The Qinghua “Jinteng” Manuscript: What it Does Not Tell Us about the Duke of Zhou

Abstract

This study suggests that the so-called “Jinteng” manuscript held by Qinghua University should be read independently of its received counterpart. When read on its own terms, the manuscript provides a straightforward account of rituals surrounding the Duke of Zhou’s ascension to the throne after the demise of King Wu. As such it represents a continuation of King Wu’s abdication in favor of his meritorious brother, as recorded in the Yi Zhou shu . Read in this light, the fourth century BCE manuscript provides further evidence for the prominence of abdication doctrines during the Warring States period, an intellectual tradition that was deemed subversive in the early empire and became gradually obliterated over the course of the Qin-Han dynasties.
Cet article propose de lire le manuscrit dit “Jinteng” conserve a l’universite Qinghua independamment des textes recus qui lui correspondent. Considere par lui-meme, le manuscrit offre une relation claire des rituels ayant entoure l’accession au trone du duc de Zhou apres la mort du roi Wu. De ce fait, il represente le prolongement de l’abdication du roi Wu en faveur de son vertueux frere telle qu’elle est relatee dans le Yi Zhou shu . Considere sous cet angle, ce manuscrit du IVe siecle avant notre ere offre de nouveaux arguments en faveur de l’importance des doctrines sur l’abdication a l’epoque des Royaumes Combattants, alors que cette tradition intellectuelle etait consideree comme subversive au debut de l’empire et qu’elle est progressivement tombee dans l’oubli sous les Qin et les Han.