The Last Meal
Richard Tren
he Mongols hadn’t given up and had decided to strike China. More soldiers were wanted by the
Emperor to defend our threatened, desperate country. Power and men of ability were much needed.
Once again it was war and as though nothing was happening, our clan, the Chen family carried on our
daily lives.
eman, Group 3: Fiction, British International School Puxi, Shanghai
It was supper and my younger brother, Xu, began scoffing his noodles as if he hadn’t eaten for
months when Father reached across the table and grabbed a wooden spoon and painfully whacked Xu on the
head. “What was that for?” screeched Xu, leaping back from the table. “You either eat with manners and respect
or you simply don’t eat! Grow up Xu you are nearly sixteen! Boys of your age are being conscripted” yelled
Father. No sooner had he done that, Father disappeared from the table only to comfort Xu who was weeping as
if he was a little 3 year old who had lost his teddy bear.
T
I am two years older than Xu. Xu was Father’s second son; the irresponsible, the chubby, the indolent one. I
the more able of Father’s two children, am more heavily built and hard working. In other words, I am the exact
opposite of Xu. Despite that, I love him no matter how selfish or loafing he can be because he is my brother,
my only brother.
It was late at night, my chores completed when I went to bed. Xu interrupted my night’s sleep and woke me.
He was snoring again…blaringly. As the hours gradually passed, surprisingly I felt slightly drowsy and slowly
fell to sleep. I woke as the cockerel crowed and after putting on my clothes, I began working on the farm.
Having fed the animals, I went inside to make breakfast. As I entered the house I noticed Xu in the corner
munching and gobbling on the bread that he must have stolen from the wooden cabinet. He was giggling
furtively as if I hadn’t detected his felony. He was like a bulging piglet stuffing himself with a bunch of potatoes
waiting for more potatoes to magically appear before him. It was appalling to watch but I chose to remain silent
and let matters rest otherwise it would have to be same old Xu and Father story again.
I returned to the farm and continued to work, and all of a sudden I spotted Father joining me. I greeted him
with; “Good morning Father.” “Hello Ming” he said with a gentle smile. Father was already fifty-five and
wasn’t very fit, causing him to find it exceedingly difficult to bend down or lift weights. But, we worked in
unison and completed ploughing the farm and cleaning the stable within an hour, then finally arrived home to
make lunch.
We ate simply. Rice and a few vegetables. We ate quickly but lingered on every last crumb. I was hungry
and eager to eat more of the few remaining vegetables. As I was stretching across the table and attempting to
reach the earthenware dish a stranger knocked on the door.
Father made his way to the door and unlocked it, but he was shocked to see such a tall, broad, robust figure
appear. It was Commander Zhou. “Greetings Chen” said the man in a calm but deep voice. “What is it” asked
Father in a troubled tone and trying to pull a smile. Somehow I sensed that Father knew this hour was coming.
“
The country is at war and the Emperor required to join the imperial army gathering at the Great Wall to
defend his people and fight for the honour of China” Zhou barked. “Understood Commander” mumbled Father
falteringly.
Father shut the door behind him, and rushed to his room, trying not to reveal his face. I could see tears in
his eyes, tears of sadness and anxiety. I could see that he was trying to hold it in all but failed in the struggle.
I knew that Father was too old to fight and Mother had already been taken away from us. Neither of us ever
knew how and Father refused to speak of her. I also understood that Xu was too young to go to war and help
was needed on the farm. I had no choice but to present myself to the Commander.
I charged up the stairs to discover Father weeping. “ Father I have to go”
“
Ming don’t be so childish you are far too young!” Father interrupted.
“
I am 18! Father! I am a man! Neither you or Xu can go” I argued.
“
You should take this” he sighed making his way across the room and opening a large cabinet. The cabinet
was filled with battered armour and rusting weaponry. The armour was damaged and there appeared to be a hole
in the breast plate.
“
Your grandfather wore this in battle against the Mongols fifty years ago when they first attempted to
invade China. He was a brave soldier and greatly feared by his enemies. His armour was returned to me after his
last great battle as though inviting me to follow in his footsteps and fulfill his dream of finally defeating the