A Simple Delivery

Into the village Ania'xia rode a stranger one fine day. From the south-side where the Yangtze gave the river life, and from afar the potent warships hidden under fishing gear could be seen. The villagers, already worried from news abroad scattered at the sight of him, though he was a shorter man with a wide foreign hat, he rode atop a very large horse and carried some very large guns on his person. Whistling as he road his horse up to the larger of the two worships. Ignorant of the men in the streets who remained. They gritted their teeth at his passing and tightened their hands on their swords, spears, and pistols, but none dared to attack the stranger.

When he reached the docks he dismounted his horse, withdrawing a fresh zucchini from one of his pockets and whispering to it in a language no man about recognized, and then simply boarded the ship of pirates. In one hand he carried a letter, the other rested on the pistol slung right below his belly.

On board he was expected. A whole reception had been awaiting him, with about thirty hardened Tanka 'sailors' surrounding a woman sat upon a small folding chair, an ornate table laid out before her. Her face hidden by a wide brimmed straw hat, her body dressed in black and red silk. Though she and all her men followed the curious little man as he approached.

The Foreigner removed his hat, revealing features not expected of most foreigners, and he bowed slightly. "Holá señorita." He said quietly, and placed the letter on the table before her. One of her men moved to pick it up, but the Pirate Queen raised a hand to stop him as the stranger rifled through his pockets again. Several of the river-men tensed, one drawing his hook sword. Prompting her to bark. "Děngdài!" Her men froze, as after some struggle the man produced a bottle of foreign colourless liquor and a large single stack of Mexican Silver Dollars, which he placed on the table.

Then he stepped back. Allowing one of the pirates pick up and open the letter. With a look to his mistress, he began reading.

"(Hello good lady, forgive me for being unable to address you directly but we are running low on time and I am a man who follows 'Good Enough' plans.)"

He stopped a moment, as foreign man leaned back on his heals. Waiting expectantly. "(At the moment you and I share a common goal in serving the public good. The public that the 'public' often ignores. Neither of us care much for the corrupting power of governing and therefore we have a special opportunity in this catastrophe. To dictate the terms of the battlefield as we please. We have a rare opportunity to get a say what bastard son of a goat gets written as the victor. My offer is this. An alliance to assist one another and to follow your lead in diplomatic matters, so long as you let me scalp every American Dog attacking Chongqing. Even if you wish to debase yourself with a government position, and claim that governorship for yourself. If you need anything you need only ask, and afterwords I invite you to drink with me and my men. Should we live long. Good day madam.)"

When he stopped, the foreigner took off his hat again, bowed, and walked back off. Climbing back onto his horse and riding off without another word. Leaving lady Zheng with ninety silver dollars, a bottle of tequila, and an offer.