Japanese invasion
"The Fifteen Years of Wanli" (Part 31)
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The reason for the invasion of Japanese pirates is inextricably linked to international trade. Although the Ming Dynasty had explicit laws prohibiting maritime trade among civilians, they were not thoroughly enforced in practice.
II. The smuggling trade along the southeast coast has a long history, attracting a succession of adventurers of various nationalities. The ships used by these adventurers, with the largest reaching up to 100 feet in length and 30 feet in width, and with a hull thickness of up to seven inches, exceeded the scale of Chinese warships.
During the heyday of adventurers, there were over 1,200 large and small ships operating along the Chinese coast every day. While this figure may seem exaggerated, it is hardly surprising given the profits to be made and the bustling activity that ensued.
Before Qi Jiguang, what was valued in the military was an individual's martial arts skills. Soldiers who could wield weapons with great skill were heroes and warriors in the eyes of the public.
5. Boxers, thugs, salt smugglers, as well as monks and Miao people from various regions were recruited into the army. It was only after they were repeatedly defeated by organized Japanese pirates that the authorities realized that the outcome of a battle was not solely determined by individual martial arts skills.
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