Entry

Previously, the Investigating Censor Liu Hong, regional inspector of Yun-nan, memorialized on two matters:

"1. It is requested that procedures for verifying due heirs be simplified so as to reduce the difficulties involved. In recent cases, when a member of the native-official ruling family was due to inherit a post, senior officials of the three offices had to be sent to investigate and verify him as the heir. Only then could he inherit the post. However, the border areas are miasmic, dangerous and distant and the officials of the three offices often did not personally go to these places and instead sent subordinate officials to go and investigate. These officials either sought bribes or did not carry out their tasks in order to avoid the associated suspicions (避嫌). Thus, there was squabbling and for over 10 years, no one inherited the posts. It is requested that the surname and personal names of the due heirs be advised in advance and that every three years a register be compiled and stored as record. Also, in accordance with the memorial by the Qian-guo Duke Mu Cong, in the same way as the regulations which have been set down for inheritance of military posts, these various officials should send their inheritance register (廕叙文冊) to the provincial administration commission for investigation. If there are no other problems, the register should be sent to the regional inspector for inspection and verification. Then a memorial will be submitted for a decision. If there is contention between persons and the due heir is not clear, the regional inspector should be permitted to select a senior official from the three offices to personally go to investigate and verify the due heir, and to report to the provincial administration commission, which will then memorialize. If officials obstruct things by seeking private gain, the regional inspector is to be permitted to submit a memorial of impeachment..."

The memorial was sent to the Ministry of Personnel which deliberated and advised:

"In the matter of native official inheritance and succession, the Yun-nan grand coordinator and regional inspector should be ordered to implement the measures as proposed...."

This was approved.