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Yong-le: Year 2, Month 9, Day 4

7 Oct 1404

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The Fu-jian Provincial Administration Commission memorialized: "A fan ship has drifted to the coast. On enquiry, it has been found that it contains envoys from the country of Siam (暹國) who were going on a friendship mission to Ryukyu but who have been blown here by the wind. We have registered the cargo on board. Orders are requested." The Emperor spoke to the Minister of Rites Li Zhi-gang, saying: "It is a fine thing to happen between the fan countries that Siam and Ryukyu should develop friendly relations. By ill-chance, their ship was blown here by the wind. It is appropriate that we show them sympathy. How can we profit out of their goods by registering them! Good people in a village will assist those in trouble, and help in good deeds. How mu ch more appropriate such actions are for the Court in governing all under Heaven. You should order the provincial administration commission to repair their ship as necessary and provide them with required grain. When the winds are suitable, regardless of whether these people wish to return home or wish to go to Ryukyu, they are to be provided with guidance."

Tai-zong: juan 34.1b-2a

Zhong-yang Yan-jiu yuan Ming Shi-lu, volume 10, page 0598/99

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Preferred form of citation for this entry:

Geoff Wade, translator, Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource, Singapore: Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore, http://epress.nus.edu.sg/msl/reign/yong-le/year-2-month-9-day-4-0, accessed January 22, 2019