Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 59

Navigator of the Ming Treasure Fleet
Good Hope School, Kwok, Chloe - 13
The ocean view was far more magnificent than I ever imagined. It was a memory that I will never
forget. The music of the waves crashing to the shore danced in my ears, giving me a pleasant feeling of
euphoria. Rays of golden sunlight peeked from beneath the clouds in the unyielding blue sky. Lights
flickered and shimmered on the surface of the ocean as if glitter was poured on it. The mysterious, deep
water felt like it held many secrets. Waiting for me to explore. The nebulous line that separates the sky and
the sea was beckoning me to come forth, to travel across the seas. I have always dreamt of becoming a sailor
in the Ming Treasure fleet. My father was one, unfortunately he died in a war. He would tell me enthralling
and wholesome tales of his adventures. About the sights he’ll never forget and the tiresome and boring jobs
on the ships. I am finally old enough to set sail with him and be the navigator’s assistant! I looked at the
Feng Huang , a beautiful ship that would take me across the ocean to other regions. I breathed in the salty
air. I smiled. I took a deep breath as I boarded the ship with my teammates.
It’s the seventh time the emperor has ordered our admiral Sir. Zheng He to set sail for the Ming
Treasure Fleet. You must be wondering what “Ming Treasure Fleet” is. My father told me, we would carry
cargoes of jewellery and gold across the seas. We would stop by some countries and give them the valuable
treasures. That way we could have more allies in future wars or maybe discover land in the voyages.
A shout from the captain indicated the start of journey. I went to the front of the ship to have a
better look at how they start the ship. The primary sailor took control of the wheel. He stirred it with so
much momentum. I was truly amazed. Then, a shout came from above. A boy, not much older than me
was swinging through the sails. Checking for any problems. I looked around for the navigator. I couldn’t
find him. I approached a boy wearing light green robes.
“Do you know where the navigator is?” I asked him.
He shrugged. “I’m looking for him as well. I’m the assistant of him.”
“So am I!” I exclaimed happily. I had a companion! I saw his eyes brighten up. He grinned. “I’m
Xu Yang!” he held a hand for me to shake. I gladly took it. “Yu Wei, it’s my pleasure to meet you.”
I spotted a plump, tan man in a deep blue robe. He was sitting in front of a wooden desk. On it,
was a humongous map with lots of markings on it. Next to it, was a compass and a divider. He must be the
navigator, Hai. I nodded at Xu Yang. We ran to the wooden table.
“You must be Hai. I’m Yu Wei and he is Xu Yang, your assistants.” I held my hand out for him to
shake.
He didn’t take my hand, much to my disappointment. Instead, he looked askance at it and grunted
in monotone “You two, help me sort the maps. By longitude”
I stared at the huge mount of maps. Xu Yang caught my eye and sighed. Might as well as get to
work.
It took us almost two hours to sort the maps. I excitetedly took it to Hai, hoping that he would
give us something tad more interesting. He took a very brief look at it and shook his head disapprovingly
and told me to sort it again by another order.
This continued for what seemed like forever. Every day, we would sort the maps and he would not
approve. We would have to do it over and over. Till I was on the verge of tearing my brains out. I don’t
understand why I had to sort the maps. I have almost memorised all of the navigator guides and books. All I
had to do was this. So, does he think I’m not suitable of being his assistant? I huffed in annoyance. I mustn’t
complain. My father said if I did, it’ll be a disaster. As I grumbled about this in a low voice to Xu Zhang. He
suddenly nudged me. I looked up and saw Hai’s giant body tower over me. I almost jumped three feet in
the air. He stared at me with an eyebrow raised. I quickly apologized as I stood up and saluted him.
He held out his hand. “Boys, you don’t need to sort the maps. Follow me.” He grunted.
I was too bewildered to move right away, until Xu Yang elbowed me. Hai led me to the ship’s
deck. He gave us a map and a compass.