Entry

Imperial orders were conferred upon Si Ren-fa, the pacification superintendent of the Lu-chuan Pacification Superintendency in Yun-nan, as well as on his major and minor chieftains. The orders read: "I am the ruler of all under Heaven. I respectfully manifest the benevolent and loving hearts of my ancestors and the virtuous power embodied in Heaven and Earth. Thus, all those persons who cause unrest submit themselves to the law and grace is extended to them, opening an avenue for self-renewal. If not, they are visited by great disaster. Your father Si Lun-fa and your elder brother Si Xing-fa both received great grace from my forbears. An office was established and they were appointed to official posts. Your father and your elder brother both knew how to appreciate kindness and respectfully carried out their tribute duties. Subsequently, the title was handed on to you. You should have manifested the ideas which were in the heart of your father and your elder brother, acted in accordance with their morality, respected the Court's orders and lived in harmony with neighbouring areas. Thereby, you would have protected your enfeoffed land and long enjoyed peace and happiness. However, you have presumed to engage in unlawful actions, invaded Mu-bang, Meng-yang and Lu-jiang, killed people in the border areas and plundered their livestock and property. The defending generals repeatedly requested permission to despatch troops to punish your crimes. I considered that it was only you, a single person, who had committed the crimes and was concerned that the Imperial army would injure many innocents. Thus, I repeatedly refused their requests. Instead, I sent orders of instruction for you. However, you did not repent and I had no option but to send the Yun-nan regional commander Mu Ang, leading his troops, to your territory to pacify and instruct you, hoping that you would change your ways. However, you again relied upon your isolation to oppose them. Forgiving your crimes would surely anger Heaven and Earth and all the spirits. Now people sent by the regional commander are escorting back Mang-pa and Dao Xian-guan whom you sent to Court. You also sent a plea. I have read you words and it seems that you are earnest in wanting to change your ways. Thus, I am again sending Imperial orders pardoning all of your crimes. If you are able to change your ways and start anew and wish to bring prosperity and happiness to the people of the region, immediately return what you have occupied and stolen and either come personally to the Court to offer tribute or send a son or nephew and trusted chieftain to do so. Then the Court will show you grace, all will be as before and your sons and grandsons and all the people of the region will enjoy the prosperity of long-lasting peace. If details of the situation there have not been brought to the Court's attention or there are things which you wish to say, detail them in a memorial and advise. I will handle things so that you all truly have your place. If you do not follow my will, do not accord with my words and dare to lead your force of gnats in vying for victory against the Imperial Forces, then my Army will valiantly advance and, at that time, there will be no way for you to avoid being pounded to dust. You should give this matter careful consideration!"