The Chengdu Concubine
OUTLINE
John's father, Ao-nan Wang convinces Ju-ling his Communist concubine to leave the Mainland with him.
All about Ju-ling
Ju-ling could be a descendent from Khazar refugees at the turn of the first millennium
Ju-ling is a vibrant Sichuan Opera performer.
Evacuation from Chengdu to Taiwan on 10 December 1949
Ju-ling met with Chiang Fang-liang ( born Faina Ipat'evna Vakhreva, Jewish bride of Chang Kai-sheck's son) during the siege of the Chengdu Central Military Academy.
On 1 October 1949, Mao Zedong has proclaimed the PRC in Beijing. In a state of complete disarray, the remaining KMT troops have retreated to Sichuan. Chengdu is the last city to hold. An airlift to Taiwan is being secretly organized for senior officers and their families. Ao-nan, an officer close to the Chiang family developed an affair with Ju-ling, a very young Sichuan Opera performer. When offered the possibility to flee the mainland with her lover, she is confronted between her duty as a CCP covert agent to either kill him or marry him and leave her family and beliefs behind.
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Main Hall, Opera House, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, December 1949
The main hall of the Chengdu Opera House is dimly lit. A single spot illuminates the turquoise costume of the last standing character. Ju-ling has just poisoned her old husband in order to acquire his wealth. He is lying at her feet. The loud click of the shutting spot precedes the slow fade of the incandescent 5000W bulb. Vibrant applauds echo in the pitched black room. Ju-ling is frozen centre stage. -Should I do it tonight? What if I fail? What if I freeze? What if he kills me instead? Two Neon Tubes intermittently light up as soldiers open the side doors of the wooden building letting the cold winter air in. Ju-ling has left the stage. Ao-nan walks towards the backstage against the exiting crowd, mostly NRA officers, [KMT] officials and relocated industrialists.
Backstage, Opera House
Ao-nan knocks repeatedly on a locked door. Amongst stage gear and costumes, the performer who a moment ago was lying dead on the stage walks by Ao-nan and warns him.
-Be careful. Genuine Sichuan girl. They're a fierce breed.
Changing Room, Opera House
Knocks resonate in the sparsely but carefully decorated changing room. Ju-ling removes her wig, staring at the opaque mirror. A long dagger shoved in its scabbard, lies on the desk in front of her. -If I open, I'll have to kill him. If I don't, I'll be blamed for not helping the revolution. Knocks persist. Ju-ling walks to the door and opens it. Ao-nan grabs Ju-ling before she could say anything and kisses her passionately. He's a tall 30 years old NRA officer. Northern Han stock. Ju-ling is barely 20, darker than he is. Black lines around her green eyes accentuate their size. Her fine nose rests above vibrantly red painted lips. The embracing couple lands on the wooden bed. This is Ju-ling's room.
-Not now, you'll have to come later. Everybody is still here.
-Forget about everyone. I just see you. I don't hear anything else. I don't see anyone else. I don't think of them, I don't think of war, I don't think. I'm just here, with you and only you.
They resume lovemaking. A moment passes before Ju-ling lights up a cigarette.
-Who were you with? Next to you, I saw many guards and the row in front was empty.
-Chiang Ching-kuo. The General's son. He was very impressed by you. But I was not to bring him here. He's a vicious man. He has many mistresses. Maybe he would want to have you too.
-I don't like old men. You should have brought him. I would have entertained him. Maybe you would have become captain. I know how to treat old men... Like you...
A moment passes. Ao-nan buttons his trousers.
-There is a dinner organized tomorrow at the General's residence and Ching-kuo has invited me. You should come. I'll introduce you to his mother-in-law.
Qionglai Air Base, Chengdu, 10 December 1949
Yu-ling gets a ride on the May-Ling. Ao-nan stays behind to fight.