Si Jifa

  1. Home
  2. Wiki
Si Jifa
Ruler of Möng Mao and Möng Yang
ReignMöng Mao: 1442–1444
Möng Yang: 1444–1450
PredecessorMöng Mao: Si Renfa
Möng Yang: Chao Pem Pha
SuccessorMöng Mao: None
Möng Yang: Si Lufa [zh]
Died1454 (1455)
Beijing
IssueAi Zhun (哀准) and Han Gai (菡盖)[1]
FatherSi Renfa

Si Jifa (? – September 2, 1454; Chinese: 思機發; Tai Nüa: ᥔᥫᥴ ᥐᥤ ᥜᥣᥳ), was the ruler of Möng Mao from 1442 to 1444. The Ming dynasty's continued campaigns against Möng Mao forced him to flee to Möng Yang, where he ruled from 1444 to 1450. Following the final Luchuan-Pingmian Campaign, which ended in defeat, Si Jifa was captured and executed in Beijing.

Name

[edit]

Si Jifa's name is recorded differently across languages. Chinese records such as the History of Ming and Ming Veritable Records refer to him as Si Jifa (思機發).[2][3] This name is also rendered in English as Sz-ki-fah.[4] Burmese records such as the Hmannan Yazawin refer to him as Tho Kyein Bwa (သိုကျိန်ဘွား).[5] Tai-Shan records call him Sao Hki,[6] Chau Si Pha,[7] and Sookeepha.[8]

Reign

[edit]
See also: Luchuan-Pingmian Campaigns

In Möng Mao

[edit]

Si Renfa, Si Jifa's father, was defeated by the Ming dynasty in the Luchuan-Pingmian Campaigns of 1441, and fled to Möng Yang with Si Jifa.[9] In 1442, Si Jifa returned to Selan (Zhelan 者藍, also စယ်လန့် in Burmese), the former capital of Möng Mao.[10]

Si Jifa sought to personally present himself at the Ming court to show his submission and atonement, and first sent his younger brother Zhao Sai (招賽) to present tribute in February 1443.[11][12] However, the ruler of Mangshi, Dao Fangge (刀放革), a former subordinate of Möng Mao, defected to the Ming at this time.[10] Si Jifa then ordered Meng Che (孟車) to attack Dao Fangge, but he was defeated by Ming forces and Si Jifa was forced to flee to Möng Yang. The Ming court considered Si Jifa untrustworthy, wavering between submission and rebellion.[12] In June 1443, the Ming ordered Wang Ji and Jiang Gui [zh] to lead 50,000 troops against Möng Mao.[13] In August 1443, Si Jifa returned to Möng Mao and sent letters to the Ming troops stationed in Jinchi (Baoshan), expressing his willingness to submit.[14] He subsequently dispatched his headman Dao Longzhou (刀籠肘) together with his son Ai Zhun (哀准) to Jinchi to formally surrender.[15] Wang Ji outwardly accepted Dao Longzhou’s proposal, allowing him to return to Si Jifa to placate him and prevent another escape, but sent Ai Zhun on to Beijing.[16] Wang Ji attacked Zhelan in March 1444, Si Jifa fled but his wife and more than 90 of his followers were captured.[17]

In Möng Yang

[edit]

After fleeing to Möng Yang, he began to consolidate his own power and established a power base in the region.[18] He repeatedly petitioned to the Ming court for mercy, sending his headman Dao Mengyong (刀孟永) with tribute and lamenting in desperate terms that he had “no place left to flee from death” and only “to beg for the mere preservation of his life.”[19] The Zhengtong Emperor accepted his tribute, pardoned him from execution,[20] and ordered him to personally come to the capital to offer his apology. The emperor promised that if Si Jifa complied, he would be reappointed as a native official, but if he hesitated, the Ming would launch another campaign against Möng Yang.[21]

In April 1447, Mu Bin [zh] dispatched envoys to proclaim an imperial summons to Si Jifa, promising promotion and rewards. But Si Jifa dared not go to the Ming court as his younger brother Zhao Sai and his son Ai Zhun had not yet been returned.[22] The Ming court had originally settled Zhao Sai in Yunnan, but he was ordered to Beijing in July 1447 since his follower Juan Mengche (涓孟車) had participated in a rebellion. He was permitted to be a chieftain, received a monthly grain salary and housing, and was placed under the jurisdiction of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, partly in hopes of luring Si Jifa into submission.[23] At this time, however, because Si Jifa had plundered cattle, horses, and treasure from Ava, the Burmese prepared to attack him.[24] The Ming court also ordered the native Möng Yang chief to capture Si Jifa, but the chief refused. This enraged a powerful eunuch, Wang Zhen, who became determined to destroy the Si family.[25]

In April 1448,[26] the Zhengtong Emperor ordered Wang Ji to lead 130,000 troops to against Si Jifa.[27] Si Jifa fortified his position on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River with cheval de frise and other defenses.[28] The Ming troops advanced downstream to Kaungton, crossed the river on floating bridges, and, together with Burmese and Hsenwi forces, stormed Si Jifa’s fort and seized 400,000 piculs of stored grain.[29] They then destroyed his fortified camps at Guiku Mountain (鬼哭山) and Mang'ai Mountain (芒崖山), but Si Jifa and his younger brother Si Bufa [zh] evaded capture.[30] In the wake of the Tumu Crisis on the northern Ming frontier, most Ming forces returned home and the task of finding Si Jifa was left to Narapati I of Ava, who was promised recognition of his claim over Möng Yang as a reward.[31][32]

Death

[edit]

In 1450, Thihapate of Mohnyin, a prince of Ava stationed in Möng Yang, died and was succeeded by his son Min Uti, who joined forces with Si Jifa and Si Bufa and rebelled against Ava. When Min Uti was defeated by Ava forces, Si Jifa and Si Bufa met with the king of Ava in Katha to pay homage, claiming that they had refused to support Min Uti. Si Bufa and his sons were soon allowed to return to Möng Yang, but Si Jifa was kept as a captive in Ava.[33][34]

Narapati was hesitant to hand over Si Jifa until receiving the territory promised to him. The Vice Commander Hu Zhi (胡誌) made the handover of Yinjia (銀戞) and other places in April 1454, then Ava handed over 6 people including Si Jifa and his family at Jinshajiang Village (金沙江村 lit. 'Irrawaddy River Village'). Upon receiving them, Hu Zhi escorted them to the Ming capital.[35] Si Jifa arrived in the capital on August 30th, 1454,[36] and was executed a few days later on September 2nd.[37]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 116, page 2334, entry of 19 May 1444 (正統九年五月辛亥): "靖遠伯王驥等執麓川叛賊思機發男菡盖等至京命宥菡盖等四人死沒入御馬監養馬餘十二人謫戍口外邊衛". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 9, Month 5, Day 2". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  2. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8118, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "其子思機發窮困，乞來朝謝罪，先遣其弟招賽入貢，帝命遣還雲南安置。"
  3. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 95, page 1911, entry of 18 Sep 1442 (正統七年八月壬寅): "麓川賊酋尚未授首比者其子思機發奏乞來謝罪". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 7, Month 8, Day 15". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  4. ^ Parker 1893, p. 44.
  5. ^ Hmannan Yazawin, volume 2, page 91: Both Tho Kyein Bwa and Tho Bok Bwa were still alive in 1451
  6. ^ Scott 1900, p. 271.
  7. ^ Elias 1876, p. 22.
  8. ^ Pemberton 1835, p. 112.
  9. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8118, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "任發父子三人並挈其妻孥數人，從間道渡江，奔孟養。"
  10. ^ a b Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 93, page 1881, entry of 23 Jul 1442 (正統七年六月甲辰): "雲南總兵官右都督沐昻奏芒市陶孟刀放革遣人來訴與叛寇思任發有讎今思任發已遠遁其思機法兄弟三人來居麓川者藍地方願擒之以獻". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 7, Month 6, Day 16". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  11. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8118, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "其子思機發窮困，乞來朝謝罪，先遣其弟招賽入貢，帝命遣還雲南安置。"
  12. ^ a b Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 100, page 2016, entry of 13 Feb 1443 (正統八年正月庚午): "兵部尚書徐晞等言麓川賊思機發今雖遣其弟招賽等朝貢謝罪然又令其黨涓孟車等來攻芒市為官軍所敗從金沙江遁去乍降乍叛譎詐難測宜令錦衣衛收繫招賽等以俟其平". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 8, Month 1, Day 14". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  13. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 104, page 2105-2106, entry of 12 Jun 1443 (正統八年五月己巳): "復命定西侯蔣貴充總兵官都督冉保毛福壽充參將兵部尚書靖遠伯王驥總督軍務調雲南湖廣四川貴州官軍土兵五萬聽其節制征麓川先是驥奏數遣人往緬甸索賊首思任發不報盖彼以此賊為餌要求土地而賊子思機發復據麓川侵擾臣欲大舉前進緣山高路險糧糗有限不能持久況蠻夷譎詐或誘我深入恐為所侮乞勑廷臣會議進止之方章下諸大臣議僉謂軍機萬變難以遙度請再命貴等往同驥相機籌畫庶出萬全故有是命". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 8, Month 5, Day 15". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  14. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 106, page 2156, entry of 14 Aug 1443 (正統八年七月壬申): "雲南總督軍務兵部尚書靖遠伯王驥奏叛寇思機發自孟養復回麓川寓書金齒以表納款之意". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 8, Month 7, Day 19". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  15. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 109, page 2201, entry of 27 Oct 1443 (正統八年十月丙戌): "雲南總督軍務兵部尚書靖遠伯王驥等奏麓川賊子思機發遣頭目刀籠肘等偕其子哀准至金齒告降臣等議遣其徒回諭思機發以安其心毋致逃逸次第發遣官軍待霜降後進抵賊巢". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 8, Month 10, Day 5". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  16. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 108, page 2189, entry of 5 Oct 1443 (正統八年九月甲子): "雲南總督軍務兵部尚書靖遠伯王驥等奏麓川賊子思機發遣頭目刀籠肘等偕其子哀准至金齒告降臣等議遣其徒回諭思機發以安其心毋致逃逸次第發遣官軍待霜降後進抵賊巢". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 8, Month 9, Day 13". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  17. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 113, page 2284, entry of 15 Mar 1444 (正統九年二月丙午): "總督雲南軍務兵部尚書靖遠伯王驥總兵官定西侯蔣貴都督沐昂奏……臣等因此直擣賊巢殺敗賊衆焚其船柵擒思機發妻孥家屬并頭目從賊九十餘人象十一隻惟思任發思機發未獲然其親族離散衣食不給地方悉屬他人不投溝壑而亡必遭執縛而獻". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 9, Month 2, Day 26". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  18. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8119, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "時思機發竊據孟養，負固不服，自如也。"
  19. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8119, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "其子機發屢乞降，遣頭目刀孟永等修朝貢，獻金銀。言蒙朝廷調兵征討，無地逃死，乞貸餘生，詞甚哀。"
  20. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8119, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "帝命受其貢，因敕總兵官沐斌及參贊軍務侍郎楊寧等，以朝廷既貸思機發以不死，經畫善後長策以聞，並賜敕諭思機發。"
  21. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 143, page 2832, entry of 14 Aug 1446 (正統十一年七月戊子): "勑諭思機發曰……今特差人齎勑前去悉赦爾前罪爾即親帶頭目人等赴京朝見朕量授爾官職撥與土地人民管屬如爾猶豫不遵朕言必命大將統率精兵直壓孟養搗爾巢寨". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 11, Month 7, Day 22". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  22. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 152, page 2976, entry of 22 Apr 1447 (正統十二年四月己亥): "雲南總兵官黔國公沐斌奏臣遣千戶明庸招諭賊子思機發思機發以其所遣弟招賽及男哀準不回心懷疑懼終不肯出". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 12, Month 4, Day 8". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  23. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 154, page 3016, entry of 7 Jul 1447 (正統十二年五月乙卯): "命思機發弟招賽為頭目給月粮房屋隸錦衣衞其從人俱令馴象所供役初思機發遣招賽詣闕謝罪　上命居於雲南至是其黨涓孟車等復聚夷人作亂被官軍殺敗思機發亦逃竄莫知所之故取招賽來京冀以招徠思機發也". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 12, Month 5, Day 25". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  24. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8119, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "近緬甸以機發掠其牛馬、金銀，欲進兵攻取。"
  25. ^ History of Ming, volume 171, page 4557, entry of Wang Ji (王驥): "諭孟養執之以獻，亦不聽命。於是振怒，欲盡滅其種類。"
  26. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 164, page 3181-3182, entry of 19 Apr 1448 (正統十三年三月壬寅): "命兵部尚書靖遠伯王驥總督軍務都督同知宮聚佩平蠻將軍印充總兵官都督僉事張軏充左副總兵田禮充右副總兵方瑛充左參將貴州都指揮同知張銳充右參將統率南京直隸及雲南湖廣四川貴州官軍土軍征勦思機發". English translation in "Zheng-tong: Year 13, Month 3, Day 17". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  27. ^ Mingshi Jishi Benmo, volume 30, Luchuan–Pingmian Campaigns (麓川之役), page 458: "復命靖遠伯王驥提督軍務，都督宮聚為總兵，張軏、田禮為左右副總兵，方瑛、張銳為左右參將，率南京、雲南、湖廣、四川、貴州土漢軍十三萬討之。"
  28. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8120, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "機發於西岸埋柵拒守。"
  29. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8120, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "機發於西岸埋柵拒守。大軍順流下至管屯，適木邦、緬甸兩宣慰兵十餘萬亦列於沿江兩岸，緬甸備舟二百餘為浮梁濟師，並力攻破其柵寨，得積谷四十萬余石。"
  30. ^ Mingshi Jishi Benmo, volume 30, Luchuan–Pingmian Campaigns (麓川之役), page 458: "賊歛眾據鬼哭山及芒崖山等寨，皆攻拔之，斬獲無算。"
  31. ^ History of Ming, volume 315, page 8152, entry of Möng Yang (孟養): "及兵出窮征，機發卒遁去，不可得。於是乃以孟養地給緬甸宣慰馬哈省管治，命捕思機發。時正統十四年也。"
  32. ^ Fernquest 2006, pp. 64–65.
  33. ^ History of Ming, volume 314, page 8120, entry of Luchuan-Pingmian (麓川平緬): "景泰元年，雲南總兵官沐璘奏：「緬甸宣慰已擒獲思機發，又將思卜發放歸孟養，恐緬人復挾為奇貨，不若緩之，聽其自獻便。」從之。"
  34. ^ Fernquest 2006, p. 65.
  35. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 239, page 5223-5224, entry of 26 Apr 1454 (景泰五年三月庚辰): "緬甸宣慰使卜剌浪馬哈省以速剌執賊子思機發既久不發至是來索舊地左參將胡誌等遣人諭以銀戞等處地方與之乃送思機發及其妻孥六人至金沙江村誌等檻送京師". English translation in "Jing-tai: Year 5, Month 3, Day 29". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  36. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 244, page 5302, entry of 30 Aug 1454 (景泰五年八月丙戌): "雲南總兵官檻送賊子思机發等至京師". English translation in "Jing-tai: Year 5, Month 8, Day 7". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.
  37. ^ Yingzong Veritable Records, volume 244, page 5303, entry of 2 Sep 1454 (景泰五年八月己丑): "賊子思機發伏誅". English translation in "Jing-tai: Year 5, Month 8, Day 10". Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu: an open access resource. Translated by Geoff Wade. Asia Research Institute and the Singapore E-Press, National University of Singapore.

Bibliography

[edit]