He gained new titles and responsibilities, eventually running the Emperor's household. Ma He became Zheng He and also the commander of Nanjing. "Zheng He’s eclectic religious attitude and ...

Sponsor to Zheng He, the Ming emperor Yongle—pictured in a 20th-century illustration— moved his capital to Beijing and built the Forbidden City, seat of imperial power. Many young boys taken ...

he became a loyal servant to the man who would become Emperor Yongle of the Ming. For his service, he was bestowed the name Zheng, after the ruler’s favourite horse. Emperor Yongle was ambitious ...

During his career as a naval commander, Zheng He negotiated trade pacts, fought pirates, installed puppet kings, and brought back tribute for the Yongle Emperor in the form of jewels, medicines ...

Turn again to Zheng He. His voyages were sponsored by the brutally ambitious emperor, who ignored his flunkies' complaints about the cost. Key to most great leaps is at least one overconfident ...

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or ...