Ms. Zheng: the most powerful female pirate in history

In the early 19th century, Chin Xi worked as a prostitute in the Flower Boat Sea Brothel, a ship full of women. Traveling across the South China Sea, the brothel offered not only the services of prostitutes, but also theatrical performances. That is, it was possible to please both body and soul.

At 26, Chin Xi has found the man of her life, perhaps among her clients. His name was Zhen Yi and he was a pirate. One of the most dangerous sea robbers, who controlled most of the waters of southern China. But before the wedding, the intelligent Chin Xi set a condition: she would be his faithful wife, but he would allow her to share power over the fleet with him. It was utter savagery for the time for a woman to lead an army of thousands on equal footing with a man, but land laws did not apply in the pirate world. The morals were different. For example, since the couple never had children, the pirates kidnapped a fifteen-year-old boy named Zhang Baozai from the fishermen. Zhen Yi entered into an intimate relationship with him, and soon the Pirate Queen took his place.

Family happiness was short-lived – two years later, Zhen Yi died. Lady Zhen had no choice but to take control of the pirates into her own hands. Thus, 70,000 cutthroats of the seas on 400 ships fell under his control. Huge fleet!

Lady Zhen chose as her prince consort Zhang Baozai, her own adopted son, a young lover. However, it is likely that in fact neither she nor her husband ever perceived the young man as a son, he was always their lover, and they adopted him only so that after Zhen Yi’s death, it has legal protection.

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Iron discipline reigned over Lady Zhen’s ships – it was the only way to manage the large number of men. Together with her new husband, Zhen introduced strict rules, the violation of which was punishable. If someone did not follow the command of a superior, he had his head cut off. The death penalty was punishable by the rape of captured women and the theft of treasure. The pirates released a few captives, leaving only the most beautiful as wives and concubines. Lady Zhen skillfully united the fleets, creating a huge coalition of pirates.

The pirate groups of the 18th-19th centuries were not only disparate unions sought after by the authorities, but political units in their own right: with their own areas of influence and powers. They had their own culture and their own set of laws.

Zhang Baozai quickly became the new leader, he aroused both fear and respect among the pirates – in the necessary proportions.

Not everyone liked the presence of such a powerful figure at sea, and in 1808 the Chinese government tried to destroy the Ching Xi fleet. But the pirates defeated the attackers, so they had to return to the fishing boats.

Over the years, many have attempted to destroy the Red Fleet, from enemy pirates to authorities in Portugal and Britain. Although the pirate fleet was weakened, it was not possible to exterminate it. The Qing State Emperor suggested that Lady Zhen go out into the world: she and her pirates leave the life of a thief and become decent members of society.

In 1810, Lady Zhen agreed to defect to the authorities, and her husband was given an administrative position in the Chinese government. A few years later the couple had a son, and after another 10 years the pirate became a widow again, having outlived her second husband. After that, she moved to Gongzhou and, contrary to her promise to the government, opened a den and an opium den. Lady Zhen died at the age of 69, having lived to a ripe old age by pirate standards.