In this web content, the author recounts their encounter with a corrupt police inspector in Sumatra, who showed them a Ming cup and told them about the legendary Chinese admiral, Cheng Ho. The author’s fascination with the cup leads them to research the admiral’s story and ultimately establish a friendship with Berkeley scholar Frederic Wakeman Jr., who helps them uncover the forgotten saga of Ma He, the boy who became the commanding Admiral of the Western Seas. The author follows in Cheng Ho’s footsteps, visiting the places he traveled to and uncovering the truth behind the voyages. The story is one of survival and triumph, as Ma He rises to power despite his humble beginnings and transforms China into a sea power. The author highlights the magnitude of Cheng Ho’s fleet and the extensive trade and diplomatic posts he established, challenging the Western notion of imperialism and showcasing a world of exchange rather than conflict.
https://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/fall-2011-the-good-fight/eunuch-admiral/