Wang Zhi was a Chinese merchant-pirate who built a vast smuggling and piracy network along the southeastern China coast and in Japan during the Ming dynasty’s maritime trade ban, at times styling himself ‘King of Hui.’ He played a significant role in early trade contact between Japan and Portuguese merchants. Despite surrendering under a promised amnesty, he was executed by Ming authorities in 1560.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | Wang Zhi |
|---|---|
| Aliases | King of Hui; Lord of Huizhou |
| Born | unknown |
| Died | 1560 |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Years Active | 1540s-1557 |
| Fate | Lured into surrender by Ming general Hu Zongxian under a promise of pardon, then executed in Hangzhou in 1560 |
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