Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 141

New Tales For The Ming Treasure Voyages
St Stephen's College Prep School, Tong, Loius - 11
During the Ming Dynasty (1400-1600), The Ming ships sent to trade gifts with other countries
like India, Australia, Philippines…… were always in chaos. Sea monsters, pirates and dangerous rocks were
everywhere! It looked impossible to trade.
One day, a man named Zheng approached the Emperor, Zhu YuanZhang. He asked, “Your
Majesty, I am Zheng He, an experienced sailor. I have been through many adventures, through monsters
and even the Bermuda triangle. Can I have a fleet of ten galleons and a crew of five hundred to help me in
my voyage to trade gifts with other countries? You have wanted to do so, but all your fleets were sank.”
“Sure, wish you luck, experienced sailor! I will give you a mountain of treasure to trade, do not fail me!”
replied the Emperor.
So Zheng went to his ten galleons whose names were Pearl, Revolver, Justice, Striker, Empress,
Beijing, Tin, Dutchman, Jesus and King. Zheng took Pearl as his flagship and the crew which were later
sent by the Emperor and some who volunteered to go readied the ships with supplies and treasure. They set
sail immediately.
As Zheng’s fleet entered the South China Sea, they spotted a fleet of 5 pirate ships sailing by. The
pirates started firing cannons at Zheng’s fleet, the first volley of cannonballs missed, Zheng immediately told
his crew, “Come on, my brave lads, we give no quarter!”
As they readied the cannons, a cannonball fired from the pirates whizzed through the air and
crashed onto the Dutchman, wounding two men and blew a huge hole in the ship, treasure started to spill
out! Zheng immediately gave the order, “FIRE the broadside*!” (*cannons)
Cannons were all booming instantly and cannonballs rained down on the enemy, ripping huge
gashes in the hulls of the pirate ships. Then, there came a huge explosion! The cannonballs must have hit
the powder magazines** (**TNT store) of the pirate ships. This was the first victory!
As they then reached India, where the great mogul (who was basically King of India) traded
Chinese silk for gems and diamonds. The King heard Zheng’s story and agreed for friendship, he also gave
Zheng two more ships, filled with a thousand Indian people who wanted to visit China.
As they waved goodbye to India, yet, another danger came. This danger was a monster and was
the last of its kind. It had tentacles which were big enough to crush a ship and suckers large enough to rip
flesh of a man’s face. It was the Kraken, a giant squid! The monster first attacked the Striker, one of the
Zheng’s galleons, and used its tentacles to crack the ship. The huge galleon began to sink at once with
treasure and men pouring out! It then started attacking Tin, another one of Zheng’s galleons. Tin fired its
cannons at the tentacles, but then, the Kraken grew angry and tentacles started smashing the cannons and
decks started to splinter. Enraged Zheng then immediately gave the order, “Fire cannons into the water!”
There was then a large boom and a bunch of tentacles sunk back into the water. A second victory! Zheng
told the crew, “we now sail south to Australia.”
Couple weeks later, after setting a blaze pirate ships throughout the Indian ocean, they arrived at
Australia, where the exchanged gold and silver for salt crystals and wooden figures. The Australians also
heard Zheng’s story and agreed to be friends. They gave Zheng more materials including real kangaroos, an
Australian animal to bring back to China for memory. Zheng then set sail again.
This time, they were attacked by a huge serpent, with length as long as five ships combined. It first
snapped Tin into two and crushed Justice and Revolver with its tail. Zheng was so fed up that he ordered
to fire at the creature with everything they got. Cannon and musket fire then came blazing from Zheng’s
ships and knives and spears splashed into the water. The sea serpent was peppered with cannon fire and
stabbed with knives and spears. It then was defeated by the blows and sank back to Davy Jones’ Locker, a
place for the dead. The crew then celebrated and cheered as this horrible beast was defeated.