Entry

Huang Wan, Minister of Rites and concurrently academician in the Han-lin Academy, was dismissed. Previously, Wan had been promoted from vice minister of the left in the Ministry of Rites to minister, and was appointed as chief envoy to go and instruct Annam. However, before he proceeded, he requested honourable titles for his father and mother. Further, quoting a precedent in respect of the conferral of Imperial grace on the occasion of the appointment of the Heir Apparent, he requested that he be provided with a title patent in keeping with his post. The Emperor was angered and said: "When Wan was first ordered to go as envoy to Annam, he received the orders but did not hasten there and instead made many requests and excuses. He was hesitant and negligent. Now there are these further requests. He is to be removed from his post and not further employed. The expedition against Annam was originally one person's proposal, but subsequently many supported the idea and reviled their superiors. They engaged in this rude arrogance in order to gain support for Xia Yan's proposal. The Ministry of War is now to jointly deliberate on whether we are to ignore that country or punish it and on how we should handle the matter." The Ministry of War together with the joint Court officials proposed: "The Lis were originally our ministers and subjects. Righteousness does not allow that they be abandoned. Meanwhile, their minister Mo Deng-yong and his son committed the crimes of usurping power in the country and driving away the ruler, and they must be punished. They have recently stated that they stand in awe of the Imperial majesty and that they have repented their crimes, have submitted a memorial requesting permission to surrender, have sent details of their land and people and noted that they will reverently obey the Court's arrangements. On the basis of such a request, it might appear possible to show them some sympathy. However, the sentiments of the yi are constantly changing. They are cunning and secretive and it is difficult to place trust in them. It is requested that those who originally received the Imperial orders, that is, the Xian-ning Marquis Qiu Luan and the Minister of War Mao Bo-wen, be ordered to proceed to Guang-dong/Guang-xi and Yun-nan to mobilize the Han and native government troops and then to instruct Annam to return to righteousness. The native official Diao Lei and Wu Wen-yuan, a former minister of the Lis, should be instructed to drill their troops and collect grain to prepare for a punitive expedition. If Mo Deng-yong and his son are engaged in covert plots, the troops should be advanced to carry out the punishment in accordance with the Court's law. If they have restrained themselves, are awaiting orders and are not duplicitous, then at night put up notices advising that the Court will not subject them to execution. Thereby, things will be well-arranged and both benevolence and righteousness will be served and not violated." The Emperor approved this. Further, it was ordered that Luan take on the seal of "Deputy General for Subduing the Yi", that Bo-wen be given the guan-fang tally of grand adjutant and that they implement the Imperial orders requiring a punitive expedition to the South.