Olu of Warri vs Zhu Yihai

The Olu of Warri became the traditional ruler of the Itsekiri people in the Niger Delta. His reign occurred during a period of regional instability due to the decline of the Oyo Empire and the rise of the Sokoto Caliphate, affecting trade and alliances.

During his reign, the British Royal Navy intensified anti-slavery patrols off the West African coast. The Olu of Warri managed the kingdom's transition away from slave trading, shifting toward palm oil and other legitimate commerce to maintain economic stability.

The Olu of Warri kept the Warri Kingdom neutral during the Yoruba civil wars of the 19th century, avoiding conquest by the expanding Benin Empire or the Sokoto Caliphate. This preserved Itsekiri autonomy and trade routes along the Niger Delta.

After the fall of Nanjing, Zhu Yihai, the Prince of Lu, declared himself regent in Zhejiang. He established a court in Shaoxing and attempted to rally Ming loyalists against the Qing advance.

Zhu Yihai's regency clashed with the claim of Zhu Yujian, the Longwu Emperor, in Fujian. The two rival Southern Ming courts refused to cooperate, weakening the resistance against the Qing.

Qing forces captured Shaoxing, forcing Zhu Yihai to flee by sea to Zhoushan Island. He continued to resist from the island with a small fleet, but his power was greatly diminished.

Zhu Yihai died on Taiwan after fleeing there following the fall of Zhoushan. He had sought refuge with Koxinga's forces, but his political influence had ended years earlier.