Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 12 | Page 449

The New Tales of Old Shanghai
St Stephen's College Preparatory School, Chow, Teresa – 10
A
long time ago, there was a legend that people never knew whether it was real or not. People believed a
famous detective in the Tang Dynasty, Judge Dee, drove a time machine to the future and rescued the lost
Emperor, Wu Zetain, the only female Emperor in Chinese History.
“Ding Dong!” someone hit the drum in Judge Dee’s court. Judge Dee opened the door to a servant from
the Royal Emperor’s Palace as he rushed in with a worried look on his face. He told Judge Dee about the
Emperor’s disappearance. He took out a piece of paper found beside the Emperor’s throne that read:
Look for the Emperor,
in the Turning Ocean.
A terrible roar will be heard,
at the midnight bell ten years later.
The deplorable word,
will kill everyone,
once it has been heard.
Find the Emperor immediately,
before the word has been said.
That’s all it wrote on the piece of paper.
“You’re lucky to find the correct person with the time machine, I discovered it on my previous mission.”
said Judge Dee suddenly.
“Great! Let’s go!” They shouted together.
In ten seconds, they were already swirling around in a sparkling tunnel…
“Bong!” their feet touched the ground. They landed in a place filled with fishing boats floating on the sea
and the sky was smiling at them when it was playing with the beautiful birds.
“This place is prosperous!” Judge Dee exclaimed as they looked around. “I think this place is called the
Turning Ocean because the water is swirling lightly and it looks kind of mysterious. This must be the famous
fishing village and I think there must be something dangerous around here!”
“I think so too. I have a weird feeling.” the servant said, “Oh, no! The criminal must have smuggled the
Emperor by Boat!” the servant panicked.
“I don’t think he or she will because it said it is the Turning Ocean and I think it refers to the forest
because it is shaped as a circle.” Judge Dee deduced.
“Smart guess, we still have time. Let’s go!” the servant said.
They went into the dark and scary forest. They were too anxious that they’ve to stare at each other in
silence. Judge Dee took out the magical compass and some silver liquid ended up. The pool shimmered in the
darkness…