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Wang Wei (701–761) was reappointed to the Secretariat in 758 and became its deputy director the following year. The dawn crier wore a red cap to mimic a rooster and announced dawn by beating bamboo on a wooden board. The steward was in charge of dressing the emperor, and nine is the number of levels of Heaven. At morning court, two huge fans were held behind the emperor to block the rising sun. Also, the bottom of his robe was decorated with nine dragons playing with the sun and moon. After court, Chia Chih and the other members of the Secretariat returned to their offices to prepare documents generated by the morning audience, which they wrote on multicolored paper. As they went about their duties, the pendants attached to their sashes chimed.

Responding to Secretary Chia Chih’s “Morning Court at Taming Palace”

WANG WEI

When the crimson-capped crier strikes the dawn clapper

the royal steward enters with azure cloud robes

the ninefold gates of the palace swing open

courtiers from every land bow before the throne

then the sun rises and celestial fans wave

incense smoke swirls beside dragon brocade

after court flowery decrees must be drafted

the sound of jade pendants returns to Phoenix Pond