Entry

The Grand Secretary Shen Shi-xing memorialized on the achievements in Yun-nan: "Han Song, who was originally attached to Man-mo, realized achievements in repulsing and defeating the Ava-Burma forces. The victory belonged to the native yi and this should have been factually memorialized. However, Liu Tian-feng coveted merit and claimed that the achievement was his. Li Cai also proclaimed achievement and reported it to higher officials. Chen Yan-zhi was accessory to the deception while Song Ru and Chen Ke-hou colluded with them in the investigation. Their crimes are certainly unpardonable. As to Liu Shi-zeng and Mu Chang-zuo, although they jointly memorialized victory and requested a censor to investigate, it was a lapse only in their being too trusting. This is pardonable. Their punishment should be lightened. I also note that Yun-nan is 10,000 li in the distance and reported events are difficult to personally verify. Thus, in making known achievements, it is easy to make excessive claims, while in detailing crimes, it is also easy to engage in slander. Previously, calamity was fostered by letting matters drift and this led to where Ava-Burma bandits engaged in violence and lawlessness. In recent years, generals and troops have been employed, Yue [Feng] and Han [Qian] have been captured and now the borders are at peace. This is due to the obvious efficacy of the Emperor's appointments of border officials. Now, if the punishment is too severe, the native officials will look lightly on the border officials and when the border officials meet difficulties, the native officials will make efforts to shirk their duties. Who then will loyally fulfil their duties? We believe that as Li Cai and Chen Yan-zhi have lost their posts, the deprivation they have already suffered cannot be considered insignificant. Liu Tian-feng and so on have been subject to investigation by the censors and this treatment cannot be considered as light. If prisoner escorts are despatched in all directions, great terror will be experienced. It is requested that the severity be tempered a little and that they be compassionately pardoned." The Emperor did not approve this.