Entry

Chen Tian-ping, the grandson of the former king of Annam, took his leave of the Court. He memorialized: "I was the remnant spawn of a lost country. Through the great virtuous power of the Emperor, I was nourished and assisted and I am now able to return to my old country to carry on the line which was broken and to return to the position which was lost. This will allow the spirit of the dead to be resurrected and the remnant bones will again be fleshed out. Although I am but simple and dull, I will indeed make great endeavours to repay the kindness which has been shown to me. With great esteem, I look to the Emperor and Heaven and Earth which are the parents of all things, and hope that they will provide me with their grace and kindness and protect me in my remaining years, so that while I live I can lead the border region and in death I can be eternally grateful." The Emperor said, "From old, all princes who lost their states and fled, like Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin, all had assistance and support within. Thus, after their return there was peace. Now, you have no assistance and support within, even though you have me as support outside. This matter is greatly complex and it causes me concern." You should use your perspicacity in illuminating your subordinates, your intelligence in providing against calamities, your benevolence in pitying those below and your lenience in being forgiving to the people. In this way, you will be free of future grief." Two suits of fine silk clothing, two suits of silk gauze and 10,000 guan of paper money were conferred upon him. It was ordered that the Guang-xi Administration Commissioner Wang Lin escort him back. Orders were also issued enfeoffing Hu Di as the Duke of Shun-hua and giving him all of the subprefectures and counties under it for his own support. It was also ordered that the envoy Ruan Jing-zhen and the others be escorted back.