Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 209

‘Use your meditative consciousness,’ said the monk, as the Monk and the Emperor slowly faded
into the background.
‘Admiral! You’re awake!’ Zheng regained consciousness to find one of his sailors violently shaking
him. ‘You fainted, and the Deputy Admiral asked me to take you to your bedroom.’
‘Is the fight over? Have we lost?’ asked Zheng, wearied and worried.
‘Not yet! The deputy admiral is still fighting the pirates till now,’ replied the sailor.
As Zheng ascended to the deck, the sailors cheered. ‘Admiral!’ cried Wang, as he went over to hug
Zheng.
Just then, a man in resplendent armour ran up to Wang. ‘I am the real Shi Jingping. Our citizens are willing
to help your sailors, for their own freedom.’
‘Good!’ replied Zheng. He summoned up the courage, and boomed: ‘Do not give up! Palembang
is on our side! We can, and we shall, win! Capture those pirates! This is for us, for the merchants, for the
sailors, for the trade route and for the people of Palembang!’
With renewed energy, the sailors fought to the edge. Their hearts became united for the cause.
And with the help of the citizens, the sailors gained the upper hand now. At last, the mission was a success.
All the pirates including Chen were captured by the sailors. They left Palembang the next day, with many
citizens waving grateful hands to their heroes.
Two days after the battle, as usual, Zheng, Wang and the sailors were having a meeting in the
morning.
After the meeting, Zheng and Wang exchanged pleasantries. ‘You know, Admiral, after capturing
Chen Zuyi, I’ve found your confidence to be higher than before! How?’ asked Wang.
'Well,’ began Zheng, ‘let’s just say that I’ve had a change of heart. As you said, I am the admiral of
the treasure fleets, and voyages are always quests for courage. If I’m scared, how can I be your leader and
overcome fear, my greatest foe?’