Entry

Yang Pan, an instructor in the Directorate of Education, and others, were sent as envoys to Annam to collect grain supplies to assist in the provision of grain rations to troops in Yun-nan. Previously, the Emperor had spoken to the officials of the Ministry of Revenue, saying: "Formerly, border area disturbances occurred repeatedly in Yun-nan. I ordered my commanders to suppress these. Now, this area is at peace and the people have all been registered. However, troops are many, the people are few, and the grain supplies are insufficient. I have considered that Annam's territory is very close to Lin-an and know that they have the spirit of willingness to serve the superior. They should supply grain rations to assist the troops." The Ministry of Revenue, in accordance with the orders of the Emperor, sent a despatch of instruction to Annam and ordered Pan and the others to go as envoys. When Pan arrived, Chen Wei immediately transported 5,000 shi of grain to Shui-wei on the Lin-an border and then presented Pan with gold and silks. Pan refused to accept these presents.