Zheng He’s Last Days
Shortly after Zheng He returned from his sixth voyage in 1424, Emperor Yong Le died, which turned out to be a costly death in the life of Zheng He. For a very brief time following Yong Le’s death, Yong Le’s successor, Chu Kao-Chi, halted the Chinese naval voyages, as well as the production of Zheng He’s flagships, leaving Zheng He without work for many years. However in 1430, to his surprise, Zheng He was asked to embark on a seventh and final voyage to the Persian Gulf, Africa, and India. He took the offer; however, Zheng He died in 1433 at the age of 62 while on his return trip back to China. After Zheng He’s death, China would never again venture to the outside world like the Admiral had once done. The new emperor saw Zheng He’s expeditions as too costly and decided that the money should be spent on securing China from outside invasions, eliminating the Chinese naval exploration program.
Last Days
Zheng He’s Grave
