰常朝； 五日皆入，曰起居。 平時，宰相垂拱殿奏事畢，赴文德殿押班，或日昃未退，則閣門傳宣放班，多不復赴。 王陶以韓琦、曾公亮違故事不押班為不恭，劾之。 琦、公亮上表待罪，且言：「唐及五代《會要》，月九開延英，則餘日宰相當押正衙班。 及延英對日，未禦內殿前，傳宣放班，則宰相不押正衙班明矣。 自祖宗繼日臨朝，宰相奏事。 至祥符初，始詔循故事，押文德班。 以妨職浸廢，乃至今日。 請下太常禮院詳定。」 陶坐絀。 司馬光代為中丞，請令宰相遵國朝舊制押班，不須詳定。 尋詔：「宰相春分辰初、秋分辰正，垂拱殿未退，聽勿赴文德殿，令御史臺放班。」 光又言：「垂拱奏事畢，春分以後鮮有不過辰初，秋分以後鮮有不過辰正，然則自今宰臣常不至文德殿押班。 請春分辰正、秋分巳初，奏事未畢，即如今詔，庶幾此禮不至遂廢。」 乃詔春秋分率以辰正。
When Emperor Shenzong ascended the throne, Censor-in-Chief Wang Tao sent the Huangyou Compiled Statutes' regulations on chief ministers escorting the ranks to the Chancellery, saying that "the Son of Heaven has newly ascended the throne, and the great ministers ought not to abandon court ritual," but received no reply. Under the old system, from the founding ancestors onward the emperor held court daily at the Chuigong Hall, and awaiting-edict officials and commissioners of various offices and above all attended, while the hundred officials formed ranks at the Wende Hall, called regular court; every five days all entered, called audience. On ordinary days, after the chief minister finished reporting affairs at the Chuigong Hall, he went to escort the ranks at the Wende Hall; if the sun had slanted westward and he had not yet withdrawn, the Gate Commissioner would proclaim dismissal of the ranks, and he often did not go. Wang Tao impeached Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang for violating precedent by not escorting the ranks, deeming it disrespectful. Qi and Gongliang submitted memorials awaiting punishment and said: "In the Tang and Five Dynasties Collected Essentials, Yanying was opened nine times per month, and on the remaining days the chief minister should escort the main administrative hall ranks. On days of audience at Yanying, before the emperor went to the inner hall, dismissal of the ranks was proclaimed, so it is clear that the chief minister did not escort the main administrative hall ranks. From the founding ancestors onward the emperor held court day after day, and the chief minister reported on affairs. Only at the beginning of the Xiangfu era was an edict first issued to follow precedent and escort the Wende ranks. Because it interfered with duties it was gradually abandoned, down to the present day. We request that the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and Rites be ordered to determine the details." Wang Tao was disciplined. Sima Guang replaced him as Censor-in-Chief and requested that the chief ministers follow the dynasty's old system in escorting the ranks, without need for further determination. Soon an edict stated: "At the spring equinox, if before the chen initial watch, and at the autumn equinox, if before the chen proper watch, the chief minister has not yet withdrawn from the Chuigong Hall, he is permitted not to go to the Wende Hall, and the Censorate is ordered to dismiss the ranks." Guang also said: "After affairs are reported at the Chuigong Hall, after the spring equinox it is rare that business is not finished before the chen initial watch, and after the autumn equinox it is rare that it is not finished before the chen proper watch; thus from now on the chief ministers will regularly fail to reach the Wende Hall to escort the ranks. I request that at the spring equinox, if before the chen proper watch, and at the autumn equinox, if before the si initial watch, affairs are not yet finished, then as in the present edict—so that this rite may not be entirely abandoned." An edict was then issued that at the spring and autumn equinoxes the standard would be the chen proper watch.
31
熙寧六年正月，西上閣門副使張誠一言：「垂拱殿常朝，先內侍唱內侍都知以下至宿衛行門計一十八班起居，後通事舍人引宰執、樞密使以下大班入，次親王，次侍衛馬步軍都指揮以下，次皇親使相以下十班入，方引見、謝、辭。 或遇百官起居日，自行門後，通事舍人引樞密以下，次親王、使相以下至刺史十班入，方奏兩巡使起居。 立定，方引兩省官入，次閣門引宰臣以下大班入。 起居畢，候百官出絕，兩省班出，次兩巡使出，中書、樞密方奏事，已是日高。 況大班本不分別丞郎、給諫、台省及常參官，今獨使相以下曲為分別，虛占時刻。 請遇垂拱殿百官起居日，將親王以下十班合為四班，親王為一班，侍衛馬步軍都指揮使為一班，皇親使相以下至刺史重行異位為兩班，可減六班，如垂拱殿常朝不係百官起居，或紫宸殿百官起居，其親王、使相以下班，並依舊儀序入起居。」 從之。 九月，引進使李端愨言：「近朔望禦文德殿視朝，祁寒盛暑數煩清蹕，而紫宸之朝歲中罕禦。 請朔日禦文德，既望坐紫宸，庶幾正衙、內殿朝儀並舉。」 從之。
In the first month of the sixth year of Xining, Vice Gate Commissioner of the Western Upper Gate Zhang Chengyi said: "At regular court at the Chuigong Hall, inner attendants first announced eighteen ranks in audience, from the Director of Inner Attendants down to the night-guard procession gate; afterward the communication officer led in the great rank of chief ministers and executive officials, the Commissioner of Military Affairs and below; next imperial princes; next the Palace Guard horse and foot army commander and below; next ten ranks from imperial-clan envoy-ministers down; only then were audience, thanks, and leave ranks led in. Or on days when the hundred officials performed audience rites, after the procession gate the communication officer led in those from the Commissioner of Military Affairs down, then ten ranks from imperial princes and envoy-ministers down to prefects, and only then were the two circuit commissioners' audience rites reported. When all were standing in place, only then were officials of the Two Secretariats led in; next the Gate Commissioner led in the great rank from the chief minister down. When the audience rite was finished, they waited until the hundred officials had all withdrawn, the Two Secretariates ranks withdrew, then the two circuit commissioners withdrew; only then did the Chancellery and Bureau of Military Affairs report on affairs—by which time the sun was already high. Moreover, the great rank originally made no distinction among vice directors, drafters, remonstrance officials, censorial and secretariat officials, and regularly attending officials; now envoy-ministers and below alone are artificially distinguished, wasting time. I request that on days when the hundred officials perform audience rites at the Chuigong Hall, the ten ranks from imperial princes down be combined into four ranks: imperial princes as one rank, the Palace Guard horse and foot army commander as one rank, and imperial-clan envoy-ministers down to prefects in double rows with separate positions as two ranks—six ranks may be reduced; if regular court at the Chuigong Hall is not tied to the hundred officials' audience rites, or if the hundred officials perform audience rites at the Zichen Hall, the ranks from imperial princes and envoy-ministers down should all enter for audience according to the old ceremonial order." The request was approved. In the ninth month, Introduction Commissioner Li Duanyin said: "Recently on the first and fifteenth of the month the emperor holds court at the Wende Hall, and in bitter cold and sweltering heat the imperial procession is repeatedly troubled; yet audience at the Zichen Hall is rarely held during the year. I request that on the first of the month he hold court at the Wende Hall, and on the full moon take his seat at the Zichen Hall, so that the ceremonies of the main administrative hall and the inner hall may both be observed." The request was approved.
32
元豐八年二月，詔諸三省、御史臺、寺監長貳、開封府推判官六參，職事官、赤縣丞以上、寄祿升朝官在京厘務者望參，不厘務者朔參。
In the second month of the eighth year of Yuanfeng, an edict ordered the vice directors of the Three Secretariats, the Censorate, the directorates and commissions, and the judicial commissioner and administrative assessor of Kaifeng Prefecture to attend on six-attendance days; duty-holding officials, magistrates of the capital prefectures and counties and above, and salary-rank court officials handling business in the capital to attend on fifteenth-day-attendance days, and those not handling business to attend on first-day-attendance days.
33
哲宗元祐四年十月，以戶部尚書呂公孺言，詔朔參官兼赴望參，望參官兼赴六參。 五年，詔權侍郎並日參。
In the tenth month of the fourth year of Yuanyou under Emperor Zhezong, on a memorial from Minister of Revenue Lü Gongru, an edict ordered first-day-attendance officials also to attend fifteenth-day sessions, and fifteenth-day-attendance officials also to attend six-attendance sessions. In the fifth year, an edict ordered all acting vice ministers to attend daily.
34
紹聖四年十月，御史臺言：「外任官到闕朝見訖，並令赴朔、望參。」 尋又言：「元豐官制，朝參班序有日參、六參、望參、朔參，已著為令。 元祐中，改朔參兼赴望參，望參兼赴六參，有失先朝分別等差之意。 止依元豐儀令。」 從之。
In the tenth month of the fourth year of Shaosheng, the Censorate said: "After officials serving outside the capital have reached court and completed their imperial audience, all are to be ordered to attend first-day and fifteenth-day sessions." Soon it further reported: "Under the Yuanfeng official system, the order of court-attendance ranks includes daily attendance, six-attendance, fifteenth-day attendance, and first-day attendance, and this has already been codified. During Yuanyou, first-day attendance was changed to include fifteenth-day sessions, and fifteenth-day attendance to include six-attendance sessions, contrary to the former court's intent to preserve graded distinctions. Simply follow the Yuanfeng ritual regulations." The request was approved.
35
政和詳定《五禮新儀》，有《文德殿月朔視朝儀》、《紫宸殿望參儀》、《垂拱殿四參儀》、《紫宸殿日參儀》、《垂拱殿日參儀》、《崇政殿再坐儀》、《崇政殿假日起居儀》，其文不載。 中興仍舊制。
When the Five Rites New Regulations were determined in detail in the Zhenghe period, they included the Rites for Monthly First-Day Court at the Wende Hall, the Rites for Fifteenth-Day Attendance at the Zichen Hall, the Rites for Four Attendances at the Chuigong Hall, the Rites for Daily Attendance at the Zichen Hall, the Rites for Daily Attendance at the Chuigong Hall, the Rites for the Second Session at the Chongzheng Hall, and the Rites for Holiday Audience at the Chongzheng Hall; their texts are not recorded here. After the restoration, the old system was retained.
36
乾道二年九月，閣門奏：垂拱殿四參 〈（四參官謂宰執、侍從、武臣正任、文臣卿監員郎監察御史已上）〉 ，皇帝坐，先讀奏目。 知閣以下，次禦帶、環衛官以下，次忠佐、殿前都指揮使以下，次殿前司員僚，次皇太子，次行門已上，逐班並常起居。 次樞密、學士、待制、樞密都承旨以下，知閣並祗應武功大夫以下，通班常起居。 次親王，次馬步軍都指揮使，次使相，次馬步軍員僚已上，逐班並常起居。 次殿中侍御史入側宣大起居訖，歸侍立位。 次宰執以下，並兩省官、文武百官入，相向立定，通班面北立，大起居訖 〈（凡常起居兩拜，大起居七拜）〉 ，三省升殿侍立。 次兩省官出，次殿中侍御史對揖出，三省、樞密院奏事，次引見、謝、辭，次引臣僚奏事訖，皇帝起。 詔：「今後遇四參日，分起居班次，可移殿中侍史及宰執以下百官班，令次樞密以下班起居。 卻令親王並殿前都指揮使以下殿前司員僚，逐班於宰執以下班後起居，餘並從之。」
In the ninth month of the second year of Qiandao, the Gate reported on the four attendances at the Chuigong Hall (Four-attendance officials means chief ministers and administrators, attendant officials, regular military officials, civil officials of directorate and commission ranks, staff and section officials, and supervising censors and above)› ; the emperor is seated, and the memorial titles are read first. Below the Director of the Gate, next those below the imperial-girdle guards and Palace Guard officials, next those below the loyal assistants and the Commander of the Palace Front Command, next the staff of the Palace Front Service, next the Crown Prince, next those from the procession gate upward—each rank in succession performs the regular audience rite. Next those below the Bureau of Military Affairs, academicians, drafters in attendance, and chief controllers of the Bureau of Military Affairs; the Director of the Gate together with those below the Attendant Grandee of Military Merit—the whole rank in unison performs the regular audience rite. Next imperial princes, next the horse and foot army commander, next envoy-ministers, next the staff of the horse and foot armies and above—each rank in succession performs the regular audience rite. Next the palace censor enters from the side to proclaim the great audience rite; when finished, he returns to his attendant standing position. Next chief ministers and administrators downward, together with officials of the Two Secretariates and civil and military officials of the hundred offices enter, face one another and take their positions, the whole rank stands facing north, and when the great audience rite is finished (In general the regular audience rite is two bows; the great audience rite is seven bows)› ; the Three Secretariats ascend the hall and stand in attendance. Next officials of the Two Secretariates withdraw; next the palace censor bows facing one another and withdraws; the Three Secretariates and Bureau of Military Affairs report on affairs; next audiences for presentation, thanks, and farewell are introduced; next ministers and subordinates are introduced to report on affairs; when finished, the emperor rises. An edict stated: "Henceforth on four-attendance days, when dividing the order of audience ranks, the ranks of palace secretaries and chief ministers and administrators down through the hundred officials may be moved so that they perform the audience rite after the ranks from the Bureau of Military Affairs downward. Imperial princes and the staff of the Palace Front Service from the Commander of the Palace Front Command downward are instead to perform the audience rite rank by rank after the rank of chief ministers and administrators downward; all the rest follows as before."
37
淳熙七年九月，詔：「自今垂拱殿日參，宰臣特免宣名。」
In the ninth month of the seventh year of Chunxi, an edict stated: "From now on at daily attendance at the Chuigong Hall, chief ministers are specially exempted from having their names announced."
38
嘉定十二年正月，臣僚奏：「竊見皇帝御正殿，或禦後殿，固可間舉，四參官亦有定日。 近者每日改常朝為後殿，四參之禮亦多不講，正殿、後殿、四參間免。 陛下臨朝之日固未嘗輟，而外廷不知聖意，或謂姑從簡便，非所以肅百執事也。 常朝之禮止於從臣，後殿之儀從臣不與，四參止及卿郎，而乃累月僅或一舉。 咫尺天威，疏簡至此，非所以尊君上而勵百辟也。 伏願陛下嚴常朝、後殿、四參之禮，起群下肅謹之心，彰明時厲精之治，豈不偉哉。」 從之。
In the first month of the twelfth year of Jiading, ministers memorialized: "We have observed that when the emperor holds court in the main hall or the rear hall, this may appropriately be done at intervals, and four-attendance officials also have fixed days. Recently regular court has daily been shifted to the rear hall, the rites of four attendance are largely neglected, and audiences in the main hall, rear hall, and four attendance are frequently skipped. The days on which Your Majesty holds court have indeed never ceased, yet the outer court does not know the imperial intent and may suppose this is merely to take the convenient path—this is no way to instill discipline among the hundred officials. The rites of regular court reach only attendant officials; attendant officials do not participate in the rear-hall ceremony; four attendance reaches only vice ministers and section officials—yet it is held only once in many months. The imperial majesty is within arm's reach, yet ritual has been slackened to this degree—this is no way to honor the sovereign and encourage the hundred ministers. We respectfully hope Your Majesty will strictly observe the rites of regular court, the rear hall, and four attendance, rousing reverent diligence among all below and displaying the governance of this bright age forged with vigor—would this not be magnificent?" The request was approved.
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初，群臣見、辭、謝皆赴正衙。 淳化二年，知雜御史張鬱言：「正衙之設謂之外朝，凡群臣辭、見及謝，先詣正衙，見訖，御史臺具官位姓名以報，閣門方許入對，此國家舊制也。 自乾德後，始詔先赴中謝，後詣正衙。 而文武官中謝後，次日並赴正衙，內諸司遙領刺史、閣門通事舍人以上新授者亦赴正衙辭謝，出使急速免衙辭者亦具狀報台，違者罰奉一月。 其內諸司職官並將校至刺史以上新授者，欲望同百官例，赴正衙謝。」 從之。 元豐既定朝參之制，侍御史知雜事滿中行上言：「文德正衙之制，尚存常朝之虛名，襲橫行之謬例，有司失於申請，未能厘正。 兩省、台官、文武百官赴文德殿，東西相向對立，宰臣一員押班，聞傳不坐，則再拜而退，謂之常朝。 遇休假並三日以上，應內殿起居官畢集，謂之橫行。 自宰臣、親王以下應見、謝、辭者，皆先赴文德殿，謂之過正衙。 然在京厘務之官例以別敕免參，宰臣押班近年已罷，而武班諸衙本朝又不常置。 故今之赴常朝者，獨御史臺官與審官、待次階官而已。 今垂拱內殿宰臣以下既已日參，而文德常朝仍復不廢，舛謬倒置，莫此為甚。 至於橫行參假，與夫見、謝、辭官先過正衙，雖沿唐之故事，然必俟天子御殿之日行之可也。」 詔下詳定官制所。 言：「今天子日聽政於垂拱，以接執政官及內朝之臣，而更於別殿宣敕不坐，實為因習之誤。 兼有執事升朝官五日一赴起居，而未有執事者反謂之參，疏數之節尤為未當。 又辭、見、謝，自已入見天子，則前殿正衙對拜為虛文。 其連遇朝假，則百官司赴大起居，不當復有橫行參假。 宜如中行言。」 於是常朝、正衙、橫行之儀俱罷。
At first, when ministers presented themselves, took leave, or offered thanks, all went to the main administrative hall. In the second year of Chunhua, Supervising Censor in General Zhang Yu said: "The establishment of the main administrative hall is called the outer court. Whenever ministers take leave, present themselves, or offer thanks, they first go to the main administrative hall; when the audience is finished, the Censorate lists their offices and names and reports them, and only then does the Gate permit them to enter for audience—this is the old regulation of the state. From after Qiande, an edict first ordered them to go to the inner thanksgiving audience, then to proceed to the main administrative hall. Civil and military officials, after the inner thanksgiving audience, all went to the main administrative hall on the following day. New appointees among honorary prefects of the inner bureaus, communication officers of the Gate and above also went to the main administrative hall for farewell and thanks. Those exempted from hall farewell because of urgent missions also submitted written reports to the censorate; violators had one month's salary forfeited. For new appointees among inner-bureau duty officials and military officers up to prefect and above, we request that they follow the same practice as the hundred officials and go to the main administrative hall to offer thanks." The request was approved. After the Yuanfeng court-attendance system was fixed, Supervising Censor in General Man Zhongxing memorialized: "The regulations for the Wende main administrative hall preserve the empty name of regular court and perpetuate the mistaken precedent of lateral procession; the relevant offices failed to petition and could not rectify them. Officials of the Two Secretariates, censorial officials, and civil and military officials of the hundred offices go to the Wende Hall, stand facing one another east and west, one chief minister escorts the ranks; when proclamation comes that the emperor will not be seated, they bow twice and withdraw—this is called regular court. When leave totaled three days or more, officials who should attend inner-hall audience all assembled—this was called lateral procession. From chief ministers and imperial princes downward, all who were to be presented, thank, or take leave first went to the Wende Hall—this was called passing through the main administrative hall. Yet officials handling affairs in the capital were routinely exempted from attendance by separate edict; rank escort by chief ministers was abolished in recent years; and the various military halls of this dynasty were not regularly established. Thus those who now attend regular court are only censorate officials and officials of the Court for Reviewing Offices and officials awaiting assignment by rank. Now chief ministers and those below already perform daily attendance in the inner hall at Chuigong, yet regular court at Wende has still not been abolished—nothing is more confused and inverted than this. As for lateral-procession leave reporting, and officials for presentation, thanks, and farewell first passing through the main administrative hall—although these follow Tang precedent, they should be carried out only on days when the Son of Heaven holds court." The edict was sent down to the Office for Determining the Official System in Detail. It reported: "Today the Son of Heaven daily hears governance at Chuigong to receive the chief administering officials and inner-court ministers, yet proclamation is still made in a separate hall that he will not be seated—this is truly a lingering mistake of custom. Moreover, duty-holding court officials attend audience every five days, while those without duties are instead called attendants—the rhythm of frequency and spacing is especially inappropriate. Further, for farewell, presentation, and thanks, since one has already entered to see the Son of Heaven, the reciprocal bows at the front-hall main administrative hall become empty form. When court holidays follow in succession, the hundred offices attend the great audience rite; there should be no further lateral-procession leave reporting. The recommendation of Zhongxing should be followed." Thereupon the ceremonies of regular court, the main administrative hall, and lateral procession were all abolished.