郑和下西洋真正目是什么？.doc

郑和下西洋的真正目的是什么
曾国新
福建省长乐市郑和研究会秘书长
提要:有人称郑和下西洋是为了“踪迹建文”和“耀兵异域”,这是没有根据的臆测。通过分析郑和下西洋的决策者明成祖朱棣的碑文、敕书,执行者郑和刊立的长乐天妃碑碑文,随行者马欢、费信、巩珍等人的航海笔记,可以证实郑和下西洋的真正目的是“宣德化柔远人”和“经济大海”。
关键词:郑和下西洋、目的
Abstract: Some people consider that Zheng He's voyages provide an opportunity to “seek out Zhu Yunwen (the previous emperor whom the Yongle emperor had usurped and who was rumored to have fled into exile)” and “impress foreign people with the powerful force.” In fact, it is just an unfounded speculation. Based on the analyze of the inscriptions and the edict from Emperor Zhu Di (the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty and the sponsor of the Zheng He’s voyages), inscription on Changle Tianfei monument which build by Executor Zheng he, and the sailing notes from Zheng he’s followers such as Ma Huan, Fei Xin, Gong Zhen, a conclusion can be made that the real purpose of the expeditions is to “promote an ethical culture, strengthe foreign friendship " and " boost overseas trade".
Keywords: Zheng he’s voyage,Purpose
一、“踪迹建文”和“耀兵异域”都是根据不足的臆测
郑和下西洋的目的是什么?由于明成化年间反对下西洋的兵部车驾郎中刘大夏毁灭了郑和远航的官方档案,致使后人对郑和下西洋知之不详,甚至连为什么下西洋也众说纷纭,莫衷一是。郑和下西洋过去300年后,清乾隆四年(1740)张廷玉纂修的《明史》是这样说的:“成祖疑惠帝亡海外,欲踪迹之,且欲耀兵异域,示中国富强。”[1] 此后的几百年,许多人对此深信不疑。本人认为,无论是当时的实际情况和逻辑分析,“踪迹建文”和“耀兵异域”都是根据不足的臆测。
先看“踪迹建文”说。燕王朱棣在北平举兵造反,为了贴上合法的标签,并没说要推翻建文帝政权,而是打着“奉天靖难”旗号,声称自己是奉祖训进京“清君侧”,“除奸臣”,“解国难”。朱棣攻下南京后,以建文帝“阖宫自焚”、“自底亡灭”的理由,在诸王及文武官员多次呈请即位称帝的情况下,才“奉承洪基”当上皇帝的。[2] 雄