Entry

On this day, the Minister Huang Fu, who was in charge of the affairs of the Jiao-zhi Provincial Administration Commission and the Provincial Surveillance Commission, advised: "Jiao-zhi is 10,000 li in the distance. We should establish more stores and granaries so as to ensure peace and stability. We should also select and train soldiers to demonstrate military might. At present, the government troops of the various guards are all given equal grain salaries regardless of whether they are strong or weak. We mu st not be extravagant with border stores as, otherwise, we will not be able to arouse the soldiers' spirits. We should reduce the amounts given to the old and the weak and increase the amounts given to the strong." He also advised: "The newly promulgated regulations provide that offenders who have been sentenced to punishments of light or heavy caning, banishment or the death penalty for various offences, all be sent to the capital to work. The road from Jiao-zhi is long and dangerous. If we act in accordance with the new regulations, large numbers will certainly did on the roads. It is requested that, in accordance with the seriousness of their offences, the offenders be allowed to redeem their punishments through the payment of rice. This will be of assistance in providing army rations and thus helpful in both the public and private domains." The Heir Apparent approved this.