正時與賦物——唐代時令賦的物候感知與國家論述

Seasonal Governance and Descriptions of Nature: Perceptions of Seasonal Phenomena and National Discourse in Tang Dynasty Fu

四時循環，形構出天地有常的生存空間，孟、荀均以「不違農時」、「無奪農時」為養民富國的先決條件，劉向《說苑》〈臣術〉更以「正四時」為三公九卿的遴選標準之一。唐代科舉以詩賦取士，產生以「時令」名篇之賦作，本文從「正時」與「賦物」兩個視角，探討君臣如何相互制約並宣示敬天授時的治國理念，由貴游到科舉，由中央到地方，由經世到抒情，詩賦創作所關注的對象，乃從人主、名流轉移到百姓，表達內容也從人為的宮室苑囿導引向自然的陰陽順序，藉由祭祀、禮樂等儀制體現皇情帝力，遵循四時變化的自然法則，以「正往曆」、「獻農書」宣示正時務本的施政方針，建立「國富人安」的國家觀念，在「體國經野」、「感時傷逝」的漢賦與抒情傳統之外，可謂別樹一幟。

Our world changes with the seasons. In ancient China, several classics state that governing in accordance with the season should be the first priority in national affairs. The Han dynasty scholar-official Liu Xiang 劉向 regarded the ability to govern in this way as one of the main criteria for selecting high level officials. By the Tang dynasty, the imperial examination system was used to select such officials. Candidates were required to compose shi 詩 and fu 賦, and often composed fu on themes relating to the seasons. This study interprets two aspects of these literary works: seasonal governance (正時) and descriptions of natural phenomena (賦物). Seasonally-themed fu elucidated the interactions between ruler and people. Rulers declared it their objective to respect Heaven and govern in accordance with the seasons, and so official candidates continued to discuss and compose writings on this subject. The main themes of shi and fu written in examinations became the right path in governance and how best to benefit the people. Thus, the characteristic concern of these literary works shifted from the palace to the people. Stylistically, they also became less lyrical and more practical. Above all, the expectation was to create a more practical politics, a wealthier country, and a safer society. In this way these fu uniquely stand out from traditional Han fu and lyricism.