Hong Dizhen

Hong Dizhen, a native of Zhangzhou prefecture, was one of the first major merchant-pirates in the Fujian and Guangdong region.

He began his career as a merchant and, out of necessity, smuggler before he became a pirate. Like Wang Zhi, with whom he had connections, Hong amassed a fortune in illicit trade with Japan. Around 1558, after Ming officials began harassing his family members and confiscating his ships, he began to engage in piracy for self-preservation. From offshore bases on Nan’ao and Wuyu Islands, he cooperated with wokou pirates to plunder towns and merchant junks in South China. In 1559 his fleet pillaged the harbors at Funing, Fuan, Sansha, and Amoy.

Later that same year, after receiving promises of amnesty, he surrendered to the government, but instead of being pardoned he (like Wang Zhi before him) was beheaded.