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The people were prohibited from going to sea. At this time, the coastal residents of Fu-jian were privately loading up ocean-going ships and communicating with foreign countries. Thereby piratical attacks had ensued and the prefectures and counties advised. Subsequently, an order was issued prohibiting private ocean-going ships, requiring that the existing ocean-going ships be all turned into "flat-topped" ships (平頭船) and that the local officials prevent people from coming and going by ship.