132 Boundaries and Beyond
thought that Ke was senior to Lu, the latter in fact enjoyed a higher rank
and for that reason his name is often placed before Ke in Ming writings.
Ke was Coastal Surveillance Vice-Commissioner of Fujian (rank 4a).^155
With regard to the aftermath of the Zhoumaxi Incident, Cruz’s account
is equally revealing.^156 During the judicial enquiry conducted in Fuzhou
by Du Ruzchen with the assistance of Inspecting Censor Chen Zongkuei,
the Provincial Administration Commissioner, the Provincial Surveillance
Commissioner (anchasi) and other high-ranking ofβicials, both accused
and accusers, were cross-examined. The “Commander” and the “Chief
Captain” allegedly bribed a Chinese pilot from one of the junks to
testify against the Portuguese, and a Chinese youth who served as the
Portuguese interpreter was taken away, so that the Portuguese would
not have anyone who understood their language to help them in their
defense. Luckily, the Portuguese were able to secure again the services of
the Chinese youth by means of a petition drawn up for them by a Chinese
prisoner.
In Quan-Zhang, southern Fujian, an investigation was also made into
Portuguese claims that they were neither kings nor pirates but traders,
who had been visiting the China coast for many years. The investigators’
report supported these claims. The Chinese pilot also changed his
testimony and revealed information about the goods that the naval
ofβicers had seized from the junks.
The verdict of the investigation can be found both in Cruz’s account
and in the Ming shilu. The two sources provide similar information.
According to the latter, the inquisitors found that the foreigners from
Malacca came to trade every year. They were not pirates, nor did they
assume any pretentious titles. When they arrived off the southern
Fujian coast, the local ofβicials had failed to detain them and their
merchandise. Instead, they (the “Aitao” and the “Luthissi”), according
to Cruz’s account,^157 accepted bribes and let the local people trade
with them. It was only when the higher authorities were on the point
of βinding out about this arrangement that they took action against
the Portuguese. The foreigners resisted arrest and in doing so were
responsible for some killings. After the “bandits” were captured, the
ofβicials did not distinguish between leaders and followers, and ordered
- See, for example, Fujida Toyobachi, Tō zai kō shō shi, p. 460; also MSL: SZ, 347: 5a.
For the rank, see Ming shi, juan 75, “zhiguan 4”, p. 1840. Ke’s full Chinese title
was Fujian anchasi xunshi haidao fushi 福建按察司巡视海道副使, simpliβied as
haidao, or “Aitao”, a corrupt form of the Chinese term in Portuguese documents. - Cruz, “Treatise”, pp. 199‒210.
- Ibid., p. 206; and MSL: SZ, 347: 5a.
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