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Text丨Fish balls
Editor丨Fish balls
Preface
In ancient times, the holy decree represented the supreme power of the emperor and the grasp of power, and many treacherous courtiers falsely preached the holy decree in order to achieve their goals.
Since the Holy Decree is so powerful, why did no one dare to fake the Holy Decree in ancient times?
A few steps in the making of ancient holy decrees
On the ancient imperial map, starting from the Qin Dynasty, especially to the Han Dynasty, the political system has undergone a profound change. With the establishment of the county system and the implementation of the system of three princes and nine secretaries, the centralization of power reached its peak, and the imperial power was not only strengthened, but also its ruling power was strengthened as never before.
The authority of the emperor is demonstrated through a letter of edict, which is like a machine of time, determining the rise and fall of a family's honor and disgrace, reflecting the unquestionable high status of imperial power.
However, even though it is known to everyone that the Holy Decree has the supreme position in the hearts of the people because it means the holding of power once it is promulgated, there are few precedents in history for the falsification of the Holy Decree. The reason for this is that the process of making the decree is so complex and rigorous that imitation has become an almost impossible task.
First of all, the materials and design of the Decree are extremely elaborate and extraordinary. Generally speaking, the silk chosen by the Holy Decree is of the highest quality, which is not only soft in texture, bright and colorful in color, but also has a complex pattern.
These satins are made of the finest silk materials and have been woven over a long period of time, each of which is a quest for perfection. On top of this splendid silk, the combination of colors shines like stars in the night sky.
Not only are these patterns visually appealing, but they also have a deep meaning. For example, auspicious clouds are often given auspicious and wishful meanings, representing harmony and beauty, and symbolizing people's yearning for a happy life.
More particularly, the choice and use of the colors of the decree became an important indicator of the rank of officials. Officials of different ranks received different colors of holy decrees, which can be seen from the different colors of the silk cloth.
The holy decrees received by the fifth-class officials were of different colors and gorgeous, and some of the decrees were intertwined in three colors, including solemn and solemn red, elegant and noble purple, noble and mysterious blue, and even colorful patterns may appear.
For officials below the fifth rank, their decrees were much more austere, often containing only a pure white bottom with golden pigment on the lettering.
Not only that, but the process of making a decree is also extremely rigorous, and the process of making a decree requires a complex process, from material selection to embroidery, from drawing to stitching, every step of which is carried out by experienced craftsmen. With their exquisite skills and high artistic accomplishments, they skillfully combine these elements to make each decree unique.
Even with such a delicate manufacturing process, quality problems cannot be completely prevented, so supervisors conduct detailed inspections after each production process. If any flaws are detected, not only will the craftsman face severe punishment, but his entire family may also be implicated. It was this strict system of supervision that made the craftsmen have to pay full attention to each decree and dare not relax in the slightest, so as to ensure that each decree would meet the requirements of the emperor and maintain the dignity and majesty of the royal family.
In addition, the anti-counterfeiting measures of the holy decree are also very advanced, and each holy decree has a unique anti-counterfeiting mark, which is inlaid with an extraordinary object - the emperor's jade seal on the solemn decree.
It is unique and precious, like an unearthly treasure, with intricate ornamentation and inscriptions that reflect royal majesty and dignity.
When each local official receives the decree, he immediately carefully examines the handwriting on the seal and verifies the authenticity of the decree by comparing it. Because of the existence of the jade seal, the whole process is particularly solemn, and it also ensures the accuracy of the transmission of the holy decree.
Due to the complexity of the materials, design and production process of the Holy Decree, as well as strict supervision and advanced anti-counterfeiting technology, it is almost impossible to forge the Holy Decree. Together, these factors ensured the authority and authenticity of the decree, allowing the emperor's orders to be carried out smoothly, while also reflecting the unique embodiment and historical value of the ancient emperor's power.
Therefore, it is almost impossible to imitate such an object of great historical significance. Anyone who is found trying to forge a decree will be punished severely, possibly even with their lives. Therefore, although the rumors about the falsification of the holy decree have been widely circulated in history, it is extremely difficult to actually implement it, which also reflects the reverence and respect of the ancients for the holy decree.
What kind of people write the decree
Throughout China's long history, the Divine Decree has always been a symbol of imperial authority, carrying the emperor's orders and decisions to his courtiers. These documents, usually written in gold script on silk or paper materials, are carefully designed and crafted to be delivered to the intended object. However, the process of writing a decree is not something that anyone can do, as the job requires a high degree of cultural literacy and political sensitivity, and is often reserved for those of high status, cultural attainment, and political prominence.
First of all, the emperor himself will personally write the holy decree, and there are many such examples in history, such as Zhu Yuanzhang, the Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang came from a humble background, but with his own efforts to achieve a great cause, after ascending the throne to become the emperor, he loved calligraphy and often wrote holy decrees by hand.
Secondly, the task of writing the decree may also fall on the shoulders of the editors of the Hanlin Academy. The Hanlin Academy was an institution responsible for cultural and educational affairs in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and there was a position of "Shu Jishi", which was held by the most potential literati among the Jinshi.
They were mainly the emperor's right-hand men, and these literati were chosen as the writers of the holy decrees because of their profound cultural heritage and loyalty to the emperor, and their works often reached the perfect state where not a single word can be added or subtracted.
Finally, sometimes the emperor would also invite a calligrapher to write the edict, and the emperor was usually a master of calligraphy, able to accurately express the emperor's meaning, and write the most beautiful font. The writing requirements of the decree are extremely strict, and any superfluous or missing words will affect its authority and accuracy.
The writing of the decree had an important impact on the emperor's decision-making, on the one hand, it ensured that the emperor's orders were transmitted accurately, and on the other hand, it also showed the emperor's cultural accomplishment and philosophy of governance.
From the perspective of cultural inheritance, the writers of the Sacred Decree were often the best cultural figures of the time, and their works not only reflected the level of calligraphy art of the time, but also left a valuable cultural heritage for future generations.
The meaning of the Divine Decree
In China's feudal society, the ruling power of the monarchs was embodied in various forms, the most representative of which was the Holy Decree.
Since Qin Shi Huang unified China, abolished the pre-Qin titles, and replaced them with "making books" and "edicts", the form and content of the decree have undergone a long process of development, reflecting the evolution and needs of imperial power in different periods.
On the ancient imperial map, starting from the Qin Dynasty, especially to the Han Dynasty, the political system has undergone a profound change. With the establishment of the county system and the implementation of the system of three princes and nine secretaries, the centralization of power reached its peak, and the imperial power was not only strengthened, but also its ruling power was strengthened as never before.
By the Song Dynasty, the term "Divine Decree" had been officially adopted, however, over time, the content and form of the Divine Decree had also undergone significant development. Especially during the Jin Yuan period, we can observe that the hierarchy of the holy decree is clearer.
For example, the decree of the jade handle symbolizes supreme authority and unparalleled glory, and is the highest honor bestowed by the emperor on ministers or meritorious ministers, representing the king's trust and love for his subordinates. Decrees that used black horn handles were often seen as status symbols, a metaphor for the bearer's low status in the imperial court.
Especially in the Ming and Qing dynasties, this hierarchy was more clearly defined and improved. Regardless of the material used to make the decree, its texture, colour or decorative details are given corresponding meanings to indicate the status of the user and the power it represents.
It can be seen that the holy decree is no longer just a simple carrier of letters, but has become an important item to demonstrate power and status. Thus, the Divine Decree not only played a key role in conveying information, but also became a symbol of faith and power.
And the holy decree represents a promise, that is, once it is issued, it must be strictly enforced, otherwise it will face cruel punishment, whether it is killing the head or losing power, it is very likely to end.
The sacred purpose played an important role in the history of Chinese feudal society, it was a symbol of the power of the monarch, and it was a reflection of the historical evolution of feudal society. From the pre-Qin period to the Ming and Qing dynasties, the form and content of the decree were constantly developing and changing, but what remained constant was its important position in Chinese feudal society.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, a term was first proposed in the Seven Essentials of Chen Zhengshi, and it is deeply rooted in Chinese history, and in the long history of China, this object gradually evolved into a symbol of power and authority, it is the Holy Decree. Thus, the decree is like a doppelganger of an emperor that can be promulgated in the absence of the emperor himself.
In the Far East, the tradition of the Divine Decree was not confined to China alone. Ancient Korea, which has a long history, also began to adopt this token of imperial power after the gradual independence of the late Qing Dynasty. The rulers of the Korean Peninsula not only copied the original Divine Decree, but even the far-reaching slogan "Carried by Heaven", which has been passed down for thousands of years, and this imitation clearly shows that the Divine Decree not only records the absolute monarchy of ancient history, but also reflects the powerful influence of successive dynasties.
epilogue
In ancient China, the forgery of the Divine Decree was an extremely difficult and dangerous matter, whether it was from the process of making the Divine Decree, the choice of raw materials, or the legal sanctions behind it, making it almost impossible to succeed.
At the same time, due to the varying lengths of the decrees, it is even more difficult to forge the required decrees accurately.