Tales of the Great Wall
Noah Jim, Group 3: Fiction, International College Hong Kong
ire, fire! Run! Run for your life! The Mongolian devils are here! ” the old man yelled. I awoke
from my sleep and looked out the window. Smoke was everywhere; the whole village was on fire
like the burning hell. People were screaming as they tried to flee from their burning homes or
from the callous blades that their formidable enemies wielded at them. The Mongolians stormed
through the village like a pack of wolves, slaying everyone who crossed their path and capturing
those too weak to escape. My parents told me to hide in the well, and as I clamped on to the edge and peeked
over the edge of the well. Mongolian soldiers took my parents. They screamed and cried for help but the
Mongolians took them all in one swift move. I never saw them again. After the Mongolians went away, I
struggled out of the well. The village was silent, all I could hear was the crackling of the house burning. Not a
soul in sight. I dropped to the ground and whispered ,“mum, dad, where are you?” But all I could hear was my
shivering voice. I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces, my shirt soaked with own tears.
“
Gallop, gallop, gallop” ,horses passed by. My heart raced. Have the Mongolians returned for more
destruction? I tried to crawl into the bush, my weak body shaking. Through the burnt bushes I saw a group of
soldiers on horseback, led in the front by a man in shiny battle armour, the sword in his hand glimmered like the
mirror in the sun. Despite his fearsome appearance, his eyes looked kind. “Do not be afraid, boy, we are here to
fight the Mongolian invaders.” When he heard that I had lost my parents and was all alone, the man took me on
his horse back and brought me back to his base. He lit up the fireplace and gave me warm food. I looked around
the house and saw the name on the sheath of his sword. It was then I realised that he was Lau Guan Xi, the
General of the Emperor’s army, the Great Warrior.
Lau Guan Xi looked after me like I was his own son. Ten years have passed, he has not only taught me
how to read but also how to fight. In some of the battles, he has even let me accompany him. I have seen how
courageous he has fought the Mongolians, and even when in the most dangerous situation he would confront
death with no fear. I want to fight the Mongolians. I have not forgotten how my enemy took my parents from
me.
Under Genghis Khan, the Mongolian army was getting stronger day by day. Even though our Emperor
had ordered the construction of the Great Wall, Genghis Khan and his army were constantly threatening to
invade our country. Three days ago, Lau Guan Xi and his army are stationed themselves at the eastern section of
the Great Wall, after intelligence reached the General that there may be an invasion by the Mongolians from the
East soon. Shortly after midday, a loud rumbling noise suddenly broke the silence up the quiet mountain. Then
the army horns were blown, the distressing sound pierced through the air. We instantly knew we were at war.
Everyone got into position, ready to fight. Like other archers, I climbed up the wall and aimed my arrows at the
encroaching enemy.
We tried to strike as many arrows into the Mongolians as possible while Lau Guan Xi and his people
slashed the formidable enemy. Men around me fell and foes’ arrows showered down at us. It was such a
frightening moment. Our horns were blowing desperately, calling for our soldiers to charge against the
Mongolians. The swords of our brave swordsmen screeched when they strike the enemies’ and illuminated the
night with fiery sparks. Lau Guan Xi was fighting a group of Mongolians when the Mongolian commander
crept up to him. He was about to stab him when
Lau Guan Xi turned around and ended the enemy’s life. Our en fought hard. The Mongolians realised
they were losing the battle so finally they retreated.
It was a long fight and everyone was exhausted. We camped on the Great Wall watching for the return
of the Mongolians. Worn out, I dozed off and slept under the clear dark sky. That night I had a strange dream. I
saw my parents standing in the clouds looking down at me, smiling. Then my father turned around and pointed
his finger down at the Great Wall. Suddenly the wall opened up and something glowing with brightness slowly
rose to the surface, the dazzle almost blinded my eyes. As it rose up towards the sky, I saw it was a sword, but
no ordinary one because as it ascended a, dragon appeared and bowed towards it. The sword lit up the dark night.
Suddenly I heard something rattling down the mountain, I looked through the wall and saw the Mongolians
have come back with more men. My heart pounded as cold sweat trickled down my spine. “The Mongolians had
come back!” I yelled. Lau Guan Xi jumped on his horse and all the men went to their position again. It was
dawn but still very dark. It was a frosty morning; the cold wind whisked our back. Our fingers were frozen and
stiff, everyone could barely hold their weapons. With their huge number, the enemy overwhelmed us this
“
F