墨诏、墨敕与唐五代的政务运行

Mo-zhao, Mo-chi and the Administrative Operation of the Tang and the Five Dynasties

墨诏和墨敕作为“王言”,是唐五代一种不经过正规颁诏程序、由禁中直接发出的诏令,或由皇帝直接发出,或是对臣下表状的批答。墨诏最初为保证皇帝的旨意能准确无误地传达,多为皇帝亲笔书写,因而带有无可置疑的权威性。随着时代的变化,部分墨诏、墨敕也改由臣下代笔,但并不影响其权威和效力,玄宗以后,它逐渐成为政务运行的一条途径。到唐末五代,墨诏、墨敕甚至取得“代天子立言”的地位,为方镇跋扈一方提供某种合法性。

Mo-zhao and mo-chi as the“words of the king”were issued directly by the imperial court or the emperor himself without going through normal proceedings in the Tang and the Five Dynasties period. They could also be the emperor's replies to the memorials of ministers. Initially, the mo-zhao was written by the emperor himself, to ensure the precise expression of his will, and hence bore unquestionable authority. As time passed, some mo-zhao and mo-chi were also drafted by ministers. Nevertheless, their authority and validity remained the same. From the time of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, mo-zhao and mo-chi gradually became one means of administrative operation. By the late Tang and the Five Dynasties, they had even gained the position of“speaking on behalf of the emperor,”providing legitimacy for the domination of local military commanders.