Ching Shih was a notorious Chinese pirate who operated in the South China Sea during the early 19th century. Born in 1775, she initially worked as a prostitute before marrying the pirate Zheng Yi, who helped her rise to power. After his death, she took command of his fleet and became one of the most feared pirates of her time. Under her leadership, Ching Shih commanded a formidable fleet of hundreds of ships and thousands of pirates. She established a strict code of conduct for her crew, which included severe punishments for disobedience. Her reign lasted until she negotiated a pardon with the Qing government in 1810, retiring peacefully.