Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 115

Another Way
Island School, Lau, Joseph - 13
“We need to expand our country’s military branch,” the Yongle Emperor quietly said to himself. He
walked outside to the balcony and stared into the sea as he pondered of ways of improving the country’s
military. Strong waves of ocean water attacked the rocky hill that the Emperor lived on. And then, as if a
light bulb in his head turned on, he had an idea.
The next day, the Emperor met with the provincial governments of Fujian, Jianxi, Zhejiang, Huaguang, as
well as other cities and sent them an order to construct a large fleet of ships.
Two years later, when the fleet was completed, the Emperor issued a preliminary order to Zheng He to
command the fleet of 27,000 troops. On July 11, 1405, an order was sent regarding the first expedition, and
was addressed to Zheng He.
On the night before the first voyage set off, the Yongle Emperor held a banquet for the crew. There were
sacrifices and prayers as well as a lot of other events that were being held. People wished them safety and
good fortune.
Then on the morning the fleet set off, and they headed off to Champa. During the journey, Zheng He
thought about what the Emperor had said to him and his army. “This is a raid mission, we need the
resources, and hopefully the people and the land as well. I don’t want to see you come back without
resources from other places.” he had said to him.
When they arrived, Zheng He commanded the ship to fire its cannons and take down the city’s artillery
systems, and then an army of troops rushed out of the ship with swords in their hands and began the raid.
Frightened citizens ran around the landscape in panic, with swords swinging all around the city. Zheng He
saw the chaos he had created and felt guilty. He wished there were another way. And then it hit him.
“What the Emperor wants is resources, and raiding cities may not be the only way to obtain that,” Zheng
He thought to himself. “Stop!” Zheng He shouted with so much power and voice anyone could have
heard it from a mile away.
Reluctantly, the soldiers obeyed his command, and stopped at once. “Who is the highest in command in
your city?” Zheng He asked the terrified citizens. With his entire body shaking in fear, a man slowly stood
up and raised his hand. In a trembling voice, he said, “I-I am.”
“I’ll make you a deal. Our emperor wants resources, so if you can provide some for us, we will leave at
once.” Zheng He offered.
He was reluctant, and Zheng He could tell. “We’ll make alliances with you, we’ll help you rebuild and pay
for the damage we have done. But you have to provide us with resources, because if not I’ll be forced to
ask my troops to continue what they’re doing.” Zheng He said.
“R-r-really?” the leader said in his trembling voice.
“I don’t want to harm you or your people, but we do need resources. There is another way - how about
we form an alliance?” Zheng He suggested.
Not as reluctant anymore, he agreed to the offer.
Thousands of eyes looked at him, half of them with gratitude, and the other half with anger.