Illustrated Gazetteer of the Maritime Countries (Vol. 40)

General Discussion on Maritime Defense, Part 2

The foreign tribes at the border markets craved Chinese goods, and the Han people likewise maintained continuous trade with them. This was due to the principle of moderation. We know that to pacify and soothe those in distant lands, one cannot establish friendly relations without the use of material wealth. To ensure that those from afar are both grateful and respectful, one must use tribute and trade to bind them to us.

Indeed, the schemes of Zhonghang Yue and Wei Lü Han Dynasty officials who defected to the Xiongnu and became influential advisors to the nomadic chieftains against China were instances where the troubles of the Han arose from within. The failure of the trade ambush at Mayi resulted from our own side initiating the provocation. The "Mayi Plot" of 133 BCE was a failed Han attempt to lure the Xiongnu leader into a trap by offering to surrender a border city for trade; its failure ended a long period of peace.

If those English barbarians are not like Maodun the formidable Chanyu (supreme leader) who unified the Xiongnu tribes into a powerful empire, but are merely maritime traders, why would they have the leisure to plot distant conquests? Provided that border trade is kept fair and the foreign merchants remain loyal and attached to us, even if there are crafty individuals hiding deceitful intentions, we can banish them to distant lands or punish them in the public markets. If the myriad tribes original: "百蠻" (baiman), a collective term for various non-Chinese peoples are kept in awe and submission, how would they dare to cause a disturbance?

Nevertheless, one must sympathize with the nature of the foreigners, and prioritize stabilizing market prices. One must truly win over their hearts so that they are left with no excuse for conflict. It is essential that the outer protectorates first lose any intention of looking down upon our provincial headquarters, and only then may they approach the border passes. To strictly observe our regulations, the key lies in ensuring that prohibitions are enforced with integrity. It must be made difficult for the headmen 綱首 (gangshou): the captains or leaders of merchant fleets who were responsible for the behavior of their crews to advance their interests through bribery. There is no need for closing the passes and sealing the ports, which would only lead to...