“9999999.”
the haruspex answered confidently.
“
Fine! I will just give 9999999 bricks to you guys. Let’s see whether you are right or wrong. If one is more
or less, you all have to die! ” The supervisor said.
Poor workers! The supervisor always makes things difficult for the workers. Not only deducting their wages,
but also disregarding their lives. If the supervisor is living in modern Hong Kong, he must have been fired and
put into jail!
After ages, days and nights, the Great Wall was built in 364 days. All the workers were very happy since all
the bricks were used and nothing was exceeded. The supervisor has come to see if there were any problems.
Unluckily, the supervisor found out a handful-size vacancy at the edge of the wall.
“
OH! A BRICK IS NEEDED TO FILL IN THIS VACANCY! You guess the number WRONGLY!” The
supervisor said it loudly, trying to scare the haruspex.
“
YES! I KNOW,” the haruspex replied calmly. “If this vacancy is filled, the Great Wall will fly away like a
dragon, and the emperor will surely BLAME ON YOU!”
“
Huuh? Oh…then…then forget it!”
“
Hurray!”
Actually, the haruspex was hiding a piece of brick in his hand. He had carved a relief of a mighty dragon on
it for clarification and buried it in the soil; never let the others to get it. After thousand years in Ming dynasty,
Emperor Yongle ordered the people to build the Forbidden City. A craftsman dug out this piece of brick and put
it on the Nine Dragons Screen in front of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.
The next day’s afternoon, Derek and Nicole go to visit the Great Wall. They climb long stairs to get to the
beacon tower. However, Nicole feels very tired and she just wants to go back to the hotel to have a rest, also
goes on shopping.
“
It…it is too tired to…to climb that long stairs,” Nicole is panting. “The Great Wall is not so worth to visit,
the scenery is the same although in different heights – all are mountains! Go shopping in Wangfujing is much
worth!”
“
Why you always pour me a bucket of cold water? Why don’t you support me?”
Nicole is shocked when she hears Derek’s question. She cannot speak a word for minutes. Derek ignores
Nicole and climb up the stairs himself.
Walking for about half an hour, it is nearly evening. Derek finds a notch at the edge of the wall. The incision
is so neat that it looks to be very weird, which is different from the other notches. He suddenly reminds the piece
of dragon brick.
Measuring and comparing the size and shape, Derek is shocked.
“
What? It perfectly fit the space…” By the time Derek fits the brick in the space, after a ‘cracking’ sound,
the relief of the dragon on the brick bursts out a strong ray of golden light. The ray of light propagates in all
direction, encircling Derek. He is scared, but very curious on what will happen in the next second.
The sun has set; the remnant light paints the rosy clouds red and orange. The Great Wall is glowing brightly,
just like thousand diamonds dancing with nimble movements. A yellow shadow jumps out of the Great Wall – it
is the dragon’s spirit. Derek is lying on the back of the dragon, spiraling in the sky in the fastest speed.
“
Help! What is going on? Am I dreaming?” Wind blows fiercely upon Derek’s ear – no one can hear his
scream.
Guess where Derek has gone, travelling around the world driving the dragon? Back to Hong Kong? No!
Instead, Derek is lying on a humpy ground with rough surface. Sounds of digging and breaking are surrounding
him. Half-waking up, opening the eyelids, Derek is surprised to see the people dressed in ancient clothes and the
unfinished Great Wall.
“
Am I backed to the Qin dynasty?” screamed Derek, “It is unbelievable!”
“
Ouch! Painful,” Derek pinches his cheek. “It’s in reality.”
Thousands years later in 21st century Beijing, Nicole is still sleeping in bed.
“
Ouch! Painful,” awaking, Nicole rubs her heart.
“
Derek hasn’t come back… Where had he gone? Is that my fault?” Nicole said to herself.
In the working site, all the craftsmen are working very hard although the sun is hanging in the middle of the
sky. Suddenly, a man dressed in shining armor, holding a whip comes to Derek.
“
WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GO TO WORK! Don’t try to take a break without my permission!”
“
Okay…” Derek goes to the site and pretends to work unwillingly. He cooperates with the other workers
and moves the enormous bricks to construct the Great Wall. Although the work is very hard and the supervisor
treats Derek crudely, there are lots of valuable assets – because he is in Qin Dynasty! Derek gets crazy with the
ancient coins and clothes. Therefore, he keeps working and staying in the Qin Dynasty, but the most important
reason is – he is angry with Nicole.