紫禁城的故事

本書是一部個人的、懷舊的故事集，描述了從1919年到1924年的那些特殊歲月裏，莊士敦在其人生頂峯時期與中國結下的不解之緣。其時，中國媒體針對莊士敦本人和溥儀有諸多的責難，而莊士敦所關心的，顯然只是他對那些年裏所發生事件的記述，可以對那些責難作出一勞永逸的反駁。為了迴應對他和皇上的批評，莊士敦描繪了在紫禁城那個奇異、封閉的世界裏獨特而令人憧憬的生活圖景。莊士敦諳熟中國歷史與文化，於是，那個幾近為人遺忘時代的豐富的歷史細節，雪泥鴻爪般躍然於莊氏之筆端。加之，他與溥儀的密切關係，以及與那個時代許多大人物私人關係之熟稔，使得莊士敦得以對他們盡情褒貶點評。

本書的敍述略帶憂傷，寄哀於現代世界中中國不斷沉淪的命運。然而，儘管作者意識到中國文明的輝煌已成過去，但本書並非滿篇哀鳴與幻滅之詞。相反，莊士敦在書中表達了對中國和中國人民的誠摯情感。對於他所深深尊崇並得以親歷其中的中國文化與政治世界，莊士敦也聊表謝忱，著書如是。

Contents

Foreword

Chapter One

Brief Introduction to the Forbidden City

1. A Sea of Regal Buildings

2. The Construction of the Forbidden City

3. The Layout of the Forbidden City

4. Why Is It Called the Forbidden City?

5. Manpower for the Construction

6. Sightseeing Routes in the Forbidden City

Chapter Two

The Main Structures in the Forbidden City

1. The Meridian Gate-Main Entrance to the Forbidden

City

2. Inner Golden Stream-A Splendid Man-Made River

3. The Gate of Supreme Harmony-Where the Emperor

Discharged His Official Duties

4. The Hall of Supreme Harmony-Where Grand Imperial

Ceremonies Were Held

5. The Hall of Central Harmony--Where the Emperor

Rested Before Grand Ceremonies

6. The Hall of Preserving Harmony-Where the Highest-

Level Civil Service Examination Was Held

7. The Gate of Heavenly Purity--Entrance to the Quarters

of the Imperial Household

8. The Palace of Heavenly Purity--Living Quarters of the

Emperor

9. The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union

10. The Palace of Earthly Tranquility--Nuptial Chamber of

the Emperor and Empress

11. The Imperial Garden-Leisure Park of the Imperial

Household

12. The Six Westem Palaces--Living Quarters of the

Imperial Household

13. The Six Eastem Palaces--Treasure Stores of Art

14. The Palace of Tranquil Longevity--A Little Forbidden

City Within the Forbidden City

Chapter Three

Insights into the Imperial Lifestyle

1. The Emperor's Diet and the Palace Cuisine

2. The Emperor's Grand Nuptials

3. The Selection of the Palace Harem and Lives of

Concubines in the Inner Palace

4. How Did an Empress Bathe?

5. Where Were the Toilels?

6. Where Did the Water Come from

7. Keeping Warm and Cool

8. The Six Big Fires in the Forbidden City

9. Palace Ladies Try to Assassinale the Emperor

10. Foreign Artists at the Qing Court

11. Foreigner Records the Inauguration of the Imperial

Palace

12. The Attempted Murder of a Crown Prince

13. An Heir-Apparent Raised in Secret

14. "The Cricket Emperor"

15. The Empress Dowager Marries the Emperor's Uncle

16. How Emperor Kangxi Removed Aobai

17. Mystery of How Yongzheng Became Emperor

18. Cixi's Wealth and Her Extravagance in Dining

19. Cixi Intercedes for the Empress

20. The Empress Dowager's Cmelty

21. Friction Belween the East Empress Dowager and the

West Empress Dowager

22. The Tragedy of Concubine Zhen

23. Anecdotes of the Last Emperor

24. Connotations of the Motifs on the Imperial Robe and

the Bufu

25. How Many Rooms Are There in the Forbidden City?

26. Comer Towers of the Forbidden City

27. Stage Plays in the Imperial Palace

28. The Bronze Lions ot the Forbidden City

29. The Bronze Vats for Fire Protection

30. What Is the Significance of the Number of the Gate

Nails?

31. Mosaics in the Imperial Garden

Chapter four

The 24 Ming and Qing Emperors Who Lived in the

Forbidden City

1. Emperor Chengzu-Zhu Di (1360-1424)

2. Emperor Renzong-Zhu Gaochi (1378-1425)

3. Emperor Xuanzong-Zhu Zhanji (1398-1435)

4. Emperor Yingzong--Zhu Qizhen (1427-1464)

5. Emperor Daizong-Zhu Qiyu (1428-1457)

6. Emperor Xianzong-Zhu Jianshen (1447-1487)

7. Emperor Xiaozong-Zhu Youcheng (1470-1505)

8. Emperor Wuzong--Zhu Houzhao (1491-1521)

9. Emperor Shizong-Zhu Houcong (1507-1566)

10. Emperor Muzong-Zhu Zaihou (1537-1572)

11. Emperor Shenzong-Zhu Yijun (1563-1620)

12. Emperor Guangzong-Zhu Changluo (1585-1620)

13. Emperor Xizong-Zhu Youxiao (1605-1627)

14. Emperor Sizong-Zhu Youjian (1611-1644)

15. Emperor Shizu-Fu Lin (1638-1661)

16. Emperor Shengzu-Xuan Ye (1654-1722)

17. Emperor Shizong-Yin Zhen (1678-1735)

18. Emperor Gaozong-Hong Li (1711-1799)

19. Emperor Renzong-Yong Yan (1760-1820)

20. Emperor Xuanzong-Min Ning (1782-1850)

21. Emperor Wenzong-Yi Zhu (1831-1861)

22. Emperor Muzong-Zai Chun (1856-1875)

23. Emperor Dezong-Zai Tian (1871-1908)

24. The Last Emperor-Pu Yi (1906-1967)

Appendix

1. Emperors of the Ming Dynasty

2. Emperors of the Qing Dynasty

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