New Tales of the Great Wall
Kelly Ann Sk
he Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is seen as one of the greatest
fortifications ever built by man and is a national icon of China, symbolizing national dominance. These
defensive walls are known to protect ancient China from its northern frontiers. However, after the
collapse of the Ming dynasty, repairs for this magnificent structure were discontinued. This was
because its successor, the Qing dynasty, which originated from the Manchus in Mongolia, annexed
Mongolia into the empire, almost causing the Qing dynasty to suffer the same fate as its predecessor, the Ming
dynasty. It was not until a very intelligent boy realized the potential of the Great Wall not only for security
purposes but also trading purposes, saving China and its people. So, what did he do? The Modern Tale of the
Stone Dragon shall now be uncovered…
ilton, Group 4: Fiction, HKWMA Chu Shek Lun Secondary School
T
There once was a British boy called George Thomas Staunton. At the age of just 12, he accompanied
his father named Sir George Leonard Staunton, who had been appointed secretary to a trade delegation to China
between 1792 and 1794, aiming to seek trade relations with China so that its market can be opened up to the
products of the British empire. Prior to his arrival in China, Thomas had already begun to learn Chinese. This
enhanced communication between the Chinese government officials and his father, thus, reducing language
barriers and communication problems.
“
Thomas, my son, there you are! Now, would you translate what the court official is trying to say?”
asked Sir Leonard, the father of the British boy.
“
Yes, father,” said the willing boy, “The court official has announced that the Emperor is ready to see
us in his Summer Residence, which is about a week’s ride from here.”
However, when Sir Leonard offered to send one of his horse carriages as a gift to the Emperor, the
court officials insisted that he would never sit in such a vehicle as no one ever must sit higher than the emperor.
In addition, they also insisted that no coachman should sit higher, and with his back to his passenger.
“
This is ridiculous,” said the stunned father of Thomas, “The Emperor will be enthusiastic about them!
Look at the craftsmanship of these carriages, especially when they are brought from the other side of the world!”
The court officials even warned Sir Leonard that the Emperor was very ruthless and advised him to
take careful consideration into presenting him such a vehicle that would be highly disrespectful to the Emperor.
Determined and confident about the carriages that would be offered to the Emperor as a gift, Sir
Leonard said, “We’ll see about that!”
Soon after Leonard and Thomas’ encounter with the court officials, they immediately set off for the
Summer Palace. The court officials treated the father and the son to a site where few Europeans had ever beheld
in order to show the Emperor’s gratitude for their visit to China. That site was the Great Wall of China.
Mesmerized and overwhelmed by its architectural beauty, they scrambled around the Great Wall. Nothing
would keep both of them in their carriages. Nevertheless, they could only spend a short time there as they had a
very important appointment with the Emperor.
Upon Sir Leonard and Thomas’s arrival at the Summer Palace, they were brought to the throne room
where the Qianlong Emperor would meet his visitors. The Qianlong Emperor wore a black dragon hat and
yellow robes filled with designs of dragons and other beautiful patterns. They were so colorful that they
resembled a rainbow.
“
Your Majesty,” said Thomas’ father as he bowed, “On behalf of King George III, we offer you these
horse carriages as a gift in exchange for your approval to form trade links with us. Gentlemen, bring in the
carriages!”
Once Thomas had translated what his father said to the Son of Heaven, the Qianlong Emperor went
furious. His loud voice echoed around the throne room, shouting how much of an insult those vehicles were, just
as the court official has stated. He ordered Sir Leonard to leave China immediately and to never return.
However, astonished by Thomas’ Chinese, he also ordered to keep Thomas in his Palace and not to leave with
his father as a punishment for disrespecting the Son of Heaven.
As the imperial guards of the Summer Palace took Thomas’ father out of the throne room, he tried to
force his way towards his frightened and sobbing son. But the imperial guards proved too strong for him.
“
Let me go! My son is still there!” cried the secretary.