Zheng He (1371 - 1433) (sep 23, 1371 – jan 1, 1433)

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A young, Muslim, loyal follower of the ambitious Yongle Emperor (Ming Dynasty). He was captured as a boy and castrated. So as a eunuch he theoretically owed sole allegiance to the Empire. He grew up to be an important military leader. The emperor entrusted him with venturing out to trade, collect tribute, and display China's power to the world.

From 1405 - 1433, Zheng He commanded the world's greatest armada and led seven naval expeditions. The first expedition set sail with a flotilla of 62 large ships and over 200 lesser ones. All 28,0000 men aboard pledged to promote Ming glory. Zheng's aim was to establish tributary relations with far-flung territories - from Southeast Asia to the Indian Ocean ports, to the Persian Gulf, and to the east coast of Africa. These expeditions sought control of trade and tribute. They traded, ivory, spices, ointments, exotic woods, and even some wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, and ostriches. If people refused to pay tribute then the whole fleet would attack.

Around 1450, there was a revival of military threats in the North of the Ming territory. The Emperor was captured by the Mongols and held hostage so the Ming Officials withdrew imperial support for seagoing ventures and instead devoted their energies to overland ventures and defense. While the Ming turned inwards their control over the seas declined and other's started to take over. At the same time the Ming turned inward others began to look outward.

September 23, 1371 - 1433

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