Entry

Nan Ju-yi, grand coordinator of Fu-jian and deputy censor-in-chief of the right submitted a memorial of impeachment, noting: "Zhang Jia-ce, deputy general of the Southern Route was dilatory and is unfit to fulfil his duties. He should be removed from his post. Only Fu-jian people are versed in the advantageous and disadvantageous aspects of the the Fu-jian seas. It is requested that either Yu Zi-gao or Chen Da-yang be selected to replace him." The memorial was sent to the appropriate office. Ju-yi also memorialized: "Since they entered our territory, six 'red yi' ships have been anchored at Feng-gui-zai. Subsequently, another five ships came from Batavia, and directly entered Feng-gui-zai, making a total of 11 ships. Those merchants who had been captured were, as previously, assigned in rotation to build walls. The manner of the yi who came after was quite different to those who came first and who bowed their heads and accepted orders. According to the statement by Battalion Commander Chen Shi-ying, he was instructed to proceed to Batavia with the maritime merchant Huang He-xing in two ships, in order to proclaim instructions. When they reached San-jiao Yu, they met four yi ships and these advised that the king of Batavia had gone to the country of Holland (阿南國) and would be unable to reply to any instructions. Also, the yi had despatched five "pressed-plank" ships (夾板船) to go directly to Peng-hu, with the intention of coming to trade. Huang He-xing firmly refused permission and he assigned seven fan to them and, with his two ships, entered Patani together with the yi ships. [Shi]-ying and so on then visited the king of Patani. The Patani chieftains advised that the Batavia chieftain had ordered the recall of the "pressed-plank" ships from various places and intended to proceed to Peng-hu. They noted that if [those from Batavia] were not allowed to trade, they would certainly use their weapons. Holland (阿南) is the country of the 'red yi', while Batavia and Patani are both fan tribes. Their confederacy is obvious. As such, the irrational actions of the crafty yi will not respond to principled instruction. Their demand for trade must not be carelessly approved. Further, there they can depend on the protection of the waves of the great ocean, and they have the advantage of strong ships and big guns. They have consolidated their occupation by building walls and have contact with people of [China's] inner territory. Meanwhile, our weakened troops with their imperfect weapons, will be a divided force in the great ocean. Will they be able to defeat them? Despite this, our method of control of using a loose rein is already exhausted and Heaven's punishment must be meted out. We should make known the great principles of righteousness, to exhort the forces in their actions. Those troops who are in the camps and forts should remain there as our defenders. The commanders of the various circuits should each select 5,000 crack naval troops and deploy their warships on the seas, to provide a display of force indicating the intention to cross to Peng-hu to carry out punishment. We should also deploy naval and army forces in each defended area so as to guard against a sudden landing. However, the coast is several thousand li long, while the troops number less than 20,000. Also the ration silver totals but 320,000-plus [liang of silver?]. We also have 22,000-plus [liang?] from the one-tenth economized expenditure intended for sending to Liao-dong for salaries. How can we fail to be concerned by our deficiencies? There is no option but for the one-tenth economized expenditure to be returned to whence it came, to provide for military needs." The ministry re-submitted the memorial supporting the request.