Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | Page 184

The Ming Voyages - An Insider Story
Kennedy School, Pandey, Avani - 9
My name is Avani Chung and I have heard many stories but one real-life story has been the most
fascinating to me. It is that of my ancestor when she was a young woman in the 1400 AD and her name was
Lin Chung. She had dared to disguise herself as a man to work on a ship and explore the world considering
that women had no freedom whatsoever in that period. Our story begins when the Yongle Emperor of the
Ming Dynasty was ruling China. He had just ascended the throne having overtaken his brother and hence
did not want people to think he was cruel. So, he asked his top minister, Admiral Zheng to lead seven
voyages in the Indian Ocean to distribute gold, silver, porcelain and more to spread goodwill and the
mightiness of the Chinese Empire. When the King's messengers spread the message to enlist crew members
for this massive voyage, Lin heard it as well and longing for adventure, she cut her dark black hair, posed as a
man and got herself a doctor's job since she had learnt the art of traditional Chinese medicine from her
father. The waves gently rose and fell as the heartbroken families said goodbye to their sons or husbands
who were now boarding the treasure ships. With a last look at her home, Lin boarded the ship as well. It
was too late to change her mind now, the anchor had been lifted. It seemed that her fate was sealed, Lin was
going to sail after all. The people on the shore watched in amazement as the 317 ships, all heavily armed
with weapons sailed away with 28,000 men including doctors, scholars, soldiers, etc in it. The ship sailed for
weeks without a single sign of storms when the crew finally saw a welcoming sight, land! The map indicated
that they were approaching Champa in Vietnam. A sailor dropped the anchor as they neared the port. A
large crowd of fishermen had gathered to see the arrival of the large fleet of treasure ships. Admiral Zheng
formed a group of important people including Lin to see the King. News spread fast in the little village
about the Chinese's arrival. The Chief Minister heard the news as well and came to welcome the
newcomers. The village was surrounded by small huts that lay on lemon green grass. Villagers chatted with
their friends or worked at home. The group carried on walking until they heard the busy chatter of the
marketplace. Pushing through the crowds, they found themselves admiring the bright vegetables and juicy
fruits in the stalls. At the same time the Minister had entered the marketplace as well. Spotting the Chinese,
he rushed to join their side and lead them to the palace. Once inside, the minister asked, " Pleased as we are
to have the mighty Chinese visit us, may I ask what brings you to our humble kingdom?" " We have come
from the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to give your King, Huang Kieu these gifts", replied Admiral
Zheng. " We also hope that both our kingdoms can continue to trade in peace ", he said. The minister
sighed deeply and looked at the floor. A little puzzled, Admiral Zheng asked what had happened. The
minister sighed again and explained that their King was ill. "Yesterday morning, the maids served breakfast
to the King. They had made scrambled eggs for the first time. After breakfast, the King grew extremely ill.
The court doctor seems to be getting nowhere in diagnosing the reason. We would be grateful to you if you
could cure our King" he added. With a nod, Admiral Zheng ordered Doctor Lin Chung to treat the King as
soon as possible. Lin checked the health and symptoms of King Huang and spent some time understanding
the routine of the King before he fell ill. Predicting that it might be an allergy due to eggs which the King
are for breakfast, Lin also verified the symptoms and cure in the palace library. She told that the King must
eat ' Hoa Sen' or lotus seeds mixed with rose petal juice to cure the allergy. The minister thanked Lin for
finding the cure. Once eating the concoction, the king's eyes opened with energy. The entire palace
rejoiced at the turn of events and hailed Admiral Zheng and the Chinese Empire. Both the kingdoms traded
their gifts and King Huang promised that Vietnam would always stand by the Yongle Emperor. Admiral
Zheng and his group of noble men returned to their ship with a proud feeling. As they boarded the ship,
Admiral Zheng praised Lin for her skills and rewarded her with gold. Happy to have been rewarded, she was
also however relieved that her disguise remained a secret. Once again, they were sailing into the deep ocean.
This might have been her first adventure, but Lin knew there were many more to come in this long voyage.
She breathed in the cold night breeze and went inside the cabin.
If you have read the Ming Treasure Voyage History, you might know that the ships went to many places
like Siam, India and Sri lanka. Like my ancestor Lin predicted, they had many more adventures during that
voyage that lasted for a year. But I guess the rest of the adventures is for another time for me to tell!!