Chapter 1 Synopsis
China’s supremacy on the world stage
Emperor Zhu Di – 1402-1424: Ordered the construction and maintenance of China’s great Treasure Fleets, via which he sought to bring the entire world into Confucian harmony within the Chinese tribute system. The fleets were led by eunuchs – brave sailors who were intensely loyal to the Emperor, permanently insecure and ready to sacrifice all. He was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City of Beijing.
Emperor Zhu Zhanji – 1426 – 1436: seemed destined to be one of China’s greatest emperors. His new reign would be known as Xuan De — ”propagating virtue.” For Zheng He and the eunuchs, it marked a return to centre stage. Soon, another great sailing expedition would be launched, this one led by ships whose names reflected their virtuous mission: Pure Harmony, Lasting Tranquillity and Kind Repose.
Further reading
To preview Henry Tsai’s Perpetual Happiness, The Ming Emperor Yong Le, click here
For information on Dreyer’s Zheng He: China and the Oceans in the Early Ming Dynasty, 1405-1433 please visit: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0JIW/is_/ai_n21118689
To read Robertson Shinnick’s post on his find: a brass Ming medallion please click here:
http://www.24hourforums.com/forum124/11984.html
For S.L. Lee’s views on the brass medallion please click here:
http://www.asiawind.com/forums/read.php?f=10&i=47&t=47
