Entry

On this day, Gao Shi-wen, an assistant commissioner-in-chief of the Forward Military Commission, led troops to Guang-yuan Subprefecture and did battle with the bandits, and in the battle he was killed. At this time, Jiao-zhi had been pacified but in the hills and valleys of Qi-yuan and other subprefectures there were remnant bandits who engaged in raiding and hostilities. The Xin-cheng Marquis sent Shi-wen to lead troops to go and capture these bandits. When they arrived at Guang-yuan Subprefecture, the bandits appeared and did battle. Shi-wen attacked and defeated them, taking tens of heads. The bandits then gathered their remnant forces and, with their backs to the mountains, employed stockades to defend themselves. Shi-wen attacked them at night and when the stockade was about to be breached, the bandits rushed out and fled. Shi-wen led the dare-to-die troops in pursuing them and again did battle with them. However, the bandits occupied a high position and loosed a hail of arrows and stones upon them. Shi-wen was killed by firearms fire (中飛炮死). His subordinate officers then pursued the bandits and again did battle. The bandits fled to Qi-yuan Subprefecture. Fu then sent the Commissioner Cheng Yang to continue to lead the troops and they subsequently pacified the bandits. Shi-wen had his origins in Xian-yang County, Shaan-xi. During the Hong-wu reign, as a junior lieutenant, he followed the expedition to Yun-nan and then accompanied the Jin-shan expedition, realizing achievements on both occasions. He was then appointed as a company commander in the Yan-shan Left Escort Guard. When the Emperor pacified the internal troubles, Shi-wen fought bravely in the battles and he was promoted to assistant commissioner-in-chief of the Forward Military Commission. He realized many achievements in the expedition to Jiao-zhi and finally was killed in battle. In his personal qualities, he was just and firm and he was an excellent horseman and archer. On his death, people were all saddened.