Entry

A new moon. Sacrifices were offered at the Imperial ancestral temple. The Emperor returned and held an audience at Feng-tian Hall. He sent an envoy to carry out sacrifices and made an Imperial announcement to the spirits of the mountains, towns, seas and rivers, saying: "The bandit minister Li Ji-li and his son Cang of Annam repeatedly killed rulers of the country and slaughtered their family members. They grabbed power in the country, changed their names and usurped the throne, levied harsh and extortionate taxes and imposed cruel and excessive laws and punishments. In the region there was mu ch discontent, but no-one to whom to lay plaint. They have also allowed their soldiers to attack and plunder and encroach into neighbouring fiefs. Despite repeated instructions, they have not repented and instead have recklessly engaged in deceit, disobeyed orders and dissolutely engaged in their evil. Now, I have ordered the generals to despatch an army to console the people and punish the offenders. The troops will be despatched on the 16th day of this month. I am especially advising of this so that the spirits will assist the army."