Sandalwood Death: A Novel (Chinese Literature Today Book Series)

bend in the river, puffing black clouds from its smokestack, each accompanying breath louder than the one before, until they were thudding against people’s eardrums. The ship’s bow cleaved through the water, arcing whitecaps to each side, while a wake sent ripples from the stern all the way to the riverbank. “Mounted troops,” he commanded, “double file!” With trained precision, the soldiers spurred their mounts into two files, spaced at roughly ten paces, all facing the river. The soldiers sat perfectly straight in their saddles, rifles off their shoulders and held at present arms, muzzles pointing skyward.
    The military band struck up a tune of welcome.
    The ship slowed down and edged sideways up to the wharf.
    With his hands on the grips, he felt the pistols quake, like trapped fledglings—no, like a pair of women. Don’t be afraid, my friends, you mustn’t be afraid.
    When the ship nestled up to the pier, it released a long whistle as sailors at the bow and the stern tossed over mooring lines, which were secured to bollards. At that moment, the ship’s engine shut down, and a party of subordinates emerged from the cabin to form lines on both sides of the hatch, from which Excellency Yuan’s nicely rounded head peeked out.
    Again the pistols began to quake in his hands.
    ————
    5
    ————
    A couple of weeks earlier, when news of the execution of the Six Gentlemen in Peking had reached the small camp, he was in his barracks room oiling the gold-handled pistols. His orderly rushed in and reported:
    “Sir, Excellency Yuan is on his way to see you!”
    He hastened to put his weapons away, but Yuan Shikai walked in before he could manage. He jumped to his feet, holding out his oily hands. His heart raced as he saw the four hulking guards walk in behind His Excellency, their hands resting on the grips of their side arms. The ferocious looks in their eyes were a sign that they would not hesitate to use them. Despite his status as Commander of the Mounted Guard Detachment, he had no authority over Yuan’s four personal bodyguards, who were all from the commander’s hometown. He snapped to attention.
    “Your humble servant did not know Your Excellency was coming,” he reported. “I beg forgiveness for my unpardonable slight!”
    Yuan Shikai glanced at the weapons parts scattered on the table and said in a jocular tone:
    “What are you’re doing, Detachment Commander Qian?”
    “Your humble servant is cleaning his weapons.”
    “I think not,” Yuan Shikai said with a barely concealed snicker. “You should have said that you are bathing your women.”
    Reminded of his comment regarding weapons and women, he smiled awkwardly.
    “What can you tell me about your association with Tan Sitong?”
    “Your humble servant met him once at Kang Youwei’s home.”
    “Only once?”
    “Your humble servant would not dare lie to Your Excellency.”
    “What is your opinion of the man?”
    “Your Excellency, your humble servant believes,” he said with conviction, “that Tan Sitong is a courageous and upright man. If he were your friend, he’d tell you when you were wrong, but he could also be your mortal enemy.”
    “Just what does that mean?”
    “Tan Sitong is a dragon among men. He would unhesitatingly die for a friend, and would not be a secret enemy. To kill him would ensure an envious reputation; to die at his hands would be a worthy death.”
    “I appreciate your candor,” Yuan Shikai said with a sigh. “Too bad Tan Sitong was not someone I could use. Are you aware that he was beheaded in the capital’s marketplace?”
    “Your humble servant knows that.”
    “How does that make you feel?”
    “It breaks my heart.”
    “Bring them in.” With a wave of his hand, two of Yuan’s attendants carried in a large black lacquer food hamper with gold-inlaid borders. “I’ve had them prepare two separate meals for you,” Yuan said. “The choice is yours.”
    The attendants opened the large hamper, in which were two smaller ones. They laid them out on the table.
    “Go ahead,” Yuan said with a grin.
    He opened the first box, which held a red floral porcelain bowl filled with six large braised meatballs.
    He opened the second box, which held only a single bone with a tiny bit of meat.
    He looked up at Yuan, who was smiling at him.
    He looked down and thought for a moment before reaching in and picking up the bone.
    Yuan Shikai nodded appreciatively as he walked up and patted him on