expected a genuine Chinese meal in her house. Her father also knew that the Westerners could not tolerate the raucous gaiety and unusual flavors of a true Chinese banquet. He made sure that the shrimp had been shelled and the fish deboned and sautéed without any heavy seasonings that could offend stomachs accustomed to bland food. Chicken and other meats were cut into large chunks so that clumsy fingers could handle them with chopsticks. There would be no slurping and sucking of bones before the foreigners.
A twelve-course banquet awaited them all. Two round tables were set for ten guests each. The guests included a White Russian, two Eurasian gentlemen from the Shanghai Power and Light Company, a man representing the Silk Council, Eugene Ma, and a flour tycoon who arrived with a movie starlet and two aides. General Chin brought his usual entourage of government officials along with an American reporter, a Mr. Archie Strong.
Strong was short and pear-shaped. Round lines dominated his profile. His large eyes bored into everything — a glance from those blue eyes made one feel exposed. General Chin introduced Bright Crystal: “My niece is giving this dinner party for her friends in Shanghai industry and commerce. I thought it might be interesting for you to write home about the leading citizens of our biggest city.”
“My assignment is to report on the Xian incident.” Mr. Strong smiled. He raked his coppery brown hair with his fingers. “Do you think the generalissimo will ever release Marshal Zhang Hsueh-liang?”
“I read your report last week.” Wilson sipped his wine. “Is it all true?”
Everyone knew the headlines dominating the newspapers: Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek went to Xian to confer with Marshal Zhang on his sixth campaign against the Communists. Zhang kidnapped him and forced him to unite with the Communists to fight Japan. Then Zhang followed the generalissimo to Nanking and was placed under house arrest.
“The whole incident is incomprehensible to us,” Dunning joined in. “It is as if Neville Chamberlain had kidnapped Churchill, followed Churchill home and allowed himself to be put under house arrest!”
General Chin signaled the serving girl to pour more Kaoliang. “Marshal Zhang is a loyal, sympathetic friend of our anti-Japanese cause. The generalissimo would be a poor host if Zhang were sent home before his time.” He laughed. “Now, let’s enjoy our dinner.”
Archie Strong knew Chin was trying to distract him. He thought Marshal Zhang a fool for accepting only a verbal agreement from the generalissimo. “We in the West are so baffled by this whole Xian incident.” He knew full well that General Chin could clear up all his questions. He nursed his drink carefully. “Why did the generalissimo offer his resignation last week but refuse to free Zhang even now?”
“Ah, the generalissimo wants to be a good host! It is important to be a good host! Enjoy, enjoy!” General Chin swept his hand over the table full of delicacies.
“Dragon-
ko
, you’re a poor host!” Bright Crystal cried. “Why don’t you help Mr. Strong and Mr. Dunning to some marinated beef?”
“Oh yes, of course, my apologies.” Glorious Dragon focused his attention on Dunning. “This is a Shanghai favorite — impeccable texture and taste.”
“Beef interlaced with, what, some flavorful fat? And what is the interesting taste?” Dunning was already distracted.
“The beef shank has been braised for hours in this special five-spice sauce until the meat has thoroughly absorbed the taste and aroma. The ligament and tendon also become so tender that they taste like fatty jelly.”
While he talked, Glorious Dragon sensed an undercurrent of political intrigue. General Chin had dodged the American reporter’s questions, and diverted him from the subject of Nanking, where the aftermath of the Xian incident was unfolding. The general had brought Strong here to distract him and prevent further prying into
A twelve-course banquet awaited them all. Two round tables were set for ten guests each. The guests included a White Russian, two Eurasian gentlemen from the Shanghai Power and Light Company, a man representing the Silk Council, Eugene Ma, and a flour tycoon who arrived with a movie starlet and two aides. General Chin brought his usual entourage of government officials along with an American reporter, a Mr. Archie Strong.
Strong was short and pear-shaped. Round lines dominated his profile. His large eyes bored into everything — a glance from those blue eyes made one feel exposed. General Chin introduced Bright Crystal: “My niece is giving this dinner party for her friends in Shanghai industry and commerce. I thought it might be interesting for you to write home about the leading citizens of our biggest city.”
“My assignment is to report on the Xian incident.” Mr. Strong smiled. He raked his coppery brown hair with his fingers. “Do you think the generalissimo will ever release Marshal Zhang Hsueh-liang?”
“I read your report last week.” Wilson sipped his wine. “Is it all true?”
Everyone knew the headlines dominating the newspapers: Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek went to Xian to confer with Marshal Zhang on his sixth campaign against the Communists. Zhang kidnapped him and forced him to unite with the Communists to fight Japan. Then Zhang followed the generalissimo to Nanking and was placed under house arrest.
“The whole incident is incomprehensible to us,” Dunning joined in. “It is as if Neville Chamberlain had kidnapped Churchill, followed Churchill home and allowed himself to be put under house arrest!”
General Chin signaled the serving girl to pour more Kaoliang. “Marshal Zhang is a loyal, sympathetic friend of our anti-Japanese cause. The generalissimo would be a poor host if Zhang were sent home before his time.” He laughed. “Now, let’s enjoy our dinner.”
Archie Strong knew Chin was trying to distract him. He thought Marshal Zhang a fool for accepting only a verbal agreement from the generalissimo. “We in the West are so baffled by this whole Xian incident.” He knew full well that General Chin could clear up all his questions. He nursed his drink carefully. “Why did the generalissimo offer his resignation last week but refuse to free Zhang even now?”
“Ah, the generalissimo wants to be a good host! It is important to be a good host! Enjoy, enjoy!” General Chin swept his hand over the table full of delicacies.
“Dragon-
ko
, you’re a poor host!” Bright Crystal cried. “Why don’t you help Mr. Strong and Mr. Dunning to some marinated beef?”
“Oh yes, of course, my apologies.” Glorious Dragon focused his attention on Dunning. “This is a Shanghai favorite — impeccable texture and taste.”
“Beef interlaced with, what, some flavorful fat? And what is the interesting taste?” Dunning was already distracted.
“The beef shank has been braised for hours in this special five-spice sauce until the meat has thoroughly absorbed the taste and aroma. The ligament and tendon also become so tender that they taste like fatty jelly.”
While he talked, Glorious Dragon sensed an undercurrent of political intrigue. General Chin had dodged the American reporter’s questions, and diverted him from the subject of Nanking, where the aftermath of the Xian incident was unfolding. The general had brought Strong here to distract him and prevent further prying into
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