I
-°-oOo-°-
Chapter Twenty-Four: Family Policy
I
-°-oOo-°-
London
I
-°-oOo-°-
October 1821
I
-°-oOo-°-
- You should really try to remember, said Jane while trying not to let the children out of her eyes, that Grand Great Britain is the only Nation of the world that grants so many rights to journalists. Even in France there are quite a few things that get you in jail in less than a day. What happened two days ago –with no real lethal casualties, let's thank God- is also the result of a behavior that is, sometimes, at the limit of sheer rudeness.
She shook her head.
- I'm not quite sure that in China the concept of newspaper even exists. And I doubt very strongly that the concept of free journalism will ever become a reality there. Human life has not the same value here and there. And, I must insist there was no heavy injury and all of your colleagues who were knocked out are all out of the Health Center.
Matthew Colmby, the chief editor of the London Herald, one of the very serious London papers made a face.
- We heard that Wilkins, Tremble and Kurton has been chosen to defend the offender?
Jane's lips twitched upwards.
- I'd say that in her opinion she would call herself the defender, she was greatly outnumbered after all.
- Wilkins & Co are the d'Arcy's legal counsel, aren't they? insisted Colmby.
Jane nodded.
- Indeed, and that is exactly why we called them, we are not absolutely sure yet but should she be a member of the family, she's, of course, entitled to get the family's normal range of available protections! Some people would have trusted the veil of diplomatic immunity, we wouldn't! As you know we do take risks in the family, but we also believe it is always better to eliminate risks as soon as they appear.
- And if she isn't? A member of the d'Arcy family, I mean?
- It won't cut greatly into the family's resources, don't worry. And should it be proved that is was a scheme put together by the Chinese Emperor in order to implicate the d'Arcys, we'll send the bill to the Chinese Embassy, that's all… As said, nobody's been killed and so we believe that our help cannot be considered as unethical. Whatever we learn in the near future, our mediation will either be considered as a sign of good will towards foreigners who don't yet know how to use the legal loops to get their people easily out of harm's way or a strict family matter.
- A family matter where sixteen of my colleagues have been injured!
- And your colleagues' injuries should remind you that everybody in my family is not as patient and understanding as I.
She smiled at Maureen who was standing beside her with her 'let me shoot them, please' mask on the face.
- It seems that my husband's –as of now- first daughter must be classified, as has been my dear Maureen, within the group of impatient and cantankerous members of the family. Should it be proven that she is family I'll coach her personally about the best way to treat journalists in a friendlier manner.
I
-°-oOo-°-
- Am I wrong or did Colmby succeed in angering you?
Maureen, who, for once, had been present at Jane's side during the interview, was showing that her empathy with her sister's moods was indeed increasing with the passing of time. Public appearances were the very moment where Jane was totally bound on giving the perfect image of gentleness and self-control but she still could feel her most subtle emotions.
- Anger is perhaps too strong a word, love, but he irked me mightily, indeed. I was ready to show leniency and express regrets in the name of the family but his arrogant righteousness grated my nerves.
Jane shook her head while helping Cassandra to find a more comfortable position in her lap. Little Jonathan las it has become his habit these last weeks, was already fast asleep in Maureen's protecting arms.
- They really refuse to recognize that they tried to bully her, pushing her into making mistakes and they still reproach her the beating their lack of empathy got them.
She made a great effort to remain serene.
- They acted totally unseemly and they still want us to apologize. I'm beginning to believe Geoff is right with his spite when he speaks about them. They do have forgotten that they live on borrowed fame and they are simple witnesses who describe what has happened to other people. People who, contrary to them, did act!
- You know how I feel about them, Love, said Maureen while gently rocking her sister's son. They are scavengers and we are what they scavenge! I almost regret this daughter of his did show such restraint. Had she caved in a few of those empty heads, they would, perhaps, have finally fathomed something about the way their behavior can be construed as inimical. With luck some of them would even have understood that there is no right for journalists to publish everything just because it gives them a little more notoriety! The world would have slept better!
Jane frowned at Maureen's outburst.
- You out of all people should know better, dear! Remember what crimes the British have committed in Ireland only twenty years ago against the Irish people. Against you! Had Britain had a free press then, no King and no Prime Minister would have dared to hide the Army's depredations. Journalists don't have a general right to publish everything but the truth –and the fact that there is now a better chance that said truth comes out- is the only thing limiting those people who, because of their position in the society's hierarchy, could be lend to believe that the only thing they have to fear is God's displeasure once they have passed. Journalists are perhaps a plague for those of us who like to hide in shadow, but they are –at least the honest ones- a blessing when it comes to point at the flaws of certain powerful people. A free and respectful world needs men and women of courage and integrity. Men and women who, even if they are most of the time full of themselves and arrogant, are able to stand up and denounce injustice when they see it. I'll take their arrogance every day of my life if it warrants us that there will never again be a repression like the 1798 Irish Bloodbath!
- You can't be sure, protested Maureen.
- You have seen, it, Love, No…
Jane bent over and squeezed Maureen's hand while holding young Cassandra against her bosom. She could see her daughter's interested eyes looking at her.
- No, you have lived it, you have survived what can occur where desperate rebels and afraid young soldiers meet. And the same horrible things were going to happen again in America a few years later. The 1819 Slavers' Uprising in the Southern American States would have been as horrible and as bloody had it not been for that handful of courageous reporters. There was repression, bloody repression –Fouché is a soulless man, we all know that- but even he didn't find it in himself to slaughter thousands of people under the scrutiny of British photographers' cameras! Butchers and torturers love their job, but they prefer to do it in hiding. And these published images of butchered children did show his men's real motivation rather violently. Without the free press looking over his shoulder, Napoleon wouldn't have lost a thought on what was happening two thousand miles away. But his own people's shocked outcry forced him to look at what was happening. So, he didn't dare let Fouché's and Louverture's men go on doing the same and he ordered it stopped.
Jane looked Maureen in the eyes.
- For the most of them, those journalists are indeed arrogant and full of themselves, but a few of them, those with courage and a missionary trait, are what was able to erase our most foolish rulers' sense of impunity. Whatever you can think about most rulers who revel in their almost divine power, they are not crazy! Sane people do like to be admired and not considered as bloodthirsty monsters and so they restrain themselves when under the public's scrutiny.
- Fouché doesn't give a damn.
- Fouché is a coldblooded bastard who believes those who go against the State are insane and deserve to be eliminated. In his very own way, he is the most insane man we both know. He is unable to feel normal emotions.
- He revels in other people's fear…
- Which, or at least I hope so, can be considered as a sign of insanity. But he didn't love what our reporters have written about him and his methods.
- He wouldn't have stopped had Napoleon not said so.
Jane who had encountered Fouché on quite a few occasions in Josephine's company was not quite so adamant. The man was perhaps insane but in a subtle and acceptable way. He was not a monster reveling in mayhem and blood. He was a meticulous and thorough man who loved his world in good order, and he hated viscerally surprises. He was like Ann in this light. They both needed to eliminate uncertainty by having people gathering intelligence anywhere and everywhere.
Jane smothered a smile because Fouché was not a subject that brought smiles on her sister's lips.
What did save Fouché was that he had a bad case of hero worship and teenager's admiration for Napoleon. The French ruler was the overall favorite in the Minister's personal Pantheon and pleasing Napoleon was always Fouché's first and foremost choice. And Napoleon was subtle and smart enough to have fathomed that aspect of Fouché incredibly early in his life.
- And that's why we will go on praying that Fouché never becomes First Violin anywhere, dear. He's proven that he is a very good and efficient Minister of Inner Affairs, but he needs over him somebody he respects to rein him in. And Napoleon is just the right one for that.
She snickered.
- And as we both know, accidents and assassinations not included, Napoleon should be there for quite a long time.
- As will be journalists…
- The good ones and the bad ones, indeed…
The good ones probably will be with us a lot longer than the bad ones, thought Jane who didn't like the idea but who accepted the consequences certain behavior must have. Adults were not at all more serious than youngsters. Most of them looked only at those things that were of advantage for them, greater good and good deeds were often forgotten when personal benefits could be earned more easily. If you wanted to get the people's complete attention there had to be consequences for bad behavior and, on the contrary, rewards for good conduct.
And the upgrade with my help to survive should be considered as sufficiently rewarding even for the most foolish of them.
- I'll take those new facts into account when I'm dealing with the good ones, said finally Maureen while cradling Jonathan against her. But don't be shocked if the bad ones continue to get what I believe they deserve, aka, my worst.
- A lot of them are neither good, nor bad. Like every other man or woman out there. Some are good and real assets, only a few are just there for the power they believe they can wield. The former we will advance and the later we will demote as soon as we have legal stuff to get at them. I asked Ann to have a few of her most subtle people to investigate the would-be King makers. We will not miss any of their mistakes.
Maureen looked at her sister with real amazement.
- You really did that? Ask for Ann to look after journalists?
- I didn't really ask her, she was already doing it, but I asked to be informed about them. I know that they consider me as an ally, and I wouldn't want to be taken for a fool by the most devious of them… So, I asked for a copy of the little report Ann's people are sending each week to William.
- And did you find something interesting?
- Apart from normal Human misconducts? No, journalists are not worse than the rest of the men and women who believe themselves of importance.
She sighed.
- I do fear Mankind is not as good as I'd liked it to be. Sometimes I find that Fluffy has more Humanity in her that the average member of parliament…
- Fluffy could only better herself, protested Maureen who had still problems with the family's association with Nightcrawlers! People do tend while they are aging to become worse than they were when they were young. I'm a perfect example of such a fall…
- It was not a fall, countered Jane, others pushed you down that gullet! And you crawled out of your pit without anyone's help!
- Your love and Geoff's and the kids' were of great help!
- And still it was your effort alone that brought you back amongst the kind and loving people. It is what you accomplish while facing terrible odds that shows your real true self!
Jane squeezed once more Maureen's hand.
- And what I see facing me is the best of what Mankind can produce. The black coal you were had muted under the pressure and the heat into a marvelous diamond. Our diamond!
I
-°-oOo-°-
Sunteu looked up when the women bearing children entered the King's office.
She had no problem recognizing them. They were her father's first and second wives and the toddlers were probably the first wife's last offspring.
The King stood and went to embrace them.
The redhair's child went on sleeping but the blonde's one made it known that she wanted to be carried by her brother. Who came nearer with a happy smile splitting his not very handsome face.
- Hello Cassy; how are we today?
- 'Ood! came the immediate answer. Fly me?
The King bowed.
- Your wishes are my orders, your Grace, said the King while taking the little girl in his arms. He began pushing her up and down while turning wildly around.
Of course, the little one wailed in rapture and woke her brother who asked for the same.
His sister, who had known that it would happen, was ready, took him and granted him the same treatment as his little sister.
That was the moment when Sunteu discovered that her brethren were not normal Human Beings. No normal adults could spin around at such speed without crashing in the nearest furniture and no normal human children could take up being spun around and thrown from brother to sister without being terribly ill very soon.
The fantastic and breathtaking ballet went on for a couple of minutes when the mother looked at her sister who nodded.
- Enough, said Jane while she and her sister in marriage intercepted the toddlers while they were sailing from one of her adult brethren to the other.
And the speed and agility both elder women showed was proof that it was not only the newest generations who were more than Humans.
- You know you are the only ones capable of giving them the devil's spin! You'll have to bear the consequences if they want it regularly!
- I'll be happy to comply with their wishes, mamma, said the King. But I need Betty as a juggling partner to be at my most efficient and you know they don't like half measures!
- I'm here to stay a few weeks, said Betty. MazymKhan has been invited by the Sultan in his Capitol City of Baghdad to broker out an Alliance treaty. And since I suspect Selim is going to try to get another of his daughters in the family, it's better than I'm not present. I'm not sure the Sultan's court is able to deal with a female rebel like me. Better to let him negotiate with Selim without any interference from me.
Jane's face was harboring a worried frown.
- Will he accept?
- Not without my consent, answered Betty. Even Selim has fathomed that Mazym wants his first wife to have a say and since Ayalla is already his second wife so if he wants to place one of his daughters in Samarkand he'll have to accept that she'll be under both our authority.
- Doesn't that multiple wives thing bother you, asked Maureen.
- Not more than it does for you, Mum, answered Betty. I've had your example before the eyes my whole youth and I am convinced that when the wives love each other and trust each other it is the best deal possible. And I trust Ayalla with my life. We'll see if that third wife will be able to convince us to open our arms and embrace her.
William snorted at his sister's comment.
- What about MazymKhan? Won't he have a say in the matter?
Betty bobbed her head not really agreeing and not really refusing.
- Of course, he will, said she. But not immediately at the beginning of the selection process. I'm quite sure the Sultan will offer him a very beautiful and adequately demure fiancée. His male hormones will have the desired effect and transform his brain in the usual male grey lusty goo making him unable to make a healthy decision. It will be Ayalla's job and mine to decide if the new postulant can bring something interesting to the family. A beautiful face, a great ass and overwhelming boobs won't be enough to convince us, believe me, brother!
She winked at him.
- We'll do for MazymKhan as I did for you: find the perfect mate!
She turned around and looked Sunteu into the eyes.
- Now that mamma and Mum Maureen are here with us, why don't you explain to my mothers the reason for your being here? Give them a few precisions about your master's goal? And more importantly about yours?
She pointed at Jane.
- She's the one you must convince! Win her to your side and you'll have your rightful place within the family. Fail to convince her and you'll have to work very hard to be accepted by the rest of the family.
Sunteu turned around and wasn't surprised to see a smile on Jane d'Arcy's face. Most of the pictures published in the magazines did feature her with a kind smile on her lips.
- It's not really as definite as my daughter describes it, dear. It never was my habit to condemn anyone for past mistakes. Be true and honest with me and I'll gladly accept your motivations whatever they may be.
Sunteu made no effort to show any emotions. She had been taught not to show emotions and right now it was not important to convince or not. She was where the Emperor wanted her, and she would achieve whatever was possible.
- I'm here because the Emperor believes that my blood makes me the perfect agent to achieve his goal: convincing Grand Great Britain to become China's ally and helping our country to overcome our current technological lag.
She looked Jane in the eyes.
- The first reason of my presence here is because the Emperor ordered it. And nobody in her right mind would refuse to obey an order from the Emperor. I've studied the way you Europeans are ruled, it has nothing in common with the way Chinese are ruled. I know it has changed recently and that, fifty years ago, your rulers were a lot less lenient. But when compared to China even those rulers of old were weaklings and would have been toppled by even the least ambitious underling of the Empire.
Jane nodded and said nothing. She clearly knew that there were other reasons.
- China is perhaps not a Country where life is easy, added Sunteu, but it still is the land where I was born and that I belonged to for those last twenty-two years. I'm a daughter of China and I feel and live like a Chinese. China has never been lenient with the half-blood I am but nevertheless it is the land I will, till the end of my life, consider as my cradle. So, I will do what the Emperor has asked me to do.
Once more Jane nodded.
- Which is?
- Use the blood ties I have with your husband to get the best possible settlement for China.
She turned and looked at William.
- I'm, probably, your half-sister. And you are the man who has been chosen by the Elite of your people to be their Ruler. You have the political legitimacy and an evident personal charisma that ensures you of your people's support. There is no better path for China but through me. China has, for centuries now, ignored what was happening in the world. And these last decades China has missed, out of arrogance and contempt to climb aboard the boat of Science and Technology. Since I seem to be the sister of the ruler of the most technologically advanced Country in the world, it is normal my Emperor uses me to catch up and, perhaps close the gap. Should we really share the same blood, and should you be foolish enough to let said blood ties blind you, it could really be that I will be able to convince you to listen to my wishes.
She couldn't help but let the smile she wanted to grin in answer to her brother's frown and pointed at Jane d'Arcy.
- She asked for the truth! And that is the truth: I'm a tool in my Emperor's hands and he wants to use me to get from Grand Great Britain as many advantages as possible. Be it industrial support, military agreements, or scientific and technological help. China needs all those things to catch up with the rest of the developed world and China has, still, the assets to make it a very profitable deal for its partners.
William's nod and the frown's disappearance showed her that he was, perhaps, more inclined to see her -and China's-point of view.
- The Middle Empire is yet a very rich country and has the monetary means to convert any agreement into a very lucrative bargain for all involved, especially its business partners, which could be -and the Emperor would prefer that solution- the Company. Furthermore, the Empire commands such a military Manpower to make her a foe that hurts or an ally that counts.
William's face, as readable as ever, was giving away quite a lot of his thoughts. And she was in total agreement with him.
- China, no doubt there, having a lot of catching up to do, will profit a lot more than Great Britain but there are other advantages in helping Earth' oldest Civilization to evolve into this new age of technology. The Emperor is already selecting the smartest children all over the Empire to give them a scholarly education…
Jane couldn't help but show her approval of Sunteu's arguments. It was a smart move. Helping people was something the family was compelled to do.
- And last point: it would be good for Peace. I've read a lot of Madame d'Arcy's interviews and it appears that, if I can believe what I've read, that such things seem important for our family. Coming to an agreement with China would ward off for a long time the specter of a war in Asia. At least Great Britain would have some securities in that matter.
She searched Jane's eyes and she could see that it was an argument that had an importance of its own.
- That is the truth and I made no effort to present it in a more favorable light. There are, probably, ways and means for your diplomats to optimize the prize China is ready to pay to get what the Emperor wants. But the Emperor has understood that China is at risk in these challenging times. Perhaps not to disappear immediately but withering slowly away is a real risk and the Emperor has understood it. There is no doubt in my mind that China would lose a lot more than Europe if I failed to convince you to sign an Alliance Treaty.
Betty looked at her brother and could see that he was of two opinions.
As their Uncle the Regent had always insisted upon, Peace was the only goal a ruler had always to place at the front. War could benefit a victorious country and its elite, but even victory comes with a price and that price is always paid by the people. Only Peace was able to bring prosperity to the people as a whole. And Sunteu's proposal was probably the best and only way to avoid the confrontation between China and Grand Great Britain that their father had always declared unavoidable.
She shared a long glance with her mother.
She knew that had the same deal been offered to Napoleon he would have refused. In the long-term, there was probably more to win in terms of lands and riches by not helping China while preparing for a future confrontation. But millions would die most of them Chinese but not only and that was a price she knew William would be reluctant to pay, especially when another path could be followed. And France and England, even if remarkably similar weren't the same at all.
There was, first and foremost, the Company whose prosperity was pervading the British society with wealth and a lot of other positive side effects.
France was basing most of its riches on its expansion, its military victories and the fear its humongous -and highly experienced- army was bringing out in foreign countries. Great Britain's path was a lot more peaceful even if its armies were not -at least not in fire power- less important than France's. Britain had now thanks to Vancouver's efforts a real Army who had trained and experienced troops stationed in every part of Grand Great Britain, the British Isles included. But the real British military forces were, as of old, its Fighting ships be them part of the Navy or its very recent Air Force.
Another factor that was of tremendous importance was the Company's role in the world's industrial development. Even France was, for its economic development, dependent from the Company's investments around the Middle Sea. In fact, in the year of 1821 out of all important countries, only China wasn't part of the Company's sphere of influence. And if one added the Company's profit to the game, Yonglin's proposition was indeed a remarkably interesting and unexpected one.
Betty looked at William and together they turned towards their mother.
- Peace is a tempting prize, said she finally. But is your Emperor as honest as you, my dear?
Sunteu shrugged.
- He's the emperor and a Head of State, if you only believe in his honesty, you'd be very wrong. But he does want China to catch up. And he is ready to pay the right price to get what he wants. Should you be able to get real guarantees, you won't be surprised. If you are too confident, he'll use your confidence against you.
Sunteu looked at Fluffy still purring in Kathleen's lap.
- But I suppose you have ways to get him to keep his word he has no real idea of.
We have ways to know if he keeps his word, came the thought answer, but we won't coerce him, it will be his choice and the consequences of a betrayal will be on him.
The demon had probably broadcasted the answer to everyone in the room since Jane and William both gave signals that they agreed.
- I don't know the Emperor very well but I had the feeling that he liked to consider himself honest and trustworthy. So, he won't, probably, enter the agreement with the goal to deceive you. But should the advantages of breaking the agreement become greater than those he is getting by following it, he will do what most rulers would do.
Jane looked at her children and some message was clearly exchanged between them. With the aid of the Demon?
- As you said it will be the diplomats' job to fight over the best possible agreement. But peace and cooperation are incredibly good incentives to find terms with your master.
Her smile became clearly more maternal.
- And the gift he made us by sending you is highly appreciated.
She walked towards her husband's daughter and opened her arms.
- I don't know the Chinese traditions in order to welcome a member of the family who comes back after a long absence but here it involves an embrace and a heartfelt hug. What shall it be with us?
It wasn't easy for Sunteu to find the right position but a hug it was finally.
I
-°-oOo-°-
- How are you?
Sunteu looked up and smiled at Zongsan. The Emperor's Science Advisor had waited a few hours after their return before coming to bother her with his own problems.
- Not yet recovered…
- Was it so painful?
- Not at all, answered she. It's just that it is a totally different culture. The King here kisses his mother and hugs family members… Even unknown family members!
Zongsan agreed discreetly.
People in London were, indeed, a lot more friendly than anywhere he's ever been in China. People, of course, had glared at him and his funny attire but they had also smiled at him and gently corrected his pronunciation when he had been out to shop in the city.
- And people in the street smile at you and greet strangers with eagerness. I even had children who came to ask what I was. Politely and with great trust.
He snickered.
- It has been a weird occurrence, indeed.
He took a long breath.
- I'm sorry if I impose but…
She conveyed her acceptance with a small head bow.
- They've agreed, they are interested in opening negotiations with China and Peace and scientific cooperation are considered praiseworthy goals. They will speak with Edward Gardiner, the chief manager of the Company and they'll let me know when to meet him to organize the Company's arrival into the Empire. They are perhaps the same family, but the Treaty will not include the part belonging to the Company. You'll have to see with Gardiner himself what he wants in return for implanting factories in China.
- Will it take long? If yes, I could meanwhile begin with my recruitment campaign.
Sunteu looked up.
She had hesitated to speak about that point too, but it had been decided that the recruitment campaign would take place whatever the decision about the Treaty would be. So not including it in the preliminary talks had seemed a good idea.
- That is one part of our business here I haven't spoken of. I wasn't sure how it should be taken care of. If we were to include it in the overall Treaty or if we should undertake it discreetly.
Zongsan didn't hesitate.
- Discreetly would have been much better if there would have been reluctance on their side… But since we have already obtained their agreement for an overall treaty doing things in hiding could make them frown. I will propose said recruitment campaign in the overall industrialization plan. To have trained workers for the factories we will have to hire experienced people to train our first layer of teachers. And those teachers will teach the teachers who will be in contact with the factory workers. With a little bit of luck, the Company will feel compelled to provide trained personal to give us a head start.
- So, it will depend on your talks with Gardiner, won't it?
- It will indeed.
I
-°-oOo-°-
The office was huge, but it was not ostentatious. There was a huge working table with quite a lot of strange and weird features. There were also half a dozen armchairs surrounding a little table where tea and rolls had been placed.
The walls were covered with gliding maps and diagrams covering miles of bookshelves. The room was brightly lit even if it was already dark outside.
Edward Gardiner wasn't alone and Zangson had no problems to recognize the tall red-haired man at his side.
Gardiner smiled when he was introduced into the office and came towards him, his right hand outstretched in his direction as was the Westerners' habit.
- Happy to have you here, Mr. Ron, said Gardiner.
He pointed at his companion.
- This is Charles Bingley, my partner and Junior Manager in charge of new markets. I think he will be interested by what I believe you have to propose.
Zangson shook hands with both men and added a bow deep enough to show his esteem for foreigners.
- I'm an astute reader of your publications, Mr. Bingley, I'm very honored to be facing the man who has changed this world's face in less than two decades.
- It's not me, Mr. Ron, I'm only the man whose wallet has given real geniuses the opportunity to weave their magic.
- If you want me to congratulate you also for your humility, Mr. Bingley, please pardon me if I flatly refuse. You are not only the man who finances others, you are the man whose spirit and foresight has given this world its wings and energy. It took me a week in luxury and comfort to go from Beijing to London. Without you it would probably have taken us months to cover that distance. But to be even more abrupt, without you this journey would never have been possible since my beloved China would gladly have gone on with its suicidal self-loathing trend toward annihilation. The world you've created around us has awakened us and I really hope that together we will be able to direct this awakening into a path that is favorable and productive.
- No reason we cannot, said Gardiner before Bingley could answer. We are, as you seem to be, interested in giving your country the chance to catch up. And we are willing to lend you a helping hand in doing so.
- My country and I cannot express our gratitude with enough force. We Chinese have been asleep too long and we could have awoken into a nightmare had we continued to be blind to the changes you've brought to the world.
- It seems that you are awake, finally, said Gardiner, and we are ready if you are!
- What do you mean ready?
- Ready: as in shipping the first factories to China within this month…
Zangson couldn't help but show his surprise.
- How could you...? The Emperor made these decisions only two months ago… And it was top secret restricted to only a few persons in the Palace. You couldn't know about it before I landed in London.
- We didn't know, Mr. Ron, said Bingley with sparkling eyes. But China has been on our tablets for quite a few years. Our management students have studied China and its economy with care for at least a decade. The final exam of said management students is, each year, about how to industrialize a virgin country. And China has been the students' object lesson five times in the last ten years. And, each time, I've asked my staff to use said study as a base and go on from there. We need probably a few updates because we don't have all the data, but China is not an unknown for me and my staff. As said, if you are ready to join us on the path we have opened, we are ready to give you a hand to catch up…
Zangson couldn't believe what he just heard.
- So, you already have plans to industrialize China? Now as we speak?
Bingley nodded.
- Indeed, we have but we will still have to rethink them a little.
Bingley's smile disappeared to show a worried mine.
- You must understand that we were basing our industrialization campaign on one basic fact we considered unavoidable and that we won't have to take into account quite now…
Zangson had no difficulties to see what Bingley was meaning.
- You mean our defeat…
Once more Bingley agreed with a small head nod.
- Indeed, we were always considering that we would never get the authorization to enter China in peace. To do the job after our armies would have to have crushed yours and invaded your mainland before our engineers could even look at the existing –should I say surviving- infrastructure? The students and my staff included in our projections a lot of reconstruction work we won't have to finance now. Your bridges and roads won't need to be rebuilt, upgraded probably and surely doubled with rail roads bridges, but all the destructions we envisioned will, hopefully, never happen. Which is a good thing for your people and, perhaps, a bad thing for the campaign's efficiency.
- How so?
- Old cities are, most of the time, not organized in a very efficient manner. If you want to build sewers and subways –those are our subterranean railroads-, the fact that the city is under martial law and most of the buildings already crushed and leveled makes things a lot easier when you have to redesign everything…
Zangson couldn't help but show a light blush of anger! He wasn't proud to thus lose his self-control but the arrogant and matter-of-factly manner this man was speaking of his Homeland's destruction and invasion, did grate on his nerves.
Unto a point when his anger slid onto his face.
- Sorry to bother you thus and to show ourselves as what surely looks as arrogant and sufficient bastards, but you must remember that, till a few hours ago we had to consider that China was a sworn enemy that would, as it did till yesterday, always refuse to even speak with us. Arrogant we perhaps are but we are not the only ones!
Zongsan closed his eyes and forced his features to regain their impassiveness. His heart was still punching in his chest, but he could only agree that arrogance was a very well-known Chinese shortcoming.
- You are right, said he while opening his eyes to look at Bingley, arrogance is a skill we've learned to master for centuries, it would be weird to claim we Chinese are the only ones to have the right to show that peculiar foible. I wasn't aware how it stung to be treated as the junior partner in a relationship.
He forced himself to shrug.
- If it is even as a partner…
- It is now, Mr. Ron, said Gardiner. It is now! You came to us proposing peace and cooperation. We are very aware –our d'Arcy nephew has showed us his very clear and precise knowledge of China and the Chinese elite's shortcomings- that to do that precise move you and your ruler had to overcome centuries of arrogant and self-destructing isolationism. By your presence here you are showing that you were able to transcend the contempt your people have shown for outsiders and their achievements for half a millennium.
Edward Gardiner smiled while nodding at Zangson.
- We understand how difficult it has been. We had to do quite the same here and it was a lot easier for us, I'm sure. So, we know, at least partly, what it had cost you to take these decisions and to make that leap into this new and different world.
He pointed at Charles Bingley.
- Me and my partner we don't look at war with anything but loathing. War is for us anathema because it always includes the destruction of lives, livelihoods and infrastructures that had been built with care and often abnegation. War is always a failure, and your presence here gives us hope that we won't be accomplices in the destruction of a great civilization.
Charles made a little sign and took once more the floor.
- We are no fools, Mr. Ron. We know that China's goal is to catch up with us to be, in the future as it was in the past, a world power. We are very aware that China's trying to use the Company to fill the gap with us its rulers have let appear.
He took a long breath.
- We are business tycoons, Mr. Ron. We have profit and market shares always in our minds. We know that helping you will give us great profit in the short term and for at least ten to twelve years we will hugely profit from your Emperor's spending his money to buy our technology. We are aware that once you've filled the technological gap with us there will be a drastic change. You'll have your own industry and you'll have a new generation of researchers who will have ideas of their own. It will create a tech race that will perhaps lower our profit margin. But we do believe that by helping you today to create what will probably tomorrow be our fiercest competitor, we show your people and the rest of the world that what unites us is stronger than what divides us! People, whatever their color and culture, have more in common than mutual mistrust and enmity. We share a common ancestry and we have common goals.
Zongsan grunted doubtfully and Gardiner nodded in agreement.
- There is of course the possibility that tomorrow, when you've caught up; you could decide that war is still the best answer to determine who's to be the alpha dog. But war was, to listen to our best specialist in Chinese affairs and mentality- already unavoidable. So, it you were able to overcome your prejudices to give us a chance to avoid war now, it will, perhaps, be possible to avoid it also in the future? Having seen us work together, having seen our people help China to pull its people out of poverty and illiteracy, will, with chance, transform antagonism in a simple competition. We both know that competition, if not shadowed with hatred and mistrust, even if it lowers profit for a time, brings new ideas and new concepts in the fore.
He pointed to the sky.
- We've mastered at lot of new technologies in these last two decades. We are now able to fly from one side of the Earth to the other in mere days. We are able to discuss without any delay with people on the other side of the world. New ideas and new concepts have transformed the world we've been born into. I do hope that other, perhaps more spiritual or philosophical ideas and concepts will pull us all into a new reality where war and mass slaughter is no longer the evident answer!
I
-°-oOo-°-