I think the second scenario is the more interesting conversation to have. It requires a deeper look at what people value in certain scenarios. As Reonen said, these people were enslaved before they were sold to a new master. What went through their heads at the time of this and why did they stick it out?
The closest we can get to it is putting yourself into the scenario. Most people can imagine themselves in that role but it requires a deep-rooted view of honesty and an even greater amount of knowing the culture at the time. I think I'd like to live to fight another day but my mouth would likely get me killed sooner
I'd think the closest we could get to understanding it from our perspective would be Native American and Aboriginal tribes. Their war and living situations were very similar on a tale of the tape
So there was a large pirate faction that dominated the Chinese seas. Once the leader died, his wife (a former prostitute) took charge and ran the entire fleet like a boss.
So because of this, she was at constant war with the Chinese military who had no efficient navy at the time. This prompted them to call in British assistance with their superior Naval fleet
After a bunch of background politics that got her off Scot-free and disbanded her fleet, and also after she bombarded literally every Port on the way to Beijing, this opened up the Opium Wars which is a big part of Western occupation of East Asia
