Entry

The Qian-guo Duke Mu Bin*, regional commander of Yun-nan, and others memorialized: "The bandit son Si Ji-fa left his lair and fled for his life. He secretly went to Meng-yang to seek protection. Repeated Imperial orders were issued with Sagely grace, noting that if he personally came to Court he would be pardoned and not executed. However, Si Ji-fa was apprehensive and did not come out. Imperial officers were then sent to deploy troops to Gong-zhang on the Jin-sha River and the troops were stationed there. With boats from Ava-Burma, bridges were constructed and a date was agreed on which the river was to be crossed and the attack commenced. However, the Ava-Burma man had plotted together with the bandits and harboured deceit and guile in their hearts. They dawdled about and did not proceed forward, with the result that the Spring came on and the miasmic vapours began. The river became swollen, the boats were insufficient to span it and thus we could not cross. Further, the grain route was cut and it would have been difficult to long remain there. Thus, the generals and the government troops were recalled and the yi troops were allowed to return home to wait until the Autumn when another attack will be launched on the border. As there is only a small number of government troops in Yun-nan, it is difficult to make suitable arrangements." The Emperor said: "As Si Ji-fa has fled and repeatedly opposed the Court's orders, all the Nan-jing guards and troops of all the regional military commissions are to be mobilized and officials are to be selected to lead them to the border. In the eighth month of this year (Aug/Sep 1448) they are to reach Yun-nan, at which time they will be placed under the command of the regional commander who will deploy them in attack." * The text erroneously reads "Mu Sheng" (沐晟)