Entry

Paper money, biao-li of variegated silks, cotton cloth, silks and clothing of patterned fine silks, as appropriate, were conferred upon the envoy He-zhe Li-yi-si and others from the country of Bai-ge-da. In addition, headwear and belts were conferred upon He-zhe Li-yi-si and others, a total of three persons. They were also ordered to take Imperial orders, as well as fine patterned silks, silk gauzes interwoven with gold thread and other goods back to confer upon the king of their country and his consort. Initially, He-zhe Li-yi-si had been ordered by his king to come with others to the Court and offer tribute of local products. However, they had met high winds and their ship was destroyed. The tribute products were thus all lost at sea. When He-zhe Li-yi-si and the others reached the capital, they said: "Our country has never come to offer tribute in China. Now, the first time we have come to offer tribute, all our tribute goods have been lost at sea. The king of the country is loyal and has a respectful heart, but is unable to come to Court personally. Only if the Emperor, in his great grace, mercifully pardons my transgression and confers upon me headwear and a belt will the king know, on our return, that we have actually been to the Court, and will I avoid castigation." The Emperor ordered the Ministry of Rites to confer headwear and a belt upon him and arrange for a tribute ship from a neighbouring country to take him home. He also gave He-zhe Li-yi-si and the others instructions, saying: "How can men control the unpredictable winds and waves! When you return, tell your king that I am pleased with his loyalty, but that I do not place importance on material things. In future, all that I require is that he be firm in his loyalty."