Zheng Yi Sao accepts an amnesty

Zheng Yi Sao led the Red Flag Fleet, a huge pirate force in the South China Sea. In 1810 she negotiated an amnesty with Chinese officials and retired.

Estimates of the fleet's size vary. Sources give roughly 600 to 800 large vessels and tens of thousands of men at its peak.

Context

Zheng Yi Sao, born Shi Yang, took over after her husband Zheng Yi died in 1807. She united the Red Flag Fleet with other Guangdong pirate fleets and imposed written rules on discipline, shared plunder and treatment of captives, which kept a very large force under control.

The confederation taxed coastal villages, ran protection rackets for fishing boats and salt traders, and fought Qing navy squadrons. Britain and Portugal were also asked to help against her. Sources give the combined fleet as hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of men at its height.

By 1810 losses and defections, including a senior commander's surrender, had weakened her. On about 18 April 1810 she brought her remaining fleet into Canton to negotiate. Pirates could generally keep their plunder but had to give up most ships and weapons, and some were taken into Qing service.

She married her adopted son and lieutenant, Chang Pao, who became a naval officer. She is recorded as retiring from piracy and dying in 1844 aged about 69.