Volume Twelve

Bengal

…

In the sixth year (of Yongle)(1), the king sends an envoy through Taicang (Shanghai) to pay tribute. The whole delegation is

given a feast. In the12th year, Wang You (7) dispatches its feudal official with a tribute unicorn (2) and specialities of the country.

The Ministry of Rites issued an official statement to celebrate. (The emperor) however said that with assistance of the

ministers the world is already safe, without a unicorn (2), it is not needed for good government. There will be no celebration.

The imperial edict bestows on the king brocade four pieces, damask silk 60 pieces and bolts of cloth (8) to the chieftain and

his people.

Yang Shiqi (3): The Western Barbarians tribute of a Large male deer is dedicated in this Poem; it says that: Heavenly Fragrance

radiates from a jade furnace, sunshine shows the armour of the Dragon. Through the gate of heaven pass strong feelings, the

five Colors of the Isle of the Immortals protect the auspicious cloud. Together the civil and military officials, gather to celebrate

the auspicious large male deer send by the barbarians. The rule of the enlightened ruler will last ten thousand year, with

respect clear moral praise is given.

During the reign of Yongle (1), four times the tribute of a unicorn (2) arrived. In a period of seven years; Sometimes is produced in a branch of a river a large male deer. The shape is slightly like a tiger, the hoof and the tail like a cow, the large male deer, it is

big and has horns. The people think it is strange, that it might kill. The county observes and takes in, the Prince possesses the

knowledge. But it is only empty skin, the large male deer is carried away. Jiajing (4) sixth year in 4th month, through Wuyang

(Guangzhou) a unicorn (2) arrived. Its mouth spits fire and its sounds like thunder. Barbarian and different, it can kill. The feet are

like horse's hoof, later it was brought to the provincial capital, so that all could see it. If the large male deer is common, the

people cannot know, neither how deadly it is. In spring: in the West they hunt the large male deer, it dies by the hand of the

farmer. ….

Tian Fangguo

Tian Fangguo (Mecca) and Medina that borders on it, ancient red soil, old name is hall of heaven. After 40 day and nights

you may reach this country from Hu-lu-mo-si (Hormuz). It is the furthest place towards the West. Has a land route of one year through which it is possible to reach China...

In the seventh year Yongle (1) dispatches the eunuch Zheng He (5) towards it. Its king feels grateful, he adds a lot to the volume

(of the tribute). They give local products like unicorn (2) and mountain lion.

During (emperor) Xuande (6), the king dispatches tribute of local products and so on through his feudal official.

(1) Yongle; Youngle: The Yongle Emperor — personal name Zhu Di, or Chu Ti— was the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 1424.

(2) unicorn: giraffe

(3) Yang Shiqi: this official is mentioned several times on my webpages as he wrote the official histories from several emperors: Yingzong shi lu (1467); Xuanzong Shih-lu (1438); Taizong Shi lu (1430).

(4) Jiajing: the 11th emperor of the Ming dynasty (1521–66/67). This is outside the period we study. Also the description of the animal is not of the giraffe.

(5) Zheng He: 郑和 (1371 – 1433 or 1435) was a Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, fleet admiral, and court eunuch during China's early Ming dynasty. He was originally born as Ma He in a Muslim family and later adopted the surname Zheng conferred by the Yongle Emperor. He commanded expeditionary treasure voyages to Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Western Asia, and East Africa from 1405 to 1433.

(6) Xuande: Hsuan-te: Hsüan-te reign (1426–36). Also known as Xuande Emperor.

(7) a giraffe was presented to the Yongle emperor on 20 September 1414 by Saif al-Din Hamzah Shah, Sultan of Bengal. I did not find who Wang You could have been.

(8) Bolts are the rolls of cloth manufactured by a loom. In modern Britain one bolt represents a strip of cloth 100 yards (91.44 meters) long.