The Last Empress by Anchee Min

Author:Anchee Min
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: China - History - 19th century, Historical, Biographical, Biographical fiction, Empresses - China, Fiction, 1875-1908, China, Historical fiction, China - History - Tongzhi, China - History - Guangxu, Empresses, 1861-1875, Cixi
ISBN: 9780618531462
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published: 2007-02-21T05:02:22+00:00

Li knelt before me wearing his prized double-eyed peacock-feather hat and yellow silk field marshal's riding jacket. I was afraid of what he would say. It seemed only a short while since he had brought me the terrible news of Korea's Queen Min.

He stayed on his knees until I asked him to speak.

"China and Japan are at war" was what he told me.

Although not surprised, I was still shaken. For the past few days the throne had ordered troops, under the leadership of Yung Lu, moved north to help Korea contain its revolt. Guang-hsu's edict read, "Japan has poured an army into Korea, trying to extinguish what they call a fire that they themselves have lit."

I had little confidence in our military might. The court wasn't wrong in describing me as one who "got bitten by a snake ten years ago and has since been afraid of straw ropes."

I lost my husband and almost my own life during the 1860 Opium War. If England and its allies were superior then, I could only imagine them now, more than thirty years later. The possibility that I would not survive was real to me. Ever since his return from Sinkiang, Yung Lu had been working quietly with Li Hung-chang on strengthening our forces, but I knew they had far to go. My thoughts were with Yung Lu and his troops as they made their way north.

Li was in favor of allowing time for the joint efforts of England, Russia and Germany, who, under Li's repeated pleading for support, had agreed to persuade Japan to "put out the war torch."

"His Majesty Emperor Guang-hsu is convinced that he must act," Li said. "The Japanese fired two broadsides and a torpedo, sinking the troopship Kowshing, which was sailing out of Port Arthur with our soldiers on board. Those who did not drown were machine-gunned. I understand His Majesty's rage, but we can't afford to act on emotion."

"What do you expect me to do, Li Hung-chang?"

"Please ask the Emperor to be patient, for I am waiting for England, Russia and Germany to respond. I am afraid any wrong move on our part will lose us international support."

I called Li Lien-ying.

"Yes, my lady."

"Carriage, to the Forbidden City!"

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