Entry

Previously, when Yun-nan was pacified during the Hong-wu reign (1368-98), only the Bai-yi chieftain Si Lun-fa did not submit. Later, he was driven out by the chieftain Dao Gan-meng and Si Lun-fa went to the capital to lay plaint. It was ordered that he be appointed as pacification superintendent. He returned and resided in Lu-chuan, while his land was divided and the three prefectures of Meng-yang, Mu-bang and Meng-ding were established, all subordinate to Yun-nan. Also, four chief's offices were established at Lu-jiang, Gan-yai, Da-hou and Wan-dian, all subordinate to Jin-chi. In the first year of the Yong-le reign (1403/04), Meng-yang and Mu-bang were raised to pacification superintendencies. The Meng-yang Pacification Superintendent Dao Mu-dan was killed in a feud with a neighbouring area and Ava-Burma took the opportunity to annex his land. Not long after, the Ava-Burma Pacification Superintendent Xin-qi-jia (Alt: Xin-si-jia) was killed by the Mu-bang Pacification Superintendency. At that time, Si Lun-fa was already dead and his eldest son Si Xing-fa had inherited his father's post. He also died and the second son Si Ren-fa inherited his elder brother's position as Lu-chuan Pacification Superintendent. His cunning exceeded that of his father and elder brother. In respect of gold and silver due in lieu of labour, he did not make payment on time, but the Court liberally forgave this. In response to the danger posed by Ava-Burma, Si Ren-fa had invaded its territory. He then wanted to completely recover the land his father had lost and thus raised troops and attacked the border. At this time, the Qian-guo Duke Mu Sheng, regional commander of Yun-nan, memorialized that Si Ren-fa had attacked and occupied Meng-ding Prefecture as well as Wan Dian and other subprefectures, killed and plundered people, carried others off and burnt the Dian stockade. The memorial was sent to the Auxiliary Ministry of War which requested that Sheng and so on be ordered to deliberate on plans to either pacify or capture Si Ren-fa, whichever course was most appropriate. This was approved.