特别广播英语第 324 课：A Treasure Ship Captain 郑和下西洋──三保太监的不朽航程-2

Yong Le was an ambitious emperor who believed that China's greatness would be increased with an "open-door" policy regarding international trade and diplomacy. 永乐皇帝是个雄心勃勃的皇帝，他相信通过国际贸易及外交上的“门户开放”政策，中国会在世界上享有更高的声望。

In 1405, he ordered Chinese ships to sail to the Indian Ocean, and put Zheng He in charge of the voyage. 公元1405年，永乐皇帝下诏让中国船队远航到印度洋，并派遣郑和负责此趟航程。

Zheng went on to lead seven expeditions in 28 years, visiting more than 40 countries. 在以后的28年里，郑和连续7次率领了海上远征探险的壮举，访问了40多个国家。

Zheng's fleet had more than 300 ships and 30,000 sailors. 郑和的船队由三百艘大船及三万多名水兵组成。

The largest vessels, 133-meter-long "treasure ships", had up to nine masts and could carry a thousand people. 船队中最大的一艘船被称为“宝船”，其船身长达133米，船桅多达九根，可搭载一千人。

Along with a Han and Muslim crew, Zheng opened up trade routes in Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. 郑和和汉人与穆斯林船员一起打开了中国在非洲、印度、及东南亚的贸易航线。

The voyages helped expand foreign interest in Chinese goods such as silk and porcelain. 这几次远航刺激了外国对中国货物如丝绸、瓷器等的兴趣。

In addition, Zheng He brought exotic foreign items back to China, including the first giraffe ever seen there. 此外，郑和也将外国的珍奇宝物带回中国，包括以前没见过的麒麟（长颈鹿）。

At the same time, the fleet's obvious strength meant that the Emperor of China commanded respect and inspired fear all over Asia. 同时，郑和船队显而易见的强大阵容，意味着中国皇帝获得了亚洲各国的敬畏。