Jianwen Emperor
The film is inspired by a controversial legend about the Jianwen Emperor of the Ming dynasty, who is rumoured to have fled to Southeast Asia when he was dethroned in the year 1402 by his uncle, Zhu Di, who later became the Yongle Emperor. Some historians have even argued that the true purpose of the Voyages of Zheng he – which began three years after the Yongle Emperor ascended the throne – was not for the sake of trade or the promotion of national pride, but to seek out the Jianwen Emperor who was suspected to be hiding in the region. During the seven voyages, Zheng He's fleets had stopped in Malacca (now a Malaysian state) for five times. Malacca served as a transit centre for replenishment of supplies for his fleets.