Entry

The Censor-in-Chief Chen Jin, grand coordinator of Yun-nan, and others, memorialized: "We have, in accordance with orders received, supervised the deployment of yi troops of Ava-Burma and Meng-mi, as well as those of the three pacification commissions of Gan-yai, Long-chuan and Nan Dian, and made ready elephants, horses, weapons and war-ships. We have also collected 120,000 [shi ?] of grain. We must wait until the miasma dissipates and then send officials to lead 2,000 to 3,000 troops to soothe Si Lu in Meng-yang. However, it has been heard that Si Lu is deploying his troops and as in the past, he will stupid and stubborn by resisting our forces. If we have to request orders from 10,000 li away, how will we be able to achieve success against him? It is requested that we be allowed to act as befits the situation. We could perhaps order the Ava-Burma troops to attack Ting-zhan and then lead the Meng-mi troops in attacking Man-mo. In that way, he will be engaged on two fronts and his forces will have to be divided. Thus, it will be easier to carry out a successful pursuit and attack. If he does not utilize troops and instead returns the land and does not harbour further ideas of opposing us, we will carry out a detailed and scrupulous investigation." The memorial was sent to the Ministry of War which assembled officials to deliberate on it. They advised; "Although Si Lu has gathered troops and occupied territory, he will not dare attack our border areas. Further, he has claimed that the territory he has occupied will only be returned to Mu-bang. He would not dare occupy it for himself and will not return it to Meng-mi. This shows that he fears calamity and still wishes to follow China. Also, Yun-nan has for repeated years seen frequent disasters and calamities. We must not rashly send troops. It is requested that the grand defender and the grand coordinator be ordered to select officials from the provincial administration commission and the surveillance commission to personally go and publicly make known the instructions. If Si Lu is truly willing to return the territory to Mu-bang, his crimes should be pardoned and the troops stopped. If he is not willing to do this, they should urgently memorialize a further request for decisions on arrangements." This was approved.