Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 324

The Printing Voyage
Ying Wa College, Wong, Shue Hei Geoff - 12
13 th January, 1430.
A deluge followed the gale in Nanjing, China. Muhammad Cheng, also named Zheng He, a Muslim, was
going to begin his last journey— the seventh Ming Voyage.
The fog was lifting and the visibility was improving. The vessels led by Captain Muhammad, were
sauntering on the Pacific; The crews on the boats, were chatting and babbling with each other; The sails on
the high top, were swishing and whistling smoothly. Only the captain was groaning, watching to the west—
how would it be to make a pilgrimage in Macca in the journey! He thought.
Muhammad had a really splendid idea that night. The next morning, he sent his wonderful message to
everyone, overwhelming exhilaration manifested on his expression. The eager supporters stamped their feet
and shook their fists in chorus to the encouraging cheers that were ricocheting throughout the fleet. The
mutual leader’s plan had begun.
An Islam encyclopedia in ancient China talked about the way to Macca, “To Macca through (Cape of)
Good Hope, obstacles will cope,” Muhammad knew that, therefore he directed the men to the west
through Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.
No one would have believed it, because no one even ever found it out. The first person who went across
the cape was Muhammad Cheng. He changed history. He was the leading light of the paper-making
mogul.
It was the 84 th day. They eventually arrived a place in the west, not Macca, but Germany. He brought half
of the army, an architecture designer and an interpreter with him and walked around the city. He rapidly
found a tall landmark, rushing into and found a company, making gold statues.
Muhammad saw Johannes Gutenberg, the man who invented metal movable type.
“May I take a glimpse of what you are doing, sir?” enquired the captain.
“Yes,” replied Johannes without hesitation, “look if you want to buy some,”
“Oh mister, oh mister! I am from the Great Ming, here to make every citizen riches if they become a part of
us! I am rich though, and I don’t need these products. But don’t you have a dream, sir?”
“Yes. I am inventing some metal blocks to print something,”
“Oh, how uncivilized your country is! Get some wooden blocks as a model. I will teach you about cutting
metal,” exclaimed Muhammad, while taking out some pieces of wood.
Three days later.It was time to leave. Muhammad and Johannes made two sets of blocks for both countries,
the army bought a lot of local fresh food, and the designer got a lot of new ideas from the churches and
mosques.
Their mission had been completed. The fleet started the home-coming trip.
Sorrowfully, Muhammad Cheng died in a cyclone and thunderstorm. Although he was gone forever, his
spirit never dies.
After four months of drizzling on the sea, the vessels docked back in Nanjing.
The journey came to a halt.