Chen Zuyi (Chinese: 陳祖義; Wade–Giles: Ch'en Tsu-i); died 2 October 1407) was a 15th-century Chinese pirate from Guangdong, and was one of the most feared pirates to infest the seas of Southeast Asia. He ruled the city of Palembang, and raided the Strait of Malacca to plunder shipping and prey on both native and foreign merchants for several years.[2] His fleet was defeated by the Ming dynasty Admiral Zheng He at the Battle of Palembang (1407). Chen was captured and sent to Chinese capital Nanjing for execution.
Early career
According to Ming records [3] his name is first recorded after 1400, when a Ming convoy was attacked by pirates commanded by Chen Zuyi.
At Palembang Chen had 5,000 men and 10 ships under his command, and was the strongest pirate of Southeast Asia at the time. The island of Sumatra had a diverse ethnicity of people from different parts of Asia, including a large minority of Han Chinese population (mostly male migrants, traders and merchants), and as well as the majority Sumatrans. A Hui Chinese, Shi Jinqing, reported the atrocities committed by the pirate chieftains, and requested assistance to help get rid of Chen Zuyi.
However, forcing passing vessels to pay duties was an essential financial element of Southeast Asian state governance, and it has been suggested that Chen Zuyi was merely doing the same for his Palembang port city.[4]
In 1407, Chen was confronted at Palembang by the returning Mingtreasure fleet under Admiral Zheng He.
Zheng made the opening gambit, demanding Chen's surrender,[5] and Chen quickly signalled agreement—while preparing for a surprise pre-emptive strike. But details of his plan were disclosed to Zheng by a local Chinese informant, and in the fierce battle that ensued, the superior Ming armada destroyed the pirate fleet and killed 5,000 of its men. Chen was captured and sent to Chinese capital Nanjing for public execution in 1407. Peace was restored to the Strait of Malacca as Shi Jinqing was installed as Palembang's new ruler and incorporated into what would become a far-flung system of allies who acknowledged Ming supremacy in return for diplomatic recognition, military protection, and trading rights. By the end of the Yongle reign, the kings or ambassadors of more than 30 foreign states had paid official visits to the emperor bearing tribute. They were ferried to China in luxurious staterooms on the Chinese treasure ships.
In popular culture
Chen Zuyi is portrayed by the actor Hou Xiangling in the 2009 Chinese television series Zheng He Xia Xiyang, which marked the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's voyages. Chen's defeat was considered the most famous of all Zheng He's military achievements.
^楊士奇. 《明實錄·太宗文皇帝實錄·卷七十一》 (in Chinese). pp. 第987頁. 壬子，太監鄭和使西洋諸國還，械至海賊陳祖義等。初，和至舊港遇祖義等，遣人招諭之。祖義詐降，而潛謀要刧官軍。和等覺之，整兵提備。祖義率衆來刧，和出兵與戰，祖義大敗。殺賊黨五千餘人，燒賊船十艘，獲其七艘及偽銅印二枚，生擒祖義等三人。既至京師，命悉斬之。
