Entry

The Auxiliary Ministry of Rites advised: "Si Ren-fa of Lu-chuan is a scourge on the borders. The banquets and rewards for the tribute envoy he sent, the chieftain Tao-meng Mang-pa, appear to have been set at the normal levels. They should be reduced." The Emperor said: "Si Ren-fa has long harboured a disloyal heart and I have already raised an army to punish him. How can his tribute be the sign of a loyal heart! It is nothing more than him wanting to spy on the situation and delay our troops. However, I deal with all under Heaven with the greatest sincerity. I do not anticipate deceit and have not prevented them from coming to Court. In this way, he might be influence by culture. You, Ministry of Rites, are to reward them with the rewards provided under the normal regulations, but you are not to banquet them. Thus, the envoys will know the perspicacity of the Court and know that it has not been deceived by them."