study (writing brush， ink stick， ink slab and paper) andancient books to cleaning the rooms and looking afterPrince Yan. Zheng He worked quickly and diligently anddid everything properly. When he noticed others did nothave time to do something， he always offered to lenda helping hand. As a result， Zheng He was praised byeveryone in the Mansion of Prince Yan. However， ZhengHe had always had great aspirations and never forgot hischildhood longing to travel. Every day， after finishing hisheavy workload， he got up early and slept late to studyregardless of how tired he was. The Mansion of PrinceYan had a classroom and the prince hired well-learntofficials to act as teachers to teach the children of peoplewho worked in the mansion. Noticing that Zheng He wascurious and ambitious， Prince Yan Zhu Di arranged forhim to study in the classroom. Zheng He studied carefullyand assiduously. In only a few years， he learnt much andgrew to become a full-bodied and handsome man. Aroundthat time， someone described Zheng He as “7-chi-high，10-wei of waist， with a high forehead and small nose，clear eyebrows and eyes， white ears， shell-like teeth， tiger-style actions， a bell-like voice， alert， wise and aware ofwar.” Wise and capable as he was， he did things carefullyand had great ambitions. Gradually， Prince Yan beganto appreciate him. In four years of the civil war for theMing Dynasty crown， Zheng He helped Prince Yan ZhuDi fight from south to north and distinguished himself.In 1402， Prince Yan Zhu Di became emperor (Emperor
作为一名小家奴，郑和在燕王府邸每天承担的劳役是相当繁重的，从整理文房四宝、古文典籍到洒扫内室、侍奉燕王起居，粗活细差样样都干。他干事麻利，手脚勤快，一件件办得妥妥帖帖；见到其他奴仆干不完的事，他便主动上前相助，所以博得燕王府中上上下下的称赞。少有大志的郑和，并没有忘记幼年的憧憬，他每天拖着劳累下来的疲惫身躯，起早摸黑地发奋自学读书。
燕王府里设有书堂，聘请有学问的官员充任教师，教育府里做事人的子女。燕王朱棣见郑和好学上进，便安排他进书堂读书。郑和读书认真、刻苦，不几年就懂得了许多知识。其身体也出落得体格魁梧，相貌俊朗。当时有人描述他“身高七尺，腰大十围，四岳（指额）峻而鼻小，眉目分明，耳白过面，齿如编贝，行如虎步，声如宏钟，博辩机敏，长于智略，知兵习战”。他因为精明能干、做事认真，且有志向，渐为燕王朱棣赏识。在争夺明朝皇位的内战中，郑和助燕王朱棣南北征战，建有奇功。1402年燕王朱棣称帝（即明成祖，明朝第三位皇帝，年号永乐，1403年为永乐元年）后不久，即于1404年春节，因他
Ming Chengzu， the third emperor of the Ming Dynastyand took the name of Yongle and 1403 was the first yearof Yongle，s reign). Shortly after that， in the Spring Festivalof 1404， Zheng He was given the surname Zheng forhis accomplishments fighting at Zhengcunba， TongxianCounty， Hebei. He was promoted to Neiguanjian Eunuch，becoming the leader of Neiguanjian. Neiguanjian wasresponsible for the construction of palaces and tombs，arrangements at weddings and funeral ceremonies ofroyalty， procurement of utensils used in the palace andrare treasures. Zheng He became a trusted subordinateand a useful assistant of Emperor Yongle.
Zheng He was a devout of Ismal and also a disciple ofthe Buddha initiated into monkhood (his religious namewas Fushan or Fujixiang). In Buddhism， Buddha， Dharmaand Sangha are regarded as Sanbao. The term Buddharefers to Sakyamuni， the founder of Buddhism， but alsogenerally to all people with a deep understanding ofBuddhism. Dharma refers to the doctrines of Buddhismand generally refers to all Confucian classics or religiousscriptures in Buddhism. The term sangha refers tomonks who sincerely believe in and promote BuddhismDoctrines and generally refers to all devout disciples.In the viewpoint of Buddhism， all disciples who believein Buddhism should come over and adhere to Sanbao.Zheng He，s name of “Sanbao Eunuch” used by peopleis closely linked to his devotion to Buddhism. There wasanother well known story. Zheng He had an elder brother
在河北通县郑村坝作战有功而赐姓郑，并擢升为“内官监太监”，成为内官监的首领。内官监负责营建宫殿陵墓、安排皇室婚丧礼仪、采办宫廷陈设的器物和奇珍异宝等事务。此时的郑和已成为永乐皇帝倚重的心腹和得力助手。
郑和既是虔诚的伊斯兰教徒，又是受了菩萨戒的佛家弟子。佛教奉佛、法、僧为“三宝”。“佛”，指佛教创始人释迦牟尼，也泛指佛门中一切大知大觉的人；“法”，指佛教的教义，也泛指佛门中一切经
and an elder sister. He was the third child in his familyand was nicknamed Sanbao (referring to the third son).He was therefore called “Sanbao Eunuch.” According tohistorical data， Emperor Xuande of the Ming DynastyZhu Zhanji (in the throne from 1425-1435) gave ZhengHe the title of Sanbao Eunuch in 1431 for having servedthree emperors-Yongle， Hongxi and Xuande， and loyallyassisted Chengzu， Renzong and Xuanzong emperors. AsZheng He，s outstanding achievements spread， the titleSanbao Eunuch became associated with Zheng He. Asa person who respected Buddhism and Islam， he foundit suitable to visit Asian and African countries whichtake Buddhism and Islam as the national religion. Thecommon faith and the sentimental ties that connect peoplein Asian and African countries were helpful to establishfriendly relationships and alleviate intense situationsbetween all countries. Zheng He was educated at theMansion of Prince Yan and showcased his outstandingtalents in military command. These features， in additionto his eloquence and resourcefulness， made him a brilliantdiplomatic and military leader. These conditions allowedZheng He to act as an envoy and complete the politicaland diplomatic obligations assigned by Emperor Yongleof going to far western oceans.
书典籍；“僧”，指笃信和宣扬佛教教义的僧侣，也泛指一切虔诚的信徒。按佛门观点，凡崇信佛教者，都要归顺、依附这“三宝”。郑和被世人称为“三宝太监”，当与他皈依佛门有很大关系。另有一种说法：郑和有一兄一姐，他排行第三，小名三宝，故人称“三宝太监”。另据史料记载，1431年明宣宗朱瞻基（1425-1435年在位）因郑和历经永乐、洪熙、宣德三朝，忠心辅佐成祖、仁宗、宣宗，而赐封郑和为三保太监。由于郑和业绩广为流传，久而久之，“三保（或三宝）太监”就成为郑和专有的代名词。崇奉佛教、伊斯兰教这两种宗教的人，很适合访问以佛教、伊斯兰教为国教的亚非国家。因为共同的宗教信仰，乃是维系亚非各国人民的感情纽带，它有助于沟通和建立相互间的友好关系，缓解各国之间的紧张局势。郑和在燕王府里受过良好的文化教育，在征战中又显露出卓越的军事指挥才能，且富有口才，足智多谋，具有外交家和军事统帅的潜质，这就为郑和担任正使完成永乐皇帝交付的下西洋这一重大政治外交使命准备了条件。
