River of Smoke - Amitav Ghosh [236]
He woke to find himself drenched in sweat – yet never had he been so glad to wake from a dream. Reaching for the bell-rope he pulled on it so hard that Vico came running up the stairs.
What’s the matter, patrão? What happened?
Vico – I want you to go to the Paoushun Hong. See what you can learn about what’s going on with Dent. And take the munshi with you too.
Vico looked at him in surprise. No work today, patrão?
No. I don’t feel well; tell them to bring my breakfast to the bedroom.
Yes, patrão.
Through the rest of the morning, Vico and the munshi took it in turns to keep Bahram informed: now the Hongists were at Dent’s house; now they were at the Chamber pleading with the members to persuade Dent to give himself up.
‘But we do not possess the authority to coerce any of our members,’ insisted the Committee.
‘What is the purpose of a Chamber then,’ responded the Hongists, ‘if it has no influence over its members?’
In the early afternoon the munshi reported that he had just seen Zadig Bey – he was accompanying a delegation of translators and mediators; they were on their way to visit the mandarins.
A few hours later, Zadig dropped by himself, looking exhausted but also strangely exhilarated.
What happened? Where did you go? To the Consoo House?
No, said Zadig. We went into the walled city – for the first time ever in my life …
They had entered by the Choolan Gate and were taken to the temple of Kuan-yin. They had seated themselves in the first courtyard, in the shade of an immense tree. Soon they were led into the temple’s interior, to the courtyard where the priests lived, and there they were served tea, fruit and other refreshments. After a while several senior mandarins arrived, including the treasurer of the province, the salt commissioner, the grain inspector and a judge.
Some of them had hoped, and some had feared, that the Yum-chae would be there too – but such was not the case; only these other officials were present.
They were asked their names, their countries and so on, and then the mandarins said: ‘Why doesn’t Mr Dent obey the Yum-chae?’
It was Mr Thom, the translator, who spoke for them: ‘The foreigners are convinced that Mr Dent would be arrested and detained if he went into the old city.’
It was the judge who answered. He said: ‘The High Commissioner’s eyes are very sharp and his ears very long. He knows this Dent to be a very rich capitalist. The High Commissioner holds positive orders from the Emperor to put down the opium trade; he wishes to admonish this Dent and also to inquire into the nature of his business. If this Dent does not consent to come before him, he shall be dragged out of his house by force. If he resists he will be killed.’
To this the delegation made no response so the treasurer said: ‘Why do you continue to shield this Dent? Is the trade with China not dear to you foreigners?’
‘Yes,’ answered Mr Thom. ‘But Dent’s life is still dearer.’
And then, said Zadig, a very strange thing happened, Bahram-bhai. They liked Mr Thom’s answer so much they began to clap! Can you believe …
Before he could finish, Vico burst in. Patrão – look out of the window!
With Zadig beside him, Bahram went to the window and looked down: a crowd had gathered around the entrance to the British Factory. Visible over the heads of the milling spectators were the turbans of a paltan of sepoys; some of them had guns