Cheung Po Tsai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cheung Po Tsai
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| Chinese: 張保仔 | |
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| Born |
Cheung Po (Chinese: 張保)
1783 Xinhui, Jiangmen, China
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| Died | 1822 (aged 38–39) |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Occupation | Qing naval officer, former pirate |
| Known for | Well known Chinese pirate |
| Criminal charge(s) | Piracy |
| Criminal penalty | Death penalty |
| Criminal status | Given amnesty by the Qing government |
| Spouse(s) |
Ching Shih
(m. 1810–1822) |
| Children |
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| Parent(s) | Cheng I (adoptive father) Ching Shih (former adoptive mother) |
| Piratical career | |
| Nickname | Cheung Po Tsai |
| Type | Pirate |
| Allegiance | Red Flag Fleet |
| Years active | 1798–1810 |
| Rank | second-in-command |
| Base of operations | South China Sea |
| Commands | Red Flag Fleet |
| Battles/wars | Battle of the Tiger's Mouth Naval Battle of Chek Lap Kok |
| Later work | Naval officer of Qing dynasty (1810–1822) |
| Cheung Po Tsai | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 張保仔 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 张保仔 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Cheung Po the Kid | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Cheung Po | |||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 張保 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 张保 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Cheung Po Tsai (Chinese: 張保仔; born Cheung Po; 1783–1822) was a famous Chinese pirate. He later became a naval officer for the Qing dynasty government. His name, Cheung Po Tsai, means "Cheung Po the Kid." He was also known as Quan Apon Chay to the Portuguese Navy.
Cheung Po Tsai's Story
Early Life and Piracy
Cheung Po was born in 1783. He grew up in Xinhui, a fishing village in Jiangmen, China. His family were Tanka fishermen.
Around 1798, when he was about 15 years old, a pirate named Cheng I took him in. Cheung Po quickly learned the ways of piracy. He was very talented and rose through the ranks of the pirate fleet. Later, Cheng I and his wife, Ching I Sao, adopted Cheung Po. This made him Cheng I's chosen successor.
Cheung Po Tsai worked closely with another pirate leader, Cai Qian. Cai Qian's wife, Lu Shi, was skilled in Western weapons and could speak English. This helped them get weapons for their pirate fleet.
Becoming a Pirate Leader
When Cheng I died in 1807, his wife Ching Shih quickly took charge. She worked with her step-son, Cheung Po Tsai, to lead the pirate fleet. They became a powerful team. They made sure that Cheng I's relatives, who were also leaders, stayed loyal to them.
As Ching Shih's second-in-command, Cheung Po Tsai became very active along the coast of Guangdong province. It is said that he had over 50,000 followers and a fleet of 600 ships.
However, things started to change in 1809. The government found Cai Qian's fleet and attacked them. Cai Qian's ship was sunk, and he was killed.
Battles and Surrender
Cheung Po Tsai's pirate fleet faced tough times in 1809. They lost several battles against the Portuguese Navy during the Battle of the Tiger's Mouth.
Later, in April 1810, Cheung Po Tsai decided to surrender to the Qing government. This happened at Furongsha in Guangdong. He handed over his fleet, which included about 280 ships, 2,000 guns, and more than 25,000 men. The governor of Guangdong, Zhang Bailing, accepted his surrender.
Cheung Po Tsai and Ching Shih were offered a pardon by the Qing government. This meant they would not be punished for their piracy. They were even allowed to keep some of their wealth. Cheung Po Tsai went back to using his original name.
After his surrender, he joined the Qing dynasty navy. He became a captain and later a navy colonel. He was given command of 30 ships and was allowed to keep 30 of his own private ships. He was stationed in Penghu. For the rest of his life, he helped the government fight other pirates.
Cheung Po and Ching Shih later got married, with Governor Bailing as a witness. Cheung Po also visited the Leal Senado in Macau to meet the Portuguese officers he had fought against.
In 1813, Cheung Po and Ching Shih had a son named Cheung Yu Lin. They later had a daughter as well.
Death
Cheung Po died at sea in 1822 when he was 39 years old. After his death, his wife Ching Shih moved to Macau. There, she opened a gambling house and was involved in the salt trade.
Legacy
Several places in Hong Kong are connected to Cheung Po Tsai:
- Cheung Po Tsai Cave, on Cheung Chau island. This small natural cave is believed to be where he hid his treasures. There are also other Cheung Po Tsai Caves on Lamma Island, Tap Mun, Sai Wan, Chung Hom Kok, Chek Chau, Siu Kau Yi Chau and Longxue Island, Guangzhou.
- Cheung Po Tsai built several temples dedicated to the goddess Tin Hau. These temples are on Ma Wan, Cheung Chau, and Stanley. They honor the goddess of the sea.
See also
