Edict 5YL-10-05

To All Throughout the Empire, 

''It has been sixteen years since our official Xiu Zhen was dispatched by our Imperial Father the Renzong Emperor to study the Falangse. Now, having overcome many obstacles, and successfully gained much knowledge on his embassy to the Falangse homeland and beyond, Ambassador Xiu has returned to the Wei Court. ''

''Truly, Xiu Zhen's work for the Wei Court is not below that of Zhang Qian's work for the Han Court. His learning will enhance the Court and our government on many levels, as we seek to fulfill the teaching of the Great Sage: to emulate what is admirable, and to avoid what we observe to be flawed, in the behaviour of others. ''

''In commendation of his merit and in celebration of his successful return, we decree the following. Xiu Zhen is to be granted the rank of Baron, Second Class, of Courage and Loyalty. His family's ancestral shrine is to be expanded and refurbished to reflect his status, and he is to be granted a residence, servants, and goods corresponding to his status. ''

''We hereby command Xiu Zhen, upon receiving the symbols of his nobility and the silver plates of his noble grant, to mount these with reverence before his ancestral shrine and make offerings to his ancestors, to inform them of his and their advancement, and to announce the honours bestowed on him. He is commanded, additionally, to throw a banquet for his neighbours, and make a circuit of his neighbourhood with the silver plates before his person, in commemoration of these honours. ''