Entry

The Commanders Mei Bi, Yao Ying and Zhang Luan of the Pan-shi Guard, while guarding Huang-hua Stockade, accepted bribes from merchant-brokers (牙行) and allowed them to take to sea in private ships as pirates, to trade in fan goods and to plunder various localities. The Censor Zhang Wen-xing, regional inspecting censor of Zhe-jiang, advised of this matter. The judicial offices proposed that Bi and the others be banished to the borders. The Emperor did not approve this. Instead he ordered the inspecting censor-in-chief to personally visit these places, conduct an examination and propose appropriately heavy punishments. It was found that the officials charged with defence of the maritime routes against Japanese pirates as well as other officials had covered up many abuses. These were all brought to light through the investigation and fully memorialized. Further, a public notification was issued prohibiting the coastal residents from privately acting as merchant-brokers. Those storing fan goods were to be considered contraband dealers (窩主), or local leaders (勢豪) and to have violated the prohibitions. Large ships were to be reported to officials for dismantling. This was intended to prevent future calamities. All offenders were to be severely punished.