Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 118

Compass of the Soul - The Diaries of Lv Shuntao
International School of Nanshan Shenzhen, Qiu, Xuefei Sophia - 15
Preface
Upon visiting my grandmother who is now old and frail, whilst putting her affairs in order, I searched an old barn of
her property. It was there where I made the most remarkable discovery, an old dusty book which turned out to be a
diary and the true accounts of a sailor and his journey to India. It was written in traditional Chinese from the early
1400s. I tried to slowly translate this story and put effort in keeping the original feel of the language used at the time.
However, I needed to put some parts in modern English for a better understanding.
First entry — Spring, Early April 1408 “At the Docks”
At the Qingdao port, the vessel awaited me. My mind, full of adventure on the high seas I felt wary of the hard graft
ahead. But I must, my sick mother relies upon my purse, should I return in one piece. We prepared for the best part of
a week, ropes, chains, masts, spars, braces, sheets, and vangs as I am a rigging man. Yesterday the rumors were aplenty,
saying a few mates were sick though I have seen nothing. I may one day curse seeing the post inviting crewman to sail
to India. We had to clear the rats onboard as they were more in numbers than us. I awoke yesterday morn to see green
eyes upon me at the end of my bunk. This tubs hull was not only musty but putrid from layers of sweat. We have not
set sail and it seem like this accommodation was not up to the standard expressed in the post by a long chalk. My two
fellow bunk mates were also down as they have always been landlubbers. Their first experience onboard has left them
homesick, although we won’t set sail until tomorrow. Although I am younger in years, they constantly hound me for
information to make their passage easier. I have somehow grown fond of them both. I support them as much as I dare
as if they were seen slacking by the first mate the punishment wound not be a pleasant one.
Second entry — Spring, Mid April, 1408 “Setting Sail“
My daily tasks are so monotonous and caused me frequent blisters which hurt like the devil himself. The creaking bones
and aching back made me so uncomfortable I would have done anything to be on land. The physical appearance of
most men was that of weight loss. Heavy eyes, a daily routine of sweat and exhaustion, putting ten years on a man in
just a week. The few rats which were not evacuated when we left port, seemed to be the only ones gaining weight. But
at least I am better off than most. As I climbed the rigging, my views were unobscured and spectacular. The birdlife was
of great interest to me. As we passed islands with white sandy beaches, coconut palms and an array of birdlife. I am
tempted to jump overboard, swim there, and retire.
The rumors have it that this ship is full of treasures that are mainly gold, and we are on an expedition to give gifts in
return for support during conflicts. They called it the ‘Ming Treasure Voyages’, and our captain Captain Zheng is a very
famous explorer. Others say we are to return with not yet seen before treasures from India. I did not care which was
true except to say I hope the pirate rumors were invalid.