Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Non-Fiction 2019 | Page 18

Zheng He
Peak School (ESF), Schulz, Amelie - 8
Introduction
Zheng He was born on the 23 of December 1371. We don’t know exactly when he passed away. Most
probably it was in 1433 (aged 61-62). He lived in China in the region of Yunnan which is next to the
border of Myanmar.
He was a great explorer and a fleet commander with 300 ships and over 30.000 troops under his command.
He went on seven major expeditions to explore the world and to establish chinese trade in new areas. He
was a symbol of China's peaceful rise.
Chapter 1 : The Beginning
There was once a boy called Zheng He. He had four sisters and one older brother. One day, after his 8th
birthday, Zheng He was like always the last out of bed. Finally Zheng He was ready to go out and his family
were going to the market. All of a sudden, lots of people started running away. They tried asking what
happened, but no one stopped. Finally someone told them “There are a lot of soldiers coming and some are
even coming with horses”.
The soldiers were coming nearer and nearer until they were very close to the village. Everybody started
running for their lives until they were safe in their homes. Zheng He didn’t make it back to the village. He
was taken from the soldiers to the emperor's castle.
The soldiers were handing over Zheng he to the General Fu Youde.
“Why are you keeping me here?” asked Zheng He. The General started with a long explanation:
“Because in 10 years time you will be old enough to be a voyager, to explore the world. We will give you
more than 300 ships and about 30,000 troops under your command. You will have sacks full of gold. If you
come to a city that will fight you have to fight back! If the country is very nice you ask the boss of the city
or country if you are allowed to visit their country, if their boss says yes you give him or her gold, then you
enter their country.If they say no you give them a lot of gold and they might let you in if they don’t you sail
on. Your first voyage will be in 10 years that means you will be 18. You will be living in the castle for those
10 years and after that you will be gone.”
Chapter 2: The horse ride to Naypyidaw and the first expedition
After ten years living in the castle of Fu Youde, Zheng He was ready to start the adventure of doing
amazing expeditions for the emperor. His army and all ships were already set up in the harbour of
Naypyidaw. So Zheng He took his horse to ride to the harbour to meet his troops. He stepped on the boat
and started shouting “Hello my ship mates! Happy to see you all! Welcome to our Adventure! Let’s start our
adventure! ”
The conditions were great to start the journey. They set of with enough food and water for everybody. The
final destination of the first journey was Mumbai. They wanted to do a stopover in Colombo, Sri Lanka in
the middle of the way to Mumbai. After two weeks in stormy water, all are happy to leave the boats. In
Colombo they refilled their food, water and things they need for the boat ride. They set of once again to
Mumbai. A soldier shouted on their way “There’s a storm coming!” “Everybody of deck!” shouted Zheng
He. Fortunately they arrived safely in Mumbai.