Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 95

Into the distance comes the deafening roar of a pirate ship approaching. This is pirate Chen Zuyi’s
ship! The Treasure Fleet seems to brace itself from the impact, its hackles raised as it approaches. Boom! The
ear-splitting crack of a cannonball rings out in the air as war brews between the fleets.
Zheng He is barking out orders. We stumble across the deck to appointed positions. I am a
gunman. We load up cannons, firing with all our might. Zheng He takes the helm, swerving the boat away
from the cannonballs expertly.
“Fire!” he cries as cannonballs whiz through the air. Then, I see the cannonball flying towards us at
a frightening speed.
“Watch out!” I scream, just in time for Zheng He to spin the helm in another direction.
As the last cannon is fired, the pirate ship erupts into fiery red flames.
We sail towards Africa as we mourn the loss of brave sailors. It isn’t long before we arrive at the
coast of East Africa.
I step off the ship with Zheng He. King Abuja is waiting for us. Looking at the huge fleet of ships,
his jaw drops.
Zheng He presents the king with gifts of silk and porcelain.
The king seems to gasp, gazing at the gifts, before thanking us profusely. Then, he says, “Please
follow me. I have something to show you.”
We follow the king into a safari, where some dancers are performing.
The king says, “This dance, Tamenaibuga, means friendship. It represents the friendship between
China and Africa!”
After the dance ends, we are led around the safari. Zheng He looks curiously at the animals, taking
in the sight of lions, zebras and giraffes with awe and wonder. This is his first time seeing them!
The king speaks. “I shall send these animals to Emperor Xuandi. Send my warmest regards to
him.”
“What animal is that?” Zheng He asks, pointing at a giraffe.
“That’s a giraffe.” I reply, grinning.
After we thank the king, the animals are led into cages to be brought back to the Emperor.
On the way back, Zheng He amuses me with stories of encounters with notorious pirates and
exotic species he had found. He also tells me childhood stories and his humble beginning as a poor Muslim
boy.
Months later, we arrive at Nanjing, where Emperor Xuandi receives us with a feast.
“I heard that you had an eventful voyage,” he announces. Zheng He launches into stories of
combat with pirate Chen Zuyi. I am surprised to hear Zheng He say “I must thank my good companion
Abbo for saving my life. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here today.” I nearly faint in pleasure of being
given such high praise in the presence of the Emperor!
Shortly after returning, Zheng He falls sick, passing away in 1433. Before he dies, he gives me a
book.