Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 555 The Annals of the Great Han Dynasty, Volume 3

On the first day of the first month of spring in the seventeenth year of Hongwu's reign (1381), the emperor received congratulations at the Qianyuan Hall.

On the day of Wuyin, the Ministry of Revenue submitted a memorial regarding the affairs of the three prefectures in the Hetao region. It noted that there were many border residents in places like Fengzhou, but food was scarce, and requested that the relocation of these residents be considered.

The Emperor said: "In the past, Yu spent nine years controlling the floods. How can I relocate people to avoid disaster? We should build a thousand-mile-long dike and plant sand-stabilizing willows extensively. Once the new dike is expanded northward, the Hetao region will surely become a granary." He then dispatched Du Yan, the Vice Minister of Works, to supervise the river works and allocated 100,000 catties of gunpowder to dig irrigation canals.

In February, a hurricane struck Wenzhou, causing the sea to overflow and drown many people. Upon hearing the report, the Emperor was moved with compassion and ordered the Ministry of Revenue to allocate 100,000 strings of cash. He also instructed Liu Yao, the Provincial Governor of Jiangnan East Circuit, to "not allow the disaster victims to sell their children, and the government shall provide coffins for the dead."

In March, the Black Teeth Barbarians rebelled and besieged Pu'er City. Li Yangchun dispatched Yang Shihou with 800 iron cavalry, who decisively defeated them and captured their chieftain, Xian, in the banana grove.

In April, Sui Prefecture suffered a severe drought. The Emperor ordered the Hedong Circuit to distribute 40,000 shi of grain and dispatched 30 imperial physicians to prevent and control the epidemic.

In June, Henan suffered a locust plague. The Emperor decreed that relief work be carried out through public works projects, including dredging the Bian Canal for 100 li. 500,000 shi of grain were distributed, and 100,000 laborers were recruited. The locust plague was controlled, and the canal transport was restored.

In August, the Qianzhong Circuit reported the new crop yields: sweet potatoes yielded six shi per mu, potatoes yielded one shi and six or seven dou, and corn yielded one shi, all of which were less than what the officials in Lingnan had said.

The Emperor said: "The fertility of the land varies; how can we expect perfection? In the past, the rice fields in the south were abundant, while the livestock in the north were fertile. Each should make the best use of its own resources." He ordered the Ministry of Works and the Agricultural Department to draw up a "Map of Farming in Guizhou," and commanded the Ministry of Revenue to allocate 500,000 strings of cash to promote the terraced field method on sloping land.

In September, Jiannan was overflowing with grain. The Emperor ordered the Ministry of Revenue to allocate 500,000 strings of cash to establish 100 granaries. The imperial edict stated: "Store grain in years of plenty and provide famine relief in years of famine; this is the legacy of Chao Cuo."

In November, the Emperor granted permission for Tibet to borrow 300,000 shi of grain. He bestowed upon Lu Danzeng his "Veterinary Prescriptions" and "Horse Herding Diagrams," declaring: "The Tibetan people are also my children; we should help each other in times of trouble." Upon hearing the imperial edict, the various Tibetan tribes vied to offer over a thousand fine horses and more than 24,000 draft horses.

In February of the eighteenth year of the Hongwu reign (1380), the Guannei Circuit reported that the dikes along the Hetao Plain had been completed for a hundred li, 100,000 sand willows had been planted to reinforce the river, and canals had been dug to irrigate 3,000 hectares of farmland. The Emperor was pleased and rewarded each of the river workers with three bolts of silk.

In April, Zhang Huaishen, the Prince of Jiaohe, petitioned for the release of the former soldiers stationed on the Hebei border. The Emperor decreed that they be allowed to return home, but they must provide a written statement of joint liability: those who cause trouble after returning home will be executed by slow slicing, and their entire families will be beheaded. As a result, 3,400 soldiers from Hebei were released and all signed and sealed the statement.

In May, the Ministry of Justice relocated 107,000 convicts to the border regions: 26,000 to Beiting, 34,000 to Daning and Liaodong, and 47,000 to Yunnan and Annam. The "Border Defense Law" was promulgated: those who exceeded the quota for land reclamation would have their sentences reduced, while those who fled would be punished more severely. All convicts received rice seeds and farming tools, and food and medicine were provided by the prefectures and counties along the route.

In July, Ma Cheng, the Prince of Jincheng, died. The Emperor suspended court for three days, posthumously conferred upon him the title of Prince of Jin, with the posthumous name Wumin. His son, Ma Yi, inherited the title of Prince of Jincheng.

In October, Gao Yu, the Provincial Governor of Jiannan, reported that five million shi of grain had been stored. The Emperor ordered four million shi to be transported to Liangzhou and one million shi to Beiting. Eight thousand elite soldiers were dispatched to escort the grain, and thirty-six water relay stations were set up along the route.

On the day of Gengyin in November, Naval Commander Geng Huan secretly reported: Since Japan acquired the ash-blowing method, the Iwami and Mutsu regions have been producing huge amounts of gold and silver annually. The powerful clans and local officials are fighting each other over the mines, which may lead to great chaos.

The Emperor said: "In the past, when Duke Huan of Qi attacked Chu, he only inquired about the tribute of thatch and refused to pay it. Now that the country is embroiled in internal strife, we can reap the benefits without lifting a finger." He then ordered Geng Huan: "Do not interfere in internal affairs, but focus solely on trade. If the war spreads to the trading ports, send troops to protect them."

In the first month of the nineteenth year of the Hongwu reign (1380), heavy snow fell several feet deep in Hedong, causing widespread freezing and hunger. Upon hearing this, the Emperor was moved and ordered the Hebei Circuit to send 200,000 shi of grain and the Guannei Circuit to send one million jin of cotton as relief through work.

In February, Li Yangchun proposed the construction of three stone cities in the northwest: Lijiang City to control the vital route for the Tubo (Tibetan) forces to advance south, Jianchuan City to control the profits from salt and iron, and Weixi City to defend the dangerous Jinsha River. The emperor approved the proposal.

In March, the Emperor ordered the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites to deliver a message to the Tibetan King, Meru Danzeng: "Since Han and Tibet are now ruler and subject, we should jointly suppress the bandits. If the bandits are allowed to invade the south, the Lhasa will be punished."

In April, the Ministry of Rites reported on the internal strife in Silla. The Emperor asked the Ministry of Revenue: Is the grain and fodder in Liaodong sufficient to support a large army?
He replied, “There are only over 30,000 hectares of cultivated land in Liaodong, and fewer than 100,000 households. It is not advisable to act rashly.”

He then ordered the Ministry of Rites: Silla has been paying tribute to the emperor since the reign of Emperor Wude. Now that Silla is in internal strife, even if no troops are mobilized, 30,000 shi of grain can be lent to help them quell the rebellion.

In the year of Bing Shen, Zhang Huaishen, the Prince of Jiaohe, reported: "New crops are being trialed in Beiting."

In May, the Shannan West Circuit reported: Li De, a sorcerer from Yuzhou, falsely claimed to be a descendant of Emperor Taizong of the Former Tang Dynasty. He wrote "The Rise and Fall of the Li Clan" to mislead the masses and gathered several thousand ignorant people to besiege Nanping County. Governor Liu Xun sent troops to capture him and seized a fake imperial seal and more than a hundred scrolls of sorcery.

The Emperor decreed: The ringleader shall be executed by slow slicing, and his followers shall be exiled to Yunnan. All his seditious books shall be burned, and anyone who dares to conceal them shall be punished the same.

In June, the emperor toured Henan, with Crown Prince Lie overseeing the country.

On the day of Wuxu, the Silla envoy Kim Yu-hong pleaded for grain with tears streaming down his face. The Crown Prince rushed to the imperial court to report this. The Emperor sighed and said, "The people of Silla are also my children." He ordered the Henan Circuit to dispatch 100,000 shi of grain, which was to be escorted to Jinzhou by the Dengzhou navy. He also issued an edict to the Queen of Silla: "Sell the grain at a fair price and do not allow the powerful to exploit you."

In July, the Emperor arrived in Zhengzhou and saw sweet potato vines growing in the fields. He summoned an old farmer and told him: "Sweet potato leaves can be used to feed pigs and sheep, sweet potato stems can be pickled, and dried sweet potatoes can be used as military rations." He personally wrote "One Hundred Uses of Sweet Potatoes" and promulgated it throughout the land.

On the day of Dingwei in the eighth month, the emperor returned to Luoyang.

In the year of Xin Si, Hebei reported a bumper harvest: sweet potatoes yielded eight shi per mu, potatoes three shi per mu, and corn one shi and two dou per mu.

In September, the Guannei Circuit reported that although the yield per mu of newly planted crops was lower than that of Hebei, it was still twice that of millet and wheat. The imperial edict stated: "Sweet potatoes are suitable for the Hetao region, and corn is suitable for Longdong; they should be planted according to local conditions." Consequently, the old system of tribute wheat from Guanzhong was abolished, and dried sweet potatoes were levied instead.

In October, Li Yangchun submitted a report on the revenue and expenditure of Yunnan. The Emperor's vermilion annotation stated: "Yunnan has abundant mining taxes but meager grain production. We can reduce the number of barbarian soldiers by 20,000 and increase the number of soldiers stationed for farming by 30,000." From then on, Yunnan's annual military expenditure was reduced by 300,000 strings of cash.

In December, Zhang Huaishen, the Grand Protector of Anxi and Beiting and Prince of Jiaohe, reported that the new crops planted in Beiting yielded five shi per mu for sweet potatoes, while potatoes and corn yielded only one shi and two or three dou.

The Emperor decreed: The Western Regions are suffering from cold and drought; potatoes should be used to prepare for famine, but millet and wheat should still be the primary crops. Ban Chao, who once cultivated land in Shule, also planted a large amount of wheat. Subsequently, 15,000 convicts from Guanzhong were conscripted to strengthen the border. An imperial edict was issued: Those who recover Gongyue and Suyab will be pardoned and granted land.

In the first month of the 20th year of the Hongwu reign, Yang Zhiwen, the Minister of Rites, reported that the Queen of Silla was charging exorbitant prices for grain, demanding 300 coins for every dou (a unit of dry measure) of rice, which had caused widespread public resentment.

The emperor angrily threw down the memorial, saying: "I relieved their famine, yet it has become a means of enriching them." He then issued an edict to the Court of State Ceremonial: From now on, no tribute missions from Silla shall be accepted, and merchant ships shall be strictly inspected.

In February, Chen Jingchong, Prince of Wudu, died. The Emperor suspended court for three days, wore mourning clothes, and personally attended the funeral. He posthumously conferred upon him the title of Prince of Long and the posthumous name Wuxiang. His son, Bingwen, inherited the title.

In March, Duke Rongguo died at Jiujuyan. He was posthumously granted the title of Prince of Zhangye and buried in the imperial mausoleum. His son, Deshang, inherited the title of Duke of Zhangye, but the emperor decreed: "It is not that I disrespect meritorious officials, but that Deshang has no merit. The law cannot be abolished."

In April, the Da Ning Commandery reported that Yelü Abaoji, the Yilijin chieftain of the Khitan Diela tribe, had attacked and killed Khan Yaolian Qinde, and surrendered, offering his head and requesting the return of his father's and uncle's remains. The Emperor was moved and said, "Even a barbarian child knows filial piety." He granted the request.

In May, the Hebei Provincial Administration Commission reported that his uncle's remains had been scattered, while his father, Shulan, and uncle, Yangu, were still alive and were farming in Pingzhou as garrison soldiers.

On the day of Dingwei, the Emperor released the two men and bestowed upon them one hundred bolts of silk. Abaoji met his father and uncle, embraced them, and swore an oath: "I wish to serve the sage and guard the border for generations, and I will never look south." He was then appointed Governor of Songmo, given the surname Yelü, and made to govern the various Khitan tribes.

In July, the Ministry of Rites reported on the internal strife in Silla: the powerful Zhen Xuan had seized Gwangju. Gong Yi, allied with Liang Ji, occupied Song'e, and war raged throughout the country. Thirty Silla envoys, including Cui Ning, knelt before the imperial palace, weeping blood, and begged for heavenly military assistance.

The Emperor rebuked them, saying: "Silla is a despicable and beastly land, valuing power over virtue. From now on, do not report this matter again!" He then expelled their envoy.

In August, Naval Commander Geng Huan reported: Fujiwara no Mototsune, the Regent of Japan, has died, and his lord, Itagaki, has assumed personal rule. Itagaki studied at the Imperial Academy in Luoyang for seven years, and is well-versed in Han rites and military strategy. He now requests that troops be sent to assist in quelling the rebellion of the State of Guo.

In the year Jiawu, an imperial edict ordered Geng Huan to dispatch 3,000 Han soldiers from Zuodu and 50 Fujian ships to provide assistance.

In October, the Ministry of Revenue reported the census data for the entire country: 1,393,912 households, 51,978,300 people; 3,349,236 hectares of land, annual grain income of 49,320,000 shi, and gold, silver, salt, tea, etc. valued at 14,360,000 guan.

In December, the Japanese Emperor sent envoys to present one hundred katana and one thousand taels of gold for shackles; Khotan presented a jade saddle and belt; Tibet presented fifty thousand cattle and sheep; Zhongyun presented five hundred camels; Yelü Abaoji of the Khitan presented ten pairs of gyrfalcons; Zhenla presented rhinoceros horns and ivory; Longshun of the Nanzhao Kingdom presented thirty trained elephants; and Bohai presented ten thousand sable pelts. The Emperor held a banquet for the envoys in the Zichen Hall.

In the first month of the twenty-first year of the Hongwu reign (1380), Zhao Bin, the Commandant of Luzon, reported: "With the completion of Luzon City, we have acquired 476 merchants, 1,500 garrison soldiers, and 3,600 mu of reclaimed land. The Golden Rooster Trees of Dongzhou have formed a forest, and their bark is remarkably effective in treating malaria."

The emperor ordered the planting of this tree extensively in Lingnan, Annam, and Yunnan, and commanded the Imperial Medical Academy to compile a "Strategy for Combating Malaria".

In February, Gao Yu, the Minister of Revenue, reported: Since the opening of Sado Island and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan in the eighth year of the Hongwu reign, 200,000 taels of gold and 5 million taels of silver have been obtained. Now, people are gradually exchanging silver for goods, and the treasury holds 720,000 taels of gold and 22 million taels of silver. He requested that silver coins be minted, in four denominations: 50 qian, 100 qian, 500 qian, and guan qian.

The emperor approved it and bestowed upon it a sample coin called Hongwu Tongbao, with a dragon pattern cast on the reverse and double lines along the edge for anti-counterfeiting purposes.

In April, the three officials of Da Ning reported: there were 60,000 households and 15,000 hectares of land. Due to the planting of new crops, the people were able to support themselves. They requested that the people be relocated to populate the border areas.

The emperor ordered the Ministry of Justice to relocate 30,000 criminals from Guandong to Daning and Liaodong, and bestowed upon them oxen and farming tools.

In May, Naval Commander Geng Huan reported: Sado Commander Yuan Yanchao led 3,000 soldiers to attack the combined forces of Yoshimi and Zhou Bu, numbering 20,000, at Mount Wada. He used artillery to break through their formation, beheading 8,000 and massacring their two clans. The powerful families and noble clans of Japan were all terrified.

The Emperor promoted Yan Chao to Naval Commander and granted him the title of Grand Master of the Palace. The officers and soldiers were rewarded with varying amounts of money and silk. An imperial edict stated: "The Japanese barbarians fear our power but do not cherish our virtue; we shall permanently suppress them with military force."

In July, Qian Liu, the Provincial Governor of Huainan, reported that the Huai River had overflowed, submerging fields and houses. The Emperor exempted the people from taxes and distributed 500,000 shi of grain from the granaries as relief. On the day of Xinyou, drought and locust plagues struck Guannei, Henan, the capital region, and Hedong. An imperial edict ordered Jiannan and Jiangnan to send 2 million shi of grain to be used for canal and road construction as relief.

In August, Gao Yu, the Minister of Revenue, reported: "In recent years, the relocation of people to the border regions has consumed enormous amounts of grain. The grain reserves in the imperial granary are now less than 40% of those in the sixteenth year of the Hongwu reign. Although there are piles of gold and silver, the people are starving and cannot eat. I request that two million strings of newly minted silver coins be issued to purchase surplus grain from Jiannan and Jiangnan."

The emperor agreed and issued an edict: "Stable purchases should not suppress prices, so that both farmers and merchants may benefit."

In October, Zhang Huaishen, the Grand Protector of Anxi, reported that Beiting and Anxi should plant new crops extensively, and within three years they could be self-sufficient in grain and fodder, without the need for transportation from the Central Plains.

The Emperor issued a personal edict to comfort you, saying: "You have served on the frontier for decades, and your hair has turned white. The western frontier is cold and harsh; you should take good care of yourself and not do everything yourself."

In December, Li Yangchun reported: "In Yunnan, there are 110,000 Han Chinese households and 100,000 non-Han households, but many Han Chinese have fled back to their hometowns. This is because southern Yunnan is plagued by malaria and the administration is not yet clean."

The emperor was furious and said: "In the past, the lives of criminals were spared to protect the borders, but now they flee in fear of difficulties. Is this not betraying the country?" He ordered the three circuits of Jiannan, Shannan, and Qianzhong to search for and arrest the fugitives, but added the following: the old, weak, sick and disabled were allowed to return to their hometowns, while the punishment for able-bodied men who fled would be increased by one degree.

In the first month of the twenty-second year of the Hongwu reign, the Ministry of Rites reported that the National Preceptor Wuzhen had passed away in Lhasa at the age of eighty-three.

The emperor was so grief-stricken that he suspended court sessions and ordered all provinces to erect statues in his honor. He posthumously honored him with the title "Great Sage, Supreme Virtue, Universal Enlightenment, True Wisdom, and Wish-Fulfilling Dharma King, Who Opened the Teachings, Spread Literature, Assisted Governance, Protected the Nation, and Wish-Fulfilling Great Treasure Dharma King," and ordered him to be enshrined in various Tibetan temples.

In February, Zhang Chang, Prince of Ningsai, died. The emperor suspended court for three days, posthumously conferred upon him the title of Prince of Ning, the posthumous name Wuzhuang, and ordered him to be buried beside the imperial mausoleum. His son Ying inherited the title.

In March, the system of enfeoffing princes to govern garrisons was established. Prince Wu of Qi was appointed to govern Pyongyang, with three thousand guards, and his annual stipend was to be paid by the Liaodong Provincial Administration Commission. The edict stated: "He shall be enfeoffed but not granted land, and shall be granted titles but not subject to rule over the people."

In April, the Prince of Qin was dispatched to garrison Shule, and the Prince of Jin to garrison Kucha, each with 1,500 guards, their supplies to be provided by the Anxi Provincial Administration Commission. An imperial edict stated: "Important towns on the western frontier cannot be garrisoned by anyone other than members of the imperial family. However, all military supplies must come from the imperial court; the princely vassals are not permitted to collect them privately."

In May, Naval Commander Geng Huan reported that the internal strife in Japan had been quelled and that government troops had withdrawn from the Oki Islands. The Emperor replied: "The Japanese are fickle; warships should remain to patrol the islands."

In June, Liu Zhijun, the governor of Hedong, reported that Li Gao, the Khan of the Kyrgyz, claimed control of the sea and confronted Li Keyong of the Shatuo in the northern desert. The pseudo-Xia king, Sigong, died, and his brother, Sijian, inherited his title.

In the year of Wuxu, the Provincial Governor of Hedong reported a severe drought and locust plague, which had withered all the crops. The Emperor exempted Hedong from the autumn tax and allocated 500,000 shi of grain from the Ever-Normal Granary to repair the city south of the Gobi Desert and to provide relief for the various passes and fortifications in Hedong.

In July, the Lingnan Provincial Surveillance Commissioner reported that over thirty merchants from the Arab world had stolen sweet potato seeds. The Emperor decreed that, according to the Miscellaneous Laws, anyone who steals a secret recipe should be executed, and their heads should be displayed to the coastal countries.

In September, the Tibetan King Meru Danzeng requested the appointment of a new national preceptor. The emperor appointed Huiming as national preceptor, bestowed upon him a golden seal, and sent him to Lhasa. The imperial edict stated: "Propagate Buddhism to secure the Tibetan region and improve the postal routes to benefit the tea and horse trade."

In October, Li Juchuan, the Provincial Governor of Jiannan, reported that the Songluo Post Road had been completed and could transport one million dan of tea annually. The Emperor was pleased and rewarded the craftsmen with 100,000 strings of cash and 5,000 bolts of silk, and held a banquet at the Guanglu Temple.

In December, Li Yangchun reported: "The Nanzhao Kingdom's Longshun and his brother Longzhen have been fighting amongst themselves, splitting the former territory of the Pyu Kingdom. However, the Han and Manchu people in Yunnan number only 200,000 households, and their food and provisions are barely enough for self-sufficiency. It is not advisable to attack them lightly."

The Emperor decreed: The north is plagued by disasters; the situation in Nanzhao will be temporarily deferred. Golden cinchona trees should be planted extensively in Pu'er and Yongchang, for use three years from now.

On the day of Xinmao in the first month of the twenty-third year of Hongwu's reign, the emperor offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth at the southern suburbs.

In February, the drought in Hedong and Guanzhong gradually subsided, but Henan and Hebei were hit by a renewed drought. The emperor ordered the Huainan and Shannan East Circuits to urgently dispatch two million shi of dried sweet potatoes and send a thousand grain transport ships northward.

In April, the Emperor summoned the Crown Prince and said: "The system of capital inspection has been in place for nine years, and I fear that official corruption has worsened. You shall lead one hundred newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and, holding imperial credentials, tour the various circuits. Those who are corrupt, below the fifth rank, shall be executed first and reported later." The Crown Prince bowed and accepted the order.

In May, the Black-Toothed Barbarian chieftain Boyi raided Puzhou, plundering a thousand households of border residents. Commandant Ning Zhong used firearms to break through their elephant formation, capturing over ten thousand barbarians. An imperial edict was issued: those who were coerced into submission would be spared death, and a million golden cinchona trees would be planted in Pu'er to atone for their crimes.

In June, the barbarians of southern Guizhou rebelled and burned seven post stations. Governor Wang Jian dispatched 3,000 troops, dug dangerous roads, and burned villages, quelling the rebellion in ten days.

In August, the King of Qi reported that Silla was in turmoil, and more than 10,000 refugees had gathered in Pyongyang begging for food. The Emperor ordered the Liaodong Provincial Administration Commission to relocate the able-bodied men to Henan to cultivate the land, and to provide land for the elderly and weak. The navy dispatched twenty ships to assist in the relocation.

In September, there was a solar eclipse. The Astronomical Observatory reported: "This celestial phenomenon is a warning; it is advisable to cultivate virtue and reduce punishment."

The Emperor pointed to the sundial in front of the palace and said: "My diligence in governing and love for the people is itself a way to ward off disasters. How can I abandon the morning and evening solstices because of a lunar eclipse? I still order the Crown Prince to strictly conduct inspections in the capital."

In October, the Tibetan King Meru Danzeng died, and his heir, Meru Gyatso, presented a golden Buddha statue to request succession. The Emperor dispatched Tang Mao, the Vice Minister of Revenue, with imperial credentials to bestow the title, along with 5,000 dan of tea and 100 volumes of medical books. The edict stated: "Upon succeeding to the throne, you shall pacify the Tibetan tribes, facilitate the trade of tea and horses, and diligently uphold your duties as a subject."

In December, Li Yangchun reported that the Black Teeth Barbarians had repeatedly invaded Yongchang and requested that troops be sent to quell them. The Emperor said: "The miasma in southern Yunnan kills people more than weapons. Wait until the trees in Jinjina grow into a forest, and the soldiers will be safe."

In the first month of the twenty-fourth year of the Hongwu reign (1389), the naval commander Geng Huan petitioned to send 3,000 convicts from Fujian to Ryukyu (Taiwan) to burn down the malaria-infested forests and plant cinchona trees to ward off the plague. The emperor granted his request.

In March, the Ministry of Rites reported that the various foreign tribes of Tuohuan, Heling, and Duoheluo had failed to pay tribute for five years. The Emperor ordered Geng Huan to lead a naval fleet to patrol the South China Sea, displaying banners and banners to proclaim his power and virtue, and to attack those who did not submit.

In May, Yelü Abaoji, the governor of Songmo, reported: "I have driven the Shiwei beyond the northern mountains, and there are no more traces of bandits south of the desert."

The emperor praised his achievements and bestowed upon him a hundred iron pots and a thousand bushels of tea, decreeing: "Pots are used to cook livestock, tea is used to cleanse the fishy smell, and when the Han and Hu cook together, there will be peace."

In June, King Da Xuanxi of Bohai died, and his heir apparent Da Weixi requested to succeed him. The Vice Minister of Rites was dispatched with imperial credentials to bestow the title and edict: "Defend the land and bring peace to the people, and forever serve as a bulwark for the eastern border of Han."

In July, Geng Huan reported: "When I arrived at Srivijaya, its king, greedy for firearms, sent a fleet of 30,000 men to attack us. I used cannons to burn their warships, breached their port, and captured their crown prince. Srivijaya surrendered and requested to return to its capital."

The Emperor angrily said: "How dare this tiny, insignificant nation defy the majesty of Heaven? If we do not annihilate it, how will the barbarians of the South Seas know to be in awe!"

He then dispatched 20,000 troops, ordered the destruction of their ancestral temples, and established the Palembang Governor's Office.

In September, Zhang Huaishen, the Grand Protector of Anxi, reported that the construction of cities in the Seven Rivers region was completed, and requested the restoration of the old cities of Gongyue and Suyab. The Emperor dispatched Zhang Yanhui, the Grand Commander of the Left Army, with three thousand elite cavalry to assist him.

In October, Zhu Wen, the governor of Liaodong, reported: "Gong Yi established Goguryeo and has repeatedly invaded Liaodong." The emperor said: "These remnants of Silla falsely claim to be Goguryeo. Emperor Wu of Han established four commanderies; now we should restore them." He ordered the Ministry of Rites to inform Silla: "Heavenly troops will assist you in quelling the rebellion; the lands of the four commanderies shall return to Han rule."

In December, the King of Silla submitted a memorial stating: "The four commanderies of Han were originally the territory of the Celestial Empire. My country temporarily guarded them, and now I wish to return them."

On the day of Jiazi, Zhu Wen was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Korean Expedition, commanding 30,000 troops from Liaodong. Qi King Liu Wu, Military Commissioner Xu Wen, and Shi Shu Cong were appointed as his deputies. The imperial edict stated: "Reclaim the lost territories but do not kill the common people; destroy the false titles but preserve their sacrifices."

In February of the twenty-fifth year of the Hongwu reign, Navy Commander Geng Huan reported: "Now I have led 30,000 troops to pacify Shilifoshi, captured its king Haibaonu, along with 50,000 concubines, officials, generals, and soldiers, captured 63 cities, and taken hundreds of thousands of people."

The emperor issued an edict to establish the Palembang Governor's Office, with Wang Huan, the military commissioner, in charge. The edict stated: Select virtuous men to teach Chinese, and gradually introduce them to traditional clothing, etiquette, and music.

In March, Zhu Wen, the envoy to the Korean campaign, defeated Gong Yi in Hanyang, beheading over ten thousand. Zhu Wen then sent a messenger to the emperor, reporting that the false king of Goguryeo had been executed and the four commanderies could be recovered. The emperor promoted Zhu Wen to the rank of Prince of Lelang.

In April, Zhu Wen conquered the four commanderies of Lelang, Xuantu, Zhenfan, and Lintun. Qi Wang Wu captured Zhen Xuan and presented her with household registers and maps. The Emperor issued an edict to Silla: "Protect your ancestral temple and forever serve as a bulwark for the east of Han."

In May, the Joseon Province was established, with its capital at Pyongyang. Shi Shucong was appointed as the governor, Xu Wen as the provincial administration commissioner, and Li Juchuan as the provincial surveillance commissioner. Thirty thousand convicts from Shandong were conscripted to reinforce the border.

On the day of Xinmao in July, Zhang Huaishen, the Grand Protector of Anxi, led 10,000 men to attack Suyab. En route, they encountered a thousand scouts of Karluk and Uyghur cavalry, whom they captured and used as guides. Fifteen li from the city, the barbarians became aware of the attack and engaged them with 10,000 cavalry. Huaishen deployed muskets and fired cannons, causing the barbarian horses to scatter in panic. Several thousand were beheaded, and one hundred thousand were captured, thus recapturing Suyab.

On the day of Ren Chen, the chieftain of the Hu tribe in the month of Gong Yue surrendered upon hearing the news, offering cattle, sheep, wine, and dairy products.

On the day of Yimao, Arslan Khan gathered 70,000 cavalry to attack. Huai Shen arrayed his troops with their backs to the city, dispatched cannons and muskets to fire in rapid succession, and launched a flanking attack with his iron cavalry. The enemy suffered a great defeat, and Huai Shen pursued them for a thousand miles, capturing 100,000 prisoners before returning home.

On the day of Renwu in August, Arslan Khan sent envoys to sue for peace. Huai Shen petitioned for peace, arguing that "the mixed presence of Han and non-Han peoples makes the army weary and prone to unrest."

On the day of Jiwei in the tenth month, the emperor heard of the victory in Anxi and bestowed upon Huai Shen a thousand taels of gold, and promoted the generals accordingly.

On the day of Xinhai, an imperial edict appointed Prince Zhao to guard Suyab and Prince Wei to guard Gongyue, each with 1,500 guards, and supplies were to be provided from Longyou.

In December, the Ministry of Revenue reported that there were 1,805,422 households and 54,271,000 people in the empire; 3,439,300 hectares of land; an annual grain income of 48,590,000 shi; and various miscellaneous taxes amounting to 15,120,000 guan.

That year, the port of Megaport was added in Southeast Asia, four prefectures were restored in Korea, and the territory in the Western Regions was expanded by a thousand miles, demonstrating remarkable military achievements.

(End of this chapter)