Ming Coastal Guard-Post Sea Defense

Timeline

1. 1368–1420Southeast coast · Southeast coastEarly Ming set up guard posts, naval stations, and inspection offices along the coast with warships and beacon systems, enforced the maritime ban and blockaded private trade ports, forming a coastal defense chain linking Dengzhou, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong guards.
2. 1421–1430Coasts of Zhejiang and Fujian · FujianAfter the Yongle relocation north, the southeast became a sea defense priority; in the 1420s the court reinforced coastal guard garrisons, repaired naval stations and beacon towers, and stepped up patrols against wokou vanguards and smuggler ships, highlighting the guard-post system's role against maritime threats.
3. 1430–1567Southeast coast · Southeast coastFrom the mid to late 15th century wokou troubles grew serious; the guard-post system was strained by military-household desertion and declining combat power, and in the Jiajing reign Qi Jiguang and others reformed training and fortifications, prompting major tactical and organizational adjustments.