W hazammmm !” Jessica ’ s teleporting machine stopped abruptly . She opened her eyes and saw nothing but bright light . She didn ’ t know where she was teleported to , but her teleporting adventures all brought her to the past and she was inquisitive to know which adventure she would be going on today . Her adventures usually taught her some valuable lessons . They also gave her some insight on core values . Before stepping out of the teleporting machine , as like every adventure , she had a little guidebook for where she was going . She found a guidebook that said “ Old Shanghai ”.

She heard firm and heavy footsteps clinking towards her . She saw arrows shooting across the sky and there were numerous people lying on the floor , already dead . For a moment she thought the arrows were not targeting her but when they neared her , she gasped in horror and shut her eyes . She was frozen on the spot , unable to move her feet or arms . She was prepared for death when she felt something loom before her . Then , there was complete silence . She gently opened her eyes and saw a man with his hand bleeding . The man was weak but he asked Jessica “ Are you fine ? You seem to be the only one still alive .” the man counted the arrows on his arm before completing his question , “ twelve arrows !” Jessica saw two warriors approaching the man and their eyes were about to pop out of their sockets when they saw the man in this condition . They cried “ Sire ! Oh no ! Call the doctor !” Jessica was terrified with tears rolling down her cheeks . The man plucked out the arrows one by one . The blood was all over his arm and simultaneously dripping on the floor . Jessica naturally took out the disinfectant wet tissue from her pocket and offered to help tend his wounds . The man ’ s instant response , “ What is it ? Wet !” Oh , Jessica had forgotten she was from the future and wet tissue was a grotesque item in Qing Dynasty without doubt . Before Jessica could respond , the man had passed out . Jessica got to know the man later . He was actually Emperor Daoguang ’ s son . His name was Yiji , Prince Hui . Yiji snapped to consciousness when the doctor has done the treatment . Luckily all went well . Jessica realized that she had to be honest to the man who just saved her life . When Jessica revealed that she was teleported here , Yiji was completely shocked . But as he looked more detailed in her face , dress , behavior , the language she used , the way she talked , and in particular that “ wet tissue ”, Yiji told himself that if anything could happen in the century of war , then why not believe in a tool of teleporting ! Yiji was a kind soul and he let Jessica stay in his palace until she had to leave . Jessica and Yiji became fast friends as they talked about what was happening in the society . Jessica asked about the Opium War . The Opium War was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing dynasty over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations , trade and the administration of justice for foreign nationals in China . British merchants sold opium , a very dangerous drug , illegally in China . Lots of people from China bought opium and it harmed their lives . The Emperor knew about it and decided to break up all the relationships with Britain . It was then when Britain declared war . Yiji told Jessica in a desperate voice , “ We are in an unfavorable position and about to lose the battle . Based on the message from a secret agent , Britain plans to bomb Hong Kong next and wipe out the city completely .” Hearing this , Jessica ’ s face turned as blank as a sheet . There must be something she could do to save her home town . Yiji brought Jessica to his father , the Emperor . The Emperor and Jessica talked until midnight and it was a terribly difficult conservation to Jessica as she had to convince the Emperor of some mysterious “ facts ” - Great Britain acquired Hong Kong Island in 1842 , Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 , and leased the New Territories in 1898 . Hong Kong would be returned to China in the year of 1997 and by then , this city has become a strong financial backbone to the whole China .

The next morning , Jessica went to the British army and told them not to bomb Hong Kong . The commander of course snorted and smirked “ who are you ? Why should we listen to you ?” Jessica continued , “ Our Emperor offers to rent you the city of Hong Kong and its islands around for a lease of 99 years . As the city Hong Kong has a deep harbor and is in the middle of Asia , it would make the best trading port in the world . That can be a great

Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 12 | Page 301