Listen to this articlezhàocè 诏策
Imperial Edicts
古代文体名称，是帝王向臣下宣示旨意的文书。“诏”即诏书，是皇帝颁发的训诫或命令；“策”即策书，是帝王对臣下进行封赏、任免官爵的文书。南朝刘勰（465？—520）在《文心雕龙·诏策》中论述了帝王对臣下、上级对下级所使用的各类文体。他认为这类公文具有最大的权威性、影响力和垂范作用，封赏嘉奖类文书应当如星月生辉、雨露滋润般亲民，训诫责罚类文书则应当如霹雳之威、秋霜之烈。其基本写作要求是态度明确，交代周到，合乎制度、情理、事实及文字规范，措辞上追求典雅、庄重、适度。
Imperial edicts consist of zhao (诏) and ce (策). Zhao were orders made by an emperor while ce were issued by the emperor to confer commendation on officials and appoint and dismiss them. Liu Xie (465?-520) of the Southern Dynasties discussed in his literary critique The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons various types of official documents used by the emperor to his ministers and those used by higher-ranking officials to lower-ranking ones. Liu Xie pointed out that these types of official documents were highly authoritative and influential, setting rules for the whole nation to follow. Conferring commendations were like “the moon and shining stars” or “timely rain and dew,” showing the emperor’s loving care for his subjects. Reprimands and punishments, on the other hand, showed his “thunderous rage” or the “chill of autumn frost.” These kinds of official documents should be clear-cut in stand, well thought of, based on laws and rules as well as common sense and facts, and correct in wording and syntax. Such official documents should be solemn in tone and refined and moderate in style.
引例 Citations：
◎王幸受诏策，通经术，知诸侯名誉不当出竟。（《汉书·淮阳宪王刘钦传》）
（王有幸接受诏书册封，通晓儒家经术，知道以诸侯的名分不应当离开国境。）
The prince was honored to receive an edict from His Majesty giving him this title. Well versed in Confucian classics, he knew that as a subject prince he was not supposed to leave his designated territory. (The History of the Han Dynasty)
◎皇帝御宇，其言也神。渊嘿黼（fǔ）扆（yǐ），而响盈四表，唯诏策乎！（刘勰《文心雕龙·诏策》）
（皇帝统治着天下，他的话是神圣的。帝王威严地端坐在御座上，他的号令却能够传遍四方，只有诏策才具有这种功效吧！）
The emperor reigns over the land. His word is sacred. Sitting solemnly in his throne, he is able to have his orders delivered across the country. Only imperial edicts have such power! (Liu Xie: The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons)
