(3) Decree expressing extreme regret at receipt of news of the death by suicide of Li Ping-hong, Vice-Genera-Tinsimo of the Wuavei-nun or Grand Army of the North, under Yung Lu, ind "former Viceroy" of Szechuan. At the time of Li Ping-hong's death he had just returned northward from investizating the defences of the Yangtze where he did valuable work in. reorganizing the mies there, and was hastening to us to gi what aid he could, when, while his troops were yet unprepared or organised for battle, he led them against the enemy, naturally' without success, due to the weakness of his army. The Throne did not express its displeasure at all at Li Ping-hong's failure before the enemy, but seems thal he was 6" depressed in mind at his defeat and the dispersal of his army that when he arrived at Changehiawan, near Tungchou, on the Uth of August, he suddenly committed suicide there, to our great and extreme sorrow. But although we have not as yet received any official report of the late Li Ping-hong's death in this way, all unofficial reports hitherto received point that way and there seems to he no reason to doubt its truth, In recognition therefore of the Into Li Ping-hong's devation, loyalty and distinguished services to the dynasty we hereby command that his ady shall have State burial in accordance with his Viceregal rank; that all his oficial misdemeanours be armsed from the records, and that a complimentary name he granted him to be placed in the Memorial temple dedicated to Loyal Heroes. Permission is also granted to carry Li Ping-hong's remains back to their native city in Southern Manchuria (Feng tien province).
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.