Pirate Zhang Bao (1786— 1822), whose real name is Zhang Baozai, is from Xinhui.

Zhang Baozai, male, 1786, from Xinhui, Guangdong. The whole family lives by fishing. When Zhang Baozai was fifteen years old, he went fishing in the sea, met the red gang led by Zheng Yi, the descendant of Jian Zheng of Zheng Chenggong's department, and joined the red gang. Zheng Yi was killed in a typhoon during his expedition to Nanyang in the 12th year of Jiaqing in Qing Dynasty. His wife took over the Red Gang and gave Zhang Baozai a team to lead. Because of Zhang Baozai's bravery and martial arts, his prestige is getting higher and higher, so Zhang Baozai became the new husband of Zheng Yi's sister-in-law and the new owner of the red gang.

The Red Gang once clashed with the Portuguese fleet in the South China Sea, destroying the first warship of the Portuguese navy 18! It was found that all the property on the Zhang Baozai ship was obtained by attacking and plundering the China passenger ship, which aroused great indignation and national feelings of the Portuguese side. Therefore, they often assembled a large group of troops, crossed the ocean, and often attacked ships from Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Britain and other countries that violated China's territorial waters, which made the colonists disheartened at the mention of Zhang Baozai.

The Red Gang headed by Zhang Baozai is active in Xinning, Xinhui, Macau, Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhou Bay, with Shadi Port of Shangchuan Island as its main base, guarding the Qiongzhou Strait and specifically cracking down on official ships of the Qing court and merchant ships of foreign invaders; Fighting local tyrants and officers and men along the coast is strictly disciplined, so the red gang has won the support and support of the working people, developed and dominated the Pearl River Delta. At that time, because Zhang Baozai handled affairs properly, he won the support of everyone and his team developed rapidly. In its heyday, there were more than 800 large ships and 654.38+10,000 small ships, gathering 654.38+10,000 people. He even took Hong Kong as a base and reclaimed land, calling himself "the second Zheng Chenggong". He also maintained frequent contacts with overseas Chinese, which made the desolate Hong Kong Island prosperous at that time, with more than 200,000 residents.

Up to now, the remains of Zhang Baozai's activities are still in Hongkong, including Pan Dongying and Pan Xiying, where Zhang Baozai Camp is located. Guaqi Mountain has Zhang Baozai Ancient Road, Ap Chau has Zhang Baozai Stone Fort, Wuguling has Zhang Baozai Watchtower, Mawan Tianhou Temple has Zhang Baozai Waizhai, Cheung Chau has Zhangbaozi Cave, and Stanley has Songkan Corner. ...

In the third year of Jiaqing, the Red Gang intercepted the armed merchant ship "Peng Fa" of the Qing government off the coast of Shangchuan, and obtained a lot of gold, silver and jewelry from King Annan, which was even more shocking. They controlled many islands in Shangchuan Island, Xiachuan Island, Chixi Peninsula, Shazui Coast, Hong Kong in the east and Guangzhou Bay in the west, and set up forts at the northern end of Shangchuan Island and the southern end of Chixi Peninsula to control this important route. Whenever a ship passes by, it will be ordered to dock for inspection and then released. If the other side refuses, Zhang Baozai will raise a pennant made of thin iron, and its fleet will attack in the direction indicated by the flag tip. Based on Shangchuan Island, the Red Gang robbed many treasure ships and passing merchant ships of the Qing Dynasty and intercepted a large amount of gold and silver treasures. Zhang Baozai divided these treasures into three parts, one for each day, one for each piece of land and one for each person. Once a day, it is used to help the local poor: once for the land, once for the people and once for the meritorious soldiers. These treasures are not only inexhaustible, but also its base area, Shangchuan Island, has naturally become the main conservation area. The location of Zhang Baozai's treasure was recorded in the manuscript, but the manuscript has long been lost, and even the copy is only circulated orally. Most of Zhang Baozai's treasures are still hidden in the boudoir. According to legend, Gongwan hangs its head upside down, riding a ghost on the mast (that is, welcoming the guests), Langwan seven stars with the moon, Qipanshan stone finger, Wuzhou Zhouzhou half moon, Qishan Jinjingzhu.

In order to subdue Zhang Baozai, the Qing government carried out a comprehensive strategy of internal and external attack, blockade, infighting, first suppression and then appeasement, but the officers and men repeatedly fought and lost. 1809, the United States and Portugal provided arms and sent a fleet to cooperate with the centenarians of the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi to attack Zhang Baozai from inside and outside. Zhang Baozai's water and rice were cut off, and the warships were damaged, and there was no material to repair. At this moment of internal troubles and foreign invasion, in the fifteenth year of Jiaqing (18 1 1), the spirit faction surrendered with a glib tongue, and Zhang Zhaolai deceived and lobbied for "righteousness" to repay the Qing court.

After Zhang Baozai surrendered, he fantasized about becoming the "pillar" and "pillar" of the country, following the example of Liangshan heroes and Wagangzhai heroes, but turned out to be an eagle dog of the imperial court. First, more than 200 people were annihilated in Qixingyang, and then dozens of warships were smashed in Qingqiang. What's more, in Danzhou, the blue flag gang was fought and the leader Mai was captured alive. He was promoted to be a knight, and then from Chief Qian to a guard, and then transferred from Shunde to Penghu Association. However, "there are many enemies, and we can't chew our teeth." ..... died of dissatisfaction. " It can be described as a half-life hero, thanks for the late holiday.

After Zhang Baozai came out, there were internal differences, and the team opposing surrender was quite large. It is treason to call him a traitor. After Zhang went out, there were still 60,000 to 70,000 people in Hong Kong, and more than 1,000 ships, large and small, refused to join. Zhang Baozai led the officers and men to suppress the five-color gang everywhere. Desperate, they set sail for the Philippines, North Borneo, Malaya and other places. This is a group of Chinese who flowed overseas the most before the emergence of contract workers in modern China.