JP\/5\/ZHENG<\/p>\n
The men behind Zheng He's successful voyage<\/p>\n
Suherdjoko
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Semarang<\/p>\n
When Zheng He sailed through Asia 600 years ago, 27,000 people
\nwere aboard his fleet of 253 ships.<\/p>\n
The crew included soldiers, sailors, doctors, weapon makers,
\nagricultural experts, nutritionists, cooks, political observers,
\ncarpenters, poets and traders.<\/p>\n
"Through these experts, Zheng He promoted peace and friendship
\nduring. When they went ashore, the experts taught the locals
\nabout farming and cattle breeding," said Hembing Wijayakusuma,
\nthe editor of Zheng Chinese Muslim: The Mystery behind His Voyage
\nacross the Archipelago.<\/p>\n
Historian Gan Kok Hwie said when Zheng He's fleet landed at
\nSemarang city, his men shared their agricultural knowledge with
\nthe local people.<\/p>\n
The Chinese explorers discovered many of the people of
\nSemarang were still living in caves.<\/p>\n
"During their stay in Semarang, Zheng He's men also taught the
\nlocals how to build houses," said Kok Hwie.<\/p>\n
Historian Slamet Muljana, in his book titled The Fall of Java-
\nHindu Kingdoms and the Rise of Islamic Kingdoms across the
\nArchipelago, said the ships had often anchored for the purpose of
\nrepairs.<\/p>\n
Slamet said Zheng He's fleet sailed back and forth from China
\nto African countries seven times in 28 years.<\/p>\n
In order to keep his men healthy, doctors were among Zeng He's
\ncrew. Large drums of soil were transported from China so the crew
\ncould cultivate vegetables, even while at sea.<\/p>\n
Zheng He's fleet was prepared for battle as he had recruited
\nwar strategists and blacksmiths.<\/p>\n
There were also traders, who returned to China with ivory,
\ndiamonds and other precious goods and zoologists who brought back
\ngiraffes, zebras and lions. The emperor, Yung Lo, was so elated
\nwhen he saw the animals he called them heaven-sent.<\/p>\n
Zheng He's voyage was a remarkable feat made possible through
\ncareful preparations. In Semarang, the 600th anniversary of the
\nvoyage will be celebrated on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5zheng-1447899208",
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