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History of the Ming Dynasty.
Nov.
Wanli unwisely interfered in the internal affairs of Corea, which being overrun with innumerable warriors from Japan, occasioned much trouble to the imperialists. This war lasted more than thirty years; and although the Chinese were usually worsted, and their ge- nerals boasted of their victories, still the most numerous and best appointed armies were dispersed by a handful of the enemy. But when the Chinese inveigled the Japanese into negotiations, they gained the ascendant. The whole coast of China had become ac- cessible to the enemy, who often advanced for several hundred miles into the country, committing all kinds of excesses. To protect their property against such a ruthless foe, the Chinese built walls and in- closures along the coast, to which they retired whenever the Japan- ese approached. The latter were inclined to make lasting peace, but were always thwarted by the treachery of the Chinese envoys. Wanli, however, prevailed upon the Japanese king Taikosama to receive the investiture of his realm from a Chinese commissioner, which was thought to be a sure sign of a lasting peace; but reiterated treachery called forth renewed hostilities. Taikosama dying in 1598, the martial spirit died with him, the Japanese armies retired from Corea, and their fleets from China, and that country returned to its ancient limits. Wanli, to bring the last peace offering, in 1600, exe- cuted two relations of Taiko, and stuck their heads upon the gates of Peking, in order to show compassion towards distant foreigners. Ricci, in the meanwhile, preached at the court and made several presents to the emperor. The Tribunal of Rites reported upon the same, and issued the following edict: "Europe has no connection with us, and does not receive our laws. The images of the God of heaven and of a virgin, which Ricci offers up as tribute are of no value. He also has presented a bag which contains some bones of genii, without considering, that the sien when ascending on high take their bones with them. Let no such novelties be intro- duced into the palace, lest some evil might befall us, and let Ricci be sent back to his country." This rescript was put on record, and Ricci remained at court. A few years afterwards the president of the same Tribunal praised the services of the European missionaries for their great skill in astronomy, and recommended to employ them in this department.
A new enemy appeared on the frontier of China. We have al- ready referred to the Niúchí, a small tribe of Tartars that had been trampled upon by the Chinese. The officers who were sent to the eastern frontiers plundered and killed their merchants, after having