Danielle

So there is like you're either working with us or you're against us or you're dead. So is that a passage document? It's just business, baby. Nothing personal. Well, for the Qing government, their fears exceeded far beyond vessel attacks. Cheng Yi Sao was running an alternative economy complete with its own laws, taxes, diplomatic channels, and organized hierarchy.

This was humiliating for Chinese and European powers who could not maintain control over trade. It is rumored that the Qing Navy sabotaged their own ships to avoid going out to sea and risking an encounter with her. Things are getting serious. When the military is afraid of you... You know you've won. You've made it.

This was humiliating for Chinese and European powers who could not maintain control over trade. It is rumored that the Qing Navy sabotaged their own ships to avoid going out to sea and risking an encounter with her. Things are getting serious. When the military is afraid of you... You know you've won. You've made it.

This was humiliating for Chinese and European powers who could not maintain control over trade. It is rumored that the Qing Navy sabotaged their own ships to avoid going out to sea and risking an encounter with her. Things are getting serious. When the military is afraid of you... You know you've won. You've made it.

When the military fears me, that's when I'll know.

When the military fears me, that's when I'll know.

When the military fears me, that's when I'll know.

This sparked the Battle of Tangcheng Bay in 1809, where the Qing and Portuguese naval forces set out to defeat the Confederation once and for all. On the day of the attack, Cheng Yi Cao had anchored her boat at Tangcheng Bay for repairs. When she saw the Portuguese ship approach, she called for support from Cheng Bao and the Red Flag Fleet.

This sparked the Battle of Tangcheng Bay in 1809, where the Qing and Portuguese naval forces set out to defeat the Confederation once and for all. On the day of the attack, Cheng Yi Cao had anchored her boat at Tangcheng Bay for repairs. When she saw the Portuguese ship approach, she called for support from Cheng Bao and the Red Flag Fleet.

This sparked the Battle of Tangcheng Bay in 1809, where the Qing and Portuguese naval forces set out to defeat the Confederation once and for all. On the day of the attack, Cheng Yi Cao had anchored her boat at Tangcheng Bay for repairs. When she saw the Portuguese ship approach, she called for support from Cheng Bao and the Red Flag Fleet.

However, the Portuguese continued to send their boats, eventually blockading the pirates.

However, the Portuguese continued to send their boats, eventually blockading the pirates.

However, the Portuguese continued to send their boats, eventually blockading the pirates.

But behind the scenes, tensions within the Pirate Confederation were mounting. Some fleet commanders disagreed over strategy, others broke rank, and loyalty began to fracture. Cheng Yi Cao realized that a continued fight could be the end for everything she had built, so she took the unprecedented step of initiating surrender, but not without conditions.

But behind the scenes, tensions within the Pirate Confederation were mounting. Some fleet commanders disagreed over strategy, others broke rank, and loyalty began to fracture. Cheng Yi Cao realized that a continued fight could be the end for everything she had built, so she took the unprecedented step of initiating surrender, but not without conditions.

But behind the scenes, tensions within the Pirate Confederation were mounting. Some fleet commanders disagreed over strategy, others broke rank, and loyalty began to fracture. Cheng Yi Cao realized that a continued fight could be the end for everything she had built, so she took the unprecedented step of initiating surrender, but not without conditions.

In February 1810, the Red Flag Fleet anchored in Guangdong to negotiate with officials. The governor-general demanded that Xi and Zhang Bao disband their fleet and settle on land, which Zhang Yisao rejected. On top of amnesty without punishments for her and her confederation, Xi reportedly insisted they retain 80 ships and command over 5,000 pirates.

In February 1810, the Red Flag Fleet anchored in Guangdong to negotiate with officials. The governor-general demanded that Xi and Zhang Bao disband their fleet and settle on land, which Zhang Yisao rejected. On top of amnesty without punishments for her and her confederation, Xi reportedly insisted they retain 80 ships and command over 5,000 pirates.

In February 1810, the Red Flag Fleet anchored in Guangdong to negotiate with officials. The governor-general demanded that Xi and Zhang Bao disband their fleet and settle on land, which Zhang Yisao rejected. On top of amnesty without punishments for her and her confederation, Xi reportedly insisted they retain 80 ships and command over 5,000 pirates.

Despite disagreements among her commanders, she pressed on with negotiations, strengthening her offer by requesting additional junks for Zheng Bao's personal fleet after surrender. Lacking leverage, Qing officials eventually accepted her terms, and the deal was finalized in April 1810.