盛世的營構: 張說〈皇帝在潞州祥瑞頌十九首〉與聖王論述

Tang people’s thought of shengshi (cultural fluorescence) during the age of Emperor Xuanzong (712–756) is different from the discourse used by modern scholars. The thought of cultural fluorescence held by the Tang people was developed within the basic conceptual framework of the relations between heaven and human beings. The sage king received the mandate of heaven. Heaven sent down auspicious omens, as an affirmation of the sage king’s virtue and governance. The sage king reported to heaven through the fengshan ritual, which is the most essential mark of the shengshi. Zhang Yue was the core initiator and driving force of the idea of shengshi during the Xuanzong reign. His “Huangdi zai Luzhou xiangrui song shijiu shou” was an official take of the sage king discussion. According to classical texts, the historical tradition, and practical requirements, Zhang provided a comprehensive and systematical discussion of “the mandate of heaven.” This political discussion about auspicious omens showed how the literati in High Tang contributed their rhetorical talents in praise of the king and his reign. Unlike Zhang who wrote in ode form, Pan Yan wrote in fu. A comparison of Zhang’s and Pan’s works shows that their odes and fu boast divergent characteristics distinct to the respective genre’s tradition.