Admiral Zheng He (1371-1433)

[Rehmat]

Zheng He, born with name Ma and raised as Muslim, started to study the teachings of Islam at an early age. Both Zheng He’s father and grandfather had made the pilgrimage to Mecca, and so were quite familiar with distant lands. Under the influence of his father and grandfather, the young Zheng He developed a consuming curiosity about the outside world. Zheng He’s father’s direct character and altruistic nature also made a lasting impression on the boy. Zheng He was captured by Ming Dynasty forces during their military cleansing of the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) in Yunnan, around 1381. He was taken to Nanjing, where he was castrated and entered into imperial service. He was then sent to Beiping (present-day Beijing) to serve in the palace of Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, fourth son of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

After Zhu Di ascended the throne as the Yongle Emperor (1403-1424), he promoted Zheng He. In 1404, Zhu Di changed Zheng He’s surname from Ma to Zheng as an imperial honor and in recognition of Zheng He’s extraordinary military abilities and loyal service, the emperor chose him from among his most trusted advisors as the ideal commander for the great voyages westward.

Zheng He is China’s most famous maritime explorer. His extraordinary ability and vision found brilliant expression in the great achievements of his life, including maritime exploration, foreign diplomacy, and military affairs.

[twovultures]

Is this the start of a timeline?

[Malta Shah]

Just remember. Something that when I first started I complained about another Zheng He TL. He is a Eunuch. He can't have children.

[Municipal Engines]

I think he's just plugging for his website. There's no alternate history here; needs to be locked or moved to chat.

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by Municipal Engines

I think he's just plugging for his website. There's no alternate history here; needs to be locked or moved to chat.

Yeah, CalBear just banned him for spamming.(I do think he took his little auto accident joke a little too far, though. Rehmat wasn't a real nasty troll, not like Billy Roper).