Entry

An envoy was sent with Imperial orders of instruction for Dao Xian-dai, the pacification superintendent of Laos. The orders read: "Since I became Emperor, I have comforted the distant peoples and have not differentiated between here and there. I have been perfectly sincere to all. Thus the nine yi and the eight man have all come to offer tribute. You received orders from the Court appointing you as the chieftain and defender of your region. However, in recent years, you have not come to Court to offer tribute. Why is this so? The Li bandits of Annam, both father and son, disobeyed Heaven and caused calamities. Both the spirits and men were angered and thus I ordered the generals to take an army and respectfully carry out Heaven's punishment. You were unwilling to take the Court's enemies as your own and instead have secretly colluded with Ji-li, and assisted him with troops and elephants. Having been so guileful and deceitful, how can punishment for your crimes be avoided? I wanted to despatch troops to punish your crimes, but was afraid that innocent people would be hurt. Thus, I am now sending a special envoy with orders of instruction for you. If you are able to repent your previous crimes, you will be able to ensure your security. If you do not do this, the punishments of Heaven and man will be forthcoming and at that time, it will be too late to repent."