Chapter Thirty-Two: The Ming Dynasty’s Strategy for the Southern Seas

Chapter Thirty-Two: The Ming Dynasty’s Strategy for the South Seas

Zhu Qizhen thought of countless things all at once. Until now, he had always viewed the abandonment of Jiaozhi and the cessation of the Western voyages as separate matters. Only now did he realize that they were, in fact, one and the same. Grasping this truth, he could no longer afford to underestimate the wisdom of those who came before.

To the south of Annam lay many excellent ports, such as the famed Cam Ranh Bay. If Zheng He’s fleet were stationed there, news from the countries of the South Seas would reach them in mere days. Through the ages, countless people and events have changed, but one thing remains unaltered: geography. As long as Annam could be claimed, Ming would possess a hand reaching into the South Sea, and its control over the southern nations would shift from distant and unattainable to close and immediate.

Even without considering anything else, Champa, Siam, Burma, and even Malacca and Sumatra would all fall under Ming’s sway. News could be received and ships dispatched to these places within days. Compared to the distance from the Tang Dynasty’s Anxi Four Garrisons to Chang’an, it was akin to the Tang’s control of those frontier posts—no need for a large garrison, just enough to secure all directions.

Zhu Qizhen cared little for the spectacle of foreign envoys coming to pay tribute, but he was deeply intrigued by the Southern Seas strategy of Emperor Taizong. If, in his lifetime, he could bring the South Seas into the imperial domain, even if he accomplished nothing else, he would surely earn a distinguished place in history.

His interest piqued, Zhu Qizhen said to Wang Zhen, “Bring me the Complete Map of the World.”

Wang Zhen replied, “Yes, Your Majesty,” and promptly led several young eunuchs to arrange a number of tables together. They then placed a nearly man-height scroll upon them, gently unrolling it so that it covered the entirety of the tabletops.

Historically, there was also a Complete Map of the World produced during the Wanli era. Yet, that map was quite different from this one; the similarity lay only in the name. This particular map was more widely known as the Zheng He Sea Chart.

Zheng He had only passed away last year—his body barely cold—so naturally, his sea chart had been preserved in the palace. However, ancient maps were drawn with north and south inverted compared to modern practices; this tradition was retained in some Japanese maps as well. Thus, Zhu Qizhen found it unfamiliar at first, but over time, he grew accustomed.

Especially after Wang Zhen informed him that such a treasure was held within the palace, Zhu Qizhen felt as though he had obtained a priceless gem, wishing he could hang it on his wall and study it every day. Yet, this was not the future era.

In later times, a map was of little value. In this era, however, it could be called a weapon of state, a precious artifact. Thus, Zhu Qizhen ordered a special space in the Qianqing Palace to store these maps and instructed the eunuchs to make copies by hand.

Emperor Xuanzong had established the Inner Library within the palace, where eunuchs were taught to study literature; though criticized by some ministers, Zhu Qizhen found it extremely convenient. After all, some things could not be shown to outsiders and had to be handled by those within the palace, such as eunuchs.

Those who copied the maps were all educated in the Inner Library and served as assistants to Wang Zhen in handling state affairs. Wang Zhen was exceedingly busy, rising earlier and sleeping later than Zhu Qizhen to maintain his presence at the emperor’s side. Fortunately, Zhu Qizhen was not one to indulge in frivolity, spending most of his time reading and studying. This allowed Wang Zhen time to manage affairs.

Yet, even so, the cabinet submitted dozens, sometimes hundreds, of memorials to the palace each day. If Wang Zhen did nothing else but review them, his day would be consumed. Therefore, he needed help. These eunuchs from the Inner Library held elevated positions in the palace as a matter of course.

Zhang Zhong’s eyes nearly burst from their sockets when he saw the map. He forgot about his health, hurried forward, and almost climbed onto the table, but worried about soiling the chart, he could only gaze at it eagerly and cautiously.

This was, after all, a weapon of state. Even though the Duke of England’s residence housed many books, such a map was nowhere to be found. Zhang Zhong had seen maps of Jiaozhi, but never of the South Seas or the Western Oceans. This was his first time laying eyes on such a chart.

The map depicted everywhere Zheng He’s fleet had sailed, reaching as far as Africa, with the outlines of several continents drawn in, their shapes surprisingly accurate. But how much detail was missing, Zhu Qizhen could not discern. Not everyone possessed the skill to draw maps by hand.

Most of the names on the map, Zhang Zhong recognized. Yet, when he had read them before, they were only names—brief descriptions at most, nothing like the visual clarity of a map. Just a glance resolved countless doubts he had harbored, and he thought to himself, “So that’s how it is.” He wished he could hold the map and pore over it for days and nights, but he knew that was impossible. Such a weapon of state could not be easily shown. His Majesty allowed him to see it only because of the Zhang family’s generations of loyalty.

Zhang Zhong wanted to memorize it in a single glance, but he kept his composure and said, “Emperor Taizong’s management of the South Seas and Western Oceans differed: the West was merely enticed, but the South Seas were tightly controlled.”

“The key points for controlling the South Seas are, first, Jiaozhi, and second, Old Harbor.”

He gently tapped the map with his finger and said, “That is the Old Harbor Pacification Office.”

Zhu Qizhen stepped forward and studied the map. Comparing it to his memories of later times, he saw that Old Harbor sat on Sumatra, facing Singapore across the strait. One glance revealed it as a critical location—the very heart of the South Seas.

Zhang Zhong explained, “The Old Harbor Pacification Office lies in the sea, once the territory of ancient Srivijaya, five days’ sail from Champa. The pacification commissioner was Shi Jinqing, who was rewarded by Emperor Taizong for capturing Chen Zuyi. This site was the foundation of Ming’s foothold in the South Seas, situated at a maritime crossroads. Admiral Zheng He often resupplied his fleet at Old Harbor.”

Chen Zuyi—Zhu Qizhen vaguely recalled—was a notorious pirate who dominated the South Seas, later slain by Emperor Taizong, though the details escaped him. Indeed, mention of Old Harbor inevitably calls to mind Chen Zuyi.

Zhang Zhong continued, “Old Harbor belonged to Srivijaya, but with the rise of Majapahit in Java, repeated invasions led to Srivijaya’s ruler’s death. The Srivijaya nobles in Old Harbor allied with Chen Zuyi, relying on his strength to resist Majapahit. Chen Zuyi repeatedly defeated Majapahit in the South Seas, and all the Chinese settlers flocked to Old Harbor.”

“Though Old Harbor was a foreign land, most of its people were Ming subjects.”

“Admiral Zheng He, under Emperor Taizong’s command, attempted to persuade Chen Zuyi to surrender, but Chen was accustomed to the wilds of overseas, ignorant of the empire’s power, and dared to resist. Naturally, Admiral Zheng He struck with thunderous force and made him a prisoner.”

“Shi Jinqing, a subordinate of Chen Zuyi, surrendered Old Harbor. Admiral Zheng He appointed him as pacification commissioner, allowing the Shi family to inherit the post.”

“Old Harbor, relying on Chen Zuyi’s forces, flourished under Ming’s protection after his removal. Goods from the Western Ocean and the Central Plains gathered there.”

“Some naval soldiers, stricken by illness, settled in Old Harbor and never returned home, even starting families there.”

“Though overseas, it resembled the heartland.”

“But,” Zhang Zhong paused, “such a situation cannot last long.”

Zhu Qizhen asked, “Why is that?”

“Shi Jinqing has passed away. Now, his son Shi Jisun holds the post, but Shi Jisun’s abilities fall far short of his father’s. Majapahit has returned in force, and he has repeatedly petitioned the court for help. Yet, since the last expedition to the South Seas in the sixth year of Xuande, the court has refused to send another.”

“In my opinion, Old Harbor will remain Ming’s domain for five years at most. Beyond that, its fate is uncertain.”

“If Your Majesty wishes to claim the South Seas, Old Harbor must be secured. The best route for this is to sail south along the coast, so Jiaozhi is best held in the court’s hands.”

Zhu Qizhen sighed softly and said, “Jiaozhi leads to the South Seas, the South Seas to Old Harbor, Old Harbor to the Western Ocean. With the Western fleet added, each link is crucial, without gaps.”

Zhang Zhong replied, “Your Majesty’s wisdom surpasses all.”

Zhu Qizhen gazed at Zhang Zhong for a long moment. Never before had anyone explained Ming’s strategy for the South Seas so clearly to him.