I. Gaubil's abridgement

This selection is taken from pp. 217–20 of Histoire de Gentchiscan et de toute la Dynastie des Mongous ses successeurs, conquérans de la Chine, tirée de l'histoire chinoise et traduite par le R.P. Gaubil de la Compagnie de Jesus, Missionnaire à Péking. Translated from the French by David Bade.

After some time he [Khubilai] had sent to the King of Kouaoua an official named Mengki [for Gaubil's note, see Note 1 below]. It does not say what Mengki did, nor what was the incident that made the King of Kouaoua act so terribly. The king took Mengki and with a hot iron marked him on the face as was often done to common thieves. After being thus affronted Mengki was sent away. The Chinese were indignant at seeing a Great Mandarin of their nation dishonored by a Prince treating them like barbarians, and they implored Khubilai to exact vengeance. Khubilai made an uproar over the insult done to one of his envoys, and ordered a large flotilla of warships and others to assemble in Tsuentcheou in Fokien. The Provinces of Kiamsi, of Fokien, and of Houkouang furnished 30000 resolute men, and they had no trouble arming the flotilla, the Chinese being eager to furnish everything necessary, the Mandarins of the nation being much interested and resolved to make foreign lands see at least that they were very sensitive to a dishonor done to a Minister of the son of Heaven [Note 2].

In the 12th moon of the year 1292 the flotilla was ready; it had 1000 ships including the supply ships and others. There were 30000 soldiers not counting the sailors and provisions for a year. Chepi, a native of Poyé in the district of Paotingfou, had the general command, Kaohing, native of Juningfou, was general in command of the troops, and Yehemiche, a native of the country of the Ygour, was in command of the sailors, with Yehemiche and Chepi having made the trip to the Indes and understanding the language of Kouaoua.