Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 27

Ge Ming
Carmel School Association Elsa High School, Razon, Ori - 15
In the year of 1432, the Ming dynasty set out on its seventh and final voyage, and made their first international stop in
Surabaya, Indonesia; residing there from the 7th of March until the 13th of July. The Yongle Emperor tasked Lu
Changdong, a respected merchant and voyager, with leading the voyage. The following are excerpts from Lu
Changdong’s diary:
8/6/1432
Finally. Something positive is coming out of our dynasty. Although they stem from nonetheless nationalist motives, this
set of voyages is hopefully the beginning of something very special. The Yongle Emperor has reignited by once
exuberant faith in our dynasty and its values. Today, as we walked along the roads of Surabaya, I understood that there
are some things that you can fulfil with money, but at the end of the day these are not the things that make you happy,
and that it is the small things that make life worth living. As I walked from house to house, handing things that I took
for granted as a child to families and people in need, the emotions of pure joy displayed on the faces of children and
parents finally made me feel as though I was making a real difference, as if I was becoming part of something bigger
than myself. The words of Buddha have guided me throughout my entire life, and once and for all, it seems as though
we can finally put his lessons to practice, as a dynasty:
Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and
peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of
virtue.
May we all uncover the treasures of life, and discover the virtue and wisdom within us all.
Long Live the Ming Dynasty!
Throughout the following couple of years, the citizens of China had become witnesses to a chaotic civil conflict, and an
eventual change in dynasty. Through means of violent revolution, Shunzhi revolted against the Yongle Emperor, and
executed him publicly. Concerned over sustaining his new position as emperor, Shunzhi immediately canceled the
treasure voyages, and implemented strategic massacre in order to eradicate all threats to the Qing dynasty. Considering
that Indonesia was one of the main beneficiaries of the treasure voyages, Emperor Shunzhi’s first course of action was to
terminate all inhabitants of Indonesia - starting off with Surabaya, its capital at the time…
25/8/1437
I was the first to lay foot in Indonesia, and I couldn’t help but notice that the neighbourhood seemed a bit over familiar
for my liking. It seemed quiet. It seemed peaceful. I knew it was my duty to follow the emperor's orders, no matter
how unjust, and yet, something inside me couldn’t do it. Something inside couldn’t destroy such peace. From the ships
behind me came a peculiar, blood-chilling sound. It was like the low snarling of many voices, and it grew louder and
louder until it became a sullen, muttering roar. Hundreds of Chinese soldiers, some of which I recognised, rained down
on the neighbourhood. In the Qing dynasty, hesitation came with a price; and now convinced I had to execute such a
task for my own wellbeing, I rushed into the nearest hut, armed and fearing for my life. But I recognized a familiar face.
A young face. I couldn’t do it, and I froze. Unable to summon the courage to take action, my commander exploded
into the hut in a sprint, blinded by his one goal in mind: to slaughter all inhabitants of Surabaya. The father stood his
ground, defending his family with his life, but he was no match for commander Lee. As he penetrated into his innocent,
soft flesh, guttural chokes mixed with an agonized roar erupted outward. Unnerved, Lee moved on to the mother, and
she was of similar fate. He walked slowly toward the son, grinning, but our eyes locked and I couldn’t let it happen.
Principles of loyalty to our dynasty had been constantly projected to me as a child; and yet, I betrayed all that I had been
taught, and slashed at the neck of my commander.
Silence.