An Analysis of the'Emperor Zhengde's Edict of Self-Reproach'
The imperial edict archaeologically discovered in Wuxi of Jiangsu Province in 1972,edited in the 9th year of Zhengde(正德)reign(1514)of the Ming dynasty,bearing the Chinese characters of'京本誊黄'and'皇帝之宝'in the end,is untitled.Specifically,it begins with a preface followed by twenty-seven clauses concerning amnesty measures and ends with the message that literally means'copied in Beijing on yellow paper'and the stamp of'Emperor's Treasure'.This edict is not recorded in any official historical literature such as'The Veritable Records of Emperor Wuzong of Ming'or'The History of Ming',yet it holds significant historical value for understanding the court,society,economy,taxation,people's livelihood,criminal matters and administration during the middle period of the Ming Dynasty.Mr.Feng Qiyong titled it'Emperor Zhengde's Edict of Self-Reproach'in his'Record of Artifacts at the Guafanlou'(Volume Ⅱ),and the First Historical Archives of China,which houses Mr.Feng's donation,refers to it as'Emperor Zhengde's Edict of Sin'.However,judging by the content that does not reflect the emperor's self-reproach and the issue of the edicts after the major fires on the three halls and two palaces of the Ming court together with 9 historical files as side evidence,this thesis argues that this edict is likely the'Emperor Zhengde's Edict of Clemency'(《明正德皇帝宽恤诏》in Chinese)instead of the'Emperor Zhengde's Edict of Self-Reproach'(《明正德皇帝罪己诏》in Chinese).
Emperor ZhengdePalace of Heavenly PurityfireEdict of Self-ReproachEdict of Sinclemency
万方数据
维普
