#308 - Zheng Yi Sao, Pt. 2: Into the Tiger's Mouth

The History of China

Chris Stewart

History

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 14 October 2025

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Pirate Queen’s Red Flag Fleet reigns supreme, but a three-way battle at Tiger’s Mouth tests even her grip on the seas. Time Period Covered: 1807-1844 CE Major Historical Figures: Red Flag Fleet: Zheng Yi Sao (AKA Ching Shih, née Shi Yang), Co-Commander of the Red Flag Confederation [1775-1844] Zhang Baozai, Co-Commander of the Red Flag Fleet, later Qing Navy colonel [1783-1822] Guo Podai, Commander of the Black Flag Fleet [178?-181?] Qing Empire: The Jiaqing Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Yongyan) [r. 1796-1820] Bailing, Governor-General of Liangguang [d. 1829] Sun Quanmou, Provincial Fleet Commander Wen Chengzhi, Qing Chief Official Negotiator Portuguese Empire: Captain José Pinto Alcoforado e Sousa, Commander of Macau Flotilla [177?-18??] Major Sources Cited: Andrade, Tonio. The Gunpowder Age: China, Military Innovation, and the Rise of the West in World History. Antony, Robert J. Like Froth Floating on the Sea: The World of Pirates and Seafarers in Late Imperial South China. Leonard, Jane Kate. "Maritime China in Transition, 1750–1850" in The Cambridge History of China, Volume 9, Part 2: The Ch'ing Dynasty to 1800, Part 2. Murray, Dian H. Pirates of the South China Coast, 1790–1810. Van de Ven, Hans J. Breaking with the Past: The Maritime Customs Service and the Global Origins of Modernity in China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:44.2	Hello. Hello and welcome to the history of China.
0:53.1	Episode 308, Jung-E-Sao Part 2, Into the Tiger's mouth.
0:59.9	Of these squadrons, that which flew the red flag became stronger than the other five put together.
1:06.0	It was first commanded by a notorious chief named Zheng Yi, who lost his life in a heavy gale.
1:08.8	His wife then assumed command.
1:14.5	She must have been a remarkable woman, and used her authority with firmness and discretion.
1:19.2	We are told that the following three regulations were strictly enforced.
1:24.5	If any man goes privately on shore, or what is called transgressing the bars,
1:28.0	he shall be taken and his ears shall be perforated in the presence of the whole fleet. Repeating the same act, he shall suffer death. Not the least thing shall be taken
1:34.2	privately from the stolen or plundered goods. All shall be registered, and the pirate received
1:39.6	for himself, out of ten parts, only two. Eight parts shall belong to the storehouse, called the
1:45.7	general fund. The penalty for taking anything out of this general fund shall be death. No person
1:52.8	shall debauch at his pleasure captive women taken from the villages and open places, and brought
1:57.8	on board ship. He must first request the ship's purser for permission,
	...

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