The Yongle Emperor, also known as Zhu Di, was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty in China, ruling from 1402 to 1424. He is best known for his ambitious projects, including the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing and the commissioning of the Yongle Encyclopedia, one of the largest encyclopedias in history. During his reign, the Yongle Emperor expanded China's influence through maritime expeditions led by the explorer Zheng He. These voyages helped establish trade routes and diplomatic relations with various countries in Asia and beyond, significantly enhancing China's global presence during the early 15th century.