《紫禁城的故事 英文》

Foreword1

Chapter One Brief Introduction to the Forbidden City3

1．A Sea of Regal Buildings3

2．The Construction of the Forbidden City4

3．The Layout of the Forbidden City4

4．Why Is It Called the Forbidden City?5

5．Manpower for the Construction5

6．Sightseeing Routes in the Forbidden City6

Chapter Two The Main Structures in the Forbidden City9

1．The Meridian Gate—Main Entrance to the Forbidden City9

2．Inner Golden Stream—A Splendid Man-Made River10

3．The Gate of Supreme Harmony—Where the Emperor Discharged His Official Duties11

4．The Hall of Supreme Harmony—Where Grand Imperial Ceremonies Were Held12

5．The Hall of Central Harmony—Where the Emperor Rested Before Grand Ceremonies15

6．The Hall of Preserving Harmony—Where the Highest-Level Civil Service Examination Was Held16

7．The Gate of Heavenly Purity—Entrance to the Quarters of the Imperial Household17

8．The Palace of Heavenly Purity—Living Quarters of the Emperor18

9．The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union20

10．The Palace of Earthly Tranquility—Nuptial Chamber of the Emperor and Empress21

11．The Imperial Garden—Leisure Park of the Imperial Household22

12．The Six Western Palaces—Living Quarters of the Imperial Household24

13．The Six Eastern Palaces—Treasure Stores of Art28

14．The Palace of Tranquil Longevity—A Little Forbidden City Within the Forbidden City30

Chapter Three Insights into the Imperial Lifestyle36

1．The Emperor's Diet and the Palace Cuisine36

2．The Emperor's Grand Nuptials38

3．The Selection of the Palace Harem and Lives of Concubines in the Inner Palace43

4．How Did an Empress Bathe?45

5．Where Were the Toilets?46

6．Where Did the Water Come from47

7．Keeping Warm and Cool47

8．The Six Big Fires in the Forbidden City48

9．Palace Ladies Try to Assassinate the Emperor50

10．Foreign Artists at the Qing Court51

11．Foreigner Records the Inauguration of the Imperial Palace52

12．The Attempted Murder of a Crown Prince54

13．An Heir-Apparent Raised in Secret54

14．"The Cricket Emperor"56

15．The Empress Dowager Marries the Emperor's Uncle56

16．How Emperor Kangxi Removed Aobai57

17．Mystery of How Yongzheng Became Emperor58

18．Cixi's Wealth and Her Extravagance in Dining59

19．Cixi Intercedes for the Empress61

20．The Empress Dowager's Cruelty62

21．Friction Between the East Empress Dowager and the West Empress Dowager63

22．The Tragedy of Concubine Zhen65

23．Anecdotes of the Last Emperor66

24．Connotations of the Motifs on the Imperial Robe and the Bufu67

25．How Many Rooms Are There in the Forbidden City?70

26．Corner Towers of the Forbidden City70

27．Stage Plays in the Imperial Palace71

28．The Bronze Lions of the Forbidden City72

29．The Bronze Vats for Fire Protection73

30．What Is the Significance of the Number of the Gate Nails?73

31．Mosaics in the Imperial Garden74

Chapter Four The 24 Ming and Qing Emperors Who Lived in the Forbidden City75

1．Emperor Chengzu—Zhu Di(1360-1424)75

2．Emperor Renzong—Zhu Gaochi(1378-1425)78

3．Emperor Xuanzong—Zhu Zhanji(1398-1435)79

4．Emperor Yingzong—Zhu Qizhen(1427-1464)80

5．Emperor Daizong—Zhu Qiyu(1428-1457)82

6．Emperor Xianzong—Zhu Jianshen(1447-1487)83

7．Emperor Xiaozong—Zhu Youcheng(1470-1505)84

8．Emperor Wuzong—Zhu Houzhao(1491-1521)86

9．Emperor Shizong—Zhu Houcong(1507-1566)88

10．Emperor Muzong—Zhu Zaihou(1537-1572)90

11．Emperor Shenzong—Zhu Yijun(1563-1620)91

12．Emperor Guangzong—Zhu Changluo(1585-1620)92

13．Emperor Xizong—Zhu Youxiao(1605-1627)93

14．Emperor Sizong—Zhu Youjian(1611-1644)95

15．Emperor Shizu—Fu Lin(1638-1661)96

16．Emperor Shengzu—Xuan Ye(1654-1722)98

17．Emperor Shizong—Yin Zhen(1678-1735)100

18．Emperor Gaozong—Hong Li(1711-1799)101

19．Emperor Renzong—Yong Yan(1760-1820)104

20．Emperor Xuanzong—Min Ning(1 782-1850)105

21．Emperor Wenzong—Yi Zhu(1831-1861)108

22．Emperor Muzong—Zai Chun(1856-1875)110

23．Emperor Dezong—Zai Tian(1871-1908)111

24．The Last Emperor—Pu Yi(1906-1967)113

Appendix116

1．Emperors of the Ming Dynasty116

2．Emperors of the Qing Dynasty117