“It must be noted further that, although the present Tsar is contemptuous of Russian America, this territory does present a Russian key to the continent. And if there should ever be a civil war in the United States over the slave issue, as indeed appears inevitable, these Russian tribes would be in a position to dominate that conflict. This would certainly bring England and France into the war. Russian nomadic hordes, with short lines of communication over the Bering Sea and a primitive ability to live off the land, would have a distinct advantage. And as most of the western and southwestern lands
are sparsely populated, these settlers—or ‘warriors’—could sweep southward with relative ease.
“Thus, if Britain wishes to maintain her position as a world power and nullify Russia’s never-ending search for world domination, she must first eliminate the Russian Alaska threat to Canada and the weakling United States. She must persuade the United States, by any means in her power, to invoke the Monroe Doctrine to expel the Russian threat. Or she must exert diplomatic pressure and purchase this territory, or take it by force. For unless Russia is eliminated quickly, the whole of North America, within half a century,
will come under her sway.
“Second, England must maintain absolute dominance in China. It is necessary to trace Russian conquest thus far across the Urals, and see how far they have
already penetrated into lands loosely under the historical overlordship of the Chinese Emperor.” With a series of maps and dates and places, translated copies of treaties, the whole panorama of the Russian move east was documented.
“For the last three hundred years (since 1552) Muscovite armies have steadily worked eastward in their search for a ‘final’ border. By 1640 Okhotsk, on the Sea of Okhotsk—north of Manchuria on the Pacific Ocean—was reached. Immediately these armies moved south and for the first time clashed with Manchu-Chinese hordes.
“The Treaty of Nerchinsk, in 1689, signed between Russia and China, settled the north border between the two countries along the Argun River and Stanovoi Mountains. The whole of Manchurian eastern Siberia was ceded to Russia. To date, this line was a ‘final’ Russian border north of China.
“About this time, 1690, a Russian named Zaterev was sent by land to Peking as an ambassador. En route he surveyed ways for possible invasion of the incredibly rich heartland of China. The best route he found followed the natural corridor of the Selenga River which flowed into the plains north of Peking. The key to this route is the possession of Turkestan, Outer Mongolia and the Chinese province of Sinkiang.
“And, as Prince Tergin’s report has stated, their armies already dominate Eurasia, north of Manchuria, to the Pacific, and are already on the borders of Sinkiang, Turkestan and Outer Mongolia. It is from this direction that Russian encroachment on China proper will come, and will continue to come for a long time.”
The report added: “Unless Britain maintains a firm attitude that China and Asia is her sphere of influence, Russian advisers will be in Peking within a generation. Russian armies will control all the easy access routes from Turkestan, Afghanistan, Kashmir, into British India and the whole British Indian Empire can be invaded and swallowed at whim.
“If Britain wishes to continue as a world power it is vital that China be made a bulwark against Russia. It is vital that Russian advances be halted in the Sinkiang area. It is vital that a dominant British fortress be centered in China, for, by herself, China is helpless. If China is allowed to wither in her ancient ways and is not helped to emerge into the modern era, she will be conquered easily by Russia and the balance of Asia destroyed.
“In conclusion: It is a matter of great regret that Portugal is not strong enough to hold the land-seeking hunger of the Russians at bay. Our only hope is that our ancient ally, Britain, will by eminence and strength prevent that which seems
inevitable.
“For this reason alone we have illegally prepared this dossier, entirely without official or unofficial permission. Prince Tergin’s report and the maps were acquired in St. Petersburg and found their way into unofficial friendly hands in Portugal. From thence here.
“We have asked His Grace—who is not privy to any of this information—-to place these papers in the hands of the Tai-Pan of The Noble House, one who will, we believe, insure that they reach their correct destination, so that action may be taken before it is too late. And as a measure of our sincerity we have signed our names, praying that our careers, perhaps our lives, will be in equally safe hands.”
The report was signed by two minor Portuguese foreign policy experts whom Struan knew slightly.
He threw the butt of his cheroot into the garden and watched it burn itself out. Aye, he said to himself, it’s inevitable. But na if we keep Hong Kong. God damn Lord Cunnington.
How to use the information? That’s easy. As soon as I get back to Hong Kong, a word in Longstaff’s ear and Cooper’s ear. But what do I gain by that? Why do I na go home mysel’? This type of knowledge is a chance in a lifetime. What about Zergeyev? Do we talk “specifics” now? Do I bargain with him?
“Tai-Pan?”
“Aye, lass?”
“Would you close garden window-door? It’s getting very gracious cold.”
The night was warm.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The chills convulsed May-may. The fires consumed her. During the delirium May-may felt her womb rip asunder and she screamed. The life-to-be passed out of her, and in the passing took all but the merest spark of her soul and strength. Then the fever broke and the sweat released her from the nightmare. Four hours she teetered on the brink of death. But her joss decreed that she was to come back.
“Hello, Tai-Pan.” She could feel the continuous seeping from her womb. “Bad joss to lose baby,” she whispered.
“Dinna fash yoursel’. Just get yoursel’ better. Any moment the cinchona bark’ll arrive. I know it will.”
May-may summoned her strength and shrugged with a trace of her old imperiousness. “Pox on the longskirts! How for can the man hurry in a skirt, heya?”
But the effort depleted her and she slipped into unconsciousness.
Two days later she seemed much stronger.
“Morning, lass. How do you feel today?”
“Fantastical good,” May-may said. “It is a pretty day, heya? Did you seen Ma-ree?”
“Aye. She’s looking much better. A tremendous change. Almost miraculous!”