Page 25 of Ravishing Camille
“No rebellions this time. No riots.” Victor frowned. “That’s what killed Jardine and Matheson’s attempt to construct the Shanghai railway ten years ago. But after a man died on the tracks during construction, the emperor demanded it be stopped. We cannot afford to have that happen here.”
“I know. We are not as well-funded as Jardine. Another reason why working with Lee Macfarlane is an excellent proposition is because he has capital to match our own.”
Victor shifted in his chair. “You trust him?”
“I do.” Pierce cocked his head. “Don’t you?”
Victor smacked his lips. “I never had many dealings with Lee. I liked him personally. But I will say that his father was a wily bugger.”
“Lee is not his father.”
“You’re certain?”
“I grew to know him well these past few years. He was helpful to me five years ago when I first arrived and wanted to start the gas works in the Settlement. And he is very forthright with me about his predictions of rebellions against the emperor.”
Victor flinched. “I fear it too. Not just against the emperor. We could see more rebellions like the Tai-ping and they could be focused on getting rid of us.”
“All the more reason to help them modernize as quickly as they can. I’m excited about the prospect of a railroad. I plan to work on a good price for it and cable Li Hung-chang soon. I want to make it very attractive.”
“Do it.” Victor nodded.
Pierce inhaled, pleased that Victor liked his idea. “You and I have done well. Macfarlane too. But the French and Germans resent that the British and Americans have prospered more. Did you know that the Germans persuaded the governor of Chi-li province to hire German officers of the High Command to teach in his new military academy?”
Victor frowned. “Not good. The French must have something to say against that, too.”
“They’re very unhappy. They go at the Germans often in City Council meetings,” Pierce said with disdain.
“Here too, they argue over anything.” Victor ran his hands through his curly auburn hair. “The Germans have the haughty attitude of victors and the French carry a resentment of the Germans.”
“War, again, do you think?”
“They both build for it. And one aspect I want you to be careful of when you go to Paris is to trim our involvement with French weapons manufacturers. I won’t sell anyone steel and contribute to a war.”
“I agree.” Pierce was adamant. “Just as we don’t deal in opium, we won’t deal in rifles or cannon.”
Victor examined him for a long minute. “What is your assessment of our new comprador?”
“Wang Su-yi?” Pierce had appointed the company’s new Chinese manager last winter. He was thirty-four and had worked as assistant to their former go-between for more than four years. “He is very competent. Forthright.”
“And honest?”
A perennial problem with Chinese representatives of western countries in the treaty ports was the tendency of the comprador to take ‘squeeze’ from his own countrymen for goods traded or favors rendered. “I’ve seen no evidence he is receiving fees. I told him when I appointed him, I would not stand for it. He knew we did not approve of it and knew his predecessors had not done it. In any case, Jonathan Stewart is vigilant.”
Victor had not known the American Stewart when he worked in Shanghai. “But he’s been your assistant only a few months.”
“I trust him, Victor.”
“He began work with Lee Macfarlane’s father,” Victor sat back. “So we know he must be well trained.”
“Indeed. And shrewd.” Pierce laughed. “Really, Stewart is excellent. He comes with very good recommendations.”
“From Lee and from his sister.” Victor nodded.
“Yes. From both. I trust Lee and I’d like you to visit with him and become reacquainted. Unfortunately, though he’s in London now, he’s soon off to Paris and Berlin. I think he returns here before he sails off to New York. So if you think you might come to London soon, I can arrange a luncheon. If that is not possible, I could arrange for you both to meet here before he goes on to catch his boat in Southampton.”
“That is a possibility because I doubt I’ll go to London. Ada is so very pregnant and due soon. I will leave the particulars of working with Macfarlane to you. I trust your judgment, Pierce. Always have. You do set my mind at ease.”
“Thank you.” Pierce sat forward, his elbows on his knees. “Will you set mine at ease, please?”
