Cheung Po Tsai was one of the most infamous pirates of the early nineteenth century, operating in the South China Sea during the decline of the Qing dynasty. Rising from captivity to command one of the largest pirate fleets in recorded history, he became both feared and admired. His life is remembered not only for his naval campaigns and immense treasure hoards but also for the way he eventually shifted from outlaw to officer.
History
Cheung Po Tsai was born in 1786 in Xinhui, Guangdong. His early life changed dramatically when he was captured as a teenager by the pirate Cheng I. Rather than being killed or sold, Cheung was adopted by Cheng and his wife, Ching Shih, a formidable leader in her own right. After Cheng’s death in 1807, Ching Shih assumed command and worked alongside Cheung, who became her chief lieutenant and eventual husband.
At the height of their power, their fleet reportedly included hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of men. They established a strict code of conduct, with severe punishments for disobedience, ensuring discipline among the ranks.
Contemporary Quotes
Accounts from Qing officials described the pirate fleets with both awe and alarm. A government report from 1810 described them as “a floating kingdom whose banners stretch across the horizon.” Western traders also recorded their presence. The missionary Karl Gützlaff later remarked that Chinese coastal towns “lived under the constant shadow of Cheung Po Tsai and his confederates.”
Weapons
Pirate forces under Cheung Po Tsai were well armed for both sea and land battles:
- Swords and sabres: Common among boarding parties.
- Polearms: Spears and halberds adapted for ship combat.
- Firearms: Muskets and matchlock guns, though not always reliable at sea.
- Cannons: Mounted on junks, giving them formidable firepower against merchant and naval vessels.
Ships
The fleet relied on a wide variety of vessels, including:
- War junks: Large, multi-deck ships capable of carrying cannon.
- Fast junks: Smaller, manoeuvrable craft suited for raids.
- Captured merchant vessels: Converted for pirate use and often armed after capture.
The fleet’s organisation was crucial, with red, black, and other coloured squadrons marking different divisions.
Bounty and Treasure
Legends surround Cheung Po Tsai’s treasure. He was said to have amassed enormous wealth from raids on merchant ships, tribute extorted from coastal villages, and ransom payments. Folklore claims that he hid treasure in caves around Cheung Chau island, one of which is still known as “Cheung Po Tsai’s Cave” and is a tourist site today.
Battles
Cheung Po Tsai commanded several decisive clashes with the Qing navy. One of the most notable was the confrontation at Lantau Island in 1809, where his forces initially defeated government ships before later being cornered by a combined Qing and Portuguese fleet. Despite losses, his ability to escape and regroup kept his legend alive.
Fate
In 1810, facing mounting pressure from combined Chinese and European naval forces, Cheung Po Tsai accepted an amnesty offered by the Qing government. Unlike many pirates, he avoided execution and was instead integrated into the imperial navy. He went on to serve as a commander against other pirates, a striking reversal of his earlier life. Cheung Po Tsai died in 1822, reportedly in Guangdong, at the age of 36.
Legacy
Cheung Po Tsai remains a folk hero in southern China. His story embodies both the romanticised freedom of the sea and the brutal reality of piracy. Today, his name is tied to legends of hidden treasure, popular tales, and cultural memory across Guangdong and Hong Kong.
