Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 248

The New Tales of Old Shanghai
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School, Chu, Isaac - 12
“R
eady the dynamite!” The shouts of construction workers erupted in the air. General Chen stared
down from his pavilion. In just a few minutes, the once great New Northern Gate would be reduced
to nothing but rubble.
Only a year ago had his forces occupied Shanghai. Only a month ago had the great dismantlement project
begin. Only now did he begin to regret his decision.
“General, they have come again.” Chen sighed. The protests had not stopped since his order to take down the
old city walls had been given. News of the dismantlement spread like a fire. Soon, everyone knew of the plan. Everyone
opposed him.
“Should we drive them away?”
“Do take care of them. They’ve been a nuisance to me since forever!”
As soon as that came out, he heard a “Boom!”, and the ground started shaking. “What’s happening?” he yelled,
but his voice was drowned out by the loud noises of rocks tumbling over each other.
All of a sudden, something sharp and white came streaking across the dust cloud that was forming outside,
sailing across the pavilion from the balcony. General Chen had a split second to react before he fell. Down, down, down,
into the darkness…
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1554, Shanghai
“Pirates sightings reported in the south. Due to arrive in about three months’ time. Amoy has been taken over. We
are defenseless.” The Emperor was having a hard time.
He had left the safety of Beijing to check on the important town of Shanghai. He quickly regretted his rash
decision.
Soon after he had taken risen to the throne, China had suffered a great deal from the Wokou, ruthless Japanese
pirates who looted the coastal areas of his empire.
An entire portion of China’s south had been taken over. He could not afford to lose Shanghai. Especially not to
the Japanese.
If there could only be a way to delay and hold back those pirates…to make Shanghai impenetrable… Any
way… To hold back against those pirates…