China Edward Rutherfurd (essential reading .txt) 📖

“Can you tell us what happened?” asked the official.

“Yes. Your slave was present. The barbarians bombarded the two forts at the mouth of the river, then attacked with troops. The forts fell. After that, a strange ship made of iron went upriver a little way. Our war junks lay up there protected by sandbanks, but the iron ship went across the shallows and destroyed most of the war junks with cannon and other projectiles.”

“Perhaps this ship has some sort of armor on its sides. If it was made of iron, surely it wouldn’t have floated.” The emperor’s voice. “I am surprised Admiral Guan gave in so easily.”

“Your slave asks permission to comment.”

“Do so.”

“The admiral is most valiant, Majesty. I have been under fire with him. This was not the admiral’s fault. He was overwhelmed.”

Nobody said anything for a moment. Then another voice spoke. “May I make a suggestion, Majesty? Admiral Guan’s preparations were extensive. His courage is not in doubt. But it would seem that in his desire to appease the barbarians, the marquis has deliberately weakened our defenses. Clearly, Admiral Guan has not been supported. I submit respectfully that it is time for a person with more martial spirit and moral resolution to support the admiral and to teach these pirates a lesson, once and for all.”

Whoever this man was, Shi-Rong thought, it was clear that he was used to speaking his mind before the emperor. What a fine thing it would be to have such a position. The man had even dared to speak up for Lin—for although he had not mentioned Lin by name, it was clear, when he spoke of the need for a man of moral resolution, that he had Lin in mind.

There was only one problem: He was wrong. Shi-Rong was sure of it.

Neither Admiral Guan nor Lin could have stopped the barbarian gunners, let alone the iron ship. Nobody who had witnessed the attack on the forts could fail to see this. The British had better weapons and greater skill. They’d had no difficulty in destroying the forts at all. They could do the same thing to all the forts up the river all the way to Guangzhou.

The emperor spoke. “First Lin tells me the pirates can do nothing; then they take Chusan. Then the marquis tells me he will control them down in Guangzhou, and they smash his defenses to bits.” His soft voice sounded plaintive. “Does anyone tell the emperor the truth?” Nobody spoke. “Have you told me the truth?”

It took Shi-Rong a moment to realize that the question was directed at him. He began to look up, then checked himself.

“Your slave has truthfully reported everything he saw and heard,” he said, keeping his eyes on the floor.

The emperor sounded sad. “Well, I daresay you have. Is there anything else that I should know?”

Was there anything? Just the fact that neither he nor his advisors in the room had any understanding of the situation. The British warships were not a nuisance that could be swept away. Along the entire coastline of his empire, they were a force superior to his own. But did he dare say it?

He thought of Lin, whom he loved and whom he was here to defend. Could he tell the emperor that Lin’s moral strength was irrelevant? He thought of the old admiral, whom he respected. Could he tell the emperor that the gallant old warrior was of no use to him? Above all, could he really say to the emperor’s face that he and all his counselors were laboring under a delusion?

“Your humble slave submits that Your Majesty has all the information known.” It was true, in its way.

A light touch on his shoulder told him that he should now withdraw.

—

Mr. Wen came to visit within the hour. Evidently Lin’s friends in the meeting had already talked to him. He seemed very happy. “You made an excellent impression,” he cried. “The case against Lin is looking much weaker now. And the wind is certainly blowing against the marquis.”

“And the admiral?”

“He’ll be told to redeem himself. A small demotion until he does. They liked that you spoke out for him. They thought it courageous. Well done.”

“And what about me?” Shi-Rong asked. “What happens to me? I work for the marquis, to whom I have to return. He isn’t going to be so pleased to see me, is he?” He paused. “Do you think Lin planned this all along—got me a job with the marquis, made me tell him everything the marquis did, and then wrote to you to suggest I be summoned to the emperor to give evidence?”

“If he did, he had every right. He was owed your loyal service.”

“I’m not complaining,” said Shi-Rong, “but what shall I do?”

“First you will stay in my house for at least two weeks, because the journey here has made you ill.”

“Has it?”

“That is what I shall tell everyone. Then you will return to Guangzhou. Very slowly. It will take you at least two months. By the time you get there, I suspect that the marquis will be dismissed. If so, Lin and the rest of us will find you employment.” He smiled. “While you recover in my house, you can study with me for your next exams. My servant Wong will be delighted to look after you again. It will be quite like old times.”

—

That evening Mr. Wen gave Shi-Rong an herbal drink to make him sleep, and it was well into the next morning before he awoke.

There was a dusting of snow around noon that continued for a couple of hours. While it was snowing and Wong busied himself with the housekeeping, the two men played a game of Chinese chess. The old man was skillful in moving his chariots, Shi-Rong perhaps cleverer with his cannon; and though he lost an elephant early on, he was able to hold out until the snow had stopped before Mr. Wen finally