ence I send
you, gentlemen, on this errand. I understand the Chinese say that when
you take another people's country, you need to get both the people and
the land. If you go and slay all the people, and only secure the land,
what use is that? There is another matter, upon which I feel truly
anxious--that is, I fear want of harmony among you, gentlemen! If the
natives of that country come to discuss any matter with you,
gentlemen, you should join your minds for one common plan, and reply
as though one mouth only had to speak."

When the army, after a week's sail from Tinghai, reached the islands
of Ku-tsi (off Masanpho) and Tsushima, some Japanese stranded
fishermen were caught and forced to sketch a map of the localities;
and meanwhile it had been agreed that the island of Iki was a better
rendezvous than "Kin Chou in Corea," on account of the then prevailing
winds. From the Japanese sailors' sketch it appeared that a little
west of the Dazai Fu was the island of Hirado, which, being surrounded
on all sides with plenty of water, afforded a good anchorage for the
ships. It was decided--subject, apparently, to Kublai's approval--to
occupy Hirado first, and then summon General Hung, etc., from Iki, to
join in a general attack. Kublai replied by the messenger in effect:
"I cannot judge here of the situation there. I presume Alouhan and his
colleagues ought to know, and they must decide for themselves."

Meanwhile Alouhan--written also Alahan--had fallen sick, and died at
Ningpo, and another Mongol, named Atahai--written also Antahai--was
sent to replace him. Now comes the sudden collapse of the whole
expedition, recorded, unfortunately, in most laconic and
unsatisfactory terms.

I give the various extracts _in extenso_:

1. _Chapter on Japan_.--"Eighth moon. The generals, having before
coming in sight of the enemy lost their entire force, got back. They
said that, 'having reached Japan, they wished to attack Dazai Fu, but
that a violent wind smashed the ships. That they were still bent on
discussing operations, when three of the commanders [Chinese names]
declined to accept their orders any more, and made off. The provincial
staff conveyed the rest of the army to Hoh P'u [probably = Masanpho],
whence they were dismissed back to their homes.' But one of the
defeated soldiers, who succeeded in escaping home, gave the following
account: 'The imperial armies in the 6th moon put to sea. In the 7th
moon they reached Hirado I