The China Bride

Maxwell didn't reply, but a drunken Englishman, Colwell, did. 'By philosophy, do you mean the fact that Elliott House doesn't deal in opium?'

Maxwell hesitated. 'I'll admit that I prefer not to traffic in illegal goods.'

'We aren't all lucky enough to have dead beavers and dirty roots to ship.'

'American firms are fortunate to have furs and ginseng, but perhaps Britain should follow their example and look for new products to sell,' Maxwell suggested. 'The opium trade isn't popular back home. Many people feel that smuggling in contraband tarnishes us as a nation.'

'What would our righteous countrymen say if they no longer had their tea?' Logan said dryly. 'No opium, no tea. We offered other goods, but the mandarins turned up their noses at Europe 's best.'

'We took pride in the fact that Napoleon called Britain a nation of shopkeepers, but no divine law says that China must trade with us,' Maxwell said with equal dryness. 'The government is behaving responsibly in trying to keep opium out of the country.'

'Trade is the lifeblood of the world. The Chinese merchants know that even if their government doesn't. There are plenty of eager opium buyers, and that's what keeps the trade in balance.' Like most of the China merchants, Logan considered the opium trade in terms of business, not morality. Having seen the evil that opium addiction could do, Troth was less pragmatic. Luckily, her father had not traded in opium, though he'd have made more money if he had.

Maxwell swirled the port in his glass. Troth sensed that he was uncomfortable with the topic, but he wouldn't back down. 'That's been true in the past, but times change. The East India Company is probably going to lose its monopoly in the next year or two, so there will be more merchants competing here. It's also possible that Parliament will forbid British citizens to participate in the opium trade.'

Heavy silence fell across the dining room until Logan said coolly, 'Are you a Parliamentary spy who will run back to London and try to put us out of business?'

'I have no desire to put anyone out of business. Britain needs your skills, your experience, and your tea. I'm just suggesting that you consider diversifying.'

'There's no need. This whole heathenish trading system is going to fall apart soon,' the drunken Englishman said. 'It exists only because the mandarins are afraid to let their people see us, because we're greater gentlemen than they are. So they say we're barbarians, and keep us penned up here. They're the barbarians.'

Boynton, the British taipan, intervened. 'Such talk is not fitting. We are guests in their country, and every one of us has profited handsomely by the trading system.'

'We're not guests; we're damned prisoners!' the drunk retorted. 'We can't sail for pleasure, or go into the city, or bring our wives and mistresses. The Royal Navy should sail up the Pearl River and teach the mandarins some manners! Then we'll be able to trade anywhere we want, not just in Canton.'

'That's enough!' Boynton ordered.

'Quite,' Logan agreed. 'Civilized men can agree to disagree.'

Yet anger was still palpable in the room, and Troth sensed that much of it was aimed at Maxwell, as if he were responsible for the problems of the China trade. Gavin Elliott shot Troth a glance. Though most of the servants did not speak English well enough to understand the conversation, Troth did, and Elliott knew it.

She kept her face blank and her eyes downcast, as if so bored that she wasn't following the discussion. She'd have to tell Chenqua about the dinner conversation, of course, but nothing new had been said. Grumbling was chronic among the Fan-qui traders. Only Maxwell, with his reasonable suggestions, was different from the usual.

'I understand why you feel imprisoned,' Maxwell said in a conciliatory tone. 'I've been here only a week, and I'm already restless. Do any of you defy the regulations and go into the city or inland? It would be interesting to see more of the country.'

Most of the traders looked shocked at the thought. A blond Dutchman said, 'We'd not get far if we tried! We foreign devils stand out too easily.'

'The Portuguese Jesuits travel into China. Maybe a merchant could do the same if he wore a long black robe.' Maxwell's tone was light, but Troth sensed that he was very interested in the answer.

Boynton shook his head. 'It's true that the emperor tolerates the Jesuits, but even they aren't allowed to wander freely. It's all permits, guides, and regulations. A pity, or I'd be tempted to put on a black robe and try it.' His comment produced chuckles.

'Then I shall have to get my taste of China by exploring Hog Lane. Perhaps I'll visit there tomorrow night. The contrast with tonight's gentlemanly entertainment should make it seem more exotic,' Maxwell said with barely detectable irony. 'Is the place really a foul sink of iniquity? '

'The drink shops sell the wickedest liquor in the East, and you'll see European sailors spewing in the alleys and passed out in the gutters,' Logan said. 'You may get your pockets picked, but since Hog Lane is part of the Settlement, at least you won't get a knife in your back. This place is safer than London.'

' Hog Lane sounds tame compared to most ports. Calcutta, for example.'

Maxwell's comment inspired a discussion of which ports were the wickedest, often with graphic descriptions to support the opinions. Troth found it educational, though she wondered how much was true and how much was mere boasting.

By the time the guests took their leave, all signs of discord had vanished. But as Troth faded in with the other servants, she understood why Elliott had asked her to keep an eye on Maxwell. His candor could bring trouble down on that handsome head.

Chapter 6

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Troth worked late the next night, translating and writing letters for Boynton at the English Factory. As Chen- qua's employee, part of her job was to perform any special task requested by merchants who were clients of her master. She was grateful for an excuse not to be at Elliott's hong, where she ran the risk of running into Maxwell again. He'd haunted her dreams the night before, and she'd woken hot and humiliated. A good thing he would leave soon, never to return.

Tonight he'd intended to visit Hog Lane. Would he find the area interesting? For a man who'd traveled as widely as he, the local taverns and prostitutes would probably be nothing special. With a sharp ache, she envied him his freedom to travel. If only she had really been born male!

Because her mind kept wandering from her work, it took her longer than usual to do the translations. Her brushwork was clumsy and several letters had to be redone. She was startled to hear the office clock striking midnight as she finished. Perhaps in the morning she'd skip her exercises and sleep late.

Yawning, she left the English Factory. The porter who guarded the gate nodded farewell, used to her irregular hours.

Though Hog Lane, a mere block away, hummed with lights, noise, and activity, the waterfront was quiet, with only a handful of sampans gliding silently over the water. She was heading toward a cluster of taxi boats to get a ride across to Honam Island when a dark, stealthy figure approached. 'Jin Kang?'

She recognized the whisper of a young man who worked at a drink shop on Hog Lane and sometimes supplied her with useful bits of information. 'Good evening, Teng. What brings you away from your business at such a busy hour?'

Teng drew close, his voice dropping. 'I heard something you should know.'

He'd obviously also heard that she was working late. There were few secrets in this narrow strip of land. 'It's very late.' She covered another yawn. 'Is your information urgent?'

'Two toughs from one of the gangs were in the shop. I heard them discussing the money they'd earn for killing a Fan-qui, one under Chenqua's protection.'