Entry

The Yun-nan regional officials advised that Na-luo-ta, the Ava-Burma Military and Civilian Pacification Superintendent had, without authority, sent troops against Meng-yang and had killed the Pacification Superintendent Dao Mu-dan and his son. They thus requested permission to despatch troops to punish him. Subsequently Zhang Hong, a Messenger in the Messengers Office, was sent to take him Imperial orders of instruction, which read:

"When the ruler of the people receives the mandate and becomes lord of all under Heaven, he mu st be clear in his laws and orders, and mu st be constant in his sentiments so that the strong do not oppress the weak, the many do not harry the few and all are at peace in their lives. Since I ascended the throne, all the people have come to allegiance and the yi in the four directions have heeded my orders. You Na-luo-ta were also able to respect and accord with the Way of Heaven, reverently fulfil your tribute duties and peacefully govern the people of your area. I was extremely pleased with this. Now I have heard that you have engaged in hostilities with Meng-yang, and that you have killed their Pacification Superintendent Dao Mu-dan and his son, carried off its people as captives and occupied their territory. How different this is from your former self. How can such actions be tolerated by the law of the country! The border officials have requested permission to despatch troops to punish your crimes. As I am concerned that the despatch of the Great Army will likely greatly affect the innocent, I am now especially sending the Messenger Zhang Hong with Imperial orders of instruction for you. You should swiftly change your ways, make efforts to follow the ways of goodness, return the territory you have occupied and the people you have seized and from now on observe the law and follow the patterns. You should each protect your own territory and look after your own people. In this way, you will be pardoned your previous crimes. If you continue to act stupidly without repentance, Heaven's punishment will indeed be forthcoming and it will be too late for regret."