The Eunuch Admiral

Zheng He was captured as a boy during a Ming Dynasty military campaign, castrated, and sent to serve a prince. That prince became the Yongle Emperor, and he rewarded his loyal servant by making him admiral of the largest fleet the world had ever seen. In 1405, Zheng He set sail with 317 ships and 28,000 men — a force assembled not for conquest, but to announce China's power to the world.