So filled with indignation was Esme that she seemed to swell before She-she’s eyes, but a warning hand on her arm was sufficient to calm her, at least for the time being.
It came as a great relief to She-she when the Tien Wang dismissed the two women and allowed them to leave. But all that evening she had to listen to the rumblings of her companion about the dangerous pretensions of the Taiping leader.
It was another few weeks before Hung Hsiu-ch’uan sent a messenger to the quarters of the two women. This time he wanted to speak to She-she on her own. Esme presumed that he must have forgotten to include her in the invitation, but the palace official was adamant. ‘No, the Tien Wang said only She-she. Only she must go.’
‘Don’t worry, Esme, it’s probably a mistake. When the Tien Wang sees that I’m on my own he’ll surely send for you.’
She-she was less certain when she was shown into the Tien Wang’s quarters and he failed to comment on the absence of the missionary.
After her initial act of obeisance, She-she was ordered to sit at the leader’s feet, as before. He had some more proclamations he wished her to translate. After reading a series of rambling and often unintelligible poems, he suddenly asked She-she to tell him about her family.
Uncertain of the reason for his question, She-she told him of her father, mother and younger sisters. As she spoke she realised it had been a very long time since she had last seen them. The thought made her sad.
As though reading her mind, the Taiping leader said suddenly, ‘I will have them sent for. I can offer your father high commands in my service. We will make him very proud of you.’
She-she managed to murmur something to the effect that it would make her very happy if she could see her parents once more.
‘You are content to live here in my palace?’
‘Yes.’ The Tien Wang appeared to be waiting for her to say more. After a minute or two of silence, She-she added, ‘The English missionary is a good woman. I enjoy working with her.’
‘The Fan Qui woman is not yet a sister of the Taiping people. She is still a missionary. Her desire is not to learn but to teach.’
Still puzzled about the true reason for her summons, She-she had a strong impression that her reply had annoyed the Tien Wang. After a few more polite exchanges, he told her she might go.
A week later, Hung sent for She-she once more. This time the woman guard who came to fetch She-she was uncertain whether or not the invitation included Esme and she gave way before the missionary’s forcefulness and took her too.
The Tien Wang did not seem pleased to see Esme, but went through the customary formalities with her. Then, addressing She-she, he came straight to the point of his summons.
‘You still have no wish to become a wife to Heavenly Prince Chang?’
‘None at all.’
‘This is good. I have decided to honour you by making you one of my wives.’
Appearing not to notice the gasp of dismay from his intended bride, the Tien Wang continued, ‘It had been my intention to take you as one of my concubines, but you are of good solid Hakka stock. You will make a popular wife. It is a great honour for you.’
While Hung was talking it seemed to She-she that the whole room was swaying about her, but she thought quickly. ‘It would indeed be a great honour to be a bride of the Tien Wang, but it cannot be. I am not worthy.’
‘Your humility does you credit, girl, but it is I who will decide whether you are worthy or not.’
‘No, your Heavenly Majesty, you do not understand. All your brides are virgins.’ She-she’s voice trembled. ‘I am not.’
‘You are an adultress?’ Hung rose to his feet as he flung the accusation at her.
‘No, but before I came here I belonged to the Hoppo of Canton. I was given to him by my father.’
As the Tien Wang continued to gaze down at her, his fury growing, Esme said, ‘It is no fault of hers. She should be praised. When the other girls who were with her were returned to the Hoppo, She-she chose a Christian way of life.’
The Tien Wang’s glance briefly fell upon Esme but his anger was directed at She-she.
‘You will go. I do not wish to see you ever again. Go … GO!’
Back in their own quarters, She-she’s fear came out into the open as she asked Esme, ‘What will the Tien Wang do now? What will happen to me? He could have me executed.’
‘Calm yourself, my dear. You have done nothing wrong. Indeed, although selling one’s daughter is one of the Chinese customs I particularly deplore, you simply obeyed the instructions of your own father. Even Hung can find nothing wrong with that. But I think the time has come for us to leave here. I’ll speak to Hung and ask if we can’t both return to Shanghai. I’ll tell him I need to consult my Mission authorities and would like you to accompany me.’
Esme’s plan came to nothing. The Tien Wang refused to give her an audience. What was more, she and She-she were confined to their quarters, refused permission to move freely about the palace.
For two months the only contact the two women had with the outside world was through Su-san. Although recovered from her wounds, the Taiping girl would never lead troops into action again. As a reward for her bravery in action she had been made a Chancelloress. Her duties were in the royal palace, where she took responsibility for the fittings, fabrics and decor.
Through Su-san, Esme and She-she learned of the abortive British and French attack on the Pei-ho forts that had taken place many weeks before. Su-san also smuggled a letter out of the palace for Esme, promising her she would somehow get it to Erin Veasey when he next brought a cargo upriver to Nanking.
Fortunately, perhaps, Hung Hsiu-ch’uan was occupied with military matters for many weeks after he had suggested marriage to She-she. Chang had finally persuaded the commanders of two of the Taiping armies to join forces. Together they launched an attack on the Chinese armies which had been moving steadily closer to Nanking in recent months. One of the commanders was Peng Yu-chen, brother of Kau-lin.
Kau-lin had taken to warfare with a zeal that inspired those about her. She was rewarded by being promoted to deputy commander of the women’s regiment formerly led by Su-san. The majority of the women’s regiments had been taken off active duties, but Kau-lin persuaded her brother to keep her own regiment on his strength.
It suited Peng well. The women fought with a ferocity that was an example to his men, few of whom would retreat while the women were still engaged in battle.
With the aid of his women soldiers, Peng scored a notable victory against the Chinese army. The women launched a brief but fierce attack against a great Imperial army camp. When the regular Chinese soldiers fought back, the Taiping women retreated. It was a well-orchestrated retreat. The women stayed just far enough ahead of the Imperial troops to avoid casualties, but close enough to give the soldiers hope they would catch up with them.
The women led the Imperial army into a perfect trap, turning to join their comrades in a battle that virtually wiped out the Chinese government forces. They then returned to the Imperial army camp. After plundering it of all the stores they and their comrades could carry off, the camp was destroyed. In one brilliant stroke the Taipings had removed the main threat to Nanking.
For another month and a half Commandant Peng led his army around the countryside eliminating the remaining camps of the Imperial army before returning to Nanking to receive the congratulations of the Heavenly King.
Peng had scored a great victory in the name of the Tien Wang, but he put no trust in either the Taiping ruler or Cousin Chang. Declining an offer from the Heavenly King to have a palace built for himself inside Nanking, Peng camped outside the city walls. Here, surrounded by the tried and loyal troops of his own army, he felt safe against treachery.
Chapter 19
NOW THE IMMEDIATE threat from the Imperial army had been removed, the Taiping ruler was able to devote his time to matters of more celestial importance. He sent for Esme to attend him in the audience ch
amber.
When she was shown in by a palace official, the Tien Wang was seated on his throne, dressed in all the panoply of state. Esme advanced until she was standing at the bottom of the steps which rose to the throne. Hung Hsiu-ch’uan sat looking out over her head as though he could not see her.
When the silence had lasted a full four or five minutes, Esme said, ‘You sent for me?’
The Tien Wang made a barely discernible motion of his hand and the official who had brought Esme to the chamber struck her a forceful blow in the middle of her back. ‘You will kow-tow to the Tien Wang.’
‘I will do no such thing!’ Esme swung round on the official with such a fierce expression on her face that the woman took a pace backwards.
‘We will pray.’ It was a command, not a suggestion. With a far from pious scowl, the Tien Wang placed his fingertips together and murmured a brief and indistinguishable prayer that was over almost before Esme had sunk to her knees.
‘I have work for you to do. Much work. You will be kept very busy.’
‘If it is work for the Lord, I will not spare myself.’
‘I have written an account of my time with the Heavenly Father and the Heavenly Elder Brother. I have explained the conversations we had and the instructions given to me by the Heavenly Father, for the benefit of his children in China. I have also told of the matters I discussed with the Heavenly Elder Brother. You will find them all on a silken scroll that will be delivered to your quarters. When you have read my words you will continue work on translating the Gospels, adding to it the writings of my experiences. You will bring each chapter to me as it is completed, for my approval.’
For a while, Esme looked at the man before her without speaking. She had known for many months this moment would one day come. She wished it might have occurred at a time when Hung Hsiu-ch’uan was more kindly disposed towards her.
‘I will happily translate any section of the Bible for the benefit of you and your people. But the Gospels will be translated exactly as written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.’
‘They made many mistakes. Forgot much. I am the Heavenly Younger Son. You will write what I tell you. The things they have forgotten will be included.’
‘This I cannot do.’ Esme spread her hands in a gesture of despairing resignation. ‘I fear my usefulness as a servant of God is at an end among the Taipings. I wish to return to Shanghai.’
‘You are employed in my court to carry out my will. You refuse to do as I tell you?’
‘Until I am able to return to Shanghai I will continue to do what I came here for: to translate the true words of the Lord. I will neither add to, nor detract from, what is written in the Bible.’
There was another hand signal from the Tien Wang, this time firmer, more decisive. Suddenly Esme was seized from behind. Moments later she was being dragged from the chamber.
She did not leave quietly. At one time she struggled so violently that four women of the palace guard were sent sprawling on the floor of the audience chamber. Only sheer weight of numbers won in the end. Protesting loudly and still struggling, Esme was carried away bodily.
Su-san came to the quarters occupied by She-she later that night to tell her what had occurred.
‘Where have they taken her?’ She-she had been deeply concerned when her friend failed to return from the interview with the Tien Wang but no one could, or would, tell her anything. She had feared the worst.
‘She is locked in the room where the Tien Wang keeps the women of his household who offend him. She is chained.’
‘What will happen to her?’
‘I don’t know. I’ve sent word to Kau-lin telling her what has happened. I have suggested she try to use her influence with Heavenly Prince Chang to have her released. No good can come of this.’
‘Can I see Esme?’
‘No. I can have messages passed to her by word of mouth through my sister, but there can be no visitors and no written notes. The guards on the door are commanded by my sister, but they cannot be trusted not to inform the Tien Wang of anything that happens. Don’t worry about Esme. She will come to no harm and I will let her know we are working for her release.’
The next day the Tien Wang sent for She-she to be brought to his private rooms. She went fearing the worst, or at least that she would be told she was to join Esme. But the Taiping leader had other plans for her.
He kept her kow-towing to him for far longer than on her previous visit to his rooms. When he eventually signalled for her to rise to her knees he seemed almost to forget her once more. Keeping his head bowed he appeared almost to be in a trance – or drugged.
When he raised his head to look at her at last, his eyes had the far-away expression of a man who sees things to which others are blind.
‘When we last met I spoke many harsh words to you. For this I have been chastised by the Heavenly Elder Brother.’
The Tien Wang’s reference to Jesus Christ came so naturally it was easy to realise why he was able to convince the Taipings of his divine origins. She wondered what revelation he was about to make.
‘He reminded me of his friendship with the woman Mary Magdalene. Although he needed to cast out seven devils from her, she was a true friend when others deserted him. She too had been known by other men. The Elder Brother knows my views on the chastity of women, but He says I must think upon his words.’
She-she tried to remember what little she knew about Mary Magdalene. The Tien Wang’s words puzzled her. ‘You mean … you want me as a friend?’
‘I want more from you than friendship. It would be unwise for the Tien Wang to be seen to take an unchaste woman for a wife, but it is my wish that you become a concubine.’
‘I … but …’ She-she groped desperately for words. ‘You offer me great honour, but Jesus never took Mary Magdalene as a concubine.’
‘True, and it is this I find most troubling of all.’
Eager to follow up on the point she had made, She-she said, ‘I have been reading your writings of the part you played in the New Testament. You and your father in Heaven are right to take chastity so seriously. It is at the heart of the whole Christian family – and of your own Taiping people. I must pray to God the Father for guidance before agreeing to something that might put at risk all you have achieved for your people. I would like to speak to the missionary woman about this.’
‘I am at the heart of the Taiping people. It is I who decide what shall be done.’
‘This is true, your Heavenly Majesty. But you and I know the story of Mary Magdalene, your people do not. They would need to know the story before they understood why the Tien Wang should wish to take an unchaste woman for a concubine.’
‘True. You are indeed a deep-thinking woman. I will write the story myself. You will translate it.’
‘I will need the help of the missionary woman.’ She-she made her second mention of Esme apprehensively, hoping it would not arouse the Tien Wang’s anger.
‘She will be released soon. A few more days should suffice to teach her to be respectful. You will go now, but we will speak again of this matter.’
She-she went back to her quarters wondering how long she could effectively fob off the Taiping leader. She wondered whether Kernow had received the letter sent to him by Esme. Whether she would ever see him again. It had been more than a year since they had promised they would wait for each other. For ever if need be….
Chapter 20
KERNOW’S ABRUPT DEPARTURE from the home of the United States consul in Shanghai was shrouded in mystery. He told Consul Merrill only that there was something of great importance that needed to be done. The consul believed it must be something to do with the British government. A mission, perhaps, that needed Kernow’s knowledge of the Chinese language. As a result, he asked no questions.
Sally was less easily satisfied. Kernow had almost finished packing the few clothes he was taking when she entered his room. She dropped in a chair and sat watching him. She said nothing, but h
e realised she was waiting for an explanation from him.
‘Is it all right if I leave my new uniforms and most of my things here until I return?’ He asked the question as much to break the awkward silence as for any other reason.
‘Of course. How long will you be away?’
‘I don’t know. A few weeks, at least.’
‘Can I ask where you’re going?’
‘You can ask, but I’m afraid I can’t tell you, Sally.’
‘Can’t? Or won’t?’
‘I can’t. You’re the daughter of a consul. It wouldn’t be fair to say.’
With a sudden flash of intuition, Sally asked, ‘Is it something to do with this Chinese girl you’re so fond of?’
‘Partly. You won’t tell anyone?’
‘There are a couple of reasons I can think of for such secrecy. It’s either illegal or dangerous. Probably both.’
When Kernow made no reply, she said, ‘Take care of yourself.’
Suddenly, she crossed the room and hugged him. ‘Take very good care. If you get yourself into trouble find some way to let me know. I’ll get help to you somehow.’
Erin Veasey’s steamer was waiting at Wusong, an anchorage not far from Shanghai. The American sea captain took Kernow to the ship in a sampan. It was dark and there was little danger of being seen, but in a heavy drizzle they sheltered inside a curved shelter woven from bamboo leaves. The sampan was propelled by a single oar wielded over the stern in the hands of a wrinkle-faced woman wearing a huge coolie hat. The hat provided her with as much shelter as an umbrella might have done. Her clothes were as black as the night and she drove the small vessel in silence and near-invisibility.
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