5 March, 1896

 

Dearest Kang Zou,

A great evil has befallen me! Terrible demons have killed my darling songbird. Oh, my brother, she was singing so sweetly, but then with a great boom her song was silenced. When I rushed to see my darling bird, it was an old, shriveled thing, a most despicable creature that once had given me such pleasure. How horrid for such a young bird to be struck down needlessly.

My only explanation is that I called these demons of death to me. My melancholy at your absence has given me such grief that I drew evil to me. Oh, please, dear brother, can you not come home for a short time to save me from the ghosts that must now be drawing ever nearer?

Confucius speaks of the natural family order. Ours is out of balance without your presence.

Your grieving sister,

Wen Ji

~

Decoded translation:

Son, great evil threatens our country. My battles against the white barbarians have gone very badly. The enemy has some ghostly magic that destroys our brave soldiers. The Chinese fall like old, shriveled men at the mere sound of the white people's booming guns. Without a success soon, our family name will be forever struck from the emperor's mouth.

You must bring me word of your success. Our only hope lies with you.

Do not forget your obligations to family and country. A dutiful son and a good Manchurian would accomplish your task speedily.

Your anxious father,

General Kang