The Ming Voyages -- Quick Reference

Emperor Yongle (r. 1403-1424)

Emperor Yongle's name was Zhu Di. He was the son of the first Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, whose reign name was Hongwu. During his father's reign he was given a princedom in the Beijing region, which was then called Yan, and thus became Prince of Yan. He later revolted against Emperor Hongwu's successor, Jianwen, fought a civil war from 1399 to 1402, and set himself up as emperor. He reigned from 1403 until his death in 1424. (more about Emperor Yongle)

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

The Ming Dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644. It began when a Chinese peasant named Zhu Yuanzhang rose in rebellion against the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). Its capital was first in Nanjing, until 1421, and thereafter in Beijing. (more about the Ming dynasty)

Nanjing

Nanjing is a city about four hours by train west of Shanghai on the Yangzi River. It was the capital of China during the Ming dynasty as well as a number of other dynasties. (more about Nanjing)

Zheng He

Zheng He was a eunuch who served Zhu Di from the time when he was Prince of Yan under the Hongwu emperor, to the time when he ascended the throne as Emperor Yongle. He was the commander of the maritime expeditions which sailed overseas from 1405 to 1433. (more about Zheng He)