Abstract
Zheng Zhilong (1604-1661) became the most successful trader and powerful commander in 17th century China after he gained control of the profitable sea route between China and Japan. In fact, Zhilong was originally a pirate, and he was recruited by the Ming government, assailing other pirates to redeem his crime. After Zhilong destroyed three rival pirates, not only himself but also his subordinates were commissioned under the orthodox military ranks by the Ming government. Simultaneously, because his generals had become part of the Ming military system, Zhilong could order these generals to build a special organization, called the Zheng Ministry, which dominated the coastal strongholds, established by Ming government at the beginning of the dynasty, in Fujian. Holding all of the coastal fortresses and strong positions, Zhilong could operate the trade vessels that passed through Fujian waters to Japan for business. This is one of the main reasons that Zhilong could raise the strongest power to defeat the VOC and Zhilong’s son Coxinga could inherit a part of this power to establish a “state” between the most powerful continental empire, the Qing Empire, and maritime country, VOC, in the 17th century for almost half-century.