Timeline (Sea Dragons)

16th Century
1570's- The pirate Limahong becomes the terror of the South China Sea, refusing an imperial bribe to stand down a fleet of 40,000 Ming sailors hunt for Limahong and his army of 3,000 outlaws. Taking advantage of the Ming Dynasty's isolationist foreign policy Limahong goes to the O.T.L Philippines to create a kingdom.

PODSummer 1574- As the Spanish are scattered throughout the Philippines a poorly defended Manila without leadership is taken by Limahong's pirates. Fall 1574- Limahong consolidates his power on the island of Luzon. Commanded by Limahong's trusted Japanese aside squads of pirates force the submission of the local people. In Manila the preexisting Chinese population are put into positions of power.

Winter 1574- News from the Philippines reaches Mexico City, capital of the viceroy of New Spain. In Ming China Zhang Juzheng the effective ruler and advisor to the emperor was hesitant in making a response. Juzheng feared the possibilities of a confrontation with Spain.

1575- Ming Court records indicate a shrinking in silver supply in the country from this year, this will have long term implications for China. The Pirate kingdom becomes a haven for smugglers provided they pay tribute to Limahong for protection

1576- Franciscan emissaries from Mexico are sent to Japan. An expedition of Christians Samurai, Pirates Portuguese and Spanish is organized to the Philippines. The attempted invasion was a disaster while the majority of the Samurai committed seepeku many other Japanese joined Limahong's kingdom.

March 1577- Limahong is poisoned by an assassin commissioned by the Ming, his long time aside Sioco takes command.

May 1577- A large expedition of 10,000 Ming sailors is sent by an aging Zhang Juzheng. Sioco having prior knowledge due to a network of traders and outlaws confronts the Ming with a smaller fleet. The Pirates scarified dozens of ships sending them burning into the Ming armada, a weakened Ming fleet returns to China.In the imperial court Juzheng is criticized by many rival officials and forced by the minor Wanli emperor to resign.

1580's- Recorded in this decade was the rise of a new generation of pirates of mostly Cantonese origin with other Asian nationalities as well. Attacks increase on European Ships and reach down to East Indies.

1581- A massive fleet is assembled to crush all piracy in the South China Sea. Sioco and his followers flee southwards to Tondo, Manila is subject to scorched earth by the pirates. The Ming Expedition is frustrated by the elusiveness of many pirates, those whose are captured are swiftly executed. A fort is built north of Manila to be garrisoned while the majority of the Ming fleet returns to port.

1582- With Limahong's and Sioco's monopoly of the South China Sea broken by the expedition new pirates begin to rise and fight each other for supremacy.