Research on the vocabulary of the Old Book of Tang

Author: Zhang Nengfu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-08-01
Features:
Guifan (Court Box for Petitions): A box for the court to receive petitions from citizens, first established in the Tang Dynasty. Mentioned 1 time. Volume 171, "Biography of Li Zhongmin": "I believe the original purpose of establishing guifan was to have them collected from the inner court daily and returned by dusk. The intention was to allow those who were wronged and had no one to appeal to have their cases heard, whether discussing current affairs or presenting grievances. It should open a guaranteed channel for their voices to be heard, thus broadening wisdom and considering the marginalized."
Gao Shen (Official Certificate for Appointments): A Tang Dynasty document certifying official appointments, mentioned 3 times. Volume 9, "Lower Records of Emperor Xuanzong": "Lu Shan reported that the soldiers who had performed meritorious deeds in defeating Khitan, such as Tangdang, requested promotion by three ranks, and their gao shen should still be well written." Volume 112, "Biography of Li Yan": "At that time, the official seal of the Ministry of Personnel for gao shen was identical to that of other departments, making it difficult to distinguish." Volume 114, "Biography of Zhou Zhiguang": "Emperor Xuanzong issued an edict appointing Zhou Zhiguang as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and sent an imperial messenger, Yu Yuanshen, to present the gao shen to him." Volume 169, "Biography of Zheng Zhu": "He was summoned to Jiuxian Gate, where Emperor Xuanzong personally bestowed the gao shen upon him."
Contemporary Usage: Wang Fanzhi's poem, "Poem 274": "The murmurs of people's words, the censor came to judge. Deprived of rank and office, the gao shen was returned to the case."
Jun Tou (Military Officer): A Tang Dynasty military officer in charge of guard duty, mentioned 2 times. Volume 57, "Biography of Liu Wenjing ( )": "When the banner of loyalty was raised, he was appointed as jun tou." Volume 68, "Biography of Duan Zhiyuan": "When the army rose, Zhiyuan recruited over a thousand men and was appointed as jun tou of the Right Leading Great Commandery."
Jixian Yuan (Academic Institution): A government agency established in the Tang Dynasty. Mentioned 42 times. Volume 21, "Records of Rites I": "After the discussion, Xiao Song succeeded as a scholar of Jixian Yuan and submitted to Emperor Xuanzong the "Tang Dynasty Kaiyuan Rites," written by Wang Zhongqiu, totaling 150 volumes." Volume 35, "Records of Astronomy I": "Soon, the bronze and iron gradually rusted and could no longer rotate, so they were collected and stored in Jixian Yuan and no longer used." Volume 99, "Biography of Zhang Jiuling": "Initially, Zhang Yue was in charge of Jixian Yuan and often recommended Zhang Jiuling as a candidate for scholar, to serve as an advisor." Volume 102, "Biography of Xu Jian": "That year, Emperor Xuanzong renamed Lizheng Yuan as Jixian Yuan and appointed Xu Jian as a scholar, assisting Zhang Yue in overseeing the institution. He was later enfeoffed as the Marquis of Donghai."
This term is not included in the "Great Dictionary."
Ji Ku (Quarterly Treasury): One of the Tang Dynasty treasuries, where funds were stored at the end of each quarter. Mentioned 1 time. Volume 135, "Biography of Pei Yanling": "He proposed setting up separate treasuries in the Left Zang Treasury: the treasury for debts, the treasury for deficits, the treasury for (loss), the treasury for surplus, as well as the ji ku (quarterly treasury) and the monthly treasury, to store various types of money and goods."
Kongmu Guan (Document Administrator): Officials appointed in the fifth year of the Kaiyuan era to manage documents. Their name originates from Hu Shiseng's annotation in the "Zizhi Tongjian" under "Emperor Xuanzong's 10th Year of Tianbao": "Kongmu guan refers to the duties of (front-desk officials). In the Tang Dynasty, this name was first used, meaning that all matters of the mission department passed through their hands." In the "Old Book of Tang," it appears 12 times. Volume 43, "Records of Officials II": "One kongmu guan, four specialists in handling imperial documents, were all appointed in the fifth year of the Kaiyuan era." Volume 126, "Biography of Chen Shaoyou": "After the state and prefectures were ruined, unable to meet the expenses, he collaborated with his trusted kongmu guan and devised heavy taxes on the people within his jurisdiction to supply them."
Contemporary Usage: Duan Chengshi's "Collected Stories of the Western Chamber" (Volume 7, "The Golden Sutra and Strange Stories"): "In the winter of the 7th year of the Dahe era, Vice Censor Li Gongshi was appointed as the Military Marshal of Taiyuan. Kongmu guan Gao She, who had stayed in the mission office, visited the neighboring room when the winter drum sounded." "Collected Fragments of San Shui": "One day, the military governor of Runan, Dong Hongzhi, ordered Kongmu guan Song Rou to deliver a letter to the supervisor." "Collected (Variations) from Dunhuang" (Volume 1, "Biography of Wang Ling"): "The title after the postscript reads: 'A performance of the 'Biography of Wang Ling' from the 8th year of the Mochuo era, written by Kongmu guan Yan Wu on the 16th day of the 8th month of the 4th year of the Tianfu era.'"
This term is not included in the "Great Dictionary."
Konghe (Guardian Officer): A Tang Dynasty officer serving as a close guard and attendant, mentioned 12 times. Volume 6, "Biography of Empress Wu Zetian": "Initially, the eunuch Zhang Yi and his brother Changzong established the Konghe (Office of the Guardians of the Imperial Bedchamber). Later, it was renamed the Fengxiang, ranked below the Censor-in-Chief." Volume 190, "Biography of Literary Officials II, Yuan Banquan": "Banquan, holding the post of konghe, was unprecedented in ancient times. Moreover, those appointed to such positions were often frivolous and not suitable for the court's moral advancement. He submitted a memorial requesting the abolition of the post."
This term is not included in the "Great Dictionary."
Hao Han (Brave and Capable Man): A brave and capable man, mentioned 1 time. Volume 89, "Biography of Di Renjie": "Renjie often took the recommendation of talent as his goal, promoting figures such as Huan Yannan, Jing Hui, Dou Huizhen, and Yao Cheng, among whom dozens became officials. Initially, Empress Wu once asked Renjie: 'Do you want a brave and capable man for a mission? Renjie replied: 'What kind of mission does Your Majesty intend to entrust?' Empress Wu said: 'I wish to appoint him as a minister or prime minister.'"
Other Examples: Liu Su's "New Discourses of the Tang Dynasty" (Volume 6): "Empress Wu asked Di Renjie: 'Do you have a brave and capable man for a mission?'"
Hao Deng (Abundance or Scarcity): Mentioned 1 time. Volume 38, "Records of Geography I": "Examining the prosperous times of past dynasties and comparing them with today's hao deng (abundance or scarcity), recorded in the household registration rolls, to mark the times of prosperity."
Huan Ji (Circular Hairpin): An ancient hairpin worn by women, mentioned 2 times. Volume 29, "Records of Music II": "Four dancers wore light silk robes; their skirts and robes had large sleeves, painted with clouds and phoenixes. Their huan ji were lacquered and adorned with gold and bronze flowers, resembling bird combs, and they wore brocade shoes." Volume 197, "Biography of the Southern Barbarians, Eastern Women": "The queen wore a blue silk skirt, a lower robe, and a blue robe over it, with sleeves hanging to the ground. In winter, she wore a goat fur coat adorned with brocade. She had small huan ji, decorated with gold."
Jiu Mu (Mother-in-Law of a Brother): The wife of one's brother; also known as a jiuma. Mentioned 10 times. Volume 8, "Records of Emperor Xuanzong I": "On the 15th day of the 8th month, the mourning period for a close relative's wife was extended to small mourning, while the mother-in-law of a brother wore total mourning." Volume 27, "Records of Rites VII": "I believe that since the close relatives of a mother and sister wear small mourning, then the mother-in-law of a brother should also wear three years of mourning. The mourning period is one of kindness, and according to the rules of mourning, the mother-in-law's mourning should not be fully reduced to that of a brother."
Other Examples: Niu Shengru's "Strange Records of Xuan" (Volume 2, "Liu Feng"): "Zisui, take the flower cushion from the west hall and also invite Liu's six aunts, fourteen jiuma, and the young lady from the southern neighborhood, Qiaoqiao, as well as the maidservant, to come." The "Great Dictionary" cites it as the third chapter of Wen Kang's "Children and Heroes."
Jiu Jie (Exposing and Accusing): To expose and accuse, mentioned 3 times. Volume 70, "Biography of Wang Gui": "Jian also clashed with the Vice Censor-in-Chief Li Jie, and they mutually accused each other, resulting in Jie being demoted to the governor of Qizhou." Volume 185, "Lower Records of Good Officials II, Yang Maoqian": "At the beginning of the Kaiyuan era, he was appointed as the governor of Wei Prefecture and the inspector of the northern route. He and the Vice Prefect Zhang Huaiyu were originally from the same hometown, initially friendly but later estranged, and they mutually accused each other, leading to his firm demotion to the governor of Guilin."
Jin Hou (From Now On): From now on, mentioned 75 times, including "ziji hou" (from now on) 19 times and "qifang jinhou" (starting from now on) 4 times. Volume 5, "Records of Emperor Gaozong II": "On the 12th day of the 8th month, an imperial decree was issued: 'Since the use of white paper has been plagued by insects, from now on, all departments under the Ministry of Personnel, prefectures, and counties should use yellow paper.'" Volume 7, "Biography of Fu Yi": "When Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he summoned Fu Yi, gave him a meal, and said: 'Your previous suggestions nearly caused trouble for me, but from now on, you should speak freely without worrying about past issues.'" Volume 119, "Biography of Cui Qun": "From now on, when the (counter-scholar) submits a memorial, Cui Qun should co-sign it, and it should be submitted accordingly." Volume 171, "Biography of Li Mo": "Starting from now on, officials of the fourth rank and below in all departments, as well as officials of the sixth rank and below in the Censorate and the Ministry of Personnel, should be treated according to the same standards as the (skin affairs), with the rest following the edict of the 7th year of Yuanhe."
The "Great Dictionary" cites it as Su Shi's "Memorial on Returning from Dongzhou to Discuss the Navy."
Jie Shu (Street Trees): Trees planted along the sides of streets, mentioned 1 time. Volume 19, "Records of Emperor Xuanzong": "On the 15th day of the 4th month, a heavy hailstorm and strong winds uprooted twelve or thirteen street trees in both capitals. In the inner Wumen of the Eastern Capital, ten ancient locust trees were uprooted or damaged, and the eagle-tail decorations on the palaces all fell."
The "Great Dictionary" cites it as Ye Shitao's "Record of Imprisonment."
The so-called other ethnic terms in the "Old Book of Tang" mainly refer to the languages of ethnic groups such as Lin Yi, Cambodians, and Nan Zhao. The term "Lin Yi" first appeared in medieval history. "Records of the Three Kingdoms, Biography of Lü Dai": "He also sent officials to the south to spread the country's culture, as well as the states outside the border, such as Fuzhou, Lin Yi, and Tangming, each sending envoys to offer tribute." The "Old Book of Tang" has a dedicated "Biography of Lin Yi." "Old Book of Tang, Biographies of the Southern Barbarians and Southwest Barbarians, Lin Yi": "The Lin Yi state was the southern part of the Xianglin region in the Mochuo era, over a thousand miles south of Jiaozhou."
"East Women" is a minority ethnic group related to the Qiang people. The term "Bengnu" first appeared in several histories compiled during the Tang Dynasty. "Records of the Sui Dynasty, Biography of Pei Ju": "The Bengnu state, the southern Brahman state, and others followed wherever they went, and reached various places." The "Northern Book of Tang, Biography of Pei Tuo" also contains corresponding records. The "Old Book of Tang" provides more detailed accounts. "Old Book of Tang, Biographies of the Southern Barbarians and Southwest Barbarians, East Women": "The Bengnu state is a branch of the Western Qiang people. Because there was another female state in the Western Sea, it was called Bengnu."
The term "Nanzhao" first appeared in the "Old Book of Tang." "Old Book of Tang, Biographies of the Southern Barbarians and Southwest Barbarians, Nanzhao": "The Nanzhao people were originally a branch of the Wumen, belonging to the Meng clan." The history of Nanzhao is roughly as follows: An ancient minority ethnic group in southwestern China had a Di-Qiang tribe, which originally lived in Gansu and Qinghai. Later, one branch migrated to the northwestern part of Sichuan and the northwestern part of Yunnan. In the Jin Dynasty, the Di-Qiang people further divided into the Bo people, who mainly lived in central Yunnan and had close ties with the Han people. After the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Di-Qiang people underwent further differentiation and recombination, giving rise to ethnic groups such as the Bai people. The Bai people were a fusion of the Han and Bo people in Yunnan. By the year 738 of the Tang Dynasty, led by the Bai people, the Nanzhao state was established in Yunnan, unifying most of the minority ethnic groups in the region. The Nanzhao state had a close relationship with the Tang Dynasty, submitting to the leadership of the Tang central government and receiving its support, becoming one of the most powerful ethnic groups at the time. The "Old Book of Tang" used some terms of these minority ethnic groups when describing their situations. This type of foreign term mainly includes the following:
Binyou (Queen's Title in Dongwu State): An ancient minority ethnic term, the title for the queen in the Dongwu state. Mentioned 1 time. "Old Book of Tang, Biographies of the Southern Barbarians and Southwest Barbarians, East Women": "The Dongwu state is a branch of the Western Qiang people. Because there was another female state in the Western Sea, it was called Dongwu. The custom is that the female ruler is called binyou. There are female officials called Gaobai, who discuss state affairs."
Duo Shuo (Nanzhao Weapon): A weapon of the Tang Dynasty Nanzhao. Mentioned 2 times. "Records of Emperor Dezong II": "On the 16th day of the 12th month, the Nanzhao state presented duo shuo, langren jian (long-sword), and eight (links) of Tibetan seals." "Old Book of Tang, Biographies of the Southern Barbarians and Southwest Barbarians, Nanzhao": "In the eighth month of the tenth year, envoys Meng Congluo and Yin Choukuan came to present duo shuo, langren jian, and eight of Tibetan seals."
Gaobai (Female Official's Title in Bengnu State): An ancient minority ethnic term, the title for female officials who discussed state affairs in the Bengnu state. Mentioned 1 time. See "Binyou."
Huozhu (Fire Pearl): The same as fire agate, a real pearl possessed by some minority ethnic groups at that time. Mentioned 7 times. "Records of Rites II": "Empress Wu ordered to reconstruct the Mingtang according to the original regulations. It was 294 feet high and 300 feet wide in all directions. A precious phoenix was placed on top, which was later replaced by a huozhu." "Old Book of Tang, Biographies of the Southern Barbarians and Southwest Barbarians, Linyi": "In the fourth year, the king Fan Taili sent envoys to present huozhu, as large as a quail's egg, round and white, shining for several feet." Also "Duohe Luo": "In the 23rd year, he sent envoys to present ivory and huozhu, asking for good horses, and the edict allowed it."
Other Contemporary Examples: "Discussions of the Tang and Sui Dynasties" (Volume 2): "In the early years of the Zhenguan era, Linyi presented fire pearls, which resembled water crystal, said to have been obtained from the Luoja country." "New Discourses of the Tang Dynasty" (Volume 8): "There was a cloud canopy on top, with a dragon holding the huozhu. The pearl was ten feet high and three feet in circumference. The gold and bronze were brilliant, shining like the sun and moon."
Jieliao Wu (Bird Name): A bird name, the same as the Qinjili. Mentioned 2 times. "Old Book of Tang, Biographies of the Southern Barbarians and Southwest Barbarians, Linyi": "South of this, plants bloom in winter, and they eat lettuce all year round, with betel nut juice as wine. There is a jieliao bird, which can understand human language."
Kaiwu Chengwu (Understanding the Principles of All Things and Acting Accordingly): To understand the principles of all things and act accordingly to achieve success. Mentioned 5 times. "Records of Classics I": "Classics are the principles of kaiwu chengwu, setting down teachings and standards, the deeds of sages, and the great principles of emperors." "Biography of Chang Gun": "Cui Youfu appointed 800 officials, and there were no complaints. The talent of kaiwu chengwu, the way of serving the public and suppressing private interests, can be seen."
Note: This idiom is already seen in the "Book of Changes."
Shenzhong Rushi (Being Cautious from Beginning to End): To be cautious from beginning to end. Mentioned 8 times. "Records of Astronomy II": "I hope Your Majesty will not be arrogant because of great achievements, nor will you be complacent because of long peace. Be cautious from beginning to end, and what is there to worry about?" "Biography of Zhang Xuansu": "It is known that the world cannot be conquered by force, and the gods cannot be relied upon by proximity. Only by being frugal and low in taxes, and cautious from beginning to end, can it be firmly established."
Note: This idiom is already seen in the "Tao Te Ching."
Shanshi Shangzhong (Being Good from Beginning to End): To be good from beginning to end. Mentioned 1 time. "Biography of Li Zhengji ()": "He returned to his homeland, governed the army and the people, submitted a letter to show sincerity, and recommended capable people to replace himself. At that time, he was known as someone who could be good from beginning to end."
Note: This idiom is already seen in the "Zhuangzi."
Youbei Wuhuan (Being Prepared to Avoid Calamity): To be prepared in advance to avoid disaster. Mentioned 3 times. "Records of Emperor Xuanzong II": "Now, we should focus on construction and not engage in warfare. It must ensure enough food and troops, so that we can be prepared to avoid calamity, and thus bring peace to the people." "Records of the Tibetan People I": "The saying goes, 'The descendants do not plot against the ancestors, and the barbarians do not disturb the Han.' The reason for restraining their hearts is to be prepared to avoid calamity."
Note: This idiom is already seen in the "Zuo Zhuan."
Yixing Yanshi (Justice Manifesting in the Face): To show the color of justice on one's face. Mentioned 3 times. "Records of Emperor Wu Zetian I": "Wu Han served his post, receiving the order without any preparation. Bu Shi was simple and loyal, and even before the battle, justice manifested in his face." "Biography of Li Duozuo": "He then took the heavens, earth, and gods as witnesses, and his words and tone moved everyone, with justice manifesting in his face."
Note: This idiom is already seen in the "Gongyang Commentary."
Zhouni Fushi (Cyclic Recurrence): To recur in cycles. Mentioned 6 times. "Records of Rites III": "On the 23rd day, the Vice Prime Minister Zhang Xue submitted: 'The emperor has been given the divine strategy of Taiyi, which recurs in cycles, bringing eternal peace to the people.'" "Records of Rites VI": "Please use this summer's sacrifice as the origin of the (great sacrifice). From now on, the inspections and sacrifices will alternate, with a great sacrifice every five years, recurring in cycles."
Note: This idiom is already seen in the "Wenzi."
Idioms from the Han and Tang Dynasties (24 in total, accounting for approximately 17% of the total surveyed):
Bianliu Cishu (Discretionary Action): To consider the situation and act accordingly. Mentioned 19 times. "Biography of Tang Jian": "Emperor Gaozu praised Jian for remaining loyal to the court even in the enemy's territory after his death. He was reinstated to his former position and appointed as the (consolation envoy) of Bingzhou, with discretionary authority, and was also given land, houses, and wealth by Douguo Huai'en." "Biography of Wei Zheng": "After ascending the throne, he was promoted to Censor, enfeoffed as the Marquis of Julu, and sent to pacify Hebei, with discretionary authority." "Biography of Pei Xingjian": "Now the king of Persia has died, and his son Nieshi Shishi is serving as a hostage in the capital. It is hoped that an envoy will be sent to Persia to crown him, and the route will pass through the tribes of the two barbarians, with discretionary authority, which may yield results."
Note: This idiom is already seen in the "Book of Han."