Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 251

New Ming Treasure Voyages
St. Pauls Convent School, Kuek, Ka Chai Kassie - 14
It all started with a rumor.
A group of noble ladies giggling delicately into their teacups, each fulfilling their purpose to gain
information for their respective houses. A demure servant walks up and pours some more tea, unruly tales of
betrayal flow into her ears. Unable to contain her excitement, she let the winds carry her whispered words
down the halls dripping with gold and diamond of the palace until something went wayward and it ended in
the wrong person's ear.
"Oh really?" The Emperor could barely conceal his outrage, his voice cutting and face flushed an
unhealthy shade of magenta he gripped the armrests of his throne tightly. The servants and subjects trembled
with their heads lowered. Prince He stepped forward, eyes lowered but still reflected light off his icy glare.
"It is true. The public have been saying rather.." he paused, knowing it will give off a hesitant vibe,
"negative things about Crown Prince Wen" His older brother and heir to the throne, more often the subject
of their father and other officials' affection and praise. Prince He was not a jealous person in nature, he found
it odd that his stomach crawled whenever he saw his brother. Whatever. Emotions are nothing more than
human error anyways.
"Well, I can't have people under my own roof talking about their own emperor, can I?" Prince He could
tell his father was on the verge of an explosion and he braced himself for an hour of shouting and furniture
throwing.
"Your Highness, if I may-" Lord Wang stepped forward, wrinkles around his sly eyes crinkled, "Let's
discuss more of this in private."
Prince He opened his mouth to protest, he wanted to stay and see the entire situation play out. However,
his father waved all the officials away frustratedly. With a short bow, Prince He twisted the watch settled on
his wrist and he teleported away from the throne room.
—
"I know you started it", Prince He was startled out of his thoughts as Lord Wang approached him in the
flower garden. He quickly schooled his features to a serene expression.
"So?" Prince He knew how to deal with Lord Wang, he was an ambitious old noble, but he was too slow,
never can catch up in his games. He did not need to lie in front of Lord Wang. With a selection of half-
truths and non-denials, it was easy to trap the old man in a web of his misdoings.
Lord Wang chuckled, "Anyone with common sense will know it's you. Who is opposed to the
Technology Voyages? Who has Prince Wen on their bad side? Who is so courageous and determined to
spread a rumor so close to the lion's own den? There are only so few that could benefit from this"
Prince He slowly turned around to face the man. His brain whirling faster than the magnetic levitation
metro train and heart pounding so hard he thought it would shatter his own rib cage.
"Oh? Is that so-"
"His Highness wants you to go, He"
"Prince He. I was not aware we are on such friendly terms Lord Wang" Prince He said coldly, shrugging
off the calloused hand Lord Wang placed upon his shoulders.
"Prince He then," Lord Wang continued, " His Highness wants you to lead the Technology Voyages that
start on 11 July to spread Ming Kingdom's miraculous technologies to the public world. And everyone
knows the one who leads will likely be chosen as the heir of the throne. Prince Wen is not in favor with
your father after the rumors. This is your ultimate chance Prince He!"
Prince He spotted the slight smirk at the corner of Lord Wang's dry, cracked lips. Oh, he will not tell the
scheming old man everything. "Thank you for your kind words Lord Wang. However, I do not and will
not wish to take the throne from my future king and older brother." He stood up and nodded at the servant
hiding behind a tree, clearly a mole from his brother, before twisting his watch and teleporting back to his
rooms.
He collapsed on his bed, thinking about what Lord Wang said. It’s possible that he was correct. Or
mayhaps it’s a deceit to coerce him into doing something he will eventually regret.
The Technology Voyages was something he overheard his father planning with his officials indiscreet. The
act of giving away some of their most advanced weapons and mechanics was something absurd and pointless
to him. Their last defense as a hidden country from the globe and the tiny mindless GPS and satellites will
be finally gone.