Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 56

‘So what happened to him then?’ The boy asked.
‘We brought him back here, to his uncle, the Emperor at the time.’
‘But we never heard the news.’
‘Remember the time when the last Emperor suddenly called a lot of monks into the palace?’
‘Yes, but what about it?’
‘What better place to hide a leaf than in a forest?’
The boy raised an eyebrow.
‘But if you have found him, why did the voyages continue?’
‘…..the former Emperor thought it could stabilize the imperial court and promote trade,’
The boy smirked at this as even the man himself seemed to have difficulty in believing that, but the man continued,
‘...and there is a chance for those who know will die on the seas, so he wouldn’t have to get his hands dirty and raise
suspicion.’
‘But if you knew he wanted to get rid of you, why did you agree to go on the voyages?’
‘Part of it was due to my own selfishness. Once you got used to the adventures at sea, it is hard to settle down on solid
ground again’
‘Oh, whatever! It all sound too story-like, you must be faking me.’ The boy yawned. ‘I’ve had enough of story time, I
just really need some sleep. Would you please finish the rest for me?’
The man nodded.
‘Thank you, eh...seriously, what is your real name?’
Silence filled the air again. It was only when the boy was already half asleep, did he seemed to hear the man’s reply.
‘My family used to call me Ma He.’
Zheng He was wandering around Java with his friend, Wong Jing-hong, trying to carve every single view into his
memory as this may very well be the last time they visit this place.
‘Zheng He, I need to tell you something.’ Wong Jing-hong suddenly called his name.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘I won’t be leaving with you this time, I am staying here.’
Zheng He was dumbfounded.
‘I am getting old, Zheng He, we both are.’ His friend carried on, ‘We don’t have much time left to live for ourselves
instead of the Emperor.’
Zheng He turned towards his old friend, he wanted to deny but the glistening white streaks in his friend’s hair made
him speechless.
‘You of all should know that they will silence us at all cost if we go back. Starting a real family is all I ever wanted, but I
will never get to if I return.’ Wong Jing-hong continued ‘Being free is all you ever wanted, but you will never get to
be if you return, especially as Zheng He. ’
‘Hold up, are you saying that……’
‘The old Emperor is gone, and the new one never looks you in the face.’
And there, Zheng He could see a sparkle of mischief in his friend’s eyes; it was a rare sight even in their younger days.
And Zheng He couldn’t think of a reason to refuse.
Perhaps this will be a brand new adventure.