The Case of Chen Yilao 425
in March 1742. In it he strongly supported the continuation of overseas
trade. As he argued, from the point of view of Guangdong, the livelihood
of several hundred thousand people was at stake because they were
dependent on foreign trade. Moreover, the fact that Chinese crew
members numbering some ten thousand consumed rice imported from
the Nanyang had greatly alleviated local grain shortages. A reinstatement
of any trade prohibition would lead to widespread unemployment and
impoverish the local economies. The loss of customs revenue might
amount to only several hundred thousand taels annually, but the long-
term effect on the people’s livelihood would be immeasurable.^42
On the basis of the deliberations among the senior ofβicials, in late
1742 the Court accepted the recommendation and allowed foreign trade
to continue as usual. As Jennifer Cushman concludes, the Court’s decision
“was based on a positive recognition of the needs of the maritime
border”.^43
Overstayers in Foreign Lands and Qing Policy
The Qing government’s policy toward its seafaring population also
sheds light on the case under review. When the maritime ban was
imposed in 1717, it was initially handed down in conjunction with
a decision that the foreign countries be asked for the repatriation
of Chinese sojourners. Upon their return, the latter were to be
immediately sentenced to death.^44 It seems that the ambiguity, severity
and impracticability of the new ruling on the overseas sojourners had
prompted the Court to give the decision further thought. The crux of
the matter was the deep-seated apprehension that these people were
potential troublemakers and they might sneak back and stir up unrest
in local communities. There was no intention on the part of the Court
to discriminate against seafaring people who genuinely sought their
livelihood abroad, although making the distinction between the good
people and the bad was by no means an easy task. In search of a solution
to this problem, the Kangxi Emperor ordered the relevant authorities to
come up with some suggestions.^45
- Ibid., Vol. 22, 803a‒805a.
- Jennifer Cushman, “Duke Ch’ing-fu”, p. 156.
- Qing shilu: Shengzu/Kangxi chao 清實錄： 聖祖朝 [The veritable records of the
Qing Dynasty: Shengzu/Kangxi Reign], juan 271: 5a. - GZD: YZ, Vol. 8, p. 836; Vol. 9, p. 567; also Q ingchao wenxian tongkao, juan 33:
5159.