Entry

The Emperor took his throne in the Huang-ji Hall and, to commemorate the birth of the Heir Apparent, made the following proclamation to all under Heaven: "...When members of the native-official ruling families in the various pacification superintendencies of Hu-guang, Si-chuan and Guang-xi are due to pay silver on inheriting the ruling position, but are unable to pay the amount in full, in accordance with the precedent in the ninth year of the Wan-li reign (1581/82), involving a subsequently-approved memorial from the Ministry of War in respect of the Yun-nan and Gui-zhou offices, they are to exempted the silver payments and are to be immediately ordered to take on the headwear and belt, and take control of affairs. Subsequently, when there is inheritance of posts in native offices, all heirs are, like before, to proceed to the capital. If they are unable to proceed to the capital because of local problems or poverty, they are to advise the local grand coordinator and regional inspector who will conduct an investigation and memorialize on their behalf. They will then be permitted to inherit the post locally....."