Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 189

Zheng He was alone at night when he remembered the prince gave him the instructions to open the book if
he ever stumbled across perils. He was curious, but of course he wanted no trouble. When suddenly a faintly
translucent, wooden looking ship drew close. Zheng He quickly opened the book and words inside glowed,
he read it out aloud, “If you are reading this I suspect you are in the midst of a peril. Observe the ship, is it
covered in wreckage, ancient almost, equipped with cannons, it has no living crew and finally the ship is
completely silent. This is the mythical Ghost Sailor. No one has survived it and lived to tell the tale.” Zheng
He checked the characteristics. To his dismay, it was! Zheng He and his crew prepared for battle, firing with
all their power. The ancient ship appeared to start sinking, the ghostly crew was awoken and they began to
retaliate. They fired back ammunition of their own. Luckily the prince’s reinforced ships held up. The battle
wrecked havoc between both fleets, cannon balls flew back and forth like never seen before. After a long
gruelling battle the ghastly ship finally retreated. The crew of ghost all hissed in displeasement. Zheng He’s
crew on the other hand all rejoiced over their well deserved victory, but he knew there was more to come.
After a very long five years of killing, collecting precious duds and commodities, was time for the crew and
Zheng He to return back to where they belong and most importantly, rejuvenate. They were immensely
proud of their achievements. Meanwhile, when Zheng He and his crew were returning, the prince’s
servants were constant on a look out. Once they spotted the first sign of Zheng He’s return the cite citizens
all quickly hid except one man. As Zheng He steered to harbour he noticed something unusual, a figure
standing in the middle of the dock Zheng He then shouted, “Move out the way!” but as he got closer he
realised it was his father! He could recognise the man anywhere, despite his now silvery hair and slightly
more wrinkles. Zheng He was speechless, he jumped off the boat and hugged him as they were finally
reunited.
Before the celebration began, Zheng He was rewarded with gold and jewels, but the most important his
father. After the sun set and celebration end Zheng He was in panic as he couldn’t find his father. He rushed
to the river in search for him. Only to eventually find him under the moon’s shadow soaking in the scenery.
They laughed and talked the night away, catching up on the long, lost years.Was this the last of Zheng He’s
adventure.