Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms (Volume 76: Ceremonial Systems)

The Memorial Unfolding Official Memorial Unfolding Official: "Zhanbiao Guan" (展表官), the officer responsible for physically handling and opening the diplomatic documents. kneels with the others to unfold the document. Once the reading is finished, they prostrate and arise. The Memorial Reading Official Memorial Reading Official: "Xuanbiao Guan" (宣表官), the official who recites the contents of the petition to the throne. places the memorial upon the ceremonial table and retires to stand on the western side of the hall.

The Official for Proclaiming the List of Regional Tributes approaches the table, takes the List of Regional Tributes List of Regional Tributes: "Fangwu Zhuang" (方物狀), a formal inventory of the gifts brought by the envoy to the Emperor., and kneels to read it on the western side of the hall. The Tribute Unfolding Official kneels with him to unfold the document; when finished, they prostrate and arise. The Official for Proclaiming the List of Regional Tributes then places the list back upon the ceremonial table. Together with the Memorial Reading Official and the Memorial Unfolding Official, he exits through the western gate of the hall and returns to his original position.

The Master of Ceremonies original: "Zanli" (贊禮) calls out: "Prostrate and arise!"

The Envoy and the assembled envoys all prostrate, arise, and stand straight. The Master of Ceremonies calls out: "Return to your positions!" The Ritual Usher leads the Envoy back to his designated spot.

The Decree Transmitting Official Decree Transmitting Official: "Chengzhi Guan" (承制官), the official designated to relay the Emperor's spoken commands or written edicts to the assembly., acting on imperial command, emerges from the central gate and descends the central staircase. He requests the Envoy to come forward and announces: "There is an Imperial Decree!"

The Master of Ceremonies calls out: "Kneel!"

The Envoy and the assembled envoys all kneel. The Decree Transmitting Official proclaims the decree, saying:

"The Emperor decrees: We ask the Envoy—at the time of your departure, We trust that your name of state Sovereign was in good health?"

When the Envoy has finished his reply, the Master of Ceremonies calls out: "Prostrate and arise! Bow! Arise! Bow! Arise! Stand straight!"

The Envoy and the assembled envoys all prostrate original: "houyue" (吼樂), music is played loudly, bow, arise, bow, and arise.