Secret Treasures Nican Zheng Yisao 4 1/2x32

Zheng Yisao, also known as Ching Shih, was one of the most successful and feared female pirates in history. Born Shih Yang around 1775 in Guangdong Province, China, her rise to power began when she married the notorious pirate leader Zheng Yi. Her name ‘Zheng Yisao’ literally means ‘wife of Zheng Yi’.

Following her husband’s death in 1807, Zheng Yisao took control of his fleet, the so-called Red Flag Fleet, which consisted of hundreds of ships and thousands of pirates. Under her leadership, the fleet continued to grow and eventually came to control the southern Chinese coast and the South China Sea.

Zheng Yisao was renowned for her strict discipline and strategic brilliance. She introduced a strict code of conduct, which included, amongst other things, rules governing the distribution of booty and the treatment of prisoners. Breaches of these rules were severely punished, which cemented her authority within the pirate fleet.

As well as her military prowess, Zheng Yisao was also a skilful diplomat. She successfully negotiated with the Qing dynasty and secured an amnesty for herself and her pirates in 1810. In exchange for ending her piracy, she was even taken into the service of the Chinese government.

After retiring from her life as a pirate, Zheng Yisao led a quiet life and ran a gambling house. She died in 1844 at the age of around 69.

Zheng Yisao’s story is remarkable because it shows how a woman was able not only to survive but also to triumph in a male-dominated world. Her career as a pirate is one of the most impressive in maritime history.

Zheng Yisao’s Secret Treasures

Zheng Yisao was able to skilfully extricate herself from any situation, just like the two-coloured wrapper of this cigar. In a male-dominated world of piracy, it was particularly remarkable that a woman led thousands of pirates, much like the appearance of this Barpole cigar.

Secret Treasures – rediscovered treasures

‘Secret Treasures’ means ‘hidden treasures’ in German. Cigars under the‘Secret Treasures’label have usually spent many years in a cigar factory’s ageing humidor. Under the Secret Treasures label, they finally find their way out of the ageing humidors after many years and offer a premium smoking experience. Production runs are strictly limited, ranging from 500 to 5,000 cigars per variety. Each blend is unique, and once a line has sold out, it cannot be reordered.

Tasting Report

Cigar exterior: Two-tone wrapper.
Cigar interior: Medium to tight roll, good construction.
Smoke: C Sweet with a hint of cream and a medium smoke volume.
Flavour: Wood , fruit, pepper
Burn: Good burn