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浙江通志卷二十七 General Gazetteer of Zhejiang, Volume 27

Examination of Zhejiang Military Defenses

Supreme Commander of Military Affairs for Zhejiang, Zhili, and Fujian, concurrently Grand Coordinator of Zhejiang and Censor-in-Chief

Stationed exclusively in this province. This post did not previously exist in Zhejiang. These were all official systems of the Jiajing era; they have since been abolished.

The post of Grand Coordinator was first established in the dingwei year of Jiajing 1547 due to the disturbances caused by sea pirates Wokou original: "倭寇"; maritime outlaws, often a mix of Japanese and Chinese sailors, who raided the coast. It initially carried the title of Superintendent of Military Affairs with oversight of the Fujian prefectures of Fuzhou, Xinghua, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, and the province of Zhejiang. Originally, an Assistant Censor-in-Chief was appointed because the command was not yet unified. However, when the Supreme Commander left, Wang Zhu took his place. When Zhu left, Li Tianchong replaced him. When Tianchong left, Hu Zongxian took over. Hu Zongxian was promoted from the position of Investigating Censor, which is why he received this command. Although the supreme commander referring to Hu did not initially secure a decisive victory, the Emperor decreed that once his merits were eventually weighed, he would be promoted beyond the standard progression. The post was not fixed at a single appointment. Starting with Zhang Jing, others like Zhou Chong and Yang Yi followed in succession. Later, Zongxian was commanded; in the gengshen year 1560, due to his success in suppressing the pirate leaders Xu Hai and Wang Zhi Two of the most powerful pirate lords of the 16th century; Wang Zhi famously styled himself the "King of the Huizhou Merchants", he was repeatedly promoted to Senior Guardian of the Heir Apparent and Minister of War, while continuing to exercise his command.

Investigating Censor of Zhejiang

Concurrently in charge of recording military merits.

Vice Minister Overseeing Military Affairs of Zhili and Zhejiang

In the 34th year of Jiajing 1555, due to the pirate disturbances, Zhao Wenhua was commissioned to handle the matter. He returned shortly thereafter; this was not a permanent post.
In the 37th year of Jiajing 1558, because the pirate incursions had not been pacified, the Ministry of War memorialized to establish this post. By imperial decree, Tang Shunzhi A famous polymath, mathematician, and military strategist, then serving as Bureau Director in the Ministry of War, was appointed.

Official for Inspecting Military Conditions