Pirates & Shipwrecks · Pirate commander, c. 1807
Zheng Yi Sao
Pearl River delta, China
What happened
Zheng Yi Sao was born around 1775 near Xinhui in Guangdong, southern China, and married the pirate leader Zheng Yi. When he died in 1807 she took control of his pirate confederation, which included the Red Flag Fleet, with the support of Zhang Bao. Her fleets fought Chinese, Portuguese and British forces.
Why it matters
She is one of the most powerful pirate leaders in history. Her name means wife of Zheng Yi in Cantonese.
What came next
In 1810 she negotiated a surrender to the Qing authorities that let her and Zhang Bao keep a number of ships and avoid prosecution. She lived a relatively peaceful life until her death in 1844.
Did you know?
She ended her career by negotiating a deal with the government, which was unusual for a pirate leader.
Timeline
- c. 1775Shi Yang, later known as Zheng Yi Sao, is born in Guangdong.
- 16 November 1807Zheng Yi dies, and she takes control of the confederation.
- 1810She negotiates a surrender to the Qing authorities.
- 1844Zheng Yi Sao dies.