Entry

Jiao Hong, vice minister of the right in the Ministry of Revenue, was ordered to supervise the transportation of military grain rations. On taking leave of the Court, Imperial orders were conferred upon him. They read: "Now, the Imperial army is being deployed to Meng-yang on expedition to capture the bandit son Si Ji-fa. I am especially ordering you to proceed first and go through the southern Zhi-li prefectures and then the Hu-guang and Gui-zhou Military Commissions and instruct them to collect and transport grain so that it is available for use. From Yun-nan to Jin-chi and such places, deliberate on the best plans for the grain so that when the army advances, they will have grain transports following them. All of the military, civilian and natives who are engaged in the collection and transport of grain must be particularly well-treated. The chieftains and so on who are supervising the transport are not to be permitted to harm the people even in the smallest way or to give them cause to harbour resentment. You must be honest and fair in your work and you must coordinate and plan all matters with the three offices (Alt: with officials sent by the three offices), and discuss arrangements with the regional commander and grand defenders. The grain must be provided without interruption as only thus will matters be arranged well and will the people be at peace. Thereby, you will be according with the importance of the task you have been commissioned with. Respect this!"