PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
509 
designs of Tay-Cosarna; and by means of a rich Chinese merchant, who CTAP. 
happened to be at Napa-kiang at that time, he apprised Ouan-li, then 
Emperor of China, of his designs. Ouan-li immediately increased his May, 
army, fortified his coasts, and made every preparation for a vigorous 
defence against the invading army of Japan whenever it might arrive. 
He also apprised Corea of the danger with which that state was 
threatened : but the king, misled probably by the designing Emperor 
of Japan, and imagining the immense preparations making by that 
prince were intended for the invasion of China, neglected to strengthen 
his defences, and was at length surprised by the Japanese, who invaded 
his dominions. 
Chang-ning, notwithstanding the invasion with which he was also 
threatened, continued his tribute to China ; and Ouan-li received his 
ambassadors with the greatest possible respect, and rewarded tbeir 
Sovereign for his fidelity. Some years after, in 1610, the .Japanese re- 
newed their menaces against Chang-ning, who, as on the former occa- 
sion, acquainted the Emperor of China with his situation, and implored 
assistance ; but China at that time was fully occupied with her own 
troubles, and unable to render him any service. In this state of 
things, a nobleman of Loo Choo, named King-tchang, taking advantage 
of the situation of Chang-ning, revolted and retired to Satzuma, where 
he fitted out an expedition consisting of 3000 Japanese, and took 
Chang-ning prisoner, killed his father, Tching-hoey, because he would 
not acknowledge his dependency to .Japan, pillaged the royal palace, 
and carried aw'ay the king prisoner to Satzuma. 
The conduct of the King of Loo Choo throughout all these dis- 
turbances is said to have been so magnanimous and spirited, that it 
even appeased King-tchang, and prepossessed the Japanese so much in 
his favour, that after two years’ captivity they restored him to his throne 
with honour. He was scarcely reinstated, when, always faithful to 
China, notwithstanding the danger he had escaped, and the helpless 
condition of the emperor, he sent ambassadors to that country to declare 
his submission as heretofore ; and to apprise the emperor of an attack 
which was intended to be made on Formosa by the Japanese, who had 
conceived the project of reinstating themselves in that country, and 
fortifying their settlements there. 
