Entry

The envoy who had been sent by Annam to accompany the Messenger Yang Bo on his return, came to Court, offered tribute and presented a memorial from the attendant ministers and elders of Annam. It read: "The former king of Annam Chen Ri-kui took the lead in the second year of the Hong-wu reign (1369/70) in becoming one of the within, and he presented a memorial and offered tribute. The Heavenly Court conferred a noble title upon him, as king of the land and wished him to pass this on to his sons and grandsons, so that they would long remain foreign ministers. Unfortunately, he lacked the protection of the spirits and Ri-kui departed this world. His successor was short-lived and all the male descendants in the branches of the family line successively died. After 30-odd years, the line of succession was broken and the people of the country were heart-broken. Hu Di is truly the son of a woman of the ruling family and when he was young was close to the palace. He has a respectful, submissive heart and is diligent in serving superiors. For these reasons, the people pushed Di forward to temporarily take charge of the affairs of state and to manage the Chen ancestral temple. This situation has been so for four years and the great and small are at peace. The Imperial envoy has come here enquiring of our humble selves. We in our humble ignorance presume by now memorializing the facts to you. We respectfully hope for Heaven's grace and that in accordance with the popular will, the title will be conferred upon him so that he can guard this state and the people in this corner of the ocean will all be in their place. We humbly dare, at the risk of our lives, to advise this."