The Traditional Old Man and the Fierce Young Woman - Macau, '40, Zhangzhou '41 {1840-41}
Dear Mother,
I know it has been a long time since last we corresponded; I received all of your letters swiftly and promptly. The Qing post is an amazingly efficient machine of state - indeed, the fault of not replying is all mine. As you will soon hear, I have been busy under the tutelage of a Manchu gentleman by the name of Yelu; you will recognize him as the subject of the sketch enclosed in my previous letter.
He has been escorting me around the countryside while we look for business opportunities; well, I have been looking! He is, of course, an officer by the Qing standard of such, and is obligated to certain sites and duties. This has been beneficial to my explorations, as well as enabling me to not need the funds you have sent me; of course, they have been returned as you have noted. Also, shipped with this are some lacquerware plates to replace the ones you lost last Christmas. Note the quality of the glaze! These were a gift from a certain kiln we visited during Yelu's most recent deployment.
Tell Ariabella that I am glad to hear of her marriage. She has helped our station admirably. Of course she may be feeling unhappy, but we all must make sacrifices in this life, and she has made hers. Of course I will be there for the wedding; this China business will only last another year at the latest. You know that father has always liked to jest about my capabilities! We men simply enjoy a playful brawl once in awhile! Ahaha! Please pass on my warm well-wishes,
Your devoted son,
Clark
On a windy day, nearing a kiln on the outskirts of Zhangzhou
However, Clark was not feeling particularly jovial at all. He had not been happy to hear that his father, already in bad health, had begin to criticize the flow of money heading to their middle son in his 'decadent pursuits', and had only returned the money as a matter of form. Yelu was helping him travel and survive, but the essentials that any man needed - a whetstone for his razor, comfortable bedding, and perhaps a pipe and some smoke were nowhere to be found. Clark had never smoked, but assumed that now he was in China, it was time for him to act his station. The first few weeks he had spent recovering, he had been at the mercy of the taciturn Mei Ling. Clark's attempts at communication?
"Hong Mei Ling, tell me something interesting. Certainly a door guard for a European-style tavern such as the Taipa see's all sorts of interesting things?" Tilting his head to the side in thought so that his long coppery black hair swayed, Mei Ling was silent for awhile before responding. "Well, we're at war now. Again. It's hardly worth talking about."
A blunt declaration of war
"Whaaaaat?" Clark had attempted to leap out of bed, failed, and fallen face-first onto the floor. Mei Ling, sighing, had helped him back onto his cot and brought over something that appeared to be rice congee. "The Daoguang Emperor noticed Britain eying Burma, and figured we should mark it as a tributary state. The secret police are already stirring unrest and a small garrison of Yue soldiers was sent to force Tharrawaddy's hand." With that, Mei Ling hefted a rucksack over his shoulder and faced the door. "My replacement's back. You should be good to walk soon." Clark stopped devouring the congee, staring at Mei Ling in surprise. "Oh, ah, yes. Mei Ling, if you would, that is to say-" Yelu's words ringing in the back of his head, Clark stared at the clean-faced young man with the unreadable expression.
"Have a safe trip. Thank you for caring for me."
Later, he and Yelu had begun their journey; Yelu had explained he had been called to Zhangzhou, to help watch over some anti-Manchu agitations. When Clark had asked about the war with Burma, he'd laughed sarcastically. When Clark had asked about Hong Meiling, though... Yelu's expression instantly softened. "He's gone. Hard news about his brother, really. Of course, being sent to that island kingdom isn't good for anyone..."
The Island Kingdom
Clark raised an eyebrow. "Ah, you must mean Nip-pon! Yes, I'd heard about the Prussian mission there. They're quite modern, you know! Steam engines and all that. Is the Daoguang Emperor planning to intervene in that dominion, as well?" Yelu blinked. "Wō? It's hardly worth a map of it's own. Burma has a land border, strategic value... What danger could a chain of islands ever present? Be more practical, I say. Worry about the Bear and the Lion." Yet, Clark noticed a faint hint of pensiveness in the old soldier's voice as they cut through the back country roads.
Secretly, he'd hoped there'd been a reason for taking roads that overlooked only peasant fields and quaint houses, but Yelu had grinned and told him that the main roads were congested on the coast. Besides, he didn't want to arrive too early; he was also hoping to pay his respects to the family of old friend who had died in a battle with some disgruntled tile-factory owners.
The Shangzhi family shrine had another name added to it's list.
"There was a small Manchu population in Zhangzhou - mostly career soldiers who had been sent to settle for their services. Mingzhu was looking into the distress as an unofficial service; he'd sent me a letter saying that it was some sort of official spreading this little insurrection. We're going to go listen to what our agitator has to say." Yelu had a very bitter tone to his voice that made it sound like listening was the last thing on his mind.
The Manchu population in most provinces was below 1%... If even.
Meanwhile, the Dai-Li force Tharawaddy's capitulation. Peace will come soon.
Zhangzhou had been anything but what Clark had expected; the streets were paved with granite and although the outskirts were the same rural exterior he had become used to, they were dotted with factories!
Non-western factories, of course - but factories, nonetheless! Tile factories, lacquerworks, even two shipyards! The town was incredibly dirty however; filled with smog and the scent of freshly unearthed clay. Yelu seemed to take it in stride, so Clark did the same. They soon arrived at a large natural 'amphitheater'. Clark had been quite pleased with his choice of words, corresponding so neatly with news of a Greek national parliament.
Why do you assume that representation is democracy? Yelu had asked him.
Gathered around was a large crowd - mostly Southern Chinese. Clark believed the term was Hakka, but there were other groups he vaguely recognized as being Yue or Min - even some Manchu were there, although their lack of ornamentation indicated a lower social class. A man on a platform was speaking charismatically and shaking his arms towards the heavens as if in some sort of trance. Clark moved forward, but couldn't make out the man's words; they were far too fast. He felt a weathered hand on his shoulder, and noticed Yelu holding him back; Yelu's expression had become bemused. "What the deuce is he saying? Yelu, I can't understand a blasted thing that pompous ass is telling the crowd!"
Yelu's lips moved silently as he whispered a translation to Clark. "People of Heaven! Know this, that your Kingdom is here. A great salvation comes! The Examiners of Heaven, those chosen righteously by the Manchu Officials, have been uplifted! Spirits of Heaven and Earth proclaim the younger brother of Christ Jesus here unto you- know this, and be saved! We must restore the Kingdom of God by introducing the concepts of equality into the heart of the Manchu, and if the Manchu does not listen, we must lift ourselves into power by the writing of God! Divide the Sexes! Worship Jesus! Expel the Foreign, Restore the Mandate to the Worthy of the Qing!" Yelu shrugged, seemingly uninterested.
"A demagogue, all right - but it doesn't seem like he has any solid ideas, just broad notions of reform. No one is going to listen to a mid-level bureaucrat; look, most of the crowd's already wandered off. Dangerous, but not worth my time. Let's leave, Clark. If Mingzhu died for this... Damnit. C'mon." Watching the grey hair of his companion fall and his proud shoulders sag, Clark suddenly felt pangs of guilt echo through him. He tried his best to smile and clapped Yelu on the back; this only caused the warrior to look even more dejected and Clark winced inwardly. "Come, friend - maybe there's more here than meets the eye! Perhaps a conspiracy-" Clark's eyes widened.
Among the crowd, among those who had not left, was Hong Mei Ling. Mei Ling looked entranced as the man - whom had identified himself as Hong Xiuquan - preached against the evil's of Opium and the oppression of foot-binding. Mei Ling's boyish face looked almost tender; until he saw Clark. The two locked eyes for what seemed like minutes, and Clark begin to feel very uncomfortable. Neither said a word. Then, as if in a daze, Clark motioned to Yelu - who had no compunctions about walking forward and talking to Mei Ling. The two greeted each other warmly, but it didn't take long before even Clark could hear the edge in their voices. The inner circle around Xiuquan begin to stir...
Restless Heavenly Army paramilitaries looked for any excuse they could find.
Expecting Yelu's voice to rise first, Clark was surprised when Mei Ling shattered the silence and drowned out Xiuquan's oratory. "Do you know what it's like? To live in servitude to, to nobodies? To these demons, to men like him?" Mei Ling gestured to Clark, anger in his eyes. "To lose a brother entertaining foreign barbarians who should be in debt to us? No, of course you don't. Not a
valued, loyal, privileged retainer like you, Yelu." In the center of the grassy amphitheatre, Xiuquan smiled with polished teeth and voracious eyes.
"Yes! Remember the depredations of your betters, Manchu! Know that only we, the examiners chosen by this Heavenly System, can reform it from within! You, old man- Get out of here! Get out of this place! Leave, demon!" The crowd began to chant, and even Clark could follow it perfectly. But Yelu was undaunted; anger had restored his spirit. "Leave? And abandon a friend to this madness? Mei Ling, you can't follow this man - it won't bring your brother back, and these men are no different from the sort of people BOTH OF US have despised all our lives. And you're too young to go wasting yours. How can you support these mobs who'd poison your mind? Sure, I've heard some good words - but they're agitating to revolt, to get people angry, to kill! How can you support someone who plans to div-"
But Hong Mei Ling cut him off. "They let me fight. That's more then you ever did. This is where we must part ways, Yelu." However, Mei Ling's words shook slightly, and as Yelu pulled Clark away, Clark made out the faintest glint of a smile on Yelu's wisened old face. "Well, my American friend, I think we've solved our agitation problem." Clark sputtered, face red. "Solved? We just abandoned Mei Ling to those rabble! They might decide he's a danger, treasonous or whatever terminology that shady preacher would utilize!"
Yelu chuckled as they walked past windy fields, and rested in the shadow of a large kiln. "Perhaps, but Mei Ling is worth five hundred of those Heavenly Army thugs. And he -" Yelu chuckled again, smiling openly now. "He thinks for himself. He'll realize that the reform they offer is just another new yoke. Now, I want to show you something. Hey, maybe you'll even pick something up you can send back to that family of yours." As the two toured the factory and Clark was shocked and amazed at the beautiful art it produced, the wind picked up in a late November... And brought chilling portents.
An empire, one where the sun will never be free set...
... And one that does not forget those who challenge it's domination.
Bonus! No Canadian lakes for you this time - instead, look at Finland + NW Russia! :O It's *BEAUTIFUL*
-
Bonus: Qing Cultural Corner - The Dai-Li:
The Dai-Li are the secret police of the Qing state. They do not function just as police or paramilitaries of the state, but also as mid-level officials in foreign affairs. Most of them have taken the Manchu civil service exam and passed with flying colors; others are those who have talents that are deemed useful to the state. With infiltrator status in most nearby states, they are often used as pressure points in foreign affairs. They have been noticeably ineffective in dealing with Western influences, and some rumors circulate that they have even been aiding Western commercial and political factions in return for clemency and 'favors'...
-
Thoughts so far
Wow, sorry that this is a wall of text again. gah, promise next one will be shorter. PROMISE. Like, in steel or something. So, some things noticed - prestige is pretty easy to rack up, and I'm not too scared about BB right now, as long as it doesn't topple over the limit. But woah! Two major errors in Vic2 China, imo -
One, why is there no industry on coastal China? Not even in Zhangzhou necessarily, but at least in Shanxi? Cement, glass, and maybe a clipper factory? For game balance? I figured being an unciv'd be enough for that. Two, and a major gah moment for me - why is there no Confucianism/Neo-Confucianism? Is Animist supposed to represent Daoism, 'traditional beliefs' (yes, I know, I don't like catch-alls's either), and other kinds of Buddhism? If it's for game balance and adding one more religion'd just be one too many, I guess I can understand, but... Really? I might have to mod that in.
Finally, this version of Hong Xiuquan passed his exam, and is focused on reform, not revolt, if it isn't obvious enough.
Of course, he's still just as thuggish... Though promoting some very interesting and appealing ideas. So, questions, comments, letters of marque! And don't forget, next time!
- Exciting plot continuation!
- Clark gets reducated!
- Vicky gets serious!
- Yelu gets to kick ass!
- And so does Mei Ling!
- China finally gets freedom of trade (please maybe? Although I actually kind of wish I'd started with rights of man... ;_; )