Entry

Ruan Jing-zhen, the envoy who had been sent by Hu Di of Annam, accompanied the investigating censor on his return, came to Court and presented a memorial admitting guilt. The memorial read: "I, Di, and my father, were indeed ministers of Annam, but we were connected with the ruling family through marriage. We served the former kings with all our hearts. How could we have dared to rebel, kill the rulers and carry out great massacres. As fate would have it, the Chens met great troubles, with sons and grandsons dying one after another until their line came to an end. I am truly the son of a woman of the Chen family and I was unexpectedly pushed forward by the people to temporarily handle state affairs and preside over the sacrifices. Through the perspicacity of the Sage, a fief was conferred with upon me. I have attended to things carefully and am often fearful that I have transgressed. How could we petty maritime yi, secluded on a distant border, dare to usurp a dynastic title, adopt a reign title or deceive Heaven and our superiors! Tian-ping is a member of the Chen family, but he had long been outside (久棄在外) and it was not even thought that he was still alive. The good news has just reached me. Through the great mercy of the Sage, an envoy was sent to investigate. I request that you send Tian-ping back so that I can serve him as my ruler. As to Lu Subprefecture and such regions and Meng-man and such stockades, I have ordered that they be immediately returned. I have already sent people to these places to hand the land back. I humbly pray that the Emperor and Heaven and Earth, the parents of all things, will forgive my dissolute stupidity and pardon my crimes worthy of death. I am extremely afraid and it is only with extreme audacity that I look to you." The Emperor was pleased and received the memorial.