Entry

The Qian-guo Duke Mu Kun, grand defender of Yun-nan, and others, memorialized: "Si Lu of Meng-yang previously sent people across the Jin-sha River to occupy Man-mo and Gong-zhang and other areas of Meng-mi. He was soothed and instructed for a long period, but he did not accord. Also, although Han Lie-nian of the Mu-bang Pacification Superintendency was young and could not govern by himself, Mu-bang wished to coordinate with Si Lu to carry out revenge against Meng-mi for having previously occupied them. Although Mu-bang's Tao-meng Bi Song was overtly fearful of the law and obedient, he covertly joined in conspiracy with Si Lu. Their violation is now obvious. It is desired to raise a large army to eliminate them. Thus, three plans have been devised. The first is to clarify our righteous purpose and involves carrying out Heaven's punishment. This is the best plan. Under this plan, several officials will be sent to supervise the deployment of 90,000 yi troops and 700 elephants from Ava-Burma, Ba-bai and Meng-mi, as well as 30,000 Han, Tatar, native and yi government troops from the various prefectures, guards, subprefectures and counties of Yun-nan. They will advance from Mi-du and Yun-si. Then, in the name of returning the two sons from Jia-li to their former territory, we will use the allegiance of these two persons from Jia-li to divide Si Lu's strength. Further, 20,000 Meng-mi yi troops will be sent to Guang-nao. Also, 10,000 native troops from various areas will proceed with the Long-chuan yi troops along one route and advance from Man-lun and other places. Further, 5,000 troops will proceed with the yi troops from Nan Dian along one route and will advance from Mt. Nan-ya, while another 5,000 troops will proceed with the yi troops from Gan-yai along another route and advance from Jie-yang. The second plan is to show military strength and involves the demonstration of the extent of our power. This is the second-best plan. Officials will be sent to supervise the deployment of 20,000 yi troops and 200 elephants from Ava-Burma. They will come from Zheng-gu and will join with 20,000 yi troops and 200 elephants from Meng-mi. A total of 20,000 Han, Tatar and native government troops and 100 elephants will be divided into three forces and they will attack his eastern flank through Man-lun and other areas. Then, the 20,000 Ava-Burma troops and 200 elephants, together with the 20,000 Meng-mi troops and 100 elephants will be deployed to attack his Western flank from Mi-du. Those attacking from the East will be responsible for taking Man-mo and such areas, while those attacking from the West will be responsible for taking Ting-zhan and such areas. The third plan is one of establishing yi cliques (夷黨) in order to constrain the border peoples. This is the least best plan. Officials will be sent to Ava-Burma to supervise the raising of troops and coordination with Meng-mi. If it is heard that Si Lu is making a move, they will combine forces and aid each other in protecting the area. After the solar period of "frost-descending", yi-soothing officials should again be sent to go and soothe him and arrange matters." It was ordered that the memorial be sent to the Court ministers for their deliberation. At this time, the joint ministers advised their deliberations: "The uprising by the Yun-nan bandits has brought exhaustion to both high and low. The various yi areas are vast. Even if troops are deployed, we fear that the native-official offices cannot really be trusted. Also, the funds and grain must be arranged and transport presents serious difficulties. Further, while Si Lu's crimes are serious, it does not appear that he would dare to invade our territory. When he hears that our army has been despatched, he will certainly withdraw. After he withdraws, we will have to advance and cross the river. There, we will be in 10,000 troubles. The army will be exhausted and funds will be gone, control over the yi troops will have been lost and both advance and retreat will be difficult. The external yi are not at peace, but there has been a resurgence of internal calamities and these are of much greater concern than Si Lu. It is requested that, at present, the third plan be employed." This was approved.