Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 250

50 barrels of gunpowder for 100 silver coins.” Members cheered with glee. “Bring out the best rum we
have to celebrate this news,” he roared with pure happiness. Why would he not be happy, after all we could
protect ourselves. This man was an angel sent from the heavens above. The shrouds were littered with
drunk men. The fetters that I had put on deck for prisoners were over the wooden planks. The crew
members’ habits were completely flagrant. Sleep couldn’t come any faster as I lay there looking at the stars
above. It was dark all the torches were out. The darkness almost inimical. The tremendous cold had me
shivering when a glint of light walked the main deck. It was incontrovertible that I hadn’t seen it.
Suddenly a figure passed and the light came into my view. My curiosity was rising as of dread. All sleepless
nights had caused me to be inured to the dark. The patch of light was instigating me and as my curiosity was
inveterate I climbed slowly down the nest, the small patch of light lighting up the way scarcely but enough
for me to get down and walk. The light disappeared, but I was no neophyte I knew the way of the ship like
the back of my hand. The limbs of the drunken men were the problem. I found a loaded gun on my way, I
picked it up in order to feel a sense of security. I made my way to the captain’s dock and I saw the door
opened and the merchant who was going to give us the gunpowder putting the treasures of China in a sack.
My loyalty was hard to keep under control but it was important to know of the plan.
Captain was sleeping soundly in his bed. After putting all the plentitude of treasure into sacks he took out a
gun and pointed it towards Captains chest. I took out my gun and silently walked towards him and shot
him. Captain woke with the loud thud that came from the merchants fall and the bang of the shot just fired.
My face must have been phlegmatic because the emperor was in shock. After coming out of shock he
looked around and understood reality. He looked at me and smiled, which was surprising. The bang had
awoken everybody and the crew members bombarded the doorway. “Boy do you mind bringing light to
the incident?” said Captain. I told all the crew members about what had happened. “This is what we lack,
responsibility. This boy whom we all had detested because of his job and social status stands here in the
phase of a hero who saved not only me but treasures of China. His loyalty has no bounds. He is what I
would call not a pirate, not a crew member but a hero and warrior. We all know how to use guns but he
truly has shown the meaning of one. To save a country, not to destroy one. Merchants like this one lying on
the floor will come and go but will never be able to get their filthy hands on mother China’s treasure as
long as we have warriors like this boy.” Captain said as everyone looked at him and me.
The expedition ended soon after the incident. Now I am standing here at the same dock that I had first
departed but today I will not be one of the crew members, for today I stand, a warrior for emperor. Admiral
Zheng He had told the emperor of the incident. But this time my bravery wasn’t taken by Yi Shao. The
emperor was impressed and had named me an official in his court. When I said to the Emperor that I was
too young, all he had said was, “Boy, age is only a number, eyes hold more wisdom than even a 100-year-
old man can have.”