Ioannis Metaxas vs Zheng Zhilong

King George II appointed Metaxas as Prime Minister after a period of political instability. Metaxas soon suspended parliament and established the 4th of August Regime, a dictatorship modeled on Italian Fascism, with himself as dictator.

Metaxas declared martial law, dissolved political parties, and established a fascist-style regime. He implemented censorship, secret police, and youth organizations, while promoting traditional values and anti-communism. The regime lasted until his death in 1941.

Metaxas rejected an Italian ultimatum demanding occupation of Greek territory, famously responding with 'Oxi' (No). This led to the Greco-Italian War, where Greek forces successfully repelled the Italian invasion and advanced into Albania.

Metaxas died of a streptococcal infection in Athens on January 29, 1941. His death occurred during the Greco-Italian War, leaving Greece without its dictator during the critical period leading up to the German invasion in April 1941.

Zheng Zhilong rose to become a prominent pirate leader controlling trade routes in the South China Sea. He commanded a large fleet and established a power base in Fujian, engaging in both piracy and maritime commerce.

Zheng Zhilong accepted an amnesty from the Ming government and became a naval commander. He used his fleet to suppress other pirates and defend the coast, gaining official rank and wealth.

Zheng Zhilong commanded the Ming fleet that defeated a Dutch East India Company squadron at Liaoluo Bay near Fujian. The victory secured Ming control over coastal waters and forced the Dutch to pay tribute.

After the fall of Beijing, Zheng Zhilong chose to surrender to the Qing rather than continue resistance. He was given a rank in the Qing military, but his son Koxinga refused to surrender and continued fighting.

Zheng Zhilong was executed by the Qing authorities in Beijing. His execution was ordered after his son Koxinga intensified his rebellion and besieged Dutch Taiwan, making Zhilong a liability.