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would follow this established practice and have an The Qianlong Emperor held that the nine cherished the people. How can I not be concerned
appropriate seal carved. categories expounded by Jizi were the principles about number 8, the various signs? Being
of government from time immemorial, and that concerned about the various phenomenon is
On this occasion, it so happened that the all of them were worthy of the ruler’s devotion being concerned about the people. The first ‘Quli’
Emperor’s eyes alighted on the Hongfan [Great body and soul.” And number 8, concern about the chapter of the Book of Rites says, ‘Eighty is called
Plan] chapter of the Shangshu [Classic of History, various phenomenon, agreed with the Qianlong mao,’ referring to the fact that the mind becomes
sixth century BC]. In this chapter, after King Emperor’s thinking at the time, and thus appears feeble with advanced age. I am now eighty and,
Wu of Zhou defeated the Shang dynasty, he to have provided the inspiration for the inscription relying on Heaven’s protection, am still in good
asked Jizi to expound on the Way of Heaven, Bazheng maonian zhi bao (Treasure of concern health. Though in one day there are a thousand
and Jizi responded to him by telling him the nine over phenomenon at eighty). As to why he chose affairs of state, my mind is still up to the task, but
categories of the Great Plan: to use this phrase for a seal, the Emperor himself I must exhort myself to do better.3
offers this explanation in Bazheng maonian
The first is called the five elements. Second is zhi bao ji (Notes on Treasure of concern over One can thus say that this seal not only
called reverent attention to the five personal phenomenon at eighty Seal): commemorates the Emperor’s eightieth birthday
matters. The third is called assiduous application but is also a warning not to let his guard down.
to the eight objects of government. The fourth When I think of the purpose of having an
is called coordinated use of the five dividers of eightieth-birthday celebration, engraving a seal, In the next few months, the seal became a topic
time. The fifth is called the establishment and and impressing it on imperial documents, no of conversation between the Emperor and his
practice of the great mean. The sixth is called phrase is more suited than the ‘concern about officers and became closely associated with the
discriminating application of the three virtues. signs’ phrase, number 8, in the ‘Great Plan’ Emperor’s eightieth birthday. It became such
The seventh is called intelligent use of divination chapter of the Book of History. Moreover, I have a focus of attention that at the New Year’s tea
to decide doubts. The eighth is called concern already indicated a desire to pass on the throne party in 1790 Concern over phenomenon at eighty
about the various signs [of good and bad at eighty-five, the sixtieth year of my reign. became a topic in the couplet contest among
government]. The ninth is called the hortatory Though I am now eighty, there are still six years the Emperor, court officers, and academians
meting out of the five sources of happiness and till I retire from the throne. I have not rested my of the Hanlin Academy. The Qianlong Emperor
the awing administration of the six modes of weary shoulders for one day and have always himself repeatedly referred to the circumstances
suffering. surrounding the manufacture of the seal:
142 SOTHEBY’S 蘇富比
