Zheng He Held The Highest Rank For Any Eunuch In The History Of China

Zheng He's most significant function was serving as the new treasure fleet's commander-in-chief and acting as the emperor's main representative to the nations in the Indian Ocean basin. In the fall of 1405, the enormous fleet of 317 junks, manned by more than 27,000 men, set sail from Nanjing under the command of the Yongle Emperor. Zheng He had attained the greatest status ever for a eunuch in Chinese history at the age of 35.

Zheng He and his armada set out for Calicut on the western coast of India with a mission to collect tribute and build relationships with monarchs throughout the Indian Ocean. It would be the first of the treasure fleet's seven expeditions, all of which would be led by Zheng He and take place between 1405 and 1432.

Zheng He was a naval commander who negotiated trade agreements, battled pirates, installed puppet rulers, and brought back payment in the form of gems, drugs, and exotic animals for the Yongle Emperor. In addition to the city-states that are today Indonesia, Malaysia, Siam, and India, he and his crew also journeyed to and conducted business with the Arabian ports of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Zheng He revered Tianfei, the Celestial Consort and sailor's guardian, despite having been raised a Muslim and having visited the shrines of Islamic holy men in Fujian Province and abroad. In the 900s, Tianfei was a mortal woman who attained enlightenment as an adolescent. She was able to save her brother's life by being endowed with the ability to predict the future.