Entry

The retired Nan-jing Minister of War Cheng Zong purchased redemption from the punishment of beating and was restored to his post, still retired. Previously, Si Bing, a chieftain of the Mu-bang Pacification Superintendency, attacked and occupied territory of that office. Zong, who was a vice censor-in-chief of the right, was ordered by the Court to go with the Usher Su Quan and proceed to soothe and instruct them. Quan accepted gold from Si Bing and he fooled Zong into memorializing for him, requesting the establishment of the Meng-mi Pacification Office, with Si Bing as the pacification officer. Quan also urged Si Bing to burn Meng-bang (Alt: Meng-ba) and other places, a total of 18 stockades in the area of Mu-bang which he had occupied, and falsely memorialize that they had been returned to Mu-bang. Actually, they were not returned. After this, Si Bing grew increasingly lawless. At this time, the Mu-bang Pacification Superintendent Han Wa-fa made this known. Zong had, by this time, already retired as a Minister. The regional inspecting censor memorialized requesting that his crime be punished. The Emperor felt that as Zong had not conducted a proper investigation when handling the matter, it was appropriate that he be severely punished. However, as the events had occurred before the change (革前), the Emperor, in accordance with a proposal, leniently allowed Zong to purchase redemption of his punishment of beating.