Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 194

Venture into the Unknown
Sha Tin College, Wong, Bob - 11
The gangplank is raised as the final few bundles of precious silk are handed on board as presents for whatever
people they may find along the way. Trumpets blow and people cheer as the loaded treasure ships make
their way into the unknown. What will they find there? Who will they meet? Will they even make it back
alive? Nobody knows. The Emperor has ordered this venture as to find out the answers to these pressing
questions, as well as the prospect of expanding the trade prospects and opportunities for Ancient China. By
assigning a trusted mariner in Zheng He, who doubled as a translator as he was Muslim to head the fleet
communication was not a problem. Protection against threats in the unknown was important. As a result,
units of the Emperor’s naval force a dispatched to the treasure ships as a safeguard against pirating. Sleek
black cannons are mounted upon bright red turrets that shine like fresh blood and the ships are adorned with
the crest of the Emperor and glow like a flame in the dark that is quickly settling on the fleet.
This is not an adventure short of danger and excitement. Very soon the naval force are put to work, their
cannons booming as they fend off a large pirate offensive in the dead of night. Hooks grapple onto the
Emperor’s warships and the fight begins in earnest. The cries of the fallen can be heard even over the din of
the cannons and the clash of swords as the soldiers rush to repel a boarding. Very soon the deck is slippery
with blood but the pirates are no match for the organized fighting force of the Emperor’s navy and are put
to flight after sustaining heavy losses. Parting shots from both sides are fired, but none hit a target and the
two sides drift away from each other.
A few weeks later, at the crack of dawn the sailors wake up to the cry of land. On board the treasure ships,
precious silk cloth is being frantically bundled up as gifts to the natives and the soldiers gear up for a possible
confrontation. Armour is carefully strapped on and swords honed in anticipation of a brawl as the fleet
approaches the village. As the landing party steps ashore the locals bow respectfully and usher them onshore
towards the village elders and the sailors follow, laden with the precious silk and china porcelain which they
bear towards the town square. As a offering of peace, the gifts are handed over and hectic talks ensue,
headed by Zheng He. Thanks to Zheng He’s translation capabilities, an agreement is reached in which the
village gets protection from China in return for use of the village as a trading outpost and a successful
outcome is reached. The fleet restock food and the area surveyed as maps are crafted as strategic assets for
China’s military ambitions. The fleet cast off, chuffed at their success at diplomacy but also in awe by the
local gifts, such as a battle helmet of full gold and a shield adorned with intricate patterns.
In other situations, force may be needed as persuasion as one morning the crew of a warship are briefed for a
mission. The locals in this dense jungle area have resisted all peaceful attempts at diplomacy and need
convincing that it is in their best interests to cooperate with China. The soldiers storm the jungle settlement,
attacking dissenters who retaliate against the invasion and force the leader of the settlement to cooperate.
This brutal show of force has shocked the natives who submit to the navy without resistance. The jungle is
stripped of precious wood for furniture and building in return for no further military force on China’s part
and the Chinese depart victorious and the clear benefactors of the deal.
Sometimes, not everything goes to plan. One night, they are ambushed by a squadron of pirates and taken
by surprise. Flames erupted on a warship as the pirates latched on and boarded. Arrows were launched into
the sky and peppered the pirates, many finding a mark. The boom of the cannon was like the clap of
thunder and the the splash of the waves was audible above the battle as the sharks took advantage of the
bloodshed to pick up a tasty snack and fill their bellies. A feeble attempt to hold the line and stop the pirates
reaching the treasure ships is smashed aside as the pirates make a beeline for the exposed treasure ships, their
boats leaving a long trail of sea foam that quickly dissipated. Unbeknownst to them, the large treasure ships
have a defense of their own. The thick iron plating on the hull resisted the full force of the pirate cannon
and it’s sheer size and weight meant it could crush the pirates underfoot with no trouble. The pirates realize
they have been drawn into a trap and surrender to be taken as prisoner to the Chinese.