The Historical Backdrop of Zheng He’s Voyages
In the early 15th century, the Ming Dynasty under Emperor Yongle launched an unprecedented maritime enterprise: the seven voyages of Admiral Zheng He. These expeditions, spanning from 1405 to 1433, were not merely diplomatic missions but grand displays of China’s naval prowess and cultural influence. At their peak, Zheng He’s fleets comprised hundreds of ships, some reportedly over 400 feet long, dwarfing the European vessels of the era. The voyages extended China’s reach across Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and East Africa, fostering trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange on an unprecedented scale.
One lesser-known but fascinating episode occurred near the Malacca Sultanate, where a cluster of islands known as the “Nine Provinces Mountains” (九州山) became a focal point for the Ming fleet. These islands, rich in aromatic treasures like agarwood (沉香) and yellow ripe incense (黄熟香), captured Zheng He’s attention during his earlier voyages. By his third expedition, with extended downtime in Malacca, he dispatched a contingent of soldiers to harvest these prized resources—a decision that would yield astonishing results.
The Expedition to the Nine Provinces Mountains
The Nine Provinces Mountains were a natural paradise: lush, verdant, and teeming with fragrant trees. Agarwood, formed when infected Aquilaria trees produce resinous heartwood over decades, was especially coveted. Its rarity and value lay in its density—true agarwood sinks in water—and its complex, enduring fragrance. During this expedition, Zheng He’s men stumbled upon six colossal agarwood trees, each measuring 80–90 feet tall and nearly 10 feet in diameter. The sheer scale of these trees, combined with the Ming crew’s efficiency in transporting them, left local inhabitants awestruck, reinforcing perceptions of the Chinese as “divine envoys.”
Accompanying the soldiers was Fei Xin, a translator and chronicler whose The Overall Survey of the Star Raft (《星槎胜览》) documented the 1409 harvest. His writings reveal a critical insight: Zheng He’s “treasure voyages” were not always about costly exchanges. Some “treasures,” like the agarwood, were simply gathered from nature, underscoring the expeditions’ multifaceted goals—diplomatic, economic, and exploratory.
Cultural Exchanges and Culinary Legacies
Beyond spices, Zheng He’s voyages facilitated cultural diffusion, including the introduction of bird’s nest soup to China. Legend holds that during a storm, Zheng He’s fleet took refuge on a Malay island, where starving sailors discovered edible swiftlet nests. After consuming them, the crew reportedly regained vitality, prompting Zheng He to present the nests to Emperor Yongle. While historical records (like Du Fu’s Tang-era poems) suggest earlier familiarity with bird’s nests, Zheng He’s role in popularizing them is plausible. By the 17th century, annual imports reached 400,000 nests from Java alone, linking Southeast Asia’s culinary heritage to Ming diplomacy.
The perilous process of harvesting these nests—scaling cliffs to extract glue-like saliva from caves—mirrored the daring spirit of Zheng He’s missions. Such episodes transcended trade; they symbolized the Ming Dynasty’s ability to harness distant resources and knowledge.
Pivotal Expansions: Arabia and Africa
By Zheng He’s fourth voyage (1413–1415), the Ming had solidified influence across Southeast Asia. Now, attention turned westward. The fleet split into divisions, each targeting strategic nodes:
– Hormuz (Iran): A wealthy hub at the Persian Gulf’s mouth, where merchants traded under “a sky of frostless winters.” Ming chroniclers noted its Islamic piety, bustling markets, and fair-skinned populace.
– Zufar (Oman): Renowned for frankincense, its resin traded for Ming porcelain and silks.
– Aden (Yemen): A cosmopolitan port where Zheng He’s envoys bartered for gems and coral, marveling at its fortified prosperity.
These missions were not unilateral. In 1416, Aden’s king reciprocated by visiting China, and subsequent voyages reinforced ties. Notably, Zheng He’s alleged outreach to Mecca (though debated) hints at ambitions to bridge the Islamic and Sinic worlds. A 1523 Xi’an mosque inscription references his 1414 quest for Arabic translators, suggesting meticulous preparation for Arabian diplomacy.
Legacy and Modern Reflections
Zheng He’s voyages collapsed geographical and cultural divides centuries before globalization. The agarwood harvest exemplifies how natural resources spurred cross-cultural encounters, while the bird’s nest trade illustrates lasting gastronomic impacts. Politically, the expeditions projected Ming supremacy without colonization—a contrast to later European empires.
Today, Malaysia’s Malacca celebrates Zheng He as a symbol of multiculturalism, and Oman’s frankincense trails echo ancient exchanges. Even the perilous agarwood trade persists, with sustainable harvesting now a global concern. Zheng He’s legacy endures not just in history books but in the interconnected world he helped shape—a testament to curiosity, diplomacy, and the enduring allure of the unknown.
▲ Modern efforts to preserve the maritime routes of Zheng He’s voyages highlight their historical significance as early bridges between civilizations.