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

to drink.” He pulled out a flask. “The apothecary made it for me. Hemlock, opium. Sends you unconscious for hours. I’ll keep my face covered—not that he’ll even remember anyway. I’ll keep him doped until you come to tell me all’s well. Just give a whistle from the road, and I’ll whistle back. He’ll wake up with a sore head and walk into Beijing with his message.”

“What about his horse?”

“The boys get that as extra payment.”

“Selling a horse from the imperial posthouse could be dangerous,” I said. “People might ask questions.”

“The horse will be cut up into meat within hours,” he told me.

“I thought horsemeat was bad for you,” I said. I’d often heard so.

“Plenty of people like it. That horse’ll be eaten before anyone even knows it’s missing.” He grinned. “Now, walk on up the road. Keep walking at least a couple of miles. When you see the messenger go by, wait a while, then you can come back. Don’t look for me, but if everything went well, I’ll leave three stones in a little triangle here by the roadside.”

—

At noon I saw the messenger ride by. Two hours later, when I came to the rock and the trees, I saw three stones neatly arranged at the side of the road.

Prince Gong was busy with correspondence when I arrived back. He glanced up and I gave him an almost imperceptible nod. “Tell me,” he said.

“He never knew what hit him. Horse and money stolen, so he’ll think he was robbed. He’s unconscious now, Highness, and he’ll be kept drugged as long as you need.”

The prince nodded. “Not long, I hope,” he said.

—

All the next day the negotiations continued. Prince Gong really didn’t want to yield the southern gate, but when the barbarians saw the state of the hostages and the corpses, they were so angry that he was afraid the deal would fall through. So after an all-night session, he gave them the gate, and the treaty was signed early the next day. The Russians guaranteed it.

When he came back to catch some sleep early that morning, he told me: “That messenger can wake up now.” He smiled. “Go and spend some days with your family, Lacquer Nail. You’ve earned it.”

—

My heart was full as I set off up the road towards my father again. It was a perfect autumn morning, pleasantly warm, the sky clear blue. In my mind, I went over the events of the past few days. They’d been full of anxiousness, but how could I not feel grateful that fate had allowed me to be at the center of great events, and even play a part?

The only mystery was the identity of the person at the Hunting Palace who had warned Prince Gong about the messenger. Someone close to the emperor? One of the princes? Well, I thought to myself, there are some things you’re never going to know.

When I reached the rock, the three stones at the roadside were still in place, and there wasn’t a soul to be seen in either direction. So I disobeyed my father, and instead of whistling, I crept around the rock.

He was sitting very peaceably on a small outcrop of stone. The messenger was lying on one side, gently snoring. I whistled softly. The messenger went right on snoring, but my father gave quite a start. Then he looked at me. “I hope nobody saw you,” he said.

“Nobody saw me, Father,” I told him. “The road’s quite empty.”

“All the same…” he said. “Did everything work out?”

“Yes, Father.” I pointed at the unconscious man. “He can wake up now.”

“Well, he won’t for a while yet. You’re sure everything’s all right?”

“You saved the day, Father, for everyone. Especially me.”

“It wasn’t anything much, really,” he said.

“Yes, it was. You saved my life, Father,” I told him.

“Really?” He looked at me uncertainly. Then he gave a beautiful smile. “That’s good,” he said. “So I did something right for once.” He looked so happy. He might have started crying. I’m not sure. “I never forgave myself about the boots,” he whispered.

“Forget the boots,” I said. “You saved my life. Prince Gong says I’m to spend time with my family, so I’ll see you at home. But not a word to them about any of this business.”

He nodded, and I left him. I was so happy knowing I’d made things right for my father.

—

I spent four days with my family. I told them that instead of going north with the emperor, I’d been ordered to serve Prince Gong. “There’s been so much going on,” I said, “that this is the first time he could let me take some leave.” My father kept his mouth shut. As for my mother and wife, they had no reason to disbelieve me. I told my children about the prince’s house and that I’d saved his auntie’s life, all of which greatly pleased them.

“Prince Gong can make you rich,” my father said.

“I wouldn’t count on it,” I replied. “What with the Taiping Revolt and the huge payments the barbarians have extorted from us, money’s been short for years. And now the treasures of the Summer Palace have all been looted as well. Prince Gong’s quite careful with his money, but the fact is, I don’t think he’s got much to throw around.”

“Well, at least get paid in silver,” my father said. “No paper money.”

While Prince Sushun was in charge of the treasury, he’d tried issuing paper money. In no time at all, the paper was worthless. When his carriage went through the city, the street vendors used to throw the paper money at him. It especially enraged them that he was so wealthy himself.

“Don’t worry,” I said, “I’ll get silver.”

So after those days spent happily with my children, and nights with my wife, who was quite affectionate, I set off happily to the mansion of Prince Gong.

—

I was more than halfway there when I saw the smoke. Just a single column. It was coming