1
輿服六○寶印符券宮室制度臣庶室屋制度
Carriages and Clothes 6: Imperial treasures and seals, tokens, palace regulations, and regulations governing the dwellings of subjects and commoners.
2
寶。 秦製，天子有六璽，又有傳國璽，歷代因之。 唐改為寶，其制有八。 五代亂離，或多亡失。 周廣順中，始造二寶：其一曰「皇帝承天受命之寶」，一曰「皇帝神寶」。 太祖受禪，傳此二寶，又製「大宋受命之寶」。 至太宗，又別製「承天受命之寶」。 是後，諸帝嗣服，皆自為一寶，以「皇帝恭膺天命之寶」為文。 凡上尊號，有司製玉寶，則以所上尊號為文。
Imperial treasures. Under Qin institutions, the emperor possessed six imperial seals as well as the seal of dynastic transmission, and later dynasties preserved that practice. The Tang renamed them treasures and established a set of eight. Amid the turmoil of the Five Dynasties, many were lost or destroyed. In Later Zhou's Guangshun reign, the court first cast two treasures: one reading "Treasure of the Emperor Who Receives Heaven's Mandate," and another "Treasure of the Divine Emperor." When Emperor Taizu accepted the abdication, he inherited these two treasures and additionally commissioned the "Treasure of the Great Song's Received Mandate." Under Emperor Taizong, the court fashioned yet another treasure inscribed "Treasure of Receiving Mandate from Heaven." Afterward, every new emperor on succeeding to the throne commissioned his own treasure bearing the text "Treasure of the Emperor Who Reverently Receives Heaven's Mandate." Whenever the court bestowed an honorific title upon the emperor, the relevant offices would carve a jade treasure bearing that title as its inscription.
3
寶用玉，篆文，廣四寸九分，厚一寸二分。 填以金盤龍鈕，係以暈錦大綬，赤小綬，連玉環； 玉檢高七寸，廣二寸四分，厚四分； 玉鬥方二寸四分，厚一寸二分：皆飾以紅錦，金裝，裹以紅錦，加紅羅泥金夾巴，納於小盝。 盝以金裝，內設金床，暈錦褥，飾以雜色玻璃、碧石、珊瑚、金精石、瑪瑙。 又盝二重，皆裝以金，覆以紅羅繡巴，載以腰輿及行馬，並飾以金。 又有香爐、寶子、香匙、灰匙、火箸、燭台、燭刀，皆以金為之，是所謂緣寶法物也。
The treasures were carved from jade in seal script, measuring four inches and nine tenths across and one inch and two tenths thick. Each was fitted with a gold knob shaped as a coiled dragon, suspended from a great cord of cloud-pattern brocade and a shorter red cord joined to jade rings; the accompanying jade tablet stood seven inches high, two inches and four tenths wide, and four tenths thick; the jade cap-piece was a square two inches and four tenths on each side and one inch and two tenths thick; all these fittings were trimmed with red brocade and gold mountings, wrapped in red brocade, layered with gold-flecked red silk facing panels, and placed in a small casket. The casket itself was gold-mounted; inside stood a gold bed with a cloud-pattern brocade cushion, embellished with varicolored glass, green stone, coral, gold-essence stone, and agate. Two additional nested caskets, likewise gold-mounted and covered with embroidered red silk panels, were carried on a waist litter and traveling horses, all adorned with gold. There were also an incense burner, treasure casket, incense spoon, ash spoon, fire tongs, candle stand, and candle knife, all of gold—these constituted the ritual paraphernalia accompanying the treasure.
4
別有三印：一曰「天下合同之印」，中書奏覆狀、流內銓曆任三代狀用之； 二曰「御前之印」，樞密院宣命及諸司奏狀內用之； 三曰「書詔之印」，翰林詔敕用之。 皆鑄以金，又以鍮石各鑄其一。 雍熙三年，並改為寶，別鑄以金，舊六印皆毀之。
Three additional seals were kept: the first, the "Seal of Universal Accord Under Heaven," was used on memorial replies from the Secretariat and on three-generation service records from the inner stream of the Board of Appointments; the second, the "Seal of the Imperial Presence," was used on orders from the Bureau of Military Affairs and on memorials submitted by the various offices; the third, the "Seal for Writing Imperial Edicts," was used for edicts and commands issued by the Hanlin Academy. Each was cast in gold, and a duplicate of each was also cast in brass. In the third year of the Yongxi reign, all three were redesignated as treasures, newly cast in gold, and the former six seals were destroyed.
5
真宗即位，作皇帝受命寶，文曰「皇帝恭膺天命之寶」。 大中祥符元年五月，詳定所言：「按玉牒、玉冊，用皇帝受命寶印之，納玉匱於石感，以天下同文之印封之。 今封禪泰山，請依舊制，別造玉寶一枚，方寸二分，文同受命寶。 其封石感，用天下同文之印，舊史元無制度，今請用金鑄，大小同御前之寶，以『天下同文之寶』為文。 所有緣寶法物，亦請依式製造。」 從之。 天禧元年十二月，召輔臣於滋福殿，觀新刻「五嶽聖帝玉寶』及「皇帝昭受乾符之寶」，命擇日迎導赴會靈觀奉安。 其寶並金柙玉鈕，製作精妙。 真宗以奏章上帝，承前皆用御前之寶，以理未順，故改用昭受乾符之寶。
When Emperor Zhenzong took the throne, he commissioned the emperor's treasure of received mandate, inscribed "Treasure of the Emperor Who Reverently Receives Heaven's Mandate." In the fifth month of the first year of Dazhong Xiangfu, the review office reported: "By precedent, jade registers and jade volumes are stamped with the emperor's treasure of received mandate, the jade coffer is placed within a stone coffer, and the seal of universal script under heaven is used to seal it. For the forthcoming Fengshan rite at Mount Tai, we ask that, in accordance with former regulations, a separate jade treasure be made, two inches square, bearing the same inscription as the treasure of received mandate. To seal the stone coffer, the seal of universal script under heaven should be employed; since earlier histories prescribe no rule for this, we now request that it be cast in gold, matching the size of the treasure of the Imperial Presence, and inscribed "Treasure of Universal Script Under Heaven." All ritual paraphernalia accompanying the treasure should likewise be produced according to the prescribed specifications. The court approved the proposal. In the twelfth month of the first year of Tianxi, the emperor convened his chief ministers in the Hall of Nourishing Blessings to inspect the newly carved "Jade Treasures of the Sacred Emperors of the Five Marchmounts" and the "Treasure of the Emperor Who Manifestly Received the Qian Talisman," and directed that a date be chosen to escort them in procession to the Temple of Assembled Spirits for enshrinement. These treasures all bore gold frames and jade knobs, and their craftsmanship was extraordinarily fine. When Emperor Zhenzong addressed memorials to the Supreme Lord, earlier practice had always employed the Seal of the Imperial Presence; finding this inappropriate in principle, he substituted the Treasure of Manifestly Receiving the Qian Talisman.
6
嘉祐八年，仁宗崩，英宗立，翰林學士範鎮言：「伏聞大行皇帝受命寶及緣寶法物，與平生衣冠器用，皆欲舉而葬之，恐非所以稱先帝恭儉之意。 其受命寶，伏乞陛下自寶用之，且示有所傳付。 若衣冠器玩，則請陳於陵寢及神御殿，歲時展視，以慰思慕。」 詔檢討官考索典故，及命兩製、禮官詳議。 翰林學士王珪等奏曰：「受命寶者，猶昔傳國璽也，宜為天子傳器，不當改作。 古者藏先王衣服於廟寢，至於平生器玩，則前世既不皆納於方中，亦不盡陳於陵寢。 謂今宜從省約，以稱先帝恭儉之實。」 帝不用其議，乃別造受命寶，命參知政事歐陽修篆文八字。 至哲宗立，亦作焉，其文並同。
In the eighth year of Jiayou, after Emperor Renzong's death and Emperor Yingzong's accession, Hanlin academician Fan Zhen submitted: "I understand that the late emperor's treasure of received mandate, the ritual objects accompanying it, and the garments and implements he used in life are all to be interred with him; I fear this would not honor the late emperor's reputation for reverent frugality. Regarding the treasure of received mandate, I respectfully urge Your Majesty to retain it and use it as your own, thereby demonstrating that the mandate has been duly transmitted. As for his garments and ritual implements, I propose that they be displayed at the imperial tomb precinct and in the spirit hall, to be viewed on the seasonal observances and to console those who mourn him. An edict ordered the review officials to search historical precedents and charged the two academies and the ritual offices to deliberate the matter in detail. Hanlin academician Wang Gui and others memorialized: "The treasure of received mandate is analogous to the ancient seal for transmitting the state; it should remain the Son of Heaven's transmitted treasure and ought not to be recast. In antiquity the deceased kings' garments were stored in the temple dormitory; as for objects used in daily life, earlier ages neither buried them all in the central coffin nor displayed them all at the imperial tomb. We believe the present case should follow a course of restraint, in keeping with the late emperor's genuine practice of reverent frugality. The emperor did not accept their proposal but commissioned a new treasure of received mandate, directing Associate Administrator Ouyang Xiu to compose its eight-character inscription. When Emperor Zhezong acceded, he too had one made bearing the same inscription.
7
按所獻玉璽，色綠如藍，溫潤而澤，其文曰「受命於天，既壽永昌」。 其背螭鈕五盤，鈕間有小竅，用以貫組。 又得玉螭首一，白如膏，亦溫潤，其背亦螭鈕五盤，鈕間亦有貫組小竅，其面無文，與璽大小相合。 篆文工作，皆非近世所為。
Regarding the jade seal that was presented, its color was green as indigo, warm, moist, and lustrous, and its inscription read "Having received mandate from Heaven, long life and eternal prosperity." On its reverse was a chi-dragon knob with five coils, and between the coils were small perforations for threading the cord. A jade chi head was also recovered, white as tallow and equally warm and lustrous; its reverse likewise bore a chi knob with five coils and small holes for the cord between them; its face bore no inscription and matched the seal in size. The seal-script craftsmanship was clearly not the work of recent times.
8
臣等以歷代正史考之，璽之文曰「皇帝壽昌」者，晉璽也； 曰「受命於天」者，後魏璽也； 「有德者昌」，唐璽也； 「惟德允昌」，石晉璽也； 則「既壽永昌」者，秦璽可知。 今得璽於咸陽，其玉乃藍田之色，其篆與李斯小篆體合。 飾以龍鳳鳥魚，乃蟲書鳥跡之法，於今所傳古書，莫可比擬，非漢以後所作明矣。
Your ministers, examining the orthodox histories of successive dynasties, find that a seal inscribed "Long life and prosperity for the emperor" belonged to the Jin; one reading "Having received mandate from Heaven" was a Later Wei seal; "He of virtue shall prosper" was a Tang seal; "Only virtue ensures prosperity" was a Later Jin seal; thus the phrase "long life and eternal prosperity" can be identified as the Qin seal. The seal has now been recovered at Xianyang; its jade is of Lantian hue, and its characters match the small seal script of Li Si. Adorned with dragon, phoenix, bird, and fish motifs, it follows the method of insect script and bird traces; among ancient books extant today nothing can compare with it—it is plainly not a post-Han creation.
9
今陛下嗣守祖宗大寶，而神璽自出，其文曰「受命於天，既壽永昌」，則天之所畀，烏可忽哉？ 漢、晉以來，得寶鼎瑞物，猶告廟改元，肆眚上壽，況傳國之器乎？ 其緣寶法物禮儀，乞下所屬施行。
Your Majesty now guards the great treasure of the ancestors, and this divine seal has emerged unbidden; its inscription reads "Having received mandate from Heaven, long life and eternal prosperity"—how can a gift bestowed by Heaven be disregarded? Since Han and Jin times, whenever precious cauldrons and auspicious objects were obtained, the court still announced them at the ancestral temple, changed the reign title, proclaimed general amnesties, and extended congratulations for longevity—how much more so for the vessel transmitting the state? We respectfully request that the ritual procedures governing the treasure's accompanying objects be transmitted to the responsible offices for implementation.
10
詔禮部、太常寺按故事詳定以聞。 禮官言：五月朔，故事當大朝會，宜就行受寶之禮。 依上尊號寶冊儀，有司豫製緣寶法物，並寶進入。 俟降出，權於寶堂安奉。 前三日，差官奏告天地、宗廟、社稷。 前一日，帝齋於內殿。 翌日，禦大慶殿，降坐受寶，群臣上壽稱賀。 先期，又詔龍圖、天章閣齎治平元年耀州所獻受命寶玉檢，赴都堂參議。 詔以五月朔受傳國寶，命章惇書玉檢，以「天授傳國受命之寶」為文。
An edict directed the Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to examine precedents in detail and report their findings. The ritual officials reported: On the first day of the fifth month, by established precedent a great court assembly was scheduled; the ceremony of receiving the treasure should be conducted on that day. Following the protocol for honorific titles, treasures, and volumes, the responsible offices were to prepare the ritual paraphernalia accompanying the treasure in advance and present the treasure. Once presented, it was to be temporarily installed for veneration in the Treasure Hall. Three days in advance, officers were to announce the event to Heaven and Earth, the ancestral temple, and the altars of soil and grain. On the day before, the emperor was to observe a fast in the inner hall. On the appointed day, he was to preside in the Hall of Great Celebration, descend from the throne to receive the treasure, and the officials were to offer congratulations for longevity. In advance, an edict also ordered the Dragon Diagram and Heavenly Writ archives to bring the jade tablet of the treasure of received mandate presented by Yaozhou in the first year of Zhiping to the chief ministers' hall for joint deliberation. An edict directed that on the first day of the fifth month the seal transmitting the state be received, and Zhang Dun was commanded to inscribe the jade tablet with the text "Treasure of Heaven's Grant Transmitting the State and Received Mandate."
11
徽宗崇寧五年，有以玉印獻者。 印方寸，以龜為鈕，工作精巧，文曰「承天福延萬億永無極」。 徽宗因次其文，仿李斯蟲魚篆作寶文。 其方四寸有奇，螭鈕，方盤，上圓下方，名為鎮國寶。 大觀元年，又得玉工，用元豐中玉琢天子、皇帝六璽，疊篆。 初，紹聖間，得漢傳國璽，無檢，螭又不闕，疑其一角缺者，乃檢也。 有《檢傳》，考驗甚詳，傳於世。 帝於是取其文而黜其璽不用，自作受命寶，其方四寸有奇，琢以白玉，篆以蟲魚。 鎮國、受命二寶，合天子、皇帝六璽，是為八寶。
In the fifth year of the Chongning reign under Emperor Huizong, someone presented a jade seal. The seal was one inch square, with a turtle knob; its craftsmanship was exquisitely refined, and its inscription read "Receiving Heaven's blessing, extending myriadss, eternally without limit." Emperor Huizong then elaborated its text and, imitating Li Si's insect-and-fish seal script, composed the inscription for a new treasure. The treasure was somewhat more than four inches square, with a chi knob, a square base, round above and square below, and was named the Treasure for Stabilizing the State. In the first year of Daguan, skilled jade craftsmen were again secured; using jade stock from the Yuanfeng period they carved the Son of Heaven's and emperor's six seals in stacked seal script. Earlier, during the Shaosheng reign, the Han seal for transmitting the state had been obtained without its tablet; the chi knob was also intact; it was suspected that the missing corner piece was the tablet. A document titled "Transmission of the Tablet" circulated in the world, offering very detailed authentication. The emperor therefore adopted its inscription but set the seal itself aside; he personally commissioned a treasure of received mandate, somewhat more than four inches square, carved from white jade and inscribed in insect-and-fish script. The treasures for stabilizing the state and received mandate, together with the Son of Heaven's and emperor's six seals, constituted eight treasures in all.
12
詔曰：「自昔皆有尚符璽官。 今雖隸門下後省，遇親祠，則臨時具員，訖事復罷。 八寶既備，宜重典司之職。 可令尚書省置官，如古之制。」 又詔曰：「永惟受命之符，當有一代之制，而尚循秦舊，六璽之用，度越百年之久，或未大備。 自天申命，地不愛寶，獲全玉於異域，得妙工於編氓，八寶既成，敻無前比，殆天所授，非人能為。 可以來年元日，禦大慶殿恭受八寶。」 尚書省言：
An edict declared: "From antiquity there have always been officials charged with guarding seals and credentials. Although they now fall under the Rear Secretariat of the Gate Department, for personal sacrifices they are temporarily appointed and dismissed once the rite concludes. Now that the eight treasures are complete, the office overseeing them should be restored to proper importance. The Ministry of Personnel should establish dedicated officials as in antiquity. A further edict stated: "Ever mindful that the credential of received mandate should have an institution proper to each generation, we have nevertheless continued the Qin-era system of six seals—for more than a century the usage may not have been fully complete. Once Heaven renewed the mandate and the earth withheld no treasure, whole jade was obtained from distant lands and master craftsmen from among the people; when the eight treasures were finished, they had no precedent even in high antiquity—surely a gift from Heaven, not the work of human hands alone. On New Year's Day of the coming year, the emperor may preside in the Hall of Great Celebration and reverently receive the eight treasures. The Ministry of Personnel reported:
13
請置符寶郎四員，隸門下省，二員以中人充，掌寶於禁中。 按唐八寶，車駕臨幸，則符寶郎奉寶以從； 大朝會，則奉寶以進。 今鎮國寶、受命寶非常用之器，欲臨幸則從六寶，朝會則陳八寶，皆夕納。 內符寶郎奉寶出以授外符寶郎，外符寶郎從寶行於禁衛之內，朝則分進於御坐之前。
We request that four seal-and-credential officers be established under the Secretariat of the Gate Department, two of the posts to be filled by eunuchs charged with keeping the treasures within the inner palace. Under the Tang system of eight treasures, when the imperial carriage went on tour, the seal-and-credential officer bore the treasures in attendance; at great court assemblies, he presented the treasures. Today the treasures for stabilizing the state and received mandate are not suited for daily use; on imperial tours only the six treasures should accompany the emperor; at court assemblies all eight should be displayed—each to be secured away each evening. The inner seal-and-credential officer brings the treasure forth and hands it to the outer officer, who carries it within the inner guard; at court they are presented separately before the imperial seat.
14
鎮國寶、受命寶不常用，唯封禪則用之。 皇帝之寶，答鄰國書則用之； 皇帝行寶，降御劄則用之； 皇帝信寶，賜鄰國書及物則用之； 天子之寶，答外國書則用之； 天子行寶，封冊則用之； 天子信寶，舉大兵則用之。 應合用寶，外符寶郎具奏，請內符寶郎御前請寶，印訖，付外符寶郎承受。
The treasures for stabilizing the state and received mandate are not in common use; they are employed only for Fengshan. The emperor's treasure is used when replying to documents from neighboring states; the emperor's traveling treasure when issuing imperial rescripts; the emperor's credential treasure when bestowing documents and goods upon neighboring states; the Son of Heaven's treasure when replying to documents from foreign states; the Son of Heaven's traveling treasure when issuing investiture documents; the Son of Heaven's credential treasure when mobilizing great armies. Whenever a treasure was required, the outer seal-and-credential officer was to memorialize; the inner officer was to request the treasure before the emperor, and after impressing the document was to hand it to the outer officer for delivery.
15
從之。 二年，詔受命寶之上，加「鎮國」二字。
The court approved the proposal. In the second year, an edict directed that the two characters "Stabilizing the State" be added above the treasure of received mandate.
16
政和七年，從于闐得大玉逾二尺，色如截肪。 徽宗又製一寶，赤螭鈕，文曰「範圍天地，幽讚神明，保合太和，萬壽無疆」。 篆以魚蟲，製作之工，幾於秦璽。 其寶九寸，檢亦如之，號曰「定命寶」。 合前八寶為九，詔以九寶為稱，以定命寶為首。 且曰：「八寶者，國之神器； 至於定命寶，乃我所自製也。」 於是，應行導排設，定命與受命、天子寶在左，鎮國與皇帝寶在右。 又詔：「鎮國、受命寶與天子、皇帝之寶，其數有八，蓋非乾元用九之數。 比得寶玉於異哉，受定命之符於神霄，乃以『範圍天地，幽讚神明，保合太和，萬壽無疆』為文。 卜雲其吉，篆以蟲魚，縱廣之制，其寸亦九，號曰定命寶。 來年元日祗受。」 又詔差官奏告天地、宗廟、祖稷。 八年正月一日，禦大慶殿，受定命寶，百僚稱賀。 其後京城之難，諸寶俱失之，惟大宋受命之寶與定命寶獨存，蓋天意也。
In the seventh year of Zhenghe, from Khotan a great jade was obtained exceeding two feet in length, its color like freshly cut fat. Emperor Huizong also commissioned a treasure with a red chi knob, inscribed "Encompassing heaven and earth, silently assisting the spirits, preserving the great harmony, myriad years without bound." Inscribed in fish-and-insect script, its craftsmanship nearly rivaled the Qin seal. The treasure measured nine inches, and its tablet likewise; it was titled the "Treasure for Fixing Destiny." Together with the previous eight treasures they made nine; an edict declared that the nine treasures should be the formal designation, with the treasure for fixing destiny placed foremost. It was further declared: "The Eight Treasures constitute the supreme regalia of the realm; The Treasure of Fixing Fate, however, was fashioned by my own hand." Accordingly, in the ceremonial order of march, Fixing Fate stood with Received Mandate and the Son of Heaven treasures on the left, while Stabilizing the Realm and the Emperor treasures took the right. A further decree explained: "Stabilizing the Realm, Received Mandate, and the Son of Heaven and Emperor seals together make eight—not the nine of the Qian hexagram's creative fullness. After jade of rare quality was acquired from abroad and the Fixing Fate token received at the Divine Empyrean, the text chosen was: "Spanning Heaven and Earth, honoring the hidden gods, sustaining perfect harmony, longevity without limit." Divination revealed favorable clouds, and the seal was cut in ancient worm-and-fish script; its dimensions were nine inches on every side, and it was called the Treasure of Fixing Fate. The formal investiture was set for the first day of the new year. Officials were also appointed to announce the event before Heaven and Earth, the imperial temples, and the altars of the land. On New Year's Day of the eighth year, the emperor entered the Hall of Great Celebration to receive the Fixing Fate seal, and the entire court offered felicitations. Later, when catastrophe struck the capital, nearly every seal was lost—yet the Great Song Received Mandate seal and the Fixing Fate seal alone remained, which was taken as a sign of Heaven's will.
17
建炎初，始作金寶三：一曰「皇帝欽崇國祀之寶」，祭祀祠表用之； 二曰「天下合同之寶」，降付中書門下省用之； 三曰「書詔之寶」，發號施令用之。 紹興元年，又作玉寶一，文曰「大宋受命中興之寶」。 又得舊寶二，曆世寶之，凡上太上皇尊號、冊後太子皆用焉。 十六年，又作八寶：一曰護國神寶，以「承天福延萬億永無極」九字為文； 二曰受命寶，以「受命於天既壽永昌」為文； 三曰天子之寶； 四曰天子信寶； 五曰天子行寶； 六曰皇帝之寶； 七曰皇帝信寶； 八曰皇帝行寶。 藏之禦府，大朝會則陳之； 上冊寶尊號、冊後太子、大禮設鹵簿，亦如之。 寶之制，用玉尺度，鈕鼻，大小綬，玉環。 檢製，舊制如牌，上刻曰某寶。 皆裹以朱縷，加緋羅泥金帕，納於小盝。 盝三重，皆飾以金，內設金床、金寶鬥，龍鑰金鎖，覆以緋羅繡帕，載以腰輿、行馬。
Early in the Jianyan reign, three new gold seals were cast: the first, "Treasure of the Emperor's Reverent State Sacrifice," reserved for temple offerings and sacrificial memorials; The second, "Treasure of Universal Accord," entrusted to the Secretariat-Chancellery; The third, "Treasure for Written Edicts," employed whenever the throne issued orders and proclamations. In Shaoxing 1, a jade seal was added bearing the legend "Treasure of Great Song's Mandate and Restoration." Two earlier seals were also recovered and preserved through the ages; these served whenever a retired emperor received a new honorific or a crown prince's consort was invested. In the sixteenth year, the full set of eight seals was renewed: first, the Divine Treasure for Protecting the State, inscribed with nine characters reading "Heaven's favor received, myriads prolonged, forever without end"; Second, the Received Mandate seal, bearing the classic phrase "Mandate received from Heaven—long life and lasting glory"; Third, the Son of Heaven seal; Fourth, the Son of Heaven credential seal; Fifth, the Son of Heaven traveling seal; Sixth, the Emperor seal; Seventh, the Emperor credential seal; Eighth, the Emperor traveling seal. These were kept in the imperial vault and brought out for major court audiences; The same practice applied when bestowing honorific seals upon a retired emperor, investing an empress or crown prince's consort, or mounting the full ceremonial guard for state rites. Each seal was sized by the jade measure, fitted with a knob and loop, hung with great and lesser cords, and linked with jade rings. Verification plaques followed the older design: flat tags inscribed on top with the seal's name. Each was bound in red thread, wrapped in crimson silk overlaid with gold paste, and enclosed in a small box. Three nested cases, all gold-trimmed, held a gold cradle and gold seal socket within; dragon-shaped keys and gold locks fastened them, brocaded crimson silk covered them, and they were borne on sedan chairs and carrying frames.
18
孝宗即位，議上太上皇帝尊號曰光堯壽聖太上皇帝，寶用皇祐中法、黍尺量度。 乾道六年，再加十四字尊號，以寶材元係螭龍鈕，止堪改作蹲龍，其鈕高二寸四分五厘，厚一寸一分五厘，竅徑一寸。 理宗寶慶三年，加上寧宗皇帝徽號，寶麵廣四寸二分，厚一寸二分，蹲龍鈕，通高四寸一分，寶四面鉤碾行龍。
Upon Xiaozong's accession, officials proposed the honorific Guangyao Shousheng Grand Retired Emperor for his predecessor, and the seal was dimensioned by the Huangyou court measure and the millet foot-rule. In Qiandao 6, fourteen more characters were added to the honorific; because the original stone bore a hornless-dragon knob, it could be recut only as a crouching dragon—two inches four fen five li tall, one inch one fen five li thick, with a one-inch bore. In Baqing 3, Lizong added Ningzong's posthumous honorific seal: the face four inches two fen across, one inch two fen thick, crouching-dragon knob, four inches one fen overall, with striding dragons chased in relief on all four faces.
19
后妃之寶。 哲宗元祐元年，詔：天聖中，章獻明肅皇后用玉寶，方四寸九分，厚一寸二分，龍鈕。 今太皇太后權同處分軍國事，宜依章獻明肅皇后故事。 二年，又詔：太皇太后玉寶，以「太皇太后之寶」為文； 皇太后金寶，以「皇太后寶」為文； 皇太妃金寶，以「皇太妃寶」為文。 中興之後，後寶用金，方二寸四分，高下隨宜，鼻紐以龜。 鬥、檢以銀，塗以金。 寶盝三重，鈒百花，塗金盤鳳。 輿案、行馬、帕褥亦如之。
Seals of empresses and imperial consorts. In Yuanyou 1, Zhezong decreed: Under Tiansheng, Empress Zhangxian Mingsu had employed a jade seal four inches nine fen square, one inch two fen thick, with a dragon knob. Since the Grand Empress Dowager now held provisional authority over state and military affairs, she was to follow Zhangxian Mingsu's precedent. The following year, a decree specified: the Grand Empress Dowager's jade seal was inscribed "Treasure of the Grand Empress Dowager"; The Empress Dowager's gold seal read "Treasure of the Empress Dowager"; The Imperial Consort's gold seal read "Treasure of the Imperial Consort." Following the Restoration, empresses' seals were cast in gold, two inches four fen square, proportioned as needed, with turtle-form knobs. Seal sockets and verification plaques were silver, then gilt. Cases came in three nested layers, chased with floral designs and gilded with coiled phoenixes. Carrying frames, sedan mounts, and silk wrappings matched the same standard.
20
皇太子寶。 至道元年，製皇太子受冊金寶。 方二寸，厚五寸，係以朱組大綬，連玉環，金鬥。 金檢長五寸，闊二寸，厚二分。 裹以紅綿。 加紅羅泥金巴，納於小盝。 盝以金裝，內設金床。 又盝二重，皆覆以紅羅銷金巴。 盝及腰輿、行馬皆銀裝金塗。 他法物皆銀為之，鈒花塗金。 中興，寶，龜鈕； 金塗銀檢，上勒「皇太子寶」四字，金塗銀寶鬥。 黝漆盝三重，並錦拓裏，外以金塗銀百花鳳葉子五明裝，鑰以金鎖，載以黝漆腰輿、行馬。
The crown prince's seal. In Zhidao 1, a gold seal was fashioned for the crown prince's investiture. Two inches on each face and five inches thick, it was hung with a great red cord, jade rings, and a gold seal socket. Its gold verification plaque measured five inches by two inches and two fen thick. Red cotton padding wrapped the seal. A red silk cover with gold paste enclosed it in a small box. The box was gold-mounted and lined with a gold cradle within. Two outer cases followed, each draped in red silk with cut-gold ornament. Cases, carrying chairs, and transport frames were silver-fitted and gilt. All accompanying ritual gear was silver, floral-chased, and gilded. Under the restored dynasty, the seal bore a turtle-form knob; Gilt silver plaques were engraved "Treasure of the Crown Prince," with matching gilt silver seal sockets. Three black-lacquer cases, brocade-lined, were clad outside in gilt silver phoenix-and-flower openwork, locked with gold, and borne on black-lacquer sedan chairs and carrying frames.
21
冊製。 用瑉玉，簡長一尺二寸，闊一寸二分； 簡數從字之多少。 聯以金繩，首尾結帶。 前後褾首四枚，二枚畫神，二枚刻龍鏤金，若奉護之狀。 藉以錦褥，覆以緋羅泥金夾帕。 冊匣長廣取容冊，塗以朱漆，金鏤百花凸起行龍，金鎖、分錔。 覆以紅羅繡盤龍蹙金巴，承以金裝長竿床，金龍首，金魚鉤，又以紅絲為絛縈匣。 冊案塗朱漆，以銷金紅羅覆之。
Regulations governing investiture scrolls. They were cut from min jade into slips one foot two inches long and one inch two fen wide; The count of slips varied with the length of the inscription. Gold cord bound them together, knotted at either end. Four end-caps front and back—two painted with divine figures, two dragon-carved and gilt—presented the aspect of guardians bearing the text. They rested on brocade mats beneath a double layer of crimson silk with gold paste. The scroll casket was sized to fit the text, lacquered red, decorated with gilt openwork flowers and raised striding dragons, and fitted with gold locks and clasps. A red silk cover embroidered with coiled dragons in gold thread draped it; a gold-mounted long pole with dragon head and fish hook bore the casket, which was further bound with red silk cords. The presentation table was lacquered red and draped in red silk with cut-gold work.
22
後冊，用瑉，或以象。 縷文以鳳，尺寸制度並同帝冊。
Empresses' investiture scrolls were of min jade or, alternatively, ivory. Phoenix motifs ran through the cordwork, and every dimension matched the emperor's scroll.
23
皇太子冊，用瑉簡六十枚，乾道中，用七十五枚，每枚高尺二寸，博一寸二分。 前後褾首四枚，長隨簡，博四寸，其二刻神，其二刻龍，為奉護狀。 貫以金絲，首尾結為金花，飾以分錔。 襯以紅羅泥金夾帕，藉以錦褥，盛以黝漆匣，錦拓裏，以金塗銀葉段五明裝，隱起百花鳳。 覆以緋羅泥金帕，絡以紅絲結絛，襯以錦褥，載以黝漆腰輿、行馬。
The crown prince's scroll comprised sixty min jade slips—seventy-five under Qiandao—each one foot two inches tall and one inch two fen wide. Four end-caps, as long as the slips and four inches wide, flanked the text: two spirit-carved, two dragon-carved, in protective attendance. Gold filigree threaded the slips, knotted at the ends into floral bosses and finished with segmented clasps. Red silk with gold paste lined it; brocade cushioned it; a black-lacquer casket with brocade lining and gilt silver openwork in phoenix-and-flower relief held it within. Crimson silk with gold paste covered it, red cord bound it, brocade padded it, and black-lacquer sedan chairs and frames carried it forth.
24
京湖製置司以所獲亡金寶物來上，令金臣參知政事張天綱辨識。 其玉寶一，文曰「太祖應乾興運昭德定功睿神莊孝仁明大聖武元皇帝尊諡寶」，乃金人上其祖阿骨打諡寶也。 其法物有銷金盤龍紅紵絲袍一； 透碾雲龍玉帶一，內方八胯結頭一，塌尾一，並玉塗金結頭一，塗金小結攀一； 連珠環玉束帶一，垂頭裏拓，上有金龍，帶上玉事件大小一十八； 又玉靶鐵剉一，銷金玉事件二，皮茄袋一，玉事件三。
The Jing-Hu Military Commission forwarded seized Jin regalia to the throne and charged the surrendered Jin minister and Vice Grand Councillor Zhang Tiangang with identifying each piece. One jade seal read "Posthumous Honorific Seal of Emperor Wuyuan, the Great Sage, Martial, Benevolent, Illuminating, Filial, Sagacious, Solemn, Virtuous, Merit-Fixing, Prosperous-Movement, Heaven-Responding Founding Ancestor"—the Jin dynasty's posthumous seal for their forebear Aguda. The captured ritual gear included one red kuo-silk robe with cut-gold coiling dragons; One openwork cloud-dragon jade belt with a square eight-link inner buckle, a flat end piece, a gilt jade buckle head, and a small gilt clasp; One jade girdle of linked pearl rings, its pendant head lined and crowned with a gold dragon, set with eighteen jade belt fittings of varying size; Also a jade-handled iron file, two cut-gold jade fittings, one leather pouch, and three jade ornaments.
25
天綱稱：上項帶，國言謂之「兔鶻」，皆其故主冠顏守緒常服之物也。 碾玉巾環一，樺皮龍飾角弓一，金龍環刀一，紅紵絲靠枕一，佩玉大環一，皆非臣庶服用之物。 製旨冊一本，舊作聖旨，近侍局平日掌此，以承受內降指揮。 壬辰四月，故主援東漢光武故事，令上書者不得言「聖」，故避「聖」字不敢當，因改作「製旨」。
Tiangang testified that the belt above—known in Jin as the "rabbit-hawk"—had belonged to the late emperor Wanyan Shouxu for daily wear. There were also a carved jade towel ring, a birch-wrapped horn bow with dragon ornament, a gold dragon-hilted ring knife, a red kuo-silk bolster, and a large jade pendant ring—none of them fit for common subjects. One Manufactured Edict register—formerly styled Sacred Edict—was routinely held by the Inner Service Bureau to record commands issued from the palace. In the fourth month of renchen, the late emperor, invoking Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han, forbade memorial writers to use the character for "sacred"; deeming himself unworthy of that term, the title was altered to "Manufactured Edict."
26
外有臣下虎頭金牌三，銀牌八十四，塗金印三，及諸官署銅印三百一十二顆。 法司以守緒函骨及俘囚故寶、法物等，庭引天綱並護尉都尉完顏好海及天綱妻完顏氏烏古論栲栳、小女瓊瓊一一審實，件列以聞。
In addition there were three tiger-head gold tallies for officials, eighty-four silver tallies, three gilt seals, and three hundred twelve copper office seals. The judiciary, with Shouxu's coffin and the seized regalia at hand, convened a hearing and summoned Tiangang, Guard Commandant Wanyan Haohai, Tiangang's wife Wugulun Kaolao, and their daughter Qiongqiong to authenticate each article item by item for the court's report.
27
有旨「完顏守緒遺骸並故寶、法物等，藏大理寺獄庫。 天綱、好海、完顏氏烏古論、瓊瓊拘諸殿前司，候朝旨」云。
The throne ordered: "Wanyan Shouxu's remains, together with the captured seals and ritual objects, are to be deposited in the vault of the Court of Judicial Review. Tiangang, Haohai, Wugulun, and Qiongqiong are to be held by the Palace Directorate pending further imperial instruction."
28
印製。 兩漢以後，人臣有金印、銀印、銅印。 唐制，諸司皆用銅印，宋因之。 諸王及中書門下印方二寸一分，樞密、宣徽、三司、尚書省諸司印方二寸。 惟尚書省印不塗金，餘皆塗金。 節度使印方一寸九分，塗金。 餘印並方一寸八分，惟觀察使塗金。 諸王、節度、觀察使、州、府、軍、監、縣印，皆有銅牌，長七寸五分，諸王廣一寸九分，餘廣一寸八分。 諸王、節度、觀察使牌塗以金，刻文云「牌出印入，印出牌入」。 其奉使出入，或本局無印者，皆給奉使印。 景德初，別鑄兩京奉使印。 又有朱記，以給京城及外處職司及諸軍將校等，其制長一寸七分，廣一寸六分。 士庶及寺觀亦有私記。
Regulations governing official seals. Since the Han dynasties, ministers had been graded with gold, silver, or copper seals. The Tang assigned copper seals to every office, and Song retained the system. Princely and Secretariat-Chancellery seals measured two inches one fen square; Military Affairs, Palace Directorate, Three Departments, and Ministry of Personnel office seals were two inches square. Every seal was gilt except the Ministry of Personnel's own. Circuit military commissioners used gilded seals one inch nine fen square. All other seals stood one inch eight fen square; only observation commissioners' seals received gilding. Princes, circuit commissioners, observation commissioners, and prefectural, army, supervisory, and county offices each kept a copper tally seven inches five fen long—one inch nine fen wide for princes, one inch eight fen for the rest. Princely, circuit, and observation tallies were gilt and inscribed: "Tally out, seal in; seal out, tally in." Envoys on departure or offices without their own seal were furnished with mission seals. Early in Jingde, distinct envoy seals were cast for the eastern and western capitals. Vermilion chops were also issued to capital and provincial offices and to military officers; each measured one inch seven fen by one inch six fen. Private seals were permitted to commoners, gentry, and monasteries alike.
29
乾德三年，太祖詔重鑄中書門下、樞密院、三司使印。 先是，舊印五代所鑄，篆刻非工。 及得蜀中鑄印官祝溫柔，自言其祖思言，唐禮部鑄印官，世習繆篆，即《漢書·藝文志》所謂「屈曲纏繞，以模印章」者也。 思言隨僖宗入蜀，子孫遂為蜀人。 自是，台、省、寺、監及開封府、興元尹印，悉令溫柔重改鑄焉。
In Qiande 3, Taizu commanded new seals for the Secretariat-Chancellery, Military Affairs Bureau, and Three Departments Commission. The seals then in use dated to the Five Dynasties, and their carving had been crude. Once they secured Zhu Wenrou, the Shu dynasty's master seal caster, he explained that his forebear Siyan had held the same post under the Tang Ministry of Rites, and that his clan had handed down twisted seal script for generations—the ornate, coiling script described in the Book of Han as made for molding seal impressions. Siyan followed Emperor Xizong when the court fled into Shu, and his descendants remained there as Sichuan natives. Thereafter every seal of the central bureaus, ministries, directorates, and supervisory offices, along with those of Kaifeng Prefecture and the Xingyuan intendant, was entrusted to Wenrou for recasting.
30
太宗雍熙元年，詔新除漢南國王錢俶印，宜以「漢南國」為文。 四年，詔錢俶新授南陽國王印，宜以「南陽國王之印」為文。 真宗咸平三年，賜山前後百蠻王諾驅印，以「大渡河南山前後都鬼王之印」為文。 景德四年，鑄交阯郡王印，製安南旌節，付廣南轉運司就賜之。
In Yongxi 1, Taizong decreed that the seal for the newly invested King of Hannan, Qian Chu, should be inscribed with the characters Hannan Kingdom. Four years later Qian Chu received a new seal as King of Nanyang Kingdom, inscribed Seal of the King of Nanyang. In Xianping 3, Zhenzong granted a seal to Nuoju, chief of the hundred barbarian clans before and behind the mountains, inscribed Seal of the Chief Ghost King before and behind the Mountains south of the Dadu River. In Jingde 4 a seal for the Prince of Jiaozhi Commandery was cast and An Nam banners and credentials were produced, then handed to the Guangnan transport commission to bestow on the recipient.
31
大中祥符五年，詔諸寺觀及士庶之家所用私記，今後並方一寸，雕木為文，不得私鑄。 是歲七月，帝覽河西節度使、知許州石普奏狀，用許州觀察使印，以問宰臣王旦。 對曰：「節度州有三印：節度印隨本使，使缺則納有司； 觀察印，則州長吏用之； 州印，晝則付錄事掌用，暮納於長吏。 節度使在本鎮，兵仗則節度判官、掌書記、推官書狀，用節度印； 田賦則觀察判官、支使、推官書狀，用觀察印； 符刺屬縣，則本使判書，用州印。 故命帥必曰某軍節度、某州管內觀察等使、某州刺史。 言軍，則專制其兵旅； 言管內，則總察其風俗； 言刺史，則涖其州事。 石普獨書奏章，當用河西節度使印。」
In Dazhong Xiangfu 5 the court ruled that private seals used by temples and common households must hereafter be one inch square, carved in wood only—private metal casting was prohibited. In the seventh month of that year, the emperor read a memorial from Shi Pu, Hexi military commissioner and acting prefect of Xuzhou, sealed with the observation commissioner chop rather than the military commissioner's seal, and asked chief minister Wang Dan whether this was proper. Wang Dan answered: A prefecture that carries a military commission has three seals. The military commission seal travels with the commissioner and is surrendered to the proper office when the post falls vacant; the observation seal is kept by the prefect and used by him; the prefecture seal is entrusted each morning to the recording secretary and surrendered back to the chief official each evening. When the commissioner is at his post, military correspondence drafted by the military adjutant, chief secretary, and investigating officer bears the military commission seal; land-tax documents drafted by the observation adjutant, administrative aide, and investigating officer bear the observation seal; orders and notices to subordinate counties are judged and signed by the commissioner himself and sealed with the prefecture seal. This is why a territorial commander is always appointed by title as military commissioner of a given army, observation commissioner within a given prefecture, and prefect of that prefecture. The mention of an army denotes sole command over its forces; within the jurisdiction denotes authority to oversee local customs throughout the circuit; prefect denotes authority to administer the affairs of the prefecture itself. Shi Pu wrote his memorial unaided and should have affixed the Hexi military commissioner's seal.
32
仁宗景祐三年，少府監言：「得篆文官王文盛狀，『在京三司糧料院，頻有人偽造印記，印成旁曆，盜請官物。 欲乞鑄造圓印三面，每麵闊二寸五分，於外一匝先篆年號及糧料院名，計十二字； 次一匝篆寅印十二辰，亦十二字； 中心篆正字，上連印鈕，鑄成轉關，以機穴定之。 用時逐月分對，年終轉逮十二月，自寅至醜，終始使用。 所有轉關正字，次月轉定之時，令本院官封押，選差人行使其印。 遇改年號，即令別鑄。』 詔三司定奪以聞，三司請如文盛奏。 後又命知制誥邵必、殿中丞蘇唐卿詳定天下印文，必、唐卿皆通篆籀，然亦無所厘改焉。
In Jingyou 3 the Directorate of Palace Manufactories reported: We received a petition from seal engraver Wang Wensheng: At the capital's Three Departments grain-ration depot, forgers repeatedly counterfeit official seals and use them to stamp the side ledgers, thus drawing government supplies illicitly. We ask that three round seals be cast, each face two and a half inches wide; the outer band should bear the era name and depot name in twelve characters; the next band should bear the twelve Earthly Branches beginning with yin, also twelve characters; at the center place the active character, connected to the knob above, forged as a rotatable dial locked by a pin and socket. In practice the matching character is set month by month; over the year the dial advances through all twelve months, cycling from yin through to chou. Each month, when the dial is turned to the new character, depot officers seal and secure it, and designated agents alone may apply the seal. A change of reign era requires a fresh casting. The emperor ordered the Three Departments to adjudicate and report back; they recommended adoption of Wensheng's proposal. Later Shao Bi, edict drafter, and Su Tangqing, palace aide, were charged with reviewing every official seal inscription in the realm; both were masters of ancient seal scripts, yet found nothing that required correction.
33
神宗熙寧五年，詔內外官及溪洞官合賜牌印，並令少府監鑄造，送禮部給付。 元豐三年，廣西經略司言，知南丹州莫世忍貢銀、香、獅子、馬。 遂賜以印，以「西南諸道武盛軍德政官家明天國主印」為文，並以南丹州刺史印賜之，仍詔經略司毀其舊印。 六年，舊制貢院專掌貢舉，其印曰「禮部貢舉院之印」，以廢貢院，事歸禮部，別鑄「禮部貢舉之印」。 是歲十二月，詔自今臣僚所授印，亡歿並賜隨葬，不即隨葬因而行用者，論如律。
In Xining 5 Shenzong decreed that all inner and outer officials, including stream-cave chieftains entitled to plaque-seals, should receive seals cast by the Palace Manufactories and issued through the Ministry of Rites. In the third year of Yuanfeng the Guangxi frontier commission reported that Mo Shiren, magistrate of Nandan Prefecture, had sent tribute of silver, incense, lions, and horses. Mo Shiren was then granted a seal inscribed Seal of the State Lord of Virtuous Governance, Bright Heaven, Military Splendor Army of the Southwestern Routes, along with the seal of the prefect of Nandan; the frontier commission was ordered to destroy his former seal. In year six the examination hall was abolished and its affairs transferred to the Ministry of Rites, which cast a new seal reading Seal of Ministry of Rites Examinations in place of the former Seal of the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall. In the twelfth month of that year an edict held that official seals should hereafter be buried with their holders upon death; anyone who failed to bury a seal and continued to use it would be punished under the statutes.
34
中興仍舊制，惟三省、樞密院用銀印，六部以下用銅印，諸路監司、州縣亦如之。 寺監惟長貳給焉，屬則從其長。 若倉庫關涉財用，司存，或給之。 監司、州縣長官曰印，僚屬曰記。 又下無記者，止令本道給以木朱記，文大方寸。 或銜命出境者，以奉使印給之，復命則納於有司。 後以朝命出州縣者，亦如之。 新進士置團司，亦假奉使印，結局還之。 此常制也。
After the dynastic revival the former rules held: silver seals for the Three Departments and Military Affairs Bureau, bronze for the six ministries and all lower ranks, and the same for circuit supervisors and local officials. At directorates and manufactories only the director and deputy director received seals; junior staff used their superiors'. Storehouses handling revenue might also be issued seals where the responsible office required them. Circuit supervisors and prefectural and county chiefs held seals; their subordinates held chops. Officials without chops were issued wooden vermilion seals by their circuit, one square inch in size. Envoys bearing imperial commission received mission seals abroad and surrendered them to the proper office upon return. Officials leaving their posts on court orders were treated likewise. Newly minted jinshi, when forming group offices, likewise borrowed mission seals and returned them when their duties ended. Such was the standing practice.
35
紹興十四年，臣僚又言：「印信事重，凡有官司印記，年深篆文不明，合改鑄者，非進呈取旨，不得改鑄焉。」 時更鑄者，成都府錢引，每界以銅朱記給之。 行在都茶場會子庫，每界給印二十五：國用印三鈕，各以「三省戶房國用司會子印」為文； 檢察印五鈕，各以「提領會子庫檢察印」為文； 庫印五鈕，各以「會子庫印造會子印」為文； 合同印十二鈕，內一貫文二鈕，各以「會子庫一貫文合同印」為文； 五百文、二百文準此。
In Shaoxing 14 officials petitioned again: Seals carry great authority; when any government seal's script has worn illegible and recasting is warranted, no recasting may proceed without submitting the matter for imperial approval. At that time among items recast were the Chengdu paper-money notes, each issue given its own copper vermilion chop. At the capital's tea monopoly note treasury, each issue received twenty-five seals: three treasury seals inscribed Seal of the Three Departments Revenue Office State Treasury Paper Notes; five inspector's seals inscribed Seal of the Paper Note Treasury Inspector; five treasury seals inscribed Seal of the Paper Note Treasury for Printing Notes; twelve contract seals, including two for one-guan denominations, each inscribed Paper Note Treasury One-Guan Contract Seal; Denominations of five hundred and two hundred wen followed the same pattern.
36
蕃國效順者，給以銅印。 安南國王李天祚乞印，以「安南國王之印」六字為文，方二寸，給牌，皆以銅鑄，金塗。 西蕃隴右郡王趙懷恩乞印，以「隴右郡王之印」為文給之。 宜州界外諸蠻乞印，以「宜州管下羈縻某州之印」為文，凡六十顆給之。 其後文武百司節次所鑄，不備載。
Submissive frontier states received bronze seals. King Li Tianzuo of Annam petitioned for a seal inscribed with six characters, Seal of the King of Annam, two inches square, with an accompanying plaque—all cast in bronze and gold-plated. Zhao Huai'en, King of Longyou in the western regions, received a seal inscribed Seal of the Longyou Commandery King. Sixty barbarian chieftains beyond Yizhou received seals inscribed Seal of the such-and-such Loosely Governed Prefecture under Yizhou. Subsequent castings by civil and military offices are not fully recorded here.
37
朱記，同舊制。 紹興二年，始鑄親賢宅、益王府銅朱記。 二十七年，改鑄建康戶部大軍庫記。 三十年，鑄馬軍司統製、統領官朱記。 三十二年，鑄鄧、恭、慶王直講、讚讀朱記。 隆興元年，鑄都督府僉廳記，又鑄寄樁庫記。 二年，鑄戶部大軍庫勘合庫子記二鈕，湖廣總領所覆印會子記二鈕。 乾道二年，鑄成都錢引務朱記。 淳熙十六年，鑄建康榷貨務中門大門之記。 凡內外官有請於朝，則鑄給焉。 用木者，易之以銅。
Vermilion chops remained as under the former regulations. Shaoxing 2 saw the first casting of copper vermilion chops for the Residence of the Worthy and Kin and the Princely Estate of Yi. In year twenty-seven the chop of the Jiankang Ministry of Revenue grand army storehouse was recast. Year thirty brought new vermilion chops for the cavalry directorate's controllers and commanding officers. In year thirty-two vermilion chops were cast for lecturers and readers attached to the Princes of Deng, Gong, and Qing. Longxing 1 brought new chops for the governor-general's joint office and the reserve treasury. Longxing 2 added two verification-slip chops for the grand army storehouse and two overprint chops for the Huguang overall command's paper notes. Qiandao 2 brought a new vermilion chop for the Chengdu paper-money office. Chunxi 16 added chops for the inner and outer gates of the Jiankang salt monopoly office. Whenever inner or outer officials petitioned the court for a seal, one was cast and issued. Wooden seals were replaced with bronze ones.
38
符券。 唐有銀牌，發驛遣使，則門下省給之。 其制，闊一寸半，長五寸，麵刻隸字曰「敕走馬銀牌」，凡五字。 首為竅，貫以韋帶。 其後罷之。 宋初，令樞密院給券，謂之「頭子」。 太宗太平興國三年，李飛雄詐乘驛謀亂，伏誅。 詔罷樞密院券，乘驛者復製銀牌，闊二寸半，長六寸。 易以八分書，上鈒二飛鳳，下鈒二麒麟，兩邊年月，貫以紅絲絛。 端拱中，以使臣護邊兵多遺失，又罷銀牌，復給樞密院券。
Tallies and Travel Credentials. Under the Tang, silver travel plaques were issued by the Secretariat to envoys using the post relay. Each plaque measured one and a half inches wide and five inches long, the face engraved in clerical script with five characters: Imperial Order Horse-Riding Silver Plaque. A hole at the head allowed it to be threaded onto a leather cord. The practice was later abolished. Early in the Song, the Military Affairs Bureau issued credentials known as touzi. In Taiping Xingguo 3 Li Feixiong forged post credentials to plot rebellion and was executed. The court abolished Military Affairs credentials and restored silver plaques for post travelers, two and a half inches wide and six inches long. They were inscribed in eight-part script, stamped above with twin flying phoenixes and below with twin qilin, dated on both margins, and threaded with a red silk cord. During Duan Gong, frontier envoys lost their plaques so often that silver plaques were abolished once more and Military Affairs credentials restored.
39
仁宗康定元年五月，翰林學士承旨丁度、翰林學士王堯臣、知制誥葉清臣等請製軍中傳信牌及兵符事，詔令兩製與端明殿學士李淑詳定，奏聞：
In Kangding 1, fifth month, chief Hanlin academicians Ding Du and Wang Kuchen and edict drafter Ye Qingchen petitioned for army signal boards and military tallies; the emperor charged the two academies and Li Shu, academician of the Hall of Enlightened Governance, to draft specifications and report back:
40
軍中符信，切要杜絕奸詐，深合機宜。 今請下有司造銅兵符，給諸路總管主將，每發兵三百人或全指揮以上即用。 又別造傳信朱漆木牌，給應軍中往來之處，每傳達號令、關報會合及發兵三百人以下即用。 又檢到符彥卿《軍律》有字驗，亦乞令於移牒、傳信牌上，兩處參驗使用。
Military credentials must above all forestall fraud—requirements that fit the exigencies of the field. We ask that bronze military tallies be cast and issued to each route's commander-in-chief, to be used whenever three hundred men or an entire command is mobilized. Separate vermilion-lacquered wooden signal boards should serve every point of military traffic—for relaying orders, rendezvous reports, and mobilizations of fewer than three hundred men. Fu Yanqing's Military Regulations preserves a system of coded verification characters; we ask that these be applied on dispatches and signal boards and cross-checked at both ends.
41
一、銅兵符：漢制，銅鑄，上刻虎形。 今聞皇城司見有木魚契，乞令有司用木契形狀，精巧鑄造。 陝西五路，每路依漢制各給一至二十，計二十麵，更換給用，仍以公牒為照驗。
I. Bronze military tallies: under the Han system these were cast in bronze and carved with a tiger form. The Imperial City Bureau still holds wooden fish tallies; we ask that new ones be finely cast to that same shape. For Shaanxi's five routes, each route should receive one to twenty tallies under the Han precedent, twenty faces in all, rotated in issue, with official dispatches retained for verification.
42
二、傳信木牌：先朝舊制，合用堅木朱漆為之，長六寸，闊三寸，腹背刻字而中分之，字雲某路傳信牌。 卻置池槽，牙縫相合。 又鑿二竅，置筆墨，上帖紙，書所傳達事。 用印印號上，以皮係往來軍吏之項。 臨陣傳言，應有取索，並以此牌為言，寫其上。 如已曉會施行訖，復書牌上遣回。 今乞下有司造牌，每路各給一面為樣，餘令本司依此制造，分給諸處，更換使用。 城砦分屯軍馬，事須往來關會之處，亦如數給與。
II. Wooden signal boards: under the former court's practice these were of hard wood lacquered vermilion, six inches long and three inches wide, inscribed on both faces and split down the middle, bearing the legend Signal Board of the Such-and-Such Route. Each half was grooved so that its serrated edge mated perfectly with the other. Two cavities were cut to hold ink and brush; paper was affixed on top to record the message. The seal was applied to the serial number and a leather cord was tied around the traveling officer's neck. Battlefield orders and requisitions were likewise written on the board. Once orders were understood and carried out, a reply was written on the board and the messenger sent back. We ask that the relevant offices manufacture boards, issue one sample to each route, and have each bureau produce the rest for distribution and rotation. Garrison posts requiring coordination should receive them in corresponding numbers.
43
三、字驗：凡軍行計會，不免文牒，或主司遺失懼罪，單使被擒，軍中所謀，自然泄露。 故每分屯軍馬之時，與主將密定字號，各掌一通，不令左右人知其義理。 但於尋常公狀文移內，以此字私為契約，有所施行，依此參驗。 不得字有重疊，及用凶惡嫌疑之語。 每用文牒之上，別行寫此字驗，訖，印其上發往。 如所請報，到，許，即依號卻寫印遣回； 如不許，即空之。 此惟主將自知，他人皆不得測。 符彥卿元用四十條，以四十字為號； 今檢得隻有三十七條，內亦有不急之事，今減作二十八字。 所貴軍中戎旅之人，事簡易記。
III. Coded verification characters: armies cannot coordinate without written orders; if an officer lost a dispatch in fear of punishment, or a lone courier was taken, every plan would be exposed. Before troops were posted separately, the commander and his subordinate secretly agreed on coded characters, each keeping one copy unknown even to their attendants. In routine official correspondence these characters served as a private pact; any action taken was verified against them. Duplicate characters and ominous or incriminating phrases were forbidden. Each dispatch bore the verification character written separately below the main text, then sealed and dispatched. If the request arrived and was approved, a coded reply was written, sealed, and returned; if denied, the reply space was left blank. Only the commanding general knew the code; no one else could fathom it. Fu Yanqing had originally drafted forty articles, keyed to a forty-character mnemonic phrase; An audit found only thirty-seven items left, some of them nonessential, so the code was shortened to twenty-eight characters. The aim was to keep things simple enough for soldiers in the field to memorize.
44
詔並從之。 嘉祐四年，三司使張方平編驛券則例，凡七十四條，賜名《嘉祐驛令》。
The emperor ordered that all these changes be adopted. In Jiayou 4, Zhang Fangping, head of the Three Departments, codified seventy-four rules for courier vouchers, issued under the title Jiayou Relay Regulations.
45
神宗熙寧五年，詔西作坊鑄造諸銅符三十四副，令三司給左契付諸門，右契付大內鑰匙庫。 今後諸門輪差人員，依時轉銅契入，赴庫勘同。 其鐵牌隻請人自執，在外仗止宿。 本庫依漏刻發鑰匙，付外仗驗請人鐵牌給付，候開門訖，卻執鐵牌納鑰匙，請出銅契。 至晚卻依上請納。 其開門朝牌六面，亦隨銅契依舊發放。 時神宗以京城門禁不嚴，素無符契，命樞密院約舊制，更造銅契，中刻魚形，以門名識之，分左右給納，以戒不虞，而啟閉之法密於舊矣。 元豐元年，詳定禮文所言：「舊南郊式，車駕出入宣德門、太廟靈星門、朱雀門、南薰門，皆勘箭。 熙寧中，因參知政事王珪議，已罷勘箭，而勘契之式尚存。 《春秋》之義，不敢以所不信加之尊者； 且雷動天行，無容疑貳，必使誰何而後過門，不應典禮。 考詳事始，不見於《開寶禮》。 咸平中，初載於儀注，蓋當時禮官之失。 請自今車駕出入，罷勘契。」 從之。
In Xining 5 (1072), Shenzong ordered the Western Workshop to cast thirty-four matched sets of bronze gate tallies—the left tokens issued through the Three Departments to each city gate, the right tokens kept in the inner palace key vault. Thereafter, gate guards on rotation would bring in their bronze tally on schedule and have it verified against the vault's matching half. The iron pass plaques stayed in the hands of whoever requested entry, while the outer watch remained encamped outside. The vault dispensed keys on the water-clock schedule only after the outer guard confirmed the requester's iron plaque; once the gate had opened and closed, the plaque was returned with the keys to retrieve the bronze tally. The same exchange was repeated at nightfall. Six daybreak gate plaques were still issued along with the bronzes, as before. Shenzong had found the capital's gates poorly controlled and long without formal tallies, so he charged the Bureau of Military Affairs with reviving the old custom: new bronze tokens, fish-shaped at the split, engraved with each gate's name, left and right halves issued and surrendered separately—all to forestall surprise, and gate discipline became tighter than ever. In the first year of Yuanfeng (1078), the ritual reform commission argued: "Under the old Southern Suburban rite, whenever the imperial procession passed Xuande Gate, the Imperial Temple's Lingxing Gate, Zhuque Gate, or Nanxun Gate, guards checked tally arrows. During Xining, at Vice Grand Counselor Wang Gui's urging, the arrow check had been dropped, though the token check remained on the books. The teaching of the Spring and Autumn Annals holds that one must not burden a sovereign with rituals one does not oneself trust; When heaven itself marches forth like rolling thunder, no rite should admit doubt or hesitation—making an emperor identify himself at a gate is simply unbecoming. A close review traced the practice to no authority in the Kaibao Ritual. It first entered the ceremonial manuals in the Xianping era—a mistake by the ritualists of that day, in all likelihood. We recommend abolishing token checks whenever the imperial carriage passes hereafter. The emperor agreed.
46
高宗建炎三年，改鑄虎符，樞密院主之。 其制以銅為之，長六寸，闊三寸，刻篆而中分之，以左契給諸路，右契藏之。
In Jianyan 3 (1129), Gaozong ordered new tiger tallies cast under Bureau of Military Affairs supervision. Each was cast bronze, six by three inches, seal-scripted and split: left halves to the circuits, right halves locked in the bureau vault.
47
門符製，以繒裹紙版，謂之「號」，皇城司掌之。 敕入禁衛號，黃綾八角，三千道； 入殿門黃絹以方，一千道； 入宮門黃絹以圓，八千道； 入皇城門黃絹以長，三千道。 紹興二年正月所定也。 後更宮門號以緋紅絹方，皇城門以緋紅絹圓，遂久用之。 後復盡以黃，或方或圓，各隨其制。
Gate passes took the form of silk-wrapped paper slips called hao, kept by the Imperial City Office. For imperial edicts entering the inner guard: three thousand octagonal yellow-silk passes; For hall gates: one thousand square yellow-silk passes; For palace gates: eight thousand round yellow-silk passes; For imperial city gates: three thousand oblong yellow-silk passes. These quotas were set in the first month of Shaoxing 2 (1132). Later, square scarlet passes marked palace gates and round scarlet passes the imperial city gates—a scheme kept in use for years. Eventually everything went back to yellow again, square or round as each gate required.
48
又有檄牌，其制有金字牌、青字牌、紅字牌。 金字牌者，日行四百里，郵置之最速遞也； 凡赦書及軍機要切則用之，由內侍省發遣焉。 乾道末，樞密院置雌黃青字牌，日行三百五十里，軍期急速則用之。 淳熙末，趙汝愚在樞筦，乃作黑漆紅字牌，奏委諸路提舉官催督，歲校遲速最甚者，以議賞罰。 其後尚書省亦踵行之，仍命逐州通判具出入界日時狀申省。 久之，稽緩復如故。 紹熙末，遂置擺鋪焉。
Dispatch plaques came in three grades: gold-letter, green-letter, and red-letter. Gold-letter plaques, the swiftest couriers of the post system, covered four hundred li a day; Reserved for amnesties and urgent military business, they were issued by the Palace Domestic Service. Late in Qiandao (1170s), the Bureau added ochre-green-letter plaques at three hundred fifty li a day for pressing military deadlines. Near the end of Chunxi (1180s), Zhao Ruyu at the Bureau introduced black lacquer plaques with red lettering and had circuit intendants enforce delivery times—each year the worst and best performers were singled out for discipline or reward. The Department of State Affairs soon copied the practice, requiring each prefecture's vice-prefect to file boundary crossing times with the capital. In time, sluggish deliveries returned as before. By the end of Shaoxi (1190s), dedicated courier relay stations were set up to address the problem.
49
宮室。 汴宋之制，侈而不可以訓。 中興，服御惟務簡省，宮殿尤樸。 皇帝之居曰殿，總曰大內，又曰南內，本杭州治也。 紹興初，創為之。 休兵後，始作崇政、垂拱二殿。 久之，又作天章等六閣。 寢殿曰福寧殿。 淳熙初，孝宗始作射殿，謂之選德殿。 八年秋，又改後殿擁舍為別殿，取舊名，謂之延和殿，便坐視事則禦之。 他如紫宸、文德、集英、大慶、講武，惟隨時所禦，則易其名。 紫宸殿，遇朔受朝則禦焉； 文德殿，降赦則禦焉； 集英殿，臨軒策士則禦焉； 大慶殿，行冊禮則禦焉； 講武殿，閱武則禦焉。 其實垂拱、崇政二殿，權更其號而已。 二殿雖曰大殿，其脩廣僅如大郡之設廳。 淳熙再修，止循其舊。 每殿為屋五間，十二架，脩六丈，廣八丈四尺。 殿南簷屋三間，脩一丈五尺，廣亦如之。 兩朵殿各二間，東西廊各二十間，南廊九間。 其中為殿門，三間六架，脩三丈，廣四丈六尺。 殿後擁舍七間，即為延和，其制尤卑，陛階一級，小如常人所居而已。
Palace Architecture. Kaifeng under the Northern Song had been lavish beyond any useful precedent. After the restoration, the court stripped ceremony to essentials—and the palaces were deliberately spare. The emperor lived in halls collectively known as the Grand Inner Palace or Southern Inner—formerly Hangzhou's government compound. It was first adapted at the start of the Shaoxing era (1131). Once fighting ceased, the Chongzheng and Chuigong halls were erected. Later came six pavilions including Tianzhang. The private quarters were the Funing Hall. Early in Chunxi, Xiaozong added an archery hall named Xuande. In the autumn of Chunxi 8 (1181), the rear annex was refitted as Yanhe Hall, bearing an old name—Xiaozong used it for everyday audiences. Halls like Zichen, Wende, Jiying, Daqing, and Jiangwu were renamed on the spot according to whatever function they served that day. Zichen Hall hosted the first-of-the-month audience; Wende Hall for amnesty proclamations; Jiying Hall for palace examinations; Daqing Hall for investiture ceremonies; Jiangwu Hall for military reviews. In effect, Chongzheng and Chuigong were simply the same halls under rotating names. Though dubbed "great halls," both were no larger than a major prefecture's main reception room. A Chunxi-era renovation changed nothing in their scale. Each hall spanned five bays on twelve roof frames—six by eight and four-tenths zhang. A three-bay south-eaves annex measured one and a half zhang square. Flanking annexes held two bays apiece; east and west corridors ran twenty bays each, the south corridor nine. The central gate hall stood three bays wide on six frames—three by four and six-tenths zhang. Seven rear annex bays became Yanhe—deliberately modest, a single step up, no grander than a commoner's house.
50
奉太上則有德壽宮、重華宮、壽康宮，奉聖母則有慈寧宮、慈福宮、壽慈宮。 德壽宮在大內北望仙橋，故又謂之北內，紹興三十二年所造，宮成，詔以德壽宮為名，高宗為上皇禦之。 重華宮即德壽宮也，孝宗遜位禦之。 壽康宮即寧福殿也。 初，丞相趙汝愚議以秘書省為泰寧宮，已而不果行，以慈懿皇后外第為之。 上皇不欲遷，因以舊寧福殿為壽康宮，光宗遜位禦之。
Retired emperors were lodged at De Shou, Chonghua, or Shoukang; empress dowagers at Cining, Cifu, or Shouci. De Shou Palace stood north of Wangxian Bridge in the inner precinct—the Northern Inner, erected in Shaoxing 32 (1162); when finished, Gaozong took up residence there as retired emperor. Chonghua was the same as De Shou—where Xiaozong lived after abdicating. Shoukang Palace was originally Ningfu Hall. Grand Counselor Zhao Ruyu had first proposed converting the Secretariat into Taining Palace, but the plan fell through; Empress Dowager Ciyi's suburban mansion was used instead. The retired emperor refused to relocate, so the old Ningfu Hall became Shoukang—Guangzong's home after abdication.
51
大內苑中，亭殿亦無增，其名稱可見者，僅有復古殿、損齋、觀堂、芙蓉閣、翠寒堂、清華閣、欏木堂、隱岫、澄碧、倚桂、隱秀、碧琳堂之類，此南內也。 北內苑中，則有大池，引西湖水注之，其上疊石為山，象飛來峰。 有樓曰聚遠，禁籞周回，四分之。 東則香遠、清深、月台、梅坡、鬆菊三徑、清妍、清新、芙蓉岡，南則載忻、欣欣、射廳、臨賦、燦錦、至樂、半丈紅、清曠、瀉碧，西則冷泉、文杏館、靜樂、浣溪，北則絳華、旱船、俯翠、春桃、盤鬆。
The Southern Inner garden gained few new structures; surviving names include Fugu Hall, Sunzhai, Guantang, Furong Pavilion, Cuihan Hall, Qinghua Pavilion, Luomu Hall, Hidden Peak, Clear Pool, Cassia Leaning, Hidden Splendor, and Bilin Hall. The Northern Inner garden held a great pond fed by West Lake water, with a rockery modeled on Feilai Peak. A tower called Gather-Distant stood within an imperial enclosure that occupied a quarter of the grounds. East held Fragrant Distance, Clear Depth, Moon Terrace, Plum Slope, Pine-and-Chrysanthemum Three Paths, and others; south, Zaixin, Radiant Joy, archery hall, Linfu, Brocade Blaze, Supreme Delight, Half-Zhang Red, Clear Vista, and Pouring Jade; west, Cold Spring, Apricot Lodge, Quiet Joy, and Brook Washing; north, Crimson Bloom, Dry Boat, Bowing to Green, Spring Peach, and Coiled Pine.
52
皇太子宮曰東宮。 其未出閣，但聽讀於資善堂，堂在宮門內。 已受冊，則居東宮，宮在麗正門內。 紹興三十二年始置，孝宗居之； 莊文太子立，復居之。 光宗為太子，孝宗謂輔臣曰：「今後東宮不須創建，朕宮中宮殿，多所不禦，可移修之。」 自是皆不別建。
The heir apparent's residence was the Eastern Palace. Before coming of age, the prince studied at Zishan Hall just inside the palace gates. After investiture he moved to the Eastern Palace within Lizheng Gate. Established in Shaoxing 32 (1162), where Xiaozong had lived as prince; Crown Prince Zhuangwen later occupied it as well. When Guangzong was heir, Xiaozong told his ministers: "There is no need to build a new Eastern Palace. I have halls sitting idle—refit those instead. After that, no separate Eastern Palace was ever built.
53
淳熙二年，始創射堂一，為遊藝之所，圃中有榮觀玉淵清賞等堂、鳳山樓，皆宴息之地也。
In Chunxi 2 (1175), an archery hall opened as a recreation space; the garden also held Rongguan, Jade Pool Clear Viewing, and Fengshan Tower—all retreats for leisure.
54
幕殿，即《周官》大、小次也。 東都時，郊壇大次謂之青城，祀前一日宿齋詣焉。 其制，中有二殿，外有六門：前曰泰禋，後曰拱極，東曰祥曦，西曰景曜，東偏曰承和，西偏曰迎禧。 大殿曰端誠，便殿曰熙成。 中興後，以事天尚質，屢詔郊壇不得建齋宮，惟設幕屋而已。 其制，架木而以葦為障，上下四旁周以幄帟，以象宮室，謂之幕殿。 及行事，又於壇所設小次。 大、小次之外，又有望祭殿，遇雨則行事於中。 東都時為瓦屋五間，周圍重廊。 中興後，惟設葦屋，蓋仿清廟茅屋之制也。
The curtained hall corresponded to the great and small resting pavilions described in the Offices of Zhou. At the Eastern Capital, the suburban altar's main pavilion was called Qingcheng—the emperor fasted there the eve of sacrifice. It contained two halls and six outer gates: Taiyin front, Gongji rear, Xiangxi east, Jingyao west, Chenghe on the east flank, Yingxi on the west. The main hall was Duancheng; the side hall, Xicheng. After the restoration, repeated edicts banned permanent fasting halls at the suburban altar—Heaven's rites should stay spare; only curtain shelters would do. These were timber frames screened with reed matting, draped on every side with curtains to mimic palace rooms—the curtained hall. On the day of the rite, a small shelter was erected at the altar itself. Beyond the main and secondary shelters stood a rain ceremony hall—if weather turned, the rites moved indoors. At the Eastern Capital this had been a five-bay tiled hall ringed by covered corridors. After the restoration, only reed-thatched shelters were used—deliberately echoing the thatched Pure Temple of antiquity.
55
臣庶室屋制度。 宰相以下治事之所曰省、曰台、曰部、曰寺、曰監、曰院，在外監司、州郡曰衙。 在外稱衙而在內之公卿、大夫、士不稱者，按唐制，天子所居曰衙，故臣下不得稱。 後在外藩鎮亦僭曰衙，遂為臣下通稱。 今帝居雖不曰衙，而在內省部、寺監之名，則仍唐舊也。 然亦在內者為尊者避，在外者遠君無嫌歟？ 私居，執政、親王曰府，餘官曰宅，庶民曰家。
Dwellings of Officials and Commoners. Grand counselors and below worked in departments, bureaus, ministries, directorates, commissions, and academies; regional commissioners and prefectures were known as yamen. Only outsiders called their offices yamen; inner-court officials did not—a Tang holdover, since yamen properly named the emperor's own quarters and subjects could not claim it. Later regional militaries usurped the term too, until yamen became ordinary officials' shorthand everywhere. The emperor's residence no longer bears the name, yet inner ministries and directorates still carry Tang-era titles. Was this reverence for the sovereign within the palace—and indifference, or freedom from taboo, beyond it? In private life, chief ministers and princes lived in fu mansions, other officials in zhai residences, commoners in jia households.
56
諸道府公門得施戟，若私門則爵位穹顯經恩賜者，許之。 在內官不設，亦避君也。
Prefecture and circuit government gates could mount ceremonial halberds; private gates only if rank and imperial favor warranted it. Inner-court officials mounted none—for the same reason of deference to the throne.
57
凡公宇，棟施瓦獸，門設梐枑。 諸州正牙門及城門，並施鴟尾，不得施拒鵲。 六品以上宅舍，許作烏頭門。 父祖舍宅有者，子孫許仍之。 凡民庶家，不得施重栱、藻井及五色文采為飾，仍不得四鋪飛簷。 庶人舍屋，許五架，門一間兩廈而已。
Government buildings sported ridge beasts on the eaves and ceremonial barrier posts at the gates. Prefectural main gates and city gates were to bear owl-tail ridge ornaments; magpie-tail ornaments were forbidden. Officials of the sixth rank and above might erect black-headed gates at their residences. Where a forebear's house already possessed such a gate, descendants might keep it. Common households might not use heavy bracketing, coffered ceilings, polychrome patterned decoration, or four-tier flying eaves. Commoners' houses were limited to five roof frames and a single-bay gate with two side wings.