![[2016_Malakka,_Stadhuys_(09).jpg]] *Statue from a modern monument to Zheng He in Malacca City, Malaysia* Yongle was also very interested in resuming China's contact with the outside world, which had been deemphasized during his father's reign. He directed his admiral to build a fleet and sail it into the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. Zheng He’s first expedition left China in July 1405 with 62 large ships, over 200 smaller ships, and 28,000 soldiers. The largest ships were 425 feet long, over six times the length of the 65-foot caravels the Spanish and Portuguese would use on their explorations nearly a century later. China’s four-decked, 1,500-ton flagships had shallow drafts to allow them to navigate in river estuaries and watertight bulkheads to protect them from sinking. Their nine masts were up to two hundred feet tall and fitted with rattan sails. ![[Nanjing_Treasure_Boat_-_P1070978.jpg]] *A life-size model of one of the "medium-sized" treasure ships, measuring about 208 in length, is on display at the historic Nanjing Treasure Shipyard* Zheng He’s fleet was not instructed to establish colonies, but to exact tribute and open diplomatic relationships throughout South Asia. Although trade was a lower priority, the fleet returned to China with ivory, spices, ointments, exotic woods, giraffes, zebras, and ostriches; in addition to tribute from the rulers of nations like Sumatra and Sri Lanka. Often, when local leaders seemed unwilling to submit, Zheng He seized them and brought them to Beijing where they could be convinced of the overwhelming power of the Chinese and kow-tow to the emperor. ----- Next: [[14.7 - Journeys]] Back: [[14.5 - Yongle]]