A massive junk, bearing the symbol of a dragon's head on its sail, navigated a sea so deep it appeared black. On the deck, a score of burly men sat in a circle, dividing their spoils. Looking into the captain's cabin, a young woman was seen tied to the central wooden mast. A middle-aged man with a thick, black beard, dressed as a pirate, gripped the young victim's cheek and chin with his rough hands. The woman begged for her life.
"Please let me go. Don't hurt me. I'm terrified."
"Haha! Everyone knows that the
Long Wang (龍王) Pirate Gang never releases anyone once they are captured. If you refuse to be my slave, you'll die as shark bait. Which will you choose? Think carefully."
"Spare my life, please! I yield. Do whatever you wish, just spare my life. I'm willing to serve as a slave."
"Very well. But not just yet. Wait until tonight. I shall bestow upon you the privilege of a husband."
Just then...
"Master! We have intruders on our vessel!"
"Who dares? Go see !"
Pirate Chief Long Wang rushed out to investigate.
He saw several smoke bombs thrown onto the deck, filling the air with thick, swirling smoke. Then, a mysterious figure in black clothing and a red cloak, wearing a traditional Chinese opera mask, used
Qinggong (lightness skill) to run across the water from another ship, whose sail was marked with a red stingray emblem. The figure leaped onto
Long Wang's deck and used a stingray whip to strike down several crew members. The chief pirate himself lunged forward to fight, drawing his saber, but the man in red's whip coiled around it, snatching the weapon from his grip. Following this, the intruder used a palm strike (Baozhang) from a distance of about a foot, sending an aerial force that slammed into Long Wang , causing his body to explode and die instantly on the spot.
"Stingray Soul-Snatting Technique!" one of Long Wang's crewmen exclaimed before kneeling and bowing low.
"Spare my life , I surrender!"
The remaining subordinates of the Dragon Head Pirates all prostrated themselves.
"We surrender, too!"
The figure in the red cloak and opera mask instructed his followers:
"Go and untie the woman."
"Yes, Master."
Once the young woman was unbound, she knelt before her red-cloaked savior to express her gratitude.
"Thank you so much, Sir, for saving my life."
"It is nothing. Where is your home? I shall escort you there."
"Alas, my parents were murdered by them, and my home was burned. They took all our possessions. I have no one left; I am an orphan now.
Sob."
The young woman wept mournfully.
"In that case, why not come live with me? We are of the same heart and soul, the same daughters of misfortune."
Hearing this, the rescued girl looked up in surprise.
The savior removed the mask, revealing a woman of about 29 years old with an oriental (muay) face, eyes as sharp as a phoenix's, a delicate, beautiful nose like the Jade Vase of Guanyin, rosy-white cheeks, and bright red, cherry-shaped lips. She smiled with compassion.
"Thank you for your kindness, Elder Sister. I entrust my life to you. May I know your name? To know it would be a blessing to my life."
"My name is Zhang Haiju . The people around here call me The Pirate Queen."
That night, in the Golden Cave on Skull Island...
Zhang Haiju (張海珠) was sitting and conversing with the young woman she had just rescued.
"I still don't know your name."
"My name is Lin ."
"Lin , since you are coming to live with me, you must adopt the life of a pirate as well. Can you accept that?"
"Yes, I can. If only I can serve my Mistress, I will be content and proud. I am even willing to die for you."
"Hmm, thank you. Would you like to know why I became a pirate like this? Perhaps once you know my history, you might change your mind."
The young woman's eyes widened with interest.
"Yes, I would."
"Then I must tell you a story that reaches back over a hundred years, to the time of my ancestors."
During the reign of the
Jiaqing Emperor (嘉慶皇帝) of the Qing Dynasty (reigned 1796–1820), piracy flourished in the South China Sea near Guangdong. One of the most prominent groups was the Red Flag Fleet, led by
Zheng Yi (鄭一) (whose original name was Zheng Wenxian (鄭文顯)). He had inherited the pirate profession from his ancestors for over a hundred years. They also served as mercenaries for the
Tây Sơn Dynasty Emperor of Vietnam. Then, in 1798,
Zheng Yi captured Zhang Bao (張保), a 15-year-old boy from a fishing village near Jiangmen, and adopted him. From then on,
Zheng Yi called him Zhang Baozai (張保仔) (Zai in Cantonese means 'kid' or 'son'). He trained his adopted son to be a professional pirate.
Baozai was clever and quick-witted, assisting Zheng Yi rapidly, and was appointed as his right-hand man for about 8 years.
One day in 1807, aboard the large Red Flag flagship, which served as
Zheng Yi's mobile command center...
"Tomorrow, we shall raid Kaohsiung on Taiwan Island. I've received news that
General Zheng Chenggong (鄭成功) relocated a great amount of treasure there from the mainland when the Ming Dynasty fell to the Manchus. Later, when the Qing Dynasty suppressed the island, they inherited the treasure. I intend to raid it and distribute it to our Han people. What are your thoughts ?"
Zheng Yi inquired.
"I agree. If we seize the treasure and share it with the villagers, we will gain allies who will serve as our eyes and ears and warn us against the authorities," one subordinate said.
"But I do not think so," a woman's voice interjected. "I grew up on these seas. I know this is the typhoon season. A major storm might pass through Taiwan and strike us. We could be in peril. We should postpone it until after the typhoon season. It will not be too late."
"Hmph, you worry too much. How many years have I been sailing? Why should I fear a mere storm? I have survived countless ones,
A-Xiang (阿香)," Zheng Yi said to his wife, Shi Xianggu (石香姑).
"Do not worry, Sister-in-Law. We are experienced. Nothing will happen. We should proceed," another pirate supported.
"Very well. Who will sail with me? Raise your hands,"
Zheng Yi said, looking around the ship.
Almost everyone raised their hands, except
Shi Xianggu and Zhang Bao.
"The vote is unanimous. So, tomorrow at the third watch (around midnight), we set sail to reach the coast of Kaohsiung at sunrise,"
Zheng Yi declared.
"Hooray !" the men on the ship cheered with joy, but the captain's wife looked troubled. She walked over and whispered to
Zhang Bao :
"Your father's stubbornness will surely lead to disaster. I consulted the almanac, and your father will meet with misfortune this year ,"
Shi Xianggu said.
After midnight,
Zheng Yi's Red Flag Fleet unfurled their sails and departed from Shenchuan Bay (神泉港) , crossing the sea towards the port of Kaohsiung. But halfway through the journey, the winds and waves suddenly intensified, crashing seawater onto the ship until the mast broke. The vessel could no longer be controlled. The people on board scrambled to hold onto something as the ship tossed violently, threatening to capsize.
"Hold on tightly,
A-Bao (阿保)! All of you, be careful !"
Pirate Chief Zheng Yi worried about his adopted son and crew.
"Father, you be careful, too! Quickly come to the center of the ship! It's dangerous at the railing, Father, come inside !"
Zhang Bao cried out.
Suddenly, a gigantic wave crashed into the hull, flipping the entire ship. In the darkness of the night, visibility was zero. They all swam, struggling to stay afloat.
The next morning...
Zhang Baozai awoke to find himself lying on the beach. He looked around and saw broken ship wreckage and dead bodies washed ashore by the waves. He saw the remaining crew members helping each other search for salvageable items.
"Where is Father? Have you seen him ?"
A-Bao asked a subordinate.
"Not yet, Young Master. We've been searching since morning ," the man replied.
"And where are we ?"
A-Bao asked again.
"Likely near the Kinmen Islands ," the man replied.
"What? The waves carried us this far ?"
A-Bao exclaimed.
"Yes, Young Master."
"How many of us survived ?"
A-Bao asked worriedly.
"Out of the thousands who set out, fewer than 20 survived, Sir. We don't know the fate of the rest," the man said, lowering his head and weeping.
Zhang Bao was speechless upon hearing this. He sat sadly for a long time, then murmured:
"Mother warned him. If Father had listened, this wouldn't have happened. It is good that Mother did not come along."
Then, another subordinate walked up to
Zhang Bao and said:
"Young Master, I found a small boat. Let's all return to our base."
Zhang Bao nodded and followed the middle-aged man onto the boat.
The following day, aboard a Red Flag ship...
Madam Shi Xiang stood amidst hundreds of pirates sitting on the deck, listening, with Zhang Bao standing beside her.
"This tragedy is immense. Did I not warn you to avoid traveling during the typhoon season? But your comrades, your former leader, did not listen. And this is the result of carelessness ."
Madam Shi Xiang looked around with a stern face.
"Since we have not found the body of the former leader and do not know his fate, our fleet must have someone to lead us. I have no direct heir. Whom do you all deem fit to be your new master?"
"I ask that the Mistress take command of us !" one subordinate declared.
"Yes, yes! We have seen the consequences of defying you. From now on, we will follow whatever the Mistress commands !" another subordinate added.
"Very well. Thank you all. But I will set three Iron Rules that you must adhere to strictly:
Rule One: Anyone who flees ashore will be executed.
Rule Two: Anyone who steals plundered treasures will be executed.
Rule Three: Anyone who rapes a female captive will be executed.
Can you all accept these three rules?"
Everyone responded in unison: "Yes, Madam!"
"Very good. Then let us hold a memorial service to mourn the past leader and your comrades who died. A-Liang, go and fetch the incense and offerings ," the Madam commanded.
"Yes, Master ." A-Liang walked off to fetch the offerings which were placed on a table covered with white cloth, symbolizing the respect for the dead.
They all took turns lighting incense sticks and paying their respects before the portrait of
Zheng Yi until everyone was finished. Then, they all stood in silence to commemorate their past experiences of fighting and sharing hardships together.
After that,
Shi Xianggu (石香姑), who received the new nickname Zheng Yi Sao (鄭一嫂), meaning 'Wife of Zheng Yi' , led the Red Flag Fleet pirates to raid the imperial court's vessels and merchant ships passing through the South China Sea. With
Zhang Baozai (張保仔) as her right-hand man, they struck great fear and respect into the Qing Dynasty's officials, generals, and commanders who came to fight them.
Three months later...
One night,
Zhang Bao was sitting in his cabin on the ship when someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it ?" he asked.
"It's Mother. Open the door,"
Zheng Yi Sao replied.
"Yes, Mother ."
A-Bao opened the door. "Is something the matter, Mother?"
"Follow me to my room. I have something to discuss."
A-Bao looked puzzled. He closed his cabin door and followed his foster mother.
When they entered
Zheng Yi Sao's cabin, his foster mother said:
"A-Bao , sit down first."
When
A-Bao sat down, Zheng Yi Sao began:
"I must tell you the truth : our fleet cannot lack a male leader. Even though I, a woman, have been accepted by all our brothers as the leader, I have no heir. Who will take over the position when I grow old or pass away? I see only you who can inherit the position of our Red Flag Fleet's Great Master."
A-Bao listened intently but did not utter a word.
"I think we two should get married,"
Zheng Yi Sao said before she could finish the sentence, and A-Bao cried out in shock:
"W-What? What did you just say, Mother?"
"Shhh, don't raise your voice. I said we should get married so that we can have an heir to carry on the lineage."
"How can that be? Even though we are not true mother and son, our relationship as foster mother and son means that Chinese society and tradition will surely not allow us to do such a thing."
"Hmm, I will tell you something. I was born and raised in a floating brothel in Hong Kong harbor. The boat rower was my own father. The boat had a convertible roof and a curtain. When customers came for service, my father would row the boat out to the middle of the harbor. When they were done, he would row them back to shore. I have no education and have never learned about customs. All I had to know was how to make a living and survive day by day. From childhood until I became a young woman, all I saw was the filth and depravity of that den of iniquity, until I became numb to it. If your father hadn't taken me away from there, I would never have escaped that hell on earth."
Zheng Yi Sao said this, then lifted her outer cloak, revealing a silk corset beneath, showing her smooth, white bosom, a graceful neck, and round, inviting shoulders. She reached out and took
A-Bao's hand.
"I am only 8 years older than you. It wouldn't be wrong for you to call me your elder sister. I am still young and beautiful, only 31 years old. And you are only 23. We are both young. We can get married and build a future together. What is wrong with that?"
A-Bao was confused upon hearing this, not knowing what to do. But
Zheng Yi Sao got up and walked over to sit on his lap. She wrapped her right arm around
A-Bao's shoulder. Her other hand reached out to pull him close to her chest. The fragrant scent of her body wafted into the young man's nose. The whiteness of what was before him, and the softness of her flesh, further stimulated the base desires within him , until he could no longer restrain himself. He carried the pirate woman to the bed , and the two of them helped each other remove the clothes from their bodies , before enjoying the moment, with the sea waves helping to rock the boat in rhythm with their activities on the bed.
The next morning...
The Pirate Queen of the South China Sea called a meeting for all her crew.
"Very well , now that everyone is here, I have an important matter to announce."
All the crew members sat in silent anticipation.
"I hereby declare that today,
A-Bao and I shall be married."
Everyone who heard this was stunned. They all turned to look at each other but did not dare to voice any criticism.
"Does anyone here object ?" the pirate woman asked, scanning the room to see if anyone dared to disagree.
Everyone sat silently, simply bowing their heads.
"Very well. Since no one objects, I want everyone to know that
A-Bao will be your Great Master alongside me, from this moment forth. I ask that everyone maintain harmony and unity. A-Liang, go and fetch the wine. Today, we shall drink and celebrate until we drop!"
Everyone cheered in celebration. They all ate, drank, and sang joyfully.
Three years passed. The imperial court sent a general named
Zhang Bailin (張百齡) to govern two provinces: Guangdong and Guangxi. He implemented a policy of cutting off the pirates' supply lines by forbidding all ships from leaving the sea.
Zhang Baozai's (張保仔) and Zheng Yi Sao's (鄭一嫂) fleets began to find it difficult to make a living. They changed course to raid areas along inland rivers. Sometimes they were successful, and sometimes the local sheriffs led villagers to fight back. They would raid and retreat. Later, they started raiding the ships of foreigners, especially the Portuguese in Macau. This led the Portuguese authorities to cooperate with the Qing imperial court , sending a naval force to blockade
Zhang Baozai's fleet in a bay between Lantau Island and the mainland, which resembled a tiger's mouth, for 9 days.
"This is the 9th day. The foreigners and the Great Qing navy are still blockading us. We can't go anywhere. I sent a letter requesting aid from
Guo Fuodai (郭婆帶), the leader of the Black Flag Fleet pirates, but why has he not responded?"
"Master! We have news from the authorities!"
"Tell me."
"Guo Fuodai has surrendered to the authorities and has been appointed as a naval commander for the Great Qing!"
"What? That means he won't help us and has instead sided with the imperial court ?" the pirate woman exclaimed.
"What should we do? I think we may have to surrender to the authorities as well,"
Zhang Baozai said, completely discouraged.
In the end, the two pirate-spouses surrendered to the authorities. The surrender ceremony for the Red Flag Fleet pirates was held in 1810 in Xiangsha County , with
Zhang Bailin as the recipient. They handed over 270 ships, over 1,200 cannons, more than 7,000 swords and various weapons, and over 16,000 pirate troops.
Zhang Baozai changed into a military uniform, wore a black hat with a red flower, and changed his name back to Zhang Bao (張保).
After that, he served the authorities by taking on the role of pirate suppression for another 9 years. He was promoted to Deputy Commandant of the Penghu camp , and his wife was appointed
Ming Fu (命婦), equivalent to a Lady in Thailand.
In 1820, the Qing imperial court issued a new policy to reduce the number of officials appointed from those who had reformed (former bandits and criminals).
Zhang Bao was therefore not promoted or given a salary increase. He also continued to suppress various sects whose goal was to
Restore the Ming and Resist the Qing , one of which included his former wife.
One afternoon,
Zhang Bao went to see the leader of the Red Boat Opera troupe named Hong Shun (洪順). The troupe was named 'Red Boat' because its opera house was set on a large ship painted red. It would often sail to anchor at different city ports and hold performances on the boat for people on shore or those who came to sit on the boat.
"Long time no see. How have you been ?" Old Man
Hong Shun asked.
"I've been well enough, living life as it is. How is
A-Lian doing ?"
A-Bao turned to ask Hong Xiaolian (洪小莲), a woman in her thirties sitting nearby.
"I am well, Elder Brother," she replied.
"Xiaolian, go and call
A-Chuan to pay his respects to his father," he said.
"Yes, Father,"
A-Bao's former wife replied.
She then went to fetch a young man about 19 years old to meet A-Bao .
"Say hello to your father, son," she said.
A-Chuan looked at his father, put his palms together, and bowed his head in respect.
"Greetings, Father."
"Good, good, son ,"
A-Bao felt ashamed that he could not care for and provide warmth to the mother and son.
"I must apologize to everyone, to
A-Lian and A-Chuan. I abandoned you and could not look after you closely , only sending money for you to use. I apologize to you, Father, for not taking good care of your daughter ,"
A-Bao said with tears welling up in his eyes, and continued:
"I came here today to warn you that the imperial court is accelerating its crackdown on all groups involved in the
Restore the Ming and Resist the Qing movement. I am now an official of the government , and I cannot avoid having to arrest all violators for punishment. Therefore, I want you, Father, to quickly take
A-Lian (洪小莲) and A-Chuan (張船) to Siam to escape the power of the Great Qing. I will send remittances regularly. Don't worry. I have a friend who is a merchant in Sampheng, Yaowarat, in the city of Bangkok, and I will ask him to look after you."
Hong Xiaolian , upon hearing this, rushed to embrace her former husband.
A-Chuan (張船) did the same. The three, father, mother, and son, having just embraced, had to hurry and part. They all wept mournfully because they likely would never have the chance to meet again in this life.
The next morning, at the port of Shantou, late winter 1810...
Hong Shun , his daughter Hong Xiaolian , and his grandson Zhang Chuan boarded a large junk. They departed from their homeland. Utilizing the northeast monsoon winds, they sailed through the South China Sea, the Gulf of Tonkin, and past Vietnam. After 45 days, they entered the Gulf of Thailand, at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. They docked at Tha Tien, across from Wat Chaeng (Wat Arun).
Upon disembarking,
Hong Shun , along with his daughter and grandson, hailed a Chinese-style rickshaw.
"Take us to the Old Market, Yaowarat Road," he instructed.
The rickshaw puller acknowledged and invited the passengers to sit.
The rickshaw sped along Maharaj Road, turned left onto Thanon Thai Wang Road, and proceeded along the dirt road (Charoen Krung Road was later cut in 1861 and opened in 1864). It went until it reached Wat Leng Noei Yee, then turned onto Dragon Road (Thanon Mangkon) and entered Yaowarat Road. The rickshaw stopped in front of the Old Market, where people were densely gathered to shop.
Hong Shun led his daughter and grandson, carrying their bags, into a nearby pharmacy called An-An Osoth. When the owner saw Old Man Hong, he greeted him loudly:
"Hello, Lao Hong! How did you get here? Come in and sit down. Let's have some tea (Jia the)," the owner said, pouring tea for his old friend.
"Thank you, Lao Ngou, my dear friend. I'm glad you still remember me. I migrated with my daughter and grandson to Siam because the Manchu authorities were intensifying their suppression of the groups attempting to
Restore the Ming and Resist the Qing. My son-in-law,
A-Bao , is now a government official and a soldier. He couldn't bring himself to kill us, so he quickly warned us to flee here."
"Oh, I truly sympathize. The reason my family moved to Thailand was that we also didn't want to be oppressed by the Manchu. Don't worry. I'll find you a place to stay, and you can make a living around here. There are many Chinese people. If you perform your opera for them, you should be able to earn money for a living , especially the shrines where they hire opera troupes to perform as offerings to the deities. Now, go eat something first. Behind the store. A-Nai, take my friend to eat first. He just arrived from China," the store owner instructed his wife.
Five years passed.
Hong Shun , Hong Xiaolian, and Zhang Chuan all worked as opera performers to earn a living.
When A-Chuan turned 25, Hong Shun introduced him to a Chinese girl in the Yaowarat area, and they were married.
A-Chuan had several children. His youngest child was born in 1856 (B.E. 2399, during the reign of King Rama IV). It was a son, and he named him Zhang Shui (張水). At that time,
A-Chuan (張船) was entering his 50s.
Zhang Shui grew up until he was 20 years old, corresponding to 1876 or B.E. 2419 (during the reign of King Rama V). He inherited the opera troupe from his father and married, having several children. Four years later, his youngest son was born, and he named him
Zhang Deming (張德明).
Zhang Shui decided to stop traveling by boat for performances because of his age. He established a permanent opera house. He also donated money to build shrines and vegetarian halls and participated in various public benefit activities, such as collecting unclaimed corpses and setting up food kitchens for the poor (the krachart). This continued until his death in 1901 (B.E. 2444).
Zhang Deming inherited the opera business from his father.
The following year,
Zhang Deming had a son named Zhang Dewen (張德文).
Two years later, in 1904, his daughter,
Zhang Haiju (張海珠), was born in Yaowarat, the city of Bangkok, Siam.
Four years later, in 1908 (B.E. 2451)...
Dr. Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙)
, the leader of the Chinese revolution, traveled to Siam for the third time, having previously visited in 1903 and 1905. He had met with several important Thai individuals. The reason for his visit to the overseas Chinese was to seek support for the movement to change China's government to a republican system, abolishing the imperial feudal system that had ruled for over 5,000 years.
This time, the speech was held at the entrance of the Tang Toh Kang Gold Shop alley on Yaowarat Road. Overseas Chinese people stood packed shoulder-to-shoulder to listen. Some even stood on the second and third floors of the buildings. A cloth banner with a welcoming message in Chinese was tied to poles and stretched across the entrance of the alley.
Dr. Sun's voice echoed throughout the area.
"I have not come to Siam this time with money , but with a heart overflowing with strong conviction. The aspiration of the Kuomintang party to liberate the Chinese people from the oppression of the Manchu dynasty will surely succeed!"
The A-Sims, A-Sos, A-Kims, and A-Gus (a term for older Chinese people) , upon hearing the words of the Chinese leader, applauded loudly. At the same time,
Sun Yat-sen's team held donation boxes, collecting contributions from their Chinese brethren. Everyone donated according to their means—a baht, a
salung (a quarter of a baht), a fueang (an eighth of a baht). Some even took off gold necklaces and bracelets and dropped them into the box.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Zhang," the Doctor said, thanking
Zhang Deming .
"You are welcome, Sir. I hope our revolution succeeds. I am happy to fully support the Kuomintang with funding," the 28-year-old man said before seeing
Dr. Sun off to his car.
Several months later, at
Zhang Deming's opera house...
On the stage, actors were performing the Three Kingdoms opera,
The Three Brothers Swearing an Oath in the Peach Garden.
Zhang Deming played Liu Bei , while the other two played Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. People of Chinese descent sat in front of the stage. The sound of Chinese musical instruments harmonized beautifully. While everyone was enjoying the performance, they were suddenly shocked by the sound of gunshots.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
Zhang Deming collapsed. Fresh red blood flowed from his head and chest. People scattered, running in utter chaos. The actors and musicians behind the stage rushed to check on Deming and found that he had died instantly on the spot.
After the situation calmed down, the police came to examine the body, questioned those nearby, and then left.
At Deming's funeral, his family wore mourning attire according to Confucian tradition, which involved clothes made of unbleached cotton.
Deming's wife stood weeping mournfully, comforted by relatives and friends. Their two children cried loudly.
"I'm so sorry, A-Sao. A good man like A-Ming didn't deserve this. Who could be so cruel? Why would they shoot him?"
"Sister , I found this piece of paper posted outside. I don't know who left it."
The paper read:
"This is the reward for betraying the Qing Dynasty."
"Could it be that the Great Qing imperial court sent someone to assassinate Brother Ming ?" one friend asked.
"It must be, because A-Ming openly supported
Dr. Sun Yat-sen ."
"What will A-Sao do now? The children are still so young."
"I think we can no longer stay in Thailand. I must take the children and flee to relatives in Singapore ,"
Deming's wife said.
"That's a good idea. You can come back to Thailand once the Doctor's revolution succeeds, A-Sao."
"I'll arrange a boat for you to escape. Hurry up and pack your necessary belongings," one friend said.
Close friends and acquaintances reached out to help the mother and her two children escape the Manchu government's danger.
At the pier by the Chao Phraya River, near Thanon Tok...
"Have a safe journey, A-Hua. Take good care of my grandchildren. I will visit you if I have the time," a neighbor said, seeing
Zhang Haiju's (張海珠) family off to the boat.
"Thank you very much, A-Hia and A-Sao. I will never forget your kindness. If I survive, I will surely return to repay your debt of gratitude."
"Don't worry about it. We are all Chinese, we must help each other. Good luck. I'm leaving now."
The mother and her two children boarded the small boat , before transferring to a larger ship waiting at the river mouth in Samut Prakan. They sailed out of the Gulf of Thailand, along the tip of the Southern Peninsula, until they reached Singapore. What would their fate be after this?
End of Chapter 1. Please follow Chapter 2: The Peony Blooms
Note
Three years later, from October 10, 1911 (B.E. 2453) to February 12, 1912 (B.E. 2454),
Dr. Sun Yat-sen (孫中山)
successfully led the revolution.
Empress Dowager Longyu (隆裕太后) signed the Instrument of Abdication on behalf of the young Emperor Puyi. This meant that the Qing Dynasty, which had governed China for over 268 years, had come to an end.
(First draft completed on October 3, 2024)
(Revised with added opening content on October 16, 2024)