Prince Parameswara, the last king of Singapura, had fled from Palembang after being crushed by Javanese forces in 1398.

The city iss then plagued by pirates, notably Chen Zuyi and Liang Daoming.

In 1407, Chen is confronted at Palembang by the returning Imperial treasure fleet under Admiral Zheng He.

Zheng makes the opening gambit, demanding Chen's surrender and the pirate quickly signals agreement while preparing for a surprise pre-emptive strikes,.

but details of his plan have been provided to Zheng by a local Chinese informant, and in the fierce battle that ensues, the Ming soldiers and superior Ming armada finally destroy the pirate fleet and kill five thousand of its men.

Chen is captured and held for public execution in Nanjing in 1407.

Peace is finally restored to the Strait of Malacca as Shi Jinqing is installed as Palembang's new ruler and incorporated into what will become a far-flung system of allies who acknowledge Ming supremacy in return for diplomatic recognition, military protection, and trading rights.