What is ching shih?

Ching Shih, also known as Zheng Yi Sao (meaning "wife of Zheng Yi"), was a prominent Chinese pirate leader who terrorized the South China Sea during the Jiaqing Emperor's reign in the Qing dynasty.

• Early Life: Her early life is not well documented. She was a prostitute in Guangzhou before marrying the pirate Zheng Yi in 1801.

• Ascension to Power: After her husband's death in 1807, she seized control of his pirate confederation, which consisted of hundreds of junks and tens of thousands of pirates. She achieved this feat by leveraging her husband's relationships and her own shrewdness.

• Pirate Career: Ching Shih enforced a strict code of conduct among her pirates, with punishments for disobedience, theft from villagers, and unauthorized rape. Her fleet dominated the South China Sea, raiding coastal villages, extorting protection money from merchants, and even challenging the Qing imperial navy. See the article about pirate career.

• Leadership and Organization: She was known for her exceptional leadership skills and organizational abilities. Her fleet was divided into six squadrons, each flying a different colored flag. She also established a sophisticated system of administration and logistics to manage her vast pirate empire. Read more on leadership.

• Negotiated Surrender: In 1810, facing increasing pressure from the Qing government and internal dissent, she negotiated a pardon for herself and a significant portion of her fleet. She was allowed to keep her wealth and even given a position in the Qing government. Details on surrender.

• Later Life: After her surrender, she remarried and lived a relatively peaceful life, running a gambling house in Guangzhou. She died in 1844 at the age of 69. Learn about later life.

• Legacy: Ching Shih remains a legendary figure in Chinese history, celebrated for her extraordinary rise to power, her formidable pirate career, and her successful negotiation of a peaceful surrender. Read more about her legacy.