#241 - Ming 28: Wokou! Wokou! A Pirate's Life For Me!
The History of China
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Maritime Trade in East Asia
Andrade and hong note that stringent attempts at prohibition only moderately impeded a thriving maritime trade in which east asians out competed other groups, including europeans. The officials along that oceanic border could be generally counted upon to either not care enough to do their jobs, or else far more interested in their personal pocket books. On the other hand, a lack of any kind of above board market place for maritime trade necessarily meant that all such business was of the grey to black variety. Traders and business men were on their own in a dangerous world. And if that doesn't sound like the perfect ecosystem for widespread piracy, robbery, looting and violence, well then i don't know
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