Zheng He, whose real name is Ma, is from Kunyang, Yunnan (now Jinning County, Kunming City), a Hui nationality. Zheng He was born in Hongwu for four years (A.D. 137 1). Because of his belief in Islam, Zheng He began to learn the teachings and canon of Islam when he was young. Zheng He's father and grandfather have both been to Mecca, the holy place of Islam, and they are familiar with distant foreign countries and overseas situations. From the conversation between his father and grandfather, young Zheng He has always been full of strong curiosity about the outside world. His father's upright, generous and unrequited character left an indelible memory in Zheng He's mind. After the Ming Dynasty unified Yunnan War, Zheng He was taken to Nanjing, castrated, assigned to Beiping as a eunuch, and served in Yanwangfu.

Zheng He's brilliant career has unique opportunities and good conditions. As a confidant and follower of the Prince of Yan, Zheng He had the opportunity to get in touch with the upper class of the ruling class extensively, broaden his horizons and increase his knowledge. Because of his integrity, he was able to discuss state affairs with the prince and learn politics, military affairs and strategies for dealing with various things from him at any time. After following the prince, Zheng He's education level deepened. All this prompted Judy to think of Zheng He first when she was looking for the best person to make an envoy to the Western Regions. Zheng He's appearance and intelligence are unparalleled among courtiers, and he is the best candidate to lead the ocean.

Zheng He is the most outstanding navigator in the history of China. Zheng He's talent has been vividly reflected in all the great undertakings he has done in his life. He has shown outstanding wisdom and talent in navigation, diplomacy, military affairs, architecture and many other aspects.

From the early years of Yongle, Zheng He turned to sailing under the arrangement of Ming Taizu Judy. In Zheng He's early sailing activities, he was already studying and analyzing nautical charts, familiar with the navigation skills of leading stars across the ocean, familiar with all kinds of compass books in the East and West, astronomical geography, marine science, ship driving and repair. From the third year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1405) to the eighth year of Xuande (A.D. 1433), Zheng He led a huge fleet to seven voyages to the Western Ocean, sailing in Asia and Africa, passing through Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, reaching as far as the Red Sea and the east coast of Africa, and covering more than 30 countries and regions in Asia and Africa. The scale, number of people, strict organization, advanced navigation technology and long voyage of these seven voyages not only showed the strength of the Ming Dynasty, but also fully proved Zheng He's ability to command thousands of troops.