That was an interesting prospect, Magnus thought, but a little far-fetched.
“He sent a rich wedding gift, you know, Empingham. A very fine piece of imperial jade to me and a magnificent ruby to Lady Eskdale, and Mr Sia, who you say is his man, also sent jewellery, which was very well received, I would add. I attributed no importance to that at the time – I have been the vehicle of British policy, thought it no more than his way of recognising that fact. But, just possibly, if he was to set up in London, then he might wish to be close to Blantyres, you know.”
Empingham had known of the gifts, had thought it wise to discover exactly how Magnus’ loyalties might lie.
“It is not impossible, my lord, that Lord Ping Wu might wish to have a reliable friend among the British aristocracy when he sets up in London. A Chinaman would be regarded with some considerable suspicion by police and government alike, you know. A ‘well known fact’ that all Chinks are interested in is to run opium into the dens of Whitechapel – despite the fact that the great bulk of opium running is done by British companies into China. A name to be mentioned would be useful indeed to a rich man seeking a quiet life as a businessman and little more. An earl still has some little power in London, you know, especially an earl who is no longer poverty-stricken, if I may be so bold, sir.”
Magnus was inclined to be offended – he did not like to think that he was being used, by a Chinaman at that.
Empingham smiled his satisfaction.
“I had wondered, sir, whether you had considered the cause of Ping Wu’s unusual generosity.”
“I had not realised it be out of the ordinary, Empingham.”
Magnus’ response was sufficiently frosty to discourage Empingham for the while. He would leave his words to ferment, he decided and turned to a discussion of what the Germans must do next.
“Very little for the while, sir. They must replace Hildesheim and the new man must rebuild a personal network of agents, for Hildesheim was very much a man who ran everything himself. He was ambitious, I believe, wanted to become a figure in Germany, far more than the minor, provincial baron that he was by birth. The man who delivered China to the Kaiser could be sure of a duchy and he did not want there to be any doubt that he was the mastermind, the new Bismarck.”
“So, by removing Hildesheim we have destroyed his life’s work. Foolish, surely, to have relied upon one man who might have caught a fever, let alone be killed off.”
“Ridiculously unwise, sir. But I much doubt that Berlin had ever intended it so – they probably simply did not know just to what extent he played the lone wolf. After all, sir, Hildesheim was the sole reporter to Berlin of what was happening in China – they knew what he told them.”
Magnus laughed – such planning and plotting and all brought down by a simple naval officer who objected to the casual slaughter of an insignificant few civilians.
“Perhaps that is the difference between us and them, my lord. We do not see the vicious butchery of a handful of women and children as a trivial sacrifice in the name of empire.”
“I hope you may be right, Empingham. I pray that the time may never come when we will adopt that cynical and cruel view of the world, and of humanity.”
“I join you in that hope, my lord. I much fear that hopes too often do not become reality. I have heard the words ‘my country, right or wrong’ more than once in my short career.”
“So have I, Empingham, and commonly uttered by the most awful cads and rotters!”
“I agree, sir. Fully.”
Magnus was sufficiently disturbed by Empingham’s insinuations to speak to his father-in-law, calling on him at his offices rather than waiting on one of his frequent visits to the house.
Blantyre realised that Magnus wanted private speech, with Ellen unaware of their meeting. His first reaction was to expect a plea for money, to cover some disreputable debt.
“Good morning, sir. A difficult matter to broach, sir.”
Blantyre believed his suspicions confirmed, began to scowl.
“I have been speaking with a lieutenant who on the face of it reports to Captain Erskine as Senior Naval Officer but is in fact employed by the Intelligence people working out of Hong Kong. I should not mention his name, as you will appreciate.”
“Oh! That chap Empingham, do you mean, my lord?”
Magnus shrugged and laughed.
“He is quite convinced that his true existence is unknown in Shanghai, sir.”
“Nothing stays secret here, my lord. His spies report to him, and to their own masters, who in turn sell information to a dozen different buyers here and in Peking and Hong Kong, and no doubt elsewhere too.”
“Then you will probably be aware of the matter I wish to discuss. Empingham has reason to believe that Ping Wu of Hanshan is planning to get out of China, taking his wealth with him, of course. Since Ping Wu has become aware of me, I have made a marriage that could be very useful to him. Blantyres could be very valuable in helping him become known and respected in London, as an example, sir. He and Sia made some very handsome gifts at the wedding, you will remember; Sia as well provided the information that led me to Ebert and Sohn.”
Blantyre was much relieved – he had thought Magnus was behaving himself, was glad to have that confirmed.
“Let’s be blunt about this, my lord. Has Ping Wu a handle on you? Could he force you to his will?”
Magnus shook his head.
“No. Gifts of a generous nature certainly, but not enough to blackmail me. He has shown very kind to me, and I consider myself under some obligation to him but he does not own me. Should he appear in London, then I will be very pleased to show friendly to him and will use the small influence I will eventually have in his favour – but nothing out of the ordinary, he cannot compromise my loyalties as an Englishman.”
“Good. He can be of use to us in the next year or two. Blantyres will be very happy to channel trade through Hanshan – not all of our interests by a long way, but a few shiploads of rice and cotton from his lands, and timber brought down his river. If he can pick up copper ore, or zinc, then we will be happy to make a purchase or two from him. In exchange – easy to open accounts in London in the name of Hanshan Enterprises Limited, and perhaps negotiate purchases of real estate for him much more cheaply than a Chinese man could attain. He will be willing, no doubt, to purchase certain goods from us and distribute them inland.”
Magnus nodded – there was no need to specify which goods or mention the word ‘opium’.
“Should I perhaps make a purchase from Mr Sia’s store, sir?”
“In my company, my lord. We might well go there together this week. On Friday, perhaps? If I put the engagement into my diary today, Sia will know of it tomorrow and will be ready for us. Always more polite not to take a man by surprise, you know.”
“You mean, you believe him to have spies in your offices, sir?”
“Of course, my boy! Nothing is secret from the Chinese in Shanghai. We employ so many of them, and they have no love for us, you know. They take our money, sensibly enough, and do not overtly bite the hand that feeds them, but we treat them as dogs, when you consider the matter dispassionately. Dogs may like being called ‘good boy’, but few human beings experience that same delight. So they spy on us, with pleasure, and steal and defraud when they can, and who is to blame them? I am a businessman and take the world as I find it. Diplomats and missionaries and that sort take the world as they wish it to be, closing their eyes to everything that contradicts them, but I can only make a profit by seeing reality. They don’t like me for being honest, you know, my lord. And I don’t like them for their dishonesty – not that they believe they are telling lies to themselves, you know! They honestly believe that the Chinese love them. I believe that the people I employ love the money I give them. So, to answer your question, of course there are spies in my offices, and I no longer bother to try to keep secrets from them. I simply use them instead. I want Mr Sia to know that I shall visit him in a
couple of days from now. I could send him a letter, but easier far to tell my secretary to put the engagement in my diary and book no other meeting for that time.”
Magnus was almost shocked at such depravity – he had believed the kind smiles of the servants in the house and of the labourers aboard Racoon.
“They probably like you, my lord. You’re a very likeable chap, after all. That won’t stop them performing their duty to their masters, but the smiles are probably perfectly genuine.”
“Well, I’m damned if I know, Mr Blantyre! On Friday then, sir.”
Chapter Ten
The Earl’s Other Son Series
Shanghai Dreams
Mr Sia was delighted at the honour done to him, could imagine no pleasure greater than to welcome the two distinguished gentlemen to his humble office.
“And such an unexpected pleasure, Mr Sia!”
Sia maintained his straight face but let it be clear that he appreciated Blantyre’s little dig.
Magnus took over the conversation.
“I felt that I must make personally clear my gratitude to you, Mr Sia. Your most valuable information that enabled my seniors to send me upriver to make an end to the machinations of the wicked German, Hildesheim, is deeply appreciated. Admiral Seymour cannot himself make his thanks – you will know why better than I do – but he knows and approves of my intention to do so. As well, sir, there is the matter of the wedding gift, which Lady Eskdale delights in and has frequently worn already.”
Blantyre made his own contribution, blunter and less polished, intentionally so.
“Fine stones, those, Mr Sia! Set you back a pretty penny too. The family is obliged to you, sir.”
Sia made the appropriate deprecating comments – the gift was the merest trifle, given to such good friends as it was. As for the information, the Germans were dangerous to the peace of China.
All three knew that there was no peace in China – at best, there was no outright war in some parts.
“Speaking for Blantyres, Mr Sia, we are looking for extra sources of rice and timber, particularly, and would be interested in taking copper ores especially and any other non-ferrous metals that might be available. I wonder if you might be aware of the possibilities elsewhere than on the Yangtse?”
They knew that Sia would make no immediate response – he would not instantly rise to their bait, however much he might be hoping for a closer relationship with the hong.
“Trade is the lifeblood of nations, Mr Blantyre, and we must all wish for its expansion. I would myself wish to import more from London and am considering sending a son there to open an office, despite the expense involved.”
That was highly unlikely as Sia’s son would be a stranger to the City of London, would have no personal contacts, no way of making them. Blantyre immediately and knowingly picked up the bait.
“Possibly an agency would be less costly, Mr Sia. It would always be feasible to appoint a trusted Shanghai hong with a large presence in London to act for you…”
The word ‘trusted’ loomed large – both parties wondering just how trust might be demonstrated to exist. That question could again be addressed over time – it should not be tackled just now. Sia turned the conversation to social matters.
“What of this Russian squadron that is to visit Shanghai, Lord Eskdale? The Royal Navy must be interested to see the ships of another nation, is it not so?”
As Sia was well aware, Magnus knew nothing of such a visit. Russia was under no obligation to inform any nation of her intention to make port in Shanghai. Even the Imperial government could claim no right to be told of what was happening in the foreign concessions, although they might expect to be given advance notice from courtesy.
“You have received word from Port Arthur, I assume, sir.”
“The squadron is from Vladivostok, I believe, my lord, some of the ships very recently arrived there after the long voyage from St Petersburg. The hard winter is coming and the Russian navy prefers to cruise the southern waters during that period. They will no doubt make their way as far as Singapore before returning to their frozen wastes.”
That seemed entirely sensible to all three. Shanghai was cold enough in winter and Vladivostok was well to their north.
Magnus and Blantyre wondered just why Sia had raised the topic; he could have little interest in trade with Russia and certainly would not wish to establish a branch in St Petersburg. Where was the relevance? Why the comment about the long voyage? They assumed that Sia would say nothing except for a specific reason relating to business or perhaps military adventuring.
“I have not followed the Russian political scene, Mr Sia. The Tsar is well, I presume?”
There were many inflections to be placed on that word ‘well’, all three knew. It was the opinion of most observers outside of Russia that the Tsar was of limited mental stability and no outstanding intelligence; many regarded him as a religious maniac, believing that such little brain as he possessed was firmly under the control of the Orthodox Church. There was a tendency for saints and mystics to congregate in and about the Russian court, and both made uncomfortable company for true Englishmen.
“There are bread riots, as is normal in Russia, Lord Eskdale, and his court is more than usually divided between supporters of the army and the navy. There is a feeling that he should build more ships, and a certainty that the army needs modern artillery and better trained infantry. The bulk of the aristocracy also wishes to see the cavalry much expanded.”
Aristocrats always wanted more horse soldiers, Magnus knew. It went with the institution – men on horseback could be used to keep the peasants in their proper place, though were increasingly valueless in war.
“Strange, Mr Sia – the Russians, after all, saw the Charge of the Light Brigade, which showed the lack of value of cavalry in modern war. Their guns destroyed the cavalry forty years ago. Modern cannon in the same circumstance would have left none alive, provided that the Tsar’s officers could control their gunners… Are the ships of the Russian navy still disciplined and obedient to command?”
Sia did not know – mutiny was always simmering in the background, he understood. The crews were conscripted and ill-trained, so he was told, and many of the officers were also professionally incompetent, appointed for their family rather than their ability to sail a ship. He smiled just a little before continuing.
“Anything can happen, Lord Eskdale. Russia is said to be building the most modern of cruisers for commerce destruction, and one hears that your Admiralty has chosen to lay down the keels of big and very fast ships to catch and destroy anything Russia may create. No doubt you will be interested to examine the Russian ships.”
Magnus agreed that he would be professionally interested; there was the matter of cruisers of the Rurik class, which might or might not have been designed with the specific intention of disrupting Britain’s Atlantic trade. That, however, was hardly the business of any Chinaman. He turned the conversation to the racecourse – there was to be a meeting and he wondered if Mr Sia would be present.
“Well, Mr Blantyre, what was that all about?”
“The Russians, my lord? Damned if I know! He had something in mind, crafty old bugger that he is! He let the cat out of the bag, just a little bit, when you asked about their discipline.”
“Did he? I didn’t notice.”
“He showed just a little approval, just the slightest surprise that you had picked up on the correct point. But that might have been for my benefit, so that I would think it was the right thing. I would wager that he suspects that the Russians will be badly behaved, out of control when they get ashore. It might be no more than a warning to have your, what do you call ‘em, the naval police?”
“Provosts.”
“That’s the ones. He might think the civilian police will need them backing them up. But it might well be more.”
“I’ll speak to Erskine, sir.”
“Pity you’ve got to go through him. I talked a bit wit
h the other captain, Jellicoe, after the wedding. Much brighter sort of chap, that one. Got a head on him. If he ever wants to leave the navy, then I’d take him on in the business. Wouldn’t do that for that Erskine – bloody useless, that one!”
“Agreed, sir. Knows the right people, got family behind him, promoted for who he knows, not what he knows. Like most senior officers, army and navy both. Possibly like the Russians.”
“There’s times when I wonder, my lord, there really are! We need you people in the services, yet the more I see of them, the more I wonder just how good you lot are. There’s a few, like you and this Jellicoe, worth the money we pay you, and more. Then there’s a bloody sight too many like Erskine, and he ain’t worth eighteen pence and a pound weight of cold…”
Magnus knew the expression, was much inclined to agree.
“Jacky Fisher will turn the Navy upside down, sir. When the time comes, we will be there, you know.”
“Maybe. I’ll believe it when I see it. You’ll do what you can, but there’s a dead bloody weight of hopeless layabouts dragging you down. Always will be. I’ll see what my people know about these Russians, my lord. Bloody nuisance – nothing good comes out of Russia, except for the fur and timber trade, that is. And caviar – that ain’t bad, either.”
Magnus agreed that caviar was well-regarded but regretted that he found it indigestible – it upset his system, he feared.
“Makes me fart, too, my lord – but you can’t have everything.”
Magnus gravely agreed that one could not; he rather thought he might pay a call on Captain Erskine immediately.
“Talk to that feller Empingham while you’re at it, my lord. He might know what’s at the back of it. If Sia’s interested, then it ain’t just a friendly, courtesy call. How do the Russkis get on with the Krauts just now?”
“’Krauts’?”
02 Shanghai Dreams (The Earl’s Other Son #2) Page 22
