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Maritime Economy Fueled Piracy
- Guangdong in the late 18th century was densely populated and deeply maritime, shaping many livelihoods around the sea.
- Economic strain and rising costs created inequality that pushed many to occasional or full-time piracy.
From Floating Brothel To Pirate Marriage
- Shui Yang worked in a floating brothel and used information from wealthy clients to trade secrets and advance her position.
- She then married the famous pirate Zheng Yi and entered the pirate world as his wife and partner.
Pirate Confederation Became A Mass Force
- Zheng Yi Sao and her husband organized scattered part-time pirates into a disciplined, multi-squadron fleet.
- Their force grew to hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of men drawn from local fishermen and laborers.