At the time only the Chinese had the capacity and knowledge to explore and chart the world
1. At the time only the Chinese had the capacity and knowledge to explore and chart the world
Chinese Records
A. Orders to sail
(i) 13 January 1421 to Yan Ching, sending him to “Hormuz and other places” to present all foreign rulers with gifts (Shih – Erh – Yüeh Ch’u Shih Jih)- Professor Ptak.
(ii) 3 March 1421 to Zheng He to “take the envoys” (KC ch. 17 p 1117). MC ch. 10 p.99. MS ch. 7 p100. MTC ch. 17 p 743) – Professor Ptak.
(iii) 10 November 1421 to Zheng He (now that Hong Bao is entrusted to return envoys…)
B. Dates of Return
(i) 8 October 1423. Zhou Man with 93 men (YLSL ch. 263 p. 2401). Chan Cheng Vol I, p 165 – Professor Duyvendak, Dates, p. 385.
(ii) 24 October 1423. Envoys of 16 countries, a total of 1200 people, arrive with tribute (YLSL p 2403. KC ch. 17, p 1205. TWL ch. 36 p 69. Ming Shi ch. 7 p 102 and ch. 326 p 8440. KTTC ch. 30 p 516 – Professor Ptak.
(iii) 1425. By then part of Zheng He’s fleet has still not returned – Professor Zhu Jianqui (paper 24, Nanjing Conference, October 2002). Ming Record Xiang Chen Ming (Zhu Jian Qiu – Navy Ocean Research Institute November 28, 2002)
(iv) One squadron lagged behind. Not back ZD23 (1426) – Director of Studies Ming History, Chinese Academy Social Sciences
SUMMARY
Author contends the Chinese fleet could have circumnavigated the whole world four times between 1421 and 1426.
