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

ate with his son, and these encounters went off without incident. The question of bribery was never raised again.

But time was getting on. Mei-Ling and her daughter must be well on their way up to Jingdezhen by now. He must get back for the wedding.

After a further ten days he could bear it no more. He knew he shouldn’t do it, but he went back to the eunuch’s house.

Dusk was falling. The servant who opened the street door looked surprised and told him that his master was not at home. “He may not be back tonight,” he said.

Was he lying? Probably not. There might well be some play or concert in the palace that Cixi had told the eunuch to attend, in which case he’d probably sleep there. But then again, he might just come home late.

Shi-Rong turned away. Having come this far, he didn’t want to miss Lacquer Nail if he should return. On the other hand, he thought, I can’t just stand around on the street corner. It was undignified. So he began to walk slowly towards the Imperial City.

It wasn’t difficult to work out the route that Lacquer Nail would be most likely to take. This would lead him to the Tiananmen Gate. If he encountered the eunuch on the way, well and good. As for the open space in front of the gate, it was well lit by lanterns, and a prefect could stroll there as he pleased without guards asking him what he was doing.

He reached the square. It was getting chilly. There were not many people about. He took a turn around it, pausing for a few moments to look up at the great gate. He walked around once more and again paused quite close to the gateway this time. And he was just wondering whether to go around or return to his lodgings when he noticed a tall, stately figure come out and make his way towards him. As the figure came close, Shi-Rong saw that it was a eunuch, and judging by his dress and insignia, one of the highest rank.

Should he ask him? He might just as well. If he was discreet, there was nothing to lose. Pausing in a place where the lamplight plainly revealed the insignia of the fourth rank on his chest, he let the tall eunuch draw a little closer and then addressed him. “Excuse me, but I wonder if I might ask you. I was hoping to catch a word with a friend before I leave Beijing. He is known in the palace as Lacquer Nail. Would you know whether he is on duty in the palace this evening, or if he may be coming out?”

The tall figure paused, took in his rank at once, and in a soft voice replied: “Good evening, sir. My name is Mr. Liu. Might I ask whom I have the honor of addressing.”

“I am the prefect of Jingdezhen.”

“Ah.” Mr. Liu smiled. “Well, I can tell you that he will not be coming out tonight. This I know for a fact. Is there anything I can do to be of help?”

“Not really, thank you, Mr. Liu. You have already helped me.”

“I am so glad.” Mr. Liu seemed to be regarding him with interest. “I should explain that I am one of your friend’s greatest admirers. I was instrumental in setting him on the road to success right at the start of his career.”

“Indeed?” Shi-Rong was delighted. He wondered if this Mr. Liu could help him discover the best time and place to waylay his elusive partner.

“I was just going to a teahouse I like to frequent,” said Mr. Liu. “Would you give me the pleasure of your company?”

“Why certainly,” Shi-Rong said.

—

What a charming and intelligent person Mr. Liu was. It was soon evident that he and Lacquer Nail were very old friends. He told Shi-Rong stories of their times together, of delightful evenings spent on the lake islands at the Summer Palace, of scandals they had witnessed in the Forbidden City—these were told in strict confidence, of course—and having expressed the opinion that Lacquer Nail was probably the best friend he had in all the world, he earnestly assured Shi-Rong: “You can absolutely trust him with your business. He’s honest, and he’ll never let you down.”

“That is good to know,” said Shi-Rong.

“Without being indiscreet,” Mr. Liu confessed, “he may have told me a little about your business already—only because he can trust me, you understand. He and I share such things from time to time.”

“He told you about the salt inspector’s position?”

“Ah.” Mr. Liu smiled. “He did indeed.”

“The trouble is, it’s taking so long. He says we have to wait until it’s announced officially.”

“And he’s absolutely right,” Mr. Liu assured him. “Do nothing until then. Who is putting your name forward officially?”

“My friend Mr. Peng and people he knows in the ministry.”

“Excellent. As soon as they’ve done so, Lacquer Nail will whisper in Cixi’s ear. That should do the trick. Timing is the key.”

“I went to see him the other day, and he told me to be patient. But I can’t wait here much longer.” And Shi-Rong explained about Mei-Ling and the wedding.

“There is no need to wait around in Beijing,” Liu told him. “It’s not as if Cixi will want to see you in person. Go to the wedding with confidence. The position is as good as yours.” He paused. “If it will put your mind at rest, I’ll speak to Lacquer Nail about it myself. My word carries some weight in the palace. And having met you, I should be glad to add my advocacy to his. Your application will sail through.”

“It is very kind of you, Mr. Liu.” Shi-Rong hesitated. “The thing is, my arrangements were already made…”

“I understand what’s in your mind.” Mr. Liu slightly raised his hand and smiled. “Please do not concern yourself, my dear sir. You would owe me nothing for this little favor. Indeed, you cannot imagine how much pleasure it gives