How did the Yongle emperor maintain trade routes with Central Asia?

The Yongle emperor maintained trade routes with Central Asia primarily through diplomatic engagement and the maintenance of amicable relations with the successors of the Turko-Mongol leader Timur in Samarkand and Herat.1

Following the death of Timur in 1405, which led to the cancellation of a planned expedition against China, the emperor focused on fostering stable ties with these regional powers to ensure the continued operation of these vital trade networks. Additionally, the Ming dynasty utilized a tributary system to conduct foreign relations, which facilitated the exchange of goods such as Chinese tea for steppe horses on the western and northern frontiers. While the emperor was known for his aggressive foreign policy in other regions—such as sending Zheng He on maritime voyages—his approach to Central Asia relied on these diplomatic efforts to keep the routes open and secure.123