What did the ancient "Siyi Pavilion" do? What's interesting in it?

Siyige is mainly used for foreign language translation and foreign exchange.

Siyige is strange to many people, and most people have never heard of it. Siyi Pavilion is a foreign-related institution, and its functions are similar to those of the modern Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China has always had foreign-related institutions in ancient times. Many people have never heard of Siyi Pavilion, but they may have heard of Dianke in Qin Dynasty, Dahong Temple in Han Dynasty and so on. These are typical foreign-related institutions, and so is Siyige.

Siyige was founded in the Ming Dynasty, and Zhu Yuanzhang pursued the Confucian ethics of foreign relations from the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The tone of the whole Ming dynasty was different, from a state of waste and prosperity at the end of Yuan Dynasty to a superpower. In the early Ming dynasty, the emperor didn't like war. As long as there is no military conflict between the imperial court and the warring countries or vassal countries, the country can live in peace, stability and harmony, which is a typical feature of the Tang Dynasty.

The Ming dynasty also intended to learn from the open atmosphere of Han and Tang dynasties, follow the example of Han and Tang dynasties and establish diplomatic relations with neighboring countries. Moreover, Japan, North Korea and other established countries also surrendered to the national prestige of the Ming Dynasty at that time, and often traded in the palace, not just bringing some tributes. Our monarch still has letters. But no matter which country came to pay tribute, the Ming Dynasty was sincere and allowed to exchange trade.

Siyi Pavilion was built in November of the fifth year of Yongle. At the beginning of its establishment, it recruited students to learn to translate foreign languages, and sent more students from imperial academy to provide assistance. In fact, considering the brilliant events of Zheng He's voyages to the West, Siyige also contributed a lot, providing translators for the teams who went to the West, which was one of the reasons for Zheng He's success in his voyages to the West.