Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 307

Ming Treasure Voyages Goes East
Ying Wa College, Lai, Chun Yat Nikka - 14
8 March 1433 A.D.
We’ve been in Hormuz for almost 2 months now. I’m bored to death – my dream is to sail into
the ocean, not next to the shore! However, the Emperor’s orders bar me from falling behind schedule, or off
comes my head… The thought of it sends shivers down my spine…
You’ve probably heard of me before. My name is Zheng He, but you probably know me as the
admiral of the voyages down west, 6 times in total. This is supposed to be the seventh time, and we’re about
to return home. However, this voyage and the other 6 voyages are really not that different: I’ve seen all
these people, passed by all these villages and nature’s landmarks, I can remember all of them clearly.
All these years, I’ve been hoping for a chance to voyage further, an order from the emperor
allowing me to sail east instead of west, but no such incident occurred. Maybe the gods don’t want me to go
there. Yet, I want to, and I don’t mind defying them to achieve my goal! I just have to think of an excuse…
Yes, if we just lie about the return trip and say we stayed for longer, it’ll definitely work! No one back home
will know…
12 March 1433 A.D.
Ahh! Finally, we are once again on our way! I have to say, I am extremely grateful to my daring
crew, who also dream to sail towards the East with me! At the time when I am writing this sentence, our
fleet is saying farewell to the last hint of land.
So, this is my plan: Our fleet is due to return to Nanjing by June, so we have four months. By
following the compass and relying on the Northern Dipper, I will sail directly East for two months with
minimal error, and if I don’t reach any land mass, I shall sail back slightly north of the path we came from,
therefore arriving at the capital as quickly as possible. If we’re late, off goes our heads (that’s not healthy).
We just lost sight of the Mainland – there’s no turning back now, I guess. Let’s see what awaits us!
17 March 1433 A.D.
It’s been 5 days of straight sailing at top speed, and yet we have yet to see any spot of green on the
horizon. A third of the crew have nausea, a quarter in the third have thrown up, and one of us is on their
deathbed, approaching his final breath. May he rest in peace.
Our race, the Han, are not suited to be at sea, and therefore, unless you have gotten used to it, like
me and some other admirals who’ve been with me for some or all of my previous voyages, you will most
likely get sick. However, our previous voyages have never sailed more than a mile off the shore. I’m not
sure how much of a chance we’ll stand if we sail into a storm. Oh well, may the gods up above the clouds
bless my voyage.
23 March 1433 A.D.
Another 6 boring days of voyaging has passed. It is now near dusk, and now half of the crew is sick
and nauseous. I really hope the weather stays calm... Wait, what was that lurch? Oh my gosh, big waves,
waves that are as tall as the Emperor himself! Did I hear a slap of thunder? Why, why? Will I never reach the
other side of the ocean?
Hearing the waves slap against the hull of the boat is extremely creepy. It was like expecting the
waves to break through the week wooden structure (at least we think it is, it might not be and we might be
worrying for nothing) anytime soon. O gods above the clouds, please don’t sink my ships! Please allow me
to reach the other side!
It’s getting late, but my crew and I are restless. Please let the rain stop!
25 March 1433 A.D.
The storm has gone on for another two days, and now even I am nauseous from the rocking of the
boat caused by the slapping of large waves on our fleet. I continue to pray for the storm to stop.
Wait! The waves have stopped hitting the sides of the boat and are focusing on the back of the
boat! We’re going 5 times the normal speed! The rain, lightning and thunder are also stopping… Are the
gods answering my calls? I think I’ll have to wait and see.
The storm has weakened enough for me to leave the cabin and go check my compass. Surely
enough, we were heading dead east. However, judging by the Northern Dipper, we’ve probably been
blown off-course slightly to the north. Although it’s probably going to be fine.
26 March 1433 A.D.