Chapter 06

Summary

• Struan is eating dinner alone in the dining room of his offices in the Canton Establishments.
• Struan observes the merchants in the garden below and the bustling Chinese square beyond.
• European traders can only move freely in the English Garden, while Chinese people who are not servants are prohibited from entering the garden and the traders' buildings.
• There are 13 establishments in the European enclave, and only two narrow streets: Hog Street and Old China Lane.
• Struan and Brock have their own buildings, while the other traders share space in the others according to their needs, usually paying rent to the East India Company.
• Struan sees Brock talking animatedly with Cooper and Culum.
• Struan goes to bed with May-May, and they discuss the state of Struan's business and the fact that he owes money to Brock.
• A servant interrupts them to bring food, and May-May scolds the servants in Cantonese before they leave.
• Struan and May-May continue their conversation, and May-May suggests that Struan take a concubine to bear him a son.
• Struan rejects the idea and they argue about it.
• Struan receives a message from Lim Din, asking for a meeting.
• Struan agrees and plans to meet with Lim Din the following morning.