For a young lieutenant to advise senior officers against a planned action bordered on the insolent. Kernow was painfully aware of this, but he believed he would be failing in his duty if he remained silent.
The explosion of indignation from the officers in the room made Kernow wince, but he kept his gaze steady as he looked at the admiral.
‘Perhaps you would care to explain yourself, Mister Keats?’
‘The father of Shalonga, the Tartar officer who saved my life, is General Tingamao, war lord of a great expanse of land along the borders with Vietnam. He has been ordered to march against the Taiping rebels. The army is already in Kwangtung province. An advance party arrived at Canton shortly before I left. They are actually encamped outside the city walls at this very moment.’
‘A few more Chinese soldiers, no doubt weary after a long march, won’t deter my men, Sir Michael,’ the red-faced colonel boasted. ‘We’ll deal with them first and then tackle Canton.’
‘We’re not talking of a few soldiers, sir – and they’re not your usual ill-trained bannermen. General Tingamao is an exceptionally powerful war lord. He has an army of fifty thousand men with him, most of them Tartar and Mongol horsemen. All are seasoned fighters.’
Colonel Talland’s face became a deeper red than before and Admiral Seymour said to him, ‘Your strength is less than five hundred, I believe, Colonel?’
The colonel tightened his lips, but said nothing in reply.
‘You say this war lord has fifty thousand men? How did you arrive at this figure, Mister Keats?’
‘It was given to me by Shalonga.’
One of the senior officers uttered a derisive snort, but Admiral Seymour ignored the sound. Speaking quietly and evenly to Kernow, he asked, ‘You believe him?’
‘Yes, I do,’ Kernow replied without hesitation. ‘When the figure was mentioned Shalonga wasn’t trying to impress me. He gave it as a reason why neither the Tao-tai, nor Viceroy Yeh would risk upsetting him. The troops won’t be remaining in the province for long. They’re on their way northwards to fight the Taiping rebels but they’ll certainly be around for a week or two. As I said, I’ve seen the advance guard, sir. They were well armed and well mounted. I’d be proud to lead such troops.’
‘Thank you, Mister Keats, I’m obliged to you. Colonel Talland, do you have any questions?’
The colonel shook his head, resignedly. ‘If what Keats says is true it puts a somewhat different complexion on the situation.’
‘It does indeed. Even your gallant regiment can’t be expected to face odds of a hundred-to-one, Colonel. No, gentlemen, I think an assault on Canton must be held in abeyance until we are reinforced by regiments from India. By then this war lord and his army should have moved on and we’ll be able to give the Chinese a drubbing they’ll remember. In the meantime I’ll make quite certain the governor conveys the British government’s outrage to the Chinese authorities in Peking. To emphasise the strength of our feelings I’ll send the fleet up the Canton river to reduce the Bogue forts, yet again. I think that will be all for today, gentlemen. I’ll be calling another meeting for next week unless something develops in the meantime. Mister Keats, will you remain behind, please?’
As the officers filed out, Admiral Seymour spoke to Colonel Talland. ‘I think Mister Keats deserves your thanks, Colonel. Without his information your regiment would have suffered grievously. As it is, I’m confident you’ll one day see “Canton” listed among the 59th’s battle honours.’
Colonel Talland inclined his head in the young Royal Marine officer’s direction in response to the admiral’s words. However, Kernow was left with the impression that, far from being grateful, the red-faced colonel resented the fact that his regiment had been prevented from tasting action before the walls of Canton.
When the only occupants of the room were Admiral Seymour, his secretary and Kernow, Sir Michael looked after the departing colonel and shook his head. ‘Sadly, we are all hounds of war, Mister Keats. Panting after the enemy in pursuit of honour and promotion. I fear army men are the worst of all.’
Dropping to a chair, the admiral leaned back and stretched his legs out before him. ‘My faith in you was well placed, Mister Keats. Had it not been for your information, Colonel Talland and his regiment would have got a bloody nose, I would have been replaced as commander-in-chief, and British prestige would have suffered a severe blow. I’d say that’s a remarkable achievement for a young officer. Wouldn’t you, Charles?’
The question was addressed to his secretary who smiled. ‘I’d say we all owe him a great deal, Sir Michael - as indeed do the rescued seamen from the frigate.’
‘That’s so. Your knowledge of the Chinese language has stood us all in good stead, Mister Keats.’
‘I was fortunate to meet up with Shalonga, sir.’
‘Indeed! He would seem to be a quite remarkable man. Nevertheless, not every young officer would have used the opportunity to such good advantage. I think the best thing I can do is to use your talents on my personal staff right away. Charles, you’re always complaining of being overworked. How would you like to have Mister Keats as an assistant, aide-de-camp, or whatever you care to call him? He could take on special responsibilities for all interpreting. He’d be useful to you, I’m quite sure. He’d also be available whenever I needed him. The Provisional Royal Marines Battalion will be joining us from Calcutta very soon, plus two more battalions straight from England. It will make their commanding officers happy to know I have a Royal Marine on my staff.’
‘I’m deeply honoured, sir, but would it be possible to continue with my Chinese lessons, if only on a part-time basis, perhaps? Shalonga and I could converse well enough, but I realised my shortcomings. The greater knowledge I have of their language, the more “face” I’ll be able to command in my dealings with them. It’s important not so much for me, but for you and for Britain, sir.’
‘Very well, Mister Keats – but I think we’ll drop the “Mister” if you’re coming to work in my office. Your first name’s Kernow, I believe?’
He nodded and the admiral continued, ‘I know all about Chinese “face”, Kernow. I agree with your reasoning, but you’ll need to continue Chinese language studies in your own time. The language course at the mission came to an abrupt end while you were away. Some young fellow committed suicide up at Hannah Jefferies’ house. You probably knew the lad. It was over some pretty young Chinese thing, or so I believe. Anyway, the upshot is that the lessons have been cancelled. All the spare missionaries are being shipped out of Hong Kong as fast as boats can be found for ’em. Damned inconsiderate, of course, but I suppose we can’t expect missionaries to behave like sailors – or marines.’
Chapter 22
HANNAH JEFFERIES WAS delighted to see Kernow safe and well. Yet even as she was giving him a hug of welcome she silently thanked God that She-she had gone to Shanghai with Esme and Kau-lin. The suicide of Arthur Calvin had rocked the Hong Kong missionary community. Hugh and Hannah Jefferies’ mission station would not survive another such scandal.
The visit by this young Royal Marine officer to the house so late in the evening on the very day of his dramatic return to the colony was an indication of the strength of his feeling for She-she.
Hannah would have been even more concerned had she known how thoughts of She-she had occupied Kernow’s thoughts during the long days and nights spent as a ‘guest’ of Shalonga.
Kernow’s first words to Hannah were of the shock he felt at the news of Arthur’s tragic suicide. He asked if he might express his sympathy to Nancy and Ronald Calvin. Hannah replied with the news that both had left to return to England only the previous day.
She realised this too was a blessing. The suicide of her only son had released a well of bitterness from some deep, dark recess in Nancy Calvin’s soul. Such was the virulence of her language that Hannah realised the Birmingham woman was no longer suitable for missionary work. Certainly not among the Chinese, whom Nancy blamed for her son’s d
eath.
The chief target of her bitter anger was the absent Kau-lin. Kernow had been instrumental in bringing the Chinese girl to Hong Kong. It would have made no difference that he was merely carrying out orders. His safe return to the colony would have provoked an angry and distressing scene.
‘Poor Arthur,’ Kernow said. ‘I feel guilty about his tragic death. Had I been here he might have confided in me. I could at least have helped him talk things through. He must have been a very unhappy man to do something like that.’
‘Sadly, Arthur was never allowed to be any sort of a man, Kernow. I cannot condone the morals displayed by Kau-lin while she was in this house, but she probably came closer to helping Arthur find manhood than anyone else. I fear that Nancy’s greatest strength, and her greatest weakness, was the hold she had over her son. While she lived he would never have found fulfilment. Nancy loved him, I have no doubt of that, but it was a possessive love that has eventually destroyed them both. Now Arthur is no more and Nancy is on her way home, her life and vocation in ruins. I pray she will find consolation in God and in her husband, but I fear that at the moment she is convinced both have failed her.’
‘You speak of Kau-lin as though she is no longer in the mission.’ Kernow tried hard to hide the deep anxiety he felt. ‘Where is she – and what of She-she?’
‘They are both with Esme, in Shanghai. We … I felt it would be better if Arthur and Kau-lin were parted. They were found together in Arthur’s room, you know. She had to be sent away. It was all most distressing. A sin against the Lord, although certainly not one deserving the punishment Arthur inflicted upon himself.’
‘She-she?’ Kernow was dismayed to learn she was no longer in Hong Kong. He had been certain she would wait for his return.
‘She chose to go with Kau-lin.’ Hannah paused, wondering whether to say what was on her mind. When she did, her words were prompted not by expediency, but by true caring.
‘She believes you dead, Kernow. It would be kinder if she continued in that belief. Not only kinder, but sensible. I know you are very fond of She-she and I was aware that she returned your affection. However, nothing good could possibly come of it. You are an officer with a promising career ahead of you. An involvement with She-she would put an end to your prospects. Oh, yes, you could take her as your mistress. I don’t doubt she would be perfectly willing to come to you on such terms – but would you be happy with such an arrangement? You have seldom joined in our worship at the mission, but I believe you’ve had a Christian upbringing. Would your conscience allow you to take She-she as a mistress? I don’t think so. By sending her to Shanghai with Esme I have given her an opportunity to find the Lord – and left you free to pursue your career. Leave it so, I beg you. Accept the situation as being in the best interest of both of you, Kernow.’
‘Is it written anywhere in the Bible that a Christian may not love a Chinese girl, Mrs Jefferies?’
‘You’re too young to know what love is, Kernow. Oh, you think you know, but love comes gradually, believe me. It is born out of respect and understanding. Contrary to the popular belief of the young, it is not something that falls from the sky armed with the right to chase away all other senses.’
‘Perhaps love, like religion, comes in many guises, Mrs Jefferies.’
Hannah’s expression contained a great deal of sympathy as she looked at Kernow. ‘I am saying only what a mother would tell you. Please think about what I have said.’
‘I realise you mean well, Mrs Jefferies, but I do intend seeing She-she again. I wish I could tell you what I’ll do then, but I don’t yet know the answer to that myself. Goodbye, and thank you for your kindness in the past.’
‘Kernow!’ Hannah called after him as he walked away from the mission door.
When he turned, she said, ‘I might one day regret telling you this, but Chang, Kau-lin’s cousin, will be travelling to Shanghai some time soon. He might take a message for you.’
She had not changed her mind about the dangers of a liaison between Kernow and She-she, but if Kernow sent a message to Shanghai it would defer any rasher action. No doubt Chang would tell the girls of his safe return anyway. Acting on the spur of the moment She-she might return to Hong Kong without thinking of the consequences. Hannah intended speaking to Chang before he left Hong Kong. He was a sensible young man. He would realise the dangers of a relationship between the two young people. Hannah believed he too would do his best to bring it to an end.
Chang was leaving Hong Kong the next day, booked on a steamer sailing from the colony, but he was taking a roundabout route to Shanghai. He intended calling at the island of Formosa first. It would be many months before he reached Shanghai.
When Kernow was shown to Chang’s room he found it crowded with European and Chinese friends, gathered to make their farewells. Kernow’s arrival wearing hill uniform caused a stir. For some minutes there was as uncomfortable silence until it was broken by Chang.
‘Lieutenant Keats! I heard today of your blessed escape from the clutches of Viceroy Yeh’s men. Very few Christians have been as fortunate. Everyone was very worried about you. My cousin Kau-lin, and Esme too. They are both very fond of you. But how kind of you to come and bid me farewell.’
As the two men shook hands the others in the room relaxed and began talking once more. These were Churchmen and missionaries, their talk solely of their calling, their hopes, and their despairs.
It was a world in which Kernow was an outsider. After half-an-hour of small talk, and two cups of tea, he excused himself.
As he had anticipated, Chang accompanied him to the front door of the mission. Along the way, Kernow said, ‘I wish you well in Shanghai. I believe you are hoping for ordination there?’
‘The future of every one of us is in the safe hands of Our Lord, Mister Keats. I will do whatever He dictates.’
‘No doubt you’ll be meeting Kau-lin and She-she? Please pass on the news of my safe return.’
‘Of course. They will surely be overjoyed to learn of your safe return.’ Chang said nothing of the roundabout route he was taking to Shanghai, or when he expected to arrive there.
Kernow fingered the silk sash he wore as he spoke once more. ‘Will you tell She-she in particular that I was very disappointed not to have found her here in Hong Kong upon my return? Tell her also, if you will, that her present was a constant reminder of her during my weeks in China. The Tartar army commander to whom I owe my life says I have her to thank for speaking Cantonese like a Hakka. Tell her … tell her we will meet again, I make this promise to her.’
Chang bowed his head in acknowledgement of Kernow’s words, but when the door closed behind the young soldier, he remained deep in thought for many minutes.
For the duration of his thoughts the expression on Chang’s face would have startled his Christian mentor.
Chapter 23
ALTHOUGH KERNOW was kept busy at Admiral Seymour’s headquarters, his duties as an aide-de-camp and interpreter were far from onerous. He was able to keep up his Chinese language studies. Yet, on the first occasion he was called upon to perform duty as an interpreter, it was not Chinese he needed to speak – but French.
For very many years the Chinese authorities had provoked Britain and France in a series of humiliating incidents. Now, far away in Europe, the traditional enemies had reached agreement on joint measures to be taken against China.
Both countries could point to recent incidents to justify taking military action. In the case of France it was the harassment of her Catholic missionaries. A French priest had been arrested by a district magistrate and summarily beheaded, his head tossed disdainfully to the feral dogs.
The British government was still seething about the seizure of the crew of a vessel, the Arrow, when it was flying the British flag. Lord Elgin had been sent to Hong Kong with special powers to resolve the situation.
In October, 1857, Baron Gros, a specially appointed plenipotentiary, despatched by the French government, arrived in Hong
Kong. He was accompanied by a French expeditionary force and escorted by a fleet of men-o’-war.
Members of the personal staff of Baron Gros were haughty and arrogant, but Kernow soon formed a cordial association with his French counterparts. A joint plan was drawn up between the two nations on salutory action against China. Military chiefs of both countries agreed that Canton would be a convenient target.
Most of those with business interests in the Far East were loud in their acclamation of such action. It was not before time. The Chinese had to be taught the elementary rules of Western civilisation – whether or not they felt the need for Fan Qui influence upon their ancient way of life.
There had been some apprehension about General Tingamao and his army. If he was still in the vicinity of Canton he had enough men to turn an Allied victory into defeat. Fortunately, intelligence reports reaching Hong Kong from mainland China suggested that he and his fifty thousand Tartar and Mongol troops had passed through the province in their pursuit of the Taipings. They were now many miles away, heading northwards to do battle with the Taiping rebels who held the lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin.
By December all was ready. Kernow boarded the flagship in Hong Kong harbour with Admiral Sir Michael Seymour. Wasting no time in weighing anchor, the ships carrying the British and French plenipotentiaries set off for the Canton river escorted by the combined French and English navies.
The Bogue forts had already been reduced to rubble by a naval bombardment. Now the combined navies were bound for Honam Island, a river island close to the walled city of Canton.
When the destination was reached, the island was quickly overrun. The Allies had virtual control of the river and the British and French warships anchored bow to stern in a long and menacing line in front of Canton.
Now began a dangerous war of nerves. Training their guns on the city, the powerful warships threatened its million occupants with sudden and violent death.
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