Entry

The sacrifices to the mountains and rivers of external yi lands were appended to those for the mountains and rivers of the various provinces. Previously, the Minister of Rites Niu Liang had said: "In as much as the sacrifices at the capital to the mountains and the rivers of all under Heaven have now been ended, it is no longer appropriate for the Son of Heaven to carry out sacrifices for the mountains and rivers of the yi in the four directions." Thus, it was ordered that another form of ritual be deliberated upon and advised. At this time, the Secretariat and the Ministry of Rites memorialized: "The mountains and rivers of the external yi should be appended to those in the various provinces for the purposes of sacrifice. It is appropriate that the sacrifices for the mountains and rivers of Annam, Champa, Cambodia, Siam and Suo-li be carried out together with those in Guang-xi; the sacrifices for the mountains and rivers of San-fo-qi and Java should be appended to those in Guang-dong; the sacrifices for the mountains and rivers of Japan, Ryukyu and Bo-ni should be offered with those in Fu-jian; those for the mountains and rivers of Korea should be offered with those in Liao-dong; and those for the mountains and rivers of Gan-su, Duo-gan and Wu-si-zang should be offered together with those in Shaan-xi. The capital will thus no longer have to carry out sacrifices." They also said: "The altar for the provincial mountains and rivers and that for winds, clouds, lightning and rain occupy the middle and face the south. The plaques for the spirits of the external yi mountains and rivers should be divided into those for the east and the west, and their sacrifices can then be carried out together at the same altars." The Emperor approved their memorial and ordered the Secretariat to promulgate it, requiring that when a sacrifice was coming due, an official should be sent to supervise the rites.