(1) The Board of Rites is commanded to report on the memorial of the Censor Sung Peh-lu recommending that changes be made in the programme of examinations on the 3rd day of the Great Triennials for literary degrees of chiijén and chin shih (Provincial and Metropolitan degrees) and that the old theses be changed into subjects requiring knowledge of modern history, science, and mathematics, ete.
(2) We have received the memorial of the Censor Chang Chuo-lan suggesting the urgency of requiring the various Viceroys, Governors, and Provincial Commanders-in-Chief of the empire to send in their annual reports at once giving the actual numbers of troops under them, their efficiency, condition, ete., in accordance with law. We would note that there has been a lamentable lack of attention amongst our high provincial "officers in this matter, and this not only delays the work of the Boards of Warand Revenue in their annual reports, but also leaves usin the dark as to what armies we have in the country and what dependence could be made on them, etc. The mem—rial of the said Censor is therefore an important one and we hereby command that the Boards concerned send our edict on the matter without delay t- the said high officers. And, further, if any more delay be made the said Boards are hereby commanded to report to us and severely denounce the delinquents therein. Let there be no delay (8) Wen Tseng is appointed Junior Master of H-rse.
25th December,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.