Culture Corner Zheng He and His Seven Voyages
文化广角 郑和和他的七次航行
Zheng He (1371-1435) was one of China's most famous explorers.
郑和（1317-1435）是中国最有名的探险家之一。
Towards the end of the fourteenth century, his fleet sailed to countries very far away.
14世纪末，他的船队驶向很远的国家。
Zheng He had over 300 ships, some of which were over 150 metres long and could carry up to 1,000 people.
郑和有300多只船，其中有些船长超过150多米，可以承载1千人。
In addition to the supplies for the long journeys, the ships carried gold, silver, silk, china
除漫长旅途所需物资外，船上还装有金银、丝绸、瓷器
and other treasures to give as gifts to the rulers of the neighbouring countries.
和其他宝物，作为送给邻国统治者的礼品。
Some of the ships even had earth on board so that the sailors could grow their own crops for food.
有些船的甲板上甚至有泥土，这样船员可以种他们吃的农作物。
On Zheng He's first voyage, he set sail across the Indian Ocean.
第一次航行时，郑和起航穿越了印度洋。
His fleet travelled for many days far away from land. One day, they were hit by a storm.
他的船队在离岛很远的地方航行了很多天。一天，他们遭遇了一场暴风雨。
All the sailors thought the fleet was going to sink.
所有的船员都以为船队会沉没。
Then a strange light appeared at the top of the ships' masts, and after that, the storm passed.
后来，船的桅顶出现一道奇异的光，接着，暴风雨过去了。
