Julian Stockwin - THE SILK TREE

There was one thing she could offer. In return for teaching her his barbarian ways she could make him literate – teach him written Chinese so that when he arrived back, the ‘scriptures’ would have some value.

The more she thought about it the better she liked the idea. She would make it her mission to reveal to him the enthralling beauty of the poetics and subtle strength of the prose of the ancients, to bring him to a realisation and respect of the glory that was Chinese culture.

The last act, a trio of madcap dwarfs, ended the entertainment in a riot of laughs.

‘Well done!’ Ying Mei called and was generous when the gratuities bowl went round.

‘Ah Yung, did you enjoy it?’ she called sweetly.

Tai Yi threw a reproving look at Ying Mei.

She ignored her and went over to Nicander. ‘There’s something I want to ask you, a favour which I would very much appreciate.’

‘Why, if it’s possible, of course.’

‘I was just thinking. I’m to go to the Western Lands and then you’ll leave me there and I’ll be on my own. I’d be grateful if before then you could teach me your language, tell me what to expect and prepare for. In return I agree to teach you Chinese characters so then you’ll be able to read your scriptures when you get back.’

Tai Yi bristled. ‘My Lady! This is impossible! These two are barbarians and it’s well known that such are quite incapable of a true understanding of the sages. A waste of time!’

‘Really?’ said Nicander. ‘Then, Lai hsiao chieh, I’d be interested in your views of why Lao Tzu denies transcendence in the Tao. How can this be?’

Ying Mei laughed in delighted surprise. ‘You know of the Tao? How wonderful! But… how did you… when you can’t read the works of the masters?’

‘I had a wise teacher.’ He eased into a smile. ‘It’s an attractive offer. Yes, I agree – a fair exchange.’

As usual they moved out at daybreak, taking nearly half an hour to unwind into the long camel train. It was hot, the fierce heat radiating up from the sandy ground, but they were used to it now, wearing wide hats and loose robes and keeping with the relaxed gait of the camels.

Ying Mei eased her pony to the side and dismounted. She pressed it on Tai Yi then waited for the men to come up with her.

‘Ah Yung – you made me a promise last night.’

‘To teach you our tongue?’

‘Yes, and I mean to keep you to it!’

‘Very well – tonight will be lesson one, and-’

‘Why not now? It’s so boring doing nothing. Let’s start right away!’

‘But I haven’t thought of the lesson yet.’

‘Nonsense. Come on, we’ll go and keep Tai Yi company and begin.’

She looked up at Marius riding Meng Hsiao. ‘You’ll be able to look after the camels, won’t you, Ah Wu?’

Tai Yi twisted around in her saddle to see what was going on.

‘We’re going to learn about the Western Lands, and Ah Yung is going to teach us.’

Nicander frowned. It really was unfair. The woman was expecting, on the spot, a grammar lesson in Greek, the most precise and logical linguistic structure in the known world. Where was the wax tablet and stylus, the board and chalk – even the word lists of meanings? Ying Mei herself wasn’t helping the situation. Since emerging from her Ice Queen personality he had discovered that she was bright and had a sense of humour that rose above the fearsome conditions. Not only that but he was uncomfortably aware that she was no ordinary attractive woman – she had elements of beauty that were classic in their lines and symmetry of the kind that he’d only seen before on ancient statuary.

She paced expectantly next to him, flashing an encouraging smile.

‘We’re ready, Ah Yung!’

‘Well, the first thing you must know is that the structure of Greek – the tongue of Hellenica that is,’ remembering Dao Pa’s term, ‘will be that it is-’

‘No, no, the most important things first. When I arrive, will I be dressed correctly? I mean, what do the ladies wear?’

‘Can we not leave this for later? There is so much to learn.’

‘If you insist. But first you must tell us about your tribe and village. How big is it? Does your family own many water buffalo? In your house are there many slaves?’

Tai Yi leant down from the horse. ‘She means she wants to know about the kingdoms and their history. When we get there, what will we see?’

‘Yes, yes. But it’s not so easy. Let me see… Well, we can start with the first civilisation, which began nearly one and a half thousand years ago in the land we call Greece…’

He was no professional teacher but he thought he’d made quite a good fist of explaining origins, the rise of the Greeks and their superior culture, and then the Romans overwhelming them yet taking their philosophy and thought as their own.

There were no Chinese names, of course, for the people and cities and he made them up. When she knew more Greek he’d correct her understanding.

‘If the Roman dynasty rules Greece, why do we not learn their tongue – this Latin instead of Greek?’

He would have to be careful with Ying Mei, she was very quick.

‘Ah. Well, in the top ruling dynasty in Constantinople there is little Latin left, everyone speaks Greek as being the superior form. But don’t mention this to Marius, he’s a Roman himself.’

‘Is he?’

Nicander felt a stab of irritation at her look of wide-eyed wonder. ‘Yes, but many say they are much debased now.’

‘Then why is he your friend?’

‘Because… because we set out on our mission together, that’s all.’

‘How wonderful! Tell me, why…’

Nicander didn’t want the conversation to go this way and have to lie to her.

He assumed a stiff expression. ‘You must know that there is one central sea. It is called the Mediterranean and is bordered by the burning regions to the south and the frozen regions to the north, and…’

The time passed quickly but he had to beg fatigue when the searing heat made it difficult to think.

That evening at the meal Ying Mei shyly came over to sit by him. ‘I did enjoy our lesson, Ah Yung. I can see now how much there is to learn.’

‘It was my pleasure.’ To his surprise he found he meant it.

‘And I haven’t forgotten our bargain. I’ve talked with Tai Yi and we’ve found an arrangement that will serve as your classroom.’

‘You’re really going to teach me to write?’ He was keen to have the means to read the words of the masters but he’d assumed the offer was a token one to save face. How could it be possible in these conditions?

‘Yes. After we’ve eaten we start your first lesson.’

‘My dear!’ Zarina called across. ‘You look so well tonight! While we’re all so weary, it’s not fair you know.’

‘It must be the mountain air coming down, I find it so refreshing.’

‘Forgive me for bringing it up, but I can’t help thinking that it won’t be so long before we reach Aksu and… well, your father might be… and you so… happy?’

Without a moment’s hesitation Ying Mei smiled sadly. ‘That is true – but just between you and me I’ve never really known him, being away all the time like he is, and when he comes home he’s a beastly tyrant. I go to him only out of filial duty, you see.’

‘I understand, my dear. You are a good and obedient daughter.’

Nicander’s classroom turned out to be the ladies’ tent. It was just large enough for them to sit cross-legged on a cushion opposite each other while Tai Yi occupied herself to one side. The master stroke was using her folding horse-mounting stool as a desk, complete with a little oil lamp.

‘This is really very thoughtful of you, Ying Mei,’ he said sincerely. ‘I’ll try to be a good disciple.’