The Embassy in the Year of the Rat (1732): Led by Pham Quang Dung and Ngo Dinh Thac.

The officials of the Five Prefectures reported: This is an order to the officials of the Marquis of the Order Pham Si Thuyen, Nguyen Xuan Huyen, and Ta Dinh Hoan. Whenever there is an official document delivered, there has always been a clear regulation. This time, there is a decree contained in a bamboo tube that is directly submitted to the superiors, but there is no urgent matter inside, and the language and words presented are not coherent [88b] , logical, and the report is too high-level. Therefore, this order is passed down to punish and inform the officials. From now on, they must be carefully considered. Only when there is an internal document from China that accurately reports and urgent matters can it be contained in a bamboo tube and submitted to the superiors. As for normal matters, it is only necessary to write a decree and submit it to the public office. The words of discussion and strategy must also be checked more carefully, in order to make sure they are reasonable. If there is a violation of the rules and a negligence of the higher level, a serious crime cannot be avoided. This is an order now. December 22, Canh Hung 20 [1759].

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The officers of the Hau Noi Thuy Doi, the Commander of the Royal Palace, the Tuc Thanh Marquis Le Doan Khai, and the Commander Nguyen Tong Trinh of Lang Son province, present [89a] a declaration: This time, following orders, we thoroughly investigate the change of clothes and hats. We have already presented a detailed declaration to the higher authorities. Now, following orders, we interrogate the officials of the Can Tho Marquis Vi The Phien, all of whom have revealed that: In the year of Nham Ty [1723], there was a funeral ceremony in the Ministry of Tribute. That year, green silk was used to make the court clothes, and the court hats did not use gold ornaments. The annual tribute ceremony that year also used only green, and the ceremony was performed as a whole. Therefore, we present it to the higher authorities and at the same time present the words of the officials of Vi The Phien. Now, we respectfully present this declaration. [89b] On the 10th day of the 12th month of the 20th year of Canh Hung [1759].

1 This document was written in Nom script, so we transcribed it and italicized it.

The vassal states of Lang Son are Trung Nhat Hieu Thu Hieu Xuan Uy Su, Marquis Can Tho Vi The Phien, Chinh Tien Hieu Thu Hieu Xuan Uy Dai Su, Marquis Bang Anh Nguyen Khac Nhat, Chinh Tat Hieu Thu Hieu Xuan Uy Dai Su, Marquis Hoan Tho Hoang Dinh Sinh, Chinh Huu Hieu Thu Hieu Xuan Uy Su, Marquis Khuong Bao Nguyen Dinh Loc, Chinh Hau Hieu Thu Hieu Phong Ngu Su, Marquis Truyen Co Ha Quoc Toan, Vice-President of the Guards, Marquis De Trong Nguyen Dinh Due, and the entire Lang Son region submit. This time, in compliance with the investigation of the Ministry of Tributes in the year of Nham Ty [1732], there was a funeral ceremony. That time, the court robes were made of green silk, and the court hats were not [90a] decorated with gold. The annual tribute ceremony, the envoys should change to other clothes or just use green, must be thoroughly investigated, carefully considered and then submitted to the higher-ups. The vassals of Vi The Phien witnessed the Ministry of Public Works in the year of Nham Ty hold a funeral ceremony and present tributes using court robes made of green silk and hats without gold ornaments. Now, we have promptly investigated. Therefore, we respectfully report. On the 10th day of the 12th month of the 20th year of Canh Hung [1759].

Yes, check the regulations for the clothes and hats of the Ministers reporting the previous mourning period. According to the year of Nham Ty [1732] 1 , the court clothes are made of green silk, the hats are not decorated with gold. The clothes of the Ambassadors when performing the mourning ceremony and paying tribute are all the same color, no need to change. Therefore, inform the Ministers. [90b] December 20, year Canh Hung 20 [1759].

The annual tribute and funeral report mission of this period was granted to the porters carrying the tribute boxes, each porter received 5 quan of ancient money; the porters carrying the personal belongings of the officials of the Boi Than, Hanh Nhan and Tuy Nhan, each porter received 3 quan. A total of 2,445 quan of ancient money. Of which, the Chief Envoy was one person, the Deputy Envoy was two people, and the Tuy Nhan was 13 people. In September, they submitted a petition requesting that, according to the rules, they be granted 1,350 quan of ancient money in advance to prepare the public facilities. The court had already issued the correct amount. Now, considering the issuance of a total of 420 quan of ancient money to the 84 porters carrying 21 tribute boxes. This amount was entrusted to the Ho Cong Quan to receive. The remaining nine Hanh Nhan, each with 25 porters, a total of 675 quan of ancient money, were entrusted to the Hanh Nhan position, including the officials of the [91a] Thong Su, Y Vien, Thi Tuyen, Cong Phien, and Trung Thu to receive. The total amount of money for the porters carrying the tribute chests and the personal belongings of the Hanh Nhan is 1095 quan, paid in accordance with the old regulations. Now it is passed on to the Ho Phien official to issue according to the rules. On December 20, the 20th year of Canh Hung [1759].

1. The diplomatic delegation in the year of Nham Ty (1732): led by Pham Quang Dung and Ngo Dinh Thac.

[1a] THE NORTHERN EMBASSY'S RECORD (LOWER VOLUME)

THE NORTHERN EMBASSY'S RECORDS (VOLUME FOUR)

YEAR OF TAN TI, 26TH YEAR OF KING CAN LONG [1761], MONTH 6

On the 26th and 27th, we stayed. That day the wind was favorable, but because the boat was selling salt, we could not go. We sent the Commissar to ask the Imperial Commissioner to open the boat. Because the Imperial Commissioner allowed the boat owner to trade, he said that the wind was too weak to go.

On the 28th, at the hour of Ty, we traveled 130 miles. At the beginning of the hour of Dau, we reached the Mau Ha River and stayed there.

Mau Ha River is located in Hoa Chau district.

On the 29th, at the hour of Ty, we traveled 30 miles and arrived at Tay Luong mountain. There was no wind so we stopped.

JULY

On the first day, they stopped. On the second day, they traveled 25 miles to a sandbank by the river. There was no wind so they stopped. It was in Wuhu, opposite the slope of Sihe Mountain.

[1b] On the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th, there was heavy rain and strong wind, so the envoys had to stay at home.

again.

No wind on the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

All boats stopped.

On the 13th, at noon, he traveled 25 miles. At Shen hour, he arrived at Wuhu county town, stopped and gave the silver boat to the owner to prepare offerings to worship the river god. (From then on, all the regular sacrificial texts were similar to this one, so I won't elaborate further.)

On the 14th, at the hour of Thin, he worshiped the mountain and river god of Jiangnan province.

[Memorial to the Mountain God and River God of Jiangnan Province]

Bowing and saying: From the 1st day of Dinh Dau to the 14th day of Canh Tuat, the 7th month of Tan Ty year, the 26th year of the reign of Can Long [1761], the mandarins Boi Trieu Tran Huy Mat, Le Quy Don, Trinh Xuan Thu bowed and offered gifts of wine, meat and gold coins, daring [2a] to present this to the god of the river and water of Giang Nam province in the Celestial Court. Before the memorial tablet, they said three things : In my heart, there is something

It's hard to put into words the emotions, but we dare not not express them. That is both love and

It is also a ceremony. Today, we, the ministers, have received the king's order to pay tribute to the imperial court. The work is complete, we have followed the order to return to our country, traveling by water. Yesterday, we arrived at the province and changed boats, waiting for the wind for 7 or 8 days, we have prepared all the documents, praying for the gods' protection, then we have had favorable winds and rain. But the ambassador's boat had just passed the river mouth when it encountered a sandbank, and had to stop for the whole day. We, the ministers, were worried and afraid, knowing that we had committed a crime, fortunately thanks to the gods' grace.

The gods helped, causing the strong wind to change to a gentle wind, and the imperial ship quickly reached the Wuhu district, setting the date for today's journey. We thank the gods for their great grace, [2b] and for their mercy towards those far away.

Trom thought we had traveled thousands of miles, traveled for half a year, and traveled long and dusty roads,

braving the rain, storms, snow and frost to complete the country's tribute mission. Now we receive the imperial edict, obey the king's orders, with a heavy responsibility, we only hope to return home quickly, and report to the court and all the mandarins as soon as possible the time when the Chinese envoy enters the city to be crowned king. Hopefully, our country will not be ashamed of the respectful and respectful observance of the law of tribute, and the envoys will not dishonor the king's orders but will return with a little glory. Now the journey is still far and the boats are delayed, which also means that the envoy is slow on his journey, and the information is delayed. We dare not shirk this responsibility, but who will our country blame for the hasty and negligent reception of the envoy? The high-ranking officials, the high-ranking dukes, thinking of the glory of the holy court, and loving those far away, will not hesitate to bestow their grace, protection and blessing on us, and will not bear to let us return without any achievements. Therefore, we earnestly express [3a] our feelings, and humbly ask the gods to have mercy and grant us several weeks of favorable weather and wind, so that we do not have to worry about difficult journeys, and that we can still set off upstream smoothly so that we can return early to fulfill our mission and leisurely complete our tribute. We are extremely grateful and look forward to your grace. We respectfully report.

The Imperial Envoy presented each Ambassador with a hundred-cup jar of wine and a packet of tea.

"two coins" We sent a letter of thanks. The wind was favorable that day but we stayed put.

On the 15th, at the hour of the Dragon, we traveled 80 miles, and at mid-hour of the Goat, we arrived at Phồn Xương district, where we stayed. The wind was favorable, and the boat owner was selling salt. We asked to depart. He said we would leave tomorrow morning.

[3b] At 16:00 on the 1st, the boat traveled 70 miles and stopped at Dinh Gia Chau at 17:00 on the 1st, the boat traveled 10 miles and stopped at Khong Du port, on the outskirts of the district.

Tongling. The envoy sent someone to tell the Imperial Commissioner to start the proceedings. The two local officials had to go directly to the Imperial Commissioner and wait for the Imperial Commissioner's attendant to come to the guardhouse. They demanded that the local officials present gifts. The Imperial Commissioner said that they had to die because the boat owner said that the wind was not favorable for the distance ahead. The La-named official called the boat owner out and scolded them for lying. The envoy sent a letter stating: "In previous tribute missions, every time they went from Jiangnan Province to Hukou County [Jiujiang Prefecture, Jiangxi Province], because the counties were mostly far from the river, the officials often sent people to go

"First, please follow the old rules to avoid delays, and take advantage of the favorable wind to leave quickly. Furthermore, the Imperial Envoy is preparing to depart from the capital, and will be able to reach Wuchang within a month. But the diplomatic ship's journey is slow, so how can we return to the country to report the situation in advance?"

The Imperial Commissioner sent a reply: ―I have already sent someone to Tongling, so there is no need to wait for someone to transfer stations. [4a] The road to Changsha, the safety of the boat is directly related to the boat owner, so it is impossible not to ask him. Ask the servants for farming, ask the maids for embroidery, that is natural, it is not intentional delay. As for the boats passing through the localities, the greeting of guests, the Celestial Dynasty has its own regulations, it cannot be simplified.‖

The envoy sent a letter saying: ―We have received the letter of instruction, respectfully and fearfully. We would like to present the details of the ship owner's deliberate delay in the journey. Because your Excellency is lenient, the ship manager lied and delayed. If we had encountered a day with adverse winds, we would not have dared to report it. But because the east wind was favorable, those with eyesight could see that the sun was still high enough to set sail, so we dare to report it. Now, with the common opinion of the three envoys, the two local officials, and the boat owners, if we cannot overcome a single command from the ship manager, from now on we truly do not dare to discuss it any further. If, based on the words of the ship manager, we dare to ask to strike the gong and gong to signal in half an hour or to send a certain boat ahead, then the truth will be revealed. It is a pity to not go with a favorable wind [4b] . It is even more regrettable to let time pass in vain. Therefore, we reluctantly had to submit the documents many times. Only the great virtue of tolerance like the ocean of the Imperial Commissioner can forgive us.‖

The Imperial Envoy replied: ―It is already dark today, we will depart tomorrow morning. On the riverbank there is Quy Son mountain, above which there is Tam Quan temple, the Chief Envoy and the Deputy Envoy came to pay their respects, and strolled to enjoy the view of the harbor gate.‖ That night the moon was bright and beautiful, the east wind was cool and gentle. Two local friends came to visit, saying: ―The wind is favorable but the boat does not go, what a waste of half a day's effort, losing seventy or eighty miles of travel.‖ The envoy replied: ―We have told you but the boat captain does not listen, what can we do?‖

On the 18th, at the hour of Thin, they traveled 100 miles and at the beginning of the hour of Dau, they reached the Thuong Tri dike, where the envoy's boat stopped.

On the 19th, at the hour of Thin, he passed through Quy Dia district, traveled 120 miles, and at the hour of Than, arrived at the flower garden of An Khanh citadel and stayed there.

On the 20th, they stayed there. The Hoai Ninh District Governor Truong Trieu Duong came to greet and see them off. The embassy refused, not daring to let the district governor see them off, [5a] so they wrote a letter and sent someone to thank them:

―Last year, when we passed through Wuhu, we had the opportunity to see your face and were grateful for your kind greetings and condolences. Now that we have returned to your province, we are extremely grateful. We have finished our work and returned to our country, temporarily stopping at the river mouth, not daring to work hard in the local area. We were careless and did not have time to prepare gifts to present, but instead we received a generous gift and a letter of inquiry from your highness. We are both happy and regretful. The river mouth is far from the capital, so we could not personally come to pay our respects. We specially authorized the Scholar to express our gratitude on our behalf and present some local gifts to express our joy and respect.‖ The monk sent a letter and gifts to the Imperial Commissioner, thanking you for your

gift of two packs of raisins and seasonal produce.

On the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, we waited for the wind to blow so we stayed.

On the 25th, at the hour of Thin, after traveling 70 miles, at the hour of Dau, we arrived at Lo Quan stream and stopped. (Lo Quan belongs to Vong Giang district, slightly below the place opposite Dong Luu district)

On the 26th, at the hour of the Dragon, after traveling 60 miles, at the hour of the Rooster, we arrived at the town of Shangyang. We stayed there. (Firewood is cheap in this area)

[5b] On the 27th, at the hour of Thin, he traveled 60 miles and arrived at Peng Ze county at the hour of Shen. He stayed at a sandbank on the river bank.

On 28 and 29, against the wind, stay.

On the 30th, at the hour of Thin, they traveled 60 miles and at the beginning of the hour of Than, they arrived at Ho Khau district, 8 km from the riverbank, and stopped. (The wind was favorable. The Imperial Envoy was waiting for the local official to pay his respects, so the envoy's boat did not leave.)

AUGUST

On the first day, there was no wind so the embassy ship stopped.

On the 2nd day, the wind was light, the imperial boat traveled 10 miles to Sa Chau to stay.

On the third day, after traveling 40 miles, at the beginning of the hour of Mui, we arrived at Jiujiang port. The envoy sent a messenger to report to the patrol officer. The district magistrate of Dehua, Zhou Jian, sent a letter of respect, and also sent a tray of Han food and a jar of Shao wine. We sent someone [6a] to send a letter of thanks: "Yesterday, when we arrived at the prosperous prefecture, from afar we respectfully admired your virtue. We did not dare to suddenly come to pay our respects, but you gave us generous gifts and letters of inquiry. Although we had hundreds of silver gifts, we could not repay your kindness. We have some local gifts and sent someone to thank you, Your Excellency, to express our sincerity, and we hope Your Excellency will understand and forgive us." The official accepted some of the gifts and sent a letter of thanks.

That day, the envoy met the new doctor on his way to pay his respects to his ancestors. There were two boats with flags hanging the words "New Doctor of the Academy" and many people from the new doctor's family in the cabin. When we asked, we learned that on the 8th of March this year, the first batch of candidates entered the examination hall, and 270 people passed. They participated in the imperial examination, received their official titles, and then asked for permission to return home. Our envoy was on his way back to the country, departing from the capital on the 2nd, but instead met them here, which made us realize how slow the journey was.

On the 4th, at the hour of Mao, the mountain and river god of Jiangxi province was worshiped. (This funeral oration was similar to that of other provinces, so it was shortened. There was a passage that said: "Now arriving at the locality of Duc Hoa district, Cuu Giang prefecture"). Silver was awarded to 4 boats [6b] . The envoy ordered two officials, Thi Tuyen and Thong Su, to go to the city to receive the vases ordered last year, check the quantity and make payment, and keep them carefully to bring back to the court. At the hour of Ngo, the wind was favorable, but the boat owner was selling salt, so he did not leave. The envoy sent someone to tell the Imperial Commissioner (who did not listen). On the 5th, the wind was very favorable but the boat still stopped. The envoy sent someone to ask for permission to depart.

But the Royal Commissioner said the boat owner said the wind would change direction after only about 30 miles, so

[Wait for it]. Answer: The boat owner knows the river so we dare not argue. But if the wind is favorable in one section then it will be unfavorable in this section, what should we do? The Imperial Commissioner only said: Tomorrow. But the important thing is that the Imperial Commissioner often listens to the steward's advice. And his steward colludes with the boat owner to sell salt everywhere, trying his best to use defensive words to deal with us.

At noon, the Imperial Commissioner invited the First Deputy Envoy to the boat to discuss poetry and literature. He asked: "How is the government of your country?"

The deputy envoy replied: "Also modeled after China." He asked again: "What is the system of opening the examinations?" He replied: "Same."

Question: ―How many officials are there?‖ Answer: ―About four or five hundred people‖.

The Imperial Envoy asked: [7a] ―Why so few?‖

The deputy envoy replied: "Officials are mainly recruited based on the right people, not on the number of people." He asked: "What is the etiquette like?"

Answer: "There is a hierarchy of seniority. When we came here, according to the old rules, there were only 25 people. We can simplify it as we see fit. When we arrive in your country, we will follow your country's rules. All of us."

The entourage all have their own positions and duties and the division of work is clear, this is not something worth mentioning for the noble people.

The Imperial Envoy smiled and asked: "What is the position of the Secretary ? "

The deputy envoy replied: "It is a small position with the responsibility of conveying language, the most difficult part is when we have to respond to each other."

The Imperial Envoy set out wine, rice, salt and lychee. He asked: ―Does the South have this lychee?‖

Answer: "A lot."

Again asked: "What are the products of your country like?"

Answer: "Isn't it said that fragrant flowers and strange fruits are found in the south? We don't dare to exaggerate. For example, Journey to the West has a passage that says: "Although China is China, although it is a big country, in the end it does not have these things. These are not words we made up."

The Imperial Envoy smiled and said: "Can you tell me some of the rare and precious objects in the country?"

Answer: ―Agarwood, sandalwood, cinnamon, and cinnamon have been passed down from ancient times to the present, and there is also a lot of local gold, silver, copper, and iron. Food [7b] includes bird's nests in Thanh Hoa, clams in Hai Duong, dried fish in Nghe An, fish bladders in Kinh Bac, lychees in Duong Hao, jackfruit in Gia Lam... As for precious medicinal plants, there are Tien Mao in Cao Bang, Sa Nhan in Thai Nguyen, Sam in Nghe An, Son Duoc in Kinh Bac, Ha Thu O, Tam That in Son Tay, all of which are top-notch. How can we list all the miscellaneous things on the mountains and under the sea?‖

The Imperial Envoy asked: "Does the King of your country often go out on inspection tours?" The answer was: "Going out is certainly fun, but it must follow the law, not just because you are free."

then go on patrol. Ten years ago, our country had many robbers and bandits, the king had to personally go on patrol in all directions to pacify the people.

The Imperial Envoy said: "Is it really like that? The bandits of your country are nothing more than wild cats roaming the valley."

The Imperial Envoy said again: "We also have bandits like them in China, especially in the Yunnan and Guizhou regions." We sat and talked for a while and then said goodbye and left.

[8a] On the 6th, at the hour of Ty, the envoy's boat traveled 45 miles and at the hour of Than, arrived at the Luc family's residence. The wind died down so they stopped. (in Hoang Mai district, Ho Quang province).