Entry

Feng Gui, the Jiao-zhi administration vice commissioner of the left, was posthumously appointed as administration commissioner of the left, while Hou Bao, the vice commissioner of the right was posthumously appointed as administration commissioner of the right. At this time, the Minister Huang Fu had advised that Gui and so on had been killed in battle, while they were devoting themselves to the suppression of the bandits. The Emperor was mindful that these regional ministers had died for the country and been devotedly loyal. This order was accordingly issued. During the Yong-le reign (1403-24), Gui had been a supervising secretary in the Office of Scrutiny for War. He received orders to accompany the regional commander on expedition to Jiao-zhi. On his return, Gui advised that the place was rich and that it produced gold and pearls. The taxation on gold and pearls began with Gui. Gui was intelligent and able and all his memorials met with Imperial approval. He was also skilled in his employment of people. Gui had a local army of 500 men who were earnest, brave and skilled fighters, and he treated them very well. Every time the force did battle with the bandits, it was successful. These 500 men were subsequently taken away by the eunuch Ma Qi. When Gui subsequently did battle with the bandits, he was unsuccessful and both he and Bao were killed. However, Gui was corrupt and extravagant and while in Jiao-zhi he obtained young men and women and large amounts of gold and silks. When Gui was killed, these were all seized by the powerful local rogues (豪猾). Bao was also corrupt but was generous and diligent. People were quite saddened by his death.