The symbolic value of the office of themonarchy was amply illustrated by the ritualistic farming performed by theemperor every spring in front of the Altar of Earth.About two hundred farmers were called in from the two counties surroundingPeking to form an assembly. Actors dressed up as deitiesof wind, clouds, thunder, and rain. Two officials led an ox; two olderfarmers held a plow. Other peasants carried farm implements and barrels forhuman fertilizer. The emperor, however, touched neither the tools nor the draftanimal. His left hand holding a whip and his right hand a ceremonial plowcarved with a dragon and painted in gold, he was flanked by two elders. The procession marched across the field three times. Thenthe ruler retired to the tent to watch his courtiers, led by the minister of revenue, repeat the process. Seedingwas performed by the prefect of Shun-t'ien andhis staff. No sooner was the soil covered than actors in peasant clothingpresented five principal grains to the emperor, simulatinga good harvest. The sovereign was then congratulated by all present.
Most other statefunctions were less interesting; they could be very tiresome indeed. Thedaily audience with the court, for instance, was loathed even by the mostdiligent statesmen. It was a chore that several predecessors of the presentemperor had found unbearable. Although now much simplified, the procedure stillremained a heavy burden on Wan-li.
In order to attend the audience, even beforedaybreak all civil officials and all army officersin the capital and the members of the local government within the metropolitandistrict had gathered outside the palace. Thegates were opened after drum-beating and bell-ringing. The participants assembled in the courtyard in front of the ceremonial hall. Civilofficials faced west; military officersfaced east. Four imperial historians were postedaround the emperor to record the proceedings. Censorsacting as marshals took the roll and wrote down the names of those who coughed,spat, stumbled, or dropped their ceremonial tablets.Whips were cracked to call the ceremony to order. At the chanting of the masterof ceremonies, the assembly turned around, bowed to the emperor once, andkowtowed three times. The chief minister of StateCeremonials announced the names of those officials who were about toleave the capital for retirement and provincialassignments; these dignitaries then paid the sovereign special homage in farewell. Thenofficials ranked 4b and above filed into the ceremonial hall. The variousdepartments and ministries made reports to theemperor; at times he asked questions and gave oral instructions. Allproceedings were expected to be completed before dawn.
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