Entry

The proposal to establish a maritime trade supervisorate at Ning-bo Prefecture in Zhe-jiang was dropped. Previously it had been proposed, in accordance with the Guang-dong precedent, to open a maritime trade supervisorate for handling communication with the maritime yi. At this time, the Censor-in-chief Liu Ji, grand coordinator of Zhe-jiang, advised: "Ning-bo formerly had a maritime trade supervisorate. Trade was allowed there and ships were subject to a ship tax (舶稅). It did not operate for long before evil coastal dwellers caused troubles through their aggressive quest for profits. Its abolition was thus proposed [and implemented]. Now the people's evil acts have been calmed for a time and there has been a proposal to re-establish the maritime trade supervisorate. However, there are many coastal ports in Zhe-jiang but few naval ships. It is thus extremely difficult to provide defence. As soon as troubles start, the maritime yi assemble at a whistle and the harm which they bring is indescribable." The Ministry of Revenue also felt that this was the case and the matter was thus shelved.