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Xiè Bìzhèn was a [[Qing Dynasty]] official who traveled to the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] on a number of occasions in the 1640s-1660s, initially seeking to convince the kingdom to submit to Qing authority, and to swear off loyalty to the fallen [[Ming Dynasty]].

Xiè Bìzhèn was a [[Qing Dynasty]] official who traveled to the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] on a number of occasions in the 1640s-1660s, initially seeking to convince the kingdom to submit to Qing authority, and to swear off loyalty to the fallen [[Ming Dynasty]].

Xie's initial journeys to Ryûkyû took place in [[1649]], [[1651]], and [[1652]]. On each of these journeys, he traveled alongside [[Ryukyuan tribute missions to China]], serving as escort and interpreter, and not traveling to Ryûkyû separately; he also accompanied Ryukyuan missions within China on a number of occasions. Xie's first two trips were unsuccessful; he presented requests (or demands) that Ryûkyû swear loyalty to the Qing, but the Ryukyuan court delayed, through a variety of excuses and techniques. Finally, however, in [[1653]], they agreed to send a mission to [[Beijing]], to return the [[Ryukyuan royal seal|royal seal]] granted to Ryûkyû by the Ming court, and to make a formal request for royal investiture, and for a new, Qing, royal seal.

Xie's initial journeys to Ryûkyû took place in [[1649]], [[1651]], and [[1652]]. On each of these journeys, he traveled alongside [[Ryukyuan tribute missions to China]], serving as escort and interpreter, and not traveling to Ryûkyû separately; he also accompanied Ryukyuan missions within China on a number of occasions. Xie's first two trips were unsuccessful; he presented requests (or demands) that Ryûkyû swear loyalty to the Qing, but the Ryukyuan court delayed, through a variety of excuses and techniques. Finally, however, in [[1653]], they agreed to send a mission to [[Beijing]], to return the [[Ryukyuan royal seal|royal seal]] granted to Ryûkyû by the Ming court, and to make a formal request for royal [[investiture]], and for a new, Qing, royal seal.

The following year, in [[1654]], Xie made preparations to travel to Ryûkyû once again. He was to accompany a mission led by [[Zhang Xueli]] and [[Wang Gai]], along with [[Ma Zongyi]] and [[Cai Zuolong]]. However, the group only made it as far as [[Fuzhou]] before deciding not to risk the crossing, as [[Ming loyalists]] led by [[Zheng Zhilong]] and his son [[Zheng Chenggong]] prowled the East China Sea.

The following year, in [[1654]], Xie made preparations to travel to Ryûkyû once again. He was to accompany a mission led by [[Zhang Xueli]] and [[Wang Gai]], along with [[Ma Zongyi]] and [[Cai Zuolong]]. However, the group only made it as far as [[Fuzhou]] before deciding not to risk the crossing, as [[Ming loyalists]] led by [[Zheng Zhilong]] and his son [[Zheng Chenggong]] prowled the East China Sea.