a crime to oppose a father’s will.’
Cao wrung her hands.
‘I do not wish to become Fifth Cousin Wen’s wife!’ she cried.
‘I have another love. One I can never forget.’
Shih stopped pacing and met her eyes. They had been little more than children. It would be a year before Shih reached the age of capping into manhood in his twentieth year.
‘There may be another way,’ he said, cautiously. ‘A less than honourable way, perhaps. If we have the courage.’
‘When I am with you I have the courage for anything,’ she said.
She had meant it with all her hope and heart, unaware how cruel people can be, and how kind when least expected. Since that day, twelve years had passed. . .
*
Madam Cao walked across Nancheng to the East Market, where she was curious to read the proclamation mentioned by Old Hsu. Such notices were customarily hung on the Gate of Fragrant Increase and she joined a small crowd round the strip of paper. When her turn came, a retired clerk politely offered to read it to her.
‘I can read, sir!’ she said with more passion than she had intended. ‘Just because I am a woman does not mean I must be a fool.’
Cao flushed with embarrassment at her rudeness. She did not know what had come over her. Afraid of causing a scandal, she added in a wheedling voice: ‘But if you would help me with the more difficult characters, sir, I would be very grateful.’
The man chuckled. Cao noticed with surprise that he had taken no offence.
‘What, young lady? Speak a little louder.’
The proclamation gave advanced warning of civic restrictions, should the enemy approach the city. Everything was expressed in vague terms, yet Cao could not avoid a pang of fear. She had heard rumours that those towns which fell to the Mongols perished utterly. Many people preferred to kill their entire family than suffer captivity, or worse. Surely it was impossible the enemy could reach as far as Nancheng. The Son of Heaven’s armies would scatter them long before that. Cao reassured herself she was glad to have read the notice; it would provide something to tell Shih over dinner.
As she bought peppers and dried wood-ear, lily flowers and onions, to make pour-fish sauce – one of her husband’s favourite dishes – unwelcome thoughts arose. Why did her guest not help with the cooking? Perhaps she did not know how, having grown used to meals served at her whim. Although Shih’s fees from patients had increased since curing the Pacification Commissioner’s son, to the extent that he talked about hiring a maid, Cao still prepared all their meals.
Thankfully, Shih did not object to Lu Ying eating alone in her room, though it was hardly friendly.
That made Cao wonder, too. She had noticed he grew awkward whenever Honoured Guest emerged to ask for something. He glanced away, as though trying to dismiss Lu Ying from his mind. While Cao approved of such delicacy, she distrusted what lay beneath it.
‘A noble fish!’ declared the merchant. ‘A prince of trout! A dish fit for the Pacification Commissioner’s own table!’
Cao did not haggle over the price. She wished to get home soon and see what was going on in her absence.
four
‘Now I will explain how the cities of Nancheng and Fouzhou are defended. Water subjugates fire: in this way the wide moats and canals surrounding the Twin Cities drown the burning will of besiegers. Earth subjugates water: thus the high walls of pounded earth lined with stone channel water in ways beneficial to the Son of Heaven’s subjects. One might say the defence of Nancheng and Fouzhou relies upon the five elements. . .’
From Dream Pool Essays by Shen Kua
Han River, Central China. Early autumn, 1266.
Guang felt stale, inaction made him restless. Being a passenger did not suit him at all.
After Wuhan, the actors’ boat sailed east until it joined the great Han River, gateway to the Empire’s rich heartland. There had been no pursuit, and part of him would have welcomed
Cao wrung her hands.
‘I do not wish to become Fifth Cousin Wen’s wife!’ she cried.
‘I have another love. One I can never forget.’
Shih stopped pacing and met her eyes. They had been little more than children. It would be a year before Shih reached the age of capping into manhood in his twentieth year.
‘There may be another way,’ he said, cautiously. ‘A less than honourable way, perhaps. If we have the courage.’
‘When I am with you I have the courage for anything,’ she said.
She had meant it with all her hope and heart, unaware how cruel people can be, and how kind when least expected. Since that day, twelve years had passed. . .
*
Madam Cao walked across Nancheng to the East Market, where she was curious to read the proclamation mentioned by Old Hsu. Such notices were customarily hung on the Gate of Fragrant Increase and she joined a small crowd round the strip of paper. When her turn came, a retired clerk politely offered to read it to her.
‘I can read, sir!’ she said with more passion than she had intended. ‘Just because I am a woman does not mean I must be a fool.’
Cao flushed with embarrassment at her rudeness. She did not know what had come over her. Afraid of causing a scandal, she added in a wheedling voice: ‘But if you would help me with the more difficult characters, sir, I would be very grateful.’
The man chuckled. Cao noticed with surprise that he had taken no offence.
‘What, young lady? Speak a little louder.’
The proclamation gave advanced warning of civic restrictions, should the enemy approach the city. Everything was expressed in vague terms, yet Cao could not avoid a pang of fear. She had heard rumours that those towns which fell to the Mongols perished utterly. Many people preferred to kill their entire family than suffer captivity, or worse. Surely it was impossible the enemy could reach as far as Nancheng. The Son of Heaven’s armies would scatter them long before that. Cao reassured herself she was glad to have read the notice; it would provide something to tell Shih over dinner.
As she bought peppers and dried wood-ear, lily flowers and onions, to make pour-fish sauce – one of her husband’s favourite dishes – unwelcome thoughts arose. Why did her guest not help with the cooking? Perhaps she did not know how, having grown used to meals served at her whim. Although Shih’s fees from patients had increased since curing the Pacification Commissioner’s son, to the extent that he talked about hiring a maid, Cao still prepared all their meals.
Thankfully, Shih did not object to Lu Ying eating alone in her room, though it was hardly friendly.
That made Cao wonder, too. She had noticed he grew awkward whenever Honoured Guest emerged to ask for something. He glanced away, as though trying to dismiss Lu Ying from his mind. While Cao approved of such delicacy, she distrusted what lay beneath it.
‘A noble fish!’ declared the merchant. ‘A prince of trout! A dish fit for the Pacification Commissioner’s own table!’
Cao did not haggle over the price. She wished to get home soon and see what was going on in her absence.
four
‘Now I will explain how the cities of Nancheng and Fouzhou are defended. Water subjugates fire: in this way the wide moats and canals surrounding the Twin Cities drown the burning will of besiegers. Earth subjugates water: thus the high walls of pounded earth lined with stone channel water in ways beneficial to the Son of Heaven’s subjects. One might say the defence of Nancheng and Fouzhou relies upon the five elements. . .’
From Dream Pool Essays by Shen Kua
Han River, Central China. Early autumn, 1266.
Guang felt stale, inaction made him restless. Being a passenger did not suit him at all.
After Wuhan, the actors’ boat sailed east until it joined the great Han River, gateway to the Empire’s rich heartland. There had been no pursuit, and part of him would have welcomed
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