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Kurz: Boni in Chinese Sources NSC Working Paper No. 4profit tools are provided, so that they can support their living, that the strong do notdare maltreat the weak, that the many do not dare to oppress the few – if not theEmperor who else has caused all this! The merits and virtues of the Emperor, whichare like those of Heaven and Earth, have extended to me. Heaven and Earth are such,that by raising the head one can see [the former], and by crouching one can movearound [on the latter]. The Emperor is far away and it is difficult to see him,therefore I could not communicate my sincerity. Your humble servant has notdreaded the dangers and the distance of the voyage and has proceeded to thecapital to present his sincerity.” The emperor replied: “Ah! Heaven and my latefather have entrusted me with the empire, to nourish the people. Heaven and mylate father have observed the people with the same kindness. I have inherited whatHeaven and my late father entrusted me with. My only fear is, that I cannot measureup to them, and thus it is not at all like you have said.” Thereupon he once morebowed his head and said: “Since the beginning of the accession of the Emperor tothe throne, my country has had successive good harvests. The treasures thatmountains and rivers held have appeared; plants and trees that have not blossomedsuddenly have born fruit; rare birds are singing, and animals are dancing. The oldfolks in my country say: ‘The virtue of the Sage of China has brought [all of this]here.’ Even though my place is very distant from the capital, I believed neverthelessto be a vassal of the Emperor. For this reason I have come with all determination toattend the audience.” The Emperor was pleased with his sincerity, treated him witheven more courtesy, and gave him presents very generously. At first he gave him abanquet at the Huagai‐Hall, but then he several times feasted him at the FengtianGate. At every feast it was consequently ordered that the [king’s] wife was to befeted by the wives of dukes in a hall inside the palace. After the banquets theemperor ordered a high official to generously provide them with food. Upon dailyorder a high official served at the king’s lodgings. Eunuchs were specificallydispatched as his companions and [the number of people in] his retinue wasincreased to expand it. His grain allowance was made abundant. When he attendedaudiences his rank was one above the dukes. So numerous were the favours thatwere bestowed on him!After a month had passed, the king suddenly fell ill. The Emperor ordered a doctor togive him good medicine to cure his illness. In the morning and in the evening he senta eunuch to inquire about his condition. Upon daily order a high official had toobserve any changes in the illness. Even small improvements, that the Emperorheard about, gave his face a happy expression. When the king’s illness grew worse,he said to his wife and his followers: “My illness has left the Emperor with sadthoughts. That I am dying now, is fate. I am from a desolate place that is far away,but I have had the luck to come to court and behold the radiance of the Emperor.Thus I can die without regret. When I am dead, my body moreover will be given aburial in China, and thus will not be a foreign soul. What I really regret is, that Icannot repay in my life all the profound favours, I have received from the Emperor,and in death I sincerely carry this burden.” He pointed to his son and said: “Since Ido not get up, take my son to the audience and let him thank the Emperor: Swear anoath to never forget the favours of the Emperor in the coming generations. If youcan do as I desire, I may die content and without regrets.” The king died on the firstday [with the cyclical characters] yihai of the tenth month (19 October 1408) at theage of twenty‐eight. The emperor deeply mourned for him. He suspended all courtbusiness for three days. By imperial order officials had to provide things necessaryfor the burial, lavish posthumous ceremonies, and the posthumous name Gongshun30
Kurz: Boni in Chinese Sources NSC Working Paper No. 4恭順 (Respectful and Obedient). 89 The emperor dispatched officials to performsacrifices and also sent officials to console the king’s wife and children. The king’swife bowed before the officials and said: “Your obedient vassal’s life was short andhe was not able to bear the profound favours of the Emperor, and he could notserve the Emperor and reciprocate [for his kindness]. He left an order, ‘never forgetthe favours of the Emperor in the coming generations’. We must follow his words, asif he had not died!” The words of the king’s wife can really be called wise. On thegengyin day of the same month (3 November 1408) 90 , the king received aceremonious burial on the Shizigang outside the Ande Gate. By imperial order a textwas composed as a record to be put next to his tomb.The king’s father was named Manareshanawang 麻那惹沙那旺 ; his mother’s namewas Cishibadi 刺失八的 ; his wife was called Taxiye 他係邪 . His son was calledXiawang 遐旺 , who was just four years of age; and he had two daughters. [Byimperial order] Xiawang was conferred the royal title, given generous presents[which included] a cap and an official robe, a jade belt, ceremonial items, saddles,dresses, vessels and gold and silver, silk brocades, and cash money. The king’s wifewas conferred an official dress, a pearl cap, silk brocade and cash money. 91 Theothers were all given presents according to their rank. The [late] king’s threeyounger brothers, namely Shilinannanare 施里難那那惹 , Shiliweiruonasha 施里微喏那沙那 , and Nawanruoye 那萬喏邪 , 92 were given official positions, to make themsupport Xiawang. By imperial decree a shrine was set up at the royal tomb. Threemen were installed as tomb guards. On imperial order a stele was erected beneaththe shrine. I, Guang, was ordered to compose the text for the stele inscription.Looking up to the August Emperor, I observe that he pacified the empire, spreadinghis Heavenly Virtue profusely, and embracing every place. All places where the sunand moon shine on, with a happy heart honestly turn to him, fearing only they maycome in last. The countries, that have offered tribute for the first time, have causeda jam at the court, [numbering] ten thousand and more every year. The king of Boniwas distant from China by several ten thousand li, [yet] one day he sailed with hiswife and his children, his younger brothers and sisters, close relatives and officials,over the great ocean and came to court, not even considering [the voyage as]difficult. He kowtowed at the steps to the throne and gave a speech. His loyalty andhonesty were abundant, and his intentions were as solid as gold. In his last words onhis deathbed, he entrusted what he deeply felt to his retinue, namely to not forgetthe favours of the Emperor. His eminent virtue increasingly touched all hearts, soprofound was it. Alas – so abundant was it! The king’s wisdom and understanding ,and the integrity of his loyalty and obedience were one from beginning to end. Hedeserved to be given all the honours and that these also extended to his successor.The reason for recording these facts, praising them in a rhymed tomb inscription,and proclaiming them without restraint, to make manifest, why the king receivedsuch generous favours, is all due to his sincerity.The tomb inscription reads:89 Brown translates hou xudian 厚卹典 as “generous consolatory gifts”.90 Brown gives the date as the fifth of the tenth month 24 October 1408). However, the gengyin day was in factthe sixteenth day of that month.91 Brown addresses the pearl cap as “a crown of pearls”.92 Brown opts to add the last syllable of the second brother’s name to the third brother’s name, thusaddressing him as Nanawanruoye. I am following here the modern edition of the text.31
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