On 18th December 1412, the Yongle Emperor issued the order for the fourth voyage. Admiral Zheng He was commanded to lead the fleet. They travelled to Malacca, Java, Champa, Semudera, Aru, Cochin, Calicut, Lambri, Pahang, Kelantan, Jiayile, Ormuz, Bila, Maldives and Sunla.
On 12th August 1415, Admiral Zheng He’s fleet returned to Nanjing. An estimated 18 states sent tributes and envoys to China, after Zheng He’s visits to their homelands. This was in order to present their tribute at the Ming Court.
The fifth voyage was mainly to escort the 18 ambassadors back to their homelands, and to reward their kings. The Ming emperor had sent imperial letters and valuable gifts for the kings. Admiral Zheng He and a few selected officials led the ambassadors. They started from the Chinese coast in the autumn of 1417, and on 8th August 1419, the fleet returned to China.
The order for the sixth voyage was delivered on 3rd March 1421. Admiral Zheng He was dispatched with imperial letters, silk brocade, silk floss, silk gauze and other gifts for the rulers of many countries. According to Ming China’s history, the treasure voyages were suspended temporarily on 14th May 1421.
