Zheng Zhilong was a Chinese merchant and pirate who built a powerful trading and piracy fleet based in Fujian and Taiwan, later gaining an official Ming naval commission to combat rival pirates and Dutch forces. He was the father of Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga). After the Ming dynasty’s fall, he defected to the Qing, but was ultimately executed in 1661 because of his son’s ongoing loyalist resistance.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | Zheng Zhilong |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Nicholas Iquan |
| Born | 1604 |
| Died | 1661-11 |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Years Active | 1620s-1646 |
| Fate | Defected to the Qing dynasty in 1646 but was later imprisoned and executed by Qing authorities in November 1661 due to his son Koxinga's continued resistance |
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