Entry

The Jiao-zhi official Chen Zhi, who was serving in order to realize achievements, advised: "The bandit leader Li Li assembled his forces and occupied Cha-long Subprefecture. Although the government troops attacked, they did not capture him. Yi-an, Yan Subprefecture and Qing-hua all had Imperial forces for defence purposes, but the troops of the various guards were insufficient. It was thus proposed that all the 2,600 government troops be withdrawn from the military farms of 14 guards, including the Jiao-zhou Left Guard to provide both expeditionary and defence forces. Now boat-borne bandits have plundered the populace at Dian-yu Sea-port in Jiu-zhen Subprefecture. Also, in the same prefecture bandits are assembling in the villages and hamlets and are driving people into rebellion. Further, In Xuan-hua, Tai-yuan and other prefectures, subprefectures and counties, many people have been harmed by the "red-clothes" bandits and other bandits. It is thus requested that we be allowed to select 5,000 men from the 8,000-plus native troops on the military farms of the Jiao-zhou Left, Right, Central, Forward and Rear Guards as well as the Chang River, Zhen-yi, San River and Shi Bridge Guards, to use as expeditionary and defence forces. The grain levy they would have been required to provide for the year will need to be remitted. When the bandits are pacified, these persons could then return to the military farms as before." This was approved.