For over 300 years,from the 31st year of the reign of Emperior Wanli,Ming Dynasty (1603),"An Account of the Eastern Barbarians" (《東番記》),written by Chen-di (陳第),has been a literary term for historical reference on many accounts.Amongst these references,"Bequeath to the coastal Fujian" (《閩海贈言》) has quoted the whole original text,while other quotes give an account of the bell-gift anecdote.Thus,it can be seen that the bell-gift is an important anecdote in "An Account of the Eastern Barbarians" .However,it is said in the anecdote,"left a bell for Pasai as a gift for wearing around the neck,like dogs".It leaves so much room for interpretation - whether the bell gift is meant to be demeaningful,treating Pasai like a pet dog.Therefore,since the Ming Dynasty,many scholars have doubts about the "dog" reference and chosen to avoid interpreting same.While this paper presents the findings of this anecdote,it reviews Zheng-he's mission to resolve the territorial disputes with Japan and to subdue the eastern barbarians.This paper provides for an in-depth examination of the anecdote and its controversy - whether leaving the bell-gift after failing to meet with Pasai has any real claim,whether the bell-gift signifies a "name-calling" insult,whether the naming of "dog country" and "showing hostile attitude" has any real evidence.
Keywords:Chen-di,"An Account of the Eastern Barbarians",Zheng-he,bell-gift,dog,analysis