Guǎnghǎi

Guanghai, on the coast of Taishan, became a Ming garrison in 1394. Gu Zuyu's geographical compendium places it south of Xinhui and records that an earlier coastal inspection station was replaced by the new military establishment. In 1397 its walls were faced with brick and stone. The circuit exceeded five li, with a moat surrounding the town. These details describe a substantial defended settlement guarding this stretch of Guangdong's coast.

The garrison also supervised smaller military posts. Xiangshan's guard post was transferred to its jurisdiction in 1395; the posts at Xinhui and, from 1531, Xinning likewise belonged to Guanghai. Defence thus linked the walled headquarters with positions in neighbouring county towns. On the coast itself, a beacon on Zihuagang watched for raiders and used smoke and fire to alert soldiers and residents. Walls, outlying posts and hilltop signals formed complementary parts of the local defence system.