Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Ten Epilogue

1 C

Show and Tell: More Mutiny Metals

The final but not the last bar of my Mutiny Metals collection is ‘The Siren of the Sea’. She encapsulates the dreams of many lonely Seafarers, oft the model of many a ship’s figureheads, keeper of the secrets of the oceans, and singers of entrancing songs enticing men to their doom but also my most tangible representation of our ‘Precious’ #steemsilvergold ‘s mascot and on top of that she is no ordinary Mermaid.

The Three troy oz. Fine Silver Siren of the Sea 0.999 fine silver bar. A modest creature, demure, coy, elusive but turn not your back to her as she can be the death of the heartiest seafaring man.

Hmm, some more creative space on the back.

Mutiny Metals bullion products are inspired by Pirates, made in Idaho USA.
Mutiny Metals on Instagram

Each bar hand poured/stamped, made of 0.999 fine silver bullion. Pick Badassery! Be a Pirate ☠️☠️☠️ Or, you know, choose boring and never be invited to badass pirate parties..........Have you joined the Mutiny?

R

Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Ten Epilogue

4

“Order, order!” Shih shouted above the disorder. “Then it is done!”
The boisterous meeting of the Council of Captains ended with many claiming the Imperial Offer was an Imperial trick to destroy the Pirate City and the Fleet. What swayed the decision was a ship flying the Imperial flag appearing at the mouth of Quon Lu Harbor. It fired several rounds into the city sinking and damaging several ships, damaging few buildings, injuring several people and killing two goats before turning and sailing away unchallenged, enough to sway the majority of the council. So Shih reluctantly proclaimed it an act of war.

3

Shih rose from her chair and looked towards her second in command, “Captain Cheug Po Tsai, by the Council’s demand I order you are to mobilize the Red and Black Flag Fleets sail north against the Imperial fleet known to be gathering south of Macau.”
Without the Golden Lion leading the 300 Red Flag fleet ships has had an effect on the morale of the crews. And as expected the Captain's with the most to lose vowed to fight on despite the reluctance of some of the crews.

3

Captain Cheug’s Macau spies reported the Imperial fleet boasting only sixty ships. But as the Pirate fleet arrived to the Pearl River city of Macau a Portuguese flotilla formed the center wedge and were no longer in the mood to use standard Western naval tactics.

In the first engagement the foreign ships had the clear advantage striking their targets at long range with superior artillery having rifled barrels and explosive shells. The Pirate forces tried to quickly close the gap and swarm their opponent but their numerical superiority became a hindrance. Their many guns didn’t have the accuracy and range that of the Portuguese artillery and worse yet most of the pirate junks could not fire their guns with their own forces in the line of fire. To add many Junks were crowding into each other as the Portuguese explosive shells destroy, disable, or damage groups of Junks in some cases with just a single well placed round.

After a few more unsuccessful engagements and the sudden abandonment of the Black Flag fleet Cheung continued to rally his remaining Red fleet for an all or nothing attack. With the renewed attack the red Fleet now faced an additional four Portuguese warships joining it's flotilla. The last direct engagement proved fruitless with more heavy losses. The Pirate Command ship was identified targeted and sunk sending pirate junks scattering. With the Back bone of the assault now broken most surviving junks fled into the shallows of the Hiang San River preventing the Portuguese vessels from pursuing. The Portuguese then simply blockaded the mouth of the river.
Now bottled up in the River and with the Imperial Army lining the shores bringing their cannons to bear Cheung Po Tsai was forced to surrender when he sent for Governor Jose De Alvarenga to mediate the terms.

Shih could not stop thinking of her Ching Ha Peng as she bowed in fealty to the Emperor. It will be a name known only to herself and the Raven in the hope that she will one day return. Outside the great hall the Imperial Viceroy Xiong gives Shih the scroll with the promised personal pardon to her with a retainer to serve the Qing Dynasty at a future time.

3

From the Great Hall's eastern portico she could see in the main courtyard a number of Captains and men still defiant, their heads and bodies piling into horse drawn carts to be unceremoniously disposed in mass graves outside the Imperial city.

Captain Jose Pinto Alcoforado de Azevedo Sousa of the Portuguese flotilla tips his hat before approaching Ching Shih. The Emperor's Foreign minister translated for Captain Sousa and there was no doubt the Minister detested being close to the Pirate Queen. The thought amused Shih to no end. "Emperor Qianlong has a very high opinion of you Madam Ching Shih despite your profession as the great Pirate Queen. We are charged to hunt down the remaining Pirate resistance and the Emperor recommended that we offer you a role as an Advisor. We will pay you handsomely for your assistance. Please take the time to think it over and let us know tomorrow of your decision."
“I am aware that my presence with you will hopefully inspire those in flight to peaceably surrender. Thank you Captain, I will positively consider your offer tonight.”

5

The Captain tips his hat once again, smiles before the Minister and himself turn away through the crowd into the hall.
Shih realizes the tremendous opportunity to start fresh was sinking into her being, to be an unsung Heroine on China’s side as well as in the eyes of Quon Lu. “Ching Ha Peng, you thought of everything,”
It was bitter sweet.
Ching Shih felt content knowing that she no longer strayed from the wishes of the people of Quon Lu but her heart also desired the only daughter she never had and now regrets Poa's death by her selfish ambitions.

3

A young court scholar introduced himself to Shih, bowed in respect before giving her another letter. Ching opened the letter and it had one large word bringing a tear to her eye. “Mother.” Signed Ching Ha Peng – Raven.

1

Flint puts the map divider down on the table and leans over to the Raven, "You see something." The Raven’s Skull relics were placed in some particular fashion of order on the chart table. With her bare hands he watched her examine each piece close to the storm lamp and then once again away from the light.
“The relics appeared to have the spirit glow just like the others.”
“But you said that the power of these relics were false!” replied Flint.
“I did.” She gives Flint a few of the relics to examine. “Quite unexpected.”
She blew the lamp out and the darkness of the cabin closed in save for the remaining evenings light flowing though the tattered blinds. Warmth emanated with the aura, not typical with cursed silver.
The thought of irony casts itself upon these relics of the Raven's Skull.
It was Captain Poa's Chi.

A man's last moments sometimes leaves an impression on such treasured objects caused oft of suffrage or malice leaving a haunt upon them, either way, the remains of his soul or a pathway for a spirit possession or something else. A man’s last words, curse or not, are always heard by the God in heaven but also heard by the devil himself. Which will it be here? She lifted one notable bar to the rising moonlight now coming in through the window. Her eyes focused on the silver portraying the Black bird resting on a Skull. Perhaps not everyone could see what she sees, her instincts perhaps but it seemed clear for a moment, to see without looking, perceiving without hearing, Poa’s last words were not words at all.
“It’s not a curse. But a message”, Whispered the Raven. “I believe Captain Poa’s dream came true.”
“And that is…?”
“Freedom for the people of Quon Lu, and Shih’s apology........ was accepted.”

1 My Mutiny Metals collection not including the all my Wicked Sick Relics.

1, My own photos (free to use) 2. 1810 Battle of the Tiger’s Mouth Reference 3. Character from the film The Opium War 1997 by Golden Harvest Films4. Takayo Fischer as Ching Shih: Pirates of the Caribbean At worlds end 20075 G. Peck from the movie Captain Horatio Hornblower 1951 Warner BrosR. Clip art from 123RF W. Wiki Commons

R

Previous Episodes
Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part One Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Two Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Three Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Four Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Five Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Six Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Seven Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Eight Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Nine Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Ten

“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”

1