Entry

The chieftain Tao-meng Dao Bu-da and others, a total of 40 persons, who had been sent by Han Bin-fa, the pacification superintendent of the Mu-bang Military and Civilian Pacification Superintendency, offered tribute of elephants, horses and gold and silver utensils in gratitude for Imperial grace in allowing Han Bin-fa to inherit his post. Tao-meng Dao Bu-da also memorialized as follows: "Na-luo-ta, the pacification superintendent of Ava-Burma, has repeatedly urged Han Bin-fa to turn his back and rebel against the Court, but Han Bin-fa, thinking of the grace he has received from the Court, has been unwilling to follow the rebellion and has actively opposed it. If the Imperial troops are sent there, Han Bin-fa will make whatever small efforts he can to achieve merit." The Emperor was pleased with his loyalty and sent the eunuch Xu Liang with orders of encouragement for Han Bin-fa. The orders read: "After I ascended the throne, your father was absolutely sincere in fulfilling the duties of his post and was respectful in serving the Court. In governing the people of the region, he ensured that all had their place. I was very pleased with him. Now, you have shown yourself competent to follow the ways of your father and observe the requirements of a minister. You have also strongly opposed Na-luo-ta's disloyal words. I can thus truly see your loyalty and sincerity. Na-luo-ta, with his petty piece of land, is double-hearted and is acting wrongly. I have long known of this. The reason I have not sent troops there is that I am concerned that good people will be hurt. I have already sent people with instructions requiring him to change his ways and start anew. If he does not reform, I will then order the generals to despatch the army. The troops will attack from the ocean route and you can arrange to have your native cavalry attack overland. The despicable fellow will not be equal to that. As a reward for your sincerity, I am especially sending the Eunuch Xu Liang to take you instructions as to my wishes, to confer upon you 3,000 liang of silver and 200 biao-li of brocaded fine silks and to confer upon your grandmother, mother and wife 50 bolts each of fine silk and silk gauzes interwoven with gold thread. You are to become increasingly loyal and sincere so as to inherit the blessings and eminence of your predecessors. Respect this!"