The Ming Dynasty had a vast territory and abundant products, and had almost no need for foreign trade. Therefore, the benefit of tribute to the Ming Dynasty court was not border trade, but etiquette. Since ancient times, China has required the prosperity of the country to attract foreigners, not through war, but through educating distant countries with virtue and etiquette, so that they would become civilized countries that would be attached to the Ming Dynasty and accept Chinese etiquette.
Since there was no need to import foreign products, China's only request to the distant barbarian countries was that they recognize the status of the Ming Dynasty as the suzerain, be peaceful and obedient, and not provoke border conflicts. The Ming Dynasty established the relationship between the monarch and the minister by enthroning their kings, promoted its own culture and ethics to the vassal states, and rewarded these obedient countries with generous rewards and opening up border trade.
In the 28th year of Hongwu, Taizu boasted in his "Edict to Sacrifice to the King of Siam" that "Since I ascended the throne, I have sent envoys to travel around the four directions and visit various states. I have visited 36 of them and heard their voices in 31 of them. Among them, 18 were large countries with different customs, and 149 were small countries."
During the reign of Emperor Chengzu, Zheng He sailed to the West seven times, pacified pirates overseas, saved the nation and brought countless kings of small countries to pay homage to the emperor. At that time, overseas people praised the power of the Ming Dynasty, and the foreign people were able to live and work in peace and contentment. Gold and silver from Yunnan and Jiaozhi were imported into China... This was also a grand event that has never been seen in later generations.
It was not until now that the Ming Dynasty had the confidence and financial resources to travel overseas again.
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