1 00:00:05,272 --> 00:00:07,855 (upbeat music) 2 00:00:33,347 --> 00:00:34,180 - Look, there! 3 00:00:34,180 --> 00:00:35,263 What is that? 4 00:00:40,803 --> 00:00:44,303 - I have no idea, but maybe it's a mirage. 5 00:00:45,726 --> 00:00:47,717 That's impossible, it can't be. 6 00:00:47,717 --> 00:00:49,716 - Boats, but there's dozens of them! 7 00:00:49,716 --> 00:00:52,383 - We better warn all the others. 8 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:57,400 - All this happened about 600 hundred years ago. 9 00:00:57,400 --> 00:00:59,704 It was the biggest fleet of boats the world had seen 10 00:00:59,704 --> 00:01:02,398 and they were from a great sea power! 11 00:01:02,398 --> 00:01:06,473 But who were they and from where had they come? 12 00:01:06,473 --> 00:01:09,473 - The biggest flotilla, the English? 13 00:01:10,657 --> 00:01:12,556 - It was French! 14 00:01:12,556 --> 00:01:14,774 - The Americans, sure, the Americans! 15 00:01:14,774 --> 00:01:17,078 - No, America was a wilderness. 16 00:01:17,078 --> 00:01:18,278 - And it's not just a big joke, 17 00:01:18,278 --> 00:01:21,528 there weren't any big ships until uh... 18 00:01:22,433 --> 00:01:23,835 - Until the Portuguese. 19 00:01:23,835 --> 00:01:25,236 - [Boy] No the Spanish! 20 00:01:25,236 --> 00:01:27,652 - No there were some all right. 21 00:01:27,652 --> 00:01:30,235 (upbeat music) 22 00:01:31,268 --> 00:01:33,935 (drums beating) 23 00:01:42,317 --> 00:01:43,757 - I suppose that's Malindi. 24 00:01:43,757 --> 00:01:45,920 - Yes, Captain, I know that city. 25 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:48,663 - Keep well clear of the coasts, there are reefs. 26 00:01:48,663 --> 00:01:50,777 Drop anchor and lower our lifeboats. 27 00:01:50,777 --> 00:01:52,664 - Aye, aye Captain. 28 00:01:52,664 --> 00:01:54,914 (shouting) 29 00:02:00,631 --> 00:02:01,628 - Come and look! 30 00:02:01,628 --> 00:02:06,450 Dozens of big ships, as big as a house, enormous, enormous! 31 00:02:06,450 --> 00:02:07,650 - I never saw so many ships! 32 00:02:07,650 --> 00:02:09,246 And such large ones! 33 00:02:09,246 --> 00:02:10,778 You'll see, come on! 34 00:02:10,778 --> 00:02:13,528 (pleasant music) 35 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:17,737 - There they are! 36 00:02:22,364 --> 00:02:24,940 - Who are they, what do they want here? 37 00:02:24,940 --> 00:02:26,162 - Right, the Chinese! 38 00:02:26,162 --> 00:02:28,039 I should have thought of them. 39 00:02:28,039 --> 00:02:29,335 - The Chinese, the Chinese. 40 00:02:29,335 --> 00:02:31,058 Why is it always them? 41 00:02:31,058 --> 00:02:33,191 - Their history has gone on for a long time, 42 00:02:33,191 --> 00:02:35,028 10,000 years at least. 43 00:02:35,028 --> 00:02:37,010 9,000 years before our era, 44 00:02:37,010 --> 00:02:39,325 the Chinese reached Taiwan and then the Philippines 45 00:02:39,325 --> 00:02:43,048 and Malaysia and finally the Fiji islands. 46 00:02:43,048 --> 00:02:45,448 Some say they crossed the Pacific Ocean, 47 00:02:45,448 --> 00:02:47,185 arriving in South America from the east 48 00:02:47,185 --> 00:02:49,128 long before Christopher Columbus. 49 00:02:49,128 --> 00:02:52,008 But their brilliant maritime adventure really began 50 00:02:52,008 --> 00:02:55,323 with an important invention, the compass. 51 00:02:55,323 --> 00:02:56,156 - Ah. 52 00:03:00,203 --> 00:03:01,344 - [Narrator] It's a very special medal 53 00:03:01,344 --> 00:03:02,944 that always points to the north, 54 00:03:02,944 --> 00:03:04,659 that can be useful on a ship. 55 00:03:04,659 --> 00:03:06,276 The caption would know his course at night 56 00:03:06,276 --> 00:03:08,361 or in a fog, in any weather. 57 00:03:08,361 --> 00:03:09,838 At the end of the 13th century, 58 00:03:09,838 --> 00:03:12,695 the Venetian explorer Marco Polo even then admired 59 00:03:12,695 --> 00:03:14,915 some of the excellent ships of the Chinese fleet. 60 00:03:14,915 --> 00:03:16,586 - Wow, truly extraordinary. 61 00:03:16,586 --> 00:03:20,202 Enormous ships, 60 cabins and a crew of 300 men. 62 00:03:20,202 --> 00:03:22,666 Nobody has ever seen anything like it. 63 00:03:22,666 --> 00:03:24,445 - [Narrator] The emperor Zhu Di has just succeeded 64 00:03:24,445 --> 00:03:28,612 to the throne, and promptly eliminated his enemies. 65 00:03:29,622 --> 00:03:34,024 He retained only a selection of his advisors. 66 00:03:34,024 --> 00:03:36,285 - Majesty, you have dominated the Mongols 67 00:03:36,285 --> 00:03:38,942 and eliminated our enemies and enlarged the middle kingdom. 68 00:03:38,942 --> 00:03:41,624 Now your majesty, this time to explore the world around us, 69 00:03:41,624 --> 00:03:43,443 your empire deserves the riches of the world, 70 00:03:43,443 --> 00:03:45,827 the sea can carry us to unknown lands. 71 00:03:45,827 --> 00:03:47,587 But we must have ships, sire. 72 00:03:47,587 --> 00:03:50,323 - We will consider what you say, Zheng He. 73 00:03:50,323 --> 00:03:52,147 You have always been an obedient servant, 74 00:03:52,147 --> 00:03:53,838 wise in what you say. 75 00:03:53,838 --> 00:03:56,588 (dramatic music) 76 00:03:57,700 --> 00:03:58,864 (clears throat) 77 00:03:58,864 --> 00:04:01,165 - Very well majesty, the middle kingdom's at your feet. 78 00:04:01,165 --> 00:04:02,721 - My feet. 79 00:04:02,721 --> 00:04:04,463 - The riches of our empire found in the land. 80 00:04:04,463 --> 00:04:05,296 - In the land. 81 00:04:05,296 --> 00:04:07,128 - Confucius has said "he who plows the fields 82 00:04:07,128 --> 00:04:09,427 "brings prosperity and happiness to China. 83 00:04:09,427 --> 00:04:11,389 "From exploration no great good will come." 84 00:04:11,389 --> 00:04:13,402 - What, Confucius say all that? 85 00:04:13,402 --> 00:04:15,358 - Some say so he said sir. 86 00:04:15,358 --> 00:04:17,858 - We will consider your words. 87 00:04:20,274 --> 00:04:21,107 - Oh sire. 88 00:04:22,458 --> 00:04:24,458 (yawns) 89 00:04:25,519 --> 00:04:28,421 - So our honorable revered first wife, 90 00:04:28,421 --> 00:04:30,499 it is a pleasure to see you, why have you come? 91 00:04:30,499 --> 00:04:33,098 - [First Wife] I have a word to put in your ear, master. 92 00:04:33,098 --> 00:04:33,931 - Mm? 93 00:04:35,278 --> 00:04:36,719 - It is in our interest to protect China 94 00:04:36,719 --> 00:04:38,799 from foreign influence. 95 00:04:38,799 --> 00:04:40,463 It is what Confucius says, my lord. 96 00:04:40,463 --> 00:04:41,999 - And have you heard Confucius? 97 00:04:41,999 --> 00:04:43,995 - I have heard talk of him. 98 00:04:43,995 --> 00:04:46,501 - So venerated first wife, I shall meditate on it. 99 00:04:46,501 --> 00:04:47,418 You may go. 100 00:04:55,423 --> 00:04:58,522 My newer most recent wife, will you not sit down? 101 00:04:58,522 --> 00:05:01,380 (giggles) 102 00:05:01,380 --> 00:05:02,297 Right here. 103 00:05:03,418 --> 00:05:06,719 Now my little lotus flower, what's on your mind? 104 00:05:06,719 --> 00:05:07,818 Go on. 105 00:05:07,818 --> 00:05:10,357 - My lord and master. 106 00:05:10,357 --> 00:05:12,661 I humbly believe I mean, 107 00:05:12,661 --> 00:05:14,197 you have heard that there are wondrous marvels 108 00:05:14,197 --> 00:05:16,181 everywhere in the world they would 109 00:05:16,181 --> 00:05:18,277 surely enhance your glory. 110 00:05:18,277 --> 00:05:19,759 - Is it your pleasure to have them? 111 00:05:19,759 --> 00:05:20,592 - Oh yes. 112 00:05:23,578 --> 00:05:24,411 - Majesty. 113 00:05:26,117 --> 00:05:28,638 - Zheng He, you will create our imperial navy, 114 00:05:28,638 --> 00:05:29,939 the biggest one in the world. 115 00:05:29,939 --> 00:05:31,574 I hereby appoint you commander. 116 00:05:31,574 --> 00:05:34,134 And you will explore the whole world. 117 00:05:34,134 --> 00:05:35,958 There are reports of animals that are strange. 118 00:05:35,958 --> 00:05:38,791 There are even black men they say. 119 00:05:40,657 --> 00:05:41,671 - [Narrator] Then Zheng He set 120 00:05:41,671 --> 00:05:43,537 to work inventing the dry dock. 121 00:05:43,537 --> 00:05:45,297 This let them lift even the largest ships 122 00:05:45,297 --> 00:05:48,880 out of the water for inspection and repair. 123 00:05:53,558 --> 00:05:55,579 - Scrape down the wood hull, and replace 124 00:05:55,579 --> 00:05:57,937 the planks that are rotten, understand? 125 00:05:57,937 --> 00:05:59,558 Then put on new coat of paint. 126 00:05:59,558 --> 00:06:00,725 - Yes admiral. 127 00:06:05,248 --> 00:06:08,248 (sawing, hammering) 128 00:06:33,545 --> 00:06:36,901 - And every compartment must have a watertight door. 129 00:06:36,901 --> 00:06:38,367 - [Narrator] That's another Chinese invention, 130 00:06:38,367 --> 00:06:40,169 watertight compartments so that slight damage 131 00:06:40,169 --> 00:06:42,569 to the hull doesn't sink the ship. 132 00:06:42,569 --> 00:06:44,927 - [Man] They're gonna sail across whole oceans. 133 00:06:44,927 --> 00:06:46,885 - They will go into foreign lands. 134 00:06:46,885 --> 00:06:48,805 - It's against the words of Confucius. 135 00:06:48,805 --> 00:06:50,450 - I have an idea. 136 00:06:50,450 --> 00:06:51,769 Perfect, nobody around. 137 00:06:51,769 --> 00:06:54,519 (dramatic music) 138 00:07:02,929 --> 00:07:03,762 - Huh? 139 00:07:06,372 --> 00:07:09,075 Those followers of Confucius, they did this. 140 00:07:09,075 --> 00:07:13,242 - From now on, the locks are guarded night and day. 141 00:07:22,939 --> 00:07:23,772 - Ow! 142 00:07:31,081 --> 00:07:33,331 (laughing) 143 00:07:38,941 --> 00:07:39,774 - Whoa. 144 00:07:45,974 --> 00:07:48,224 (clanging) 145 00:07:50,325 --> 00:07:52,575 (groaning) 146 00:07:55,973 --> 00:07:58,723 (horse whinnies) 147 00:08:00,810 --> 00:08:01,643 - Help! 148 00:08:13,774 --> 00:08:14,815 - [Narrator] In just a few years, 149 00:08:14,815 --> 00:08:16,757 despite the objections of the followers of Confucius 150 00:08:16,757 --> 00:08:19,098 the emperor had indeed created the most powerful 151 00:08:19,098 --> 00:08:22,015 fleet that the world had ever seen. 152 00:08:23,338 --> 00:08:26,757 - 1,600 ships and big ships for carrying great treasure, 153 00:08:26,757 --> 00:08:29,599 each with nine masts and crews of 600 men. 154 00:08:29,599 --> 00:08:34,319 Junks with three or four masts that are easier to maneuver. 155 00:08:34,319 --> 00:08:38,057 More ships with oars and reinforced bow for ramming, 156 00:08:38,057 --> 00:08:41,514 and some with gunpowder to blow up enemy ships. 157 00:08:41,514 --> 00:08:44,395 Falcons of the sea with flat bottoms. 158 00:08:44,395 --> 00:08:46,138 And there are some that are secret. 159 00:08:46,138 --> 00:08:48,638 - No be quiet, they're secret. 160 00:09:12,490 --> 00:09:16,657 Come, it is our most precious guide our fate depends on it. 161 00:09:23,159 --> 00:09:24,242 Weigh anchor. 162 00:09:28,317 --> 00:09:29,682 - Weigh anchor! 163 00:09:29,682 --> 00:09:32,432 (dramatic music) 164 00:09:40,387 --> 00:09:42,220 Now measure our speed. 165 00:09:45,507 --> 00:09:48,257 (dramatic music) 166 00:09:53,209 --> 00:09:55,376 (singing) 167 00:10:03,263 --> 00:10:05,125 - Ship speed eight knots, captain. 168 00:10:05,125 --> 00:10:08,792 - Good, on course for the Strait of Sumatra. 169 00:10:11,527 --> 00:10:12,527 - Land ahoy! 170 00:10:14,682 --> 00:10:17,503 - That's Belawan, the largest port of Sumatra. 171 00:10:17,503 --> 00:10:19,044 - And full of pirates. 172 00:10:19,044 --> 00:10:20,759 Chen Su and his Malaysian pirates plunder ships 173 00:10:20,759 --> 00:10:23,220 in the straits of Malacca. 174 00:10:23,220 --> 00:10:25,698 - Listen, I'm going to take in the warships first. 175 00:10:25,698 --> 00:10:28,078 You keep fleet back. 176 00:10:28,078 --> 00:10:29,796 - Aye aye admiral. 177 00:10:29,796 --> 00:10:32,546 (dramatic music) 178 00:10:38,768 --> 00:10:40,231 - You see that? 179 00:10:40,231 --> 00:10:42,126 The warships are going on reconnaissance. 180 00:10:42,126 --> 00:10:43,570 We can get the treasure. 181 00:10:43,570 --> 00:10:45,350 - Ow, yes sir chief Yata. 182 00:10:45,350 --> 00:10:47,330 By the way, that hurt chief. 183 00:10:47,330 --> 00:10:50,080 (dramatic music) 184 00:11:05,015 --> 00:11:06,338 - Put that lantern out. 185 00:11:06,338 --> 00:11:08,717 You want them to spot us or what? 186 00:11:08,717 --> 00:11:11,467 (dramatic music) 187 00:11:23,639 --> 00:11:25,889 (drumming) 188 00:11:42,743 --> 00:11:44,983 (swords clanging) 189 00:11:44,983 --> 00:11:47,383 - Filthy pirates board my ships? 190 00:11:47,383 --> 00:11:50,550 - We'll see about that, cover my back! 191 00:12:09,429 --> 00:12:13,512 - To your battle stations, to your posts at once! 192 00:12:31,302 --> 00:12:34,640 - Reinforcements, quick we'll still win! 193 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:37,723 - Pinky did you see what I see? 194 00:12:37,723 --> 00:12:39,423 - Is it some kind of magic or what? 195 00:12:39,423 --> 00:12:42,102 No oars, no sails and they're bearing down on us! 196 00:12:42,102 --> 00:12:44,852 (dramatic music) 197 00:12:49,065 --> 00:12:49,898 - Fire. 198 00:12:53,411 --> 00:12:55,688 - A stink bomb, ready? 199 00:12:55,688 --> 00:12:56,521 Go! 200 00:13:02,369 --> 00:13:03,505 (sniffing) 201 00:13:03,505 --> 00:13:04,806 - Oh that really stinks. 202 00:13:04,806 --> 00:13:06,139 I can't breathe! 203 00:13:08,662 --> 00:13:10,339 - Archers, fire on that! 204 00:13:10,339 --> 00:13:11,339 What do you call it? 205 00:13:11,339 --> 00:13:12,172 Go on! 206 00:13:20,290 --> 00:13:23,207 - Reverse power, full speed astern. 207 00:13:32,573 --> 00:13:34,312 (booming) 208 00:13:34,312 --> 00:13:36,700 (yelling) 209 00:13:36,700 --> 00:13:39,100 - Road hogs, noble ruffians! 210 00:13:39,100 --> 00:13:40,500 You lousy pirates. 211 00:13:40,500 --> 00:13:41,900 - Eh say chief. - What? 212 00:13:41,900 --> 00:13:44,817 - The lousy pirates is us. - I know. 213 00:13:52,162 --> 00:13:53,319 - Get the message chief? 214 00:13:53,319 --> 00:13:56,439 We ain't gonna build their kind of ship, same as theirs. 215 00:13:56,439 --> 00:13:59,189 (dramatic music) 216 00:14:05,712 --> 00:14:07,512 - Anyawapo, come here. 217 00:14:07,512 --> 00:14:10,253 - You are welcome to the island of Buddha's birthplace. 218 00:14:10,253 --> 00:14:14,050 You drank the sacred water, so now you can enter the temple. 219 00:14:14,050 --> 00:14:15,432 I will be your guide. 220 00:14:15,432 --> 00:14:18,182 (dramatic music) 221 00:14:25,974 --> 00:14:26,807 - Do we? 222 00:14:31,747 --> 00:14:33,082 - Master welcomes the distinguished 223 00:14:33,082 --> 00:14:34,985 guests of the middle kingdom. 224 00:14:34,985 --> 00:14:36,649 He says that a bandit has taken control 225 00:14:36,649 --> 00:14:38,647 of the neighboring city of Kotte. 226 00:14:38,647 --> 00:14:40,729 He asks if you will help us get rid of him, 227 00:14:40,729 --> 00:14:43,747 so that we may live in peace. 228 00:14:43,747 --> 00:14:46,147 - Say we'll try to get rid of him. 229 00:14:46,147 --> 00:14:48,531 - And can I go with you on one of your ships sir? 230 00:14:48,531 --> 00:14:50,889 - [Admiral] Yes of course, you will be our interpreter. 231 00:14:50,889 --> 00:14:53,639 (dramatic music) 232 00:14:57,665 --> 00:14:59,466 - These are the cabins for the guests of honor. 233 00:14:59,466 --> 00:15:00,570 As big as the captain's. 234 00:15:00,570 --> 00:15:03,146 I'm going to be a captain when I grow up, and you? 235 00:15:03,146 --> 00:15:03,979 - Me? 236 00:15:04,903 --> 00:15:08,820 What I really want to be is an elephant driver. 237 00:15:10,261 --> 00:15:12,844 - Come on, we're already there. 238 00:15:19,402 --> 00:15:22,152 (dramatic music) 239 00:15:25,370 --> 00:15:27,793 - Zheng He, admiral commanding the imperial fleet 240 00:15:27,793 --> 00:15:32,395 of the middle kingdom and captain Hong Bao salute you sir. 241 00:15:32,395 --> 00:15:33,835 They bring many gifts for you. 242 00:15:33,835 --> 00:15:36,585 (dramatic music) 243 00:15:40,634 --> 00:15:41,865 (speaks foreign language) 244 00:15:41,865 --> 00:15:42,909 - What'd he say? 245 00:15:42,909 --> 00:15:44,990 - He says you are a miserable crawling worm, 246 00:15:44,990 --> 00:15:47,411 not worthy to squirm under his foot. 247 00:15:47,411 --> 00:15:49,310 Your emperor is a filthy bug that 248 00:15:49,310 --> 00:15:51,029 he will squash under his thumb. 249 00:15:51,029 --> 00:15:53,891 He has no intention of listening to your stupid gibberish. 250 00:15:53,891 --> 00:15:56,169 He is going to take all the treasure you have 251 00:15:56,169 --> 00:15:58,793 in your ships and deal with you as he likes. 252 00:15:58,793 --> 00:16:01,091 - He said all that? 253 00:16:01,091 --> 00:16:02,910 Yeah well you tell that stuffed cigar nose 254 00:16:02,910 --> 00:16:04,729 that pompous fleabag, that puffed up 255 00:16:04,729 --> 00:16:08,070 rag doll, that slimy snake, that flabby fish face, 256 00:16:08,070 --> 00:16:09,068 you tell him that-- 257 00:16:09,068 --> 00:16:10,729 - That we will give great consideration 258 00:16:10,729 --> 00:16:12,609 to his majesty's very generous proposition. 259 00:16:12,609 --> 00:16:14,153 - What? 260 00:16:14,153 --> 00:16:16,651 We'll give serious consideration to bashing his brains in! 261 00:16:16,651 --> 00:16:17,651 - Shh. - What? 262 00:16:17,651 --> 00:16:20,414 - [Captain] Later, I'll explain. 263 00:16:20,414 --> 00:16:21,854 - [Boy] He has blocked the port entrance. 264 00:16:21,854 --> 00:16:23,891 His whole army is there. 265 00:16:23,891 --> 00:16:25,731 - There are too many of them. 266 00:16:25,731 --> 00:16:27,593 - Yes, but if his whole army is there, 267 00:16:27,593 --> 00:16:28,974 it means there can't be any here. 268 00:16:28,974 --> 00:16:31,610 - Hey you're right, now's the time. 269 00:16:31,610 --> 00:16:33,777 (yelling) 270 00:16:36,268 --> 00:16:38,268 (yells) 271 00:16:41,951 --> 00:16:45,451 (speaks foreign language) 272 00:16:47,028 --> 00:16:48,911 So we're just miserable worms and filthy insects 273 00:16:48,911 --> 00:16:51,230 that you'll crush under your thumb. 274 00:16:51,230 --> 00:16:53,769 Well, some insects sting! 275 00:16:53,769 --> 00:16:57,269 (speaks foreign language) 276 00:17:00,388 --> 00:17:01,391 What? 277 00:17:01,391 --> 00:17:03,049 Interpreter, I want you to be very sure 278 00:17:03,049 --> 00:17:04,969 his majesty understands us. 279 00:17:04,969 --> 00:17:08,907 He will bring all his troops back here at once, otherwise. 280 00:17:08,907 --> 00:17:10,591 (speaks foreign language) 281 00:17:10,591 --> 00:17:13,341 (dramatic music) 282 00:17:24,884 --> 00:17:28,384 (speaks foreign language) 283 00:17:32,262 --> 00:17:34,762 (flute music) 284 00:17:36,025 --> 00:17:38,223 - Oh an elephant! 285 00:17:38,223 --> 00:17:40,973 (dramatic music) 286 00:17:56,204 --> 00:17:57,566 - Very interesting. 287 00:17:57,566 --> 00:17:59,063 Tell me, who is in charge here? 288 00:17:59,063 --> 00:18:01,225 - It is I, and what is it you have to offer? 289 00:18:01,225 --> 00:18:04,058 - Come and see our ships are here. 290 00:18:07,284 --> 00:18:09,561 - Very nice indeed, you are having how many? 291 00:18:09,561 --> 00:18:11,179 - Well let's count them. 292 00:18:11,179 --> 00:18:13,512 (murmuring) 293 00:18:15,086 --> 00:18:15,919 Ah. 294 00:18:17,182 --> 00:18:19,515 (murmuring) 295 00:18:24,379 --> 00:18:25,212 Oh? 296 00:18:29,142 --> 00:18:32,401 - [Man] 50 plates, 200 saucers, and as many cups. 297 00:18:32,401 --> 00:18:36,459 100 dishes and 20 teapots, that is the total of all. 298 00:18:36,459 --> 00:18:37,626 - [Men] Agree. 299 00:18:39,702 --> 00:18:41,899 - Now will you take me back home, huh? 300 00:18:41,899 --> 00:18:43,721 - We're going to go to Arabia, our next stop. 301 00:18:43,721 --> 00:18:44,719 - Arabia? 302 00:18:44,719 --> 00:18:46,859 I don't want to go to Arabia! 303 00:18:46,859 --> 00:18:48,582 - Where is Arabia? 304 00:18:48,582 --> 00:18:49,803 Nobody is too sure. 305 00:18:49,803 --> 00:18:52,203 - Apparently it's that way, towards the setting sun. 306 00:18:52,203 --> 00:18:55,286 - That's fine, fine, but why take me? 307 00:19:00,449 --> 00:19:03,116 (foreign music) 308 00:19:04,208 --> 00:19:06,243 (roaring) 309 00:19:06,243 --> 00:19:09,243 (people chattering) 310 00:19:23,787 --> 00:19:24,871 - What's that? 311 00:19:24,871 --> 00:19:27,031 - Why it's a kili I'm sure of it. 312 00:19:27,031 --> 00:19:29,570 It's a magic animal that brings good luck. 313 00:19:29,570 --> 00:19:31,708 Let's go closer. 314 00:19:31,708 --> 00:19:35,875 Ask him what exactly is this animal and is it for sale? 315 00:19:37,945 --> 00:19:39,010 - [Boy] They call it a giraffe, 316 00:19:39,010 --> 00:19:41,677 and there are many of them here. 317 00:19:45,010 --> 00:19:47,272 - [Zheng] Now you promised to be a good king, 318 00:19:47,272 --> 00:19:49,613 and you're not going to know your neighbors? 319 00:19:49,613 --> 00:19:51,946 Then you can run along home. 320 00:19:53,112 --> 00:19:55,312 - [Narrator] It was time to take the long journey home. 321 00:19:55,312 --> 00:19:57,911 (dramatic music) 322 00:19:57,911 --> 00:19:59,994 - Ah they're coming back. 323 00:20:01,828 --> 00:20:02,995 Now we attack. 324 00:20:08,826 --> 00:20:11,191 (yelling) 325 00:20:11,191 --> 00:20:14,628 Blah, pests of the ocean, road hogs, dirty pirates! 326 00:20:14,628 --> 00:20:15,853 - The thing is that we're-- 327 00:20:15,853 --> 00:20:18,274 - I know, I know, we're the dirty pirates. 328 00:20:18,274 --> 00:20:21,024 (soothing music) 329 00:20:32,279 --> 00:20:35,628 - Allow us, your majesty to present a kili, 330 00:20:35,628 --> 00:20:38,226 a legendary animal that always brings happiness. 331 00:20:38,226 --> 00:20:39,826 - Oh he's so cute. 332 00:20:39,826 --> 00:20:41,628 I want one, I want him. 333 00:20:41,628 --> 00:20:44,378 (soothing music) 334 00:20:51,787 --> 00:20:53,787 - By the end of the 15th Century, China 335 00:20:53,787 --> 00:20:55,931 was the greatest maritime power. 336 00:20:55,931 --> 00:20:59,110 The emperor had a new capital built at Beijing, later Peking 337 00:20:59,110 --> 00:21:00,969 in the north of the country, and in the center 338 00:21:00,969 --> 00:21:03,067 of Beijing, a forbidden city. 339 00:21:03,067 --> 00:21:04,849 Many palaces of 1,000 rooms each. 340 00:21:04,849 --> 00:21:06,971 A million workers used to complete it. 341 00:21:06,971 --> 00:21:08,605 Expeditions went on and our travelers 342 00:21:08,605 --> 00:21:10,067 brought back all sorts of exotic 343 00:21:10,067 --> 00:21:11,729 animals from around the world. 344 00:21:11,729 --> 00:21:15,480 - Oh he's splendid, that heavenly horse. 345 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:17,502 - And the kili, it's said they bring luck. 346 00:21:17,502 --> 00:21:19,518 - Longneck master terribly ugly, bah! 347 00:21:19,518 --> 00:21:21,277 - Look at that horse with stripes, that's ridiculous 348 00:21:21,277 --> 00:21:23,266 and that big bird can't even fly. 349 00:21:23,266 --> 00:21:24,706 Is any animal more awkward? 350 00:21:24,706 --> 00:21:27,241 Such a bird shouldn't exist. 351 00:21:27,241 --> 00:21:29,241 (yells) 352 00:21:30,284 --> 00:21:31,902 - Look there, what is it? 353 00:21:31,902 --> 00:21:33,201 - [Narrator] Ah yes, the world was opening up 354 00:21:33,201 --> 00:21:35,362 to adventures of the sea. 355 00:21:35,362 --> 00:21:37,506 Meanwhile, back in Beijing. 356 00:21:37,506 --> 00:21:38,879 - No prime minister, it's right here 357 00:21:38,879 --> 00:21:40,802 within China's own borders that our 358 00:21:40,802 --> 00:21:42,502 ancient faith will be strengthened. 359 00:21:42,502 --> 00:21:44,524 All these expeditions, these diabolical animals, 360 00:21:44,524 --> 00:21:46,263 they are useless, majesty. 361 00:21:46,263 --> 00:21:48,162 - I mean yes, your majesty, that's true. 362 00:21:48,162 --> 00:21:50,146 I mean I have seen signs in the sky. 363 00:21:50,146 --> 00:21:51,664 If we don't stop all these expeditions 364 00:21:51,664 --> 00:21:54,124 a great calamity will befall us, sire. 365 00:21:54,124 --> 00:21:57,543 - Beware, if you are mistaken I'll punish you. 366 00:21:57,543 --> 00:21:58,843 - You and your signs in the sky. 367 00:21:58,843 --> 00:22:00,704 You had to say it, you had to say it. 368 00:22:00,704 --> 00:22:02,764 If the catastrophe you predicted doesn't happen to China, 369 00:22:02,764 --> 00:22:04,658 then what will happen to us? 370 00:22:04,658 --> 00:22:05,664 (chuckles) 371 00:22:05,664 --> 00:22:07,060 - Don't worry it will happen. 372 00:22:07,060 --> 00:22:08,310 I guarantee it. 373 00:22:12,786 --> 00:22:16,364 (flames crackling) 374 00:22:16,364 --> 00:22:19,522 - As always, blocking progress is quite a powerful force. 375 00:22:19,522 --> 00:22:21,022 People are easily frightened off. 376 00:22:21,022 --> 00:22:22,521 The Chinese stopped all voyages of 377 00:22:22,521 --> 00:22:24,263 discovery under penalty of death. 378 00:22:24,263 --> 00:22:26,119 China withdrew behind the great wall. 379 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:28,162 It was the end of an extraordinary adventure. 380 00:22:28,162 --> 00:22:30,546 Just think, the Chinese have sailed over so much 381 00:22:30,546 --> 00:22:32,124 of the Earth's ocean when Henry the navigator 382 00:22:32,124 --> 00:22:33,783 hadn't even reached the equator. 383 00:22:33,783 --> 00:22:35,533 That you recall that. 384 00:22:36,523 --> 00:22:38,341 - What if the Chinese had continued sailing, 385 00:22:38,341 --> 00:22:40,736 and what if they'd met up? 386 00:22:40,736 --> 00:22:42,335 - Imagine for a moment what, 387 00:22:42,335 --> 00:22:44,032 if the Chinese junks of the middle kingdom 388 00:22:44,032 --> 00:22:46,176 had met the Portuguese caravels? 389 00:22:46,176 --> 00:22:47,312 What a turn in history that might 390 00:22:47,312 --> 00:22:49,252 have taken, defies imagination. 391 00:22:49,252 --> 00:22:50,892 - And what happened to our Chinese friends? 392 00:22:50,892 --> 00:22:52,112 - [Narrator] Yeah who can say. 393 00:22:52,112 --> 00:22:54,554 Zheng He probably died at sea in a storm. 394 00:22:54,554 --> 00:22:56,387 And as for Hong Bao... 395 00:22:59,733 --> 00:23:01,733 (gasps) 396 00:23:02,773 --> 00:23:06,794 - Grandpa, Grandpa, did you ever see ships as big as that? 397 00:23:06,794 --> 00:23:10,016 - Oh I sure did, my boy and some much bigger than that. 398 00:23:10,016 --> 00:23:13,434 The big Chinese junks, red sails, but that was long ago. 399 00:23:13,434 --> 00:23:14,554 - In our own time just off Kenya 400 00:23:14,554 --> 00:23:16,618 there's an island called Pate 401 00:23:16,618 --> 00:23:18,233 where distinctive people live. 402 00:23:18,233 --> 00:23:21,611 A mixture of Africans and Chinese. 403 00:23:21,611 --> 00:23:24,361 (dramatic music)