The Palace of Heavenly Pleasure (39 page)

‘I am encouraged by your Excellency's support. I can inform you that I, too, have made my own minister aware of my intentions to hunt here, and informed him of what quarry I seek. He wishes me every good fortune—indeed, he did me the honour of giving me some useful suggestions, and has indicated to me which trophies he would particularly like to see. Of course, he, like you, Da Ren, is prevented by his duties from joining us personally.'

‘It is gratifying that we all have such an early understanding, Colonel. Let me know through Major Lin how I can be of assistance to you during your stay. I am certain that he will look after your comforts. Of course, being such an intimate friend, he is in a position to know exactly what your requirements are. This is he now, Colonel, flush from his military victories. I will not delay your joyful reconciliation any further.'

Major Lin had entered behind the doctor and the party that had been treating the injured. He did not see Colonel Taro at first. He was somewhat distractedly pulling off his gloves and his padded greatcoat and was warming his hands by the stove. He was startled when a smiling Taro tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and it was with a petulant frown that he turned to see who had disturbed him. He froze in mid-movement.

‘Taro-sama.' The word came out as a gasp. The Mandarin and Manners, watching from the other side of the tent, saw the colour drain from the young officer's face, and a look almost of terror distort his pallid features.

‘My old, old friend,' said Taro, taking Lin by the arms and embracing him. Trembling, Major Lin shrugged himself free of the other man's grasp. His twisted lip quivered, his features contorted with conflicting emotions. It was only after a noticeable effort that he was able to smooth them back into their habitual expression of coldness. He clicked his heels, bowed sharply from the waist. ‘Colonel Taro, you are welcome to Shishan,' he said.

‘How touching,' said the Mandarin. ‘I had not appreciated that the friendship of soldiers could be so passionate.'

‘Colonel Taro said that it was an intimate friendship,' said Manners, smiling.

‘I suspect that Major Lin would like to forget quite how intimate it was,' murmured the Mandarin. His voice lost its ironical tone, and he looked up at the Englishman with a hard eye. He spoke very quietly: ‘Ma Na Si, you and I both know what happened when Lin was that man's prisoner, and how he bought his life or at least his release from hard labour with his own dishonour. I am not one to cast blame. I benefit from the military knowledge, which Lin learned while he was Taro's—friend. And it was in the past. We all have pasts, Ma Na Si, do we not?

‘But now we have an interesting situation. The past has returned to haunt our brave young officer. I am relying on you to guide these negotiations to a successful conclusion. The relationship between these two men is—how shall I say it?—nicely weighted. I am gambling, Ma Na Si, that in the delicate balance between obligation and shame—and Major Lin, as you know, feels both—the weights will come down slightly on the side of shame. In the balance between love and hatred, the scales will fractionally favour hatred—for then Major Lin will drive the hardest bargain for me. But the scales must tip only gently, or otherwise there will be no deal.

‘Do you understand me? Of course you do. That's why I am speaking so frankly. I am revealing nothing that you had not calculated already. For you sit on the balance of the scales, Englishman. I would remind you that you will not profit if the scales fall too heavily in either direction.'

‘There is an expression, Da Ren, that an Englishman's word is his bond.'

‘Your word is worth nothing. You are an opportunist. My friend, I only trust your self-interest. And your hunger.'

‘And my respects go to you too, Da Ren.'

‘Ha! Ma Na Si, we understand each other. That is why I like you. I will give you one word of advice, however. Be hungry—but do not be greedy.'

‘Meaning?'

‘Fan Yimei, the girl in the brothel, she belongs to Major Lin. Content yourself with your theft of the red-headed English girl from her young fool. Dally with the other whores in the Palace of Heavenly Pleasure. Leave Fan Yimei to the Major.'

‘I see,' said Manners. ‘I won't ask how you know these things. It is true that Fan Yimei is comely and I had … noticed her. I am surprised, though, that such a great one as the Da Ren takes interest in the ownership of a whore, or the disposition of a barbarian's heart.'

‘You do not have a heart, Ma Na Si. You are also impertinent—but I do have an interest in this girl. At least, I have placed her under my protection. Her father once—never mind. I cannot move her from that house but she can be my gift within it. It is one way of protecting her. She also serves my policy, and for the moment she is given to Major Lin. He has a passion for her. It is a difficult time for him. I do not want him made more upset than he is already.'

‘And once our deal is concluded? When it no longer matters whether Major Lin is upset?'

‘Oh, you are arrogant, Englishman. But I agree. When the deal is sealed we will talk. Expect to pay a high price for her. I will think of some suitable exchange. No, no further talk now. It is nearly time for me to leave, and for courtesy's sake I must exchange banalities first with your comical colleague, the engineer, and his half-foreign interpreter.'

*   *   *

Dr Airton, who on his return had intended to have a long talk with the Mandarin, had been surprised and slightly chagrined to see him in such close conversation with Manners. It was impressive how the relative newcomer had managed to ingratiate himself so quickly with the important people in Shishan. He also seemed to be on intimate terms with Major Lin, which was remarkable, knowing that cold young officer's hatred of foreigners. He had just seen the major embraced, of all things, by the natty Japanese visitor who had arrived on the train. Lin's face had been a picture! What had impelled the man to do such a thing? The Japs really were unfathomable. Knowing Lin, the doctor had expected violence. However, it was now ten minutes afterwards. No explosion had taken place, and the two were still talking amicably in a corner. It was a mystery, but not one the doctor cared to ponder on overmuch. What he really wanted was a cup of tea.

‘Dr Airton?' A loud American voice was addressing him. It was the second passenger, a soberly dressed, elderly but fit-looking man wearing a Homburg hat and a travelling cape. ‘May I introduce myself? My name is Burton Fielding and I am with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions based in Tientsin. You kindly sent us a letter.'

‘My dear fellow, of course, so I did. About poor Millward. Well, well, to be truthful I never really expected a reply. It seemed a trifle impertinent on my part.'

‘Not at all, sir. My board took your letter very seriously. We are all deeply concerned, especially about the tragic and ghastly loss of his son, which as I understand it unbalanced Mr Millward.'

‘Well, he was pretty unbalanced already. One tries to be charitable but…'

‘Say no more, sir. You expressed yourself most eloquently in your letter. I will be here for three days, until the train leaves again, and I hope that in that time I may achieve an understanding with Mr Millward that will save further embarrassments for you and the rest of the community.'

‘What can I say? Welcome to Shishan. I'm sorry that your arrival was marred by such a gruesome accident on the track.'

‘Sir, these are unpredictable times. If it's not Boxers then it's something else.' Fielding's sudden deep-throated laugh was infectious. ‘But who said missionary work was going to be easy? Doctor, you've heard of the School of Life and Hard Knocks? That's where I've graduated. I take things as they come. Give me a yoke of common sense in front and the whip of the Lord's will behind. Reckon that's enough to get me across most rivers and obstacles. My philosophy is to be pragmatic, trust in Jesus, take life and people as you find them, and don't, for heaven's sake, start worrying your head about things you can't control.'

Something in the lilt of Fielding's voice was excitingly familiar; the expansive imagery and the slow American drawl suddenly reminded Airton of his magazines. ‘Mr Fielding, may I ask, where in the United States do you hail from?'

‘I come from a town called Laredo, sir, which is in Webb County, southern Texas. Mexican border way, near the Rio Grande.'

‘The Rio Grande?' said the doctor, his eyes shining. ‘That's cowboy country.'

‘Yes, sir, it surely is. Father was a preacher, missionary to the Pueblo Indians till a
bandido
got him in a canyon and filled him with lead. I came back from college in Albuquerque to attend the funeral. I guess it was standing by my pa's grave, with the dry mountains around me, and cactus shimmering in the desert haze and silence hanging in that dome of sky so you just knew that God was all around you, I guess it was then and there I decided I would be a missionary like my pa, only I came further afield than he ever did and here I am.'

‘Nellie,' said Airton to his wife, who had quietly come up beside him, ‘would you believe me if I told you that this gentleman is from the Wild West—the Rio Grande? And tonight he will be staying with us!'

‘That would be too much of an imposition, ma'am,' said Fielding. ‘I intended to put up with the Millwards tonight.'

‘No, sir,' said Nellie. ‘I don't know who you are and why you've come here but I can tell you one thing for sure, that under no circumstances will I allow you to stay with the Millwards. They won't have you and, once you've seen their place, nor would you want to rest there. Besides, if you really do come from the Wild West, then you have a tryst with my husband that is likely to go on into the wee hours. The poor man may look like an elderly and respectable father of the Kirk, but the truth is that he is more juvenile than my little son, and only dreams of robbing trains and being a cowboy. His library is awash with comics and shockers—a sad example to his flock and a shame and embarrassment to his family. So you see, sir, whoever you are, you are a godsend. I am relying on you as the real thing to cure him of his delusions.'

Fielding's laugh boomed round the tent. ‘Put like that, ma'am, I guess I don't have a choice. Doctor, didn't think I was coming all the way up here to save
your
soul! Don't know what fiction you've been reading either, but I reckon dealing with the Millwards will be easy in comparison to converting a man away from a belief in Buffalo Bill. Ma'am, my name's Burton Fielding. I don't know if I'll be equal to the task but I'll sure be honoured to accept your hospitality.'

Abruptly the Mandarin got up from his chair. He waved his hand languidly at Herr Fischer, and moved towards the entrance. Jin Lao hurried to drape his fur cape over his shoulder and raise the felt flap for his superior to pass. It was the signal for all the other Chinese to leave. The palanquin was waiting below. Major Lin's guard were ringed round it, but after the scenes earlier the crowd had dispersed, and the railway coolies had retired muttering to their quarters. Rubbish drifted over the mud of the empty yard, where in melancholy splendour the engine and carriages slumped inertly on the rails. The violence and energy had seeped out of them. It was a wonder how such lifeless mounds of metal could have earlier aroused such elemental terrors. The Mandarin climbed into his palanquin and moved away, the guards falling into line. No drums played or horns blew. Soon they were gone.

The Europeans were also putting on their coats.

‘Magnificent ceremony, Fischer. Marvellous show,' said Frank Delamere, as he left with Tom Cabot and his daughter.

‘Do you really think so?' asked Fischer earnestly.

‘Oh, yes,' said Delamere. ‘Made history as you said.'

*   *   *

‘I'm sorry, Jin Lao, you can't have the foreign boy this afternoon. He's occupied. For once with a paying customer.'

Mother Liu enjoyed the fleeting pout of displeasure that crinkled the old man's face. She had to look closely to catch it. By the time he had put down his cup of tea his features had regained their usual opacity.

‘I was beginning to tire of him anyway,' he said airily. ‘He whines.'

‘That's because he's miserable,' said Mother Liu. ‘The creature's realised Ren Ren doesn't love him any more.'

They both laughed.

‘He should have gathered that long ago,' Jin Lao said. ‘However, I had hoped that he might have some affection for me. I always treated him kindly. I was very upset when—'

‘When he tried to slit his wrists, and we had to tie him belly down on the bed for a week? It didn't seem to indispose you at the time. In and out you flew like a swift making its nest in the palace eaves. I've never known you so skittish. Like a frisky goat.'

‘Well, it was tantalising.' He smiled. ‘The poor dear boy. His pillow wet with tears. It made me sympathetic.'

‘It made you lecherous.'

‘Oh, what a sharp-tongued she-devil you are.'

Mother Liu smiled complacently and poured more tea.

‘So come, tell me,' said Jin Lao, ‘who's this paying customer? Or is it a secret? It must be someone with enormous wealth, or you wouldn't have risked it. I hope his discretion is as deep as his purse. Isn't it rather dangerous to put so exotic a ware on the open market? Remember the pains we went to to obliterate any evidence that the boy exists.'

‘We don't have secrets, Jin Lao, you and I. You know how much I'm obligated to you and the Mandarin. You're so kind as to remind me of it every month. How much have you collected from me today? Three hundred taels?'

‘Considerably less than I usually ask,' murmured Jin Lao.

‘But I'm doing considerably more for you, aren't I? First it was Lin and his monopoly of my best girl and best pavilion. Free of charge. Then it was open house for the foreigner, Ma Na Si. He's important to the Mandarin, you say. Let him have his pick of the chickens. All right, he's a bit of a charmer, he's popular with the girls and he pays generously too, unlike some—but many of my customers don't like the idea of a barbarian having first lick in the stable. It was all right in the old days when we could fob off that disgusting De Falang with a slut like Shen Ping, may she rot in hell. But this Ma Na Si is discerning.