Opium Warfare Read online

“Sounds tempting Chao, but I’ll stick to the usual.”

  “Alright, well, have a seat if you can find one. Oddest thing, I’m swamped today! Can you believe it?! Ha-ha! I’ll get your sandwich out to you.”

  I thanked Chao and decided to sit over by the window, as a couple had just finished and left. As I placed my feet under the table, they scuffed against something. I leaned down under the table and picked up what appeared to be a card. I put it to the window for some light, so I could see what was written on it better. It read: Don’t Wait. For A Better Future Today. Shin Shaojin, Shaojin Enterprises.

  I quickly hid the card underneath my arm when I saw Chao coming my way with my food.

  “Here you are Ryu, Chao’s famous Tender Beef Sandwich and one cold beverage.”

  “Thanks, Chao.”

  “You’re welcome, you tell your father I said hello.”

  I smiled and nodded. I couldn’t wrap my finger around it, but something wasn’t right. There was no way that Chao met with Mr.Shaojin’s associates because of the building. There must have been something more to it. What did the old man get himself into?

  It was hard to believe that Chao could have gotten himself into some kind of trouble or suspicious activity. Aside from my mother’s cuisine, I practically grew up on Chao’s food. I’ve been coming here ever since I was a boy, my father accompanying me. Chao didn’t change much over the years; he’s always been a bit chubby, but now he had white hair and looked a bit like Confucius, if Confucius ran a Deli in the busy streets of Shanghai. I finished my sandwich and thanked Chao. He gave a quick wave goodbye, and I headed out. I looked across the street where I came from and noticed the woman that I had seen on that side of the street before I made my way into the deli. She was with a man who looked sickly thin. They were both sitting on the side of the house where they lived, I guess. As I looked closer, I realized that both of them had hash pipes in their hands and that they were smoking opium.

  I crossed the street and slowly passed them and they looked up at me, but still continued to inhale the vapor of the opium. As I walked passed them, I stopped and shook my head. For at least the second time today, I found myself thinking about or seeing signs of opium. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not, but I have a sudden feeling that perhaps my suspicions and observations of the town and opium are somehow connected together. Maybe, I’m just paranoid and it’s really nothing, but then again, it just all seems so strange. I took the card that I found at the deli out of my pocket. With everything else going on, I almost forgot I had it. I thought back on when I was at the deli and I then looked back at the card. I wonder who this Shin Shaojin is and how is it that he knows Chao? Chao seemed way too nervous for an old guy talking with a regular at his own shop.

  Who are you Shin Shaojin and who are your associates?

  Chapter 2 - Tai-pan

  He was a dragon amongst swans as he was sitting Indian style on a luxurious oriental rug in his den. Though he usually wore two piece suits of the finest material outside, inside, he wore the most elegant silk robes. This was a typical day in the life of one of China’s biggest businessmen, Shin Shaojin. After his meditation in the den, he grabbed a glass of his favorite Baijiu (wine), Kaoliang. Sometimes, he drank it straight up, but today he drank Chajiu, a tea liquor with Kaoliang flavoring mixed with hawthorn berries. As strong as the liquor was, he usually held it down. Shin Shaojin was the type of guy you wanted to either be or associate yourself with. He was Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller on steroids. Sure, he was stuck up just like any rich snob was, but only to those whom he thought of as a threat to him. For the most part, Shin Shaojin respected his fellow men in China, but if you crossed him, you would pay handsomely for it.

  As Shin sat back and tried to relax, the two men Ryu saw at the market and at Chao’s appeared and interrupted his quiet time. Shin only just positioned himself and closed his eyes as he heard footsteps of the men approaching him.

  “You better have a good reason for interrupting my meditation time,” he said in a vulgar tone.

  Both men bowed down to him before speaking.

  “Forgive us Mr. Shaojin, we have just returned from visiting Chao at his deli to collect your money.”

  “Did he give you all of it?”

  “Yes, sir, and he also said that next time, he may be a bit late with the payment, but we told him that it’s not our problem.”

  Shaojin snickered, “May be a bit late...what an ignorant fool. We should be paying him for him allowing us to use his space, but then again, who is he and who am I?”

  The two men did not know whether or not to respond.

  “Because he is the indebted mediocre deli worker on his last whim and I am the striving and influential man keeping his business alive.”

  “We’d be more than happy to pay him another visit, sir.”

  “Very good gentlemen, very good. I’m sure you will and I may even join you myself to show this stupid old fool that I mean business. Was there anything else?”

  “Well, there was this young guy at Chao’s who said he knew me. I kept telling him he was mistaken.”

  “Well, did you know who he was, did you recognize him?”

  “No, he said he saw me at some market place, but I don’t remember seeing him there”

  “What did he look like?”

  “Young guy in his early twenties, about 5'7,'' with short black hair, and could have been a regular, but it was pretty packed in there, I don’t know.”

  “Hmm...you didn’t catch his name by any chance, did you?”

  “No, sorry sir, but there was something about the guy; he kept staring at me like he knew I was hiding something, course I didn’t say anything. I left with Rezel shortly after.”

  “Hmm...that is interesting. Could be nothing more than a curious young man. If you come across him again, keep an eye on him.”

  “Sure thing, boss.”

  “That will be all, Kazar.”

  The men known as Kazar and Rezel left Mr.Shaojin. Mr. Shaojin sat back down and thought to himself for a moment. He thought about what Kazar had told him about the young man. He slowly stroked his beard before his enlightened half smile turned into a bewildered frown.

  After getting some good quality meditation, Shaojin got up and went into his office to go over some papers. He skimmed through them, looking for one in particular. He found it: a deed to Chao’s deli. He smiled wickedly before making a note on top of the page – pay a visit sooner than planned. Shaojin then headed for his closet in the far corner of the room and opened it to get a suit. He examined his wardrobe, wondering which color suit he should wear. After a brief thought, he decided on the classic black. Shaojin was known for his suits, but no one ever knew what color he would wear. Some days, it was black, other days, it was a dark or light blue and sometimes, he even wore a red suit. There was a long standing rumor in Shanghai that you could tell what kind of mood he was in based on the color suit he wore. After changing from his robe to his suit, Shaojin prepared himself another drink, the same as last time.

  “Mr. Shaojin? Miss Morgan is here to see you,” said one of his associates from the doorway.

  “Ah, tell her to come in.”

  “Hello Mr.Shaojin, good day to you.”

  “And hello to you, lovely lady. Tell me, what brings you to see me?”

  “I was wondering if you would perhaps care to elaborate further your latest business venture for the city.”

  “Oh, yes, of course. We didn’t finish our talk the other day, did we? Business is business as you already know. Well, my dear, if you’d just have a seat, I will tell you a little bit about the future I have planned for the city.”

  Miss Mia Morgan sat down in a chair as Shaojin sat in one across from her.

  “Would you care for a drink?” he asked.

  She thanked him for the offer but declined and pressed him to get started with the interview.

  “Mr. Shaojin, what can you tell me about this great venture you have
planned?”

  “Well, you see Miss Morgan, I have an idea for a tremendous opportunity for the city of Shanghai. I plan on building an eighteen story complex building, which will expand in the manufacturing business, and I plan on constructing a few shopping stores as well, which will also be on the same street.”

  “This is quite a feat, Mr. Shaojin. So, do you expect there will be plenty of job opportunities for the people of this city and other cities?

  “Indeed, my dear. You see, Shanghai has always stood tall and I believe that this will not only keep that idea going, but that it is inevitable for its growth, structure, and longevity in the future. I would say, it could be in comparison with where you’re from in America. Chicago I believe is where you said you’re from?

  “Yes, I am from Chicago and it is quite the city.”

  “Tell me again, how is it that you’ve come all the way from Chicago, Illinois of the United States to the lovely city of Shanghai to fulfill a job interviewing little ole me?”

  “Mr. Shaojin, I think you’re being too humble now; we both know you’re of far bigger importance than you give yourself credit for. As you know, women don’t exactly hold their own in this business, so I am doing my duty not only as a reporter but also as a women’s rights activist in finding the best opportunity for myself and this was a promising one for me.”

  “Yes, I would say that you do have a certain charm about you as well. How have you found your experience here in Shanghai?”

  “Mr. Shaojin, I am the one that’s supposed to be interviewing you.”

  “Of course, of course, my apologies. I am just eager to know more about the beautiful woman who is curious to know more about me.”

  Mia slightly smiled, but felt a bit uneasy by the way he complimented her; it was almost unsettling.

  “Well, Mr. Shaojin, my last question is: when can we expect this big project to be completed?”

  “Well, Miss Morgan, as you know it is already in the works. In brief, it’s in its infancy stage at the moment, but I would expect total completion by the end of 1921 or the beginning of 1922. I know, it’s a long way away, but I think the anticipation will be well worth the wait.”

  “I look forward to it Mr Shaojin, as I’m sure the people of Shanghai also look forward to it. I thank you for your time.”

  Mia and Mr. Shaojin got up from their seats all together. Mia shook his hand and he smiled back and thanked her for her time.

  “Tell me, are you heading back to Chicago right away or are you staying in town a bit longer? If you’re staying, I’d like to offer you a chance to see some of the currently ongoing transactions of my business as well as perhaps taking you out to dinner sometime.”

  “I’m flattered Mr. Shaojin, and while I will be staying in town for a few weeks longer, I’m afraid I won’t be able to do that as I will be busy and otherwise entertained for the majority of the weeks to come.”

  “Ah, I see. Well, if you change your mind and something opens up, please know that my offer still stands. After all, I’m sure it isn’t every day you find yourself asked out by a man of my stature.”

  The two thanked one another again and Mia Morgan was seen out by Shaojin’s secretary.

  The secretary looked at Shaojin for a moment before asking him if everything was alright and if he needed anything.

  “Everything is well. Thank you, Dahlia. Can you please find Kazar and bring him here?”

  His secretary did as told, and Shaojin started pacing back and forth from one room to another.

  He finally sat at his desk and resumed going over his papers again. He picked up the deed to Chao’s deli and placed it on top of the pile as a means of priority. He was glad that Miss Morgan didn’t ask him where this colossal building would be built, because then, things could have gotten intense or, at worst, ugly between them. He didn’t need a reporter to know that the building was going to be built where Chao’s deli stood. Just one word of a giant structure taking over a building that has been there for many years could make him look bad and, well, he just didn’t need that right now. Also, he knew how Americans were; they were nostalgic and appreciated old things and small businesses. While he didn’t know much about Miss Mia Morgan, he had a feeling that if she got a little glimpse of what he planned on doing with that deli, she would really show him how much of a reporter she could be. He began talking to himself out loud as he became angry over the old Chao’s stubbornness.

  “If that old man thinks he can stop my project from happening, he has another thing coming. Besides, he’s already doing the dirty work for me, yet he still thinks he’ll be able to keep his prized shop. I show no pity to no man, and he may be doing me a favor, but when that favor runs dry, my patience will have run out.”

  Kazar made his way into Shaojin’s office.

  “You wanted to see me, sir?”

  “Yes, I just finished talking with that American reporter, Mia Morgan. The interview went well, but you know how I am with reporters. I want you to keep an eye on her. She’s staying over at the Astor House Hotel. If she speaks with anyone suspicious or you overhear something about me, I want you to come back here and tell me everything, do you understand?”

  “Yes sir, loud and clear. Do you want me to bring Rezel along?”

  “No, Rezel is otherwise occupied at the moment with another matter I’m having looked into. If he finishes in time, I’ll have him join you. In the meantime, you head over to the hotel and make sure that you’re not being followed and that she doesn’t suspect you.”

  “You know me boss, as quiet as a grasshopper.”

  “It’s a Praying Mantis, you fool, and yes, you are quiet when it comes to these things, aren’t you now? Hence the reason I’m asking you to do this for me. Enough talking nonsense, just go.”

  Kazar nodded before adjusting his belt and his weapon, which was a combination of a gun and a sword on the side of his pants. He then made his way out of Shaojin’s residence and headed over to the Astor House Hotel.

  Shaojin got up and prepared himself yet another drink. Normally he’d be done drinking by now, but today has been a bit stressful for him. He felt uneasy about the reporter and his paranoia kicked in. Seeing as he was on his third drink and it wasn’t helping him much, he decided to take the edge of in another way. He didn’t want to feel tense or have a headache that felt like a large locomotive running through his head. He wanted to feel calm, at ease, and enlightened. Since meditating was not the solution nor was it the time for it, he decided to distract himself with his other luxury. He went over to the other corner of the room and reached out for his pipe, but then decided he was going to use a more unorthodox way to smoke his opium. He placed the pipe back on the table and walked a few more feet over to something large in the middle of the room covered by a tarp. He reached over and began taking the tarp off to reveal an unusual apparatus. It was about 6 feet wide and 5 feet high. It was made of a rare metallic alloy with a smooth base for a front, which extended out like the front of a car with seven indentations. The back was what it was all about: with seven medium sized cylinders, which extended out, and inside the cylinders were chambers that all had clear yellow tubes coming out, running all the way to the front connected to the indentations. On the bottom right side of the apparatus was a small lever that Shaojin bent down to pull.

  He took hold of the lever, pulled it back onto the other side, and clamped it down. As he did this, a loud sound erupted from the mechanism and water began diffusing from the chambers and out through the tubes. It did this in a continuous loop to prepare itself. Shaojin opened up a small compartment in the mechanism and fed it a globule of molten opium, which was previously held over the flame of an oil lamp. While there was already some opium inside the machine itself, Shaojin inserted his own pure potent batch for an extra kick. He returned to the back of the mechanism in a velvet stool and positioned it in front of the middle cylinder. He placed his head against the chamber and then pressed a red button below it. Soon the water
vaporizing within was replaced with smoke, which slowly crept its way through the tubes until it reached the chamber and filled Shaojin’s lungs. Nobody in Shanghai or in the rest of the world for that matter had such an odd contraption. It was called the Urban Shisha Opium Apparatus or USOA for short. Despite him possessing the only one of its kind, Shaojin still frequently enjoyed going to opium dens in town; for one, he owned most of them and secondly, when you’re a man of such high caliber, you can do whatever you want.

  If there was one thing that calmed him down other than meditating, it was his opium. Sometimes, he engaged in both activities at the same time. Shaojin appreciated the drug and all its enlightening qualities. It put him in a state where he wasn’t the corporate tycoon that everyone knew him as, but the young boy who longed to become a Samurai warrior. When he was younger, it was his dream to become an ancient Samurai and learn the ways of the warriors, and fight with long swords and wear battle armor. Oh, how simple times once were and how complicated they had become.

  Shaojin did get a taste of what it was like to be a warrior of sorts. He served as an apprentice to a former Samurai as a teen and was given the title of Chuzhong Shentou zhe (junior infiltrator). Very few people knew about this part of his life as he kept it secret from many. He wasn’t ashamed about it by any means, it just wasn’t something that ever came up in a conversation and he liked knowing that people had no clue he had a fighting background. So in a way, it was this time in his life that Shaojin went back to when he smoked opium. A time in his life when he not only enjoyed what he did and had power, but it was a simpler time for him. Having a business and being in control was great and all, but sometimes, it was just nice to go back to the old days of how it all started.

  It was one thing to interrupt him during his meditation, but to interrupt him while he’s taking his opium...well, many knew better than to do so as they never knew what version of Shin Shaojin they may get. Despite this, Rezel stepped into Shaojin’s office while he was inhaling his opium.

  “Excuse me sir...”

  “You know, this is the second time you’ve come in during my private time. I’m not even upset, though. Come Rezel, sit down and tell me why you’ve come unannounced.”