Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 1 | Page 51

The Tempest: Zheng He's Trip to Turkey Shanghai United International School Wanyuan Campus, Wang, Steve - 9 In 1381, my grandpa’s grandpa’s grandpa was born. My favorite time in children hood was listening to the story of him. His name is Link. Here is the story, give me some water please. It’s 1400, Link was the guard of Zheng He. One day, they were in Emperor Yongle’s gigantic Palace, Emperor Yongle sent them for a great journey. Yongle said, “It’s a great opportunity for you guys, with such an honor to explore the whole world using these ships. To do or not to do, you choose!” I was shocked, Emperor Yongle said the same sentences 100 years before William Shakespeare. “Yes, my majesty.” Zheng He prepared for several years and Link was on the same ship with him. One sunny morning on the sea, the sunshine was on Link’s shoulder. Their next destination was Turkey. He was worrying that none of them can speak Turkish. Suddenly, a solider reported, “We just saved a people from the sea, he wants to see the General Zheng for something very important.” “Send him in.”, said General Zheng He. The man come in, he kneeled and said, “Please save my lord, our ship encounters a tempest and many of our people dead, my lord may still alive.” “Let me think about it!” Zheng He said. One of the commanders said, “We cannot go, we need to arrive Turkey on time, and we are not sure if his lord is still alive. If we go for them, we may also encounter the tempest. We are on emperor’s mission and cannot spent time to save people we don’t know.” “On the sea, every life is important. If we encounter tempest, I do hope someone will save us. Let’s go for them now.” Zheng He said. They spent one week, finally they found the survived people on a small island. This saving task delayed our whole plan to Turkey. “Bang…. Bang…. Bang….” The bell of arrival rings. Before landing, Zheng He called a meeting, “We need to be careful as we are delayed, and we still not yet have a good translator.” After Zheng He said this, the lord we said raised his hand, “My father can help!” Zheng He’s team followed him, but they finally arrived the King’s castle. “Why are we here?” Link asked. The lord smiled, “Thank you, I am the prince of Turkey.” Many years later, when Zheng He’s fleet come back to China. They brought back lots of treasures. But most important, team of fellowship from different countries. They have deep appreciation and they brought different cultures and technologies to China. That’s one of my favorite parts for the story. Give me some beer, I will continue.