Entry

Tian-shun: Year 3, Month 8, Day 17	(13 Sep 1459)

The Supervising Secretary Chen Jia-you was sent as chief envoy and the Messenger Peng Sheng was sent as deputy envoy to take credentials of enfeoffment with which to enfeoff Su-dan Mang-su Sha, the son of the deceased king of the country of Melaka. Imperial orders of instruction were conferred upon the king. The orders read: "Your forbears have for generations reverently guarded your feudatory state (藩邦). Rule passed to your father but not long after he inherited the position, he suddenly passed away. When the news of his demise reached me from afar, it truly saddened my heart. You are the legitimate heir and you have been able to send an envoy to present tribute of local products and to request orders from the Court. In view of your worthiness, it is appropriate that you inherit rule of the country. I am thus especially sending envoys with a proclamation enfeoffing you as king of the country of Melaka, and to confer upon you variegated silks in reward for your earnest sentiments. You are to remain diligent in fulfilling your duties as a minister, increasingly accord with the Will of Heaven, act with the respect of an official guarding a feudatory and do not be remiss in ensuring a soothing and peaceful administration. In this way, you will be carrying forward the sentiments of your forebears and will enjoy peace and prosperity. Respect this!" Jia-you and so on were further ordered to carry out official sacrifices for Su-lu-tan Wo-da-fo-na Sha, the [deceased] king of the country, and to promulgate a proclamation informing the people of the country.

Ying-zong: juan 306.5a-b

Zhong-yang Yan-jiu yuan Ming Shi-lu, volume 37, page 6451/52

Geoff Wade, translator, Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource, Singapore: Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore, http://epress.nus.edu.sg/msl/entry/758, accessed November 24, 2009.