Tang-chao

There were two Manchoo Bannermen flanking the door, and now came two others, bearing an open sedan in which sat Prince I, the skull-faced monster who had raved and shrieked at Parkes at Tang-chao.

Flashman And The Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985

The road had been empty coming up, but from the moment we left Tang-chao we were aware of a steady movement of Imperial troops - a few odd platoons and half-sections at first, and then larger numbers, not only on the road but in the paddy and millet-fields either side.

Flashman and the Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985

Word came that new Manchoo commissioners, including the famous Prince I, were waiting just up ahead, at Tang-chao, and they hoped the army would camp on the near side of the town while we negotiated the details of Elgin's entry to Pekin.

Flashman And The Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985

It was arranged that in the morning, while De Normann and Bowlby (who wanted some copy for his rag) would stay in Tang-chao with Anderson and the sowars, the rest of us would return to the army, Parkes and Loch to report to Elgin, Walker and Ito guide them to the camp site.

Flashman And The Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985

"Is this the creature?" growls Sang, and Prince I nodded imperceptibly, and piped in his thin voice: "He was with Pa-hsia-li when that lying dog deceived us at Tang-chao."

Flashman And The Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985

For two days I was confined in a stinking wooden cage no bigger than a trunk, unable to stand or lie, but only to crouch painfully while I was exhibited in the temple square at Tang-chao to a jeering mob who spat and poked and shovelled ordure through the bars.

Flashman And The Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985

At Tang-chao, we met the great Prince I, the Emperor's cousin, a tall, skinny crow of a Manchoo in gorgeous green robes, with all his nails cased; he looked at us as if we were dirt, and when Parkes said we hoped the arrangements agreed for Elgin's entry to Pekin were still satisfactory to their side, he hissed like an angry cat.

Flashman And The Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985

Finally, after interminable discussion, they agreed that we might advance to Tang-chao, eleven miles from Pekin - provided we didn't take artillery or too many gunboats to alarm the people - and from there Elgin and Baron Gros might go into Pekin with a thousand cavalry for escort, and sign the damned treaty.

Flashman And The Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985

We left 2nd Division at Tientsin, shed all surplus gear, and cracked away at twice our previous pace, while the Manchoos plagued Elgin with appeals to stop the advance - they would appoint new commissioners, they had further proposals, there must be a pause for discussion - and Elgin replied agreeably that he'd talk to 'em at Tang-chao, as agreed.

Flashman And The Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985

The road had been empty coming up, but from the moment we left Tang-chao we were aware of a steady movement of Imperial troops - a few odd platoons and half-sections at first, and then larger numbers, not only on the road but in the paddy and millet-fields either side.

Flashman And The Dragon Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1985