Entry

Nie-gu-lun, a person formerly of the country of Fu-lin, was sent to take a proclamation of instruction for the king of that country. The proclamation read: "When the Song lost control and Heaven ended their sacrifices, the Yuan arose in the desert regions and took over China, ruling for over 100 years. Heaven hated their despotism and profligacy and thus ended their mandate. The Chinese and the yi then saw 18 years of chaos. When the competing chieftains first arose, I, an ordinary person from the upper reaches of the Huai River, rose in righteousness to save the people. Carrying Heaven's spirit, I appointed civil and military officials. I moved Eastward, crossed to the left of the river and trained troops and nurtured the people for 14 years. In the west, I pacified the Han lord Chen You-liang and in the east I controlled the Wu Prince Zhang Shi-cheng. In the south I pacified Fu-jian and Guang-dong and then subdued Si-chuan. Subsequently, in the north, I pacified You-yan . I thereby brought the Chinese people to peace and restored the old borders of China. I was pushed forward by my subjects and became Emperor. The dynastic title of Great Ming was adopted and I took on the reign title of Hong-wu. It is now the fourth year of the reign. I sent proclamations of instruction to all the yi countries in the four directions. However you, Fu-lin, are beyond the Western yi and have not yet been informed. Thus, I am now sending Nie-gu-lun, a person of your country, to take a proclamation to you with which to instruct you. Although I have not yet attained the majesty of the wise emperors of old, enabling me to cherish the yi in the four directions, I must let all under Heaven know my will to pacify all within the four seas. It is thus that I am sending you this proclamation."