Entry

Fu An, a eunuch director in the Directorate of Ceremonial, memorialized: "For successive years, the offices within and outside the Court have been producing the Imperial credentials and the ceremonial insignia needed by the various princely establishments. This has used up much gold and there is now a shortage in the Imperial Treasury. It is requested that, as was done during the Yong-le reign (1403-24), officers from both within and outside the Court be sent to the Western Ocean and other places to buy gold. Also, we should send people to gather that which is paid in lieu of labour in Yun-nan so that it can be brought back to the Treasury and used." The Emperor said: "In purchasing gold there is no need to travel to the distance. Also, the amount of gold which Yun-nan and such places produce in taxes is not great. Have some of the silver which is paid annually by Yun-nan in lieu of labour paid instead in gold, and then that can be used."