Entry

Previously, troops had been sent on expedition against Zhao Zong-shou in Long Subprefecture. As Annam was contiguous with Long Subprefecture, the former Minister of Justice Yang Jing was sent to go and instruct Annam to transport 80,000 shi of grain to Long Subprefecture to assist with military rations. At this time, Jing memorialized, saying: "When I reached Annam and issued the instructions and Imperial orders, the prime minister of the country Li Yi-yuan and so on said that their country had little land and few people and the grain taxes levied there were only sufficient for their own needs. They were willing to provide 10,000 shi and to pay 1,000 liang of gold and 20,000 liang of silver in lieu of the outstanding amount. They also said that in previous years, they had transported rice to Lin-an and, although Lin-an can be reached by boat, even the transport of 5,000 shi of grain was not easy. Now, the requirement is to transport grain to Long Subprefecture, which can only be reached along precipitous roads. They requested that they be permitted to send the grain to Ping-xiang dong. I instructed them to send 20,000 shi of grain to the Duo-hai River. Then, the journey from the Duo-hai River to Long Subprefecture River is but half a day. Through enquiries, it has been found that Duo-hai village is subordinate to Long Subprefecture. The river is 40 zhang wide and boats can be rowed to Qiu-wen. The two banks there are hilly and precipitous and grain cannot be stored there. I have already instructed Long Subprefecture to build a pontoon bridge to transport the grain. The Annam king is very young and it is not possible to converse with him. The government affairs are all being handled by the prime minister Li Yi-yuan and his son [Li] Cheng. They are wily in 100 ways. It has now been heard that Zhao Zong-shou has received Imperial pardon. Thus I am hesitant to act." At this time, Zong-shou had already admitted his crimes and requested pardon, and the Great Army had been sent against Xiang-wu and other man. The Emperor thus sent a Messenger to instruct Jing to transfer the 20,000 shi of grain, which had already been provided, to the army which had orders to proceed against Xiang-wu, and that the gold and silver offered in lieu of the additional grain be returned to Annam.