Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 397

So it went, we stopped in nomad villages and bought goods, sold goods. One day when we had just passed
another village Lihwa spoke to us and said “That was the last village until the tradepoint, soon all the goods
will be sold. We will buy new goods and travel back to China. We will need to go through your bandit
camp, think about it.” And she was gone. I turned to Chuyu and asked “Do you still want to escape?”. He
nodded. I always knew he would want to, but things had been getting better. I just needed to convince him
of it.
Over the next few days I worked on an escape plan with Chuyu because I knew he wanted it so badly, but I
also worked on a plan of my own, to get him to like the caravan. We were so near, everyone had started
preparing for the tradepoint. The women made straw baskets to sell. Bingwen rushed around trying to
organise everyone. I knew it was all too easy to escape. A day before we were due to arrive I knew that I
was close to getting Chuyu to want to stay. The kids and everyone seemed to accept us now. But it would
be better with pay. That was my last try, asking Bingwen for salary. I talked to Chuyu first “Chuyu would
you consider staying if we got paid a salary?” “Yes actually, life has been better here” Chuyu said. I was so
relieved he agreed! I started explaining to him “We need to talk to Bingwen and show him that a salary is a
good idea and we need to get the gang as well” Chuyu nodded “ Alright you get the gang and I’ll find
Bingwen”. We went off to do our jobs.
I soon found the gang and told them my plan, they agreed. We met Chuyu in front of Bingwen’s carriage.
As we walked in. Bingwen looked surprised to see us but calmly asked “What gives me the pleasure of your
visit?” I replied in a polite tone “Bingwen sir we would like to ask for wages, we labour hard every day and
unless you want all of us on strike I suggest you listen to what we have to say” he looked surprised, “very
well” he said. I continued “ You make a profit each year and for our pay we would like a 1% share.” I could
see Bingwen thinking hard. “That should be arrangeable” he didn’t look very happy but I think he could
see that finding new slaves would not be easy. He motioned for us to leave. We walked calmly until just
outside the carriage door, then celebrated.
One day, we were nearing the point of our old bandit group. If we were raided again, we would suffer a big
hit. It felt like we couldn’t do anything but be anxious and gloomy. Then I had an idea, I talked to Chuyu
and the gang. I had all their supports. Now it was time to make another request to Bingwen. This time I
had to go alone.
I spoke to Bingwen “I have a plan to stop us from being raided by bandits” he perked up and asked me
“ explain” I told him about it and he agreed. I was so relieved but still this was not the hardest part.
When the sky had gone dark, I woke Chuyu, “It’s time, let’s go. It was pitch black. We walked right past
the guards. We didn’t stop, once we reached the head’s tent we exhaled nervously, we didn’t know if we
would be killed, but we had to try. When we stepped in, I said “We’re back, please hear us out.” then the
head spoke. “You may speak”. I continued “We have joined the caravan you raided, and we decided we no
longer want to live in fear of raids. So I have thought of a compromise, every year we shall pay you a tax, in
return we expect safe passage. We will be in this area for three more days. Send a messenger and this years
tax will be paid.”
The next three days I tossed and turned waiting. When the message came on the very last day, it was the
best moment of my life. I, Melin Zhu, had accomplished peace between the Zhu bandits and the Lien
caravan.
So my first accomplishment has ended but I know, my journeys have only just begun.