Entry

The Supreme Commander of Yun-nan Military Affairs, Auxiliary Minister of War and concurrently Chief Minister in the Court of Judicial Review Wang Ji, memorialized: "On the seventh day of the fifth month (26 May 1441), I received a report from Mu-bang stating that they had already prepared their troops and horses on the border and were waiting to assist the Imperial army. They noted that Dao Feng-lai and Dao Men-ban of Meng-ding Prefecture had already surrendered, but that the rebellious bandit Yi Bao and others were camped in Meng-ding. They urged the Great Army to attack the bandits. We deliberated and considered that as it was mid-Summer and there was much miasma, it would be difficult to advance the troops. We will wait until the troops of the Regional Commander and Ding-xi Marquis Jiang Gui arrive and then we will attack along separate routes." The Emperor sent orders to Gui and so on, saying: "I have just received a memorial from Ji. He wants to wait until you arrive and then advance with joint forces. You are to coordinate your efforts and plan fully. You must proceed with great caution. You must also look after the troops and share both their hardships and pleasures. Appoint appropriate people and encourage them well. In this way, a great victory will be assured. Exert yourselves!"