Zheng He is perhaps China’s most famous explorer. For twenty-eight years he sailed more than 50,000 kilometers and visited over thirty countries. In seven expeditions, from 1405-1433, he and his Grand Fleet sailed all over the South Pacific, Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, around Egypt, and as far as east Africa. It may be that some ships even sailed as far as Australia. The discovery near the coast of Australia of a Chinese ship built in this period and reports from native Aborigines suggest this is true.       Zheng’s voyages established Chinese diplomatic and trade relations throughout Asia and Africa.China was the greatest power at the time, and many countries wanted to trade. However, not everyone welcomed the Chinese. On the third voyage (1409-1411), Zheng fought against the King of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and took him back to China as a prisoner. In Indonesia, the fleet defeated a powerful Chinese pirate who was later brought back to China for execution.
       The seventh and final voyage was the largest, with over 100 ships. However, in 1433, Zheng died while attempting to return home from India. Soon after, the days of these great sea adventures ended. Whereas Emperor Yonglo supported exploration, Emperors after him did not. Because of political changes in China, all expeditions were stopped indefinitely. All trade with other countries stopped, and even the records of Zheng’s voyages were burned.
        Twenty-eight stone steps lead to Zheng He’s tomb. Divided into four sections of seven steps each,they represent Zheng’s seven journeys, and the twenty-eight years he spent traveling.After the time of Zheng’s death, Chinese influence over the region declined, opening the door for the rise of European nations. In 1498, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese sailor, reached China’s favorite trading city of Calicut (a city in India). So began a period of Asian colonization by European naval powers.

75 On which voyage did Zheng He organize the largest fleet?
(A) The first.
(B) The third.
(C) The fifth.
(D) The seventh.