1421: Chapter 7

As chapter six left me with the fleet that was traveling eastward from South America, chapter seven picked up with part of the fleet that was traveling westward from South America. It was very interesting to see that because each group of ships used the same navigation techniques, they both arrived at the same final destination, Australia. The Pacific Ocean fleet, as I am calling this group of ships, faced many perils on their adventures. As they reached the coasts of Australia and New Zealand, the eastward currents actually swept them back in the direction they had come from. During this event, several treasure ships were lost. However, the Chinese do not stop and wait for everyone to have a pity party for them. Recently, there was an earthquake in China, killing thousands. Both times, the Chinese responded by trying to rectify their problems immediately. Again and again in history, the Chinese continue to provide examples of their relentless desire to continue forward. The loss of these ships, though, has proven quite beneficial for Gavin Menzies. With the discoveries of these lost ships all over the world, it only helps to further his hypothesis of the Chinese travelling around the world and discovering the Americas. Gavin's last piece of evidence is the Chinese ancestry in the places where the ships wrecked. It is amazing what technology can do these days. By tracing legends to people, and then using their DNA, Gavin was actually able to find that some people surrounding these wreck sites do have Chinese in their blood. To me, that is simply crazy. It is like a real life CSI scenario. Throughout this book, I have been feeling a feeling of pride in these Chinese sailors. Everywhere they go, they mark the lands with gigantic boulders, all bearing the same symbol. To prove it is Chinese, several of these stones have been found in southern China as well. It feels like they were trying to make a statement. Not only were they trying to accomplish the impossible (at the time), but it seems they wanted everyone to know of it.