54.
After the Ming dynasty received its death blow, Hongkong was literally evacuated by its settlers. In 1650 the scattered army of the overthrown dynasty chose Hongkong as its rendezvous and prepared for a "comeback". But these forces had to contend with Honghi, at once the greatest and most enlightened of Manchu rulers. An Imperial edict called upon all loyalists to withdraw from Hongkong and cut off its supplies, whereupon the Punti and Hakka sections left the island until the rebels had been starved out or dislodged.
The settlers then returned, but tradition and history are silent concerning the island until the beginning of the nineteenth century.
About this time, Hongkong was building up for itself an unenviable reputation as a pirate stronghold.
Two great pirate chiefs held sway here. One was Ching Yik and the other Chang Pao. Under their command were 600 piratical junks, and these marauding fleets became the terror of the whole of Kwangtung. Chang Pao, taipan of his day, had his fortified stronghold on Victoria Peak. Ching Yik, daring co-adjutor, looked down with scorn on the mid-levels and Kowloon from his fortifications above Wongneichung Gap.
So powerful did this pair become that the Governor of Canton actually went to Macao to reside and sought the assistance of the Portuguese to rid him of these troublesome fellows. A ten days' attack by allied Portuguese and Canton forces was fruitless and the redoubtable pair continued to sail the seas in search of plunder.
Now it is axiomatic that for one band, there can be but one leader. Chang and Ching grew jealous of each other's power and they fought to decide which was the best man.
Chang Pao thoroughly thrashed Ching Yik, and the beaten leader made peace with the Imperial Government. Chang Pao continued to hold Victoria Peak and stories of his daring are still told by local Chinese.
At one time, two Englishmen Messrs. Turner and Glasspoole fell into Chang Pao's hands, and were obliged to accompany him on marauding expeditions. They have left records of the organisation and tactics of this band of freebooters.
There is no story book finish to the career of Chang Pao.
He did not meet his death, cutlass in hands, fighting against overwhelming odds. Neither was he forced to walk the plank by a victorious rival.
His Excellency, the Viceroy of Canton, finding it impossible to subdue the pirate, paid Chang a handsome sum to enter his service.
For all we know, Chang might have died, full of years and honours, respected by all as a law-abiding citizen, the defender of Manchu rule and the protector of his vice-regal master.
So much then for the history of Hongkong before the British annexation. To-morrow I propose to deal with the British annexation and the early association of Chinese and foreigners in Hongkong.
54.
After the Ming dynasty received its death blow, Hongkong was literally evacuated by its settlers. In 1650 the scattered army of the overthrown dynasty chose Hongkong as its rendezvous and prepared for a "comeback". But these forces had to contend with Hong- hi, at once the greatest and most enlightened of Manchu rulers. An Imperial edict called upon all loyalists to withdraw from Hongkong and cut off its supplies, where- upon the Punti and Hakka sections left the island until the rebels had been starved out or dislodged.
The settlers then returned, but tradition and history are silent concerning the island until the be- ginning of the nineteenth century.
About this time, Hongkong was building up for itself an unenviable reputation as a pirate stronghold.
One was Ching
Two great pirate chiefs held sway here. On Stronghold.
Yik and the other Chang Pao. Under their command were 600 piratical junks, and these marauding fleets became the terror of the whole of Kwangtung. Chang Pao, taipan of his day, had his fortified stronghold on Victoria Peak. Ching Yik, daring co-adjutor, looked down with scorn on the mid-levels and Kowloon from his fortifications above Wongneichung Gap.
So powerful did this pair become that the Governor of Canton actually went to Macao to reside and sought the assistance of the Portuguese to rid him of these troublesome fellows A ten days' attack by allied Portu- guess and Canton forces was fruitless and the redoubtable pair continued to sail the eens in search of plunder.
Now it is axiomatic that for one band, there can be but ons leader. Chang and Ching grew jealous of each other's power and they fought to decide which was the best man.
Chang Pao thoroughly thrashed Ching Tik, and the beaten leader made peace with the Imperial Government. Chang Pao continued to hold Victoria Peak and stories of his daring are still told by local Chinese.
At one time, two Englishmen Messrs. Turner and Glasspoole fell into Chang Pao's hands, and were obliged to accompany him on marauding expeditions. They have left records of the organisation and tactics of this band of freebooters.
There is no story book finish to the career of Chang Pao.
He did not meet his death, cutlass in hands, fighting against overwhelming.odds. Neither was he forced to walk the plank by a victorious rival,
His Excellency, the Viceroy of Canton, finding it impossible to subdue the pirate, paid Chang a handsome sum to enter his service.
For all we know, Chang might have died, full of years and honours, respected by all as a law-abiding citizen, the defender of Manchu rule and the protector of his vice-regal
master.
Be So much then for the history of Hongkongbefore the British annexation. To-morrow I propose to deal with the British annexation and the early association of Chinese and foreigners in Hongkong.
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