Zheng He ~ 三宝

Zheng He was born to a Muslim family and he carried the name Ma He where Ma represent Muhammad. He in Chinese language means unity in peace. His parent moved to China during the Song era. It was recorded in history that one of Zheng He’s ancestors was a bodyguard of Genghis Khan.

The Quran said that Muslim should go on pilgrimage to Mekah at least once in a person’s lifetime and with that, Zheng He’s father became a Haji. Zheng He was well informed about Mekah by his father and his grandfather as well. He learned from the experiences of his father and his grandfather that the journey itself a hardships. After making little boats, he learned how to swim, and to sail in the rivers of his village.

Zheng He also learned the Quran from his father and gained in the cultivation of patience and persistence. However, Zheng He’s father died young in the chaos of a ferocious war that lasted only half a year in Yunnan. It was when Zheng He was captured by the Ming troops and through his outstanding calibre, he was made to serve in the palace.

In the palace, Zheng He read a lot of books since the King of Yan likes books. His loyalty and his acumen was accepted by Zhu Di who later became the Emperor Yongle . Today, only about 300 books of the 11,000 books classified as the “Yongle Cannon” remain in and outside China.

Zheng is a Chinese language which mean “straight loyalty” and with this attitude, Zheng He got his Zheng from the Emperor Chengzu. Not long, he was conferred the title of “Sanbao” Eunuch and the well in Melaka dugged for Princess Hang Li Poh by him is called the “Sanbao Jing” today.

To believe this, go and see the “Sanboa Well” in Melaka.

all the above after The Little Boats of Admiral Zheng He