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Chapter 12 The voyages led by Zheng He 鄭和 (1371–1433) to the
‘Western Ocean’ (Xiyang 西洋, the area of maritime
The Gradual Termination Southeast Asia west of Borneo extending into the Indian
Ocean) were a major achievement in the history of Ming
of the Early Ming Voyages international relations, as well as a monumental feat in the
maritime history of humankind. Six of Zheng He’s seven
to the ‘Western Ocean’ voyages took place during the Yongle 永樂 reign (1403–24),
while the seventh and final voyage occurred during the
and its Causes latter part of the Xuande 宣德 period (1426–35). Studies
examining the achievements of these voyages by scholars in
China and abroad have yielded fruitful results. There have
Zhao Zhongnan been, however, relatively few systematic and in-depth
investigations into the process and reasons behind the
termination of Ming state-sponsored maritime voyages.
Translated by Luk Yu-ping
Suspension of the voyages in 1421
The beginning of the end of state-sponsored maritime
voyages can be traced back to 1421, shortly after the
completion of the transfer of the capital from Nanjing 南京
to Beijing 北京, and the destruction by fire of the three
main halls of the newly built Forbidden City. On the 13th
day of the fourth month of that year, the Yongle emperor
issued an Edict in Response to the Fengtian Hall Disaster (Fengtian
dian zai kuan xu zhao 奉天殿災寬恤詔), which clearly
ordered the suspension of maritime activities, including
shipbuilding and overseas trade. The fire that destroyed
1
the three main palace halls was interpreted as a divine
warning to the Ming imperial court. Out of fear and
respect for Heaven, the emperor called upon officials to
reflect upon any errors that the imperial court had
committed. In response, officials criticised the transfer of
2
the capital to Beijing. The decision to suspend maritime
voyages also came about as officials reacted to the
disastrous fire at the imperial palace. At the time, Zheng
He’s fleets were still at sea on their sixth maritime voyage.
Given this and the character of the emperor, it is unlikely
that he would have suspended maritime activities had it not
been for broader problems within Ming society that made
Plate 12.1 Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian 太和殿)
of the Forbidden City, photo taken by Kazuma Ogawa in 1901.
Tokyo National Museum
106 | Ming China: Courts and Contacts 1400–1450
