Yut Di - One Earth Omnibus Prologue & Chapter 1

?Prologue

"History is written by the victors not the victims."

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, China was

the richest country on earth. Between 1740 and 1800, the population of

China increased from 143 million to nearly 300 million. By the 1850s the

Qing or Manchu Dynasty had ruled over China for 200 years. The Manchus

had invaded from the north, driving the armies of the Ming Dynasty south

until they finally reached Guangdong province. Many Ming loyalists fled

overseas in hopes of one day returning to topple the Qing dynasty. After

defeating the Ming forces, the Manchus attempted to quash the hopes of

Ming loyalists from forming a resistance movement overseas by passing

an edict preventing their countrymen from going abroad. The penalty for

those violating the law was decapitation. For 200 years the Ming loyalists

dreamed of the time when the Mandate of Heaven would pass from their

Manchu oppressors. When the British defeated the Qing in the Opium

Wars the Ming loyalists saw it as a sign that the time had come.

The Opium War started over the confiscation and destruction of British

opium by Chinese government authorities in 1837. The principal underlying

issues concerned the removal of trade barriers and the administration

of Chinese justice. A trade imbalance created by the ever-growing demand

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for Chinese imports drained the coffers of the British monarchy. Dealing

with the threat of colonial rebellions further diminished the coffers of the

royal exchequer. The use of opium in China was changing from a medicinal

use to a recreational use for the rich. The British decided to capitalize on

the growing appetite for opium in China to correct their imbalance in trade.

Hundreds of thousands of acres of the richest land of the Ganges and the

plains of India were converted from mostly cotton-growing to the cultivation

of poppies administered by the British East India Company. Opium

was manufactured in Bengali by the East India Company under a royal

charter originally granted by Queen Elizabeth in 1600. Massive cargoes of

opium were stored and delivered to islands off the coast of China. Transport

of shipments of opium to the coastal regions of China was protected by the

British fleet. They were then picked up by Chinese traders who smuggled

them for inland distribution. Prior to the American Revolution (1775-1783),

fewer than 200 chests had flowed into China annually. Shipments rose to

2000 chests in 1800, 3,211 chests in 1816, 16,000 chests in 1831, and 40,000

chests in 1838. After the Opium War, shipments rose to 70,000 chests.

When the Emperor’s own son died of an overdose the Emperor decided

to put an end to the trade. The Emperor appointed Lin Tse-Hsü as Imperial

Commissioner and sent him to Canton with instructions to negotiate an

end to the importation of opium into China. Upon his arrival in 1839 Lin

attempted to initiate an exchange of Chinese tea for British-held opium.

The English merchants refused to co-operate. After a month and a half of

negotiation Charles Elliot, the British Superintendent of Trade in China

convinced the British traders to relinquish 20,000 chests of opium each

bearing approximately 55 kilograms of opium with the promise of reimbursement

from the British government. Once the cargo was received by

government authorities, a labour force of 500 mixed 2.6 million pounds of

opium with lime and salt over 23 days and jettisoned it into the open sea

off the shores of Hong Kong. Prior to the outbreak of the Opium War, Lin

Tse-Hsu wrote and published an open letter in Canton, addressed to Queen

Victoria to explain and to justify his actions. It has never been chronicled

whether the letter was ever received by Queen Victoria, but the letter may

have changed the history of the world as we know it today. The following is

a summary of the letter:

A Communication to Your Majesty, Queen Victoria:

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The Way of Heaven is fairness to all; it does not suffer us to harm others

to benefit ourselves. Men are alike in this regard all over the world, they

cherish life and hate what endangers life. For the betterment of all nations

our great Emperor wishes to appease and resolve the growing tensions

between China and the other nations of the world. If there is profit

China will share it with the peoples of the world; if there is harm it will

be removed for the sake of humanity. Our belief is that what is just and

fair for one nation is just and fair for all nations of the world.

The benefits from trade has been mutually enjoyed by both our countries

for two hundred years but there appear among us purveyors of opium

who wish only to profit and disregard the harm to the people of the Celestial

Kingdom. His Majesty the Emperor has sent me to resolve this matter.

Those people in China who sell opium or smoke opium will receive the

death penalty. If foreign traders who have been caught selling opium repent

for their crime and confirm their compliance to our laws, we will accept this

as an expression of remorse and repentance and they will be exonerated.

The wealth of our culture is being exploited to profit these individuals.

The profit made by these traders is a result of our culture and ingenuity.

Opium is being produced by the British East India Company in India.

We are aware that very little of their produce reaches the shores of your

homeland and that the use of opium is constrained and very limited in your

country. Since you must realize how harmful this drug is to others then how

can you knowingly allow those under your rule to participate in this enterprise?

Of all that China exports to foreign countries there is not a single

thing which is not beneficial to all people. How can you allow your countrymen

to continue growing, manufacturing and selling products injurious to

our people? All goods imported into China are non-essential, if we close

our borders to foreign trade, how will the rest of the world endure without

tea, silk, satin, chinaware, ginger, cinnamon, etc.?

After this correspondence has been received you must clearly understand

our concern and the need for the severity of our new laws. We ask for your

co-operation to advise your subjects to discontinue & terminate this activity.

Please communicate your response to our request as soon as possible so

our countries may continue to live in peace and harmony.

Lin Tse-Hsu

Imperial Commissioner of the Celestial Court

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Financially unable to reimburse British merchants over the loss of their

goods, the British government sent warships instead of money. Superior military

expertise and technology overwhelmed the military forces of the Qing

government with ease. The Opium War which started in 1839 was the first

Anglo–Chinese war. It ended in 1842 after the Manchu government negotiated

a peace settlement, the Treaty of Nanking, which entitled the British

to an indemnity, unconditional access to 5 treaty ports in Canton, Amoy,

Foochow, Ningbo and Shanghai and the cession of Hong Kong. Under the

indemnity, the Qing government would pay 6 million taels (Chinese currency

- 1.3 oz of silver) in ransom for Canton and an indemnity totaling 33

million taels in reparation for the cost of the war. A document supplemental

to the Treaty of Nanking bestowed extraterritorial rights to British citizens

and most favoured nation status with lower tariffs and higher import quotas

to Britain. With extraterritorial right, foreign nationals were above Chinese

law and native Chinese were relegated to second-class citizens in their own

country. By granting most favoured nation status to the British, China

could not fix her own tariffs to protect her own industries. Mass-produced

goods from the industrialized West flooded Chinese markets disrupting

the centuries-old handicraft economy. Though opium was not mentioned

in the treaty, it was free to flow into China because under extraterritorial

rights, foreign national were exempt from Chinese laws. Following the

British lead, France and USA concluded similar treaties with China in 1844

as more western powers seized the opportunity to exploit and humiliate the

“sick man of Asia”. Like the carcass of a roast pig, western powers sectioned

port cities into their own separate domains of influence. The motto of the

French Revolution “Liberty, Equality & Brotherhood” and the “inalienable

rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” from the Declaration of

Independence rang hollow beyond the borders of France and America.

The Second Opium War provided the British with an excuse to confront

the Chinese on issues of obstruction and non-compliance relating

to the Treaty of Nanking. A vessel carrying opium was apprehended by

the Chinese coastguard. The British claimed the ship was theirs though it

bore no national flag. Even though a formal apology was delivered to the

British consul in Canton, British warships attacked Canton and continued

bombarding the region even though the Chinese offered no resistance. It

was an era of gunboat diplomacy and protest was useless. The British were

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later joined by the French, Russians and the Americans in their war effort

which concluded with additional rights being granted to the foreign powers

with the legalization of the opium trade, access to 10 more ports, cession

of Kowloon to Britain, diplomatic representation, freedom for Christian

churches to evangelize in China. In addition the British were given the

right to participate in the coolie trade. Laborers were indentured based on

unpaid debts, family needs, and false promises and transported throughout

the Pacific region. England and France received 8 million taels of silver in

war reparation. Between 1860 and 1881, the use of opium in China exploded

to epic proportions. It was estimated that one third of the male population

of China were regular users of opium by 1881. The opium trade had a catastrophic

effect on the framework of China’s economy, culture, and traditions.

Chinese society imploded in unbridled misery under an avalanche of opium.

Farmland lay dormant from neglect. Crops remained in the field with no

one to harvest. Sons and daughters stole from their parents and wives from

their husbands to satisfy their hunger for opium. Farmers sold their land

to pay their debts and that of their children and grand-children. Landless

farmers turned to banditry. Parents sold and indentured their children

into servitude as servants, prostitutes and coolie laborers. Instead of raising

daughters in poverty who were considered physically subordinate to males

for working the fields, parents would drown them at birth because feeding

too many endangered survival of the rest and they wanted to avoid subjecting

their daughters to a life of hopeless misery as slaves or prostitutes. Cities

and villages were filled with walking skeletons. The dead and dying cluttered

the streets, the fields, the countryside, the riverbanks, unattended and

abandoned.

The British House of Commons conducted an inquiry on the opium

trade. It agreed with the East India Company’s justification that if they did

not produce opium, someone else would. It was the same plea used by slave

traders and others involved with immoral endeavors: “I did not create the

vice, I only service it”. When the early missionaries arrived in China they

were asked: “Why should we replace our traditional gods with Christianity?

How could the government of your country that professed to be Christian

legalize the importation of opium into China? How could those who import

opium for the sake of personal gain knowing that it is harmful to others

believe in a religion better than our own?”

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The Qing government shifted the burden of indemnities of the Opium

War onto the peasants forcing them to pay higher taxes. Civil unrest became

rampant. Many secret societies such as the Triads, the Ke-Loa Brotherhood,

the Red Turbans, and the White Lotus were formed to oppose the Qing

government. The White Lotus uprising lasted 9 years and was brutally suppressed

by government forces. The 1850 Taiping Rebellion was a civil war in

southern China led by Hong Xiu Quan Li a Christian-inspired fanatic who

professed to be the brother of Jesus Christ. He amassed millions of hopeless

and starving followers disenchanted with the Qing dynasty, their corrupt

officials, and their humiliating defeats at the hands of foreign powers. The

government backed by British and French forces, finally crushed the rebellion

in 1864. It is estimated that over 20 million died in one of the deadliest

conflicts in history. The estimated population of China decreased from

approximately 400million in1820 to approximately 370 million in1881.

With millions homeless and starving, the southern maritime provinces

were the most adversely affected. The people of the south searched for a way

out of their plight of misery and suffering. Peasants who had farmed the

same land for centuries could no longer support their families. The people of

the southern provinces were the first to receive the news about the discovery

of gold in America, a new country with abundant resources that valued

freedom, justice and human equality. To escape the misery and hopelessness,

many chose to defy authority and face decapitation. The men of southern

China flocked to the shores of California in search of work and wealth, to

ensure the survival of their families.

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Chapter 1

New Horizons

May 1880

The past 18 years had been happy and prosperous years

for Dai Woo Cheung and his family. In the fall of 1862 he had returned triumphantly

to his village in the Pearl River Delta of Guangdong Province

in southern China. As a man of wealth he wasted no time in starting new

business ventures exporting Chinese products to Gum San, Gold Mountain,

the term for North America because the mountains were said to be filled

with gold. His wealth and influence grew as the situation in China worsened.

The Pearl River Delta region was overburdened with homeless peasant

families in desperate need of food, shelter and protection from armed factions.

Food production could not keep pace with the growing demand, as

rebel and government forces fed themselves at the expense of farmers and

merchants. Disease, famine and natural disasters such as floods, typhoons,

earthquakes, droughts and pestilence added more fuel to civil unrest. The

Qing dynasty was devastated by the lack of funds since the coffers of imperial

China had been depleted by the Taiping Rebellion and the reparations

paid to foreign government for the Opium Wars. Government corruption

was rampant under the shadow of western domination. Burdened by taxes

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levied years in advance, farmers could no longer feed their families. Opium

was openly available on the streets of every major city in China as merchants

of misery enlarged their spheres of profit. The fabric of traditional

Confucian values was unraveling under a barrage of new western concepts

and ideals. Centuries of Chinese infrastructure was crumbling as government

magistrates struggled to restore control. The dreams of the current

horrors in China that had haunted Dai Woo Cheung and his father many

years before had now come to fruition. These premonitions had helped to

drive him harder to relocate his clan to the new world before the foreseen

catastrophes deepened in severity. Cheung did not know when these events

would come to pass, but he knew that his clan had to be prepared for a time

of great turbulence.

In preparation, Cheung demanded that all family members under the age

of 30 learn the language of the New World. He insisted the young become

God Worshippers and he made the children attend the nearest American

missionary school to learn math, science and English. Many rebelled, but

his relentless pursuit for their conversion won over in time. His continual

praise and rewards for those who excelled succeeded in motivating family

members to learn new concepts despite the taunting and ridicule of the villagers

and their children. As his business ventures grew more prosperous

and employed more and more of the villagers, even his harshest critics were

silenced by his success. Cheung never argued or justified his actions but to

those who would say that he was being contemptuous of his culture and

ancestral traditions he would simply say “If we waste the present by dwelling

too much on the past, the future will hold little promise for our children.”

Though few understood the warning hidden in his words, nobody doubted

the sincerity of his convictions. For it seemed everyone else was only concerned

with the restoration of those harmonious days of the past. Had not

China always enlightened and swayed her conquerors with the superiority

of her wisdom and culture? Why should these barbarians from the West be

any different from the Manchus or the Mongols? Cheung never questioned

the wisdom of his civilization. However, his most vivid dreams rarely lied

and when his father shared similar dreams the path for the clan’s future

seemed clear. He would fulfill his promise to his father.

The ship swayed monotonously back and forth. Cheung remembered

his first journey to Gold Mountain as a twelve-year-old boy with his father

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during the California Gold Rush of 1849. He was happy that his son was

spared the hardship of his first crossing. The pain of those times still danced

in his mind even though he forced himself to focus on the present.

Their destination was the port of Victoria on Vancouver Island in the

province of British Columbia. Cheung had visited there once before during

the early days of the Fraser River Gold Rush. For most travelers from Asia

to Canada , it was the first port of entry before the long journey to the gold

fields. Fort Victoria had been a sleepy little trading post for the Hudson’s

Bay Company prior to the discovery of gold. Then in 1858, Governor James

Douglas of Vancouver Island and New Caledonia published a newspaper

announcement in San Francisco stating that anyone coming to the Fraser

River in search of gold had to apply for a mining license in Fort Victoria.

The town’s population quickly exploded as the weak, the strong, the ignorant,

the wise, the lawful, the lawless, the virtuous, and the virtueless converged

on Fort Victoria from every crevice of humanity.

Fort Victoria was ruled by British law that offered better protection for

the Chinese. California in contrast was ruled only by the passion, desires

and greed of ruthless men with guns. California offered no protection to

anyone who was too timid to use a bullet to satisfy their desires and resolve

their misunderstandings. Although the American influence seemed to be

growing when Cheung departed in 1862, working and living in a British

colony was by far a healthier and safer proposition for all Chinese in contrast

to life in California. The people of the town had welcomed the Chinese

and had encouraged them to set up residences and businesses. They were

respected for their knowledge, their craftsmanship, their honesty, their

sobriety and their industriousness. The town had grown greatly in size

during his visits from 1858 to 1862 and Cheung looked forward to seeing it

once more. He had heard from others that the attitude of the townspeople

had changed towards the Chinese but he knew from past experience that

you could not believe those returning from Gold Mountain in bitter disappointment

because most would colour their misfortune with a coarse

brush. How could these good people turn against the Chinese? When he

and others first arrived in 1858, a period of adjustment was to be expected

because there were some differences in culture and philosophy but there

was nothing insurmountable that knowledge, understanding and good leadership

could not overcome. Were all men not brothers in the same universe?

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The leaders of this country under British rule would surely be men of

principle and wisdom and would understand the basic fundamentals of

human co-existence.

Wing had never been away from home for any longer than a few days.

It had been 10 days since he had left the great port of Canton. The trip on

the lorcha from Canton to Hong Kong took 2 days. They boarded the steam

ship “Strathearn” when they reached the port of Hong Kong. The main

cargo were coolies (indentured laborers, derived from Kuli an Indian word

meaning “bitter strength”) heading to Gold Mountain.

Wing sought to understand the purpose of the journey to Gum San and

why he was chosen for the journey. Father had said that the laborers occupied

the lower level of the ship and that we would not see them until we

arrived at our destination. He also said that we may see many poor people

during our journey but we could do very little to help them because every

man has his own fate and we must not disturb or alter the fate of others

unless you expect to assume some responsibility for those you have affected.

Feeding a poor man today may be a noble act of kindness but if this man

cannot feed himself who will feed his wife and children and their children’s

children tomorrow? And what if the person you save becomes evil?

Who will undo his evil deeds or his children’s evil deeds? The accumulated

responsibility was too much to bear. It is much wiser to only help the few

you know and trust. Why was father talking like this? Back in the village,

father was always prepared to help almost anyone in need. Did the villagers

not always come to him first in times of famine, flood, sickness and

drought? Something was amiss; this journey was such a mystery. There

were so many questions, but his father only answered in riddles. His father

never volunteered answers when he could encourage his children to ponder

and reason for themselves. And there was always a reward when he was

pleased with the use of logic and common sense. But why was I chosen for

this journey? Of the three sons why was I selected for the journey? Is this

a reward or a punishment? I am the youngest son just 12 years old. Why

not eldest brother Yuen who is 17 years old, or Hong, who is 15 years old?

I so wish that he had taken one of them. I am so scared that I will disappoint

him. My brothers are much bigger, much stronger, much smarter

and much, much braver. I cry every time I think of home. This ship keeps

moving up and down and I keep dreaming I will be tossed over the side and

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left to drown. What really grieves me the most is that I miss my little sister

May Yun. I wonder if she has found those toys I made for her. I hid them

before I left in all her secret spots in the inner courtyard. I am sure she will

cry whenever she thinks of me. Good, fill the ocean with your tears, May

Yun. I wish it were you on this floating dragon and not me. After father’s

sudden announcement that her favourite playmate had been selected to

journey with him to Gold Mountain he remembered the last days of tears

and anguish that his little sister suffered through prior to his departure. No

beloved sister, it is better me than you. Why should I curse you with my

pain when you would lovingly endure it? Anyway you could never digest

this food. It is truly barbaric – blood-soaked slices of beef, baked egg and

flour pudding, tasteless boiled vegetables and potatoes ground in milk and

butter. Father said that my stomach will get used to it. If only its passage did

not offend my mouth and tongue first. Maybe the food is better on the lower

level with the laborers. I overheard one of the stewards say that they eat rice

every day. Why is it forbidden for me to go below?

It had been another restless night with little sleep for Cheung and his son.

The ocean appeared to be calmer this morning as Cheung peered out the

porthole. Wing looked forward to going to the dining lounge to eat breakfast.

Pork sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, baked beans and toast with butter

and jams was the meal Wing found to be the most palatable. It was still a

little early to get up. Wing lingered in a lazy drowse trying hard to recapture

glimpses of his home in China while his father studied foreign newspapers

and books that he had received from his friends the American missionaries

who taught at the school his children had attended. They had come to visit

father regularly and they were always invited for dinners, parties and the

many different Chinese festivals. Father spoke very highly of these friends

because he felt those who would leave the comfort of their home, family, relatives

and friends to be surrounded by poverty, ignorance and despair must

be men and women of great virtue. For what did they receive in return? The

satisfaction of knowing they had benefited others they did not know and

who may or may not be thankful for being helped? It is no use Wing thought,

my sleep won’t return. I can leave this ship only in my sleep. Now even that

has forsaken me.

“Good morning, illustrious father.” (italicized print - signifies dialogue

spoken in Chinese, but paraphrased into English)

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“Good morning, beloved third son, did your bed sheets have another successful

night?”

Slightly embarrassed, Wing defended his past mishap, “Father, before this

journey I have never slept on a ship. I did not know I would have such silly dreams.

You do not help my situation by reminding me of this small problem. It’s been

many days now without a reoccurrence. Please let us not mention it again even

in jest.”

Observing the earnestness of his son, Cheung realized that his son was

paying too dearly for his amusement, “It will be as you wish, my son.”

Suddenly there were three solid raps on the cabin door. Already dressed

and washed Cheung opened the door and found Mr. Osgood, the chief

steward of the dining lounge. He was a giant of a man by Chinese standards.

He was maybe 40 years old, stood over six feet tall, slender build, short dark

curly hair, meticulously groomed with a well-trimmed short mustache and

beard, high cheek bones, and grayish-blue eyes. In a courteous but formal

tone Mr. Osgood said, “Mr. Dai, sorry to disturb you so early in the morning,

but Captain Anderson requested that we change the seating arrangements

temporarily. He asked for your permission to do so.”

“Mr. Osgood, do you know why?”

“Sorry Mr. Dai, the Captain never explains his reasoning. He just commands

and I obey, but I am sure he means well.”

“Well, as long as it is only temporary you have my approval, Mr. Osgood.”

“Jolly good, can the Captain expect you for breakfast at 8 o’clock? He

wanted to personally introduce you to the other guests at your new table.”

Cheung pondered momentarily. “The Captain wants me to meet

someone.” The Captain seemed to be a good man. Although his conversations

with him were always brief and formal, Cheung assumed this from the

respect that he gave and received in return from his subordinates. Cheung

answered “My son and I will be there at eight o’clock.”

“Very well Mr. Dai, thank you very much and sorry once again for calling

on you so early.”

Overhearing the conversation, Wing quickly washed and started to dress.

The new clothes were so uncomfortable. How could one ever feel comfortable

in them? Silk was so much more comfortable and cooler for summer

use. You do nothing but sweat profusely in garments made of cotton and

wool and they were so much heavier than silk. I will never get used to these

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clothes. Why does father insist we wear them? The American missionaries

never wore Chinese garments when they came to visit our home. Why

should we adopt their clothing when we are visiting their country? Well,

father, what riddles will you answer me with today? With his face contorted

as he struggled with his collar and tie Wing queried, “Father why do we wear

these foreign clothes when we can wear our own? Surely, they can tell we are

Chinese. Why must we try to look like them when it is quite obvious that we are

not? I did not see the American missionaries wearing Chinese garments when they

lived amongst us.”

“My son, I can see that you have thought long and hard before asking me these

questions. Let me ask you this. If we are emulating them, what does that tell you?”

“Their society is superior to ours?”

“Perhaps, perhaps not, until the Opium Wars, our society had survived for

many generations in relative peace. One of the most important goals in life is the

quest for knowledge. We must always strive to learn from those that we respect

and admire. Knowledge always improves an individual’s opportunities and the

chance of survival during a crisis. During my travels and my association with foreigners,

I have learnt many things. I have learnt how to read and write the English

language, which has helped me to understand their history. When the population

of a nation in the West grew too large to support itself within its own boundaries it

took over the land of its neighbors, just as our early ancestors did. As a consequence,

the nations of the West had to develop military expertise to survive because they

were perpetually at war. Our country went through a similar pattern of warring

states before the Mongols united China under a single power. This has not occurred

in the West. With limited military threats our rulers allowed natural disasters,

disease and famines to curb our populations. Meanwhile western technology had

advanced, applying and improving many things that their early traders brought

back from China, like making paper, printing, gun powder, and the compass. At

this time, Western technology may have advanced past us, but history will judge

which path would have been best for the future of humanity. Their military might

and skill is superior, but their philosophy and their right of conquest is contrary

to our belief in peaceful co-existence. The biggest and strongest are not always the

wisest. Without wisdom, power is temporary. The West must be truly admired

for their remarkable technological advances but victims do not remain weak

forever. Their philosophy of perpetual greed is fraught with envy, hatred and violence,

which can only lead to ever-growing conflict. The Han (largest ethnic group

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in China with ancestry originating from the Yangtze River basin) have always

believed that trading with others for what was needed and allowing nature to run

its course was a more enlightened strategy for peace. The Manchus have grown

arrogant and underestimated the advances in western technology. China will never

be the same and must learn from mistakes of the past. The world has changed and

China must change with it or become a victim subject to the whim of others.”

“Sorry to interrupt father but why must we wear these clothes?”

“Son, you are not listening. Think again of what I spoke and you will find the

answer. Now tell me of your dreams. What did you see?”

“Sorry father I cannot remember anything right now. The less I dream of being

on the ocean the better.” Yes, thought Wing, I did have a silly dream of swimming

helplessly in the ocean but why should I tell you when you never

answer my questions. Why did I ever ask? It is too early for a headache.

If the ocean becomes angry again, I may give up another offering to the

goddess of the sea.

Noting a tone of rebelliousness in his son’s words, Cheung implored “My

son, you cannot close the door to your dreams. They are the windows to the future.

To deny what you may have seen in your dreams may put us in danger.”

Another answer, thought Wing, not about the clothes but an earlier

question. Was I chosen to come on this journey for my dreams? Too bad my

beloved father; the less you know of my dreams the sooner I will be home

playing with May Yun. As much as I respect and honour you, I prefer to

be home and I regret ever telling you of my dreams of savages, wild dogs,

hateful foreigners and Chinese laborers building a path through immense

forested mountains for an iron dragon.

Cheung took out his pocket watch and opened the ornate gold cover.

“We’d better leave for the dining lounge, my obedient son.”

“Yes I am ready, father.”

On the way to the dining room, Cheung led the way as Wing followed.

They walked along the portside outer deck to catch some fresh air and the

blurred image of the morning sun as it peered through the slowly rising

morning mist.

“You know my son this ship is made of iron. Did you know that iron could float

on water?”

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“Yes father it has to do with the theory of displacement. Anything will float as

long as it weighs less than the same volume of water. The American school taught

us this.”

“Son, you are very clever, but remember that there is a big difference between

intelligence and wisdom.”

“And what is that, honourable father?”

“My beloved son, they taught you everything except what is really the most

essential to your education. That is learning how to think instead of what to think.

Do you understand the difference?”

“What is the difference?” He is not going to answer, thought Wing, maybe

another riddle at best.

Cheung noticed the indifference in his son’s eyes, “My clever son, life is

filled with choices. Wisdom is knowing how to make the best decision, based on

knowledge and past experience lacking in youth. Learning from one’s own mistakes

and the mistakes of others is crucial in the quest for wisdom.”

Surprised at receiving an answer instead of a riddle, Wing pondered

the answer.

“My son, the customs and traditions of the west are different from ours so you

must learn when to follow the Book of Rites and when to emulate western customs.

(The centuries-old Book of Rites was the book that regulated public, social

and domestic conduct for the Chinese. To respect your elders, walk behind

them slowly; anyone twenty years older must be treated as your father;

anyone ten years older must be treated as a brother; anyone five years older

walk side by side. Follow your teacher, never pass or speak with others

without the teacher speaking first. When approaching a teacher, speak not

until the teacher has spoken.) Among our countrymen, you must follow traditional

rules. Among non-Chinese, the traditional rules of conduct will only arouse

curiosity, laughter and potential abuse. Newly-arrived Chinese immigrants will

follow tradition, but our westernized compatriots will follow local customs. You

must decide how to act with each faction.”

Wing moved gingerly forward to walk beside his father. “Thank you, father, I

will try not to disappoint you.” Cheung smiled in response.

The dining room was filled with passengers eating breakfast as the

entrance door opened. Onlookers fell silent momentarily to gawk at the

new arrivals. It was the first time, the pair appeared dressed in western attire.

Both wore dark blue single breasted morning waistcoats with matching

10

open-V vests and Victorian trousers, white collared shirts, black ties and

black leather shoes. The handsome pair stood much taller than the average

Chinese. The father had a dark complexion; a lean athletic built and stood

5 foot 7inches in height. The son was slender and stood 5 foot 3 inches in

height. Both wore pigtails but unlike most Chinese men, they walked confidently

in long strides, instead of the short shuffle adopted by the Chinese to

appear subservient to their Manchu masters. Under Qing rule, all Chinese

males were forced to wear pigtails or queues as a symbol of Han submission

to Manchu domination. Not wearing one identified radicals and was

considered an act of treason, which was punishable by the immediate loss

of one’s head.

Upon their arrival in the dining room Captain Anderson left his officers’

table to greet the pair. The Captain was a handsome, dark-complexioned

man of average height, approximately fifty years of age, stocky framed

with short white hair, a small white moustache and bushy eyebrows with

deep wrinkles around his eyes and on his forehead. His probing blue eyes

perpetually darted from crew member to crew member, who would nod in

recognition of his authority whenever eye contact was exchanged. He had a

very formal but courteous manner, a charming smile but a booming voice of

command.

“Good morning Mr. Dai and young Master Wing. I hope that you are

enjoying the voyage. There are some passengers that I would like you to

meet. I arranged a separate table so that you have a chance to converse and

get acquainted.”

I hope this plan works, thought the Captain, who had been approached

by the chief steward concerning complaints from the other passengers that

they wished not to be dining with people of inferior origins especially the

Chinese. The Captain had thought that he had curtailed this problem early

in the voyage when a Mrs. Winifred Simpson first brought the matter to

him. He had bluntly refused her request to have the Chinese shunted to the

lower deck. Then she had rallied support from some of the other passengers,

one of them supposedly knew the owner of the Line, so he was forced

to make a token concession to appease the hag and her hen cronies before

matters escalated. In the meantime she had found more that offended her

as she added Jews to her list of untouchables (Indian term for lower cast).

11

I will definitely have to redirect her energies elsewhere or this voyage will

become mayhem if she continues to stir the pot.

The Captain led Cheung and his son through the spacious dining lounge

which housed built-in booths for six people along the outer periphery and

tables to seat four people everywhere else. In the far back corner Wing

could see a large middle-aged gentleman with a full beard and mustache.

He wore a skullcap and was dressed in a white shirt with a black jacket and

trousers. Sitting next to him was a pretty dark-haired girl of about ten years

of age with radiant white skin and pretty green eyes that seemed to dance.

She was dressed in a blue and white gingham dress. Wing had noticed her

from the first day he boarded the ship. She smiled each time their eyes met

but he always turned away when his interest became too tactless. Why did

she always stare at him? Don’t these lofan (Europeans) teach their children

proper conduct? As the Captain led them closer and closer to the table of

dreaded interest Wing thought, no, not that table, but it was too late.

“Mr. Dai and young master Wing please let me introduce you to Rabbi

Nathan Beilihis and his daughter Rachel. The Rabbi and Rachel are also on

their way to Victoria and have spent the last ten years living in China. My

table is signaling me that breakfast is ready and they cannot start without

me. So please, excuse me.”

Rachel smiled at Wing and greeted him spritely in Chinese, “Good

morning, Mr. Dai and Wing. How are you? Would you like to call me by my

Chinese name?”

Shocked by her fluency in Chinese and her impudence, speaking before

their elders, Wing pondered, she assumes that I am too ignorant to be able

to speak English. Wing whispered in his father’s ear “Pardon me, father, am

I permitted to speak English very quietly?” Cheung nodded his approval but

signaled with his hand to lower his voice, as Wing whispered, “My full name

is Dai Wing Sing. I will use your English name, Lachel.”

Rachel Louisa erupted into hysterical laughter and knocked over an

empty glass.

“I knew you couldn’t say my name. So I tried to save you the embarrassment.

You can’t pronounce your R’s because there are no R’s in the Chinese language.”

“Rachel Louisa, we’re in public and you’re embarrassing Wing,” warned

the Rabbi.

12

“Father, I’m sorry... but I can’t help it,” as Rachel frantically struggled to

regain her ten-year-old composure.

“Lachel, Lachel – what is wrong with that? Silly name anyway. What

is your Chinese name?” whispered Wing whose anger has dissipated into

amusement at his own inability. His teachers had tried to teach him to pronounce

his R-words. He thought that he had finally mastered it while others

could not, but now he realized that his teachers had just given up. I will

work harder because if this girl is laughing at me, how much more laughter

will I cause during the rest of the journey.

“My Chinese name is May Yun.”

“That is my sister’s name. It means pretty and graceful. She is ten years

old.” whispered Wing.

“So am I,” Rachel whispered in response.

“Please do sit down, Mr. Dai, Wing. I am sorry, Wing, if my daughter’s

outburst caused you any embarrassment. My daughter and I are fluent in

Cantonese and English. We can converse in either English or Chinese which

ever you feel most comfortable with. Rachel has lived all her life in China

and has only recently learned to pronounce her R’s properly. By the way

Wing, you have no idea how much training it took for Rachel to learn to say

her own name properly.”

Wing burst into laughter, “You could not say your own name?”

“We never used my English names before we found out that we were

leaving for the New World. We spoke only Chinese until I started learning

English two years ago. Let us all agree to just call me by my middle name,

Louisa, or May Yun. It will be much easier.” said Louisa, somewhat disarmed

by Wing’s infectious laughter. He reminded her of Leung, the eldest son

of her Amah ( a live-in nanny dedicated to nurturing a child from birth

until marriage) who grew up with her and was her closest companion since

birth. The only thing different was that he was much better looking, more

poised, more confident, but he had the same high pitched laugh Leung used

to emit just before he yielded to her childish whims. Wing was very tall for a

Chinese boy and wore a long braided queue of straight black hair that hung

midway down his back. His brown eyes were soft and kind, and he appeared

bewilderingly confident.

Louisa had been very homesick since the start of the voyage. She had

cried almost every day after leaving her home in Canton. When she first

13

spotted Wing, she had tried to get her father to inquire about him and

arrange for an introduction but he had refused. He had wanted her to learn

to play with the other children on board. But they shunned her because she

was not like them. She was not used to being dominated by older children

and she would not submit to the whims of older peers even if they were

bigger. She had resigned herself to isolation from the other children until

she overheard Mrs. Simpson talking with her friends concerning having to

sit in the dining hall with those filthy Chinese and despicable Jews. Then

she had approached Mr. Osgood with a proposed solution for all involved.

But what did Mrs. Simpson mean “filthy Chinese”? I have lived in China.

The Chinese are not filthy, except for beggars. “Despicable Jews?”I must ask

father what “despicable” means.

“Mr. Dai may I ask you the purpose of your voyage?” inquired the Rabbi.

“I am a merchant, Rabbi, and I have a store in Victoria that requires my

personal attention. We export Chinese goods from China to Gold Mountain.

May I ask you the reason for your journey?”

“Yes, I am to be the new Rabbi for the Congregation Emanu- El in the city

of Victoria. My brother is a businessman in New York and he informed me

of the posting about nine months ago and I applied to the Jewish Congress

in New York and was informed that my application was accepted a few

months ago.”

“So the rest of the family will follow?”

“No Mr. Dai. My wife Miriam, who rests in God’s sanctuary died during

childbirth. The rest of our household consisted of our Amah and her two

children and our cook and his wife who served as our maid. We tried to

bring them with us but they chose to remain in the Middle Kingdom

(China - the Chinese considered China as the center of human endeavours)

and serve the new Rabbi. My daughter and I miss them dearly. They were

our family but China was their home and even their love for us could not

take them away from the Middle Kingdom.”

As the steward approached the Rabbi greeted him “Good morning,

Samuel. This is Mr. Dai and his son Wing.”

Samuel Harper, a slightly balding, solidly-built, middle-aged man of

about 40 years old, stood about five feet eight inches tall and had a cheerful

outward disposition. But his eyes never stayed focused on anyone or

14

anything for too long because he was constantly checking to see who was

watching him.

“Good morning Rabbi. Miss Rachel. Pleased to meet you Mr. Dai, Master

Dai. I have already ordered for you, Rabbi and Miss Rachel. What would

you like to order Mr. Dai and Master Dai?”

“We will have the same.”

“The Rabbi and Miss Rachel do not eat pork so we replace bacon and sausages

with a slice of beef liver and kidney pie with scrambled egg and baked

beans. Do you still want to have the same Mr. Dai and Master Dai?”

Cheung looked in his son’s pleading eyes and understood his dilemma.”I

will have the same but my son will have ---.”

The Rabbi interjected, turning towards Cheung. “Mr. Dai, others eating

pork does not disturb our appetite in the least. We have lived among the

Chinese too long, not to understand that pork is your meat of preference

and that the ship only serves it one meal a day. Please have bacon and sausages.

When they dined with us our servants ate it at our table all the time.

No harm was done.”

The Rabbi’s understanding of his dilemma and his tactful solution

allowed Cheung to save face. The Rabbi had won the admiration of Cheung

and also Wing’s stomach. Looking at Samuel’s nametag, Cheung ordered,

“Mr. Harper, we will be pleased to have the regular breakfast with tea. Thank

you Rabbi for your understanding.”

The Rabbi and Louisa smiled in response. After the completion of

breakfast the fathers walked and talked together as Wing and Louisa followed.

The morning mist had completely lifted and the weather had finally

taken a turn for the better. Both fathers were relieved to find their children

happily occupied outside their cabins and each father had found another

to exchange their thoughts and ideas on philosophy, politics, culture and

history.

Settlements of Jewish people existed in China as early as the Tang

Dynasty. Jewish colonies were readily accepted because they shared a

common sense of morality and values. Their ideology concerning the value

of family, community, education and business were very similar to Chinese

ideals. The major chasm between the two cultures was religion. The Jews

believed in only one true God. And they tolerated no other beliefs. They

believed that they were the chosen people and this belief bound them as a

15

group against outside forces, but alienated them from mainstream society.

In contrast, Chinese religious beliefs centered on ancestral worship. They

believed that the spirit of ancestors influenced fate and each individual was

accountable to those who passed before them in the next realm, for their

conduct during their lifetime. Competition for power and wealth between

religious sects never played a significant role in China’s past. Taoism and

Confucianism were philosophical ideologies without deities. Philosophers,

rather than prophets, advocated self-enlightenment and living in harmony

within the framework of society. Gods existed in superstitious folklore

and were thought to control fate and the forces of nature. Throughout the

history of China, religious wars never occurred until Christianity arrived

and demanded exclusivity. As early as the 7th century, colonies of Jews had

migrated and lived amongst the Chinese. They were treated with respect

and dignity by their hosts. With each successive generation, their bloodlines

became more diluted until those with Jewish blood could no longer be distinguished

amongst the Chinese.

During the voyage, the relationship between the patriarchs grew stronger

in mutual admiration and respect. Each had a passion for chess. The Rabbi

played the European game and Cheung only played the Chinese form. But

since the Chinese game was more complex, it was decided that the Rabbi

would teach Cheung the European game. The Rabbi was amazed at how

quickly his friend adapted to his game. Soon they became inseparable opponents

sitting on the sundeck or in the reading lounge from sunrise to sunset.

Wing and Louisa became constant companions. Louisa was up, washed

and ready earlier than before. She would occupy herself reading or looking

out the porthole until her father gave permission to leave for the dining

lounge. Louisa adopted the routine of rousing the Dai’s before breakfast so

that Wing could accompany her to the dining lounge.

At first they were accompanied by their parents. As time passed, Wing

and Louisa were left to their own devices. They seldom played with other

children. There were only six to eight others who frequented the play area

and the leaders were a pair of thirteen year-old bullies, one was George, a

tall, solidly-built lad and the other was a bigger chubby lad named Michael,

the son of Mrs. Simpson. He branded Wing and Louisa with his mother’s

venom, labeling them as lower-class heathen savages not fit to play with.

Seeing that his size and age were an obvious advantage, he and his followers

16

harassed the two constantly at every possible opportunity. The two had

never been exposed to this type of treatment and were ill-prepared to

resolve this problem until the solution came, as a result of necessity.

One day the conspirators trapped Wing and Louisa in an isolated portion

of the sundeck. The two oldest boys had contrived a plan. Surrounded by

a band of children ranging in age from eight to thirteen years, Michael

addressed Wing and Louisa.”Now the two of you will do as we bid or we’ll

throw you over. Speak up, Chink or I’ll smash you in the face.”

Wing did not respond as he sized up the group consisting of five boys,

two girls. A pair of 13 year olds Michael and George were the oldest and

biggest, then an 11-year-old named Simon and a pair of timid 8-year-olds.

Michael’s sister Winnie was a gawky-looking 11-year-old. The other girl was

a mouthy little nine-year-old named Millicent.

“You touch him Michael Simpson, and I’ll tell the Captain and he’ll have

you flogged,” shouted Louisa defiantly as she grasped Wing’s left arm to leave.

“You’ll be swimming with the sharks before the Captain even hears a

word from that big mouth,” retorted Michael.

Little Millicent spoke, “Michael, make them do it. I want to see her catch

leprosy. My mother said they’re all diseased so anyone who kisses a Chink

will get leprosy.”

“That’s right,” said Simon, turning to Louisa. “We want you to kiss

the Chink.”

Louisa thought what a lot of hogwash. She had played with all these children

early on in the voyage until there were whispers of her inferior lineage

and the older children started to order her around like a servant. Up until

that time all three of the older boys were charmed by her striking beauty

and self-assured countenance. The girls were envious as her control over the

boys had continued to grow. All may have been eventually resolved by her

charm had she not cavorted with an even lower outcast in their eyes. Now

they were joined in their efforts to make the pair grovel.

But Wing did not look afraid. Louisa knew he would not speak because

he had told her that his father had forbidden him from speaking English to

strangers for some reason that she could not understand. Wing just stood in

front of Louisa, measuring their adversaries. Michael was biggest but was fat

and slow. George looked the strongest and most athletic. Simon appeared

afraid and harmless, hiding behind the older boys. The girls were too selfish

17

and pampered to risk getting hurt or dirty and the rest were insignificant.

His father’s words echoed in his mind, “Avoid confrontation under all circumstances

even at the cost of personal injury”.

“Go on kiss the Chink,” repeated Michael.

The children started to chant “Kiss the Chink. Kiss the Chink.”

Louisa suddenly struggled in front of Wing, turned, peered into his eyes,

took his face in both hands, smiled at him and then softly kissed him on the

lips.

“My God did you see that?” shouted George.

“Now you’re a leper,” said Simon.

They all started to dance and chant, “You’re a leper. You’re a leper. You’re

a leper,” as they followed Louisa’s every movement around the sundeck.

Then someone shouted “Throw the leper over.”

The group tried to grab Louisa, but Wing stepped in front of her.

Suddenly, the older boys grabbed Wing and started raining blows from fists

and knees as Louisa was held back by the two girls.

Louisa screamed, “No! No!” as the girls allowed Louisa a full view of

the beating.

After a barrage of blows by the older boys, Wing struggled to his feet with

his face bruised and bleeding. He appeared defenseless but had deflected

the most damaging blows and skillfully cushioned what he could not avoid.

The group turned its attention onto Louisa. Wing struggled to stand in front

once again and he tried to lead her away, as she sobbed at the brutality. Then

Michael seized Louisa by her left shoulder from behind with his left hand.

Wing who was in front looped his right thumb around Michael’s left thumb

and gave it a severe outward twist. Michael wielded at the pain.

Wing waited patiently to see what George was going to do. George looked

at Michael in bewilderment; he approached the defenseless prey, expecting

to give him a thrashing. As he leaned over to grab the victim, Wing blocked

his outstretched arms, sidestepped, and delivered a well-placed blow to

George’s nose, which spurted a stream of blood.

The group gathered to survey the damage to George’s nose. Michael and

Simon on each side of George faded back, shocked at the sudden change of

circumstances. Before the group could recover Wing seized the advantage of

surprise. He quickly moved forward and kicked Michael in the groin then

delivered a fist into Simon’s solar plexus.

18

Michael doubled over in agony, clasping his privates. Simon slumped back

with one knee on the ground, gasping for air. George covered his bleeding

nose, as Wing approached him to nullify any further aggression, he cowered

and then raised his hand, to signal that he had had enough. The rest looked

on in awe. The girls quickly released Louisa then the others cleared a path, as

the victors calmly walked through the gathering, in triumph. Louisa’s once

tear-filled eyes brightened in jubilation and disbelief.

Louisa mulled over the sequence of events that altered their fate. As

Wing led her back to her cabin, Louisa questioned Wing, “How did you

learn to fight like that, Wing? Why did you let them beat you up if you can

fight so well?” asked Louisa.

“Are you hurt? I guess not if you can ask all these questions. Why do you

ask so many questions? Why did you kiss me? Never mind. I don’t want

to know.”

“You are not answering my questions. That was stupid, taking a beating

like that. You were trying to avoid fighting by letting them beat you up.

When they threatened me, you thought that I was in danger, so you decided

to fight.”

“Lachel Louisa, you think too much. When are you going to teach me

how to say your real name properly?”

“I like the way you say it already. Let’s get back to how you learned to fight

so well. That was amazing. That Michael is twice your size.”

“Louisa you must say nothing about this to my father. He will never

understand my use of the forbidden art. He said it can only be used to save

my own life. Any other use is frivolous and unjustified. Physical violence

must always be the last resort. Saving you from harm is not a permitted use.”

“Oh! So you admit you did it for me. I must be truly special.” Louisa

beamed proudly.

“Sorry, I must wash up and change my clothes before my father sees me

like this.” Wing hurried off.

From that day on, the other children no longer tormented Wing and

Louisa. However, the course of their friendship had drastically changed. Each

looked at the other differently than before. In his eyes, she was no longer just

a playmate, replacing his sister in the courtyard of his mind. She had faced

public humiliation kissing him in front of others, to save him from physical

injury. Both understood that public displays of affection were forbidden in

19

Chinese society. How could such a young girl have so much courage standing

up to so many others ? She was truly admirable. His mother, his sister

and his aunt had never kissed him on the lips, only on the forehead or cheek.

While the incident shocked him, he was not offended and the experience

still lingered in his mind. After all, the kiss was not unpleasant.

Even though Louisa was shocked by the brutality of the beating, she was

enchanted by Wing’s humility and maturity as well as his self-discipline and

his alarming physical prowess. She understood that she thought and acted

above expectations for her age. She recognized the same quality in Wing.

His hidden physical talent was cloaked by a quiet demeanor. It captured

her imagination and curiosity. How and why does a twelve year old boy

from China learn to speak English? Or learn the legendary art of ancient

heroes? What else are you hiding, Dai Wing Sing? Smiling to herself, Louisa

reflected on the events of the day. He didn’t kiss back. Maybe I did it all

wrong? It must take a lot of practice to do it right. Amah Lee Que said some

practice a lifetime but never master the art. Was she referring to me? She

had smiled and winked at her husband when she had spoken these words.

Well I hope not because I really enjoyed the shocked look in his eyes when

I kissed him. Amah always said the eyes are the windows to the soul and if

you do not like what you see then find another window.

Sequestered above, Samuel the steward, watched the whole sequence of

events from an elevated perch outside the officers’ quarters. He was casually

smoking a pipe of tobacco while waiting for the officers to finish their afternoon

tea when the mêlée erupted below him. He watched the whole episode

in amusement. He thought that little Chinaman had impressive pluck and

self-discipline! I thought that he was only twelve. You can never tell the age

of these chinks. He must be much older than he looks. But Miss Louisa, a

man could sell his soul to possess you - that milky white skin, the long silky,

black hair, those long, curly eyelashes and those sparkling green eyes!

At dinnertime, Wing and Louisa were queried about the events of the

day after seeing Wing’s obvious facial injuries. Since neither would break

the bond of silence, both parents agreed that Wing and Louisa would not

be permitted to play together until the shroud of secrecy was lifted. They

would see each other only during mealtimes, but would not be allowed to

speak. Both were to stay in their respective cabins unless they were accompanied

by their father. While both parents agreed that the punishment was

20

just, neither understood that imposed isolation would create greater endearment,

as Wing and Louisa communicated with their eyes. Each longed to

see the other during mealtimes. And they constantly smiled at each other

during breakfast, luncheon, afternoon tea and dinner, until they received

a parental look of disapproval. There always seemed to be a hidden joke

between the two and anything occurring by accident or out of the ordinary

would cause hysterical laughter from both simultaneously. Unbeknownst

to the fathers, notes were being secretly passed between the two. As time

passed, both parents knew that enforced separation was becoming futile.

Cheung noticed that Wing and Louisa behaved differently towards the

other children. Previous to Wing’s injuries, Wing and Louisa would always

evade eye contact with the other children, in passing. Now, they would

stare back defiantly, until the others cowered and looked away. Yes, there

had been a conflict with the others thought Cheung, and my disrespectful

son and his companion triumphed. In the days that followed, Wing received

several parental lectures reminding him of the dangers of using unwisely the

secret forbidden art and the importance of respect for his elders.