A grandma tells her granddaughter a bedtime story. The tale describes how a girl and her friend ( Ruby and Sapphire) are sold to ruthless pirates, the Red Flags. Events take an unexpected turn when the girls try to escape. Cheng I, The Captain of the pirates, disavows his lieutenant Cannon by siding with the girls. A power struggle ensues. Meanwhile the pirates have to contend with the Qing Dynasty's mighty navy. Grandma, is this a true story ? the child asks.