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Wan-li: Year 29, Month 7, Day 11

8 Aug 1601

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The Ministry of Rites again memorialized: "Li Ma-dou has travelled from the distance to offer tribute and has submitted his small presents. We proposed that in addition to rewarding him, that he be given the value of his goods as well as headwear and a belt to take back. We submitted our proposed arrangements for Imperial decision. However, for over five months there has been no orders issued on this matter. It is not strange that this yi person has worried himself ill on this matter and is thinking of returning. On examining his earnest entreaties, it is obvious that he does not wish rewards from the Imperial manufactories. Rather, he only seeks a mountain dwelling where he can live in rustic ease. For instance, we know that the longer animals and birds are tied up, the more they miss the forests and wilds. People also feel like this. He indeed should be pitied. It is begged that the request be approved, that rewards be conferred upon him, and that he be sent back to Jiang-xi or such place, and that he be allowed to spend his old age in contentment in the hills and valleys. Thereby, below, this will accord with the transcendental concerns of this person from the distance, while above, it will manifest the Court's policy of showing kindness to those from the distance." There was no response to the memorial.

Shen-zong: juan 361.4b-5a

Zhong-yang Yan-jiu yuan Ming Shi-lu, volume 112, page 6740/41

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Preferred form of citation for this entry:

Geoff Wade, translator, Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource, Singapore: Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore, http://epress.nus.edu.sg/msl/reign/wan-li/year-29-month-7-day-11, accessed January 22, 2019