Qiao Panfeng

Abstract：According to the color photos published in the Digital Archives of the Institute of History and Philology, we found two new graphs inHe《合》35344. Based on the wordfafound in transmitted paleographic materials and bamboo and silk manuscripts, we believe that the graphin the oracle bone inscriptions is composed ofge戈 andtun豚, and writesfatoo. It is found only once in the oracle bone inscriptions and is used as a place name. The same carrier also has the graph, and we believe it to be a new character as well. The bottom part of the graph is incomplete and it is used as a person’s name. On this basis, the article provides a new transcription of the text and corrects earlier mistakes.

Key words：new characters,fa,He《合》35344

Study of the “Spirit Star” in the TsinghuaSiShiManuscript

Liu Aimin

Abstract:The TsinghuaSiShi四时 bamboo manuscript includes the star name “Spirit Star” 灵星, the annotators did not specify the meaning of “Spirit Star”, merely noting that it corresponds to Vega 织女星, this explanation requires further discussion. The Spirit Star actually corresponds to Antares 大火星, not Vega. There are four reasons： First, Gao Zi 高子, a contemporary to theSiShimanuscript said that the Spirit Star was Antares; Second, from the origin and development of the term “Spirit Star” it can be seen that it should be Antares; Third, by comparing theSiShito transmitted texts such as theLüshiChunqiuwe can infer that it should be Antares; Fourth, according to theSiShi, the “Spirit Star” should be part of the seven asterisms of the Azure Dragon of the East. Yet Vega is not in the zodiac and therefore we know that the “Spirit Star” can not be Vega. The discussion about this problem is not only helpful for understanding the TsinghuaSiShi, but also presents an attempt to solve the problems left over by history.

Key words：Tsinghua bamboo manuscripts,SiShi, Spirit Star

Reading Notes on Volume IX of the Tsinghua Bamboo Manuscripts

He Yijun

Abstract:This article draws on related forms in bronze inscriptions to analyze the graphin the bamboo manuscriptZhiZhengZhiDao治政之道. It argues that that the wordin the phrasesgangzhi..hui刚之毁, androuzhi..ren柔之銋should be read asji疾, meaning “fast” 速. The article further explains the graphin the sentencechenqieqipi,qieyi..zhu臣妾辟，窃义主, and argues that ..zhu主can be read asjuezhu谲主 found in ancient text, meaning to cheat the ruler.

Keyword：Tsinghua Bamboo Manuscripts，Zhizhengzhidao治政之道，ChengRen成人

New Explanation on the Offices “Youzi” and “Xiaozi” in the Jin Writing System

Tang Zhibiao

Abstract:The office Yiaozi 斿子in the Jin writing system should be read as Rouzai腬宰, which is the official in charge of the government kitchen. The office read as Xiaozi孝子 in the past should be read as Chuzai畜宰, who is in charge of managing sacrificial animals.

Key words：Jin writing system, officials, Yiaozi 斿子, Rouzai 腬宰, Xiaozi 孝子

Five Notes on Ancient Seals

Qu Tong

Abstract:The last graph of seal 1654 inGuxihuibianwas originally interpreted ashuai褱, and it should actually be interpreted asli褢. On page 14 of theCollectionofSealsoftheNationalMuseumofHistory, there is an uninterpreted seal from the Jin Dynasty, which is interpreted by some scholars as “比亡(“无”or“毋—勿”)(—媚)”. I argue that it is a ligature ofnümang女盲 and should be read aswuwang毋望 orwuwang毋忘. The next character of seal 2784 inGuxihuibianis damaged. After reconstructing the strokes, we know that the character wrotenü 女. A private seal disclosed on someone’s website was originally interpreted aswen..xia..文□下□. The picture is turned upside down, so the seal should be interpreted aswenshangzhizhi? 王上之至(？). Seal 4900 inGuxihuibianshould be read either asshenhejingting慎和敬听 orjingtingshenhe敬听慎和, meaning to listen and respond carefully.

Key words：ancient seals, interpretation, additions and corrections

Explanation of an Alternative Form forMiin Qi Script

Hou Jianming & Xiaoyi

Key words：Qi Seal Writing, Qi Pottery Writing,mi密

Examination of the Newly DiscoveredYangquSpear

Liu Qiurui

Abstract:This article corrects the inscription recorded for theHeyangspear in paleographic reference works based on the newly discoveredYangquspear. According to the format of the inscription and the use of “Yangqu”, the paper proposes that the two bronze spears originated from Zhao. Furthermore, based on the characteristics of the inscription, the writing of the graphs, and the physical characteristics of the bronze spear, we can surmise that the two spears were made no later than the twenty-eighth year of King Huiwen ofZhao, that is 271BC.

Key words：Yangquspear, New Discovery, Zhao state

A New Understanding of Ministers UsingErand
RuWhen Addressing the Ruler During the Pre-Qin Period

Yu Houkai

Abstract:Before the Spring and Autumn period, ministers addressing the ruler usinger尔andru汝 was rather common. From the late Warring States period onwards, especially after the first Emperor of Qin unified China, hierarchical division increased incessantly, to the point that after the Qin dynasty, ministers no longer dared to address the emperor witherorru. Nevertheless, because most of the pre-Qin classics were collated and edited under the Han, some newer ideas may have entered the texts. The Six Classics including theShangShu《尚书》and theShiJing《诗经》were not easily changed because of their elevated status as classics, and as a result, contain examples of ministers addressing the ruler witherandru. The unearthing of bamboo slips formed during the Warring States period, provides new evidence for us to reveal again the phenomenon of ministers addressing their ruler witherandru.

Key words：the pre-Qin period, minister addressing the ruler,er尔,ru汝

A New Interpretation ofDuli

Shan Yinfei

Abstract Critics’ opinions differ on the nature ofDuli. According toGengmingzhiinLiyeQin Bamboo Strips,Dulicame into being with the unification of Qin Dynasty and was renamed fromChengzhuanke. Combining analysis onChengzhuankeand examples ofDuli, the present study argues that, rather than referring to certain official, orDali,ZhangliandJunli,Dulimeans ambassadors taking theZhuan. They were mainly dispatched by the emperor, andErqianshiofficials and above.

Further Discussion on the Heaven Plate of Liuren Device

Zhang Yusi

Abstract:Focusing on excavated Liuren cosmic divination devices dating from the Han to Northern and Southern dynasties, this article explores the meaning of their layout and component elements with reference to transmitted mantic texts. The hemerological notion of the twelve solar stations common in Warring States, Qin and Han culture, provides a clue to the operation of the Liuren devices, and they all take Yin 寅 as the first month of the year. The Fuyang Liuren disc takes this standard arrangement of the twelve solar stations, however, different layouts of the twenty-eight lunar mansions appeared in line with the needs of specific shi-divination, causing a mismatch between other Liuren devices and this prevalent arrangement. A record in theHuangdiLongshouJing《黄帝龙首经》presents contemporary efforts to bridge this gap. Liuren discs are designed based on a pattern where the twenty-eight lunar mansions and the Big Dipper revolve clockwise and the sun revolves counter-clockwise within the mansions. But the Big dipper and twenty-eight lunar mansions on the heaven plate of Liuren device are rather symbols of heavenly order and are hardly involved in the operation of shi-divination, and conversely offer the possibility to operate other divinations on the Liuren device.

Key words：Liuren, Shi device, solar stations, Big Dipper, twenty-eight lunar mansions

Study of theXianguanShangJiZhifaDecree from the Yuelu Academy Qin Manuscripts： With a Discussion on the “Forwarding of Accounts”ShangJiSystem before the Han Dynasty

Cao Tianjiang

Abstract:A picture of Qin counties’ practice of “forwarding of accounts” (shangji上计) can be outlined by analyzing theXianguanshangjizhifa县官上计执法 decree from volume four of the Yuelu Academy Qin manuscripts, and comparing it to other historical materials. At the end of each year, the Scribe Director 令史 and other subordinate officials went to the commandery government to hand in accounting documents, this is referred to asshangji上计. When the Aide 丞 of the county was kept in charge of the annual statistical affairs, this was referred to asjiangji将计. The “records”zhi志 and “evaluations”ke课 of the county were sent to the commandery government in batches by the responsible Scribe Director for verification and inquiries. With the development of state-building, on the one hand, the number of documents required to be submitted at the end of the year and the corresponding regulations increased rapidly, on the other hand, the government also tried to simplify the submission procedure through specific rules such as demanding that some documents were handed in together and by reducing the relevant staff. TheXianguanshangjizhifadecree is one of the products of this complex process. The Qin government’s year-end statistics and reporting work were carried out multiple times in various ways, and was constantly adjusted according to changes in requirements, and should be regarded as a group of tasks continuously changing, surrounding a stable core composed of the submission of specific accounting documents.

Key words：Yuelu Academy Qin manuscripts, Forwarding of accounts (shangji上计),yujixie与计偕, clerical administration

Study of the Containers of Qin and Han Dynasty Official Documents

Wang Guihai

Abstract:In the Qin and Han dynasties, official documents and files were usually sealed or temporarily stored in some kind of container during delivery and procession. Judging from excavated and transmitted records, the containers divided into two categories:nangtuo囊橐 (satchel) andsi笥 (box). The difference in the color ofnangtuoindicates the different types and properties of the documents contained. There are also different grades ofsi, the most common beingbamboosi竹笥,reedsi苇笥in individual cases, andlacqueredwoodsi漆木笥 (lacqueredsi漆笥) for high-grade ones. There are also casket (wooden boxes) specially used foryuanshu爰书(formal reports) andxiangren象人. Limited to materials, there has been less discussion onbamboosi,lacqueredsi, and casket than onnangtuo. This paper collects data from unearthed manuscripts and the archaeologically retrieved artefacts themselves, and unveils the actual practice of storing and sealing official documents withnangtuo,si, and casket in the Han Dynasty.

Key words：official documents,nangtuo(satchel),si(box), casket (wooden box)

Correcting a Misunderstanding about the Establishment of a “Jianshui County” During the Western Han Dynasty： With a Discussion on the Reason for the Loss of Jianshui Duwei in the “Dili Zhi” ofHanShu

Liu Anhao

Abstract:Some scholars have argued based on the phrasejianshuishouxianwei肩水守县尉 on the Han dynasty wooden slip No.140.5 from Juyan, that there was a Jianshui County in Zhangye Commandery during the Western Han Dynasty, which was not listed in the “Dili Zhi” ofHanShu《汉书·地理志》. However, there were problems with the earlier interpretation of that slip, and by comparing the graphs on the wooden slip, it appears thatshouxianwei守县尉was an error forshouchengwei守城尉. There are also misinterpretations of other related materials, and accordingly, there actually was no Jianshui County in the Western Han Dynasty. The JianshuiDuwei都尉defense area did not hold a civil government in the form of a county. The sources of the “Dili Zhi” ofHanShuare civilian accounting records. TheDuweidid not rule a county or civilians, and did not separately forward accounting records, they were recorded with their respective county in the records of the “Dili Zhi”. As there was no county in the area, the records of the JianshuiDuweicould not be attached thereto, and so they were not recorded in the “Dili Zhi” ofHanShu.

Key words：Jianshui County, JianshuiDuwei, Han dynasty wooden slips from northwest China, “Dili Zhi” ofHanShu, official capacity to forward accounts

A Study on the Central Service Office Iron Sword from the Third Year of the Xiping Era in the Eastern Han Dynasty: With a Discussion on Iron Casting Technology in Early China

Sun Wenbo

Abstract:The Han dynasty represents a highpoint in the development of iron sword production in Early China. An iron sword with gold inlaid inscriptions dated from the third year of the Xiping 熹平 era of the Eastern Han Dynasty is the earliest sword found that was forged by the Central Service Office中尚方, it also contains the longest inscription to date among iron swords from the Han Dynasty. This sword could shed light on the history of ancient Chinese weapons, the history of science and technology, the imperial workshop system and the politics of the late Eastern Han Dynasty. The manufactories under the office of Palace Revenues 少府 were divided into two categories, the Outer and Central Palace Establishments. In the Han Dynasty, the Directorate for Imperial Manufactories was responsible for making swords and other special artifacts for the emperor, it was a representative of the Central Palace Establishments. The Central Service Office sword was used for decoration and the entertainment of the owner and not for the execution of officials. The “five casting and twenty-five forging” mentioned in the inscription refers to metallurgical technique, reflecting a casting process that included both casting and forging. The appearance of Early Chinese “steel casting” methods could possibly be traced back to the late Eastern Han Dynasty. This sword reflects not only the technological and management controls of the Central Service Office but also the ascension to power of the eunuch’s in the late Eastern Han Dynasty in that the Central Service Office was supervised by Cao Jie.

Key words：Eastern Han Dynasty, iron sword, Central Service Office 中尚方, the method of casting and forging, eunuchs