Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Volume on Ceremonial Systems, Part II

When the allotted time is finished, the Ritual Usher Ritual Usher: "Yinli" (引禮), a minor official whose job is to guide participants through the precise physical steps of a ceremony. leads the Envoy original: "Shizhe" (使者), a diplomatic representative from a foreign state or a distant province. to place the Memorial Memorial: "Biao" (表), a formal state document or petition addressed to the Emperor, often used to convey greetings or tribute details. upon the ceremonial table. The Envoy then takes his assigned position and stands facing the North. The Attendants carry in the Regional Tributes Regional Tributes: "Fangwu" (方物), distinctive local products, treasures, or gifts offered by a subordinate state to the Imperial Court as a sign of allegiance., enter to take their positions, and then withdraw to stand on the left and right.

The Master of the Ranks original: "Zhiban" (知班), the official responsible for ensuring all participants are correctly aligned in their designated rows. announces that the ranks are complete. The Master of Ceremonies original: "Zanli" (贊禮), the liturgical leader who shouts the commands for the physical ritual actions. calls out: "Bow! Prostrate and arise! Prostrate and arise! Prostrate and arise! Prostrate and arise! Stand straight!" The Envoy and the accompanying envoys all bow the music begins, prostrate and arise, prostrate and arise, prostrate and arise, prostrate and arise, and then stand straight the music stops.

The Master of Ceremonies calls out: "Present the Memorial!" The Ritual Usher leads the Envoy to the front of the Memorial Table. The Master of Ceremonies calls out: "Kneel!" The Envoy and all accompanying envoys all kneel. The Master calls out: "Present the Memorial!" and the Envoy kneels to take the Memorial Casket, holding it up with both hands to present it to the Receiving Official. The Receiving Official takes the Memorial. The official designated to present the Tribute List original: "Fangwu zhuang" (方物狀), the formal inventory or descriptive list accompanying the tribute gifts. kneels to take the list and hands it to the Official Receiving the Tribute List.

The Official Receiving the Tribute List takes the document, and together with the Receiving Official and the Memorial-Unrolling Official Memorial-Unrolling Official: "Zhanbiao guan" (展表官), the official tasked with physically opening and laying out the document so it can be read., they ascend by the western steps and enter through the western door to the palace courtyard. They place the Memorial upon the table and all withdraw to stand in the western interior. The Internal Herald original: "Neizan" (內贊), a ritual official who directs movements and announcements within the inner court or main hall. calls out: "Proclaim the Memorial!" The Proclamation Official goes to the table, takes the Memorial, and kneels to read it aloud at the west side of the hall.