第六集 凤凰涅槃
Episode Six · Nirvana of the Phoenix
公元618年，大唐建立，定都长安城。
(相关资料图)
In 618, the Tang Dynasty was established with Chang’an as the capital.
在第二代皇帝唐太宗李世民的统治下，帝国逐渐走向鼎盛。
The empire grew increasingly prosperous under the reign of the 2nd emperor Taizong.
在立国四十五年之后，大唐营建了新皇宫——大明宫。
Upon the dynasty’s 45th anniversary, a new imperial palace was built called Daming.
大明宫中的唐高宗延续了贞观之治的辉煌，大唐的势力开始越过葱岭。
After Emperor Gaozong was enthroned the dynasty’s influence spread beyond Congling Mountain, which is called Pamir Plateau today.
唐高宗之后，一代女皇武则天接掌了帝国的大权。在她的统治下，社会安定，经济繁荣，大唐开始走向辉煌。
Social stability and economic prosperity continued throughout the reign of Empress Wu.
公元712年，唐玄宗登上帝位。
In 712, Xuanzong ascended the throne.
经过一百年的积累，大唐终于达到了辉煌的顶峰，这就是中国历史上著名的开元盛世。
About 100 years after its founding, the empire achieved its heyday. This was what Chinese historians refer to as the“Peace and Prosperity of Kaiyuan Years”.
然而，无比辉煌的开元盛世仅仅持续了几十年。
However, the prosperity only lasted a few decades.
公元755年，安史之乱爆发，大唐帝国自此走向衰退。
In 755, a massive rebellion led by An Lushan broke out, triggering the decline of the empire.
公元762年四月，唐玄宗李隆基在孤独中死去。
In April, 762, Emperor Xuanzong died in despair.
一年之后，持续了整整八年之久的安史之乱也落下了帷幕。
An Lushan’s rebellion lasted 8 years before it was quelled.
盛世已成过眼云烟，凄风苦雨笼罩着整个帝国。但是，帝国的噩梦并没有就此结束，大唐的江山在风雨中飘摇。
But by then, there was no sign of the Tang Dynasty’s previous prosperity. The empire was on the brink of collapse.
/大明宫/
/Daming Palace/
安史之乱以后，大唐历代的皇帝都住在大明宫。
After the rebellion, subsequent emperors still resided in Daming Palace.
/大明宫-延英殿/
/Yanying Palace/
大明宫依旧雄伟壮丽。但是，皇帝的心情与以前相比，却大为不同。
The architectural masterpiece retained its imposing aura, but the rulers operated in a very different style from their forefathers.
安禄山虽然消失了，但藩镇割据却愈演愈烈。
An Lushan may have gone, but the outlying prefectures were growing more powerful.
大唐立国初期，帝国的权力集于朝廷。
When the Tang Dynasty was first established, power was controlled tightly by the court.
从唐玄宗后期开始，地方的权力越来越大。
But during the last years of Xuanzong’s rule, the outlying prefectures had been increasing in strength.
安史之乱以后，藩镇的势力非但没有消弱，反而日益坐大。藩镇的长官节度使飞扬跋扈，眼中根本没有朝廷。
Quelling the rebellion didn’t weaken their power, and many governors were paying no attention to the court.
公元805年，李纯登基，他就是大唐的第十二位皇帝唐宪宗。
In 805, Li Chun became the 12th ruler called Xianzong.
礼节性的朝会之后，唐宪宗留下自己最信任的宰相武元衡和御史中丞裴元度。
After a regular court session, Xianzong asked the most trusted Prime Minister Wu Yuanheng and Supervision Minister Pei Yuandu to stay.
年轻的皇帝满怀激情，渴望恢复祖先的荣光。
The young emperor was anxious to restore the former glory of the Tang Dynasty.
唐宪宗继位后，大明宫中一座并不起眼的宫殿开始影响帝国的命运，这就是延英殿。
Within Daming Palace, one common hall began to affect the fate of the empire. That was the Hall of Yanying.
延英殿在宣政殿的西北方向，是一座普通的便殿。
Yanying Hall was located northwest of the Hall of Xuanzheng.
唐宪宗时期，延英殿开始代替宣政殿，成为帝国真正的权力中心。
During Xianzong’s role, it had replaced Xuanzheng to become the real center of power of the empire.
能够在延英殿与皇帝讨论国事，被大臣们视为一种荣誉。
It was an honor for a minister to discuss state affairs with the emperor here.
“藩镇藐视朝廷，割据一方。长此以往，后果不堪设想啊。大唐衰落到如此地步，朕愧对于祖先呐。二位放心，朕已下定决心铲除那些目无纲纪的藩镇。”
The prefectures have established separate rule. If this continues the consequences could be unimaginable. The Tang empire has weakened so much, I feel ashamed under the gaze of my ancestors. But trustme, I’ve decided to eradicate those separatist prefectures.
武元衡和裴元度力主打击藩镇，唐宪宗希望在他们的支持下，彻底铲除那些肆意妄为的节度使。
Wu Yuanheng and Pei Yuandu had been urging confrontation with the local governments. The emperor had been waiting for their support to eradicate the separatist governors.
但是，没有人会想到，变革即将引来一场杀身之祸。
But the plan met with strong opposition.
公元815年的夏天，阴雨连绵，非同寻常的寂静似乎酝酿着不祥的变故。
The summer of 815 saw incessant rain. The unusual silence was a bad omen for the Tang empire.
六月三日的黎明，宰相武元衡像往日一样走出家门，前往大明宫。灾难就在这时候降临了。
At dusk on June 3rd, Wu Yuanheng was on his way to Daming Palace when disaster struck.
藩镇派出的刺客暗杀了武元衡之后，从容撤退。
He was assassinated by a group sent from the outlying prefectures.
恐怖气氛笼罩着长安城，通向大明宫的上朝之路空空荡荡。
The city was gripped by terror, and the road that led to the palace quickly emptied.
暗杀事件极大地震动了朝野，帝国的官员心怀忧惧，躲在家中不敢上朝，大明宫一片死寂。
The assassination shocked the court. Officials were too afraid to leave their homes.
“为何还没人来上朝？”
Why wasn’t anyone arrived?
史书记载，兵部的一名官员向皇帝哭诉：“宰相在路旁被人杀害，凶手却逍遥法外，实在是亘古未有啊。”
In tears, an official answered, “The prime minister was killed on the roadside. The assassins have gone unpunished. This is ridiculous!”
这是唐朝历史上绝无仅有的惊天大案。延英殿中的唐宪宗孤独一人，悲痛欲绝。
It was an unprecedented murder case in the history of the dynasty. Emperor Xianzong was in deep sorrow.
/大明宫-三清殿/
/Sanqing Palace/
在大明宫的北部，有一座壮观的道教建筑——三清殿。
A stunning Taoist temple stood in the north of Daming Palace. It was called the Temple of Sanqing.
三清殿是大明宫内等级最高的宗教建筑，它坐落在一个十四米高的大台上。由平地筑起这样大型的高台，在高台上修建宫室，这是大明宫中唯一的一处。
Standing on a 14-meter-high platform, it was the tallest religious building in the palace. This type of structure was unique in Daming Palace.
自大唐建立以来，道教就被尊为大唐的国教。终唐一世，李氏皇族大都是虔诚的道教信徒，唐宪宗李纯也不例外。
Taoism had been revered as the state religion since the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, and the royal family were devout Taoists. Emperor Xianzong was no exception.
变革之路充满了艰辛，在惨痛的现实面前，复兴大唐的理想似乎遥不可及。
The road toward reform was full of obstacles. The aims of restoring Tang glory seemed impossible.
晚年的唐宪宗沉迷于道教，开始追求长生不老。理想逐渐远去，道教追求的神仙境界或许是一种最好的解脱。
In his later years, Xianzong became obsessed with Taoism and began to pursue immortality. Taoism encouraged people to rise above worldly affairs and was seen as the best escape from reality.
根据唐代的史料推断，唐宪宗由于大量服食道士的丹药，最终中毒而亡。
It was believed that Emperor Xianzong was gripped by the idea of internal alchemy and ended up dying of poisoning.
明月初升，壮观的三清殿也无法掩盖大唐的凄凉。
Sanqing remained gilded, but the Tang Dynasty was fraying.
安史之乱以后，除了跋扈的藩镇，宦官也逐渐成为大唐无法愈合的伤口。
After the An Lushan rebellion, eunuchs had joined local governors and started to interfere with the central administration.
在唐玄宗之前，宦官的地位很低。自唐玄宗以来，受皇帝宠信的宦官开始越权，逐步干涉朝政。
Before Xuanzong was enthroned, the status of the eunuch was very low. But after Xuanzong took power, many eunuchs in his favor gradually went beyond their duty and started to meddle in state affairs.
公元835年，迫不得已的皇帝制定了废除宦官的计划。
In 835, the emperor had no choice but to formulate a plan to abolish the eunuch system.
但是，计划却被人泄露了。宦官开始报复，屠杀降临大明宫。
But the plan leaked out and eunuchs began to fight against it.
在宦官的指使下，五百名禁军闯入宣政殿西边的中书省，逢人即杀，六百多人死于非命。
At their instigation, the royal guard broke into the key ministry buildings, killing more than 600 Tang officials.
丧心病狂的宦官命人关闭了大明宫的宫门，又有一千多人被杀，更多的人随后被牵连致死。就是大唐历史上令人发指的甘露之变。
They then closed the doors of the palace, and slaughtered another 1000 people. More were later implicated and killed. This was known as the infamous “Ganlu Mutiny”.
甘露之变以后，官员空位，大唐的朝纲形同虚设，大明宫空空荡荡。
Following the Ganlu Mutiny, the Tang administration existed in name only. The palace was deadly quiet.
/大明宫-内侍省/
/Office of Eunuchs/
在延英殿的西边，是宦官工作的内侍省。
Eunuchs worked in the Department of Domestic Service.
中唐以后，内侍省的宦官不仅掌管着皇家禁军，而且经常把持朝政。
In the latter half of the Tang Dynasty, they controlled both the royal guard and the administration.
他们不仅可以废立皇帝，就连皇帝的性命也控制在他们手里。在大唐的历史上，至少有三位皇帝被宦官杀死。
They had the power to enthrone or depose an emperor. The history of the Tang Dynasty saw at least three emperors killed at the hands of eunuchs.
藩镇割据，宦官专权，大唐的天空再也看不到一点光芒。
With the territory ruled by separatist regimes and the palace run by eunuchs, the future of Tang Dynasty was left with no hope.
公元875年，年仅十四岁的李俨即位，这就是唐僖宗。
In 875, 14-year-old Li Yan was brought to power as Emperor Xizong.
李俨热衷于蹴鞠和马球，视娱乐为人生的最高境界。
He was mad about football and polo, and saw entertainment as the highest goal in life.
在大明宫，十多岁的少年皇帝为了练习蹴鞠的技艺，经常废寝忘食。在李俨的心目中，帝国事务是别人的事情，跟自己似乎没有什么关系。
He could forgo sleep and meals for the sake of football but had no interest in state affairs.
李俨不知道的是，帝国的大厦即将倒塌。
The young emperor didn’t understand that the empire was about to collapse.
就在这一年，山东人黄巢起义。对于大唐帝国而言，这将是一场灭顶的灾难。
In the year of his enthronement, a man in Shandong named Huang Chao launched a rebellion, which dealt a fatal blow to the dynasty.
在大明宫太液池的东南岸，有一座广阔的庭院——清思院。
The Hall of Qingsi was located to the southeast of Taiye Lake.
/大明宫-清思院/
/Qingsi courtyard/
史书记载，清思殿曾安装了三千片铜镜，耗费了十万黄金和白金箔。
This room was equipped with 3000 copper mirrors. Its construction cost excessive amounts of gold.
帝国朝不保夕，但大明宫中的宫殿却越来越豪华。
In fact, the whole palace was becoming increasingly extravagant.
在清思殿的殿前，有一处宽阔的马球场。对于嗜好击打马球的唐僖宗而言，这里是一处理想的玩乐之地。
In front of Hall of Qingsi lay a spacious courtyard. It was an ideal site for the emperor to play polo.
公元880年，当黄巢的起义军向长安挺进的时候，唐僖宗正在清思殿主持一场耸人听闻的赌局。
In 880, as Huang Chao’s army marched toward Chang’an, Emperor Xizong was hosting an absurd game by the Hall of Qingsi.
四名高级官员即将外放，每个人都想去富庶的地方任职。
Four senior officials were about to administer four different regions. However, all wanted to go to the wealthiest region.
唐僖宗决定，用马球比赛的方式决定优先选择权。第一个击球进洞的人，将去最富庶的地方任职。
By Xizong’s rules, priority would be given to winners of the polo competition. The one who scored first would be the first to choose.
这就是大唐历史上臭名昭著的“击球赌三川”。在中国历史上，用这样的方式任用官吏，确实闻所未闻。
Such a gambling game was a notorious episode in the history of the Tang Dynasty. It had been unheard of forgovernment officials to be appointed through a sports match.
唐僖宗喜好马球，由于皇帝的偏好，很多不学无术之人因球技高超而成为帝国的封疆大吏。
Due to Emperor Xizong’s love of the game, many incompetent people were given important positions simply because they were good at polo.
曾经成就了大唐基业的科举制度早已败落，帝国的官僚体系已经是千疮百孔。
The civil examination system which contributed to the effective governance of the earlier Tang Dynasty had already been abandoned.
公元880年的冬天，黄巢的军队攻占潼关，长安已近在咫尺。
In the winter of 880, Huang Chao’s troops occupied Tongguan, which was just a few miles from Chang’an.
在心腹宦官的挟持下，年轻的皇帝离开大明宫，逃出了长安城。像一百二十年前的唐玄宗一样，唐僖宗也是一路向西，流亡蜀地。
At this point the emperor fled Daming Palace. Like Emperor Xuanzong, Xizong also ran westward toward Sichuan, Chang’an City was plunged into chaos.
皇帝逃走之后，长安城一片大乱，军队及百姓争先恐后闯入皇家府库，大明宫又一次陷入血雨腥风当中。
Both soldiers and civilians broke into and looted government ministries. Once again, Daming Palce faced horror.
公元880年十二月初五，唐僖宗逃走的当天，黄巢的军队兵不血刃进入长安。铁甲骑兵行如流水，络绎不绝。
On the same day Emperor Xizong escaped, Huang Chao’s troops marched into Chang’an without any resistance. The streets were filled with armored soldiers and men on horseback.
黄巢年轻的时候，曾经来过长安参加科举考试。考试虽然没有结果，但长安的繁华给黄巢留下了深刻的印象。
Huang Chao had once come to Chang’an to attend the civil service exam. Although he failed the exam, he was impressed by the prosperity of the city.
黄巢写过这样一首诗：“待到秋来九月八，我花开后百花杀。冲天香阵透长安，满城尽带黄金甲。”
This is how he described it, “When autumn arrives, yellow chrysanthemums outshine all the others. Their fragrance permeates Chang’an. The whole city seems covered with gold.”
/大明宫-含元殿/
/Hanyuan Palace/
这首诗暴露出的，不仅是一个人对权力的向往，还有对一个城市的渴望。
The poem displayed Huang Chao’s aspiration for power, as well as the city.
对于黄巢而言，长安是繁华的象征，长安城中的大明宫就代表着至高无上的权力。
In his eyes, Chang’an was a symbol of wealth, and Daming Palace represented the height of supreme power.
经过数年的战争，曾经的秀才终于实现了自己的理想。
Finally the former scholar realized his dream.
公元881年年初，黄巢在含元殿称帝，大赦天下。
At the beginning of 881, Huang Chao crowned himself in the Hall of Hanyuan.
但是，黄巢无法阻止农民军的大肆抢劫。
But Huang Chao was powerless to stop his farmer-turned-soldiers from looting and vandalizing.
曾经高不可攀的都城，如今就在他们的掌握当中。连续几天，农民军洗劫了这个世界上最富裕的城市。
For several days running, the soldiers went on the rampage in the wealthiest city in the world.
诗人韦庄亲眼目睹了农民军烧杀抢掠的暴行，也见证了一个繁华的都市如何变成一片废墟的过程。
Tang poet Wei Zhuang watched their violent acts. Characterized by arson, killing and looting. He witnessed how a prosperous city was reduced to ruins overnight.
在现存最长的一首唐诗《秦妇吟》中，韦庄写道：“华轩绣毂皆销散，甲第朱门无一半。内库烧为锦绣灰，天街踏尽公卿骨。”
He wrote “Laments of A Qin Woman”, which was the longest Tang poem ever discovered, “Decorated carriages were dissembled. Red gates were shattered. The palace was burned to ashes. The bones of dukes and ministers were scattered along the streets.”
公元883年夏天，当黄巢退出长安时，官军又涌入城内，争货相攻，纵火焚烧；宫室里坊，十焚六七。
In the summer of 883, Huang Chao’s troops were forced to retreat from Chang’an. Shortly after the Tang army arrived, they began to fight for property amongst themselves.
在这次战乱中，大明宫的损坏最为惨重。包括含元殿和麟德殿在内，大明宫中的大多数宫殿被摧毁。
As a result many buildings were destroyed, Daming Palace suffered the greatest, during the upheaval with most of its halls razed to the ground, including Hanyuan and Linde.
公元885年，黄巢兵败，唐僖宗终于返回长安。
In 885, with the defeat of Huang Chao’s troops, Emperor Xizong returned to Chang’an.
屡遭蹂躏的大明宫再也无法居住，唐僖宗只能迁入太极宫，大明宫就此结束了大唐权力中枢的历史使命。从建成之日算起，大明宫存世二百二十二年。
He had to live in Taichi Palace because he found Daming Palace no longer inhabitable. This was how Daming lost its role as the nerve center of the Tang Dynasty after 222 years.
日落大明宫，大唐国运将尽。
The sun set in Daming and the days of the Tang Dynasty were numbered.
作为大唐的中枢，大明宫的命运和唐帝国的命运是紧紧相连的。唐长安城数次沦陷，大明宫也屡遭灾难。
The fate of the empire was mirrored by the fate of Daming Palace. Chang’an city fell into the hands of rebel soldiers several times. Each time, the imperial palace faced disaster.
公元九世纪即将过去，在十世纪即将来临的时候，大唐帝国走向了尾声。
At the end of the 9th Century, the Tang Empire was coming to an end.
公元904年，一个叫朱温的军阀彻底摧毁了长安的宫殿和民房，挟持大唐的末代皇帝迁都洛阳，一同迁移的还有长安的居民。
In 904, a warlord named Zhu Wen and his men destroyed many halls and residential houses in Chang’an. He forced the last Tang Emperor to move the capital to Luoyang. Local residents were also ordered to leave.
长安城被毁，大明宫彻底沦为废墟。
Daming Palace was reduced to ruins.
这个曾经包容万千的城市，已经被肢解得支离破碎，不知道秩序和道德为何物了。
Chang’an city, which used to be an international metropolis, was characterized by chaos and violence.
/长安城/
/Chang’an City/
这个盛名超过了历史上任何政治中心的城市，在历经了千万杀戮后，再也没有成为京都的可能。
It was no longer possible for it to serveas the capital city.
公元907年，大唐帝国灭亡，立国二百八十九年。
In 907, after 289 years, the Tang Dynasty ceased to exist.
/鎏金铜铺首-大明宫遗址出土/
/Animal head applique - Unearthed from Daming palace Site/
/莲花方砖/
/Brick of Lotus Flower Design/
/鎏金铜鱼饰/
/Gilt Bronze Fish/
在两百多年的时间里，大明宫见证了大唐前所未有的荣耀，也目睹了这个大帝国不可逆转的衰落。
For more than 200 years, Daming Palace bore witness to the remarkable rise and fall of an empire.
/石刻浮雕飞兽-大明宫遗址出土/
/Stone Carving flying animal - Unearthed from Daming palace Site/
/瓦当-大明宫遗址出土/
/Tile Ends - Unearthed from Daming palace Site/
大明宫毁灭之后，中国历史上再也没有出现过那样的宫殿，再也没有过一个朝代在长安建都，中国文化的中心从此东移。
After its destruction, such a palace was never built again in China. No future dynasty established its capital in Chang’an. China’s cultural center had moved eastward.
/大明宫遗址发掘图片/
/Photo of Exploring The Site of Daming Palace /
公元1957年，在大明宫毁灭之后一千零五十年，考古人员走向了古城西安北部的一处废墟。
In 1957, 1050 years after Daming crumbled, archaeologists revisited the ruins in northern Chang’an, known as Xi’an today.
残砖碎瓦被不断运走，湮没已久的文物陆续暴露在阳光下，沉睡千年的秘密被一步步地揭开。
More and more bricks and tiles were moved. Ancient relics were unearthed one after another. A thousand-year-old mystery gradually came to light.
然而这时候，已经很少有人知道，满目疮痍的废墟就是昔日的大明宫——大唐的皇宫。
At the time, no one knew it was the site of the magnificent Daming Palace.
自1957年以来，大明宫的考古已经持续了半个世纪。
Archaelogical work at the ruins of Daming Palace has continued since 1957.
中国政府、联合国教科文组织、日本的学术机构，以及来自世界各地的专家和学者，越来越多的人开始关注这个世界级的文化遗址。
The Chinese government, UNESCO, Japan’s academic institutions, as well as scholars from around the world have paid an increasing amount of attention to the globally significant site.
/含元殿遗址/
/Site of Hanyuan Palace/
公元2008年，在唐帝国消亡之后一千一百零一年，大明宫国家遗址公园工程启动。
In 2008, the Daming Palace National Heritage Park was established.
/麟德殿遗址/
/Site of Linde Palace/
岁月的年轮已湮没了历史的痕迹，但是，时间抹不掉的是曾经筑就的荣耀。
The palace may have been part of the remote past, but its glory lives on.
/柱础-大明宫遗址出土/
/Stone base of column - Unearthed from Daming palace Site/
或许在这个即将建成的国家遗址公园，我们可以回味大明宫曾经的辉煌，我们可以感受到魂牵梦萦的大唐。
The National Heritage Park can help us recall the brilliance of Daming Palace, and recount the remarkable history of the Tang Dynasty.
/鎏金铜铺首-大明宫遗址出土/
/Bronze lion - Unearthed from Daming Palace Site/
/石刻佛头-大明宫遗址出土/
/Buddle head - Unearthed from Daming Palace Site/
在中华民族的历史长河中，没有一个朝代能够像大唐那样，留给中国人无尽的想象；没有一座城市像长安那样，铭刻着中国人最为绚烂的记忆；没有一座宫殿像大明宫那样，寄托着中国人永远的向往。
In the long history of China, no dynasty left the Chinese people with such an impressive legacy as the Tang empire. No other city generated as much pride among the Chinese as Chang’an. No other palace could even compare with the magnificence of Daming.
大明宫，中华文明在巅峰时期永不磨灭的记忆。
Daming Palace forever marks the zenith of Chinese civilization.
