Entry

Luo Ru-jing, vice minister of the right in the Auxiliary Ministry of Works and others who had been sent as envoys to Jiao-zhi, returned. The chieftain He Li who had been sent by Li Li and the elders offered tribute of local products, a proxy human figure of gold and a memorial, which read: "We have respectfully carried out the Imperial instructions and sought a male descendant of the Chen line. However, we have found that none remain." The memorial also noted: "As to the demand for detained officials, clerks, soldiers and their family members as well as weapons, these were all previously sent back when the Cheng-shan Marquis Wang Tong withdrew the army. I, Li, previously issued prohibitory regulations stipulating that if anyone secretly concealed even one government soldier, it would mean death. Those soldiers who subsequently showed themselves were successively sent back. Now that a further Imperial command has been received, I have again issued instructions of warning to the people and sent persons in the four directions to seek out any soldiers remaining. If any are found, they will all be sent back. I would not dare turn my back on the Sage Son of Heaven's great love for all living things. I humbly hope that the brightness of the sun will allow the illumined observation of the situation below." He also memorialized: "On the 20th day of the eighth month of the third year of the Xuan-de reign (28 Sep 1428), I humbly noted in the Imperial orders that the Jiao-zhi native officials who had gone for assessment were being allowed to return to this country. I looked up and saw the Sage Son of Heaven's brightness extending to the distance for 10,000 li and being manifested in his compassionate concern for these people's feelings for their homes and villages. Thus, I humbly dare to put forward a private matter. When previously I was chased off by the Imperial army, in the haste I lost a young daughter who was then nine years of age. On enquiry, it was found that the eunuch Ma Qi had taken her back and presented her to the palace as a maid-servant. My mountains of crimes have fortunately been pardoned and my household is looking forward to being completely reunited. It is requested that Imperial orders be issued forgiving and returning her so as to satisfy a father's love for his child. The gratitude for such an act would be engraved in my heart and would not be forgotten even at my death."