《皇明恩命世录》

The Record of Imperial Grace and Appointments of the Great Ming: A collection of imperial appointments, edicts, and sacrificial texts issued by Ming emperors to Daoist figures. It is included in The Chinese Daoist Canon: Biographies of Immortals and Eminent Daoists.

Contents of The Record of Imperial Grace and Appointments of the Great Ming

Volume One

Eulogies composed by the Emperor Gao of the Great Ancestor (Ming Taizu)

Volume Two

Recruitment proclamation

Letter of reply encouraging the recipient to purify the mind, settle the nature, and consolidate Daoist practice

Edict bestowing praise on the Celestial Master

Edict ordering the widespread use of talisman water, a ritual technique in which Fulu and water are used together

Letter ordering the selection of Daoist masters versed in the Daoist arts to attend at court

Patent conferring the title “Great Perfected” on the forty-second-generation Celestial Master

Revised grant of the title “Great Perfected” to the thirty-ninth-generation Celestial Master

Revised conferral of the title “Mysterious Lord” on the immortal maiden Lady Hu

Patent granting authority over Daoist affairs in perpetuity and ordering that it be passed down through the family

Dispatch of a representative to offer sacrifices at Mount Song

Sacrificial text of admonition composed by the emperor

Volume Three

Patent conferring the title “Great Perfected” on the forty-third-generation Celestial Master

Special summons to attend at court

Grant of a message encouraging the cultivation of integrity to communicate with the spirits

Patent conferring the title “Mysterious Lord” on Lady Bao

Edict prohibiting the private issuance of Fulu

The Mountain of the Chengzu Emperor Wen

Sacrificial text of admonition composed by the emperor

Volume Three

Patent conferring the title “Great Perfected” on the forty-third-generation Celestial Master

Special summons to attend at court

Grant of a message encouraging the cultivation of integrity to communicate with the spirits

Patent conferring the title “Mysterious Lord” on Lady Bao

Edict prohibiting the private issuance of Fulu

Records from the Yongle reign of Emperor Chengzu Wen (Ming Chengzu, Zhu Di)

Order to compile and submit Daoist books

Order to reward efficacious responses during Zhaijiao rites

Edict ordering the dedicated issuance of Fulu

Order to invite the Perfected Immortal Zhang Sanfeng

Renewed order to search for Zhang Sanfeng

Sacrificial text delivered by an envoy

Sacrificial text for a rite conducted by the Crown Prince’s representative

Volume Four

Patent conferring the title “Great Perfected” on the forty-fourth-generation Celestial Master

Order to select and appoint people devoted to the Dao

Grant of the Circular Light Diagram of Taihe and langmei fruit; Taihe Mountain is Wudang Mountain, and langmei is a kind of plum fruit produced there

Order to select an abbot for Wudang Mountain

Order to pray at the Lingji Palace in Fujian, with a reward for the auspicious response

Summons and imperial command

Patent conferring the title “Mysterious Lord” on Lady Sun

Order to conduct a grand rite of prayer and thanksgiving, with a reward for the auspicious response

Order to conduct a grand rite for the commendation of the deceased, with a reward for the auspicious response

Records from the Xuande reign of Emperor Xuanzong Zhang (Ming Xuanzong, Zhu Zhanji)

Extension of imperial favor and bestowal of an auspicious title

Additional order to select an abbot for Wudang Mountain

Order to pray at the Lingji Palace in Fujian, with a reward for the auspicious response

Summons and imperial command

Patent conferring the title “Mysterious Lord” on Lady Sun

A Grand Purification Retreat Commissioned for Prayer and Thanksgiving, with Auspicious Signs Rewarded and Honored

A Grand Purification Retreat Commissioned for Recommendation and Praise, with Auspicious Signs Rewarded and Honored

During the Xuande reign of Emperor Xuanzong, the Zhang Emperor

Extending imperial favor and granting an additional honorific title

An imperial patent conferring an additional title

A eunuch was dispatched to convey the decree, present sacrificial offerings, and arrange the burial

Volume Five

An imperial patent appointing the forty-fifth generation Great Perfected One

An imperial patent posthumously honoring Sun as a Mysterious Lady

During the Zhengtong and Tianshun reigns of Emperor Yingzong, the Rui Emperor

An imperial patent honoring Dong as a Mysterious Lady

A Secretary of the Ministry of Rites and an Assistant Director of the Ministry of Works were dispatched to convey the decree, present sacrificial offerings, and arrange the burial

Volume Six

An imperial patent appointing the forty-sixth generation Great Perfected One

An imperial patent posthumously honoring his father as a Perfected One

An imperial patent honoring his mother, Lady Gao, as a Mysterious Lady

A prohibition against clan members and associated persons bullying or harming others

An imperial edict granting the Daoist Canon

A prohibition against others issuing Fulu (talismans used in Daoist rites for prayers, protection, and summoning)

An imperial patent honoring Lady Gao with the title Supreme Mysterious Lady

A further imperial patent honoring Lady Gao with the title Supreme Mysterious Lady

During the Jingtai reign of Emperor Jing, the Jing Emperor

An imperial patent conferring an additional honor on the forty-sixth generation Great Perfected One

During the Chenghua reign of Emperor Xianzong, the Chun Emperor

A renewed prohibition against forging Fulu

A further imperial patent conferring an additional honor on the forty-sixth generation Great Perfected One

Volume Seven

An imperial patent appointing the forty-seventh generation Great Perfected One

An imperial patent honoring his mother, Lady Hao, as a Mysterious Lady

A renewed prohibition against forging Fulu

During the Hongzhi reign of Emperor Xiaozong, the Jing Emperor

Permission to retire

A document granting commendation and consolation

An order prohibiting the forging of Fulu

An edict granting a hanging scroll and silver

An edict ordering the collection of incense offerings, fees for ritual incense burning and sacrifice

Volume Eight

An imperial patent appointing the forty-eighth generation Great Perfected One

During the Zhengde reign of Emperor Wuzong, the Yi Emperor

Construction of the Great Shangqing Palace

During the Jiajing reign of Emperor Shizong, the Su Emperor

An imperial patent conferring an additional honor on the Great Perfected One

An additional honor for the Great Perfected One

An order to conduct a prayer ritual at Mount Taihe

Reconstruction of the Great Perfected One’s residence

An imperial command granting a divine image and seal

Renovation of the Great Shangqing Palace

An edict permitting the household to retain its former exemption from corvée labor

Praise Bestowed by Emperor Taizu Gao upon the Twenty Generations of Celestial Masters of Longhu Mountain

First Generation: Zhang Daoling

Zhang Daoling could command wind and thunder and summon the myriad spirits. He truly possessed wisdom like that of the gods, able to transform turbidity into clarity. The Dao he cultivated was ever-present and never concealed; his heart held a vast store of the immortals’ scriptures. Riding a deer and mounted on a tiger, he ascended freely into the heavens.

Second Generation: Zhang Heng

With a single step, Zhang Heng could soar through the air, mastering the most subtle and profound arts of the Dao. He held Fulu (talismans and registers used in Daoism to convey divine intent and perform ritual arts), issuing his judgments as he rode a wondrous sheep-drawn carriage. He traveled to and from Jade Capital, the legendary palace realm of the heavens, covering ten thousand miles in an instant. He brought Kan and Li, Water and Fire, into harmony, like a fish leaping up from the abyss.

Third Generation: Zhang Lu

Zhang Lu inherited and spread the arts of the Dao, while incense smoke rose from a furnace among the pines. In a cavern, immortal flowers flourished like peach blossoms in spring, bearing as many as three thousand fruits. White cranes spread their wings across the sky, while deer rested peacefully beneath the cliffs. Above the nine heavens, jade pendants rang out; the immortals’ fire jujubes ripened year after year.

The original text then repeats, “He traveled to and from Jade Capital, covering ten thousand miles in an instant. Kan and Li came into harmony, and a fish leapt from the abyss,” and again identifies “Third Generation: Zhang Lu.”

He carries forward and expounds the Daoist arts; incense smoke curls upward beneath the pines. Blossoms in Peach Blossom Cave are tender, and the fruit grows in clusters—three thousand in all. White cranes cross the sky, while deer sleep beneath the rocks. From the Nine Heavens comes the sound of jade pendants, and fire dates ripen year after year.

Fourth Generation: Zhang Sheng

He inherited the Fulu (talismans and registers) and scriptures, and his fame reached the Heavenly Court. He made Daoism endure for generations, as if he could turn the Big Dipper and shift the stars. At dawn he traveled across the Northern Sea; at dusk, ancient pines welcomed him. He bore the aspirations of the patriarch and traveled in a deer-drawn carriage.

Fifth Generation: Zhang Zhaocheng

He strode swiftly with sword in hand, its light illuminating the stars. The myriad spirits obeyed his commands, and his divine steps carried him along the roads of Heaven. He slew demons and bound evil spirits, his power matching his master’s. He aided those afflicted by disaster and warded off calamity; with a breath, his vital energy flowed freely.

Sixth Generation: Zhang Jiao

He refined lead and mercury into cinnabar, and the smoke condensed into purple clouds. Within the cavern lay a world of its own, where peach blossoms brought the spring. He did not claim credit for his good deeds or boast of himself. The sun and moon were his within the pot—what realm could surpass this?

Seventh Generation: Zhang Hui

Beneath the ancient pines, he stroked a deer; holding a feather fan, he climbed to the summit. His Daoist arts accorded with the principle of Wuwei (non-action). He inherited his master’s work and received an honorific title. He could transform what was harmful into what was good, while wondrous powers worked unseen. Knowing the constant Dao, he kept to silence and enjoyed the Dao’s delights in serene ease.

Eighth Generation: Zhang Jiong

He scorned worldly customs and loved to dwell in a thatched hut. A pair of white cranes stayed by his side, and he rode a zhi deer, a legendary beast. Beneath the moon, stars raced across the sky; he could turn yellow into green. Daoist Qi remained within him, and year after year he practiced Bigu (abstaining from grains) to cultivate health and longevity.

Ninth Generation: Zhang Fu

He lay drunk beneath a pine, his clothes shrouded in white clouds. Though he seemed too drunk to wake, he was in fact clear-minded and at ease, able to command hidden forces. He displayed supernatural powers: white cranes and flying swords sprang into action together. Demons shrank back and fled, and even monstrous fiends were subdued.

Tenth Generation: Zhang Zixiang

Peach blossoms had just opened in the cave, and the pines were green in the spring sunlight. He reclined high among the white clouds, clothed in immortal mugwort. He called to the spring and gave the command; the flying sword obeyed, speeding through the air. This supreme realm of the perfected one is truly wondrous.

Eleventh Generation: Zhang Tongxuan

He conjured the illusion of the yellow millet dream and used Zhongli’s secret arts, commanding clouds to follow and summoning thunder and lightning. The pines roared through a thousand ravines, while the light of the Elixir shone brightly at night. Clad in a crane-feather robe, he drifted beyond the dust of the world, at one with the clouds and rosy mists.

Twelfth Generation: Zhang Heng

Their cultivation of Dao and De (Virtue) equals that of the ancients, and they can command thunder. With one hand resting on a treasured sword and their eyes closed in quiet meditation, they leave no room for demonic influences to arise. They wield the arts transmitted by Zhongli Quan, commanding clouds to follow and summoning lightning to flash through the sky. Pines roar across the mountain valleys, and at night the light of the Elixir shines bright. Clad in a crane-feather cloak, they drift beyond the dusty world; nowhere suits them better than among the mist and rosy clouds.

Twelfth Generation: Zhang Heng

His cultivation of Dao and De (Virtue) equals that of the ancients, and he can command thunder. With one hand resting on a treasured sword and his eyes closed in quiet meditation, he leaves no room for demonic influences to arise. His spirit roams to the farthest reaches in all directions, then rises straight to the heavenly court. Such an affinity with the immortals is truly rare: he transcends the mortal world, his mind and spirit ever clear.

Thirteenth Generation: Zhang Guang

He refines a spiritual elixir through the method of ninefold alchemical transformation; lead and mercury are essential ingredients. Wherever he performs his arts, thatch flies into the air, and demons seem to hang upside down. The Divine Pivot—mysterious mechanism or art—glares with imposing authority, able to see into the depths below the Yellow Springs. He gazes up at the Three Realms, while his vast, righteous energy spreads like smoke.

Fourteenth Generation: Zhang Cizheng

At dawn he arrives at a mountain peak, then drinks wine and enters the markets of the dusty world. Even after drinking heavily, he does not become drunk; by evening he returns to the purple mists and rosy clouds. The mountain clouds seem swept aside by the pines, and his grotto dwelling has been sealed for a thousand years. He can live among ordinary people without being stained by their ways—a state at once profound and more profound still.

Fifteenth Generation: Zhang Gao

Zhuangzi once served as an official in the lacquer garden and also wrote of the dream of the Kingdom of Huai’an. These stories show that all things in the world are like dreams and illusions, yet they have been passed down through the ages. A master must be skilled at cultivating himself to reach the immortal Way. His heart is empty, still, and clear, never clouded; the energy of the Dao remains abundant within him.

Sixteenth Generation: Zhang Yingshao

By the sixteenth generation, they could all practice bigu, abstaining from the five grains in cultivation. They ate Polygonatum each day, a common food-medicine in Daoist practice, and their appearance and bearing differed from those of ordinary people. Even as the years passed, they remained as they had been. The west wind blows as he rides on an ox’s back, with a stretch of scenery before him among verdant mountains.

Seventeenth Generation: Zhang Yi

Even in the direst danger, he could preserve himself; though unable to escape, he could still follow Heaven’s will. This shows that you are an immortal, and that you are wise. The transmission of the Daoist arts reached the seventeenth generation, and the energy of the Dao rose high above the clouds and mist. Who would call his conduct mad? And who could say this was merely an accidental affinity with the immortals?

Eighteenth Generation: Zhang Shiyuan

When he casts Fulu (talismans and registers), they prove efficacious, and the ancestral lineage of the rites has been handed down. By this generation, his fame had spread far and wide. The Elixir’s light rises upward, and the energy of the Northern Dipper grows ever brighter; his spirit travels ceaselessly and dwells always in the celestial realms of the Three Pure Ones.

Nineteenth Generation: Zhang Xiu

Mountain mist veils the peaks, while rosy clouds like red dawn spread and mingle. Fulu (talismans and registers) fly forth, commanding ghosts and spirits; none dares refuse the summons. Who says you are numinous? Who says you are mysterious? He hangs up his cap and removes his clothes, roaming freely as he delights in the Dao and cultivates.

Zhang Chen, the Twentieth Generation

Wearing a cap and clothed in clouds, he has always embodied the Daoist spirit in its purest form. Fenzi (a Daoist term of uncertain meaning) conceal hidden mysteries; within the alchemical vessel, all remains undivided. A few moves are made on the board, and black and white pieces race like stars. The supreme, mysterious Dao lies hidden deep in the Dantian (energy center), as weighty as the earth.

End of Records of Imperial Favor and Commands, Great Ming, Volume One

Records of Imperial Favor and Commands, Great Ming, Volume Two

The Daoist spirit has always been pure and full. Fenzi conceal hidden mysteries; within the alchemical vessel, all remains undivided. A few moves are made on the board, and black and white pieces race like stars. The supreme, mysterious Dao lies hidden deep in the Dantian, as weighty as the earth.

End of Records of Imperial Favor and Commands, Great Ming, Volume One

Records of Imperial Favor and Commands, Great Ming, Volume Two

Records of Imperial Favor and Commands, Great Ming, Volume Two

Zhang Zhengchang, the Forty-Second-Generation Celestial Master and Great Perfected One

Recruitment Proclamation

King Wu issued an order to the Regional Secretariat of Jiangxi and other areas: We have heard that the Mysterious Teaching (Daoism) prizes purity and Wuwei (non-action), and can quietly assist in governing the state. The grand enterprise of the imperial house has now begun, and moral instruction should therefore be strongly promoted. As for the person who has attained the Dao, he has long dwelt in a blessed land. Since he has already been entered in the state household register, his status and dignified bearing should receive special recognition.

The Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) leader at Mount Longhu in Xinzhou, the Celestial Master and Great Perfected One, descends by bloodline from Zhang Liang, Marquis of Liu, and by true transmission from Laozi. Entrusted by the ancestral masters, he can command the myriad spirits. His mind and spirit roam alongside the workings of creation, rising above all things. Among all sentient beings, there is none who does not take refuge in him. Yet ever since the upheaval of war, the many demands of government business have kept him from his former duties. We have recently heard that, dressed in his ceremonial robes and cap, he is far away amid rivers and lakes. We have therefore sent people to seek him, hoping he will return to the mountain soon.

The provincial authorities have already dispatched officials bearing incense to the ancestral altar at Mount Longhu, to reverently invite the True Immortal and pray for the Emperor’s longevity. Notices should also be posted throughout the area: the commander-in-chief and relevant officials are to search for the Celestial Master, seek his return by every means, and respectfully invite him back to the mountain to resume overseeing Daoist affairs. No one may trample, damage, or profane the palaces, temples, halls, ritual objects, or daily utensils at Mount Longhu. The forests, fields, and houses that have traditionally belonged to the mountain shall remain under the Celestial Master’s control. Military personnel and civilians alike may not seize them; offenders will be punished. Let this notice be posted throughout the area.

Issued on a day in a month of the sixth year of Longfeng.

In the fourth month of this year:

A letter replying with encouragement to clear the mind and spirit, settle one’s nature, and gather the effort devoted to cultivation.

King Wu writes to the leader of the Mysterious Altar, the forty-second-generation Celestial Master, Perfected Zhang: On the sixth day of the fifth month, Perfected Yu arrived and delivered your letter. Also, from the fourth month of this year… a letter replying with encouragement to clear the mind, settle one’s nature, and gather the effort devoted to the Dao.

The King of Wu writes to the Master of the Mysterious Altar, the forty-second Celestial Master, the Perfected Zhang. On the sixth day of the fifth month, Perfected Yu came to present the letter and offer precious incense and white silk. His kindness and sincerity were most generous. This is ample evidence of the flourishing Daoist relics and traditions in the famous mountains.

I have heard that the founding Celestial Master of the Han dynasty, Zhang Daoling, possessed profound De. He could communicate with spirits and gods, and divine beings came to his aid at the slightest gesture. With a breath, the signs of the heavens would change; the gods of thunder and lightning all obeyed his commands. He used these powers to assist the state and aid the people, drive out demons and evil forces, and help those suffering from floods and droughts. Thus, after more than forty generations, his renown continues to grow.

Now that the Master has inherited the position of his forebears, he should carry on their achievements. No other arts can compare with these achievements. I hope the Master will purify his spirit and quiet his nature, gathering his efforts in cultivation so that the numinous traces left by his forebears may shine forth still more brightly. Then Longhu Mountain, the ancestral seat of the Celestial Masters’ tradition, will be held in even greater esteem, and people will revere it all the more.

Summer is approaching. I do not know whether the Master is in good health; I hope he will take the utmost care.

In the year yisi, the emperor summoned the Celestial Master, invited him to take his seat, and bestowed a banquet upon him.

An imperial edict conferring praise upon the Celestial Master.

The kinds of living beings between Heaven and Earth differ, yet they continue to multiply without end. Among them, humans are the most spiritually gifted. Sages and holy persons are born endowed with the most refined Qi between Heaven and Earth. Though extraordinary, such people have always appeared among the sages of the world. Perhaps Heaven grants them their abilities, then conveys them to the people through the mandate of Heaven. Some become emperors, ministers, or generals; in Buddhism and Daoism, some become Buddhas or attain immortality. Though born of the righteous Qi of Heaven and Earth, they receive different abilities from Heaven and so achieve different things.

I have heard that the Celestial Master Zhang of the Han dynasty—an honorific Daoists use for Zhang Daoling—was unusual from birth. His features were strong and well defined, his beard thick, and his eyes shone like stars racing and lightning flashing. His spiritual power was extraordinary. He first traveled from western Shu to Mount Longhu, where he commanded spirits and ghosts and established the Mystery Altar, a Daoist ritual site. He did more than cultivate body and mind: he also truly benefited the state and its people. He once held back great calamities, responded to disasters, and explained the affairs of spirits and ghosts in the Three Realms—the different worlds of Heaven, Earth, and humanity, among others. These deeds have been passed down from generation to generation. No dynasty has failed to honor him. Why? Because the Celestial Master’s efficacy has benefited the people.

I was born among ordinary people and, amid the turmoil of the realm, was embraced by the people as their leader. I dare not spare any effort in bringing peace to them. I have often heard accounts of the Celestial Master’s deeds, and now to see him with my own eyes is a source of great joy. When I saw him, his eyes flashed like lightning, and his bearing was dignified and commanding. Though he holds no office at court, he lives in the same age as I do. Is this not an encounter that comes once in a thousand years? It is truly remarkable.

The profound principles of Buddhism and Daoism, however, contain deep meaning. The ignorant do not understand them; those who do understand must not be led astray. Following the constant Way brings good fortune; going against it brings calamity, and one’s blessings rise or fall accordingly. I admired the Celestial Master’s bearing and felt that his appearance resembled that of the founding patriarch, so I bestowed gifts upon him.

The emperor summoned the Celestial Master to court once more for an audience, gave a banquet and presented him with gold and silk, then sent him back to his mountain.

In the Bingwu year, the emperor ordered Fulu water to be administered throughout the realm. Fulu water is ritually prepared water into which Daoist talismans are dissolved, for people to drink or otherwise use.

King Hao issued an order, saying: I have heard that the Han Celestial Master (referring to Daoist masters of the Zhang Celestial Master lineage) is proficient in profound and wondrous Daoist arts, able to communicate with Heaven and Earth, aid the common people, and ward off misfortune and disaster for the state. Whenever sages of past dynasties prayed, none failed to receive a response. Now the Celestial Master resides at Chaotian Palace, and the people come in crowds to seek talismans. The Celestial Master should consider this carefully when issuing Fulu: ascertain whether those seeking talismans have met with hardship, and give them only to those truly in difficulty; households without hardship need not be given them.

If the Fulu are all distributed and later someone suddenly meets with calamity, ignorant people, not understanding the reason, will think the talisman method is ineffective and may even treat one another with contempt and spread unfounded rumors. I fear this would harm the Celestial Master’s reputation. I am not yet certain whether the method of giving talismans only to those in hardship and not to those without hardship is appropriate. You should discuss this with the various Daoist masters and distribute talisman water universally (a prayer-ritual method of casting talismans into water for people to drink), and employ profound arts, thereby causing Xiushan to manifest its numinous efficacy.

Later I heard that those afflicted with illness recovered after drinking the talisman water from the well. I commend this, and have ordered a pavilion built over the well and named the well “Taiyi Spring.” I have ordered the Taishang Yanxi Lu (a Daoist scripture for invoking blessings and prolonging life) to be presented, and permitted the Celestial Master to take leave and return to the mountain. I have also specially issued an edict ordering the Secretariat to issue a courier voucher so that the Celestial Master may come to court.

The eighth day of the second month of the dingwei year, the first year of Hao.

Letter Ordering the Selection of a Daoist Master Proficient in Daoist Methods to Enter Court

King Hao sends a letter to the Sovereign of the Mysterious Altar, Zhang Celestial Master of Mount Longhu: Since the first month, I have been anxious over affairs of state, and one matter has continued to weigh on me. I wish to memorialize the Heavenly Thearch, but am troubled that no one can carry the petition on my behalf and deliver it to the heavenly court. I have therefore sent people to the Celestial Master’s residence. I hope the Celestial Master, mindful of the protection of the ancestors, will sincerely dispatch a Daoist master proficient in Daoist methods to carry the petition up to the heavenly court and express my prayers on my behalf. This would also be a manifestation of the Celestial Master’s devout intent. Upon receipt of this letter, send a capable Daoist master; there is no need to say more on other matters.

In May of that same year, the first year of Hongwu (1368), after ascending the throne, the emperor hosted a banquet in a side hall. Looking at Zhang the Celestial Master, he said, “I now grant you the title of ‘Great Perfected One’ and have ordered the grand secretaries and generals to discuss providing you with a stipend.” Later, the emperor personally approved Zhang the Celestial Master’s request to give up the stipend, allowing him instead to issue Fulu (talismans and registers), Daoist documents used to ward off misfortune, pray for blessings, and summon spirits, in accordance with the old custom. The emperor also graciously exempted the Daoist households registered at Mount Longhu and the Great Shangqing Palace from all forms of labor service, stipulating that this arrangement should remain in force permanently.

The emperor ordered a silver seal to be bestowed on Zhang the Celestial Master, with rank equivalent to that of a second-rank official, and established posts such as Assistant in Promoting the Teachings, Director of Documents, and Aide in Administration to assist him. This decree granted the title of “Great Perfected One” to the forty-second-generation Celestial Master.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor issues this edict:

We consider that the true teachings of the Mysterious Tradition, Daoism, expound the more than five thousand characters of the Dao De Jing. The ancestral seat at Dragon-Tiger Mountain has accumulated blessings across generations and, to this day, has passed through forty-two generations. Its splendid mountains and rivers have nurtured outstanding figures. The heirs of Dragon-Tiger Mountain bear the air and bearing of immortals and possess extraordinary presence.

Zhang Zhengchang now leads the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) tradition and supports the Great Ming. By nature, he is simple and unadorned; his bearing is dignified and composed. He was born with a thorough knowledge of the Daoist scriptures and secret methods. He probes the subtle and profound to explore the mysteries, and rides an immortal carriage as he journeys through the heavens. With a ritual sword in hand, ghosts and spirits obey his commands; when he ascends the altar to perform rites, thunder and rain arrive in their appointed time. He is an outstanding teacher of both Heaven and humanity, and a descendant of the divine.

Yet moral cultivation is not measured by official rank. What is precious in a person’s character is steadfastness in balance and harmony. In recent times, the court has bestowed especially high offices, but judged by the highest principles, these are not enough to constitute true honor. Therefore, We bestow on him the honorific title “Perfected One,” making him the leader of the Daoist tradition in this age, renowned throughout the realm and presiding over the Daoist ordination altar. We wish to express Our sincerity to the Nine Heavens, and you shall assist Us through spiritual cultivation. We wish to govern the realm, and you shall support the affairs of state through the Dao of stillness and Wuwei (non-action). May you accept this solemn appointment and enjoy its blessings for many years. We hereby confer on Zhang Zhengchang the title “Leader of the Zhengyi Tradition, Hereditary Forty-Second Generation Celestial Master (Tianshi) of the Han Lineage, Great Perfected One Who Protects the State, Expounds the Ancestral Tradition, Communes with Sincerity, Reveres the Dao, and Broadly Upholds De,” and appoint him to oversee Daoist affairs. So ordered.

Edict of appointment.

First day of the third month, first year of Hongwu.

Imperial seal.

As Zhang Zhengchang took leave of the Emperor to return to the mountain, the Emperor spoke to him at ease in the Hall of Reverent Body: “You are a descendant of the Celestial Masters. Your ancestors once rendered service to the state, and for generations your family has carried on alongside the lineage of Confucius, down to this day. You should conduct yourself according to the Dao of stillness and Wuwei, and assist me in achieving good governance. Then I will reward you.” After speaking, the Emperor bestowed fifteen yi of silver on him and ordered that his residence be repaired.

Second month, second year of Hongwu.

The emperor specially summoned Zhang Zhengchang to court, received him in the Hall of Fengtian, and arranged lodging for him in advance. During that month, the emperor consulted him four times. He instructed Zhang Zhengchang to assist in governing the state through the principles of quietude and Wuwei (non-action), so that the country might attain great prosperity, promising to reward him as well. After their conversation, the emperor bestowed fifteen yi of silver on him and ordered his residence repaired.

Second Year, Second Month

The emperor again specially summoned Zhang Zhengchang to court, received him in the Hall of Fengtian, and arranged lodging for him in advance. During that month, the emperor consulted him four times.

On the thirteenth day of the second month, the emperor was to pray to the Heavenly Emperor and first observed a three-day purification fast. He then put on ritual robes, personally signed the prayer text, and ordered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices—the institution responsible for state sacrificial rites—to provide music. He handed the prayer text to the ritual officiant, who recited it and then burned it. When the ceremony was complete, the emperor bestowed money on Zhang Zhengchang and hosted a banquet for him in the Wenlou. The other disciples dined elsewhere and received rewards of varying amounts.

Third Year, Sixth Month

The emperor recorded Zhang Zhengchang’s contributions and showed him favor. He specially ordered the Ministry of Personnel to posthumously honor Zhang’s father with the title “Thirty-Ninth-Generation Celestial Master, Great Perfected One Who Assists the Mysterious and Transforms with Benevolence, Responds to the Dao.” Zhang Zhengchang was also granted the title “Leader of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Teaching, Great Perfected One Who Broadly Transforms through the Mysterious, Clear and Sincere, Revering the Dao.” Zhang Zhengchang’s mother, Lady Hu, was posthumously honored as “Mysterious Lady of Respectful Obedience, Compassion, Kindness, Purity, and Tranquility.”

The day before, the emperor had summoned Zhang Zhengchang, asked him about the circumstances of ghosts and spirits, and ordered that a separate silver seal be issued to him, giving him authority over Daoist affairs throughout the realm.

Fifth Year

Zhang Zhengchang was further granted an edict appointing him to oversee Daoist affairs in perpetuity.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees:

We hold that the Daoist tradition takes quietude and Wuwei as its foundation and has a long history. The Zhang lineage of Mount Longhu has passed down its inheritance through the generations since the Han dynasty, with its line of transmission unbroken. Zhang Zhengchang, forty-second-generation descendant of the Zhang family, is modest in his aspirations and pure and gentle in his De. He inherits from afar the lineage handed down by his ancestors and remains steadfast in the Zhengyi teaching. We therefore commend him, and it is fitting that he receive the title of Perfected One. You are to further revitalize Daoism and oversee its affairs in perpetuity. Zhang Zhengchang is hereby granted the title “Great Perfected One Who Inherits the Teaching of Zhengyi, Protects the State, Expounds the Ancestors’ Way, Is Sincere and Reveres the Dao, and Broadly Cultivates De,” and is appointed to oversee Daoist affairs throughout the realm. Zhang Zhengchang is ordered to carry this out accordingly.

Imperial Edict

The twelfth month of the fifth year of Hongwu

The Emperor’s Treasure.

The ninth year of Hongwu

The Emperor sent a messenger to summon Zhang Zhengchang, who arrived at court ahead of schedule. Pleased, the Emperor said, “You have come at just the right time, in keeping with my thoughts. Next autumn, I intend to send people to offer sacrifices to the gods of the seas and sacred peaks. You should carefully select Daoist practitioners devoted to purity and stillness, and bring them with you.” The Emperor hosted a banquet and bestowed on him a ritual robe embroidered with gold, a jade tablet pendant, ritual implements, and other gifts.

The tenth year of Hongwu

The Emperor ordered Zhang Zhengchang to bring his disciples to the capital and summoned them for an audience, hosting a banquet in the tower above the Meridian Gate. Raising his cup, the Emperor said, “You should drink this cup to the last drop.” He then ordered an attendant to bring out his own work, Eulogies for the Celestial Masters of Successive Dynasties, and showed it to Zhang Zhengchang, saying, “In time, I will write it out in my own hand and bestow it upon you.”

The next day, the Emperor ordered Zhang Zhengchang and Grand Tutor Li Shanchang, Duke of Korea, to perform sacrifices on his behalf at Mount Song. He also sent officials and disciples to offer sacrifices on his behalf at various other famous mountains, rivers, and waterways. The Emperor bestowed on Zhang Zhengchang two sets of clothes, along with varying quantities of silk, coins, and other gifts. After the sacrifices, the Emperor hosted another banquet and granted him the same rewards as before.

Edict Sending a Deputy to Sacrifice at Mount Song

The Emperor issues this edict to Zhang Zhengchang, the Great Perfected One who Inherits the Teachings of Orthodox Unity:

“I have heard that Heaven brings forth the people and establishes rulers, and that rulers seek to provide for the people’s livelihood. Thus, offering sacrifices with due care to the various gods is among the state’s most important affairs.

When you and I lived amid the wars between rival powers, we were able to defeat our enemies, capture cities, and claim territory. If we had not received the favor of Heaven and Earth—the divine powers of the cosmos—and the sacred manifestations of the Five Peaks, the guardian mountains, and the seas and waterways, how could we have achieved such success?

Now early autumn is approaching, and according to ritual, sacrifices should be offered to the Five Peaks, the guardian mountains, and the seas and waterways, in gratitude to the gods. In ancient times, rulers who traveled through the four quarters would personally visit the temples and make offerings. I have only just established the state, and the people’s lives are only beginning to settle into peace. I cannot yet go in person, so I specially appoint you to go on my behalf and present sacrificial animals, prayers, and silk offerings where the gods reside. I now expressly command you to go there; be sure to act with reverence and care.”

By command of the Emperor.

The sixth month of the tenth year of Hongwu

The Emperor’s Treasure.

The eleventh year of Hongwu

When the Emperor heard from Zhang Chou, Minister of Rites, of Zhang Zhengchang’s death, he sighed in sorrow for a long time and said, “I had intended to appoint him to perform sacrifices to the Five Peaks on my behalf. He had only just gone once to Mount Song; how could I have known his allotted years would already be over…”

In the eleventh year of Hongwu’s reign, after hearing Minister of Rites Zhang Chou report the death on the emperor’s behalf, the emperor was deeply grieved and sighed for a long time. He said, “I had intended to order shrines built for him at the Five Sacred Mountains, where sacrifices could be offered. I have only just visited Mount Song once, and never imagined his allotted years would end so soon.” The emperor then wrote a eulogy himself and ordered An Qing, former Assistant Administrator of the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commission, to go into the mountains and read it aloud.

The eulogy said:

“In the eleventh year of Hongwu, in the year Wuwu, the first day of the first month was the day Jiaxu. Twenty days later, on the day Guisi, the emperor dispatched An Qing, Assistant Administrator of Zhejiang, to offer sacrifice before the spirit tablet of the Great Perfected Zhang Zhengchang:

You inherited and spread the Daoist teachings in the world, commanded the immortals and guided the people; you dispelled calamities and warded off misfortune, using divine skill to direct the myriad spirits. Flying with talismans and wielding your sword, you turned the tide of battle and shifted the stars; the thunder deities obeyed your commands, while demons and spirits hid themselves. Your Daoist arts shone with brilliance, and your bearing was dignified and distinguished. Why did you ride away on a luan bird so swiftly, carrying your ritual seal as you ascended to Shangqing? Now I have sent someone with sacrificial animals and fine wine to make offerings. If your spirit is present, please come and partake of them.”

End of The Record of Imperial Favor and Mandates of the Great Ming, fascicle two.

The Record of Imperial Favor and Mandates of the Great Ming, fascicle three

The Forty-Third Great Perfected, Zhang Yuchu

The thirteenth year of Hongwu

The imperial edict conferring the title of Great Perfected on Zhang Yuchu.

By the Mandate of Heaven, carrying out the will of the High Heaven, I issue this decree:

I have heard that in ancient times, rulers governed the realm while the people were divided by occupation into four classes: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. From the Han dynasty to the present day, Buddhism and Daoism have been added to them, making six classes in all. Daoism has been able to flourish because your ancestor, Yuchu, was well versed in the affairs of the spirits and skilled in transformation. In a state of obscurity, he could ascend into the Great Void, the realm of emptiness described in Daoism; there he welcomed the winds and vital energies of that boundless expanse and absorbed the universe’s vast original Qi. In this way he aided all living beings, and his achievements have been renowned through the ages.

It is because the Daoist teachings have been transmitted for so long that the incense and lamps have continued without interruption. This is due to the deep vows and wide-reaching virtue of those who cultivated the Dao in successive generations, as well as the increasing efficacy of their spiritual cultivation. The previous Perfected One has passed away, and you should inherit this lineage. I hereby dispatch an envoy to your residence to appoint you “Great Perfected One of Zhengyi, Successor to the Teachings, Harmonizing with the Dao and Practicing Wuwei, Proclaiming the Ancestors’ Radiant Example,” and to place you in charge of Daoist affairs. Undertake this responsibility with care and reverence.

Imperial Edict

Twenty-eighth day of the second month, the thirteenth year of Hongwu

Seal

Edict Summoning You to Court

The Emperor’s edict to Zhang Yuchu:

Yuchu, successor to the late Perfected One Zhang Zhengchang: you have long been renowned throughout the realm. Daoism has been transmitted from the Han dynasty to the present without dying out because it can dispel calamities and avert troubles, its achievements benefit the ruler, and its blessings extend to the people. That is why it has endured.

I have recently heard that your period of mourning is nearly over and that you are to become the leader of the orthodox Daoist tradition. You should lead your disciples in cultivation. As soon as you receive this talismanic summons, come at once to court, where I will instruct you. Remain steadfastly loyal, so that communication between ruler and subjects may be maintained. This edict is hereby issued.

Imperial Edict

Twenty-eighth day of the second month, the thirteenth year of Hongwu

Seal

Edict Granting Encouragement to Cultivate and Attain Accord with the Spirits

The emperor addressed Zhang Yuchu, the Celestial Master of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) and inheritor of its teachings: “The deepest secrets of Daoist arts depend on being transmitted from generation to generation without interruption. The true methods that draw on the mysterious source of the Dao can command the myriad spirits to respond to a person as a shadow follows a form. This depends on the practitioner becoming attuned to the spirits when performing the rite and using the talismans and hand seals correctly. That is the essential way to keep the transmission alive. Could the spirits really respond so quickly? If they could not, then even someone familiar with secret methods and skilled in hand seals, no matter how thoroughly they practiced, would receive no response. Moreover, your ancestors have passed down their honored name from generation to generation to this day because they were able to ward off calamities and protect the people. You are still young and should practice with care, purify your mind and spirit, and seek communion with the spirits. When you perform a rite, the spirits will surely answer your summons. I therefore issue this edict to inform you.”

Fourteenth year of Hongwu.

Edict Enfeoffing Lady Bao as the Mysterious Sovereign

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor issues this edict: A subject has rank and title; a wife is honored through her husband, and a mother is exalted through her son. This is a ritual order observed from ancient times to the present. Lady Bao, mother of Zhang Yuchu, the Zhengyi Celestial Master and inheritor of the teachings, bore a worthy son who has continued the lineage of the Daoist tradition. She is specially enfeoffed as the Mysterious Sovereign of Pure Emptiness, Untroubled Simplicity, and Wondrous Goodness. Receive this imperial favor with reverence.”

Edict.

Twentieth day of the first month, fourteenth year of Hongwu.

Imperial Seal.

Sixteenth Year of Hongwu

Zhang Yuchu was summoned to the capital and ordered to perform a grand Jade Register Zhaijiao (purification ritual) on Zijin Mountain.

Eighteenth Year of Hongwu

He was ordered to conduct a ritual at the Shenle Temple to pray for rain.

Twenty-third Year of Hongwu

Special funds were allocated to rebuild the Supreme Purity Palace.

First day of the sixth month, twenty-fourth year of Hongwu

Imperial Decree Prohibiting the Unauthorized Making of Fulu

The Ministry of Rites respectfully received the imperial decree: “In Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, and other regions, many people are falsely using the name of the Celestial Master Zhang to make Fulu (talismans and registers) without authorization, deceiving the people and extorting money. After this decree is issued, offenders shall be beheaded and displayed in public, and their families relocated to remote regions.” By imperial command. In the eighth month, the Orthodox Unity Altar Seal of Longhu Mountain is to be bestowed, to guard and protect the sacred mountain and to regulate and inspect the Fulu.

Thirty-fifth Year of Hongwu

Money was granted to repair the Supreme Purity Palace.

In the first year of the Yongle reign, Zhang Yuchu was ordered to accompany the emperor at the rites at the Temple of Heaven.

In the fourth year of Yongle, the emperor issued an edict ordering Zhang Yuchu, a Daoist master, to compile and revise Daoist texts and submit the completed work as soon as possible, so it could be organized by category and printed as a collection.

The edict was signed “Guangyun” at the end and sealed with the “Zhibao” seal. It was dated the nineteenth day of the eleventh month of the fourth year of Yongle.

In the fifth year of Yongle, the emperor issued an edict praising Zhang Yuchu for the efficacy of the purification rite he had established to pray for blessings.

In my view, the teaching of the Primordial Mystery (Daoism) governs the foundation of the Great Dao. It opens and closes Yin-Yang, sets wondrous transformations in motion, links the Three Realms, and commands the myriad spirits. How can those who cultivate this Way commune with the divine without utmost sincerity?

Recently, Empress Renxiao passed away. I therefore specially ordered you to lead the Daoist assembly in performing rites to recommend her for deliverance, establish a Jade Register purification rite, and expound the secret scriptures kept in the jade cases. Within a hundred days, auspicious signs appeared one after another: radiant clouds of five colors shone in the sky, and auspicious Qi from the Nine Heavens gleamed in splendor; blue luan birds circled the jeweled sanctuary, white cranes danced above the jade altar, and five-colored auspicious light shone through the night.

All this came about because your ritual lineage descends from your ancestors and your Daoist heart accords with the highest truth. You can probe the principle of the Mysterious Female, and help bring forth the transformations of the Void. You respectfully carried out my command, devoting yourself to it with complete sincerity. The Daoist assembly, too, cultivated good works, nurtured Jing and Qi, and served with reverence, devotion, and diligence. Among them was a person who had attained the Dao, whose moral teaching was sublime and whose comings and goings between the seen and unseen could not be fathomed. Moved by my sincerity, he descended to the ritual assembly and bore witness to its meritorious deeds.

My virtue is shallow, and there is still much I cannot know; fortunately, I can rely on the good works of others. Heaven has therefore responded, and auspicious signs have gathered in abundance. Seeing these manifest responses, I believe that the spirits have thereby gained blessings and good fortune, and may ascend to Great Brahma Heaven, forever at ease and free. This accords exactly with my wish, and so I grant this commendation. You should redouble your efforts in divine arts, focus your mind without distraction, perceive wondrous transformations, accord with the Way of Wuwei, spread the tradition of Daoism, and assist me in governing the realm. Respectfully obey this command. This edict is hereby issued.

Seal of Vast Fortune

Fifteenth day of the tenth month, fifth year of Yongle

In the third month of the sixth year of Yongle, by imperial command: As for Fulu, only the disciples of Celestial Master Zhang may issue it.

In the fourth month, an offering of the Record of the Most High’s Prolonged Blessings was ordered, and a five-altar purification rite was established. After the rites were completed, a separate relay pass was specially issued so that Celestial Master Zhang could travel by post relay back to his mountain.

An edict ordering an invitation to the True Immortal Zhang Sanfeng.

The emperor’s command was sent to the Perfected Zhang Yuchu and carried out by his disciples.

In the fourth month, the emperor ordered that the Record of the Most High’s Prolongation of Blessings be presented and that five altars be set up for a Zhaijiao purification ritual. After the rites were completed, he issued a special command granting Zhang Yuchu a post-station pass so that he could return to the mountains by relay coach.

Sending someone to invite Zhang Sanfeng

The emperor issued an edict to the Perfected Zhang Yuchu: “I am now sending a letter inviting the Immortal Zhang, together with a burner of incense. When you arrive in the mountains, give him the letter and respectfully invite him to come here, so that my ardent longing may be eased. Let this be known by edict.”

The seventh day of the tenth month, in the sixth year of Yongle. Sealed with the “Treasure of Vast Fortune” seal.

Sending someone again to seek Zhang Sanfeng

The emperor said to the Perfected Zhang: “You must make every effort to search for Master Zhang Sanfeng. These past few days, I have felt as though I am about to meet him. If you can find him, you may accompany him here. You must receive him with the greatest courtesy and never treat him with neglect. Let this be known by edict.”

The thirteenth day of the eighth month, in the seventh year of Yongle. Sealed with the “Treasure of Vast Fortune” seal.

Commemorating Zhang Yuchu

In the eighth year of Yongle, while the emperor was residing in Beijing, the Crown Prince administered the government and sent the court messenger Chen Kui to make offerings in Zhang Yuchu’s memory. The memorial text read:

“In your youth, you studied the mysterious arts of the Dao and carried on the example of your ancestors. You upheld a nature that was quiet, detached, open-minded, and serene, and promoted the work of Daoism. You prayed for blessings and auspicious signs, and served with diligence; for many years, you therefore enjoyed the court’s favor. Who could have expected that, in a single moment, you would suddenly pass away? Hearing the news, I am deeply grieved, and have specially sent offerings in your honor. May your spirit remain undimmed and partake of this offering.”

Offerings bestowed again in the ninth year of Yongle

The emperor recalled Zhang Yuchu with sorrow and sent the court messenger Xiao Rong especially to make offerings and read the memorial:

“You cherished stillness, nurtured your true nature, and preserved your harmonious Qi. You deeply studied the mysteries of such profound Daoist teachings as Dongxuan and Taiwei, and understood the substance of the Dao of limitless, spontaneous nature. Your spirit roamed through the Great Simplicity, the primordial beginning, and you grasped the pivotal workings of the Great Dao. You could breathe forth wind and thunder and set wondrous transformations in motion. You carried forward the example of your ancestors and presided over the teachings of Daoism. Above, you helped uphold the laws of the state; below, you aided and rescued the people. We had hoped that you would continue to assist us for a long time and add to the blessings of the state. Who could have known that you would suddenly depart, having ascended to immortality? Therefore, I have specially sent an envoy to present these offerings and express my grief. May you partake of this offering.”

Collected Records of Imperial Favor to the August Ming Dynasty, Volume Four

The Forty-Fourth Great Perfected Zhang Yuqing

In the tenth month of the eighth year of the Yongle reign, as the emperor was returning south, he summoned Zhang Yuqing and ordered him to perform a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) at the Chaotian Palace to pray for blessings.

Imperial Patent Appointing Him Great Perfected

By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees: I consider Daoism to take purity, stillness, emptiness, and nonbeing as its foundation, encompassing profound and wondrous powers that transform and nurture all things. It can assist the government’s policies above and bring blessings to the people below. Daoism has long been held in esteem by the world.

You, Zhang Yuqing, have inherited the Daoist lineage from its founding patriarch. You understand its subtle principles and have elucidated the secret methods of the Dao from the opening of Heaven and Earth, assisting the wondrous workings of creation that bring all things into being. In this way, you can aid living beings and transmit the lineage to later generations. Your father and elder brother both humbly received the favor of the Taizu Gao Emperor, who appointed them to oversee Daoist affairs. Your elder brother has now passed away, and you should succeed him in his duties. I hereby appoint you “Great Perfected Who Inherits the Teachings of Zhengyi, Pure, Empty, Tranquil, and Simple, Glorifying the Ancestors and Expounding the Dao,” and place you in charge of Daoist affairs. Devote yourself to upholding the orthodox way, advance still further in the highest Dao, uphold the models set by the ancestral masters, and support the good fortune of the imperial house for generations to come. You must respectfully obey.

This patent was issued on the twenty-first day of the eleventh month of the eighth year of Yongle and sealed with the imperial seal.

The Eleventh Year of Yongle

Order to Select Daoist Priests Who Hold the Teachings in Reverence

An imperial instruction to Zhang Yuqing, the True Man Who Inherits the Teachings of Zhengyi: You sent the Daoist priest Wang You to present a memorial. I showed him the Diagram of the Efficacious Response and Perfected Light. He does not believe in Daoism: as he looked at the diagram, he remained silent, and before he had finished viewing even one or two sheets, he wanted to get up and leave. This shows that he truly has doubts in his heart. In the future, when you send envoys, be sure to choose people who believe in Daoism and respect its teachings. Only then can they help the Daoist community flourish and benefit the transmission of Daoism. This instruction is hereby issued.

The fourth day of the seventh month of the eleventh year of Yongle

Seal of the Emperor

Edict bestowing the Diagram of the Auspicious Halo at Taihe and Langmei

The Emperor commands Zhang Yuqing, the Celestial Master who inherits the teachings of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity): Mount Wudang is a famous mountain beneath Heaven and a sacred place where the Dark Heavenly Lord, Zhenwu, attained the Great Dao and manifested his numinous power to transform the world. At the end of the Yuan dynasty, warfare destroyed all the palaces and temples on the mountain, leaving those who cultivated the Dao without a place of refuge or veneration. With reverence in my heart, I therefore ordered the palaces and temples rebuilt. Above, I prayed that this might serve as an offering to the souls of my late imperial father and mother in Heaven; below, I prayed for blessings upon the people of the realm. The divine beings of Heaven responded to this sincerity, and numinous signs appeared repeatedly: a radiant halo shone in the sky, and the langmei bore fruit. My officials painted a diagram of the halo and respectfully presented the langmei. I wish to bestow these upon the ministers of the court, to make clear the response of the divine powers. I now dispatch a messenger bearing the painting and one hundred langmei fruits, which I bestow upon you. You should receive them with reverence. So I command.

Guangyun

The fourth day of the seventh month of the eleventh year of Yongle

Seal of the Emperor

Edict appointing the abbot of Mount Wudang

The emperor issued an edict to Zhang Yuqing, the Celestial Master (Tianshi) and leader of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) tradition: “Mount Wudang is a famous mountain known throughout the realm, and the place where the Perfected Emperor Zhenwu of Xuanwu attained the Dao and manifested in response to prayers. During the wars at the end of the Yuan, the palaces and temples on the mountain were all destroyed, leaving those who cultivated and studied the Dao without support or a place of refuge.

“With sincere devotion in my heart, I ordered the palaces and temples to be rebuilt. In this way, I pray both for the protection of the spirits of my imperial ancestors, my late father and mother, and for blessings upon the people throughout the realm: may rain and wind come in season, disasters be averted, harvests be abundant year after year, and every household enjoy prosperity.

“Now that the palaces and temples have been completed, the deities have repeatedly manifested auspicious signs. Bright, radiant circles of light appeared in five colors, with clear images of the deities visible within them. Hundreds of thousands of people witnessed these signs with their own eyes and were astonished. I have bestowed the following names: Xu Tian Yu Xu Abbey, Zi Xiao Tai Xuan Palace, Wu Long Xing Sheng Palace, and Nan Yan Tai Sheng Palace.

“These sacred sites on the famous mountain need cultivators and Daoist priests to oversee and guard them. I have appointed Sun Biyun, Assistant Zhengyi, as abbot of Nan Yan Tai Sheng Palace. For the other three sites, you are to select two people of proven cultivation for each as abbots. Also select sincere and respectful Daoist priests, fifty for each site, to guard them. If there are not enough people to fill these positions at once, assign the number actually selected among the four sites. They are to cultivate diligently and advance the flourishing of Daoism. This edict is hereby issued.”

Imperial seal: “Treasure of Vast Fortune”

Twenty-fifth day of the eighth month, eleventh year of Yongle

In the ninth month of the same year, the emperor issued an order dispatching envoys to Mount Wudang to hold a seven-day Golden Register Great Retreat (a Daoist Zhaijiao purification ritual for seeking blessings) at the Great Shangqing Palace. He also allocated funds to buy fish and release them into a stream, naming it the “Pond for the Release of Life” and forbidding people from catching fish there.

Thirteenth year of Yongle

An order was issued to repair the Great Shangqing Palace and expand Zhenyi Abbey. Embankments were built and a pontoon bridge was constructed.

Fifteenth year of Yongle

Officials were separately dispatched to the Western March to establish altars and present offerings.

Officials were sent to pray at Lingji Palace in Fujian, and a commendation edict was issued in recognition of its auspicious response.

The Celestial Master Zhang Yuqing, the Zhengyi successor to the teachings, had earlier presided over a great Golden Register Zhaijiao at Lingji Palace in Fujian. He performed the ritual to give thanks to the Highest Perfected Ones and prayed for blessings and the dispelling of calamities on My behalf. I specially ordered you to carry out the Perfected Master’s liturgical duties in his place.

When the Zhaijiao altar was opened, the rainy skies cleared and the sun shone brightly. During the ceremony, you expounded secret scriptures and upheld Daoist ritual precepts, bringing Heaven, humanity, and the spirits into accord and gathering the gods together. Over the course of seven days, auspicious signs appeared one after another: radiant clouds of five colors came into view, and streams of colored light rose to the highest heavens like jeweled belts; spirits manifested in unfathomable transformations; and blue luan birds and white cranes wheeled and danced in flight. These signs came through the grace and divine manifestation of the True Lord of Vast Benevolence. They were also connected to your promotion of the ancestral masters’ teachings, your adherence to the highest Dao, and your reverent service to the gods.

The True Lord of Vast Benevolence also praised the diligence and sincerity of your memorial petitions, which Heaven had examined and commended. Without your reverence, care, and deep sincerity, how could such auspicious signs have answered you? I now specially bestow this commendation to express My regard. You should cultivate your Daoist practice all the more, revive the customs of Daoism, spread its teaching of purity, stillness, and mystery, carry on the purpose of the Great Dao, and assist the state so that peace may endure throughout the realm. You must respectfully obey this command.

Admonitory Decree

Issued in the first month of the sixteenth year of Yongle.

Treasure of the

Sixteenth Year.

Summons and Edict

By imperial command, Zhang Yuqing, Celestial Master and Zhengyi successor to the teachings: when this command arrives, immediately lead the Daoist adepts to court for an audience. This is hereby commanded.

Treasure of Vast Fortune

The tenth day of the second month of the sixteenth year of Yongle.

In the third month of that same year, the court ordered that a golden image of the Dark Emperor be enshrined on Mount Taihe. In the fifth month, it ordered measures to address the flooding caused by the tides in Zhejiang.

Seventeenth Year

An imperial patent conferring the title of Mysterious Lady upon Lady Sun.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

It is an established rite of the state that a wife should receive honor through her husband’s merits. Daoism, too, is held in esteem for its teachings. You, Lady Sun, wife of Zhang Yuqing, the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) hereditary master of the faith, the Great Perfected One of Clarity and Emptiness, Purity and Simplicity, Radiant in Example and Expounding the Dao, are respectful and modest, gentle and courteous, and come from a distinguished family. You married into a lineage descended from immortals. You are kind and tender, quiet and composed, reverent and dignified, harmonious and steadfast. You fully embody the way of a wife and therefore deserve the court’s favor and honor. We now confer upon you the Daoist immortal title “Mysterious Sovereign of Proper Composure, Chastity, Virtue, and Wondrous Wisdom.” May you accept this honor with reverence, so that this imperial favor may long make your virtue known.

Imperial decree.

Fourth day of the first month, seventeenth year of Yongle.

Imperial seal.

In the eighteenth year of Yongle, the Emperor summoned Zhang Yuqing and ordered him to lead 1,800 Daoist priests in performing a Great Jade Register Retreat, a major Daoist purification ritual. In the tenth month of that year, he was again ordered to perform a Great Universal Salvation Retreat at Lingji, a purification ritual seeking blessings for the dead and salvation for all spirits.

On the first day of the first month in the nineteenth year of Yongle, he was ordered to present offerings at the Altar of the Stars. He was also ordered to perform a Peace and Protection Offering Ritual, a Daoist ceremony praying for safety. On the seventh day, the Emperor returned to the capital after his northern campaign.

The Emperor issued an edict praising the auspicious signs revealed during the Great Retreat of prayer and thanksgiving.

Edict addressed to Zhang Yuqing, the Perfected One who Inherits the Teachings of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity):

Recently, I personally led the Six Armies on an expedition against the northern raiders. We relied on Heaven’s blessing and protection, and received the powerful support of the Dark Heaven Supreme Emperor and the Lord of Vast Grace. They shielded the army, keeping the officers, soldiers, and warhorses safe and healthy, and ensuring peace throughout our departure and return. I will forever cherish this gracious favor, keep it engraved in my heart, and never forget it. I therefore command you to perform a grand rite of thanksgiving, seeking to repay the gods’ grace, and to express my gratitude in a clear and solemn manner, thereby showing my sincerity.

You carried out my command by observing ritual purification with clean bodies and minds, utmost sincerity, and reverence. You solemnly offered prayers to the gods, widely proclaimed the subtle scriptures, and upheld the Daoist tradition, moving Heaven and Earth and inspiring their sincere response. The gods appeared and bestowed blessings, and auspicious signs followed one after another. Sacred portents, auspicious clouds, and colorful clouds filled the sky. Layers of cloud and vapor coiled around one another, in yellow and green; red light flowed and purple Qi drifted. The five colors shone brilliantly, gathering and dispersing in profusion, their radiance flashing and streaming as they rose and fell, stretched and curled, in transformations difficult to fathom.

Five-colored auspicious light also extended across the horizon. Clouds and mist glittered, their radiance bright, gentle, and harmonious. Some forms were as round as the sun; others were straight as hanging rainbows. Some enveloped and guarded the ritual altar, while others illuminated and encircled the palace grounds. Mountains and rivers gleamed, and plants and trees grew more luxuriant and beautiful. Heaven and the human world alike rejoiced, and blessings reached both the unseen realm and the world of the living. The joy and comfort I feel are beyond words. I now issue this commendatory edict to make manifest the wonder of this divine response.

You must continue to accumulate merit, promote Daoist scriptures and teachings, and give lasting support to the great enterprise of the state. You must also safeguard the laws of the dynasty unseen, bringing blessings to the state and benefits to the people, in answer to my earnest hopes. Let this be known.

Seal of the imperial edict.

A certain day in a certain month of the nineteenth year of Yongle.

In the twenty-second year of Yongle, an order was given to hold a Zhaijiao rite on Mount Taihe.

An order was given to perform the Grand Rite of Recommendation and Praise, a Zhaijiao rite seeking blessings and deliverance for the deceased, and an edict of commendation was bestowed in recognition of auspicious signs.

An imperial edict to Zhang Yuqing, the Celestial Master who inherited the teachings of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity), an heir to the Zhengyi tradition and a Daoist leader invested by the court:

We believe that the Supreme Lord takes care for the lives of all beings as his De (Virtue), and that Xuanyuan, the Daoist honorific for Laozi, made aiding the world and benefiting people his teaching. The Dao in its essence is clear, still, and Wuwei (non-action); in its workings, it is wondrous and without limit. Those who grasp its mysteries can make them manifest in practice: above, they can secretly assist the laws of the state; below, they can extend blessings to the realms of the dead and the living. The records of successive ages offer clear proof of this.

We have reverently received the Mandate of Heaven and carefully served the Supreme Lord. Day and night, we remember our late imperial father and mother, look up to their sacred spirits, and feel a longing that knows no end. Their kindness and virtue were deep; they labored to raise us. We wish to repay them, yet have no means to do so. Therefore, we respectfully follow the Daoist tradition, summon Daoist priests from across the realm, and hold a grand Zhaijiao (purification ritual) to commend their merit and virtue.

You have carefully carried out our command, personally led the assembly of Daoists, and devoted yourselves wholeheartedly to the ritual, explaining and upholding the Daoist model in order to express our sincerity. The spirits bestowed signs and answered: from the beginning of the ritual to its conclusion, the sky was clear. Though it was the cold season, there were no violent winds or driving rains; gentle warmth filled Heaven and Earth, auspicious signs appeared, and blessings gathered in response. This was surely because the Supreme Lord and our late imperial parents looked down upon the rite and accepted it. It was also made possible by your respectful execution of our command.

We therefore commend you and grant you this honor and instruction. We hope you will advance still further in your Daoist cultivation, practice with even greater devotion, and proclaim the Profound Teaching: above, praying for blessings upon the state and its ancestral temples; below, benefiting the people far and wide. Strive to carry this out. By imperial command.

Imperial decree

On an unspecified day of an unspecified month in the twenty-second year of Yongle

Seal

In the first year of Xuande, you were summoned to an audience and given a banquet in the inner palace.

Edict granting further favor and conferring an honored title

By imperial command, to Zhang Yuqing, Great Perfected Master who Inherits the Zhengyi Teaching:

We hold that the Dao of Xuanyuan, the fundamental Dao revered by Daoism, existed before Heaven and Earth, yet its beginning cannot be seen. It will endure long after Heaven and Earth, yet its end cannot be seen. It is the root of all things, wondrously bringing the myriad forms into being. The substance of the Dao, however, is supremely clear and still, acting through Wuwei (non-action). For this reason, emperors throughout the ages have honored and praised Daoism, using it to uphold governance through clarity and stillness.

Our dynasty places great importance on moral instruction, and your father and elder brother both respectfully followed this Way. After you inherited your office in the Daoist teaching, the imperial ancestor, Emperor Taizong, bestowed an honored title upon you and showed you great favor; his kindness toward you was already most generous. For more than ten years, you remained sincere and reverent, never failing to live up to this gracious appointment. You then served my late father, Emperor Renzong Zhao, with the same respect and care. Remembering the importance our ancestors placed on Daoism, and extending favor to you out of filial devotion, I now bestow upon you the title “Great Perfected Master of Zhengyi Who Inherits the Teaching, Pure, Empty, Unadorned, Glorifying the Ancestors, Expounding the Dao, Esteeming Humility, Upholding Stillness, and Mastering the Cavern Mystery,” and command you to oversee Daoist affairs throughout the realm.

Stillness is the root of the Dao; humility is the key to De. If you dwell in quiet through detachment and practice humility with reverence, you will find stability through stillness and concentration through stability; through humility you will become receptive, and through receptivity you will attain clarity and understanding. By acting with simplicity, you can put an end to the pursuit of external things; by being steadfast in your conduct, you can reveal your radiance. In cultivating the mysterious Dao, what could be more essential than esteeming these virtues? You should respectfully accept this command, vigorously uphold the traditions of your lineage, and carry out your duties diligently. This decree is hereby issued.

The memorial for the sacrificial rites reads: You devoted yourself to cultivating the Way of mystery and purity, and aspired to clarity and emptiness. You mastered Fulu (talismans and registers) and Daoist ritual liturgies, explored the principles of Qingwei, clarified the regulations of Daoism, and greatly renewed the standing of the lineage. You respectfully served the previous court and repeatedly gave your utmost in its service. After I inherited the throne, I was preparing to bestow upon you another honored title, hoping you would devote yourself fully and guide the court in welcoming auspicious blessings. Now your time to depart has come; unexpectedly, you passed away suddenly within a few days. On hearing the news of your death, I felt deep sorrow. I hereby send an envoy to make offerings in your memory and grant you burial rites. May your spirit endure and receive these offerings.

End of juan four of Records of Imperial Favor and Appointments of the Great Ming.

Juan five of Records of Imperial Favor and Appointments of the Great Ming.

The Forty-Fifth Generation Great Perfected One, Zhang Maocheng

The Thirty-Second Year of Hongwu (1399)

At the beginning, Zhang Maocheng’s father, Zhang Yuli, won the favor of the Taizu Emperor. Hearing of his virtue and ability, the emperor summoned him to court together with the Perfected One of Wuwei, Yuchu, where they discussed matters to the emperor’s satisfaction. Taizu specially instructed Liu Ji, Imperial Censor-in-Chief, Protector of the Army, and Earl of Chengyi, to give his own younger brother’s daughter in marriage to Zhang Yuli.

The Second Year of Xuande (1427)

The emperor summoned Zhang Maocheng and hosted a banquet for him in a side hall.

The Fourth Year of Xuande (1429)

The emperor summoned and questioned Zhang Maocheng, ordered him to present the Taishang Yanxi Lu (a Daoist register seeking longevity and blessings), and then instructed him to conduct a Yanxi Jiao (a blessing ritual) in the palace. In the fourth month, he was ordered to accompany the emperor in sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Imperial Patent Appointing Him Great Perfected One

By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees: I consider the mysterious Way of the Primordial Venerable One—the pure, still, and nonacting Dao—to be the foundation of all beings and things, wondrous in spirit and able to nurture and transform the myriad things. It supports the governance of affairs above and brings benefits to the people below. Through successive ages, the court has bestowed honors upon it.

You, Zhang Maocheng, have venerated and cultivated the Great Way from your ancestors’ time onward; your grandfather and uncle, too, respectfully upheld and practiced it. Now you inherit the Dao lineage. I therefore appoint you “Great Perfected One of Orthodox Unity, Heir to the Teaching, Reverently Cultivating the Supreme Dao, Preserving Simplicity, and Expounding the Teaching,” and place you in charge of Daoist affairs. You should faithfully uphold the rules of the Daoist tradition, revive the heritage of the community, bring forth abundant blessings, and support the fortunes of the imperial house. Respect this decree.

Imperial Decree

A day in the fourth month of the Fourth Year of Xuande

Imperial Seal

The Fifth Year of Xuande (1430)

Zhang Maocheng was ordered to make a separate presentation offering at the Eastern Marchmount Altar, representing the court in the sacrificial rite at the mountain altar in the east.

He was ordered to conduct a Jiao ritual in the Hall of Benevolence and Wisdom. In the third month, the emperor received him in the Western Palace and issued an edict appointing the high Daoists of Shangqing Palace, Cao Kehong, Gong Jizong, Yingfu, Yuanhuang, Jiayou, and others, to Daoist administrative offices. The emperor also sent the eunuch Li Du into the mountains to welcome them.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor issues this decree: The state honors Daoism and has already conferred a title of distinction upon the successor of the Zhengyi tradition. His wife, who supports him in his household, should share in this honor. Lady Sun, wife of Zhang Maocheng, the Zhengyi successor who reveres the Great Dao, preserves simplicity, expounds the teachings, and serves as a Great Perfected One, and who oversees Daoist affairs, was rightfully assisting her husband when she suddenly passed away. She is now posthumously granted the title “Mysterious Lady of Gentle Grace and Chaste Serenity.” May her spirit endure in clear brightness and receive this imperial favor.

Edict

Twentieth day of the intercalary twelfth month, fifth year of the Xuande reign

Imperial seal

Sixth year

He was ordered to present offerings on behalf of the emperor at the Altar of the Stars.

He was ordered to conduct a Zhaijiao rite in the palace.

In the fourth month, he conducted a Zhaijiao rite at the Imperial Altar and was ordered to accompany the emperor in sacrificing at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. After the rites were complete, the emperor specially sent eunuchs to escort him back to his mountain residence.

Ninth year

He was ordered to conduct a Zhaijiao rite at Lingji Palace.

He was ordered to present offerings on behalf of the emperor at the Altars of Wind, Clouds, Thunder, and Rain, and at the Altar of the Stars.

He was ordered to conduct a Zhaijiao rite in the palace.

In the fourth month, he conducted a Zhaijiao rite at the Imperial Altar and was ordered to accompany the emperor in sacrificing at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. After the rites were complete, the emperor specially sent eunuchs to escort him back to his mountain residence.

Ninth year

He was ordered to conduct a Zhaijiao rite at Lingji Palace.

He was ordered to present offerings on behalf of the emperor at the Altars of Wind, Clouds, Thunder, and Rain. In the third month, he was ordered to conduct a rite for protection and peace at Dade Abbey. The relevant offices were instructed to issue five hundred ordination certificates, permitting Daoists to receive formal ordination. In the fifth month, the emperor personally composed “Song Calling the Reclusive” and bestowed it upon him. After he declined the gift, he was permitted to return to his mountain residence. When he reached the Jia Ma Ying relay station, the emperor sent a messenger after him with a secret edict, urging him to study the arts of cultivation and carry on the Daoist lineage.

First year of the Zhengtong reign

The emperor ordered the construction of a Celestial Master’s residence in the northeastern corner of Chaotian Palace. He specially decreed that a court ritual official escort him into the residence, and ordered him to conduct a Great Purification Rite for Ascending to the True at Chaotian Palace, seeking the descent of immortals and the deliverance of the souls of the dead.

First day of the first month, second year

A banquet was held at Fengtian Hall. On the eleventh day, he was ordered to present offerings on behalf of the emperor at the Altars of Wind, Clouds, Thunder, and Rain. The following day, the emperor summoned him and then invited the Duke Who Continues the Sage’s Lineage to join them for a banquet in a side hall. The emperor also bestowed on each of them a python robe, red shoes, and other gifts. That month, he was ordered to present the “Register of the Most High for Prolonging Blessings,” a Daoist Fulu invoking the lasting extension of good fortune and longevity.

Fourth year

He was ordered to present offerings on behalf of the emperor at the Eastern Sacred Mountain Altar. In the second month, on the occasion of the Empress Dowager’s birthday, a Zhaijiao rite praying for blessings and longevity was held at Chaotian Palace.

Fifth year

An edict was issued granting Lady Dong the title of Mysterious Lady.

The emperor, in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven, issued this edict: The state recognizes that Daoism has helped the dynasty in unseen ways and upheld its laws. Tracing its origins serves to honor its descendants, and extending imperial favor to their families has long been an established practice.

Dong, the second wife of Zhang Maocheng, the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) successor to the teaching, who reverently cultivates the Supreme Dao, preserves simplicity, expounds the teachings, and serves as Great Perfected of the Daoist community, deserves honor by virtue of her husband’s status. We hereby grant her an imperial patent and confer upon her the title “Dark Lord of Warm Serenity and Gentle Compliance.” Receive this honored appointment with reverence, and uphold your family’s traditions in perpetuity. Respect this.

Imperial Edict

Issued in the second month of the fifth year of Zhengtong.

Imperial seal affixed.

In the third month of that year, the emperor ordered a golden image of the Dark Emperor of Jian’an to be cast and a jiao (Daoist sacrificial rite) to be performed at the Palace Shrine of the Dark Heaven.

In the sixth year of Zhengtong, Zhang Maocheng was ordered to make a deputy offering at the Altar of the Eastern Peak. Five hundred ordination certificates were issued, authorizing the ordination and investiture with registers of five hundred Daoist priests.

In the seventh year of Zhengtong, the emperor summoned Zhang Maocheng to the Hall of Literary Brilliance and hosted a banquet for him there.

In the eighth year of Zhengtong, Zhang Maocheng was ordered to make a deputy offering at the Altar of the Stars.

End of volume five of Records of Imperial Favor in the Great Ming.

Records of Imperial Favor in the Great Ming, volume six

Zhang Yuanji, the forty-sixth-generation Great Perfected of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) succession.

In the tenth year of Zhengtong, the emperor summoned Zhang Yuanji to the inner court, invited him to sit, served him tea, and granted him an imperial patent conferring the title “Great Perfected of the Zhengyi Succession, Who Embraces Emptiness and Preserves Simplicity, Honors the Ancestors and Upholds the Teaching.”

In the eleventh year of Zhengtong, the emperor summoned Zhang Yuanji and hosted a banquet for him in the Hall of Benevolence and Wisdom.

The emperor granted Zhang Yuanji’s father, Zhang Liugang, an imperial patent conferring upon him the title of Perfected.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor issues this edict:

I believe that when the state bestows favor upon its ministers, it must extend that favor to their relatives as well. This is done to honor their roots. Zhang Liugang, you were the father of the Perfected Yuanji, heir to the teachings of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity), who was humble and free of worldly concerns, steadfast in simplicity, carried on his ancestors’ legacy, and revered the Dao. You should have received the blessings of the Daoist tradition, but did not live to a ripe old age. Now, in recognition of your son, I posthumously confer upon you the title “Perfected One of Zhengyi, Heir to the Teachings, Revering the Mystery, Nurturing Simplicity, and Dwelling in Tranquility.” May you respectfully receive this honorable appointment in the unseen realm.

Imperial patent (a document of appointment issued by the emperor)

Twenty-second day of the sixth month, eleventh year of Zhengtong

Imperial seal

Imperial Patent Enfeoffing Lady Gao as a Mysterious Lady

By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor issues this edict:

A wife’s elevation through her husband is a great favor of the court; a mother’s honor through her son is an established institution of the state. Lady Gao was the wife of Zhang Liugang, posthumously titled “Perfected One of Zhengyi, Heir to the Teachings, Revering the Mystery, Nurturing Simplicity, and Dwelling in Tranquility,” and the mother of the Great Perfected Yuanji, heir to the teachings of Zhengyi, humble and free of worldly concerns, steadfast in simplicity, carrying on his ancestors’ legacy, and revering the Dao. She remained steadfast in the Daoist tradition and brought her son to fulfillment. I now specially confer upon her the title “Mysterious Lady of Compassion, Benevolence, Serenity, and Grace,” and bestow this favor upon her so that a mother’s virtue may shine all the more. Respectfully receive this appointment.

Imperial patent

Twenty-second day of the sixth month, eleventh year of Zhengtong

Imperial seal

Twelfth year of Zhengtong

Edict prohibiting clan members and others from bullying or harming them

The Emperor instructs Lady Dong, the Profound Lord of Tranquil Gentleness and Obedience, a Daoist priestess granted a court title:

The court supports Daoism chiefly to encourage people to do good and punish wrongdoing, so that its prosperity may endure. Previously, when the former Perfected Zhang Maocong died, the court ordered his legitimate grandson, Zhang Yuanji, to succeed him as Perfected and oversee religious affairs. Yet members of the Zhang clan have repeatedly bullied and harmed them. Those who have already broken the law must be punished according to it. The court has also ordered the relevant offices to notify the inspecting censor and officials of the Three Judicial Offices, among others: anyone who continues, as before, to disregard the law and bully or harm the Zhang family shall be punished in accordance with the law.

A decree is now granted to Zhang Yuanji, encouraging him to study and cultivate himself diligently and take responsibility for religious affairs. Daoist priests Gao Jinyun and Zhou Yingyu are appointed as assistants in religious instruction, and Yan Ju and Xi Kezhong as clerks, specifically to help Zhang Yuanji in his work. Profound Lord, you are Zhang Yuanji’s grandmother and have long held a title granted by the court. As for family matters, you should guide your grandson morning and evening, urge him to study and cultivate himself diligently, and care for and support him as he grows into adulthood. This, too, will bring good fortune to the Zhang clan. As for matters handled outside the home, consult with Gao Jinyun and the others before acting, and strive to proceed properly with the long term in mind.

If members of the clan continue to stir up trouble and plot against your household, Gao Jinyun and the others should report the facts to the censor, the Three Judicial Offices, and the relevant officials. The authorities shall arrest and investigate those responsible according to the law, then submit the case to the court for punishment, with no pardon granted. Should Gao Jinyun and the others use this decree as a pretext to bully your grandson Zhang Yuanji, you should likewise report the facts to the censor, the Three Judicial Offices, and the relevant officials, and the matter shall be dealt with according to the law. You must manage the affairs of your household strictly, maintain harmony among the clan through kindness and a sense of duty, and warn your family not to harm other members of the clan. Only in this way will you fulfill the court’s intention in showing favor to your family and preserve your household for the long term. You must observe these instructions with care. This is hereby proclaimed to you.

The decree was issued on the twenty-fifth day of the fifth month in the twelfth year of the Zhengtong reign. The seal used was “Zhizhibao.”

The emperor issued a sacred decree: “I have reflected on Heaven and Earth’s intention to protect the people, and have respectfully fulfilled the wishes of my great-grandfather. I have had the Daoist Canon printed and distributed throughout the regions so that it may circulate widely. One copy of the Daoist Canon is now enshrined in the Great Shangqing Palace on Mount Longhu, a Daoist temple, for permanent veneration. Local Daoist officials and priests are permitted to recite and praise the scriptures, praying above for blessings upon the state and below for the people. They must serve and preserve the canon with reverence and care. No unauthorized persons may be allowed to borrow it for private viewing, treat it with disrespect, or defile it, thereby causing damage or loss. Any violation will be investigated and punished. Let this be proclaimed.”

By imperial order, issued on the tenth day of the eighth month of the twelfth year of Zhengtong (1447). The Imperial Treasure. Fourteenth year (1449).

An order was given to present offerings at the Altar of the Stars. In the seventh month, the Empress ordered a Peace-Protecting Zhaijiao, a Daoist purification ritual praying for safety, to be held in the inner court.

In the first year of Jingtai (1450), an order was given to hold a Peace-Protecting Zhaijiao at the Great Virtue Temple.

In the second year (1451), an imperial decree directed the relevant offices to issue one thousand ordination certificates, granting one thousand Daoist priests legal status.

In the third year (1452), an order was given to hold a Zhaijiao in the inner court. After the ritual, a banquet was held at the Hall of Benevolence and Wisdom.

In the fourth year (1453), an order was given to present offerings at the Altar of Wind, Clouds, Thunder, and Rain, and to hold a Zhaijiao at the Temple of Facing Heaven.

In the sixth year (1455), an order was given to hold a Zhaijiao at the Palace of Numinous Aid. The emperor issued a patent conferring the honorific title “Great Perfected One of Orthodox Unity, Heir to the Teachings, Who Embraces Emptiness and Guards Simplicity, Continues the Ancestors and Honors the Dharma, Dwells in Tranquility and Delights in Stillness, and Is Mysteriously Aligned, in Charge of All Daoist Affairs under Heaven.” He also bestowed a ritual sword and specially assigned a palace eunuch to escort the newly invested recipient back to the mountains.

In the second month of the first year of Tianshun (1457), the emperor summoned this person and ordered a Prayer-and-Thanksgiving Zhaijiao, a purification ritual to pray to and give thanks to the deities, to be held in the palace.

That same year, private issuance of talismans, divination tallies, and edicts was prohibited.

The emperor believed that the court honored and rewarded Daoism in order to reveal subtle principles, pray for blessings and the removal of calamities on behalf of the people, protect them, and help bring about a peaceful and harmonious realm. For Daoist methods to work as they should, however, their origins must first be traced and safeguarded.

Since the time of the founding ancestors, the court had continually regulated and administered Daoism. Recently, reports had come from various regions of people using Perfected Zhang’s name without authorization to make and distribute talismans, thereby misleading the people and extorting money. This gravely violated Daoism’s foundations and the purpose of its methods.

Zhang Yuanji was the eldest grandson of the late Perfected Zhang Maocheng. During the previous emperor’s reign, he had already been ordered to inherit his grandfather’s position. Concerned that Zhang Yuanji had lost his parents at a young age and might be harmed by others, the emperor had ordered that he be protected and kept in check. Now the emperor issued another decree requiring Zhang Yuanji’s relatives, as well as the Daoist priests at the temples and monasteries on the mountain, to observe proper rites and laws and respect the rules of Daoist practice. They must not bully or harm others or stir up trouble. Anyone who continued to use Zhang Yuanji’s name without authorization to make and distribute talisman slips would be punished as a serious criminal.

The emperor instructed Zhang Yuanji to set his mind aright and study diligently, to respectfully uphold the rules of the Mysterious Gate, and to carry forward his tradition without neglecting his ancestral estate. He must be reverent and careful in following these instructions, and must not be lax. The closing phrase “Thus is this decree issued” marks the document as a formal imperial command.

The decree bears the seal “Treasure of Vast Fortune” and is dated the first day of the seventh month of the first year of Tianshun. The record goes on to note that in the third year the emperor received Zhang Yuanji, hosted a banquet for him in the inner court, and again ordered him to present the Record of the Supreme High One’s Prolonged Blessings. In the fourth year, the emperor received him in the fasting palace. The record then gives the heading of an imperial patent conferring the title “Mysterious Primordial Lord” on Lady Gao. Only the opening words of the patent’s text survive: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees: I consider that the lineage of the divine beings…” The general meaning is that the emperor regarded Lady Gao as descended from divine beings.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: We hold that the descendants of the divine are honored by the state. One who inherits this teaching has already been invested with the title of Perfected One; his family, too, should receive a title as Mysterious Lord. This is to ensure that the Way of Xuanyuan, the Dao revered by Daoism, is praised from generation to generation.

You, the kind, benevolent, tranquil, and virtuous Mysterious Lord of the Gao clan, are the wife of Liugang, posthumously honored as the Perfected One of Orthodox Unity, Heir to the Teaching, Esteemed in the Mysterious, Nurturer of Simplicity, and Serene in Stillness. You are also the mother of Yuanji, the Great Perfected One of Orthodox Unity, Heir to the Teaching, Embracing Emptiness, Guarding Simplicity, Continuing the Ancestors, Esteemed in the Teaching, Peaceful and Tranquil, Delighting in Stillness, and United with the Mysterious, who oversees Daoist affairs throughout the realm. Widowed at an early age, you lived alone in fidelity and raised your young children until they came of age. The later revival of your religious lineage’s reputation was due entirely to your efforts.

We now specially confer upon you the title of Great Mysterious Lord, while retaining your existing title, and grant you this imperial patent in recognition of your virtue. May you remain steadfast in chastity and welcome good fortune, thereby making the court’s favor shine forth. So decreed.

Imperial decree.

Sixth day of the second month, fourth year of Tianshun.

Imperial seal.

In the fourth month of the fifth year of Tianshun, the Emperor sent an envoy into the mountains to summon him to court and have him conduct a Zhaijiao purification ritual at the Mysterious Heaven Shrine in the palace. In the seventh month, he was ordered to conduct a Qixie Rangying Zhaijiao ritual at the Temple for Facing Heaven, offering prayers of thanks and seeking to avert calamities. After the ritual, the Emperor summoned him to hear his report and, at his request, issued a general amnesty throughout the realm.

In the third month of the sixth year of Tianshun, the Emperor granted him leave to return to the mountains. When he reached Youhe, the Emperor specially dispatched Liu Sheng, a company officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, ordering him to carry the travel pass previously issued and assigning additional swift horses and a red warrant to escort him.

In the third month of the eighth year of Tianshun, the Emperor granted him leave to return to the mountains. When he reached Youhe, the Emperor specially dispatched Liu Sheng, a company officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, ordering him to carry the travel pass previously issued and assigning additional swift horses and a red warrant to escort him.

In the eighth year of Tianshun, the Emperor ordered a Huixie Zhaijiao ritual of thanksgiving to be held in the palace and granted him an imperial patent, elevating him to the title of Great Perfected One of Orthodox Unity, Heir to the Teaching, Embodying the Mysterious, Awakened to the Law, Deeply Silent and Empty, Proclaiming the Dao, Broadening Transformation, and Wonderfully Responsive.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I believe that the descendants of the divine are able to spread the Way of the Mysterious Origin, and the state has already bestowed recognition upon them. Now I extend favor to his mother as well, in order to honor the source and ensure that filial devotion is upheld for generations.

The Most High Lady of Compassionate Kindness, Quiet Grace, and Virtue, Lady Gao, is the mother of the Great Perfected Zhang Yuanji, heir to the teachings of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) school. He has awakened to the mysteries, mastered the Daoist arts, and oversees Daoist affairs throughout the realm. She was widowed early in life, remained steadfast in her virtue, raised her young children, and revived the family tradition. Her womanly virtue and maternal example shone within her household. In recognition of her noble conduct, she deserves commendation. I therefore confer upon you the title “Most High Lady of Compassionate Harmony, Dignified Grace, Chastity, and Virtue,” and grant you this imperial patent to mark this special favor. May you devote yourself even more diligently to cultivating goodness and enjoy lasting blessings. So decreed.

An imperial patent: a decree issued by the Emperor.

The twelfth day of the seventh month, in the eighth year of Tianshun.

The Emperor’s Seal.

In the first year of Chenghua, the Emperor summoned Zhang Yuanji to the Hall of Literary Glory and held a banquet for him there.

In the first month of the second year of Chenghua, the Emperor sent eunuchs with fine horses from the imperial stables, brocade, red shoes, wine, fruit, and other gifts as birthday presents. The following day, he held a banquet for Zhang Yuanji in the palace. On the eleventh day, he ordered Zhang Yuanji to present sacrificial offerings at the Altar of Wind, Clouds, Thunder, and Rain. In the second month, he ordered a Shengzhen Jiao to be held at Dade Abbey, a Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual) asking the divine perfected beings to descend.

An imperial order reiterating the ban on forging Fulu (talismans and registers).

The order stated: The following day, a banquet was held in the palace. On the eleventh day, offerings were presented at the Altar of Wind, Clouds, Thunder, and Rain. In the second month, a Shengzhen Jiao was held at Dade Abbey.

An imperial order reiterating the ban on forging Fulu.

Imperial Edict to Zhang Yuanji, the Great Perfected One of Zhengyi, Successor to the Teachings, Embodying the Mystery, Profoundly Still and Void, Expounding the Dao and Transforming All Through Its Subtle Efficacy (hereditary head of the Zhengyi Daoist tradition):

We believe that Daoism has the merit of protecting the state and sheltering the people, while the laws of the state provide regulations for rewarding good conduct and punishing wrongdoing. The two depend on each other; neither can be dispensed with.

Your ancestors were descendants of the divine, and for generations the office of leading Daoism has passed to the eldest legitimate son. This tradition has a long history. Later, when you were young, your father died, and members of your clan sought to seize your family property and position. Fortunately, the late emperor, in his wisdom, specifically ordered you to succeed your grandfather, the Perfected Zhang Maocheng, and issued a prohibitory decree to protect the security of both sides.

As time passes, people’s intentions can grow stubborn, and acts of encroachment may arise again. We therefore issue another prohibitory decree, requiring all your kinsmen to observe ritual propriety and honor the Mystery Teachings (Daoism), without exceeding their station or interfering with your affairs. No rogue may use your name to issue Fulu (Daoist talismans used for prayers and ritual practices) on his own authority in order to cheat people out of their money or violate the Daoist teachings. Anyone who disobeys shall be severely punished, without exception.

We have also appointed the Daoist priests Deng Yuxuan and Wang Shaotong as assistants in promoting the teachings, and Lin Zhimao and Zhu Wenji as directors of records, to help you manage religious affairs. You should understand Our profound intention, serve the Mystery Teachings with reverence and diligence, and carry forward the traditions of your lineage. Pray for blessings and auspicious signs for the state, and for the welfare of the people, thereby responding to the court’s esteem and commendation of Daoism. So ordered.

The seal bears the inscription “Treasure of Vast Fortune.”

Third month of the second year of Chenghua.

In the third year of Chenghua, the emperor summoned Zhang Yuanji to the Great Goodness Hall and encouraged him to protect the state and safeguard the people. The emperor specially granted him a gold-inlaid “Seal of the Residence of the Great Perfected One, Successor to the Zhengyi Teachings” and a jade seal. He also personally inscribed the four characters “Residence of the Great Perfected One” and presented them to Zhang Yuanji to hang above the entrance to his residence.

The emperor issued an imperial patent conferring on Zhang Yuanji the title “Great Perfected One of Subtle Efficacy: Successor to the Zhengyi Teachings, Embodying the Mystery, Honoring Silence, Awakening to the Method, Communing with the True, Expounding the Dao and Transforming All, Aiding Virtue and Blessing the Sage.” He also granted him authority over Daoist affairs throughout the realm. The emperor bestowed upon him a gold-inlaid “Seal of the Residence of the Great Perfected One, Successor to the Zhengyi Teachings” and a jade seal, and personally inscribed the four characters “Residence of the Great Perfected One,” presenting them to him to hang above the entrance to his residence.

The emperor issued an imperial edict conferring upon him the title “Great Perfected One of Wondrous Response, Assisting Virtue and Blessing the Sage, Proficient in the Dharma, Communicating with the True, Expounding the Dao and Spreading Its Transformations, Successor to the Zhengyi Teaching, Embodying the Mystery, Honored for Silent Realization.” He also ordered him to oversee Daoist affairs throughout the realm. At the same time, he sent the eunuch Qin Qin to deliver a python robe, a jade belt, and other gifts.

In the fifth year, the court ordered a Zhaijiao ritual to be held at the Temple for Worshipping Heaven. A Zhaijiao ritual is a Daoist ceremony for praying for blessings, averting calamities, and making offerings to the gods.

End of Records of Imperial Favor and Appointments of the Ming Dynasty, Volume Six

Records of Imperial Favor and Appointments of the Ming Dynasty, Volume Seven

The Forty-Seventh Great Perfected One, Zhang Xuanqing

In the thirteenth year of Chenghua, the emperor summoned Zhang Xuanqing and instructed the eunuch Liang Fang to convey his decree: Zhang was to marry the daughter of Zhu Yi, Duke of Cheng. The following year, the emperor ordered Zhang Xuanqing to travel in person to Nanjing for the wedding. He bestowed upon him a python robe and a jade belt, and provided horses and swift mounts to escort him back to the mountains.

Edict Appointing Him Great Perfected One

By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees:

I consider that the Mystery Teaching arose to participate in the transforming and nurturing principles of Heaven and Earth. The tradition of the religious lineage can flourish only through diligent cultivation and sincere devotion. Those who transmit the Dao must be honored; we should not begrudge them our favor.

Zhang Xuanqing is descended from a distant divine ancestor and comes from a distinguished family of a blessed land. He is intelligent and worthy of praise, and esteems purity, stillness, and emptiness. Now, as he inherits his ancestral vocation, I specially appoint him the Great Perfected One of the Zhengyi Teaching, Successor to the Teaching, Preserver of Harmony and Nurturer of Simplicity, Continuing His Ancestors’ Line and Upholding the Dao, to lead Daoist affairs.

You should strive all the more in your cultivation, follow the regulations of the Daoist tradition, uphold the Orthodox Way, and pray continually for the peace and prosperity of the state. I expect you to carry out this charge with reverence.

Edict

Twenty-first day of the twelfth month, the thirteenth year of Chenghua

Seal of the Emperor

Edict Enfeoffing His Mother, Lady Wu, as a Lady of the Mystery

By the Mandate of Heaven and in accordance with the ordained succession, the Emperor declares: I believe that the highest Dao (the Way) is originally without a name, but the teachings passed down by those who cultivate it should be held in reverence. Each generation has its own lineage of transmission, and generous favor should be bestowed upon those whose families have long been connected to it. The court’s grace should therefore extend to the Daoist tradition. The blessings and honors of ancestors are inherited by their descendants, and titles and imperial favor should also extend to their relatives. A mother, too, should be honored because of her son.

Lady Hao is the mother of Zhang Xuanqing, the Celestial Master (Tianshi) who inherited the teachings of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) tradition. She has always been gentle and loving, kind and virtuous. She raised her son well and enabled him to achieve distinction; she therefore deserves the court’s imperial favor. She is hereby granted the title “Mysterious Sovereign of Aspiring Devotion and Refined Serenity.” May she receive this generous favor, and may her womanly virtue be praised for generations. So ordered.

Edict.

Twenty-first day of the twelfth month, the thirteenth year of Chenghua.

Seal.

Twentieth year.

Imperial Edict Prohibiting the Forgery of Talismans and the Illegal Taking of Fish

The Emperor informs the military, the people, and all others: I believe that Mount Longhu in Guixi County, Guangxin Prefecture, is where the Zhang Celestial Masters have lived for generations and overseen their religious affairs. The Zhang ancestors passed down Fulu (talismans and registers), Daoist talismanic writings used to pray for blessings and perform rites, and bestowed them on others. During the Hongwu era, the court ordered the forgery of talismans to be prohibited, to prevent people from using them to mislead the public and extort money. During the Yongle era, people were also ordered to buy fish and release them into the river on Mount Longhu, in prayers for long life, and others were forbidden to catch them.

Recently, some brazen, unruly people have repeatedly forged talismans to extort money and secretly caught fish from the river, defying the court’s prohibitions. Zhang Xuanqing, the Celestial Master who inherited the teachings, considers these acts contrary to the established rules, so the court hereby issues another order prohibiting them. From now on, if members of the military, the public, or any others continue to abuse their power and cause trouble by forging talismans or secretly catching fish, the local authorities may apprehend and question them. If the authorities fail to restrain them, they too shall be punished, without clemency. Let this be known.

Imperial edict.

Twenty-third day of the second month, the twentieth year of Chenghua.

Seal.

Twenty-first year.

The emperor specifically ordered local officials in Jiangxi to rebuild the Great Perfected One’s Residence, and directed that incense be bestowed at Mount Great Canopy. He also ordered the Palace of the Iron Pillar to carry out the related arrangements.

In the twenty-second year, the emperor summoned the Celestial Master Zhang and ordered him to conduct a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) in the Hall of Reverent Peace.

In the third year of the Hongzhi reign, the emperor ordered a Zhaijiao to be held in the palace to pray for a male heir. The following year, the Crown Prince was born, and the emperor bestowed a jade belt, a gold crown, a python robe, and other gifts.

In the ninth year of the Hongzhi reign, the emperor specially dispatched the eunuchs Li Jin and Li Zhen, bearing an imperial edict, to hold a great Zhaijiao for the people’s peace at the Shangqing Palace. The provincial governor and the chief seal-holders of the two provincial offices accompanied them in the ritual.

In the eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign, the emperor ordered a Zhaijiao for snow to be held at the Chaotian Palace.

In the twelfth year of the Hongzhi reign, the emperor again dispatched the eunuchs Li Jin and Li Zhen, bearing an imperial edict, to hold a great Zhaijiao for the people’s peace at the Shangqing Palace. The provincial governor and the chief seal-holders of the two provincial offices accompanied them in the ritual.

In the eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign, the emperor ordered a Zhaijiao for snow to be held at the Chaotian Palace.

In the twelfth year of the Hongzhi reign, the emperor bestowed two ivory seals and ordered that the Taishang Record of Prolonged Blessings be presented to him.

In the fourteenth year of the Hongzhi reign, the Celestial Master Zhang was summoned to court. The emperor received him in the Hall of Reverent Peace, invited him to sit, and granted him a banquet.

In the fifteenth year of the Hongzhi reign, the Celestial Master Zhang was ordered to accompany the rites at Changling, the mausoleum of Zhu Di, the Ming Chengzu emperor.

The emperor bestowed an edict granting permission to retire:

“By imperial command, to Zhang Xuanqing, Hereditary Great Celestial Master of Zhengyi: Your ancestors have led the Daoist community for generations, inheriting their titles and stipends. This legacy has passed down to your generation without interruption for many years. Recently, when you came to the capital to pay your respects, you reported that you were ill and requested to retire to a life of leisure. You also asked that your son, Zhang Yanyu, succeed you in the office of Celestial Master. Your request is hereby specially granted. After retiring, you should live quietly, cultivate stillness, and care for your body and mind. Zhang Yanyu, too, must master the Daoist arts and duties, honor his responsibilities and rank, and carry on the family tradition, so that he does not fail to uphold the reputation of his forebears. Only then will he prove worthy of the court’s favor. You must both conduct yourselves with care. This edict is hereby issued.

Nineteenth day of the third month, fifteenth year of the Hongzhi reign.

‘Treasure of Vast Fortune’ was the seal used on this edict.

This year.”

Command: The relevant imperial edicts have been delivered to Ge Xian Mountain, Huagai Mountain, Wudang Mountain, Heming Mountain, and other places. The court has dispatched the commander of the Tongzhou Guard to lead troops in escorting the recipient back to his mountain.

The Eighteenth Year of Hongzhi

Letter of Commendation

The emperor writes to Zhang Xuanqing, the retired Great Perfected and successor to the Zhengyi teaching:

I believe that the wondrous Dao is now flourishing greatly, and that Heaven, Earth, and Humanity—the Three Powers—are all at peace in this age of prosperity. Like rain and dew, instruction reaches everywhere in the four directions, so that the people of the realm live in a state of long life and well-being. The Dao lineage endures, and the blessings of the state prosper. You devote yourself to cultivating the Dao, and your achievements in supporting its teaching are distinguished.

Your bearing is unrestrained, and your nature sincere and generous. You have inherited the accumulated virtue of generations of patriarchs and added enduring renown to Heaven and Earth. When you were previously appointed to office by command, you fulfilled your duties with care. Later, you resigned and returned to the mountain, withdrawing into the woods to devote yourself to the Dao. You remain untouched by worldly concerns, your mind as clear as ice; distracting thoughts have dispersed, and your heart is as bright as the moon in the high sky after rain. You have transcended the ordinary and cultivated to the realm of the sages, able to subdue tigers and tame dragons. Amid mountains and waters, you nurture an elevated spirit, finding joy in the qin and contentment in a life of ease. The wondrous Dao of emptiness that you uphold truly possesses a radiant power to help the world and benefit its people.

Now you have descendants, and the fine robes and vessels in your household each have their rightful place. The green trees filling your courtyard are also a comforting sight: honor and disgrace, gain and loss, have nothing to do with you. I often recall your refined appearance, and so miss you all the more from afar. Moreover, you have written to me repeatedly, with earnest words and sincere intentions. I hope you will understand my feelings.

Treasure of Vast Fortune

The twenty-second day of the second month, in the eighteenth year of Hongzhi

Edict Prohibiting the Forgery of Talisman Tokens

Imperial Edict to Zhang Xuanqing, the Retired Great Perfected One Who Inherited the Teaching of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity): In recent years, Fulu (talismans and registers) have been passed on and distributed freely in various places. I have ordered the Ministry of Rites to issue a notice prohibiting and regulating this throughout the land. This order must be followed without fail. Under the precedents set during the Hongwu and Yongle reigns, all related matters were handled by submitting requests through the household of the Great Perfected One who inherited the teaching. You are to understand My intent and restrain your household subordinates as well. Observe the laws carefully; do not forge Fulu or treat them disrespectfully, so that the pure precepts are not allowed to lapse and the wondrous Dao may be made known. This edict is hereby issued.

Twenty-second day of the third month, eighteenth year of the Hongzhi reign

Edict Granting a Calligraphy Scroll and Silver Coins

Edict to Zhang Xuanqing, the Retired Great Perfected One Who Inherited the Teaching of Zhengyi: When your son, the Great Perfected One Zhang Yanyu, came to court, he brought gifts of sacred images, spirit talismans, ancient swords, and other items. I learned that, beyond your usual cultivation, you had sincerely and reverently arranged these precious objects and sent them to Me. I am greatly pleased to hear that you are comfortable in your daily life and that your body and mind are in harmony. I now grant you a painted scroll, silverware, and silk as a gesture of inquiry from afar. Please accept them. This edict is hereby issued.

Twenty-second day of the third month, eighteenth year of the Hongzhi reign

Edict Ordering Incense and Candles for the Purification Ritual

Edict to the Great Perfected One of Zhengyi who inherited the teaching… I am greatly pleased. I now grant you a painted scroll, silverware, and silk as a gesture of inquiry from afar. Please accept them. This edict is hereby issued.

Twenty-second day of the third month, eighteenth year of the Hongzhi reign

Edict Ordering Incense and Candles for the Purification Ritual

By imperial decree to Zhang Xuanqing, the retired Great Perfected One of Zhengyi, heir to the teaching: I have read your memorial and learned that you wish to visit Wudang Mountain, Heming Mountain, and Ge Xian Mountain. The weather is now mild, and the people live in peace. A leisurely ascent into the mountains would make good use of this free time. You are hereby permitted to choose an auspicious day and set out for Heming Mountain. The journey is long and difficult, and I fear the hardships of travel may tire you. Whether you go is entirely your decision. If you do not go, you may instead send someone with incense to express your sincerity. I hope you take good care of yourself and return soon to your immortal abode, so that my hopes may be fulfilled. I have prepared nine sets of incense and candles, sealed them together, and sent them to you. Please offer them on my behalf to show my sincere reverence for the gods. So decreed.

Seal of Vast Fortune

Twenty-second day of the third month, eighteenth year of Hongzhi

End of Volume Seven of Records of Imperial Favor and Commands of the August Ming.

Volume Eight of Records of Imperial Favor and Commands of the August Ming

Zhang Yanyu, Forty-eighth Great Perfected One

Fourteenth year of Hongzhi

Zhang Yanyu accompanied his father to court. The emperor summoned him to the Qinan Hall, invited him to sit, and hosted a banquet in his honor. He also bestowed a jade belt, embroidered robes, and other gifts. The emperor issued an imperial patent, granting him the title “Great Perfected One of Zhengyi, Heir to the Teaching, of Empty Stillness and Calm, Continuing the Ancestral Line and Spreading Its Transforming Influence,” and ordered him to oversee Daoist affairs throughout the realm.

Third year of Zhengde

The emperor ordered five hundred ordination certificates to be issued, authorizing five hundred men to become Daoist priests and pursue the Way.

Imperial decree for the construction of the Great Shangqing Palace.

By imperial decree, eunuch Li Wen of the Directorate of Palace Attendants: The Qing Palace on Mount Longhu has fallen into disrepair. The late emperor issued orders several times for it to be rebuilt, but the work never began because local affairs were so numerous. Recently, Zhang Yan, the Orthodox Unity inheritor of the Daoist teaching, submitted a memorial requesting its reconstruction. You are hereby ordered to travel there and work with the officials responsible for the defense of Jiangxi, the provincial governor, and others. You are also to direct the officials dispatched by the Three Provincial Offices responsible for administration, finance, and justice to oversee the work together. Materials, craftsmen, and labor are to be assigned and allocated reasonably. The palace must be rebuilt according to its former design, at an appropriate scale and with sound construction. You must not alter it on your own, delay the work, or waste funds and provisions.

The people of Jiangxi are living in hardship, and banditry has not yet been quelled. You must act with particular integrity and fairness, and proceed calmly. Warn your subordinates not to embezzle or withhold funds, or to harass the people with excessive demands, thereby provoking resentment. If you disobey this order, you will be held responsible. Be cautious—again and again, be cautious. This is the decree.

“Treasure of Vast Fortune and Universal Reach” (the imperial seal).

The twelfth day of the sixth month, in the third year of the Zhengde reign.

In the seventh year, he was ordered to accompany the emperor in the rites at the Altar of Heaven, where Heaven and Earth were worshipped.

In the fifteenth year, during the emperor’s southern tour, reports arose of strange and baleful occurrences around Mount Niushou and Lake Hou. At his temporary residence along the route, the emperor summoned him and ordered him to go and dispel them. He accompanied the emperor back to the capital.

In the first year of the Jiajing reign, the emperor summoned him and asked for his views. He replied that one should keep the mind clear and desires few, which pleased the emperor. He was specially permitted to return to Mount Longhu and requested leave to present the various ranks and registers of ritual offices conferred in the name of the Supreme Lord to extend blessings.

In the third year, an edict arranged for him to marry the daughter of Marquis Anyuan, Liu Wen, as his second wife. Officials responsible for the defense of the auxiliary capital were ordered to accompany the party going to receive the bride.

In the fifth year, he was granted the title of Great Perfected and issued an imperial patent.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

We have received Heaven’s gracious charge and carefully upheld the institutions of former dynasties. Governance and moral instruction must be widely carried out, and the Daoist tradition’s profound teachings must not be abandoned. Zhang Yanshun, the great perfected one and hereditary transmitter of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) school: your ancestors came from a distinguished Han dynasty family, and the Daoist methods passed down through your lineage trace their roots to the worthy sages of the Zhou dynasty. You received the Fulu (talismans and registers) through an authentic transmission, and your cultivation and regimen follow the essential principles. We note that you have long benefited from your ancestors’ protection and have always served with diligence. Your prayers can reach the spirits, and your rites to avert calamity and seek blessings have often brought results. We hereby confer upon you the title “Great Perfected One Who Embraces the Mysterious and Holds to the True, Nourishes Simplicity and Keeps Silence, Preserves the Light, Treads in Harmony and Attains Emptiness, Is Serene and Still, Inherits the Lineage and Spreads Transformation.” You shall oversee Daoist affairs throughout the realm, and we grant you this patent of appointment.

You are to uphold the teachings of purity, stillness, and Wuwei (non-action), so that the Daoist tradition may flourish further. Promote the aspiration to aid the world and benefit its people, adding luster to the court’s moral instruction. May you preserve your blessings for a long time and extend your kindness to all. Respect this decree.

The decree further commands: You are to uphold the teachings of purity, stillness, and Wuwei (non-action), so that the Daoist tradition may flourish further. Promote the aspiration to aid the world and benefit its people, adding luster to the court’s moral instruction. Preserve your blessings for a long time and extend your kindness to all. Respect this decree.

Imperial patent (an appointment document issued by the emperor)

Third day of the second month, fifth year of Jiajing

Seal (the seal used on the decree)

Edict of Additional Honor

We command Zhang Yanyu, the great perfected one and hereditary transmitter of the Zhengyi school: We hereby confer upon you the additional title “Great Perfected One Who Embraces the Mysterious and Holds to the True, Nourishes Simplicity and Keeps Silence, Preserves the Light, Treads in Harmony and Attains Emptiness, Is Serene and Still, Inherits the Lineage and Spreads Transformation.” You shall oversee Daoist affairs throughout the realm. We grant you a patent of appointment as an honor.

The Shangqing Palace Daoist priests Fu Deyan and Shao Qinan are appointed as assistants in the Great Perfected One’s residence, helping him manage its affairs. The teachers Yu Yongshou and Zhan Wangkui are appointed as clerks, each to take up his post and perform his duties. You are to obey Our commands and carefully observe the rules of purity, so as to receive blessings for a long time. You must also keep officials at every level in check, ensuring that they work diligently and do not become lax or neglect their duties. Only then will you live up to the court’s esteem for Daoism. Respect this decree. Let this be made known.

Seal of Vast Fortune (the emperor’s seal)

Fifteenth day of the second month, fifth year of Jiajing

Edict appointing someone to travel to Mount Taihe to pray

Special notice to Zhang Yanyu, the great perfected one and hereditary transmitter of the Zhengyi school: You are hereby commanded to travel to the blessed sanctuary of the Dark Warrior at Mount Taihe and establish an altar for a Clear Zhaijiao (purification ritual), to pray both for the foundations of the state and for the people. You must carry out this command with utmost care…

The emperor especially instructs Zhang Yanyu, the Grand Perfected who Inherits the Teachings of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity): You are now commanded to go to Xuántiān Fúdì, a sacred site dedicated to the Dark Heavenly Supreme Emperor, and hold a Qingjiao purification ritual. First, pray for the nation’s lasting stability; second, pray for the people’s blessings. You must devote yourself wholeheartedly, with reverence and sincerity, and carry out your duties with care. In particular, keep those accompanying you under control, as well as the officials dispatched to the Zhang residence. As for land that has been occupied, make suitable arrangements and handle it properly, restoring it as nearly as possible to its original state. Be diligent and careful; do not neglect this matter. In this way, you will not disappoint Us, and you will bring honor to Daoism. By imperial command.

Seal of Broad Fortune and Vast Blessings (imperial seal)

Sixteenth day of the second month, fifth year of the Jiajing reign

Edict on Rebuilding the Grand Perfected’s Residence

By imperial command, Wu You, Left Vice Superintendent of the Directorate of Palace Eunuchs: Recently, Zhang Yanyu, the Grand Perfected who Inherits the Teachings of Zhengyi, submitted a memorial stating that his residence had been destroyed and requesting that officials be appointed to oversee its reconstruction. You are now specially commanded to go there and supervise the work according to established regulations, completing the construction as soon as possible. The necessary funds and provisions are to be arranged by the local governor, provincial inspector, and the officials of the Three Commissions. Laborers are to be sent from nearby prefectures and counties. You must calculate the materials and labor required and make proper arrangements in accordance with the law, ensuring that the construction is sound. Above all, act fairly and honestly, and provide proper care for the craftsmen, soldiers, and civilian laborers. Ensure that they eat and rest on schedule and that work and rest are balanced, so that all are willing to do their utmost. Do not use this occasion to impose extra levies or harass the people, provoking complaints; any violation will be subject to investigation and accountability. You must carry out these orders. By imperial command.

Seal of Broad Fortune and Vast Blessings (imperial seal)

Third month, fifth year of the Jiajing reign (exact date not recorded)

Edict of the Fifth Month Requesting Divine Images and Bestowing a Seal

This is to the eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial: You must carry out these orders. By imperial command.

Seal of Broad Fortune and Vast Blessings (imperial seal)

Third month, fifth year of the Jiajing reign (exact date not recorded)

In the fifth month, an edict was issued requesting divine images and bestowing a seal.

The eunuch Bao Zhong of the Directorate of Ceremonial transmitted the emperor’s decree: the images of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), the Four Emperors, and the various stellar deities that the emperor worshipped were to be entrusted to Wu You, who would convey them to the Myriad Dharma Ancestral Altar at the residence of the Great Perfected Ones on Mount Longhu, where they would be enshrined. The emperor also bestowed one silver-inlaid seal inscribed “Seal of the Immortal Minister Who Presides over the Dharma” and one ivory-carved seal inscribed “Seal of the Ancestral Lineage.” So decreed. The emperor further ordered the Ministry of Revenue to investigate how powerful local households had seized and concealed the taxable lands and grain of the Shangqing Palace. Once the facts had been verified, the matter was to be dealt with and the property protected.

This year

The Lord of Primordial Yang wrote in his own hand in reply, before the Master’s tent:

Since my master returned in the second month, the purification rites (Daoist ceremonies conducted at an altar to honor the gods and pray for blessings) held on Mount Wudang have concluded, yet I have received no reply. It was not until the eighteenth day of the eighth month this year, when a Great Perfected One delivered it, that I received my master’s letter. I learned of your long journey and the exhaustion you endured in the summer heat. Reading your letter again, I also learned that, because of the matter concerning the offender Chen, you hoped I would pardon him. I have taken note of this. May my master follow the season and carefully tend body and mind, welcoming the harmonious Qi.

I hope you will vigorously expound the wondrous Dao and promote profound principles that benefit the state. May your sincere devotion move Heaven to protect my realm and its altars of state, so that the fortunes of the dynasty may endure. I, too, will honor the Mandate of Heaven, embody the Dao through De, and strive to govern and educate the people.

Also, if there are precious alchemical registers, ritual books, or sacred objects in the palaces and temples of Mount Wudang, please take the trouble to seek them out, so that I may express my sincere admiration for Daoism. Now that the messenger is returning, I have entrusted him with this reply. Please take note.

Four days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, in the fifth year of Jiajing.

Sixth year

The Lord of Primordial Yang wrote in a letter:

Last year, I ordered my master to go in person to the blessed site of the Ancestor of the Myriad Dharmas and enshrine the sacred images. Now that the messenger is returning, I have entrusted him with this reply. Please take note.

Four days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, in the fifth year of Jiajing.

The Divine Lord of Primordial Yang (a Daoist deity) wrote:

Last year, I ordered the Master to travel in person to the blessed site of the Patriarch of the Ten Thousand Methods, where Daoist patriarchs practice and receive worship, to install the deities, prepare the ritual offerings, and conduct a purification rite to pray for an heir at Jingling Palace. I have remained mindful of the hardship this caused the Master’s true body. Zuo Zhiling and Hao Shangli arrived in the capital at the end of the seventh month. When I learned that the Master had completed the altar rites, I returned to the palace. Later, Zhang Xian and the other attendants did not reach the capital until the ninth month. They delivered precious goods and numinous objects from the blessed site, which I have formally accepted. Now that the envoys are returning, I have specially charged one of them to convey my sincere thanks.

Also, while the ritual altar and residence were being built, the officials in charge delayed and damaged the work, disobeying my orders and violating the law. I have ordered them to hasten construction at once and report on its progress in the coming days. I ask the Master to remain here for the time being and return to the former residence once the work is complete. Please take note.

A propitious day in the ninth month of the sixth year of Jiajing

Seventh Year of Jiajing

Ordered to accompany the sacrifice at the Altar of the Stars.

Eleventh Year of Jiajing

Edict on the Renovation of the Great Shangqing Palace

By imperial order, Cao Yu, Left Assistant Director of the Directorate of Palace Eunuchs: The halls of Shangqing Palace on Mount Longhu in Jiangxi have fallen into disrepair with age. You are ordered to hasten their renovation at once and ensure that it is completed. The remaining text is an edict ordering the construction of Xianyuan Palace.

By imperial order, the emperor commands Cao Yu, Left Assistant Director of the Directorate of Palace Affairs: The halls and buildings of the Shangqing Palace on Mount Longhu in Jiangxi have fallen into disrepair and are now damaged; they must be restored immediately. The Xianyuan Palace, whose construction was ordered by imperial decree, is to be built according to the plans issued and in the prescribed style. The foundations throughout must be firm and the structures sound, so that the buildings will endure and show my sincerity in honoring the gods.

You are hereby ordered to travel there and supervise the work together with the local governor and inspecting officials. Work with the relevant departmental and prefectural officials, consult the precedents of earlier years, and carry out the repairs and construction together. Materials, craftsmen, laborers, funds, and provisions required for the work are all to be handled according to the procedures approved by the relevant departments. Coordinate the work thoroughly and make appropriate arrangements. As a palace official entrusted with this duty, you must be especially honest and impartial, and conduct the work with care. Show consideration for the craftsmen and laborers: ensure that they eat and rest on time, and balance work and rest so they are willing to do their best. Only then will you have fulfilled your duty. Do not use this commission as an excuse to let your subordinates impose extra levies or harass the people, force them into labor, or make unreasonable demands, provoking resentment and bringing punishment upon yourself. When the work is complete, record the buildings repaired and constructed, along with the amounts of funds and provisions spent, and submit the register for review and reconciliation. Handle this matter with the utmost care. So ordered.

The imperial seal bears the words “Treasure of Vast Fortune.” The seventh day of the third month, in the eleventh year of the Jiajing reign.

In the fourteenth year of the Jiajing reign, imperial permission was granted to exempt the entire registered household from labor service, in accordance with established precedent.

The Ministry of Revenue, acting on the emperor’s command: The title of Zhengyi Great Celestial Master, the designation of the Daoist leader of Mount Longhu, is not a new status; the imperial ancestors had already issued a benevolent decree. All matters submitted in the petition are approved. The relevant officials must not mistreat or neglect the petitioner. You are to proceed impartially. For now, no further inquiry will be made, and the exemption is hereby granted in full.

In the sixteenth year of the Jiajing reign, the emperor ordered the interrogation of officials along the route who had defied or neglected his commands.

Imperial edict: Zhang Yanxu, who oversees Daoist affairs, is ordered to travel to the capital to offer congratulations. In previous reigns, edicts were issued repeatedly requiring local government offices along the route to provide supplies according to regulations. Why have local officials failed to provide them? The investigating censor is ordered to determine the facts and summon those responsible for questioning, and to hold the governor accountable. For now, no action will be taken against him, but he must be sternly warned from this point on. Military garrisons and local government offices must all provide supplies according to regulations, without delay, obstruction, or difficulty. The relevant offices are to take note.

This year, an order was given to hold a snow-prayer ritual within the palace. A gold crown, jade belt, ritual implements, silver coins, and other items were bestowed.

In the first month of the seventeenth year, an order was given to hold a major Golden Register Retreat (a large-scale Daoist purification and ritual service) at the imperial altar within the palace, with additional rewards bestowed.

Edict ordering government offices along the route to provide supplies according to regulations:

An edict to Zhang Yanxu, the Great Perfected One who, as heir to Zhengyi, transmits its teachings, embraces the mysterious and preserves the true, cultivates simplicity and keeps silence, safeguards the light, practices harmony and attains emptiness, remains serene and still, inherits the tradition and spreads its teachings, and oversees Daoist affairs throughout the realm: You submitted a memorial stating that you are required to travel to court every three years, but the local offices along your route refuse to provide supplies according to regulations. As a result, your journey is repeatedly obstructed and your arrival at court delayed. Although you previously submitted a request and received clear instructions, some have continued to defy them. We now issue this edict to protect you. From now on, whenever you travel to the capital to offer congratulations or for other such duties, the military garrisons, local government offices, relay stations, and other offices along your route, both on the outward and return journeys, must immediately provide supplies according to regulations and must not obstruct you. Should anyone continue to neglect or hinder you, you are authorized to report the facts in a memorial so that the matter may be dealt with according to law. You must faithfully obey this edict.

Guangyun

Fourth day of the second month, seventeenth year of the Jiajing reign

This year, an edict ordered Zhang Yanxu to travel to Qiyun Cliff to perform a ritual:

An edict to Zhang Yanxu, Great Perfected One of Zhengyi: In previous years, the Great Perfected Li Dechen was ordered to travel reverently to Qiyun Cliff to worship the True Warrior God of the North Pole, perform a ritual, and pray for blessings. The prayers later proved efficacious. We now specially order you to travel to Qiyun Cliff and perform the ritual.

By imperial order: To the Great Perfected Master Zhang Yanyu of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity).

Previously, I commanded the Perfected Master Li Dechen to proceed reverently to Qiyun Cliff and make offerings to the Northern Pole True Warrior Spirit. He established a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) to pray for an heir, and the prayer was indeed answered. I now specially command you to go there and devoutly perform a Zhaijiao: first, to give thanks to the spirits; and second, to pray for your mother’s long life. Once the rites are complete, as you return to the mountain, have the accompanying Daoist adept Nie Yiran report to the court the places you have passed through. The military guards, local offices, postal stations, and other government offices along the route must provide what is customarily required. They must not deceive you, neglect their duties, or deliberately obstruct you. If anyone disobeys this order or deliberately defies it, you may report the matter to the court for action after the rites are complete. So ordered.

Guangyun

Auspicious day, second month, nineteenth day, of the seventeenth year of the Jiajing reign

Seal

In the eighteenth year of the Jiajing reign, the petition was approved: following the precedent of Mount Taihe, Mount Qiyun was authorized to establish an official Daoist institution, with an abbot and administrative staff. Its shrine was granted the name “Xuantiantai Su Palace.” Mount Qiyun was to remain exempt from sending its incense money to the capital, and an imperial order was issued to protect it.

A handwritten letter of condolence after the Holy Mother’s death

Lord Xiangyi writes to the Celestial Master Zhang, heir to the Zhengyi teaching:

I have accumulated grave offenses, and now have suffered the pain of losing my mother. On the fourth day of the twelfth month in the Wuxu year, my beloved mother passed away. My grief felt as though my five organs had been torn apart. Later, I went in person to Nanhua to inspect the mausoleum and those who guard it. How could these thoughts fail to deepen my sorrow? What is more, my mother had not yet reached a great age, and illness had afflicted her for many years. Day and night I hoped she would recover. Who could have foreseen that both holy ones would leave me? How bitter this is! I can only set down some of the pain in my heart and share my grief with you. I have not been able to recount everything; I hope you will understand.

Yuanyang

An auspicious day in early autumn, eighteenth year of the Jiajing reign. Presented with respect by Xiangyi.

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Letter of congratulations on the birth of a son

Lord Xiangyi writes to the Zhengyi master:

Last month I heard that Heaven’s favor had fallen upon the lineage: the teaching now has an heir, and its transmission will continue. I was deeply pleased. I hope you will tend carefully to the child from morning to night. The messenger has just returned, so I have sent a few gifts with him to offer my congratulations. Please accept them. I have not been able to write in greater detail.

Yuanyang Hanjí

On an auspicious day in the twelfth lunar month of the Jihai year (the eighteenth year of the Jiajing reign, 1539), Emperor Xiangyi issued this letter.

Nineteenth year

You now oversee Daoist affairs, carrying on the Daoist lineage and opening a new source for its transmission. This gives me great joy. You should take good care of matters at all times, morning and evening. I am sending an envoy back with gifts to congratulate you; you may accept them. This letter cannot express everything in full.

Primordial Yang, Embracing the Ultimate

On an auspicious day in the twelfth lunar month of the Jihai year, Emperor Xiangyi issued this letter.

Nineteenth year

Edict Temporarily Excusing an Audience at the Capital

The Emperor instructs Zhang Yanju, the Great Perfected of Zhengyi who inherits the teachings: I have considered that my imperial grandfather established the rule that officials of every rank in the empire’s guards and garrisons must attend court once every three years. You are included among them, for I value your religious office. This year is again the year for an audience. I have considered that you had a son only in middle age, and that the child is still in swaddling clothes and may make it difficult for you to travel far. I therefore specially dispatch the messenger Huang Rugui to convey this instruction: for this occasion, you are temporarily excused from coming to the capital, so that you may devote yourself to caring for the child. This is to express my concern and consideration for your heir. You should respectfully accept this decree. Let this be known.

By imperial command

Fifth day of the fifth month, the nineteenth year of Jiajing

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Twenty-first year

An imperial patent conferring the title of Xuanjun upon Lady Zhu and Lady Song.

By the mandate of Heaven, the emperor issues this decree:

A mother labors to raise and instruct her children, just as a ruler should understand his subjects’ wish to honor their family. Matters that shape moral instruction and social customs should not be confined by ordinary limits on imperial favor.

You, Lady Zhu, are the daughter of the late Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent, Duke of Cheng, Yi, and the adoptive mother of Zhang Yanyun, the Great Perfected of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) lineage, who now oversees Daoist affairs throughout the realm. You come from a family renowned for its meritorious service and honored reputation. You are frugal and diligent, gentle in temperament, and upright in conduct. You aided your husband in understanding the mysteries of the Qingwei tradition, and taught your son to hold firmly to Daoism’s principles of tranquility and simplicity. Through this, the state has been able to pray for blessings, and Daoism has been greatly honored. You are now posthumously conferred the title “Mysterious Lady of Refined Gentleness and Compliant Virtue,” and granted this patent of investiture, so that honor and glory may reach you in the netherworld and your good name endure for generations.

The decree further says:

A son recognizes that his family’s blessings have their roots in his mother’s virtue; a mother, too, is honored through her son’s standing. Favor should therefore be extended to her. You, Lady Song, are the daughter of Qing, a commander of the Imperial Bodyguard, and the birth mother of Zhang Yantou, the Great Perfected of the Zhengyi lineage, who now oversees Daoist affairs throughout the realm. You come from a family distinguished for generations. Gentle in temperament, you managed your household with thrift; dignified and cautious in conduct, you also embodied the bearing of one who maintains inner stillness. Your virtue merits commendation. You are now posthumously conferred the title “Mysterious Lady of Gentle Compassion and Reverence for Goodness,” and granted this patent of investiture. May you accept this great favor, and may its glory shine upon you forever in the netherworld.

This decree was issued on the ninth day of the third month in the twenty-first year of the Jiajing reign.

Seal of the Patent of Investiture.

Another patent of investiture posthumously confers the title “Mysterious Lady” on Lady Li, Lady Wu, and Lady Liu.

By imperial mandate and the authority of Heaven, the Emperor issues this decree:

The court bestows honors to reward the toil of worthy people, and grants imperial favor to commend those of virtue. These are important ways in which the court upholds its institutions and rites. Lady Li, wife of Zhang Yanyu, the Orthodox Unity (Zhengyi) Hereditary Master of the Teachings and Great Perfected One who oversees Daoist affairs throughout the realm, was the daughter of the Earl of Xiangcheng, Du. Born into a family of meritorious nobles, she married young into a Daoist lineage. She upheld the duties of a wife and earned an outstanding reputation for virtue. The court therefore grants her this generous honor and, in response to her husband’s request, posthumously confers upon her the title “Mysterious Lady of Vacuity and Gentle Grace.” This imperial patent is hereby bestowed. Receive this exceptional favor with reverence, and may it bring honor to your dwelling in the underworld.

The Emperor issues this decree:

When a subject serves the ruler with loyalty, the court should reward him generously; when a wife upholds her duty to support her husband, the favor she receives should be commensurate. The cultivation of social customs and moral conduct depends on this, and death makes no difference. Lady Wu, second wife of Zhang Yanpian, the Orthodox Unity (Zhengyi) Hereditary Master of the Teachings and Great Perfected One who oversees Daoist affairs throughout the realm, was the daughter of Zhen, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. From an early age she received the teachings of the women of her family, and married into a distinguished household. Dignified, careful, and gracious in bearing, she was gentle and virtuous, a model for others; she quietly supported Daoist affairs and contributed greatly. She is now posthumously granted the title “Mysterious Lady of Peaceful Wonder and Constant Goodness,” and this imperial patent is bestowed upon her. May she know this generous favor in the shadowy realm.

The Emperor issues this decree:

When the court grants favor to its subjects, it must also honor their wives, thereby strengthening the foundations of human relationships and encouraging husbands and wives to support one another. Lady Liu, second wife of Zhang Yanyu, the Orthodox Unity (Zhengyi) Hereditary Master of the Teachings and Great Perfected One who oversees Daoist affairs throughout the realm, was the daughter of Wen, the Marquis of Anyuan. Born into a family of meritorious nobles, she married into an official household. By nature she was virtuous and careful, gentle and dignified in her conduct. She quietly assisted with Daoist affairs and thereby earned an excellent reputation. She is now posthumously granted the title “Mysterious Lady of Reverent Grace and Aspiration for the Dao,” and this imperial patent is bestowed upon her. May her spirit seem still present to receive this profound favor.

An imperial patent is an edict issued by the Emperor.

The ninth day of the third month of the twenty-first year of the Jiajing reign

【Imperial seal】

This year, the relevant offices were ordered to issue ordination certificates to five hundred Daoist priests, authorizing them to enter the religious life. The governor of Jiangxi was instructed to restrain the people of Fuzhou and forbid them from privately making counterfeit Fulu (talismans and registers).

The twenty-second year of the Jiajing reign

A renewed edict exempting him from attending court

The emperor instructed Zhang Yanfu, the Great Perfected One who inherited the teachings of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity): I have considered that, under the regulations established by the imperial ancestors, officials from all levels of government throughout the realm must attend court every three years. You are included among them. This is because you have inherited the Daoist lineage, and the court therefore holds you in special regard. Last year, mindful that your son was young, I exempted you from making the journey to court. This year it is again time for you to attend, but your son is still not fit to travel far. I have specially sent Qiao Jian, a company commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to deliver this edict and once again grant you a temporary exemption, so that you may devote yourself to caring for your son. In this way, I intend to protect and carefully provide for your heir. You should respectfully accept this instruction. So ordered.

【Imperial edict】

The fifteenth day of the fifth month of the twenty-second year of the Jiajing reign

【Imperial seal】

The twenty-eighth year of the Jiajing reign

The emperor issued an edict ordering Zhang Yanfu to bring his adopted heir to court. When the heir reached the gates of the capital, the emperor sent the eunuch Gao Zhong to convey his greetings and present the heir with clothes and a belt. The following day, the emperor summoned them and hosted a banquet in a private hall. He also ordered that the names of perfected ones from past dynasties be copied out and presented for his review. The emperor personally bestowed a name, ordering that your son be called “Yongxu.” He approved Zhang Yanfu’s request to retire from office and allowed Shao Yongxu to inherit the religious lineage and title.

The thirty-ninth year of the Jiajing reign

A marquis’s title was specially bestowed, with the customary provisions for sacrifice and burial. You are to administer the instructions.

The emperor issued an edict: “I had planned to send officials in the second month to summon the Great Perfected of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) who inherits the teaching, so that he could serve his father at court. I did not expect his father to pass away last winter. In accordance with the rank of a marquis, I now grant one hundred dan of funeral expenses, ritual grain, and hemp cloth, and order thirteen altars of sacrificial rites to be performed. Notify the relevant offices at once to carry this out. Also send a thousand-household commander and a messenger to deliver this decree, cancel the inheriting Perfected’s summons to court, and supervise the funeral arrangements. Let the relevant offices take note.”

The emperor further ordered the messenger Li Qi of the Office of Messengers to read the sacrificial text, accompanied by Wang Zhengyi, a thousand-household commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to supervise the funeral arrangements. He also dispatched twenty banner guards to inspect whether those handling the matter were neglecting their duties or disobeying orders. The relevant offices were instructed to proceed according to ritual and to relocate the Shudie Mountain Academy in Yiyang County to make way for the tomb. A subsequent edict appointed Wen Yaomin, a thousand-household commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to urge the officials and attendants previously dispatched to complete the funeral preparations as soon as possible in accordance with the rites for a marquis.

Text for the Thirteen-altar Imperial Sacrifice

On an unspecified day in an unspecified month of the fortieth year of the Jiajing reign, the emperor sent Li Qi, a messenger of the Office of Messengers, to read this sacrificial text to Zhang Yantou, the Great Perfected who inherited the Zhengyi teaching:

“You received the court’s favor and inherited the responsibility of upholding and directing Daoist affairs. You settled your mind and guarded your spirit, cultivating your nature with quietness and humility. You prayed for the people’s blessings, attended diligently to your duties, and achieved notable merit. You came to court to pay your respects at the appointed times. I have always remembered this and honored your noble conduct, granting you favor on many occasions. I hoped you would enjoy blessings and long life, but illness took your life. On hearing the news of your death, I felt deep sorrow and regret. In accordance with ritual, I have specially arranged relief for your funeral, bestowed sacrificial offerings, and sent officials to make offerings on my behalf. I have also ordered the relevant offices to build your tomb. May your spirit remain undimmed and respectfully receive my decree.”

Texts for the First Seven-Day and Seven-Seven-Day Memorial Rites

“You gathered your spirit and preserved stillness, showing much of your ancestors’ bearing. You proclaimed the teachings and assisted the age, earning truly notable merit. Why did you depart so suddenly? A tomb has now been built for you. May your spirit remain undimmed and respectfully receive my decree.”

The memorial says: “You upheld the subtle and mysterious Dao, lived quietly and kept to yourself, and showed much of your ancestors’ legacy. You promoted Daoism and assisted the affairs of the age, achieving truly outstanding merit. Why did you suddenly pass away? In the blink of an eye, the day of your memorial offering has come. The court has, in accordance with ritual, sent someone to make the offering. May you receive it in peace and remain mindful of Daoist teachings.”

The memorials for the hundred-day offering, the anniversary of the burial, and the third-year offering say: “Your spirit has journeyed through the realms of the immortals, and your traces have merged into the Mysterious Capital, the immortal realm of Daoist legend. The court remembers your Daoist example and, in accordance with ritual, grants you posthumous honors and support. Time passes, and in the blink of an eye the day for the offering has come. The court must still make the offering according to ritual. May you receive it in peace.”

The twenty-eighth year of the Jiajing reign

The emperor issued an edict ordering Zhang Yongxu to accompany his father to court. When he reached the capital, the emperor sent the eunuch Gao Zhong to convey his condolences and gave him a python robe and a jade belt to wear. The next day, the emperor summoned him to the inner court, hosted a banquet for him in a side hall, and permitted him to inherit his Daoist office and noble title.

Edict Temporarily Excusing Him from Paying Court

The emperor instructs Zhang Yongxu, the Great Celestial Master who inherited the Zhengyi teachings: In the twenty-ninth year of the Jiajing reign, you are due to come to court and pay your respects as prescribed. Considering that you are still young, I have specially sent the thousand-household officer Wang Xunzhai to convey this edict, temporarily excusing you from coming to court. You should understand my intent and act in accordance with this instruction. Let this be made known.

Imperial Edict

Issued on the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month in the twenty-eighth year of the Jiajing reign.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the emperor issues this decree:

The teachings of a sage sovereign can greatly strengthen the governance of the state. Since ancient times, rulers have drawn upon the Daoist teachings of the Mysterious Origin—the Way of Laozi, revered in Daoism. The work of governing is also quietly sustained by their aid; for this reason, the court should take as its guide the example of purity, stillness, and Wuwei (non-action). Only when later generations can carry on the true lineage should the court confer titles upon them.

Zhang Yongxu, your ancestors have expounded profound truths since the Western Han dynasty. Their teachings have passed down through the generations, and they have been honored as models for teachers. When my imperial grandfather ascended the throne, he remembered your family’s service in praying for the state, dispelling calamities, and protecting the realm. He therefore bestowed upon you the hereditary title of “Perfected One.” You are exceptionally intelligent by nature, endowed with a gift…