Entry

The Messengers Chen Cheng and Lu Rang were sent as envoys to Annam. Previously, the Si-ming Prefecture native prefect Huang Guang-cheng had memorialized, saying: "In ancient times, the Yuan established Si-ming Subprefecture. Later this was changed to the Si-ming Route Tribal Command, and subordinate to it were all the subprefectures, counties, dong and stockades to the left of the river. To the East, it extended to Si Subprefecture and to the South, it extended to the bronze pillar. When the Yuan troops proceeded against Jiao-zhi, they went 100 li past the bronze pillar and established the Yong-ping Stockade Military and Civilian Brigade Prefecture. They then deployed troops to guard it, and ordered the Jiao-zhi people to supply rations to the troops. During the rebellions and confusion at the end of the Yuan dynasty, the Jiao people attacked Yong-ping Stockade with troops and subsequently came past the bronze pillar by over 200 li. They invaded areas under Si-ming, such as the five counties of Qiu-wen, Ru-ao, Qing-yuan, Yuan and Tuo, and forced the people to give their allegiance to them. They also required the native officials of the five counties to collect the annual taxation. Previously, this prefecture was lost to the Court and the Jiao people's aggression became increasingly serious. Thus, Minister Ren of the Ministry of Rites set up a station at Dong-deng. Dong-deng is certainly the territory of Si-ming Prefecture, but the Jiao people continue to consider it a part of the bronze pillar border. I memorialized and the Court sent the Minister of Justice Yang Jing and he verified the matter. Today, the history of the Jian-wu reign (A.D. 25-58) can still be examined. It is requested that Annam be instructed to return our former villages in the five counties. Also, the bronze pillar should be taken as the border. In this way, the border will return to normal and the annual taxation will not be lacking." The Emperor instructed the Ministry of Revenue to draw up details of what had been memorialized and send Cheng and so on to Annam to instruct them to return the territory.