Entry

The envoy Bu-sha-pa Zhan-chi and others who had been sent by Mo-he Gui-lai, the nephew of Zhan-ba Di-la, the deceased king of the country of Champa, submitted a memorial which noted: "When our former king first fell ill, he selected me as his successor and wanted me to inherit the throne. At that time, I was still young and I could not govern. Thus I yielded the throne to my uncle Mo-he Bi-gai. Subsequently, Mo-he Bi-gai repeatedly raised troops and attacked the country of Annam. The king of Annam sent his generals with their troops to Jiu-zhou and Gu-lei in Champa, and killed or carried off nearly all the people there. Mo-he Bi-gai was captured and the ministers and the people of the country requested that, as I am of the same surname as the former king and had earlier been named as successor, I replace him on the throne and handle state affairs. I declined time and again, but in the end there was no option but to accede to their request. Thus, I have handled matters from in front of the palace and have not dared assume the king's throne. I now humbly beg that the Emperor especially confer an Imperial command in order to satisfy the hopes of the distant people." The Emperor approved his request and sent the supervising secretary Chen Yi as senior envoy and the Messenger Xue Gan as deputy envoy to take credentials with which to enfeoff Mo-he Gui-lai as king of the country of Champa. The Emperor also conferred orders of instruction requiring him to carefully carry out his duties as minister, to respectfully fulfil his tribute obligations, to do well in looking after the people of the country, to maintain friendly relations with his neighbours and to protect his territory, as thereby all would enjoy long-lasting prosperity and mutual peace. In addition, velvet brocades embroidered with gold thread decorations, ramie-silk, silk gauzes and other goods were conferred upon Mo-he Gui-lai and his consort. A further proclamation of instruction was issued requiring that the all the people of the country, of rank high and low, support and assist him.