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卷一百十七 志第七十 禮二十

Volume 117 Treatises 70: Rites 20

Chapter 117 of 宋史 · History of Song
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Chapter 117
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Rites 20 (Guest Rites II)›
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○ Ceremonies for Entering the Pavilion, for Audiences at the Hall of Enlightened Rule, for General Amnesties, for the Empress Dowager Behind the Curtain, for the Crown Prince Receiving Congratulations at the Winter Solstice, and for the Crown Prince Meeting His Tutors, Guardians, and the Hundred Officials
3
殿便殿西
Entering-the-Pavilion Rites. Under Tang practice, the emperor held daily court in the main administrative hall to receive the hundred officials, and a guard of honor was always posted. On new and full moon days, when food offerings were made at the imperial tombs, the emperor could not attend the front hall and instead held court in the convenience hall. He would summon the guard posted at the main hall to enter through the east and west upper-pavilion gates of Xuanzheng, and the officials waiting in the main hall followed him in; hence the ceremony was called entering the pavilion. From the Five Dynasties onward the main administrative hall fell out of use, and entering the pavilion was seldom observed; the Song revived the practice.
4
殿
In the fourth year of Qiande, on the first day of the fourth month, the emperor wore ordinary dress with the open-topped cap and crimson gauze robe, held court in the Chongyuan Hall, posted the Golden Guard honor guard, and the hundred officials performed the entering-the-pavilion rite.
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殿 殿 殿西使 穿 殿使殿 殿 使 使退 簿 𣀃𣀃便 𣀃 𣀃 退殿 使 使 使使 𣀃殿 使 使殿 西西 使西殿
In the eleventh month of the second year of Chunhua, Emperor Taizong decreed that on the first day of the twelfth month he would hold entering-the-pavilion court in the Wende Hall and ordered Academicians-Compiler Yang Huizhi and Zhang Bi to draft new regulations. On the day before, the relevant offices prepared the pavilion at the Wende Hall (In the early Song it was called "Wenming")› When day broke, civil and military officials were first arrayed east and west in the hall courtyard, while the hundred officials, military officers, deputy field-commanders, and the like formed ranks south of the steps on the screen outside the main administrative hall gate; Next the Vice Censor-in-Chief and censors of the three bureaus took their places; the Vice Censor-in-Chief alone passed through the Golden Guard formation, bowed to both ranks, bowed once, and returned to his position; Next two investigating censors supervised the pavilion gate, standing facing north on the northern steps of the screen outside the main administrative hall gate; Next officials of the Secretariat and Chancellery, Wenming Hall, Hanlin, and Privy Council direct academicians, and officials of the two departments formed separate ranks; Next the Astronomical Bureau reported the double-hour; Next the Pavilion Gate reported on the tally board that the ranks were complete. The emperor, wearing boots and robe, rode in the palanquin to the Changchun Hall and halted; from the Commissioner of Military Affairs downward they announced their audience and led the way to the Wende Hall. On the dais the designated recipient called for fans, and the screens were rolled up. The emperor ascended the seat; the fans were withdrawn; the Ceremonial Guard commissioner burned incense; Next the civil and military officials bowed; Next the Astronomical Bureau's rooster crow was intoned; Next the Pavilion Gate verified the tallies; Next the Pavilion Gate commissioner, upon receiving the order, summoned the four-color officials to call out the guard of honor; those in the southern rank with farewell speeches bowed twice and withdrew first; the Secretariat and Chancellery ranks bowed to each other and took their places on the northern steps of the screen outside the main administrative hall gate; Next Hanlin academicians, officials of the two departments, the Vice Censor-in-Chief, and attendant censors took their places in order; Next the Golden Guard general escorted the detail guard through the main administrative hall gate; after crossing and bowing, they split ranks and went up the yellow path with the guard following; the Golden Guard general reached the dragon terrace, divided ranks, finished bowing, and took their places in order; Next the Vice Ministers of Personnel and of War entered carrying the civil and military rank registers, bowed to each other, and stood; Next officials of the Secretariat, Chancellery, academicians, two departments, and Censorate entered, bowed facing north, and went up the yellow path; as they neared the noon steps they hurried in boots with quick steps to the cinnabar terrace; the impeachment censor, reaching the south side of the Vice Minister of Personnel, left the yellow path and hurried to take his place; The court diarists and heralds, following the Vice Ministers of War and Personnel, hurried forward to the incense table, bowed, and took their places in order; Next the Grand General of the Golden Guard bowed face to face and bent at the waist, hurried in boots to the corner-squaring stone and bowed again, walked north to the memorial stone and bent at the waist; one officer reported that all within and without the state was secure, then walked backward to his place; Next the civil and military ranks were led to their places; after bowing and bending at the waist, they hurried in boots into the sand terrace; Next the attendance rank was led across; after the chief ministers finished the monthly salutation audience, they divided ranks and took their places in order; The civil and military ranks went out and took their places in order outside the yamen gate. Penal-law officials and awaiting-edict commissioners went to the supervised memorial positions; the Secretariat and Chancellery stood attending on either side of the incense table; officials of the two departments, Censorate, academicians, Vice Ministers of War and Personnel, Golden Guard generals, and pavilion-supervising censors all went out in succession and took their places outside the yamen gate (only academicians stood north of the gate side awaiting the chief ministers)› The Secretariat and Chancellery went before the incense table and reported: "As to Chancellery business, we Your subjects have already fully reported it for Your hearing. " When finished, they withdrew, bowed toward the hall, and exited. Next penal-law officials and awaiting-edict commissioners each reported affairs; the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service answered each in turn, and they went out to join the ranks. Next the impeachment officers and left and right recorders went out. Those who breached protocol within the pavilion were impeached according to the regulations. If an impeachment officer breached protocol, the court diarist corrected him; if a court diarist breached protocol, the Pavilion Gate commissioner corrected him; if a Pavilion Gate commissioner breached protocol, the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service corrected him. All who went out hurried in boots quickly, bowing toward the hall. Next the Secretariat, Chancellery, and academicians took their places; the Pavilion Gate commissioner proclaimed dismissal of the guard; they bowed twice, were granted food in the corridor, and bowed twice again. Next the Pavilion Gate commissioner reported that there was no business within the pavilion; civil and military officials went out; on the dais fans were called for, the screens were lowered, and the palanquin returned to the palace. As for the grant of corridor food, from north of the east and west Diligence-in-Governance gates in the eastern and western corridors, civil officials stood east and military west, with north as the place of honor; the Vice Censor-in-Chief reached his place, faced south and bowed once, then sat to eat; down to the bureau clerks, the intoner praised and then they inserted their tablets to eat; when eating was finished the intoner praised again, and when all had finished eating the ceremony ended. On the first day of the fifth month, the relevant offices were ordered to increase the yellow-banner guard by 350 men; civil and military officials were made to cross with the Secretariat and Chancellery for the audience salutation; the Hanlin academicians' positions were moved behind the Vice Grand Councillors; and they exited bowing toward the hall, divided east and west with the military commissioners. Emperor Zhenzong performed it three times in all; after the Jingde era the rite was no longer performed. Emperor Renzong followed the proposal of Drafting Academician Li Shu to continue reading the seasonal ordinances and decreed that ritual officers work out the protocol in detail, but the plan was abandoned because critics said it did not accord with canonical ritual.
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殿殿殿殿 殿殿 殿 殿 殿 殿殿 殿西
In the third year of Xining, Drafting Academician Song Minqiu and others said: "By decree we have revised and fixed the Wende Hall entering-the-pavilion rite within the Pavilion Gate protocol compendium. The present Wende Hall is the Tang Xuanzheng Hall; the Zichen Hall is the Tang Zichen Hall. Yet our founding ancestors all held court by entering the pavilion at the Wende Hall. Under Tang practice, guard of honor was regularly posted at the Xuanzheng Hall; when the emperor happened to take his seat at Zichen, the guard was summoned to enter the pavilion. In this way, entering the pavilion should be held at the Zichen Hall to accord with the old canon." Academician Wang Gui and others deliberated: "Entering the pavilion was the Tang's old rite for receiving regular court at the Zichen Hall. The Tang Zichen is the same as the present one; the Xuanzheng Hall is the present Wende Hall. Under Tang practice, when the Son of Heaven held court, guard of honor had to be posted at the main administrative hall. If he held court only at Zichen, the main-hall guard was summoned to enter through the east and west pavilion gates of the Xuanzheng Hall; hence it was called entering the pavilion. From the Five Dynasties onward the institution of posting guard at the main administrative hall was abolished. What the Pavilion Gate now records as entering-the-pavilion rites is only the Tang regular-court rite, not a grand ceremony. " From this the entering-the-pavilion rite was abolished.
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殿 殿殿
Minqiu further said: "In our dynasty only entering the pavilion meant holding court at the Wende Hall. Now that the entering-the-pavilion rite is no longer used, the Wende Hall thereby lacks its court-audience rite. We ask that the two drafting institutes and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices ritual institute be directed, following Tang practice for court at the Xuanzheng Hall, to fix the rite for holding court at the Wende Hall on new and full moon days, so as to supply the institution of main-hall court audience." Academicians Han Wei and others, adding to and revising the "Diagram of Entering the Pavilion," fixed and submitted the court protocol as follows:
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殿 殿殿西 西 殿殿 西 殿 殿 使使 使退 殿殿 使 西 西 退西 使 使殿使西殿 西 西 使 使殿 殿 西 殿𣀃 殿使使 殿 殿 退殿 西 殿 使使使使使 殿西
On the first day of the month, if it was not a holiday, five days before the Pavilion Gate notified the various offices to arrange preparations; one day before, the relevant offices prepared the pavilion at the Wende Hall. That day, the Golden Guard general in ordinary dress escorted his command's guard; an official deputizing for the Palace Domestic Service escorted the detail guard; they entered the hall courtyard first and faced each other east and west; civil and military officials stood in order east and west; various army officers entered separately and stood facing north; court ushers led two impeachment censors in through the hall gate ramp; they stood facing north below the dais; next the civil and military ranks were summoned in separately and stood facing each other east and west; Army officers then formed ranks facing north in the hall courtyard. The emperor, wearing boots and robe, held court at the Chuigong Hall; the whip was cracked; inner attendants, Pavilion Gate officials, and army commanders performed the audience salutation according to the usual new-and-full-moon practice; Next the Military Affairs Bureau, Palace Domestic Service, Three Fiscal Commissaries and deputies, Privy Council direct academicians, Palace Reception commissioners downward to medical officers, awaiting-edict officials, and the two court diarists all performed the great audience salutation. Commissioners of various offices downward withdrew and stood in formation. When the emperor's palanquin reached the rear of the Wende Hall, the Pavilion Gate reported that the ranks were complete; the emperor came out; on the dais fans were called for; he ascended the couch; the whip was cracked; The fans opened; screens were rolled up; the Ceremonial Guard commissioner burned incense; civil and military officials were called to their places and performed four bows for the audience salutation; the rooster herald intoned the hour; A herald facing west before the impeachment censors' rank called out the great audience salutation. The censors passed behind the civil and military ranks to the facing positions; next the left and right Golden Guard generals were led to combine ranks south of the proclamation stone for the great audience salutation; the rank leader stepped out, bowed, and reported that all within and without the state was secure, returned and bowed twice, and each returned to his east or west guard-escort position. The announcing heralds stood facing each other north and south at the proclamation stone. The herald withdrew to the western steps; next he bowed to the chief ministers and imperial princes downward, bowed and reported the audience salutation of the civil and military hundred officials and Chief Minister [name]'s rank and below; he separately led the chief ministers and others across; army officers remained standing as before. The Pavilion Gate commissioner proclaimed the great audience salutation; a herald led the chief ministers north of the ritual stone, where they prostrated themselves and delivered the monthly salutation. The text ran: "We, the civil and military hundred officials and Chief Minister [full titles], Your subject [name] and others, declare: On this auspicious day in early spring, we respectfully wish Your Majesty may receive the blessings of the season, enduring as heaven itself. We are overcome with joy, shouting and stamping in exultation to the utmost. " They returned to their places and performed five bows. The Pavilion Gate commissioner bowed and led the Secretariat up by the eastern steps; the Commissioner of Military Affairs and those who held the concurrent title Grand Councillor or higher ascended by the western steps to attend standing; one Supervising Secretary returned to the left department position and stood; the rotation-report official stood south of the Supervising Secretary (If the rotation-report official was dispensed with, each time the Censorate submitted a petition beforehand. Two civil officials, following the rotation-report precedent, first submitted memorials at the Pavilion Gate)› the Vice Minister of Personnel and penal-law officials stood south of the rotation-report official; the Vice Minister of War stood south of the right department rank, facing the Vice Minister of Personnel east and west; they inserted their tablets, each stepped from rank, and placed the register on the tablet (The Vice Ministers of Personnel and War were filled by the officers who directed the eastern and western Review-of-Appointments offices; penal-law officials were filled by the officers who directed the Review of Punishments and the Court of Judicial Review)› imperial princes and commissioners with diplomatic seals downward withdrew by rank; the rotation-report official was led south of the proclamation stone; the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service, on the dais receiving the imperial rescript, proclaimed the response according to ritual; next the Vice Ministers of Personnel and War and the penal-law officials bowed face to face and withdrew; next the impeachment censor, having no impeachment to present, bowed face to face and withdrew (If there were an impeachment, all followed ritual)› Next, the Supervising Secretary was led to the proclamation stone, bowed, and reported in person that there was no business in the hall; the attendant was called; he bowed and exited west; next the diarist was led; next the attending officials and below were arranged in ranks, each combining at the proclamation stone and bowing; attendants were called; they bowed and withdrew by rank; attendants of the Celestial Martial Guard and others were called to wait outside; then they withdrew. Fans were called for, the screens were lowered, the emperor descended from his seat, and the whip was cracked; a herald received the rescript at the dais to dismiss the guard; the four-color officials hurrying in boots rushed to the proclamation stone and declared, "By imperial edict, dismiss the guard." The Golden Guard generals and acting officials of the Palace Domestic Service bowed face to face; when finished they followed the guard out. Imperial princes, commissioners with diplomatic seals, military governors down to prefects, academicians, Secretariat and Censorate officials, army officers and commanders, and others all formed ranks in the court hall to thank the emperor for the gift of tea and wine. The emperor again took his seat at Chui'gong Hall, and the Secretariat, Military Affairs Commission, and petitioners reported business; The audience-thanks and farewell ranks were not led in. For the later session at the rear hall, orders were taken as needed. On days when there were gracious edicts, formal proclamations, or imperial memoranda, one still waited until after the session at Chui'gong Hall, then the proclamation box was brought out. For civil and military officials presenting themselves, offering thanks, or taking leave at the main administrative hall, ranks were called according to Censorate protocol; in order they entered behind the civil and military ranks, with north as head, dividing east and west facing each other, double ranks in separate positions, according to the sequence for audience, farewell, and thanks ranks. The remaining escort officials stood slightly forward of the rank as escorts; when the penal-law officials bowed face to face and withdrew, they were separately led forward to bow. A herald at the dais announced the ranks and led the rotation-report rank for audience, thanks, and farewell—all according to Zichen Hall ritual. The Commissioner of Military Affairs not holding Grand Councillor, the Vice Grand Councillors down to the Associate Signatory of the Military Affairs Commission, and the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service all stood slightly north of the proclamation stone; chief ministers, imperial princes, and the Commissioner of Military Affairs holding Grand Councillor who served as escorts stood south of the ritual stone; the remaining officials all stood at the proclamation stone; when summoning was appropriate together, the Pavilion Gate commissioner led them in according to ritual. When the announcements finished, those tied to the Secretariat and Military Affairs Commission all bowed, ascended the dais to take leave and offer thanks, bowed, and exited west; those who should inquire after the emperor's health all followed ritual; the remaining officials withdrew by rank (The impeachment censor waited until the audience, thanks, and farewell ranks were finished, then bowed face to face and withdrew. For court audiences such as thanking for the imperial feast outside the capital gate, or being summoned to court to thank for tea, medicine, or imperial inquiries—when ranks could not be combined, each offered thanks separately in a special rank. Gifts of wine and food were all bestowed at the gate. For those presenting themselves at the main hall and taking leave with thanks at the gate, dismissal was also proclaimed outside the gate)›
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殿殿 殿殿 殿西 殿西 殿西 使 殿 殿
Officials presenting themselves, offering thanks, or taking leave at the main administrative hall submitted a petition to the main hall one day before at the Pavilion Gate, and the Pavilion Gate forwarded the list to the throne; They also submitted main-hall memorials to the Censorate and the Reception Office for Foreign Envoys. On new-moon days when the throne ordered that the Wende Hall audience be cancelled, only the Zichen Hall audience salutation was held—the list already submitted remained in effect. The main-hall audience, thanks, and farewell ranks were all excused; officials proceeded by rank to the Zichen Hall introduction, or if the schedule changed, they followed the regular Wende Hall court day with the hundred officials' ranks—all according to the old ritual. For foreign tribute guests presenting themselves or taking leave, when ranks were called they were first led to the east of the court, stood in double ranks in separate positions according to their own country's ranks, waited until the audience, farewell, and thanks ranks were finished, then bowed facing west. A herald at the dais announced the rank, turned south of the proclamation stone, stood facing north, proclaimed according to ritual, and exited west. Wine, food, and distributed goods were all bestowed at the gate; if there were tribute offerings, one waited until the impeachment censor withdrew, then the tribute was brought in (Only the imperial horses and carrying couches entered through the western side gate of the hall and exited through the eastern side gate. For tribute entering and leaving, civil and military officials performed the audience salutation; a herald announced the tribute from such-and-such country; the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service called for the tribute to withdraw—the sequence as at Zichen Hall)› When the tribute had withdrawn, the Supervising Secretary reported that there was no business in the hall and withdrew. For a second session at the rear hall, those who should be led out followed separate ritual.
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使使使使使 使使使使
That day, tea and wine were bestowed; chief ministers and Military Affairs commissioners at the pavilion; imperial princes at their own halls; commissioners with diplomatic seals, the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service, officials of the two departments, academicians-in-attendance, deputy commissioners of the Three Departments, civil and military hundred officials, imperial kinsmen with diplomatic commissioner titles down to deputy commandants of the Princes' Household, and the four-brigade commanders-in-chief down to deputy squad leaders—all at the court hall (If places at the court hall were insufficient, seats were set up outside the court hall gate)› Military governors commanding armies down to four-brigade commanders-in-chief, military governors, fiscal and transport commissioners' deputies down to prefects—all at the Reception Hall.
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An edict approved what had been fixed. At the beginning of Huizong's construction of the Hall of Enlightened Rule, the Ritual-Regulations Bureau submitted seven proposals:
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First: In antiquity, the new moon was always announced at the ancestral temple, showing that the ruler dared not act alone. We ask that holding court and hearing the new moon always begin with a memorial announcement, to manifest the intent to continue and carry forward the legacy.
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Second: In antiquity the Son of Heaven, leaning on the screen facing south, received the feudal lords; at the new-moon audience each faced according to his direction. We ask that from now on he take the Hall of Enlightened Rule's due-south position; for issuing governance he should occupy the hall according to the month, and in intercalary months take the position at the gate.
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使
Third: In the "Book of Rites • Monthly Ordinances," the Son of Heaven dwells in Qingyang and Zongzhang, with different rites each month. We ask to examine the "Monthly Ordinances" system of the twelve halls, revise and fix the seasonal orders, and have the relevant offices receive and implement them.
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退
Fourth: The "Monthly Ordinances" takes the autumn month as the day for receiving the new moon of the coming year. We ask that each year in the tenth month at the Hall of Enlightened Rule he receive the new calendar, then withdraw and distribute it to the commanderies and kingdoms.
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使
Fifth: In antiquity the Son of Heaven leaned on the screen; dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, barons, and the barbarian states of the four frontiers each took position according to inner and outer precedence. We ask that from now on New Year's Day, the winter solstice, and great court assemblies all be held at the Hall of Enlightened Rule; Liao envoys follow guest ritual; tribute states each according to their direction stand outside the four gates.
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Sixth: In antiquity the Hall of Enlightened Rule was the palace for issuing governance; from now on if there are imperial memoranda or autograph edicts, we ask that they first be proclaimed at the Hall of Enlightened Rule, then posted in the court hall and promulgated throughout the realm.
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殿
Seventh: Amnesty documents and gracious edicts were formerly proclaimed at the Wende Hall; from now on, unless there is an amnesty from the imperial tower, all are to be read aloud at the Hall of Enlightened Rule.
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退 輿殿 退 沿
On the first day of the ninth month in the seventh year of Zhenghe, an edict ordered that proclaiming the new moon and issuing governance begin from the tenth month. On the first day of that month, the emperor took his seat at the Ping Shuo left bay of the Hall of Enlightened Rule and promulgated the celestial cycles, governance, and the year-cycle and calendrical reckonings for the eighth year, the wuxu year, throughout the realm. From this time forth, each month at the new moon he held court at the Hall of Enlightened Rule and issued that month's governance. Previously the hundred officials five times submitted memorials requesting that he lean on the screen and hold court; an edict did not approve; at this time they again requested twice, and then he assented. On the first day of the eleventh month the emperor held court at the Hall of Enlightened Rule, facing south to receive the hundred nobles; he withdrew to sit at the Ping Shuo bay to promulgate governance. The ritual: the hundred officials in ordinary dress stood below the Hall of Enlightened Rule; the imperial palanquin came out from the inner hall; he leaned on the axe-adorned screen at the Hall of Enlightened Rule. The Dasheng music was performed; the hundred officials paid court below the hall; chief ministers ascended the steps and presented the seasonal orders to be promulgated; one of the left and right vice directors knelt and requested that they be sent outward for implementation; the chief minister received the rescript and assented; the left and right vice directors then descended and handed them to the governance-issuing officer; the governance-issuing officer received them, read them aloud to completion, withdrew, and the Pavilion Gate reported that the ritual was finished. The emperor descended from his seat; then the hundred officials withdrew. From this it became regular practice. The texts of the year-cycles, calendrical reckonings, celestial cycles, and governance are for the most part not recorded here. Thereafter the wording changed with the shifting and revision of the years, months, stars, calendars, and seasonal cycles.
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使
Initially, Left Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue Xue Ang itemized the policies continuing the Xining and Yuanfeng reforms since the Chongning period, listing each article, attaching them to the monthly ordinances, and promulgating them at the Hall of Enlightened Rule. Soon an edict read: "Proclaiming the monthly new moon, so that the people may know the changes of cold and heat, dryness and dampness—even five hundred li a day by relay post to ten thousand li distant already cannot reach in time. Beyond a thousand li, they should ten days beforehand submit them for approval; the chief officials of the various prefectures should seal and keep them, awaiting the new moon of the month for proclamation and reading.
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使 使使 退 竿竿 使 使退 殿 使殿 殿
Amnesty from the imperial tower. On the day before each suburban sacrifice, the relevant offices set places outside the Xuande Gate for the hundred officials, imperial princes, tribute envoys from foreign states and various prefectures, monks and Daoists, and elders; the Court of Imperial Sacrifices set up the palace bells and chime-stones and gongs and drums. That day, the Ministry of Justice recorded all prisoners to await release. When the imperial procession returned to the inner tent at the Xuande Gate, the emperor changed to ordinary dress; the hundred officials took their places; the emperor ascended the tower and took his seat; the Commissioner of Military Affairs and the Commissioner of the Palace Domestic Service attended standing; guard and escort as ritual. The diplomatic herald led the hundred officials across in two bows; when finished they returned to their places. An attending minister proclaimed "Receive the rescript"; the herald went before the tower; the attending minister proclaimed the edict to raise the golden cock. The herald withdrew to the south of the ranks, proclaimed and handed it over to the relevant office; when finished, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices beat the drum to assemble the prisoners. The Directorate of Palace Manufactories set up the cock pole at the southeast corner of the tower; at the pole top performers on all four sides scrambled up the rope to seize the crimson banner held in the cock's mouth; whoever obtained it received it. On the tower a wooden crane pierced by a red silk cord, with an immortal riding it, bore the proclamation down along the cord; reaching the ground, a decorated platform received the crane; the relevant office took the proclamation and placed it on the desk. The Pavilion Gate commissioner, receiving the rescript, led the desk and proclaimed, handing it to the Secretariat and Chancellery; it was transferred to the diplomatic herald, who facing north proclaimed "There is a proclamation"; the hundred officials bowed twice. When the amnesty proclamation was finished, it was returned to the Secretariat and Chancellery and given to the Vice Minister of Justice to receive the rescript and release the prisoners; the hundred officials offered congratulations. The Pavilion Gate commissioner advanced to the fore, received the rescript and proclaimed the response; when finished, the hundred officials again bowed twice, performed the dance, and withdrew. If gracious edicts or amnesty documents issued from within, all followed the Wende Hall proclamation ritual. For imperial memoranda issued down, the Pavilion Gate commissioner also knelt and handed them outside the hall gate into a chest; when the hundred officials' ranks were set, the Pavilion Gate gave them to the chief minister to read aloud; when finished, it was announced; all officials bowed, danced, and proclaimed "Ten thousand years." For Zhenzong's proclamation, the relevant offices requested four thousand ceremonial guards; from the Chengtian Hall a detailed guard was set up to escort; when the close ministers finished the audience salutation, they divided left and right to lead the way forward.
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便殿 殿
The Empress Dowager held court behind the curtain and governed. In the first year of Qianxing, Zhenzong died; his final testament said that because the emperor was still young, military and state affairs were jointly entrusted to the Empress Dowager for disposition. The chief minister led the hundred officials in offering congratulations; they again advanced to offer condolences; and again offered condolences to the Empress Dowager before the curtain. The relevant offices worked out the protocol in detail: for presenting a memorial at the Inner Eastern Gate, one Inner Quarters Director should be assigned to kneel, receive, and forward it; In rescript replies issued by the Empress Dowager, the opening read "I have read your memorial and noted its particulars," and the closing read "Your request should be granted" or "not granted." At first Ding Wei fixed the Empress Dowager's self-designation as yu ("I"); the Secretariat and Board of Rites debated the matter: in formal edicts and commands she was to use yu, but in informal dispositions from the convenience hall she was to use wu. The Empress Dowager decreed: "Use only wu ('I'); together with the emperor hold court at the Chenming Hall behind the curtain to decide affairs." " The hundred officials submitted memorials of congratulation.
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殿殿 殿西退殿 殿退殿
When Yingzong acceded, the chief ministers asked that he and the Empress Dowager jointly hold provisional authority to govern. The Board of Rites decided: from the fourth month the Empress Dowager would hold court behind the curtain at the small hall of the Inner Eastern Gate; the Two Departments would salute in a combined formation, report business in turn, and when summoned at irregular hours academicians were also permitted to attend the small hall. At the time the emperor, ill, temporarily resided in the western chamber of the eastern pavilion of Rouyi Hall; the empress dowager issued dispositions from behind the curtain using wu ("I"); only the Two Departments entered daily to inquire after his health and report government affairs, then withdrew to outside the small hall's curtain and reported again to the empress dowager. When the emperor's illness eased, he held court in the front and rear halls; after the Two Departments withdrew from court, they still reported again at the small hall.
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殿 殿殿退 殿西 殿 殿 殿 殿
When Zhezong acceded, the Grand Empress Dowager held provisional joint authority to govern. The Three Departments and Military Affairs Commission followed ritual protocol: before mourning dress ended, on odd-numbered days the emperor held court at the Yingyang Gate; daily-attending officials all came to salute and report business as usual. Every five days, on an odd-numbered day court was held behind the curtain at the Yingyang Gate; the emperor sat at the north within the curtain; when chief ministers reported business, attendants on either side were temporarily dismissed; if business was urgent, unscheduled audiences were permitted, and when summoned by imperial decree, officials were also permitted to ascend the hall. The Ministry of Rites, Censorate, and Pavilion Gate memorialized to discuss protocol for main-hall court and curtain audience: on new-moon, full-moon, and six-attendance days the emperor held court in the front hall; the hundred officials saluted; the Three Departments and Military Affairs Commission reported business; and when audience, thanksgiving, and farewell ranks withdrew, each was directed to the Inner Eastern Gate to submit a petition slip. On odd-numbered days the emperor held court behind the curtain at the Yanhe Hall; daily-attending officials saluted the Grand Empress Dowager, then shifted slightly west to salute the emperor; all bowed twice. When the Three Departments and Military Affairs Commission reported business, for three days or more they bowed four times without the bow-and-dance; after enshrinement in the ancestral temple was complete, salutations followed the usual protocol. Before the curtain, protocol announcers were inner attendants; below the hall, they were Pavilion Gate officials. When the Ministry of Personnel reviewed and memorialized candidates, they were introduced on days when court was held behind the curtain. Officials due for audience, thanksgiving, or farewell who encountered new-moon or full-moon attendance days did not take seats; all first went to the hall gate, then to the Inner Eastern Gate; items to be granted by raised tray were all granted at the gate. Thereupon the emperor held court at the pavilion hall of the Yingyang Gate and, together with the Grand Empress Dowager, held court behind the curtain; chief ministers, imperial princes, and those below saluted in a combined formation. Under regular protocol there were sixteen separate ranks; on this occasion they formed a combined rank at the Pavilion Gate's request. Ritual officials requested that when auspicious omens or frontier victories occurred, after chief ministers and those below congratulated the emperor at the Zichen Hall, they should proceed to the Inner Eastern Gate to congratulate the Grand Empress Dowager. The request was granted.
25
殿 退
Rites for the crown prince to receive congratulations from the assembled officials on New Year's Day and the winter solstice. New Rites of the Zhenghe Era: On the day before, the relevant offices laid out suitable ground outside the eastern gate and set the ordered ranks of the Three Excellencies and below, civil and military officials together, according to usual protocol; The master of ceremonies set the crown prince's cushioned station for returning bows below the steps, facing south, and set the name-tablet positions of civil and military officials outside the gate. On that day ritual attendants and protocol masters first led the Three Excellencies and below, civil and military officials, to enter in order and take their positions. Ritual attendants and protocol masters led the Left Junior Guardian before the crown prince; he knelt and requested that the inner court be secured; after a short while he again reported that the outer preparations were complete. Inner attendants raised the curtain; the crown prince in ordinary dress emerged from the side chamber with attendants left and right as usual. The crown prince descended the steps to the south-facing cushioned station; the master of ceremonies called "Bow twice"; the announcer echoed "Bow twice"; the Three Excellencies and below all bowed twice; the crown prince returned the bow. The lead official stepped forward and offered congratulations: "On New Year's Day, the year's first fortune (On the winter solstice say "On the winter solstice, when the celestial first day reaches its fullness")› , may splendid fortune be renewed. We humbly pray that Your Highness the Crown Prince may share repose with the times. " When congratulations were finished, he withdrew and returned to position. The Left Junior Guardian advanced; receiving the command, he went before the assembled officials and replied: "On New Year's Day, the year's first fortune (On the winter solstice say "On the winter solstice, when the celestial first day reaches its fullness")› , may we share this celebration equally with you all. " The master of ceremonies called "Bow twice"; from the lead official downward all bowed twice; the crown prince returned the bow. When finished, ritual attendants and protocol masters led the Three Excellencies and below, civil and military officials, to withdraw in order; inner attendants led the crown prince up the steps and back to the side chamber; the curtain was lowered; attendants followed the usual protocol.
26
退
After a short while ritual attendants and protocol masters led the Director of the Military Affairs Commission and those below to enter and take their positions; inner attendants led the crown prince down the steps to the south-facing cushioned station; the Military Affairs Commission and those below offered congratulations as above. When finished, they withdrew. Next the Preceptor, Tutor, Guardian, guests of honor, and those below were led in, took their positions, and offered congratulations as above. The Preceptor, Tutor, Guardian, and those below withdrew in order.
27
殿 西 退
Inner attendants led the crown prince to his seat; ritual attendants led civil and military palace officials in to take their positions in double rows facing north; the master of ceremonies called "Bow twice"; all officials present bowed twice. The Left Junior Guardian stepped forward, knelt, and said: "Such-and-such an official, So-and-so, says: On New Year's Day, the year's first fortune (On the winter solstice say "On the winter solstice, when the celestial first day reaches its fullness")› , we humbly pray that Your Highness the Crown Prince may share repose with the times. " He prostrated himself, rose, and returned to position. The master of ceremonies called "Bow twice"; all present bowed twice and divided to stand in order east and west. The Left Junior Guardian stepped forward, knelt, and reported that the rite was finished. Attendants on either side lowered the curtain; the crown prince left his seat; palace officials withdrew; attendants withdrew in order.
28
The crown prince's meeting with the hundred officials. In the first year of Zhidao, the relevant offices reported: "When the hundred officials met the crown prince, officials of fifth rank in the Two Departments, fourth rank in the Department of State Affairs and Censorate, and third rank and above in the various offices all returned bows; all others received bows only. Palace officials from the Left and Right Junior Guardians downward all followed the protocol for attending audience. At banquets his seat ranked above those of princes and dukes.
29
西 殿 殿西殿西西 殿西 西
Meeting with the Preceptor, Tutor, and Guardian. New Rites of the Zhenghe Era: On the day before, the relevant offices set the positions of the Preceptor, Tutor, Guardian, and those below outside the palace gate on the road, facing southwest; they set the framed bell-and-stone ensemble in the hall courtyard near the south, facing north. At dawn that day commanders of the various guard units mustered their detachments to garrison the gates and post guard; the master of audiences set the crown prince's position below the hall's eastern steps, facing west; he set the positions of the Preceptor, Tutor, and Guardian west of the western steps; the Three Mentors stood slightly south of the Tutor and Guardian, all facing east and ascending northward. The Preceptor, Tutor, Guardian, and those below all came to the palace gate in court dress; protocol masters led them to their positions; the Left Junior Guardian requested that the inner court be secured. Protocol masters led the Preceptor, Tutor, and Guardian to stand west of the main hall gate; the Three Mentors stood slightly to their south, all facing east and ascending northward. The Left Junior Guardian reported that the outer preparations were complete; each attending official donned his ceremonial regalia and all proceeded to the pavilion to receive the crown prince. The crown prince came forth in court dress with attendants left and right as usual; the framed ensemble performed "Music of Winged Tranquility"; he reached below the eastern steps and stood facing west; the music ceased. Protocol masters led the Preceptor, Tutor, Guardian, and Three Mentors in to take their positions; the framed ensemble performed "Music of Correct Tranquility"; when they reached their positions the music ceased. The crown prince bowed twice; the Preceptor, Tutor, Guardian, and those below returned the bow (If the Three Mentors were received separately, the Three Mentors bowed first)› Protocol masters led the Preceptor, Tutor, Guardian, and those below out; the framed ensemble performed "Music of Correct Tranquility"; when they passed out the gate the music ceased. The Left Junior Guardian advanced, knelt, and reported: "The Left Junior Guardian So-and-so says: The rite is finished. " The crown prince entered; attendants and music followed the same protocol as when he had come forth.
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