Yongle emperor and zheng he biography

Chinese mariner and diplomat (1371–1433 or 1435)

Not to be confused with Zhang He.

"Ma Sanbao" redirects here. For the Tang dynasty general, see Ma Sanbao (Tang dynasty).

For other uses, see Zhenghe.

Zheng He (also romanized Cheng Ho; 1371–1433/1435) was a Chinese admiral, explorer, diplomat, and bureaucrat during the early Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

He is often regarded as the greatest admiral in Chinese history.

Zheng he expeditions

Born into a Muslim family as Ma He, he later adopted the surname Zheng conferred onto him by the Yongle Emperor (r. 1402–1424). Between 1405 and 1433, Zheng commanded seven treasure voyages across Asia under the commission of the Yongle Emperor and the succeeding Xuande Emperor (r. 1425–1435).

According to legend, Zheng's largest ships were almost twice as long as any wooden ship ever recorded, and carried hundreds of sailors on four decks.

A favorite of the Yongle Emperor, whom Zheng assisted in the Jingnan campaign that overthrew the pr