Qian Guxun

Qian Guxun, from Yuyao in Zhejiang, passed the jinshi examination in 1394 and was praised for his administration as prefect of Zhangzhou. In 1396, when the Luchuan chieftain Si Lunfa was at war with Burma, he and his colleague Li Sicong were sent as imperial envoys and persuaded the chieftain to submit. On his return he wrote and presented the Baiyi Zhuan (Account of the Hundred Yi), describing the region's mountains and rivers, people, customs and roads; its notes on Baiyi music and dance are an early source on the dance of the Dai peoples' forebears in western Yunnan. For the mission he was promoted to administration vice commissioner of Huguang.