Edict 1SZ-01-04

To the Ministry of the Civil Service, 

''We accept the request for retirement for Prefect Yao, of Hanzhou Prefecture. He has rendered faithful service to the Empire for upwards of 15 years in many capacities, and we are grateful for his service. ''

''As he returns home to enjoy his retirement and recuperate from the ailment of his feet, we command that a gift of 300 taels of silver, as well as annual stipends in grain, wood and salt, be given to Prefect Yao and his family, for as long as he lives. ''

''In his stead, we hereby promote Ding Xueping, currently county magistrate in Modongshan County, to the post of Prefect. He is to head to his post in Hanzhou post-haste, and we trust that he will carry out his duties with a diligence that matches and surpasses his predecessor. ''