Chang Pao was one of the most famous Chinese pirates of the nineteenth century. Born a fisherman's son, he was kidnapped by the pirate Cheng I when he was only 15 years old. When Cheng I died, his son took over the family business alongside his ruthless, formidable wife, Ching Shih. Many say that they were so successful because they had 40,000 followers and a fleet of 600 ships.