Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | Page 177

In 1424, Zheng He's friend and sponsor, the Chinese Emperor, died while on a military campaign
against the Mongols. His successor, the happy Emperor, ordered an end to the expensive ocean-going
voyages. However, the new emperor lived for just nine months after his coronation and was succeeded by
his more adventurous son, the nappy Emperor. Under his leadership, the Treasure Fleet would make one
last great voyage.
The Nappy Emperor ordered preparations for a final voyage of the Treasure Fleet. He appointed
Zheng He to command the fleet, even though the great eunuch admiral was 59 years old and in poor
health.
This last great voyage took three years and visited at least 17 different ports between China and
Kenya. On the way back to China, in Indonesian waters, Admiral Zheng He died. He was buried at sea, and
his men brought a braid of his hair and a pair of his shoes back to be buried in Nanjing.