Entry

The envoy Bu-sha-pa Bu-po and others who had been sent by Mo-he Gui-lai, the nephew of the king of the country of Champa, presented a gold-leaf memorial and offered as tribute dancing elephants and local products. They also presented a supplementary memorial which read: "The attendant minister Zhi-ban and so on have returned from the capital and we have respectfully received the orders expressing sympathy and concern for our small country and requiring us, as noted in previous proclamations, to come to offer tribute only once every three years. The caring instructions and encouragement to diligence have moved us greatly. However, previously when the former king lost his post, he left orders for me requiring that I continue the ideals of my predecessor, serve the Heavenly Court with great loyalty and not fail to fulfil the annual tribute duties. Now, I have begun to handle the tasks of government, but have not yet received the Court's orders. On the one hand, I am inclining towards the virtuous power of the Court and on the other hand I do not wish to violate the orders of the former king. Thus, I am erring by daring to violate the command and am sending this year's tribute. It is humbly hoped that the Court will note this wish. As to the former orders seeking the government troops who were lost in the Western Ocean and the sojourners (流寓) from Siam, both have been fully sought for, but no trace of them can be found. Thus, there are none whom we can send back. I, Mo-he Gui-lai, who should be repeatedly punished with death for my crimes, memorialize to advise of this."