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Zheng He was born into a Arab family in 1371. HE got his first start in government afeter he helped the Emperor defeat the Yuan Dynasty. After the first Emperor of the new Ming Dysnasty died, Zheng HE aided his son in claiming the throne and was put in command of the Chinese Navy as gratitude. Emperor Cheng Zu ordered Zheng He to lead an expedition of troops into the West Sea. Zeng He mastered the art of navigating and led as many as 27,000 troops to Southeast Asia seven times. He navigated through the indian ocean and made his way all the way down to the coast of South Africa. He spread Chinese culture and crafts throughout Asia and returned with thousands of pounds of treasure. He along with his crew ditributed Chinese customs as well as new techiques in glass and metal working. He is considered one of the greatest mariners in Chinese history.
This is a map of the routes Zheng He took on his conquest to the far reach of Africa. He stopped in many cities along the way, many which had never experienced Chinese culture. He traded Chinese arts for huge somes of gold and other metals as well as some local goods. At that time Zheng He was the only one of his kind his expeditions were highly reveared by all of Asia and even Europe.
This is a picture of Christopher Columbus's St. Maria in front of Zheng He's treasure ship. Zheng He's ship, built almost a century before Columbus's is four hundred feet long compared to eighty five feet.
http://www.chinapage.com/zhenghe.html http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22644.htm
