Wang Wei (Tang Dynasty): "A Poem Composed in Harmony with Jia Sheren on the Occasion of the Early Morning Court at Daming Palace"
The Cock-Crier, wearing a crimson cap, announces the dawn with his water clock;
The imperial wardrobe attendant presents the emerald-cloud robe.
The gates of the heavenly palace swing open beneath the Ninth Heaven;
Officials from ten thousand nations bow before the imperial throne.
The first rays of sunlight fall upon the palm-shaped ornament, setting it aglow;
The incense smoke drifts toward the imperial dragon robe, rising and swirling.
When the morning court is over, I must compose an imperial edict in five-colored silk;
The sound of jade pendants accompanying my steps follows me back to the Phoenix Pool.
The following day, Li Jian and Tan Wei arrived at the Ministry of Personnel to report for duty. They presented their official appointment documents, known as gaoshen (告身), which served as formal commissions issued through the imperial administration.
As the head of the Zhongyi Hall, Li Jian had been appointed to an official post of the fifth rank. After the Ministry of Personnel officials had examined his credentials and verified his appointment, an attendant led him into a room, where a tailor specializing in official robes took his measurements. Li Jian was then issued a purple official robe. Having received his robe, he had completed the registration process and returned to his official residence.
In the rigidly hierarchical feudal society of ancient China, the color of an official's robe was strictly regulated according to rank. Purple robes were reserved for high-ranking officials, while lower-ranking officials were required to wear green.
About an hour later, a young eunuch arrived at Li Jian's residence and announced that the emperor had summoned the head of Zhongyi Hall to the palace. Li Jian was filled with apprehension and unease. He immediately changed into his official robe, and Tan Wei helped him put on his official hat and straighten his attire. Once he was properly dressed, he set off for the imperial palace.
Li Jian's heart was pounding with anxiety as he followed the young eunuch into the palace. However, instead of being led into the great audience hall, he was taken to the emperor's private study, where the emperor conducted his official business.
Standing beside the doorway, the young eunuch announced, "Your Majesty, this humble servant has, in accordance with Your Majesty's instructions, summoned Lord Li, the head of Zhongyi Hall, to the palace."
From inside the room, the emperor replied, "Please enter, Lord Li, head of Zhongyi Hall. Shun Zi, you may withdraw. I have important matters to discuss with Lord Li."
Shun Zi answered respectfully, "As Your Majesty commands."
He opened the door and ushered Li Jian into the imperial study. Once Li Jian had entered, Shun Zi gently closed the door behind him and departed.
Li Jian entered the study and immediately knelt in homage.
"Your humble servant, Li Jian, head of Zhongyi Hall, pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"
The emperor said, "Rise, Lord Li. Please take a seat."
Only then did Li Jian dare to raise his head. Before him sat the emperor, dressed in his imperial dragon robe, yet wearing a deeply troubled expression.
The emperor was Li Yu, born in AD 726. Originally holding the title of Prince of Guangping, he had ascended the throne in AD 763 at the age of thirty-seven. He was known to history as Emperor Daizong of Tang.
He spoke without further delay.
"I have heard many accounts of Lord Li's exploits in the martial world, and I am deeply impressed. On your recent expedition to Lingwu, you assisted the Tang army, led your men bravely from the front, and helped defeat the Tibetan forces. You have rendered a great service to the empire. As the new head of Zhongyi Hall, you have certainly lived up to everyone's expectations!"
Hearing these words, Li Jian felt his patriotic fervor rise within him. He clasped his fists and replied with resolute conviction.
"Every member of Zhongyi Hall is a person devoted to loyalty and righteousness. Once we have joined Zhongyi Hall, we are prepared to sacrifice our lives for our country. We shall never regret our commitment!"
Since ancient times, true heroes had never been judged by their humble origins. Li Jian had become the new head of Zhongyi Hall because its former head, Wu Tong, had recognized his abilities and recommended him for the position. Yet who could have predicted how dramatically his fortunes would change?
Only six months earlier, he had traveled to Jinchang County to apply for a low-ranking position, perhaps as a constable in the local government, only to fail in his attempt. Now, here he stood within the imperial court, in the very presence of the Son of Heaven, holding the rank of a fifth-grade official.
The emperor could not help but smile faintly. He thought to himself that the man recommended by the former head, Wu Tong, was indeed no ordinary individual. His loyalty and courage were beyond question.
Nodding, the emperor continued, "I place great trust in Zhongyi Hall because I value Lord Li's talents. Now that you have only recently assumed leadership, I would like you, for the time being, to travel throughout the martial world on my behalf. Visit the marketplaces and streets, gather information, and establish ties with the heroes of the jianghu.
"In particular, the Beggars' Guild will soon hold its grand ceremony to mark the transfer of leadership from its outgoing chief to its successor. I must trouble you to make a special visit.
"After all, the Beggars' Guild is the largest martial arts organization in the realm. On numerous occasions, it has raised volunteer forces to fight in military campaigns and has distinguished itself through its service to the empire. At this forthcoming succession ceremony, you shall attend as the representative of the imperial court. If we can maintain a firm relationship with the Beggars' Guild, we can help stabilize the martial world—and, through it, maintain peace throughout the realm."
The emperor's insight impressed Li Jian greatly. His heart was devoted entirely to serving his country, without the slightest thought of personal gain.
He immediately replied, "I shall obey Your Majesty's command!"
The emperor continued, "Before you reported to the court in Chang'an, you fought bravely on the battlefield and distinguished yourself in combat. The imperial court must reward such meritorious service."
Hearing this, Li Jian promptly replied, "Your Majesty, I merely did what any loyal subject ought to do. How could I presume to accept a reward for fulfilling my duty?"
The emperor responded, "The imperial court must reward such military achievements. There is no need for you to be overly modest or decline the honor."
During the reign of Emperor Taizong, Zhongyi Hall had originally been established to gather intelligence and manage affairs concerning the western regions. Only the head of Zhongyi Hall held an officially appointed position; the branch halls in various regions were established by the head himself and served as his network of informants.
Although Zhongyi Hall had only one officially appointed head, that single individual could prove as valuable as a thousand troops.
As the Art of War attributed to Sun Tzu states:
"Know the enemy and know yourself, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory you will suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."
Li Jian knelt and bowed his head in gratitude.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's gracious favor!"
The emperor said, "Rise. Rest for a few days, then venture out into the martial world and learn what is happening among the people."
Li Jian bowed respectfully, accepted the imperial command, and withdrew from the emperor's private study.
The following morning, a young eunuch arrived at the official residence accompanied by a group of palace attendants carrying one chest of gifts after another. Once they had entered, the eunuch produced an imperial edict and read it aloud.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
"The head of Zhongyi Hall has faithfully fulfilled his duties and repeatedly rendered outstanding service to the empire. Therefore, We bestow upon him one thousand taels of gold, two thousand taels of silver, five hundred shi of grain, one thousand bolts of silk, several dozen luminous pearls, and five jade bracelets, as a token of Our imperial favor.
"So decreed!"
The imperial rewards arrived exactly as expected.
Another day passed. Early the following morning, a junior official arrived at Li Jian's residence and announced that Chancellor Yuan Zai had summoned the head of Zhongyi Hall.
Li Jian immediately proceeded to the Zhengshitang, the administrative hall where the chief ministers conducted government business during the Tang and Song dynasties.
Chancellor Yuan Zai, a man in his fifties, rose to welcome him.
"Lord Li, please take a seat."
Li Jian responded respectfully, "Thank you, Lord Yuan."
The chancellor was responsible for assisting the Son of Heaven in governing the empire, supervising officials of every rank, and coordinating the affairs of state. As the highest-ranking civil official, he wielded immense authority—second only to the emperor himself.
Once Li Jian had taken his seat, Yuan Zai ordered his attendants to serve tea and refreshments. After they had each taken a sip of tea, the chancellor spoke.
"I have heard His Majesty speak of Lord Li's courageous deeds on the battlefield, your willingness to risk your life in combat, and your many heroic exploits throughout the martial world. I am deeply impressed."
Li Jian replied, "Your Excellency is far too generous with your praise. This humble official scarcely feels worthy of such commendation!"