“Tai Pan novel Perkins and Russell knew American success would rest on favorable ties with the Chinese Cohong, the guild that held the monopoly on foreign trade. And no member of that guild was more important than its leader, the mighty Wu Ping-Chien, known to foreigners as Houqua. In portraits, a slight man with a wispy white beard and rather sad eyes, Houqua was in life a mandarin powerhouse, paying no mind to the dictates of the ancient Confucian social hierarchy, in which a merchant had no standing. Bedecked in shimmering silk robes and clattering jade necklaces,he met and entertained the fangai merchants so hated in China, building his fortune by selling, buying, and making loans against the foreigners’ future profits. He always made it a point to forgive debts to preserve a relationship. According to one story, when an American merchant owed him $100,000 (a full competence), Houqua told the desperate man in pidgin: “You and I are No 1. olo flen; you belong honest man, only no got chance.” He then opened his safe, ripped up the promissory notes, and threw them in the trash. “Just now have settee counter, alle finishee; you go, you please.”5 Ujifusa, Steven (2018-07-16T22:58:59). Barons of the Sea: And their Race to Build the World's Fastest Clipper Ship (Kindle Locations 553-558). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition. Ujifusa, Steven (2018-07-16T22:58:59). Barons of the Sea: And their Race to Build the World's Fastest Clipper Ship (Kindle Locations 549-553). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition. ”
