Friday, June 6, 2008 ♥
Born into a family named Ma, presumably of Mongol-Arab origin, in central Yünnan Province, I was selected to be castrated by the general in charge of recruiting eunuchs for the court in 1381, when I was about 10. Assigned to the retinue of Chu Ti, who later became emperor, I had accompanied him on military campaigns, culminating in the usurpation of the throne by Chu Ti in 1402.
Because of a report that the former emperor Hui-ti had fled overseas, but probably with other good reasons, such as promoting Chinese influence or trade opportunities, Yunglo sent out expeditions overseas under my command. In a period of 28 years, from 1405 to 1433, I directed seven expeditions and visited no fewer than 37 countries, stretching from Champa in the east to the African coast in the west.
the great travellers blogged @ 7:58 PM
