Entry

The Yun-nan Surveillance Commissioner Lai Xun advised: "Recently, due to the expedition to destroy the rebellious Lu-chuan bandit Si Ren-fa, great difficulties were experienced in grain transport. We have already called merchants to sell grain for salt and have had the provincial administration commission expend the silver in its vaults in buying grain. However, because the price of rice is high and few merchants now come, the purchase of rice has resulted in losses for the government. At present, the families of many of the military personnel and native people in Da-li and other guards and prefectures have stored supplies of grain. It should be considered issuing a notification that those military officers and native officials who can supply 200 shi of grain and take it to the Jin-chi granary will be promoted one grade, while those who provide 300 shi will be promoted two grades. Those native persons and troops who provide 200 shi should be promoted as follows: native persons should be appointed as postal relay station masters, and fishing tax or other officials, while troops should be appointed as battalion judges. Those who provide 300 shi should be promoted as follows: native persons should be made county assistants or police officers, while troops should be appointed as acting company commanders. This measure will benefit the people and reduce the amount of grain which has to be transported, the official coffers will not run into deficits and there will be sufficient grain for needs." The Emperor felt that as the troops' grain rations was an important matter, it was necessary to adopt this as a temporary arrangement. Thus, he ordered the Auxiliary Ministry of Revenue to send a despatch approving the implementation of the measures proposed by Xun.