Trade, the Sea Prohibition and the “Folangji” 143
The relationship between the Itinerant Inspector-General and
the Regional Inspecting Censor was not hierarchical. In 1534 it was
speciβically made clear that the authority of Regional Inspecting Censors
included, among other duties, safeguarding the integrity of local
judicature, especially by preventing the arbitrary or improper exercise of
judicial power. They were also required to investigate or take part in the
hearing of legal cases that involved severe punishments. This arrangement
greatly constrained the authority of the Itinerant Inspectors-General.^200
Finally, all sentences of a certain level of severity, generally banishment
and above, required the Emperor’s endorsement. In case of doubt, a re-
trial was conducted by a high-ranking ofβicial sent by the Emperor and
the verdicts of these ofβicials were in turn subject to re-examination by
the three judicial ofβices.^201
Despite his wide experience, Zhu deβined his duties in more
theoretical than realistic terms. Upon his appointment, he was given
speciβic terms of reference concerning his duties and authority as
Itinerant Inspector-General. As his βirst duty, he was expected to
control civil and military affairs in Zhejiang, including revenues, troop
training, the welfare of soldiers and civilians and making administrative
improvements. His second duty was related to military campaigns.
He would then be given discretionary powers in decision-making
and authority over local military personnel. Thirdly, in the case of the
southern Fujian coast, he was speciβically instructed to “devise means”
(shefa) to eliminate the sea bandits, maintain law and order and, in times
of emergency, conduct inspection tours of the region.^202
Any attempt to interpret his duties and authority rigidly immediately
brought him into conβlict with other provincial ofβicials. A case in
point is his relationship with the Inspecting Censors. Prior to Zhu’s
appointment, the Inspecting Censors held overall authority in provincial
matters. Consequently, Zhu Wan’s assigned duties overlapped in several
important aspects with those of the Regional Inspecting Censors. His
complaint to the Court that he was often constrained and challenged
by these ofβicials clearly indicates the conβlict of authority between him
and his provincial colleagues.^203 In short, his assignments were simply
supervisory system] (Shanghai: Huadong shifan daxue chubanshe, 1992),
pp. 385‒418.- Huai Xiaofeng 怀效锋, Jiajing zhuanzhi zhengzhi yu fazhi 嘉靖专制政治与法
制 [Autocracy and legal systems of the Jiajing Reign] (Changsha: Hunan jiaoyu
chubanshe, 1989), pp. 204, 206, 212. - Ibid., pp. 70‒2.
- MJSWB, 205/l: la‒5a.
- Ibid.