Entry

The Ministry of Rites and Ministry of War memorialized: "During the Qin and Han dynasties, commanderies and counties were established in Annam. During the Song dynasty, it was enfeoffed as a kingdom, along with Korea (高麗) and Cambodia. Members of the Li (李) family ruled for eight reigns and members of the Chen family ruled for 12 reigns. When the Gao Emperor [Ming Tai-zu] established our dynasty, the Chens were the first to bring tribute. During the Yong-le reign (1403-24), the ruler Ri-kun was deposed by the rebel minister Li Ji-li. Tai-zong thus raised an army and punished him. Subsequently, descendants of the Chen family were sought, but none was found. Thus the land was again divided into prefectures and counties and the Jiao-zhi Regional Military Commission, Provincial Administration Commission and Provincial Surveillance Commissions were established. All of the prefectures, subprefectures, counties, guards and battalions were administered like those in the interior. Later, Li Li appeared and, falsely claiming that he had found a descendant of the Chens, requested that Annam again be made a country. Xuan-zong virtuously manifested the Ancestral Instructions and approved this. The Lis thus obtained the country. Now, rebellious ministers have engaged in disorder, deposed the ruler, seized the country and failed to bring tribute to the Court. It is appropriate to raise an army to punish their crimes, so as to manifest Heaven's punishment. It is requested that first one or two persons from the Embroidered-Uniform Guard who are brave and resourceful, discerning, knowledgable and thoroughly versed in policy be sent. The Guang-xi grand defender should also be instructed to select four or five officials from the military guards who are very familiar with the yi situation and have a good knowledge of the roads. Then together these people should proceed to that country to carry out an investigation, determine the circumstances of the rebellion and memorialize a report. Also, in preparation, we should select generals and mobilize troops, but delay their despatch until the report has been received. Further, Imperial orders should be sent to the An-yuan Marquis Liu Xun, grand defender of Guang-dong/Guang-xi, as well as to the Qian-guo Duke Mu Shao-xun, the grand defender of Yun-nan, requiring them to meet together with the grand coordinators and regional inspectors, marshal the Han and native government troops, arrange funds and grain, and await the orders for the punitive expedition." The Emperor said: "Annam has rebelled and not come to Court, and it has to be punished. Send officials to investigate as proposed. The Ministry of War is also to conduct joint deliberations on appropriate arrangements for a punitive expedition and advise of these."