The Assassin of the Great Wall
Valerie Ang,
he man slowly turned around, but it was too late as the assassin had already struck. The blade sunk
into the man’s chest, and he spun around and took his final breath then collapsed. The dead man was
the Emperor of the Qing dynasty.
“
Call him
Group 2: Fiction, German Swiss International School
T
12
years later:
to my presence Han” said the great man who ruled over all of China.
“
But my lord …” the Emperor’s Steward was cut short.
“
Bring him!” the Emperor screamed. “Why question the greatest man on the face of this earth!!!”
The steward hurriedly fetched the man. “Now Han, Leave us!”
“
I understand the reason that you are here is to investigate the death of my father.”
“
Yes I am. Please call me Gong”.
The emperor handed Gong a scroll. “Here is the recount of my father’s death. Please treat it well. Now off
be with you.”
And with that, Gong was off to a private corner. He had achieved what he had needed. Hungrily he read:
This is an eyewitness account from Fa Wu Zhong, the servant of the great Emperor of China. It was late at
night and I was on the Great Wall when I heard it. Even I with great ears could barely hear it. It was like
strangled hiss. This was followed by a loud thump and finally the repeated padding of footsteps, like someone
was running away. All this happened on August 27th, 5 days after the new moon.
Gong was disappointed as he had expected more details, but for now it was all he had. Gong decided his
next step was to find Fa Wu Zhong and question him face to face.
On the day Gong had arranged to meet Fa Wu Zhong, he decided to take his brother with him. When they
arrived at Wu Zhong’s house, it was starting to rain. Wu Zhong ushered him inside and told him the exact same
thing on the record.
“
But is there not more detail?” Questioned Gong
“
I am afraid not. But, I do know someone who knows more about the subject.”
“
Who?” asked Gong, who was eager to garner more information.
“
You should ask the emperor’s steward, Han. He knows all the gossip, old and new.” Gong’s brother had
been sitting silently through all this, and now slipped quietly out of the room.
“
Thank you,” said Gong “but I really must attend to this.”
Later, down a dark corridor, a horrific sight met Gong’s eyes. Wu Zhong was lying on the floor, a bloody
dagger sticking out of his lung.” Your bro...” Gong was too shocked for words. With that, Fa Wu Zhong died.
“
But why?” thought Gong repeatedly.” What does my brother have to do with it? Gong decided to see Han
at the Emperor’s palace, a three day journey away.
The emperor’s palace in all its glory as it loomed above Gong. Ignoring the large marble doors in front of
him, Gong hurried aside to the servant’s quarters tucked in a far corner of the palace. Even though Han had the
biggest room in the quarters, Gong struggled to make himself comfortable.
He cleared his throat “So, what news has there been of the Emperor’s death?” Gong asked Han casually.
“
Oh, not much, but they say Gong Ping Long killed him.”
This shocked Gong, but he did not show it on his face. Gong Ping Long was his brother.
“
In case you didn’t know, Gong Ping Long is one of China’s most notorious assassins. I feel sorry for you.
He has kept his secret well. Too well, in fact. Hurry, your brother is on the Great Wall now.”
Gong hurried for it was all he could do. When he reached a certain section of the Great Wall, his brother
was standing above, a majestic robe flowing behind him.
“
But brother, why?” questioned Gong. “Why strike the emperor down?”
“
Because I was paid.” answered Gong’s brother simply. “What things you would do for money! Now, I
have no choice but to strike you down too!” Gong’s brother sneered. “I have not met a more foolish person in
my life! Whoever is foolish enough to challenge a skilled assassin will surely die!”
Gong replied, “Assassins normally have the element of surprise on their side, but this time you do not.”
Gong started to scale the wall, a knife flashing in his teeth. Ping Long ran to the nearest guard house a hundred
feet away. Up onto the turret he climbed and threw himself over the edge. Gong hurled himself up onto the wall.
He was horror-struck by what had happened. ”Goodbye my brother”, he thought. “Rest in peace.”