Ming Naval Expeditions and Southern Maritime Security Operations (1405–1570s)

1. First treasure voyage departs under Yongle

   Jul 1, 1405Labels: Yongle Emperor, Zheng He, Treasure Fleet

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2. Ming fleet defeats pirates at Palembang

   Jan 1, 1407Labels: Palembang, Chen Zuyi, Zheng He

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   • Palembang

3. Second treasure voyage continues Indian Ocean circuit

   Jan 1, 1408Labels: Zheng He, Second Voyage, Indian Ocean

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4. Third treasure voyage reaches Hormuz direction

   Oct 1, 1409Labels: Third Voyage, Hormuz, Zheng He

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5. Fourth voyage pushes into Persian Gulf and Red Sea

   Jan 1, 1413Labels: Fourth Voyage, Red Sea, Hormuz

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6. Fifth voyage revisits Gulf and East Africa ports

   Jan 1, 1417Labels: Fifth Voyage, East Africa, Persian Gulf

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7. Sixth voyage sails to return foreign emissaries

   Jan 1, 1421Labels: Sixth Voyage, Zheng He, Envoys

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8. Yongle Emperor dies; overseas expeditions suspended

   Aug 12, 1424Labels: Yongle Emperor, Expedition Suspension

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9. Seventh treasure voyage departs under Xuande

   Jan 1, 1431Labels: Xuande Emperor, Seventh Voyage, Zheng He

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10. Zheng He dies; treasure-fleet era ends

    Apr 1, 1433Labels: Zheng He, Calicut

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11. Coastal defense reorganized under Zhu Wan appointment

    Jan 1, 1547Labels: Zhu Wan, Zhejiang Coastal

    • Zhu Wan
    • Jiajing Raids

12. Zhu Wan impeached; commits suicide amid policy reversal

    Jan 1, 1550Labels: Zhu Wan, Impeachment

    • Zhu Wan

13. Hu Zongxian takes senior command in coastal anti-wokou war

    Apr 1, 1556Labels: Hu Zongxian, Supreme Commander

    • Hu Zongxian
    • Jiajing Raids

14. Wang Zhi captured and executed in Hangzhou

    Jan 22, 1560Labels: Wang Zhi, Hangzhou

    • Wang Zhi
    • Jiajing Raids

15. Longqing reign begins; coastal trade policy shifts

    Jan 1, 1567Labels: Longqing Emperor, Coastal Policy

    • Longqing

16. Haijin relaxed; Yuegang legalized as Fujian trade port

    Jan 17, 1567Labels: Yuegang, Haijin Relaxation

    • Yuegang
    • Longqing

17. Jiajing-era wokou crisis winds down by 1567

    Dec 31, 1567Labels: Jiajing Wokou, Coastal Raids

    • Jiajing Raids
    • Qi Jiguang

18. Yu Dayou suppresses lingering piracy near Yuegang

    Jan 1, 1569Labels: Yu Dayou, Yuegang

    • Yuegang