ZHENG HE

As the second son in a Muslim family Zheng He did not have a peaceful childhood in Yunnan near Lake Dian, where he was born under the name of Ma He. A 300,000  men mongol army was sent to destroy Yunnan. His father was killed when little Ma He was only 11 years old. The Mongols made him an eunuch, which means they castrated him. He could not have kids, but this event very much affected his later career.
Later, he served a prince and they chose him because of the fact that he was castrated and eunuchs were not considered a threat because they could not rape women, they could not have children and therefore couldn't pass the power and knowledge on their offspring. The Eunuchs were given important roles and decisions.
He became a mariner, explorer, diplomat, and the admiral of the treasure fleet. The Treasure fleet made 7 voyages all under the command of Zheng He and all through the Indian Ocean. These expeditions were the largest the world had ever seen. They utilized about 30,000 men and 317 wooden ships. The biggest wooden ship ever built. They were 500 feet long and 150 feet wide. During the voyages the ships carried  over million tons of Chinese silk, ceramics, copper coins, etc., which were traded for tropical species, gemstones, textiles, and animals.

The fleet once sailed through the Malacca strip and an furious storms was raging outside, but Zheng He knew he is under divine protection and the fleet survived. On another voyage they met with the pirates. Some would think that he was scared but again he was smart enough to not panic and used his military power against them. The pirates were executed and the peace was restored.
After the seventh voyage the Chinese government stopped the voyages and isolated itself from the world. That was the end of the Treasure fleet.

However, Zheng He is still remembered in some countries. They still worship him in Indonesia. They consider him a peacemaker, a hero, and even a god. He is best remembered for his diplomacy. He even has his own temple. In Sri Lanka he is remembered as the " Man of War" because of the numerous ethnic conflicts he started when he came to trade goods for the famous Sri Lankan pepper. Zheng He is not known so much as for example Chris Columbus because the Imperial officials sought to eliminate memories of the voyages.