Chen Zuyi 陳祖義 | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14th century |
| Died | 2 October 1407[1] |
| Piratical career | |
| Type | Pirate |
| Years active | 1400-1407 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Base of operations | South China Sea, Java Sea, Strait of Malacca |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Palembang |
Chen Zuyi (Chinese: 陳祖義; Wade–Giles: Ch'en Tsu-i); died 2 October 1407) was a 15th-century Chinese pirate from Guangdong, and was one of the most feared pirates to infest the seas of Southeast Asia. He ruled the city of Palembang, and raided the Strait of Malacca to plunder shipping and prey on both native and foreign merchants for several years.[2] His fleet was defeated by the Ming dynasty Admiral Zheng He at the Battle of Palembang (1407). Chen was captured and sent to Chinese capital Nanjing for execution.
壬子，太監鄭和使西洋諸國還，械至海賊陳祖義等。初，和至舊港遇祖義等，遣人招諭之。祖義詐降，而潛謀要刧官軍。和等覺之，整兵提備。祖義率衆來刧，和出兵與戰，祖義大敗。殺賊黨五千餘人，燒賊船十艘，獲其七艘及偽銅印二枚，生擒祖義等三人。既至京師，命悉斬之。