Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Underground Palace Archives - Epitaph

The so-called epitaph is a stone buried in the tomb.The stone is engraved with the date of birth and death of the deceased, the place and age of burial, life stories, and inscriptions.The inscriptions are generally four-character rhymes, which are tributes or eulogies to the dead.The content of the epitaph is mainly composed of eulogies, so it is called "epitaph" or "epitaph".The prose biographical text before the inscription is the preface of this inscription, so the title of the first line of some epitaphs often has the words "the epitaph of a certain person and the preface".In fact, the epitaph is the general name, including the inscription and the preface. In terms of the value of the data, the preface is more important than the inscription.

The epitaph was originally a stone, with various shapes, size, length, width, thickness, square and flat without customization, and some resembled a stele, but smaller in size and shorter inscriptions.It was probably not until the Southern and Northern Dynasties that its shape was fixed.At this time, the epitaphs were mostly square, generally composed of two stones, the upper stone was the cover, and the lower stone was the inscription, and the combination of the two was called "one combination".The epitaph cover is mainly to protect the Zhiwen, and only the name of the epitaph is engraved in the middle part, so the surroundings can be used for decoration.Some of them are obliquely cut into a bucket shape around them, and flowers and plants or pictures of the twelve zodiac signs are carved on them, and some Zhigai have actually become a kind of art.Zhishi is mainly carved with Zhiwen, including prefaces and inscriptions, and is generally not decorated.For some special epitaphs, the epitaph and the cover are carved into a piece of art, such as the "Yuanxian Epitaph" in the second year of Yanchang in the Northern Wei Dynasty (513 A.D.), the epitaph and the cover are a complete stone turtle, the cover is a tortoise shell, and the title is engraved in the middle.Zhi is the turtle's body, head, tail and four claws. After 1949, the "Epitaph of Li Shou" unearthed in Sanyuan, Shaanxi Province in the fifth year of Zhenguan in Tang Dynasty (AD 631) is also a tortoise-shaped epitaph.In Sui's Epitaph of Yang Jun, a round turtle is carved in the middle of the epitaph, with titles on both sides, which is also rare in epitaphs.In addition, the "Yuanjun Zhizhi" unearthed in the fifteenth year of the Republic of China (AD 1926) is a square column-shaped epitaph with inscriptions on three sides, and there are 趺 (lost) under the annals.There is only one stone in this square column shape.

The source of the epitaph of "Li Shou Epitaph" is the same as that of the previous epitaph. Like stele inscriptions, such stone inscriptions also have their own development process.The tomb bricks of "prisoners" unearthed during the Qin and Han Dynasties were made of bricks, but they were buried deep in the tomb, engraved with names, birthplaces, year of death, and burial place, and even showed whether there was technology and the criminal law they were subjected to. The basic elements of the epitaph can be regarded as the representative of the budding period of the epitaph.The Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms and Jin Dynasties can be regarded as the formation period of epitaphs.The "Jia Wuzhong's Wife Ma Jiang Epitaph" and "Zhang Sheng's Tomb Notes" unearthed in the Eastern Han Dynasty are real stone epitaphs, but there are not many such epitaphs.During the Three Kingdoms and Jin Dynasties, many orders were issued to prohibit the erection of monuments, so there were very few monuments erected at this time.In order to remember the dead in the form of stone steles, people changed the form of the steles on the ground, shortened the text, and hid them in the tomb, so stone carvings such as epitaphs became more and more.Since the epitaphs at this time are in the formation period, they have various shapes, specifications and names.Taking titles as an example, some are called monuments, such as "Chenghuang Stele", "Guanluo Stele", "Zhang Lang Stele", etc.; They are called tombs, such as "Liu's Tomb" and "He Guoren's Tomb"; some are called inscriptions, such as "Ms. etc.During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the prohibition on steles was lifted, and the two types of stone inscriptions and epitaphs were greatly developed. Not only did the epitaphs begin to be unified in shape, but the epitaphs appeared, and most of them called themselves epitaphs in the text.The representative epitaph at this time was "Nan'an Wang Yuanzhen Epitaph", unearthed from Mangshan Mountain, Luoyang, carved in the 28th year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 504), square, and it was the beginning of the epitaph with a cover.In addition, there are "Wang Song's Wife Yuan's Epitaph" and so on.According to incomplete statistics, the epitaphs of the Northern Wei Dynasty discovered so far have hundreds of pieces.In the first year of Liang Tong in the Southern Dynasty (AD 520), the "Epitaph of Yongyang Zhaowang Xiao Fu" and "Epitaph of Concubine Jing" contain content such as "Commissioner Xu Mianzhi wrote by imperial order", which is the beginning of the name of the author engraved on the epitaph known today.

The Sui and Tang dynasties were the climax of the development of epitaphs in my country, with complete shapes, fine decorations, uniform specifications, huge quantities and rich contents.As far as we know, there are nearly ten thousand such epitaphs.The earliest epitaph in the Tang Dynasty is "Mrs. Li Yuexiangzhi", and the name of the author of the annals has no book, which belongs to the early style.The epitaph calligraphy is mainly regular script, and there are very few well-known epitaphs, probably only a few such as "Gao Fu Zhi", "Guangping Gong Cheng Boxian Zhi", "Sun Guangzuo Zhi" and so on.There are also not many famous writers writing epitaphs in official script, and the number is not large.

Epitaph-type stone carvings have been widely used in society since the Tang Dynasty. There were several thousand pieces in the Song Dynasty, and the number was even larger in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.As a kind of written records of long-buried palaces, epitaphs cover a wide range of areas, have many types, are rich in content, and have high historical value, which is extremely useful for the study of history.In a nutshell, its usefulness is mainly manifested in three aspects: (1) Using epitaph materials to conduct historical geography research.For example, many scholars used a large number of Tang epitaphs unearthed in Chang'an Jingzhao and Luoyang Mangshan to research the urban, rural, and Jingzhao social conditions in the two capitals of the Tang Dynasty; using various Tang epitaphs unearthed in Beijing to research the geographical evolution and county The geography of the township, etc.

(2) Using epitaph historical materials to study the family and lineage of historical figures.For example, the epitaphs of the Six Dynasties unearthed in Nanjing, Jiangsu and other places can be used to investigate the lineages and families of Wang Dao, Xie Kun, and the history of the two Jin Dynasties at that time; the epitaphs of the Astana Cemetery in Turpan, Xinjiang can be used to investigate Zhang Xiong's family history and the relevant history of Gaochang Kingdom. (3) Supplementing the lack of historical records through epitaph materials, or correcting errors.Such cases abound, too numerous to enumerate.

The epitaph materials are huge in quantity and rich in content. The following is a selection of one or two in order of time. "Wang Xingzhi's epitaph", engraved in the seventh year of Xiankang in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 341); "Wang Xing's wife Song Hezhi's epitaph" (on the back of Wang Xingzhi's epitaph), engraved in the fourth year of Eastern Jin Yonghe (AD 348); "Wang Minzhi's epitaph", It was engraved in the second year of Shengping in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (358 A.D.); the epitaph of Wang Bin's wife Xia Jinhu was engraved in the 17th year of Taiyuan in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (392 A.D.).The above epitaphs were all unearthed in Xiangshan, the northern suburb of Nanjing, and their contents reflect the fact that the royal family was buried together and that overseas Chinese counties (such as Linyi County, Langya County) were set up in the north and south of the Yangtze River under the name of northern states and counties. An important material of Wang's lineage; "Gao Daoyue's epitaph", unearthed in Huguanying, North Dezhou City, Shandong Province in 1969, carved in the second year of Shengui in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 519), no description has been found, it can make up for historical gaps, and calligraphy also has certain artistic value; "Sima Xinglong Epitaph", unearthed in Fuyang Village, Ci County, Hebei in 1953.Sima Xinglong was first buried in the 14th year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (490 A.D.), and was reburied in the 3rd year of Xinghe in the Eastern Wei Dynasty (541 A.D.). Calligraphy is also a physical historical material for studying the development and evolution from official script to regular script; "Pei Liang Epitaph", unearthed in Yonggu Township, Xiangfen County, Shanxi Province in 1986.The characteristics of the diary are: there are iron ring columns along the three centimeters around the cover of the diary, seal characters on the top (box-shaped) of the 盝〔lulu〕, and characters engraved in different periods around and on the four brake surfaces.The owner of the tomb was buried in the second year of Tianping in the Eastern Wei Dynasty (535 A.D.), which is biography in "Book of Wei" and "History of the North".There are 45 lines of Zhiwen regular script, 45 characters in each line, a total of 1961 characters, which can make up for the omissions and corruptions recorded in history.The Pei family was a large family in the Northern Dynasties, and they had been eunuchs for generations, and they were prominent for a time.The excavation of the epitaph provided valuable information for the study of the history of the Northern Dynasties; "Princess Ruru Lu's Epitaph", the owner of the tomb was buried in the eighth year of Wuding in the Eastern Wei Dynasty (AD 550), and the epitaph was unearthed in Dazhongying Village, Ci County, Hebei in 1979; "Epitaph of Yao Jun and his wife Jingmei", the owner of the tomb was buried in the third year of Tiantong (AD 567) in the Northern Qi Dynasty; "Epitaph of Yao Jun's wife Dugu", the owner of the tomb was buried in the second year of Wuping in the Northern Qi Dynasty (AD 572).The latter two epitaphs were both unearthed in Shenzhuang, Ci County, Hebei in 1975.In addition to making up for the lack of historical records to study the family history, the three epitaphs also provide rich historical materials for the study of the history of the Rouran and Tuyuhun ethnic groups in northern and western my country. "Zhang Jing's Epitaph", carved in the third year of Emperor Kaihuang's reign (583 A.D.), was unearthed in Hefei, Anhui in 1984.Zhiwen provided supporting evidence for the historical fact that Hefei was once called "Hezhen", and supplemented the insufficiency of historical records. "The Stele of Zhengyi Doctor in Qinjiang County, Ningyue County", engraved in the fifth year of Sui Daye (609 A.D.), and unearthed in the Qing Dynasty (1821-1850 A.D.) from the tomb of Ningkui in Qinjiang, Guangxi today; Epitaph of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs", unearthed in Qinjiang County.Both records detail the history of the owner of the tomb during his lifetime, providing important historical materials for the study of the origin of the Ning family in Lingnan.

According to "Qing Qi Gongzhi", the owner of the tomb was from the area of ​​Pingchang (now Suichang, Zhejiang Province). He was the magistrate of Anyang County in the tenth year of Sui Daye (614 A.D.).In the first year of Yining in the Sui Dynasty (AD 617), he was named the founder of Qingqi County, and was buried in Qingfeng Township, Luoyang County, Luozhou in the eighth year of Tang Zhenguan (AD 634).39 lines, 30 characters per line, are important historical materials for the study of Sui history; "Sun Jian Epitaph", the owner of the tomb died in the eighth year of Tang Zhenguan (AD 634), and was buried in the old tomb of Qinghe in the first year of Xianheng (AD 670); Sun Xuanze Epitaph", Sun Xuan was Sun Jianzi, who was buried in Qinghe in the first year of Xianheng.Both records were unearthed in Qiujiana Village, Qinghe County, Hebei Province in 1987.Zhiwen provided reliable information for the investigation of Qinghe county geography in the Tang Dynasty. "An Yuanshou Epitaph", the owner of the tomb was buried in the first year of Tang Guangzhai (AD 684). The epitaph was unearthed in Xinzhai Village, Zhao Town, Liquan County, Shaanxi Province in 1972, one of the accompanying tombs of Zhaoling.There are no biographies of Zhizhu's two Tang books, which can make up for the lack of historical books in the early Tang Dynasty, especially the history of Tang Taizong. "Hei Chi Chang Zhi Epitaph", Hei Chi Chang, named Chang Zhi, styled Heng Yuan, a native of Baekje, sealed in Hei Chi.In the second year of the holy calendar (699 A.D.), he was buried in Beiman Mountain, Luoyang.Zhiwen has 41 lines, each line has 41 characters.Zhang Binglin, a modern scholar, wrote in his postscript: "Black Teeth Changzhi, originally from Baekje. Returned to the Tang Dynasty, and went to General Zuo Wuwei. He died for Zhou Xing, and there is a biography in the Tang Dynasty. The narrative of this chronicle corresponds to history. A few years ago, it was newly published in Luoyang. The epitaph of a boy from Quanquan. Over five or six years later, this aspiration was continued. Both of them are famous generals in Lelang. The land does not love treasures, but they have successively offered auspiciousness"; "Epitaph of Wang Zhihuan", Wang Zhihuan, styled Jiling, Jinyang, Tianbao two years (743 A.D.) Buried in Beiyuan, Luoyang.Written by Jin Neng, a captain of Yongning County, Henan Province, by Xuan Yilang.The official script has 24 lines and 24 characters per line. "Epitaph of a Monarch in Diaoyutai", the owner of the tomb was buried in the 21st year of Tang Kaiyuan (AD 729), and the epitaph was unearthed in Haidian District, Beijing in 1980; "Yin's Epitaph", the owner of the tomb was buried in the second year of Tang Dali (AD 767) , the epitaph was unearthed in Dabaotai, Fengtai District, Beijing in 1981; "Wang Shiyong's Epitaph", the owner of the tomb was buried in the sixth year of Tang Huichang (846 AD), and the epitaph was unearthed in Huaishu Township, Fengtai District, Beijing in 1985; Epitaph", the owner of the tomb was buried in the fifth year of Qianfu in Tang Dynasty (878 A.D.). The epitaph was unearthed in Erligou, Haidian District, Beijing in 1984.These annals provide reliable evidence for the research on the history of counties and townships in the Youzhou area in the Tang Dynasty; "Sun Guangzuo Epitaph", engraved in the twelfth year of Dali in the Tang Dynasty (777 AD), was unearthed in Tashang Village, Zhuoxian County, Hebei Province in 1979.There is no biography of the owner of the tomb in the new and old "Book of Tang".The Zhiwen is well preserved, the narrative is concise, and the calligraphy is beautiful. It is an important historical material for the study of the history and calligraphy art of the Mid-Tang Dynasty; Qu died in the fourth year of Tang Chuigong (AD 688), and his epitaph was unearthed in the Astana cemetery in Turpan, Xinjiang in 1973.His son, Zhang Huaiji, died in the second year of Wuzhou Changshou (AD 693). The epitaph of Zhang Huaiji was unearthed in the Turpan Astana cemetery in the second year of Qing Xuantong (AD 1910).These epitaphs provide important historical materials for discussing the family history of the Zhang family, the relationship between the Zhang family and the Qu family, and the history of Gaochang in the Western Regions.

"Epitaph of Yelu Jiayili", Yelu Jiayili died in the 26th year of Liao Tonghe (AD 1008) and was buried the next year. The epitaph was unearthed in Banjiegou Village, Yushulinzi, Pingquan County, Hebei Province in 1916.The intermarriage between Khitan and Xi people is a manifestation of tribal exogamy, which was not recorded in historical records in the past. This annals provides an example for this kind of marriage system; Year) burial, the epitaph was unearthed in 1976 in Yemaotai Liao Tombs, Faku County, Liaoning.Zhiwen records the life story of this official of the Liao Dynasty, which is conducive to the comparative study of Liao history.

"Zhang Que Epitaph", Zhang Que died in the fourth year of Yuanfeng in the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 1081) and was buried in the eighth year (AD 1085); his wife Du Shi died in the fifth year of Yuanyou in the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 1090) and was buried in the eighth year. Year (AD 1093).The epitaphs of Zhang Que and his wife were unearthed in Shengdeng Township in the eastern suburbs of Chengdu, Sichuan in 1984.Zhiwen provided important historical materials for the study of the custom of "stopping mourning" in the Song Dynasty, Fengshui geography, Yin and Yang taboos, etc.; "Wei Xian's Epitaph", Wei Xian died in the eighth year of Jiayou in the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 1063), the epitaph was written by Sima Guang, about It was unearthed near Guanjiafu Village in the northeast of the old city of Pinglu, Shanxi in the early Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty.There is no biography of the master in the "History of the Song Dynasty", and the text can fill the gap. It is an important historical material for the study of the relationship between Wei Xian and Sima Guang, Sima Guang's historical relics and the history of the Northern Song Dynasty; He died in 1065 AD. The epitaph was written by Su Song and stored in Wang's ancestral hall in Xingyang County, Henan Province.Zhiwen has 1827 characters, reflecting the Wang family, especially the marital status of Wang Tian and his children.The Wang family is famous, and the author is a famous scholar. The materials of many people involved in the Zhiwen provide more credible information for studying the social conditions at that time, enriching or confirming the "History of Song Dynasty"; "Epitaph of Dong Kangsi", Dong Kangsi died In the sixth year of Qingyuan in the Southern Song Dynasty (1201 AD), his wife Zhou died in the second year of Kaixi in the Southern Song Dynasty (1206 AD) and was buried together the following year.His mother, Zhou Ren, was buried in the first year of Longxing in the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1163). The Epitaph of Dong Kangsi, Zhou's Epitaph and Zhou Ren's Epitaph were all unearthed in Zhuji, Zhejiang.These records reflect that this place was called "Taozhu Township" in the Song Dynasty, which provided physical evidence to confirm historical records, historical legends and the evolution of Zhuji. "Jia She Epitaph", Jia She died in the 16th year of Jiading in the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1223). The epitaph was written by his son Jia Guandao, and the traitor Jia Sidao in the Southern Song Dynasty was his second son.Zhiwen has important historical value for the study of the Jia family and related social issues.

"Nanxinzhuang Jin Epitaph", the owner of the tomb died between Jin Zhenyuan and Zhenglong (1153-1160 A.D.). After 1949, the epitaph was unearthed in Nanxinzhuang, Haidian District, Beijing.Although the Zhiwen is incomplete, it provides useful information on the people's organization of rebels against the gold in the early Jin Dynasty and the economic and military conditions in the north in the early Jin Dynasty. "Zhou Wen's epitaph", Zhou Wen died in the sixth year of Ming Chenghua (AD 1470), and his wife Zhang died in the seventh year of Ming Xuande (AD 1432). In 1983, "Zhou Wen's Epitaph" and "Zhang's Epitaph" were both unearthed in Taicang County, Jiangsu.Zhou Wen traveled to the West with Zheng He six times in his life.The discovery of this epitaph has enriched the first-hand materials for the study of Zheng He's voyages, and can also correct some errors in the records.At the same time, it also provides evidence for the study of the relationship between Zheng He and Liujiagang in Taicang.