Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 16

After Zhang’s crew packed away the treasures, they sailed home in victory. They travelled for days but it
was too hot. They heard a gunshot, it was the pirates again! The pirates’ captain shouted, ‘Revenge! Boys,
kill’em all!’ Zhang’s army was attacked, and the pirates were too strong. Then Zhang shouted, ‘Retreat!’
The crew members all jumped onto the other ships. The pirate’s captain was happy, but he quickly realized
that all the other ship canons were aimed at his ship. ‘Fire!’ Zhang ordered. ‘BOOM!’ A huge explosion
caused a huge wave, causing the entire ship to sink to the bottom of the ocean. Later that day, the Emperor
received the treasures and heard of their heroic story. But he was curious:‘If the entire ship sank, how could
they have the gold?’ Zhang laughed and replied, ‘I actually never put the treasure in the main ship, because
if there were any enemies, they would always target at the main ship.’ The Emperor understood and realized
at the same time why Zhang succeeded. He was a man of great intellect and instinct.
The celebrations were festive, the stories of Zhang’s heroic journey spread through the city like wild fire.
They chanted and shouted in unison, ‘Zhang He! Long live Zhang He!’ echoed through the streets. Zhang
He was proud. He had received one of the greatest honors: gaining the Emperor’s trust, recognition and
applaud from his fellow countrymen. The whole city, the whole of China knew his name! But with a hint
of a smile on his face, he looked up and thought, this is not it, ‘My journey has just begun...’