Ep. 92 | Zheng He (Part 1)
Laszlo is back after more than two weeks on the lam. This time we look at Part 1 of a series featuring the great adventurer/explorer/diplomat Zheng He. His seven voyages to India, Persia, and the east coast of Africa created a big sensation in the early 15th century.
Today Chinese look back with pride at his achievements. China, at this time, was the richest, most technologically advanced, and most powerful nation on the planet. Zheng He’s sponsor, the emperor Yong Le, was determined, through these voyages, to let the world see for itself all the splendor and richness of China.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Baba and Nyonya (Malay) | Name of the original Chinese settlers in the Straits of Malacca (also known as Straits Chinese) | |
| Baochuan | 宝船 | Treasure Boat (the biggest of the vessels that sailed in Zheng He’s fleet) |
| Beiping | 北平 | Yanjing renamed to Beiing (later renamed to Beijing) |
| Bukit Cina (Malay) | - | China Hill (in Malacca) where earliest Chinese settlement can be found |
| Chen Zuyi | 陈组义 | Notorious Cantonese pirate based in Palembang, Sumatra who was defeated by Zheng He on his return back to China after Voyage One |
| Chi | 尺 | Chinese unit of measure equal to 12-13 inches |
| Dadu | 大都 | Name of present day Beijing during Yuan Dynasty |
| Dian Chi | 滇池 | Lake Dian (near Kunming, Yunan) |
| Fu Youde | 傅友德 | Trusty and effective general of Zhu Yuanzhang |
| Gavin Menzies | - | British author of two controversial books on Zheng He that we will discuss in the next episode |
| Hai Jin | 海禁 | The Ban on sea trade put into effect by the Hongwu Emperor |
| Han Libao | 汉丽宝 | Known as Hang Li Po in Malaysia, great granddaughter of Yongle Emperor given to Sultan of Malacca |
| Hongwu Emperor | 洪武帝 | Era Name of Zhu Yuanzhang |
| Jianwen Emperor | 建文帝 | 2nd Ming Dynasty emperor after Hongwu and before Yong Le |
| Jingdezhen | 景德镇 | Most famous and historic center in China for ceramics. Located in Jiangxi 江西 |
| Kunyang | 昆阳 | Yuan dynasty government based here (present day 晋宁） |
| Longjiang | 龙江 | The Longjiang Shipyards where most of the ships were built |
| Ma He | 马和 | Zheng He’s birth name |
| Ming Taizu | 明太祖 | Temple Name of Zhu Yuanzhang |
| Qinhuai River | 秦淮河 | Largest river in Nanjing |
| Tianfei | 天飞 | Also called 妈祖 Goddess of the Sea and protector of sailors |
| Wang Mang | 王莽 | Han Dynasty official famous for usurping the throne and founding short lived Xin Dynasty (9AD) |
| Xibei Sanma | 西北三马 | The Ma’s of the Northwest |
| Yan | 燕 | Ancient State located around present day Beijing |
| Yanjing | 燕京 | Capital of Yan State (Zhu Di’s turf) |
| Yong Le Emperor | 永乐帝 | 3rd Emperor of the Ming, after Jianwen |
| Zhang | 丈 | Chinese unit of measure equal to 10 Chi |
| Zhu Biao | 朱标 | Zhu Yuanzhang’s first son |
| Zhu Di | 朱棣 | The Prince of Yan, Yongle Emperor, Ming Chengzu |
| Zhu Yuanzhang | 朱元璋 | Founder of the Ming Dynasty |
| Zhu Yunwen | 朱允文 | The name of the later Jianwen Emperor |
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