The Tortoise in Asia

by Tony Grey

  “Admittedly he went about it in a clumsy way, but his purpose was commendable. In doing so he was following one of the fundamental precepts of Confucius – that one, in good conscience, should confront a superior when he is wrong. In the absence of that how can righteousness be assured? All the more remarkable that he did it, as he is a foreigner. True, he failed to follow the rituals, but that should be forgiven as he is not schooled in them.

  “With your permission, I would like to call Huang Bo as a witness.”

  “Yes, go ahead.”

  An usher brings Huang Bo in by the side door. Face impassive, he’s guided towards the dais. He stands in front, a few paces away from Kang.

  “Huang Bo, you are the commanding officer of the platoon in which Wu-Jiang served in the recent battle with the Hsiung-nu, is that right?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “I want you to describe to the Protector- General the actions of Wu-Jiang in the battle. I remind you that you must tell the truth or you will be severely punished.”

  “Yes sir, I know. I was leading my men forward in the attack when four Hsiung-nu surrounded Sun Chonglin and knocked him down. Before they could finish him off, Wu-Jiang rushed forward and chased them away, killing one of them and saving Sun Chonglin’s life. It was a brave act and should have been rewarded. I made a recommendation but it was never acted on. Someone higher up stopped it.

  “We heard later that Wu-Jiang was accused of cowardice and was to the punished. I understand he was thrown into prison. The accusation may have been based on an earlier event in the battle, which was misunderstood. In the thick of the fighting Wu-Jiang pulled back with four men to entice the Hsiung-nu to overextend. The tactic was sensible; it was not cowardly. Anyway it had the desired effect.”

  “Are there other men in your platoon who are willing to corroborate your story? Was the accused there to your knowledge?”

  “All the men in my platoon will back up what I said. Three of them are waiting outside to testify if your Lordship wants them. I saw the Roman contingent fighting next to us. I don’t remember seeing the accused specifically but I assume he was there because the other foreigners were.”

  Kang calls Marcus to testify: “Marcus Velinius Agricola, please tell the Protector-General what you saw on the day of the battle. You are expected to strictly tell the truth. Is that understood?

  “Yes it is. I saw what Huang Bo described. I was fighting with my cohort next to Wu-Jiang’s platoon. I was concentrating on what I was doing since the action was heavy at the time, but I could easily observe Wu-Jiang driving off the Hsiung-nu soldiers, also saving his comrade. It only took a second to see.”

  “Tell the Protector-General why you spoke up that day.”

  “It seemed to me that a brave man was being falsely accused. I knew very well what happened in the battle. Where I come from, saving a comrade in battle at the risk of one’s own life produces the highest medal the army can give to a soldier below a general. There’s nothing higher.

  “What was alleged was absolutely untrue. I felt I had to speak up. I didn’t mean to be undiplomatic. If I gave offence I apologise for it. I acknowledge that I could’ve got the point across in a better way. But I can assure you that I had no intention of insulting Colonel Chen. He’s in a position of high authority and I respect that. I know now that an indirect approach to superiors is required in the Han culture. But I didn’t know that at the time. In Rome we are usually direct. It’s a big difference.”

  “Thank you, Marcus Velinius. Protector-General, you see what the facts of the Wu-Jiang case are. No one has come forward to dispute them. I submit that the only conclusion that can be reasonably drawn is that the army staff made a mistake. Let us accept that it was unintentional and that nobody needs to be blamed.

  “As for the accused, he was acting reasonably, out of a desire to correct that mistake. He has apologised for speaking in too importunate a manner. I ask Colonel Chen to accept the apology and forgive him. He was only trying to help someone falsely accused, who I remind you is a member of our own armed forces. In that he was acting as a comrade, something for which we should pleased. Besides, as we all know he performed well on the battlefield.

  “These facts show that he committed no treason, only a breach of etiquette which, because of his different background, should be considered minor. He has received sufficient punishment for that already.”

  Gan says, “Colonel Chen, what do you think?”

  “Protector-General, I consider what the accused said and his manner of saying it were wrong. He shouldn’t have done it. We cannot have foreigners opposing our authority, no matter what the reason is. I’m pleased however that the record has been set straight on the Wu-Jiang affair by Huang Bo. He’ll be released immediately. I’ll award him the Order of Merit, first degree. He can go back to his unit.

  “As for the accused, he deserved punishment. However, taking into account the fact that he’s served over two months in prison and has apologised, I consider he’s received enough.”

  “I agree with your wisdom Colonel Chen,” Gan says.” I order the accused to be released. He can now rejoin his comrades. Let this be a lesson to him that the Han are fair minded but will not brook any disrespect. I thank you all for coming here, especially Kang Guiren for shedding light on this difficult matter. A deviation in the right order of things has been corrected and a useful ally has been rehabilitated. The proceedings are terminated.”

  Marcus receives the verdict with an impassive face. Among the Han, it’s not considered dignified to show emotion, nor in Rome either. He feels it deeply though and has to fight to keep it hidden. Most of all it is gratitude to Kang, a man who has crossed the valley of difference to be a true friend, his allegiance duly tried. That fact is almost as important as being released from prison; it proves that it’s possible to make the sort of connection that must be made if he’s to find a sense of home in this alien culture where he’ll undoubtedly spend the rest of his life. That link and what it leads to can’t occur without a process. It has started with Kang.

  Now that he has his freedom, to make it worthwhile he must gain the consent of Meilin’s father. That issue must come to a head without delay.

  CHAPTER 20

  Meilin and Gan are in the family suite which has several rooms. Meilin is in hers, thinking about how she should approach her father, desperately worried that he’ll refuse and what she should do if he does. The sun is streaming through her small casement window lighting up the blue silk which covers the roughness of the mud brick walls. She paces up and down, treading heedlessly on the intricately designed silk rugs woven with the famous blind stitch. Each stitch, closely applied to give the surface its sheen, is so tiny that many of the weavers eventually lose their sight. She’s in two minds; should she go to see him now or wait. Maybe something will happen to put him in a particularly good mood. That’s procrastination. She must go now and face the consequences.

  With a burst of determination she leaves the room and walks through the stone corridor up to the top of the southern tower where he has his office. It looks over a stand of poplars past the hot cobblestone quadrangle.

  On her way, she sees them through the window and stops for a second in thought. The local tradition comes to mind where a newly married couple is given a young poplar tree as a wedding present. Might she and Marcus be given one and might its symbol ensure, as it’s supposed to, that they’ll have a long life and be fruitful? Tense and anxious, she goes through the door her father always leaves open. He’s at his desk signing some papers.

  Too impatient to give the usual polite greeting, she blurts out,

  “Father, I want to tell you something very important, but I’m nervous you won’t like it. I implore you to be understanding. You’ve always been kind to me. Please be kind now.”

  “What is it my dearest child?”

  “I’m in love with the Roman officer, the one on trial who you released from prison today. He says he’s in love wit
h me and I know he is. We want to get married.”

  “Oh dear”, Gan says, exhaling wearily. His shoulders slump.

  “How did this happen. How could you even have met him?”

  “I saw him at the victory celebrations where he spoke out and was sent to prison. I thought that was a terrible thing to do to someone who was only trying to help. You’ve always taught me how important righteousness is. What Colonel Chen did was not right.

  “I went to see him to say we’re not all like Colonel Chen. He seemed like a good man, wrongly treated. I came to see him often in prison and we got to know each other. I thought he was interesting, not like the young men out here, superficial and barely educated – really boring.

  “What d’you think father? I know this looks odd. But it wouldn’t be the first time for a marriage between us and foreigners. The Court often sends daughters of high born officials, even princesses, to be married to Hsiung-nu chieftains. They’re completely different from us, much more barbaric than Romans, judging by Marcus. Those girls have to marry against their will, to men they can’t even carry on a decent conversation with. They smell and are always drunk on that horrid mare’s milk. The girls are unhappy for the rest of their lives. But it happens. At least I would be happy.”

  “I don’t know Meilin. This is very unusual – never happened before. It’s different with the Hsiung-nu – at least they look like us. Besides there’s a diplomatic reason. None here. It’s different, different.

  “Your mother and I have always thought you would marry an official and live in genteel society one day. I know it’s a bleak place out here to bring up a daughter, but we won’t always live in Gaochang. Perhaps, now I’m a marquis, I can get a posting in Chang-an, or at least in Lanzhou. There you’ll find more interesting people. They’re much more cultivated. Can’t you wait for that?”

  “I don’t want to meet anyone else. I love Marcus. Don’t you see?”

  “Yes, yes, I suppose. Anyway, this is all very sudden, very sudden. You’ll have to let me have time to think about it. I’ll speak to your mother. In the meantime I think it best you don’t see the Roman.”

  “Father, I don’t want to go to a big city. I want to live in a place where the air is free and I can hear the birds. Why can’t I see Marcus. We’re not doing anything wrong.”

  “I just think it’s better. We don’t want gossip to start. You know what rumour mongers people are out here. It would be very damaging to our family if word got out about this. Now, I have some more papers to sign. We’ll speak about this later.”

  He lowers his head into the papers and she leaves. It could have been worse. At least she has a chance to work on her mother, who’s a bit of a romantic and could be sympathetic. But the task is going to be difficult. Her father doesn’t like confrontations, so his leaving the issue open may not mean much. Besides, while he’s a benign man he’s very conservative.

  She goes straight to her mother’s chamber and tells her about Marcus and the conversation she’s just had.

  “Mother, what d’you think? Will you help me persuade Father?”

  “Oh my goodness, Meilin, I don’t know what to say. Your father’s right to take time to think about it. Something like this has never happened before. People will be shocked. I suppose you must listen to your heart. But be patient – don’t push too hard.

  “I don’t know what to say. I’m sympathetic of course- I want you to be happy. But after all we live among traditions. You know how strong they are. We have to mind what people think, especially in our position. If your father loses face we’ll all be finished.”

  “Can’t you be stronger than that Mother? I need real support. It’s going to be hard to persuade him. Your help will be crucial. To be any use at all you’ll have to take a stand. Tell him interracial marriages have been allowed in the past– with the Hsiung-nu. Why not here? Please Mother.”

  “It’s hard for me too Meilin. This is all very stressful. Oh, why did it have to happen? Couldn’t you just not see the Roman for a while? Maybe you’ll feel differently after a bit.”

  “Mother.”

  “No, I suppose not. All right, I’ll do what I can. But don’t be impatient. This’ll take time. You know how cautious your father is. He’s always afraid of making the wrong decision. It’s a good thing not to take risks.”

  ❧

  That night Marcus is back in his tent a free man, with a pillow filled with salt as is the custom. Cool air slips through the entrance, its flap folded back. Relief at his release leads him into a deep and dream-free slumber. The Eumenides are off bothering someone else. At the end of his bed Ting Ting snores, a feature of the compromised breathing of his breed.

  Around midnight he’s awakened by furious barking, louder and more insistent than ever before. It takes a couple of seconds to register. He rolls over to take a look – just in time to see an arm and a knife in the air. Instinctively he lurches upwards towards the shadowy figure and tumbles with it onto the ground. Ting Ting has locked his jaws onto the intruder’s pant leg and is violently shaking it from side to side, growling fiercely. As Marcus tries to grab the knife arm, the man breaks free, kicks Ting Ting off, and runs out of the tent. Shaken but angry, Marcus looks outside but sees nothing. He goes back into the tent to find Ting Ting.

  “Good dog, Ting Ting, very good dog. You saved my life”, he says, still breathless and heart racing, as he pats his little friend. “You deserve a reward.”

  He rummages around for the dried meat he always keeps for a treat. Enough starlight comes through the entrance to find it. Ting Ting sits up on his haunches, tight with anticipation, bulging eyes gleaming in the partial light. He’s capable of supernatural concentration whenever food is the object – a role model in the art of focussing. Marcus gives him several morsels which he gulps down, too eager to chew.

  In the early morning he takes Ting Ting for his usual walk. As soon as they’re outside the tent, Ting Ting zooms off at top speed in a figure of two interlocking loops, his short legs working at furious pace. The pattern ends at Marcus, with the little dog panting and wagging his tail. He often does this when he’s happy.

  Leaving Ting Ting in the tent to sleep – he loves to sleep whenever he can, no matter whether it’s night or day, Marcus goes to see Kang.

  “Guiren, last night someone tried to kill me while I was sleeping. My dog woke me up just in time. An intruder was about to stab me with a knife. I was able to knock him down but he fled before I could hold him. I couldn’t see his face so I wouldn’t recognize him. Have you any idea who it might be?”

  “No I don’t. This is serious. I’ll investigate. Colonel Chen is devious enough to be behind it. He really had no choice but to let you go. Maybe he’s feeling vengeful. I’ll see what I can find out.”

  “I wonder”, Marcus says,” whether the Protector- General had something to do with it. Meilin told him we wish to get married and he didn’t like it. I’d be surprised though since he and I’ve always gotten along well, unlike Chen.”

  “No I’m certain it wouldn’t be him. He’s a good-natured man, a bit indecisive at times but not murderous. He’s incapable of doing something like this. He’s too attuned to Confucian ideals. It has to be someone else. Just go about your normal duties while I investigate. Don’t tell anyone.”

  As soon as Marcus goes back to his tent he speaks to Gaius and a few of his officers in confidence, ignoring Kang’s advice not to tell anybody – he probably meant only the Han anyway. The Romans organize a watch at night to prevent further attempts.

  ❧

  Three days have passed since Meilin spoke to her father. It seems he’s avoiding her, or maybe he’s just too busy. In the meantime her mother has approached him several times. She’s tried to press the case, but despite a desire to help, the edge of her advocacy is blunted by the grinding mill of tradition. It’s the father’s decision in the end and in her heart she’s content to let him take the blame.

  Meilin can’t wait any l
onger. She bursts into her father’s office. He’s alone, reading a scroll of parchment, a cup of tea on his desk.

  “Father, have you made up your mind? I must know.”

  He looks up, surprised by the suddenness. His daughter is usually more circumspect.

  ”Meilin, this is something that can’t be decided quickly. There’s a lot to consider, more than you probably appreciate. You must be patient. I’m thinking about it.”

  “If you don’t give your consent I’ll be unhappy for the rest of my life. I’ll never marry another man. Please, father. Marcus is a brave soldier and a good man. You’ve said so yourself.”

  “You know your happiness is important to me Meilin. But you must understand this is highly irregular. What would people in polite society think? Or people around here, even. I can accept that Marcus is a good man, but it’s so irregular, so irregular. It’s not the same as a marriage made to secure a treaty. There’s no diplomatic reason here. Love is important but not the only thing where marriage is concerned. I don’t want to disappoint you but I can’t give my consent yet. Give me more time. I must consult with people.”