Entry

The Jiao-zhi Administration Vice Commissioner of the Right Hou Bao, was killed while leading militiamen to defend against the bandits. The Administration Vice Commissioner of the Left Feng Gui was also killed in a battle while punishing the bandits. Bao had his origins in Zan-huang, Zhen-ding. After studying at the National University, he was successively appointed as county magistrate in Xiang-cheng, Gan-yu and Bo-xing Counties. He was a fine administrator. Previously, when the prefectures and counties of Jiao-zhi were being re-established and persons were being selected to pacify and govern, Bao was promoted to prefect of Jiao-zhou Prefecture and later to administration vice commissioner of the right for Jiao-zhi. At this time, the Huang River bandit Li Li was attacking and plundering prefectures and counties. Bao led the militia in building forts in strategic places to provide defence against them. The bandits came to attack and, although Bao did battle with them, he was defeated and killed. Gui had his origins in Wu-ling, Hu-guang. He achieved the metropolitan graduate degree and was appointed as a supervising secretary in the Office of Scrutiny for War. When he accompanied the Ying-guo Duke Zhang Fu to pacify Jiao-zhi, he was the general supervisor of rations. In this post he exerted great efforts and provided great service. On his return, details of his service were memorialized and he awaited Imperial orders. He was promoted to assistant administration commissioner of the right for Jiao-zhi and made responsible for supervising the gold and silver mines. Subsequently, he was promoted to administration vice commissioner of the left. He was very capable in pacifying the wandering population and he brought many back to allegiance. He had a force of 2,000-plus native troops, all of whom were strong and had endured the rigours of battle. Each time they went out to attack bandits they achieved immediate success. Later, the eunuch Ma Qi and others grew jealous and took away all his native troops. When Li Li rebelled, he did so with a powerful force. Gui went to attack and punish him. However, he only had several hundred emaciated troops with him. When they engaged in battle, the troops were greatly outnumbered by the bandits and, although Gui fought strongly, he was killed in the battle. Bao was an incorruptible and merciful administrator while Gui was able and talented. Their deaths were mourned by all.