The Opium Queen by Gabrielle Paluch

Author:Gabrielle Paluch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published: 2023-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

Figure 7.2. Francis Yang pictured in the backyard of his London home, 2015, holding a treasured portrait of himself with Louisa Benson.

GABRIELLE PALUCH.

CHAPTER EIGHT

In Prison, in Love, in Mandalay

IN ONE WIDESPREAD FAIRYTALE, OLIVE WAS FOREVER INDEBTED TO LO HSING Han for saving her life.

Down on his luck and drowning in gambling debts, a young Lo first fell in love with Olive while crouched by the side of a busy trade route, intending to shake down a few merchants until he had enough money to show his face again at the mahjong parlor.

At first, when Olive came galloping down the road, he thought it was a man. But as soon as Lo spooked the horse and drew his weapon, he realized his folly. Lo was momentarily frozen, stunned by her unafraid smile and glistening teeth.

Olive smacked the weapon from a stunned Los hands with a bullwhip, and instantly had him subdued on the ground, with a pistol pressed to his face.

“I am Miss Yang Number Two, and who are you?” Olive said.

“I did not know I was in the presence of nobility. Have mercy on me!” Lo pleaded, once he realized who Olive was, swearing undying fealty, in exchange for his life.

Much to Los surprise, when Olive then took him to the family court to see Edward. Instead of being punished, Olive paid his gambling debts and he was recruited into his personal force of bodyguards to earn a meager salary. Lo stopped spending so much time at the mahjong parlor, and became a good soldier. He quickly gained the trust of the ruling family.

When Olive was made commander of a Secret Army battalion the night before they were to set out into battle, Lo was suddenly moved by harbored unspoken romantic feelings for Olive to dissuade her from going.

“You'll risk certain death, master. I cannot be there to save you,” Lo said.

“I would risk shame!" Olive replied, unyieldingly.

Olive set off on horseback with four hundred men, riding into the night to battle the wretched Burmese, who slaughtered them within three days.

Lo, distraught by the news, had already started mourning Olive's death when a courier arrived to inform him Olive was taken hostage within the first few hours of battle. Knowing the cruelty of the Burmese prison guards, Lo lost no time.

Lo packed saddled up the fastest horse in the family’s stable, and rode in disguise behind enemy lines, directly to the prison where Olive was being held. With sacks of gold bars from the family court, Lo bribed a prison guard who handed him a key.

Lo returned at midnight to open Olive’s cell. He fell to his knees and knelt at her feet, Lo confessed he was driven by guilt and passionate love to rescue her. The two then silently scurried out of the prison, and saddled up, galloping with gunfire at their backs all the way back to Kokang. Upon their safe return, Olive, suddenly taken by the heroic gesture, agreed to marry Lo in front of her assembled family.

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