When dealing with pirates in southeast China, Imperial Censor Zhu Wan was charged with the murder of innocent people. Shortly thereafter, Zhu Wan committed suicide in prison. Ming and Qing historians depicted Zhu Wan as a tragic hero who was framed by Lin Xiyuan, a powerful member of the local gentry. According to modern historians, the conflict between Lin Xiyuan and Zhu Wan arose primarily due to their contradictory opinions about maritime trade in southeast China during the late Ming. This essay offers a first-time look at this conflict from Lin Xiyuan's point of view, relying upon his personal writing. In particular, Lin's role in building Anbian guan, a special institution designed to protect maritime commerce and maintain regional order, necessitates a re-examination of the Lin-Zhu conflict.