Undercover - In China - Book 7

Part 67 - We can only die fighting

Cho Cho rode back to his soldiers. 'This is the last battle, and we must fight it.' The exhausted men looked at each other hopelessly but only Cheng Yu spoke out. 

 Kozak translated, 'Even if the men will fight, Prime Minister, their horses lack the strength. We can only die fighting. Why don't you appeal to Lord Guan? He is known to help the humble and never persecutes the weak. In the past, you showed him great kindness. Now, ask him if we might be spared.'

 Cho Cho nodded, rode over to Lord Guan and bowed. We could not hear the conversation but eventually they rode back together. Lord Guan was staring at the pitiful condition of Cho Cho's exhausted men, and he called out to several old friends among them. One of them stumbled forward and, in a feeble voice, called, 'Guan Yunchang, it's me your old friend Hu Liao. It is good to see you again after such a long time.'

Lord Guan stared at him with concern, 'You are wounded?' Hu Liao's legs would not hold him up any longer and fell to his knees. Lord Guan climbed down from Red Hare and knelt beside him. When Cho Cho saw Lord Guan dismount, he and his commanders bolted past. Lord Guan jumped to his feet and shouted after them. The remaining soldiers prostrated themselves before Lord Guan begging for mercy. Lord Guan's sense of pity seemed to grow, and he hesitated until he looked at his old friend. Then, with a long sigh, he let the stragglers pass and led his men back toward Xiacou.   I never got a chance to call to him and Kozak had been ordered to say nothing on pain of death.

It was quite dark by the time we approached Jiangling but, blocking the path ahead, we could see a mass of cavalry carrying torches. 

 Cho Cho cried out in despair, 'This is the end!'

'I am glad you did not laugh this time,' Cheng Yu remarked sarcastically. 'It is Cho Ren coming from Jiangling with reinforcements.'

We were all immensely relieved as we dragged ourselves into Jiangling. I was so exhausted I fell asleep on the floor almost as soon as we reached the government compound. When I awoke the next morning, Kozak had disappeared. 

The survivors of Cho Cho army straggled into Jiangling all through the next day, a continuous stream of men, horses and carts. Some units were in good order, but many looked like refugees. I couldn't communicate with anyone except with gestures. I had to find Kozak so he could help me find Dr Zhang, Licia, Miguel, Denny and Chen Ling, on the assumption they had arrived with the stragglers. I spent the morning with Wang Bang scrounging food until he was distracted and then I ducked into a side street and ran. 

 I wandered through the crowded streets until I spotted a bowler hat and green socks. Kozak was sitting on a tiny stool in a street market. I waved and called his name. He smelled of alcohol and must have been drinking for some time judging from the unfocussed eyes. He gave me a lopsided smile and ordered a bowl of tea for me as I sat down. He swallowed a long draft of beer and said, 'Zis ish ze besh ting abou' China. Ze rice beer.'

'Kozak! I seriously need to know what is going on.'

'Murga tol' me not to tell you anyzing. Murga is un escroc. 'ow you say zat in English . . . a crook?' He wiped his mouth with his sleeve. 'I 'ave been searching for you for twelve years.' He swallowed a mouthful of beer. 'Since just after you were born. I search records for years. When I find your school record, Murga sends me back to make sure. I do not want to go. I tell 'im I am archivist not a detective.'