Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 195

At last, the fleet reaches Mecca, the final destination. They disembark and talks with the Muslim majority
start. Through this grand expedition, trade has been accomplished and deals struck, violent confrontations
survived and religious ideas embraced. Trade between places along the journey and China has flourished,
along with influence and knowledge through the Arab world, opening itself to the world and prosperity
brought to the inhabitants of Ancient China.
This was truly a venture into the unknown, a venture that bought with it many benefits and prosperity to
China and a venture that many a sailor still thinks about and remarks, “If only I was there.”