《隋书·列传·卷十四》
牛弘请求按古代规矩修建明堂。皇上因国家刚刚草创，无暇制作，最后没接受他的建议。开皇六年，牛弘任太常卿。
大吕之笛，正声应大吕，下徵应夷则。
Niu Hong requested to build a Ming Tang according to ancient rules. The Emperor did not accept his suggestion because the nation was just established and there was no time to make it. In the sixth year of Kaihuang, Niu Hong served as Minister of Taichang.