Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 44

Because I’m a bastard child.
Because I’m unlucky.
“ Minhao. ” Zhihao tugged your arm, jolting you out of your daze. “It’s time to set sail.”
In a trance, you followed.
You strode along the deck, frowning. No ships were spotted, and you thought about having to see your
meimei empty-handed.
The slapping of feet. You turned to see a crew member rushing towards you, tripping over himself.
“Ship.” The member, Zhixun, reported.
Your eyes widened. “Ship?”
“Big one.” He confirmed. “Riches, gold, spices. Enough to earn money worth a lifetime.”
You pursed your lips.
“ Zhixun, those are king’s ships.”
He grimaced, turned back. You could imagine cogs turning. His father deemed “shameful” and his mother a
woman “infused by guis ”, he longed for survival.
“ Minghao .” He knew he had struck a nerve. Feeling a pang in your chest, you stared at your sandals,
contemplating.
Zhixun had a way of saying little words with maximum impact. He’d skirted around everyone’s words, he
knew words could hurt. He knew to deliver wounds for defense. The others? No better.
This was a ship full of broken people.
This was a ship full of ignored people, China’s lowest. This was a ship of unfortunate, unfairly treated
people. This was the part of China the emperor hid, for fear of dirtying China. This was the struggling part
of China.
You had to do this. Not just for your sister. For the others.
“Follow it.” You ordered Zhixun.
He nodded, hopeful.
Louder, you shouted, “Follow that ship! Cut it off from the channel, they’ll have to backtrack or face us,
we’ll have the upper-hand. Go!”
Your ship increased speed, diving, as you commanded, right between the channel.
You uttered a prayer.
The ship drew nearer.
Your heartbeat increased.
It lurched, stopping. Men in silk robes cried out, alarmed.
Another sin, you thought. These men will be the ones visiting my dreams tonight.
Formed by years of practice, the crew vaulted over and landed on the other ship, drawing the men to
corners before any reaction. Deciding to join, you leapt over, sighting Zhixun fastening the ships together.
“What’s this?” Your voice dropped. The scratchy cloth around your face suffocated you, but you didn’t
unfasten it. Them telling the emperor of your identity meant certain death. A bad thought, not only because
of death, but because your meimei and your mama would be left alone.
The men were in a semicircle, facing your crew. They varied in height and appearance, but all seemed like
experienced sailors.
“The Captain?” A man gestured to you. Your eyes flitted over him. The leader.
“Yes.”
Behind you, Zhihao glared. “Identify yourself. Men from the Huangdi? ”
“The emperor?” The man chuckled good-naturedly. “Yes. I am Zhenghe and this is my… second voyage.
Now, it’s only fair if you identify yourselves.”
“We have the upper-hand.” Your smug tone was forced. Now we’re even stealing from good-natured
men. He seems nice enough.
We have no choice if we want dinner tonight.
“I assume you are pirates?” Zhenghe straightened his sleeves.
Jaw clenched, you looked away, tugging at your own scruffy ones, knowing that you didn’t want to pirate.
Zhihao nodded for you, brushing his black hair back and glancing at you. “That’s obvious, no?”
“You’re…” Captain Zhenghe gestured at the poorly dressed crew, at your ship, then finally at your gaunt
frames. “…poor people.”
You lifted your chin. “Poor, but not without dignity.” Glaring. “Reveal my identity and my best man will
stab you in your sleep.”