Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 65

Epic Memories – The Story of Ming Treasure Voyages
Good Hope School, Yan, Natalie - 14
My name is Zhangxian, and I was raised by my aunt in a small village in Eastern China when I was young in the Ming
Dynasty. I was 14 years old at the time when I remembered just a few days after my birthday, there were posters around
the alleys recruiting new sailors to go on voyages to give Ming treasures to other countries. I’ve always had the desire to
go to sea and I like adventures so much, more than anything. I couldn't let the chance slipped away. Yes, I was only 14
at the time when I signed up.
On that day, the new and old sailors gathered at the small port. We put our bags in the ship. My heart already fluttered,
squealing with indescribable feelings of joy. It was an intense feeling, but on the other hand, I felt a sense of sorrow in
that I couldn't see my village, friends and my aunt anymore.
"Zhangxian! We will miss you!"
"Good luck"
"Don't drown!" screamed my friends.
"Zhang...Xian..." my old aunt who had been sick for a long time quietly uttered. We hugged and I could hear her
sniffing and sobbing on my shoulders. There was silence. I felt bad for her for raising me for 14 years. How
heartbreaking it was to say goodbye. We finally let go after a while.
"Aunt. I will come back. I promise."
My aunt nodded while wiping her tears.
"All aboard!" Shouted a man, probably the Captain. I took a deep breath, ready to venture out to the sea. Ready for my
adventure, I looked back and saw everyone waving goodbye. I sighed - it's time to look to the future.
The ships were quite pretty I admit. They had many dragon cravings on the walls; the decks were coloured in hazelnut
brown; they had large basements inside and a small yet exquisite kitchens. I smelled the scent of the sea, a salty smell. I
wish I lived next to the sea.
The engines roared. The fleet of ships moved. While I was looking at the beautiful sun of dawn, the same man shouted
again, calling us to gather in a circle.
I finally had a clear look at the man. He had a curly black beard, a bit disgusting as I spotted some breadcrumbs and
liquid mixed within. He had a bad sunburn on his face especially on his nose. His eyes looked fierce. I couldn't figure
whether he was bald or not as a part of his head was covered by his black laced-up hat. He looked muscular and bulky,
with strong arms and strong legs. He let off a creepy smile with crooked, yellow teeth. He really looked like a pirate,
but at least a good one at that.
"GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!" shouted the man.
"Good morning…" we said.
"You should all know what manners are right? You should always respond after what I say. I dislike people who are
impolite. Anyways, I am Captain Wang and I will be the one leading you all. We’ve got seven voyages in total. We will
first arrive in India, where we will give them our silk and some gold."
"Meanwhile on this ship, you will have to clean the deck during late afternoons. You will have three sessions for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are also sessions in the afternoon which you can practice archery and using swords
and canons. You will have to master at least one of these weapons so you can be equipped well to fight battles if there
are pirates...”he shrugged.
"You can now go down to the basement and choose a bed. And come to the area next to kitchen to have breakfast."
We all swarmed into the basement. The environment wasn't as bad as I expected. The walls were still in hazelnut
brown with cravings, but the window was in an oily stained colour with some black mold on the surface. The bed
sheets were modest in an ivory white colour but with some stains too. Overall, the basement was quite nice. The stairs
that connected to the upper deck was marvelous too. It was grand and truly impressive.
I chose a bed, next to a teenaged boy. I stared at him when he secretly put a small dagger into his sock.
"What are you looking at?" said the teen boy.
"Ehh"I couldn't get the word out. And I couldn't even stare through his eyes either.
"Are you wondering why I put away that thing?"
I nodded nervously.
"It's for urgent needs" he said coldly.
"Oh"
"What's your name?"
"Zhangxian, 14”
"Zhengming, 17"