Entry

The eunuch Shan Shou, grand defender of Jiao-zhi, was sent with Imperial orders of instruction for the Jiao-zhi chieftain Li Li. The orders read: "You were originally a good man and long maintained the loyalty of one who has come to allegiance. However, because some officials failed in their duties of pacifying and governing, you harboured doubts and fears and fled into the mountain forests and could not follow your original inclinations. Now, there has been a general amnesty and all former transgressions have been washed away. All shall begin anew. Thus, I am especially sending a person with Imperial orders of instruction for you, to appoint you as the prefect of Qing-hua Prefecture, so that you can look after the people of that prefecture. You should immediately take up your post so as to accord with my Will to promote sincerity in my treatment of people." Shou spoke strongly in front of the Emperor, saying: "Li and I have trust in each other. Now that I am going to instruct him, he will indeed return to allegiance." The Emperor said: "The bandits are wily and guileful beyond your knowledge. Perhaps they will fool you and then the bandit forces will multiply and become very difficult to control." Shou kowtowed and said: "If I take these orders to instruct him and he does not come to allegiance, I should suffer 10,000 deaths." Subsequently the orders were sent.