Entry

Imperial orders were sent to the Cheng-shan Marquis Wang Tong and the Commissioner-in-chief Ma Ying, as follows: "It is known from the memorial that the Imperial army has already returned to Nan-ning in Guang-xi. Previously, when it was advised that the An-yuan Marquis Liu Sheng and the Commissioner-in-chief Cui Ju had been soundly defeated, I knew that you would display your great loyalty by battling and struggling without end. However, what crimes have these living things committed that their livers and brains should be spilled on the battle-field! A desire to protect them has been my constant wish. Formerly, I received Chen Hao's memorial and Li Li's letter to the regional commander. They requested that the descendant of the Chen family be placed on the throne. This touched my heart deeply. I thus immediately sent Li Qi, the vice minister of the left in the Ministry of Rites, and others with a proclamation pardoning the crimes of the Jiao-zhi officials, soldiers and people. They were instructed to advise on the male descendants of the Chens, after which an envoy would be sent to confer the appointment. Imperial instructions were also sent to you requiring that you lead the Imperial troops, the grand defender eunuchs and the officials and clerks of the three offices in returning. It is not because of the ferocity of the rebellious bandits that action has not been taken or that the Court cannot deploy troops to eliminate them. It is just that I cannot bear my subjects being in such distress for so long. You should have firmly guarded the city and awaited my orders. But you rashly had dealings with the bandits, abandoned the city and returned. You were busily concerned with your own safety , but what of the state's prestige! You have failed in your duties as a minister. How can we not be the laughing stock of the man and the yi! When these orders arrive, you are to immediately instruct the troops and cavalry under your command, and those government troops who fled and were sent back by Li Li, to all return to their original guards and battalions. You are to lead back the government troops who are from the capital. You are also to allow those persons who have been sent to the capital by Li Li and Chen Hao to accompany you." Imperial orders were also sent to the eunuch officials Shan Shou and Ma Qi requiring them to return to the capital together with Tong.