New Tales of Old Shanghai
Stewards Pooi Kei Primary School , Hsieh , Anna – 10
F
rom the palace , I could see the crowds cheering and cheering . A wave of happiness sailed through my heart . As I saw this I thought ‘ Will this last ?’ I knew a war was coming ….
Once day , long ago , when I was just a young girl , I was reading a book as my father ran into my room . This was impolite , but I put down my book anyway . He said excitedly that I should join a line of girls waiting to marry a prince . My father was wealthy and well known for having the most handsome and beautiful sons and daughters in the kingdom . All of my sisters were there already and now I was the only one left . But I knew that if I went , the prince would order me to marry him , especially if it was the eldest son . The eldest son did not have a brilliant mind . He was also quite lazy . Although I liked the youngest prince , I knew that he couldn ’ t ask for my hand because he had the least power . I decided not to go , because I was the most beautiful girl in the village and I knew that , one day , I would meet my true love .
A week later , the king decided that the first son that gets married will become the future king . The princes went through the village , searching for their brides . A loud knock came right through my door . The door opened and I saw the youngest prince . He was handsome , brave and smart . He was also hard working and obedient . When he asked me to be his bride , I , of course , agreed .
The wedding was glamorous . They dressed me in the best of wedding clothes . While I was walking down the aisle , I saw the eldest son glaring at me . It was obvious that he was very angry because , since I didn ’ t marry him , he could not inherit the throne . I decided that I must protect my husband ! While I was deep in thought , a big banging sound of the fireworks brought me back . The prince was holding my hand , the priest said ‘ I now pronounce you husband and wife .’ Joy filled my heart . Our coronation was on the next day . I was excited .
Next morning , the maids woke me up early . I saw that they had prepared the best dress I have ever seen ! It was red with a lot of detailed embroidery . It was also covered in precious gems . I wore it with pride all through the coronation . But while everyone was dancing happily , a messenger came in . ‘ The Tribe is attacking , Your Highness !’ - he screamed . Everyone panicked and ran home at once as the palace was one of the major targets . The eldest son went into war with all his brothers . But just when we were discussing politics , the general asked for more soldiers . Both me and my husband went to war .
The battle was epic . I was one of the archers and my husband was our commander . After another long and exhausting battle , I thought of a strategy : Since the enemy is using copper swords , why don ’ t we use what they attacked for : our bronze and iron ? I quickly went back to the palace and told the king about my plan . The king thought it was reasonable , but he didn ’ t want to use such expensive resources for this war . ‘ But if we use what they came for , they can ’ t get it that easily .’ - I kept convincing . So the king agreed .
Although we had stronger weapons , we were nearly beaten . My husband and the other soldiers were hiding . I was hiding too . But the king was smart . He knew that the enemy didn ’ t know that he was going to give his throne to his youngest son . So , when the enemy captured him , he said he didn ’ t decide about the future king yet . So they captured the eldest son , because they thought it would surely be him . The king ’ s plan worked and the real future king was safe . As they took him away , the king left a note . Because the enemy wasn ’ t prepared , we were able to win this war and we soon found the note and knew that the king and the eldest prince were killed . I opened the note . It said ‘ Go . Live a new and happy life . Help your own country .’ I swore revenge . I decided to demand a one on one combat with the Tribe ’ s emperor .