China by Edward Rutherfurd (historical books to read TXT) 📕

speaks of a great gathering of those who believe in the Lord God, from the north and the west and from the ‘land of Sinim.’ It could be that Sinim is China. I heard an excellent sermon on that very subject a year ago.” He paused. “I must confess, the responsibility of conveying the message to Lord Elgin—assuming it’s he who will come—weighs heavily upon me.”

“If you think you may forget something, dear, you should write it down while it’s fresh in your mind.”

“I don’t mean that. It’s the import of the message that is so grave.”

She smiled gently. “Fortunately, that will be for Lord Elgin to worry about, Cecil, and not you.”

“He may ask for my assessment of the message, what it means. He may ask for my advice.”

“He may not.”

“And then what should I say? That is what troubles me.”

“God will tell you what to say,” she replied, hoping he was done.

◦

There was nothing special about the day. As she often did in the early afternoon, Mei-Ling had crossed the little bridge and was walking along the path that led through the trees by the edge of the pond when she thought she heard a faint rustle to her left. She stopped, and so did the sound—a small animal among the leaves, no doubt. But she’d gone only a few more steps when she heard the snap of a breaking twig upon the track behind her and turned.

“Little Brother,” she cried. And seeing him glance down the path quickly: “There’s no one about. How did you get here?”

“My horse has been tethered in the woods since early morning. I watched the village wake, saw your husband leave the house. He must have returned from America.”

“You’re being careful.”

“I wasn’t careful enough last time. Remember?”

She gazed at him. Her Little Brother was looking older, greyer, she thought. “My husband never went to America. He came back.”

They found a log to sit on, hidden from the path.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. “I have thought about you so often, wondering what had become of you. I want to know everything.”

“I will tell you. But first you must tell me: How is your family? Are things any better?”

“The same, I suppose.” She smiled sadly. “My husband is well, but his brother is useless. Even with our sons, who are good workers, there’s only so much we can do. My husband’s brother has sold most of the land. The house is falling apart. They say the Americans are looking for workers again, and the pay is good. Maybe my husband and one of the boys will go. Maybe not. But we survive, Little Brother. We are not starving.”

“I brought you money.”

“There is no need, Little Brother. I still have some of what you gave me before. Keep it for yourself.”

“I brought it for you. I have money for myself. We’ll hide it before I go.”

She sighed. She supposed he could afford it.

He told her about his mission, just as he had told Whiteparish. “But there was one thing I did not tell the British,” he added.

“What’s that?”

“We still have a lot of silver from the towns we captured. I mean, a lot. And there’s more stored in the fort at Shanghai.”

“What will you do with it?” She smiled. “Retire rich?”

“No. Once we have Shanghai harbor, we’re going to buy iron warships, steamships, like the British have. Maybe a dozen, maybe more. Then we’ll take them upriver to Nanjing, blast the emperor’s camps outside the city, and completely cut off their supplies. The whole Yangtze River will be ours.”

“You really think you will overcome the emperor?”

“And drive the Manchu out? Yes. Especially if the British cooperate. It’s in their interest to do so.”

Mei-Ling thought for a moment. “I know it’s what you’ve always wanted,” she said softly. She paused. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Is the Heavenly King insane?”

She noticed that Nio hesitated. “I don’t know,” he replied slowly. “I think maybe great men often seem a little mad. They see things we don’t. You have to look at what he’s achieved. He has a kingdom. He may yet take the whole empire. It’s ready to fall.”

“You say that because you want it to be true.”

“I know.”

“He could win and still be crazy.”

Nio was considering this proposition when, glancing across the water, he gave a small start and pointed. “Who’s the child?”

Across the pond, Mei-Ling’s mother-in-law could be seen emerging from the gate of the house, leading a small girl by the hand.

“That’s our daughter,” she said. “She came less than a year after your last visit.” She smiled. “I’d always wanted a girl.”

“You must be happy.”

“Yes.”

“Your husband doesn’t mind having a girl?”

“He dotes on her.”

The old woman and the little girl had stepped onto the bridge.

“She looks just like you!” Nio exclaimed.

“So people say,” Mei-Ling answered. “Mother says that when she’s a little older, we should have her feet bound. She could make a fine marriage.”

“Hakka women don’t bind their feet,” said Nio with a frown.

“Nor do the Manchu women. But it’s the only way she can have a better life than ours.”

The answer didn’t seem to satisfy Nio. “When we take over, things will be different,” he said.

But even while her eyes rested on her daughter, Mei-Ling’s mind had moved elsewhere. “Are you going to marry, Little Brother?” she suddenly asked.

“Some time ago, I did take a wife. The Heavenly King gave her to me.”

“That is good. Have you children?”

“There was a child, but it died at birth. My wife died, too.”

“I am sorry. Did you love her?”

“We weren’t together long.” He gave her a sad smile. “Not like I love you, Big Sister.”

“That’s different.” She shook her head. Her Little Brother was a middle-aged man, yet just for a moment he had sounded almost like a child.

“When this is over,” he said, “I shall retire and settle down. Take a wife. Have a family. The Heavenly King has promised me.”

“Good. I hope it is soon.” She was still staring across