Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | Page 203

New Tales of the Ming Treasure Voyages
Korean International School, Hui, Kim Yee – 9
I am Zheng He, I am a fleet admiral, a Chinese diplomat and a Chinese Mariner.
Here is extract of my Journal in year 1405 …
5 th June, 1405
I discovered something on my friend’s ship, a map, of the World with different countries – I am amazed!
6 th June, 1405
Today was my day off! And I tried to study the map having look at the map. I discovered some of new
countries. One was called Australia, one was called India, rest: unknown. This is exciting!
P.S I will try see what the other lands are called.
10 th June, 1405
An eagle sent me a letter from Emperor Yongle regarding 7 voyages, sending me on a trip 7 voyages-
around the World. How exciting!!!!!!
11 th June, 1405 – 1 st Voyage
So, I am on my ship with 17,800 men and one of them are captain Di (my closest friend).
We arrived at Iiujiagang. We gave them chests of money and gold in return of Iiujiagang’s finest clothes;
me and my crew took a break. I walked around Iiujiagang and saw different shops and ate some simple and
yet tasty foods.
Then I chose another five people to come to a hotel called Bahedi Yaju (a Villa). The hotel was stunning, I
was on my own while Captain Di and other four men shared two rooms. I stayed for another two nights in
Bahedi Yaju.
13 th June, 1405 – 2 nd Voyage
Today we are going to depart Iiujiagang and go to a place called Calicut in India.
I met the King, Vasco da Gama, he spoke to me about Cotton-weaving, I was so fascinated I went into a
Cotton-weaving factory. I watched as people wove different colour cotton, bringing home shipment of
cotton cloth, handloom, fabrics and books of Zamorin (a Hindu Monarch).
16 th June, 1405
For the past few days, I walked around local shops and bought some souvenirs. We had to leave tonight so I
didn’t go far and become tired.
In the evening, we left Calicut and went to Malcca for a short break. On the way to a place called Similan
Islands, pirate fleet Cnen Zuyi attacked me, and asking for golds and shipments from Iiujiagang and Calicut.
I was so angry, I attempted to kill Chen Zuyi but failed. I swung my sword towards Chen but missed.
Chen and I were fighting. I then kicked his sword away and threw mine. We both fought but my military
was too strong for Chen’s crew, left Chen no choice but surrender. He left our ship and never came back.
We waited until the morning and continue our journey. Danger encountered with pirates but we were
safe.
21 st June, 1405 – 3 rd Voyage
We finally arrived to Similan Island, it was a glorious place. I went to the beach and even went inside a
bungalow! I went into different shops too! I am amazed we are already in the 3 rd Voyage.
In the evening, we went to Seaside Inn to stay (me and my Captain Di) for the next 2 days to rest.
23 rd June, 1405
We are ready to depart Similan and go to Hormuz. We probably won’t arrive until … maybe … three days
later.