Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 131

our plan, I imagined my mother’s face as I returned back to Zhuhai with the treasure we had protected, the emperor
would shower us with gifts and pleasantries, we would be the most famous sailors in the empire.
At daybreak, we finally collapsed in our sleeping quarters, on edge for the day ahead.
After what seemed to me like five minutes, Daquan shook us both awake, “Guys, get up” he instructed, “We
should be arriving in Quang Ngai in fifteen minutes!” Apprehensive, Disung and I sprung to our feet - it was almost
time. Unaware of our plan, Daquan shot us confused, suspicious glances. I glanced at Disung on my right, using my
eyes to request to include Daquan. He nodded then we whisked Daquan to the sequestered back of the boat. In hushed
voices we explained our plan, hoping that he would believe us and that he wouldn’t alert the Captain or his ring. After
we had finished explaining, he remained silent for a few moments, seeming to contemplate what he had just heard.
Disung and I stood motionless, awaiting a response, internally praying that he would join us. Finally, Daquan said
“Okay.”
The thud of our ship signified our landing at Quang Ngai. Our little trio joined with the rest of the crew on
the main deck, setting our eyes on the crystal clear sea lapping at the golden sand below. In the distance, some small
huts were visible. About half of us headed down to the beach, each person carrying a heavy crate. Glancing behind me,
I saw that the Captain and his men were remaining on the ship. Perfect. The group of us that were sent off the ship
trudged slowly up the beach, as soon as we were out of earshot from the Captain, I told everyone what was going on.
“All of us are being used by the Captain to support his criminal exploits, we aren’t giving gifts, the Captain is keeping
the treasure for himself and his ring of men” I explained, “Don’t look backwards now or he will get suspicious. You
can check your crates, they’re packed with sand.” The others seemed to exchange wary glances, but after subtly
checking their goods, there seemed to be quiet solidarity among us. “Now for my plan” I instructed, “As soon as we
make it over this hill we can dump our crates. Then we can take back our ship.”
Our band gathered together just over the hilltop, murmurs cascading around the circle. “I know you are all
armed, and there are more of us than there are of them. We need to force them off the boat as quickly as we can, then
we can deliver our goods to the village and continue our journey.” Disung stated, his voice was captivating and every
single man was paying their utmost attention. After some more explanations and a solidified plan, we began an
apprehensive wait before our return to the boat, in order to convince the Captain that we had already visited the
community of Quang Ngai.
I was the first up the boardwalk, “We delivered our crates to the village, Captain, in return they offered us
some local delicacies including cua ớ t which we thoroughly enjoyed.” I felt the white hot pain in my cheek before I
smashed down to the deck. “You didn’t think to bring some for us” the Captain bellowed down to me. Although my
vision was blurry, I could sense the tension of our crew growing behind me. “I’m sorry Captain, there just wasn’t -” a
kick to my stomach silenced my faux plea. That was it. Fiercely, I unsheathed my knife and took a swing at the
Captain’s leg, triggering the charge of our men behind us. Suddenly, commotion enveloped me, men were fighting
across the whole deck whilst Disung and Daquan helped me to my feet. “Nice job” they joked as we went to join the
fight.
My knife collided with the Captain’s, our gleaming blades almost throwing sparks into the air. His swings were
strong but he didn’t possess my agility. With trained steps, I evaded his attacks, slowly forcing him to the edge of the
boat. Every step backwards that he took, the more flustered he got and I could sense a fear slowly building up inside of
him. Eventually, I forced him to the very edge of the boat, his face purple with frustration. Using my small blade, I
twisted his knife out of his hand and put mine to his throat. At that
moment, I could feel the gazes of almost all the men on the board shift to the Captain and I. The clamour of the fight
died down and suddenly everyone was frozen, it was surreal.
What happened next was a blur of events. I led the Captain down to the hold where some small cells were
already erected, soon after his allies surrendered and they found themselves in the same place. Afterwards, the remaining
crew split up, a few stayed on board to stand guard over our new prisoners and prepare to set sail again. The rest of us
located the real treasure and headed off over to the village.
The walk only lasted ten minutes, even with our small party carrying over the crates. Although we were
excited to meet the villagers, we were still highly agitated - Đại Việt had only recently been re-established after Ming
occupation - some grudges were most likely held. Despite our worries, we were pleasantly surprised to find that these