The ocean and the rivers provided a vast area for the Wenzhounese to connect with the outside world. Yet they also became a contested space for smugglers and pirates to compete with one another. 



where mistaken identiy featured one of the common themes. 



The theme is introduced on the first page, but I want more analysis about how the issue of smuggling, piracy, and mistaken identity relates to the overall themes and spatial analysis of the module.  ［One way to go about it might be to get very specific about what is being contested in the water -- e.g., one government’s pirates are another government’s (or organization’s) heroes. 






In October 1886 (September in the Chinese lunar calendar), several dozen smuggling boats appeared on Wenzhou’s waters. However, the Corps of Catching Salt Smugglers had already been made aware of their planned arrival. They lay in wait in the region close to the water, and then opened fire on the smuggling boats when they passed by. The smuggling boats were not equipped with cannons, so they sent several smugglers carrying swords to jump onto the official’s boats. The two sides fought fiercely on the ocean, with many injured in the fight. Four smugglers were caught, two officers were kidnapped, but only one smuggling boat was captured by the officers.