Zheng Qi

Zheng Qi (also spelled Ching Tsih or Cheng Chi; born Zheng Yaohuang; 1760 – September 1802) was a powerful Chinese pirate operating from Canton (Guangdong) and throughout the South China Sea in the late 1700s. History He was born Zheng Yaohuang in Xin'an County, Guangdong, Qing China (modern Shenzhen and Hong Kong), in 1760. He was the seventh son of his pirate father Zheng Lianfu (鄭連福) and his wife Lin Xiu (林秀), hence the nickname Zheng Qi. Zheng Qi was recruited by the Tay Son dynasty in 1788, and later became one of the most important subordinates under Chen Tianbao. From 1788 to 1799, Zheng frequently attacked the southern coast of Qing China together with Mo Guanfu, Liang Wengeng (梁文庚) and Fan Wencai (樊文才). The Qing navy feared them. In 1795, Zheng Qi abducted a 12-year-old boy named He Song (何送) and raised him as his adopted son. A few years later, Zheng Qi gave him a captive female as his bride and seven hundred pieces of silver (liang) to set up store for the pirate trade. He would later bestow three ships under He Song's command.