by Amy Kwei
“Yes, I have.” He had witnessed the destruction his army brought. It pained him to consider the victims — his racial brothers.
Bright Crystal kept still throughout the conversation, taking measure of this young man who had struggled so hard with his conscience while he participated in the crime against her country. “When a society discriminates against a person for his color or her sex, humanity is blighted!” She spoke with such force, everyone turned to look at her.
There was no need to elaborate. She had spoken for them all.
SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, the villa on Avenue Joffre was again aglitter with lights. This time the finest Japanese sake was heated and served to accompany the twelve-course Chinese dinner. Iris came with Lieutenant Akiro Kamasaki and some of his colleagues.
Kamasaki had prepared his Chinese friends for a meeting with Lieutenant General Goto. Goto had come from peasant stock and had spent forty of his fifty-five years in the military. Hard work and clever war strategies brought him high rank and honor, but he never acquired cosmopolitan charm. He looked like the stereotypical dwarf bandit that most Chinese envisioned— short and bowlegged. He spoke very little English, so Kamasaki translated for his superior. Captain Fujii and two of his assistants spoke perfect Mandarin with a Manchurian accent. They had been stationed in Manchukuo for years and had acquired a taste for Chinese living. They much preferred the many complicated spices of Chinese food. Following Japanese custom, they removed their shoes at the front door. They admired Bright Crystal’s Western-style parlor — the piano and the comfortable sofas. The spacious Chinese dining room, the elegant, sturdy, but intricately carved rosewood tables and chairs all impressed them.
The Japanese had the same finger-guessing game for drinking wine, and the Chinese hosts soon learned to say: “Ichi, ni, san, shi, go” (Japanese for “one, two, three, four, five”).
“We have so much in common.” Glorious Dragon raised his cup for a toast: “In Chinese, we say ‘yee, erh, san, sze, woo.’ Otherwise, the throwing of fingers and fist is the same! Amazing!”
There followed an amiable enumeration of common elements in both cultures. Japan had adopted Confucian philosophy and literature during the third century. So the concepts of filial piety and loyalty to the emperor were shared experiences. In daily life, both countries used chopsticks and soy sauce, and everyone enjoyed the Chinese banquet. Whenever General Goto was fuzzy on the meaning of some phrase or sentence, they resorted to writing Chinese. The Japanese “Kanji” script had been adopted almost unaltered from Chinese ideograms, making the understanding between the Chinese and Japanese around the table complete.
“With so much in common, I wonder why the Chinese would not accept our doctrine of ‘Wang Tao’?” General Goto smiled and asked Glorious Dragon.
“Wang Tao” literally translates to “Kings’ Way.” It is the ancient Chinese teaching of obedience and filial service to the king. In the Japanese interpretation, it was their design to restore China under the rule of the sometime Manchu child emperor P’u Yi, whom they had installed in the puppet state of Manchukuo. The Chinese outcry against this titular head was universal. General Goto had brought up the subject to gauge the political inclination of the Chinese at the table.
Glorious Dragon did not take the bait. He would not be drawn into an unpleasant discussion. Instead, he smiled and said: “Let’s not go into politics. Tonight, we’ll drink to our new friendship!” He proceeded to play the finger-throwing game with an aide.
General Goto soon joined in the raucous drinking. But his jovial spirits were soon disturbed by a call. The telephone was brought to him. He listened. Answering with grunts, and an occasional “hai,” he slammed down the phone with disgust. “They’re sending me some arrest warrants to sign.” The general drained his cup as he spoke. “Some Chinese are getting very bold. They’re shipping war materials to Hong Kong for transhipment to the Nationalists. Send the papers in to me when the messenger comes.”
Lt. Kamasaki translated for General Goto as Bright Crystal left the dining room to instruct the doorman. Iris excused herself and followed.
“Crystal.” Iris drew Bright Crystal aside in the hallway. “Mr. Chou’s brother-in-law, my employer, has been manufacturing and shipping uniforms and whatever war materials he could lay his hands on down to Hong Kong. I’m sure General Goto means to sign his arrest warrant!”
“Oh no,” Bright Crystal answered in hushed anxiety. “What are we to do?”
“We can’t call the Huangs,” Iris said urgently. “Such things are not to be trusted to the telephones. The Japanese have ways of listening in.”
“My Dragon will want to go and help Righteous Virtue escape.” Bright Crystal paced the hall like a cat. “Would Lt. Kamasaki be offended if we got all the Japanese drunk? We cannot afford to have your lieutenant upset.”
“It will be hard to get Akiro drunk, but I’ll find a way to tell him to pretend. He often complains that his colleagues get drunk and do irresponsible things. I’m sure he will be willing to help the Huangs, for my sake.”
“Go back to the banquet before they become suspicious. Leave everything to me.” Bright Crystal disappeared into the kitchen.
When the Japanese messenger arrived on his motorcycle, the doorman directed him to park it outside the front gate.
“The general was not pleased with the disturbance,” he was told. He was then led to a back parlor where a feast of food and sake waited for him on a small table. The soldier was sorely tempted, but following protocol, he asked to speak first to General Goto. He was told to wait.
The soldier had come from sentry duty, and the ride on the motorcycle had further chilled him. The scent of warm sake wafted up from the little table. He edged closer. Suddenly, he heard footsteps. He drew away and straightened himself in preparation for a salute.
The footsteps stopped near the door and a female voice trilled, “No, no, General Goto, you really must not.” A lady giggled. There was the hard breathy sound of an urgent male, entreating in unintelligible Japanese. The soldier smiled knowingly, while the doorman entered with his head lowered in mock embarrassment.
“The general wishes you to rest a while and wait.”
The soldier relaxed and dug into his feast. A serving girl arrived repeatedly to refill his wine.
When the Japanese had become woozy from their drinks and were settled into their limousine ride home, Glorious Dragon headed for his sister’s house. Since his return to Shanghai, he had concentrated upon recuperating. His appearance late at night was a great surprise to the Huangs. He had a new chauffeur and a new car. His shoes shone under clean white spats; he looked smart in his wool suit. He asked that they should not wake the children.
“Oh Dragon-dee, you’re looking so well!” Purple Jade exclaimed. She wiped her tears of relief. “Where have you been? We’ve been so worried about you!”
“In these times, homeless people wander around the whole country. It is easy to melt into the crowd,” answered her brother. He had decided he must be brief with tales of his traumatic journey. He must curb all emotions. He must attend to the urgent task before him. “I’ve been back to Hangzhou. The news is not good.”
“I do wish we could go back.” Purple Jade shook her head to blur the images of destruction heaving through her head. “Dragon, is it possible to rebuild?”
“No, you cannot go back,” said Glorious Dragon with a sigh. “Jade-jei, Virtue-ko is a famous patriot; it won’t be safe for him to go back. They’re executing resistance leaders every day.”
He turned to Righteous Virtue and said casually, “I hear you’ve been doing some very daring things!”
“Have you, now?” Righteous Virtue responded, feeling proud. Few people could appreciate his courage as much as his daredevil brother-in-law. “I’ve continued to produce Nationalist uniforms and ship them to Chungking via Hong Kong.”
“Yes, so I’ve heard.” Glorious Dragon took another sip of tea. “You’re working double shifts — slip
ping them right under the Japanese’s noses.”
“Did Iris tell you this?”
“No, I wish she had. She’s not used to questioning your decisions. The Japanese have already issued warrants for your arrest! With hundreds of workers in your plant, didn’t it occur to you that someone might be tempted by the enemy’s reward money and report you as a patriot?”
“Oh my lord, you never told me about these activities. You’re in grave danger!” Purple Jade exclaimed.
“I know there are risks, but I thought I had picked only the most trustworthy workers. How can I sit here prospering while the country suffers? Is your information reliable?”
“After the East Ocean Devils entered Shanghai, I returned to Bright Crystal. She’s as lovely as ever and entertains dignitaries with such flair.” Glorious Dragon smiled. “She’s some lady!”
“Some lady, sure! She’s a traitor!” Righteous Virtue struck the table with his fist, and stood fuming.
“Hold your temper, Virtue-ko.” Glorious Dragon’s voice belied his own anger. “We owe all our family fortunes to this brave lady and now you owe her your life!”
“What?”
“She has delayed your arrest, but they know of your activities and they will come for you very soon.”
“My lord, you must flee with your next shipment.” Purple Jade was dry-eyed but her voice trembled.
“No, you must flee tonight! Everyone here can plead ignorance to what you were doing,” said Glorious Dragon.
Righteous Virtue began to pace. “The family must all go with me. I can’t bear the thought of endangering you. You come too, Dragon. We’ll start a new factory in Hong Kong.”
“Hong Kong is English,” Purple Jade reminded him.
“The people are Chinese!”
“But my lord, they are Cantonese. They speak like foreigners!”
“Learning a new Chinese dialect is a small price to pay for freedom.”
“You’re my lord,” came her whispered reply. “I shall go anywhere you wish. With my bound feet, I have never enjoyed freedom. Now Brook-mei is big with child. We will endanger our son . . .” She could not continue.
“Virtue, I cannot leave Bright Crystal,” said Glorious Dragon. “Also I have obligations toward the Chou family silk factory. You must leave immediately, and the family will slow you down. I’ll take care of my sister and your family.”
Righteous Virtue continued pacing, unable to accept the coming separation. After a long pause, he faced his brother-in-law: “Thank you, Dragon. We owe you debts we can never repay.” He beat his right fist into his left hand in frustration. “How are you to take care of two families when the uniform factory is closed?”
“I was going to spare you the news, but the silk factory is prospering because the Japanese air force is in great need of parachutes. It won’t be difficult for me to secure a contract to manufacture uniforms for them.”
Righteous Virtue banged both fists on the wall crying: “Dragon, you have driven me too far! You’re forcing my family to depend on traitors!”
Purple Jade paled.
Going to the window, Glorious Dragon stood for a long while, staring into the dark skywell. He answered in a steady voice: “Virtue-ko, I have told you when we were in Hangzhou: it is not easy to ride with the dragon. When I see an opportunity, I shall send you parachutes, along with whatever useful information I hear. You know General Chin is still powerful with the Nationalists. In their eyes, I am already a traitor.”
Righteous Virtue’s tears came freely now, amid apologies, words of farewell and endearments. He saw Purple Jade crawl upstairs on her hands and knees. He ran to the stairs.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed, “but it is the fastest way I can climb the stairs.”
“No, no, no,” her husband replied. “I shouldn’t have . . .” He kneeled and lowered his head into her lap. “Forgive me. I couldn’t stand by . . .”
“Yes, you are the true Righteous Virtue of our nation!” Purple Jade rose and walked upstairs. She clenched her fist and put on her old mask of dignity.
When Purple Jade and Orchid came down with his small suitcases, Righteous Virtue had already composed himself. Avoiding eye contact, and with a few words of farewell to his two wives, he accepted his bags. “Tell the girls that I stole away so they can truly claim ignorance of my activities. I’ll write to them.” He left with Glorious Dragon.
When Silver Bell came down to the library the following day, she saw a snowy mountain of cocoons glistening in the morning sun. The worms had climbed the branches weeks before and done their work. With the house in upheaval, no one had thought of them. When the children were told of their father’s absence, they were stunned into silence, but tears flowed down their cheeks. Silver Bell ordered hot water and soaked every cocoon in it. It would not be right to save some for eggs now that they must buy mulberry leaves. She was determined to reel each cocoon herself. She would weave a silk scarf for her father even if it took her the rest of her life. She had just turned ten and, like the cocoons, no one seemed to have noticed.
THE HUANG FAMILY read and reread Righteous Virtue’s letters after he reached Hong Kong. Purple Jade wrote to her husband twice a week, repeating all the important information, and hoped that he would receive at least one letter per month. The mail was not reliable during wartime.
When the Chinese New Year came, the house on Petain Road remained quiet because Purple Jade thought it wise not to receive guests outside of the immediate family. She and the girls went to cousin Chou Ling’s home on New Year’s Eve, where a ten-course feast was prepared for all the Chous. Cousin Der Wei had become more addicted to opium than ever. He required his pipe after dinner. The Huangs went home at ten. Purple Jade promised her daughters firecrackers as soon as their uncle Dragon would arrive the next morning.
Comely Brook prepared “goodie” boxes for the girls to be placed beside their pillows. They now shared a bedroom. The first thing they did on New Year’s morning was to eat sweets that would bring good fortune in the New Year. They compared their contents.
“See what I have here — dried lichee nuts, dragon eyes, candied lotus seeds, green olives, apples, kumquats, and tangerines. These are the same as those we used to have in Hangzhou,” Silver Bell said to her sister. “Look, here is a package of golden candy coins!”
“Open one. The chocolate inside is delicious,” Golden Bell said. “I think these come from America.”
“Yes, yummy! I wonder why we never had them in Hangzhou.” Silver Bell licked her lips. She unwrapped another gold coin. “Still, I miss the drums, the music, the dragon dances, the fireworks, and all the noisy fun at home every New Year. Do you remember the time the sparklers burned a hole in my New Year’s jacket? No one could scold me because no angry words are allowed on New Year’s Day.” She chuckled. “Peony and I had such a laugh watching the fussy second koo-ma’s face when she had to compliment me on my twirling sparklers and ignore the hole in my new brocade jacket!”
“Oh, life was so stifling in Hangzhou! I wonder if Hong Kong is just like America. Isn’t it a British colony just as America used to be? I wonder if everyone speaks English there.”
“I don’t know,” replied Silver Bell. “Write to Father and ask him. Tell him Brook Ma-ma is wonderful. She is helping me with my silk-weaving project.”
“I’m not going to help.” Golden Bell pouted. “No one understands me here except Iris. It is not only that no one understands English, but they can’t understand me even when I try explaining things to them in the most proper Chinese!” She jumped out of bed. “Come, look out for me. I’m going to use the bathroom.”
“Wait, Mother bought chamber pots for every room and ordered everyone to use them!”
“We used the bathrooms when Father was here!”
“Don’t get us into trouble! Mother said we must use the pots to help old Chen fertilize our garden!”
“All these old-country ways drive me crazy!” Golden Bell stamped her foot.<
br />
“You’re the only defiant one!”
“I’m going to write and tell Father about all this nonsense!”
“Do you think Father will agree with you?”
“Of course he will. He is a modern man. I’ll also ask him to buy us an automobile.”
“You’re right.” Silver Bell nodded. “I heard Uncle Dragon tell Mother the uniform factory is prospering.”
“It is really infuriating that Mother should buy a rickshaw and hire old Chen to pull it.” Golden Bell shook her upturned hands in exasperation. “Old Chen must have been a farmer near Hangzhou. Look at our front and back skywell. He has turned the few square yards of dirt into vegetable patches. He insists it is a waste to flush urine down our modern toilets.” Golden Bell ran out of the room.
When she returned, she said, “Old Chen is not going to get my contribution when he knocks on the back door every morning and evening asking for fertilizer!”
“Ugh! The smell is terrible!”
“Old Chen is not even a good rickshaw puller.” Golden Bell started dressing. “He is so feeble and pulls so very slowly. When I’m in a hurry to go some place, he tells me Mother has errands for him on the way.”
“I think Mother is being kind. She doesn’t want him to pull for long stretches without a rest, so she lets him pause to buy her needle or thread or something.”
“But Old Chen puts on such airs. He takes an eternity to get us anywhere!”
“I know!” Silver Bell exclaimed. “In school, Mrs. Curtis told us rickshaw pulling is an insult to human dignity. It is work for a beast of burden!” She smiled at her sister. “Help me write an English letter to Father. If we both write, perhaps he will ask Mother to buy us an automobile. Then we won’t feel ashamed to invite our friends home, and they won’t think we are such country bumpkins. After all, this is a very fashionable section of town!”
“Hmm, a good idea! I’ll help you write in English. Father will be impressed.” Golden Bell spent more time with her sister now that Iris lived in Bright Crystal’s house. “Let’s tell him that Liang Red Phoenix has been elected president of our student body. Her father has a very successful business somewhere. She goes around town in the most smashing Packard automobile. The license plate says number eight, so we all call her Packard eight. Even the American teachers sometimes call her by that nickname because it is easier for them to say things in English than to say Liang Houng Foung” (Red Phoenix).
