140
Notice of Japan in the Hai-kwoh Tú Chi.
MARCH.
wheedled them into moving off, telling them, "We do not mean not to pay you the full amount sometime or other." The Japanese lost the produce of their own country, and being unable to return home, were very indignant. Meanwhile, the leading bad characters (of China) such as Wáng Chih, Sü Hái, Chin Tung and Mayeh, who had always been lying perdu amongst them, discontented with the Inner Land, escaped to the islands, and became the chief advisers of the Japanese, whom they induced to make descents upon China, which was accordingly ravaged by large bodies of pirates in separate squad- rons, who wore the dress and counterfeited the flags and signals of Japan. So that the troubles [supposed to be] wrought by the natives of that country daily increased.
The Emperor now decided upon re-appointing a siunfú, and Wang Sü, a Censor; was appointed accordingly in the 7th moon of the 31st year (1551); but the pirates had become so formidable that it was impossible to exterminate them. At the commencement of the dynasty, fortified posts had been erected along the coast at all places of importance, and vessels of war had been stationed at those of which the command had been given to tú-sz't. The siun-ski and tú- sz't had by these means kept them in check at all points, and a long peace had ensued, during which the ships of war became un- serviceable, vacancies occurred in the ranks, and when an alarm was given, fishing-boats had to be taken up to act as cruisers; but as the troops put on board these had not been used to their exercise, and fighting was not the particular vocation of the crews of such vessels, as soon as those of the pirates were known to be coming, they fled on the first report of their approach; and as there were not either any commanders fit to put themselves at the head of the Chinese, wherever they came they did terrible mischief.
In the 3d moon of the 32d year (1552), Wáng Chih and the Japanese made a descent with a large force: their united ships, some hundreds in number, covered the sea as they went. The alarm was given simultaneously both east and west of the Chen river, and north and south of the Yangtsz' kiáng, for several thousand li. They stormed the
Produce; the word tsz' may mean wealth, money, &c., but a reference to the Fáng Hải Pí Lán quoted above will show that it here signifies the cargo they were to have disposed of for the state, of which they could render no account, and so being unable to return to Japan, quartered themselves on the islands, and took to piracy out of revenge, as well as with a view of making up what they had lost by the dishonesty of the Chinese.
† Tú-sz', ranking as a major of the British army, or commander of the navy.
Civilians of rank.
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