ABSTRACT
The ineptitude of the Mongol Emperors who followed Khubilai, and their family quarrels, led to widespread revolts by the over-taxed Chinese peasants. Their armies, inspired by a messianic form of Buddhism, came to be known as the Hongjin, or 'Redcaps' (Korean, Hongg n), because of the red bands they tied round their heads. It meant a weakening of the Mongol grip on Korea, where from about 1350 onwards the main trouble would be pirates from Japan. Civil wars had left them free from control and Korean rice, whether in store, or on its way to the capital, was an attractive target. Mounted bandits would come ashore from fleets of 200 vessels or more, extending their pillage up both sides of the peninsula and even venturing far enough up the estuary of the Han to cause panic in the court at Kaes ng. The naval forces of the southern provinces were strengthened and a resourceful senior officer, Ch'oe Y ng, was put in charge of the defences.
