144 Boundaries and Beyond
a mission impossible. Under such a cumbersome political institution,
getting himself into trouble was only a matter of time.
The deliberations among the Court ofβicials concerning the extensive
authority given to Zhu eventually convinced the Emperor that the
avoidance of administrative confusion made good sense. Hence Zhu
Wan’s demotion to the less powerful Itinerant Inspector-Generalship
causes no surprise.^204 But modern scholars as well as traditionalists
are more inclined to believe that politics lurked behind the scene, a
view even shared by Zhu Wan himself.^205 The disappointment of Ming
traditionalists in Zhu Wan’s disgrace can be understood because the
latter’s integrity and unwavering execution of his duty served as a perfect
role model for the bureaucracy. Having said this, Zhu Wan’s methods of
managing maritime affairs were somewhat anachronistic and betrayed a
poor grasp of broader economic realities. It was impossible to distinguish
legality from illegality and to separate legitimate traders from violent
lawbreakers. Instead of restoring law and order, he caused greater and
unnecessary violence.
No doubt, Zhu’s dismissal satisβied the coastal interests, but it
was certainly premature for them to claim victory. Zhu had submitted
a memorial to the Court before his dismissal, exposing the local
collaborators of the smugglers and pirates. He mentioned Lin Gong, Yao
Guangrui and more than a hundred and ten other people.^206 To prevent
trouble in the future, Zhu βirmly believe that the Court must get to the
root of the problem to be rid of it. Although Zhu was dismissed from his
post in May 1549, the Court acted upon his earlier recommendation and
on July 28, 1549, decided to take tough measures against the blacklisted
people. The Fujian Regional Inspecting Censor and other high-ranking
ofβicials were ordered to track them down and condemn them to death.
It was also decreed that the Folangji captives and the circumstances of
their capture should be carefully examined to uphold the law and in the
interests of justice.^207
- MSL: SZ, 338: la‒b.
- Ibid., 346: la‒b. Zhu‘s reasoning for his demotion and hence the conspiracy
theory are echoed in Higgins, “Piracy”, pp. 184‒6, 190‒1. - Lin Gong, like Li Guangtou, was mentioned with the title “La-da”. According
to Fujida Toyobachi, the term was probably a corrupt form of the Portuguese
word comprador (Fujida Toyobachi, Tō zai kō shō shi, p. 460). See also Huai
Xiaofeng, Jiajing zhuanzhi zhengzhi, p. 138, for the context of its usage as seen
in the revised “Penal Regulations of the Jiajing” (1550) that supports Fujida
Toyobachi’s suggestion. - MSL: SZ, 350: la‒b.
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