Fei Hsin (also known as Fei Xin) was a military official and scholar who accompanied Admiral Zheng He on at least four of his legendary "Treasure Voyages" between 1409 and 1433.
His primary account is found in his book, Hsing-ch'a sheng-lan (The Overall Survey of the Star Raft), written in 1436. His observations provide a rare, first-hand look at the Malacca Sultanate during its infancy.
Key Observations on Malacca
Fei Hsin’s account is particularly valuable because he witnessed Malacca's rapid transformation from a small fishing village into a major international entrepôt.
1. Political Status and Chinese Protection
Fei Hsin notes that before the Chinese arrived, Malacca was not even considered a "country" (polity). It was a vassal of Siam (Thailand), to whom it paid a yearly tribute of 40 taels of gold.
- The Enfeoffment: He records that in 1405, the Ming Emperor sent Zheng He with a "Stone Tablet" to enfeoff the "Western Mountain" of Malacca, officially elevating its status to a kingdom under Chinese protection.
- The Government Depot: He describes the establishment of a "Guan Chang" (Official Depot)—a fortified Chinese cantonment. This served as a supply base where goods were stored and ships were repaired, effectively making Malacca the "headquarters" for the Ming fleet in Southeast Asia.
2. People and Culture
Fei Hsin provides a vivid (if blunt) description of the local population:
- Appearance: He describes the people as having "dark skin," but notes that those with "fairer complexions" were likely of Chinese descent, indicating early intermarriage and the roots of the Peranakan (Baba-Nyonya) community.
- Customs: He mentions that the people were "simple and honest," wore their hair in knots, and wrapped their bodies in colorful cloths.
- Religion: While he acknowledges the Islamic influence, he focuses more on social hierarchy and the presence of various merchant groups from India and the Middle East.
3. Economy and Trade
Fei Hsin highlights Malacca's strategic value as the "choke point" of the spice route:
- Local Products: He lists tin (mined in the interior), "ebony," and various resins as local exports.
- Trade Goods: He details the exchange of Chinese silk, porcelain, and gold for local spices and tropical woods.
- The Port: He describes the river as a safe harbor where ships from all over the "Western Ocean" gathered to wait for the monsoon winds to change.
Comparison: Fei Hsin vs. Ma Huan
Scholars often compare Fei Hsin's work with Ma Huan’s Yingya Shenglan.
MALACCA KING VISIT TO CHINA
The visit of the Malaccan King to the Ming court was a watershed moment in Southeast Asian history. Fei Hsin and other Ming chroniclers provide detailed accounts of these diplomatic missions, which were unprecedented in their scale and frequency.
The most famous of these visits was by Parameswara (referred to in Chinese records as Bai-li-mi-su-la), the founder of Malacca, followed by his successors.
1. The 1411 Grand Mission
In 1411, Parameswara personally traveled to Nanjing to pay homage to the Yongle Emperor. This was not a small delegation; it was a massive state visit.
- The Entourage: The King was accompanied by his wife, his son, and a retinue of over 540 officials and servants.
- The Voyage: They traveled aboard Zheng He’s treasure ships, which provided a level of security and luxury that signaled Malacca’s special status as a "favored" vassal state.
- The Reception: The Yongle Emperor treated Parameswara as an equal to other high-ranking monarchs. He was given a gold-woven robe, jade belts, insignia of rank, and a "protected" status that acted as a "keep away" sign to the neighboring Thais and Javanese.
2. Diplomatic Rituals and Gifts
Fei Hsin records the "tribute" system, which was essentially a highly ritualized form of international trade.
- From Malacca: The King brought "tribute" consisting of local rarities: tin, high-quality woods (ebony, lakawood), rhinoceros horns, and exotic birds.
- From China: In return, the Emperor gave "gifts" that far exceeded the value of the tribute. This included massive amounts of gold and silver coins, silk fabrics, and porcelain.
- Symbolic Sovereignty: The most important gift was the Yellow Umbrella and a seal of office, which legitimized the King's rule back home.
3. Why the King Went Personally
In the 15th century, it was highly unusual (and dangerous) for a monarch to leave his throne for months. However, the Malaccan kings did so repeatedly (in 1411, 1414, 1419, and 1424).
- The "Thai" Threat: Malacca was under constant pressure from the Kingdom of Ayutthaya (Siam). By visiting China, the King secured a direct promise of military protection.
- Economic Monopoly: The visit ensured that Malacca remained the primary "Official Depot" (Guan Chang) for the Ming fleet, guaranteeing that all Chinese trade passed through his port.
4. Fei Hsin’s Perspective on the King’s Return
Fei Hsin describes the King’s return as a moment of great prestige. When the King arrived back in Malacca on Chinese ships, his authority was absolute. The presence of the Ming fleet in the harbor during these transitions served as a "silent bodyguard" for the young Sultanate.
Note: These visits were so successful that Malacca became the most loyal of all the "Western Ocean" kingdoms. Even after the Treasure Voyages ended, Malacca continued to send frequent missions to China.
Comparison of Early Malaccan Kings' Visits
THE STONE TABLET
The "Stone Tablet" of Malacca is one of the most significant symbols of the Ming-Malacca alliance. Mentioned prominently by Fei Hsin, it was not merely a decorative monument but a powerful legal and religious instrument that transformed Malacca from a small vassal of Siam into a protected kingdom of the Ming Empire.
1. The Enfeoffment of the "Western Mountain"
In 1405, during the first voyage, the Yongle Emperor issued an imperial edict to formally recognize Malacca. Fei Hsin records that Zheng He brought a stone tablet to be erected on the "Western Mountain" (now known as Bukit Melaka).
- The Act of Enfeoffment: In Chinese tradition, "enfeoffing" a mountain (feng) was a sacred rite. By declaring the mountain the "Protector of the Country," the Emperor was essentially incorporating Malacca into the Chinese world order as a favored "inner" vassal.
- The Inscription: The tablet bore a poem written by the Emperor himself, praising the King of Malacca’s "sincerity" and "righteousness."
2. What the Tablet Represented
To the people of Malacca and their neighbors, the stone tablet served three major purposes:
- A "Keep Out" Sign for Siam: At the time, Malacca was being bullied by the Kingdom of Siam (Ayutthaya), which demanded 40 taels of gold annually. The presence of the Imperial Tablet signaled that Malacca was now under the direct protection of the Ming "Dragon," effectively ending the threat of Siamese invasion.
- A Political Shield: It gave the founder, Parameswara, the legitimacy he needed to rule. He was no longer a refugee prince from Palembang; he was a King recognized by the world’s greatest superpower.
- Religious/Spiritual Protection: Like the famous Galle Trilingual Inscription found in Sri Lanka, these tablets often invoked divine blessings for the safety of the port and the success of trade.
3. The Lost Mystery of the Tablet
While Fei Hsin and the Ming Shilu (Imperial Records) provide the text of the inscription, the physical tablet itself has never been found.
- Where is it? Historians believe it was placed on the summit of St. Paul's Hill. When the Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511, they destroyed many "pagan" and Chinese monuments to build their fort, A Famosa. It is likely the tablet was broken up and used as building material or discarded.
- The Legend of Bukit China: Some local traditions suggest the tablet might have been related to Bukit China (Chinese Hill), which was granted to the Chinese community for their official depot and cemetery.
The Imperial Inscription (Summary)
The poem inscribed on the tablet was grandiose. According to the Ming Shilu, it said:
"To the vast seas in the southwest, China reaches out... The Western Mountain of Malacca is enfeoffed as the mountain protecting the state. May your descendants be protected as long as this stone lasts."
This tablet is the reason Malacca grew so rapidly—it provided the security necessary for international merchants to trust the port.
Google Gemini AI
29 January 2026: 7.30 p.m
