Nick bought the clothes worn by Chinese scholars on the street and put them on. After donning a hat to hide his head of blond hair, as long as he did not speak, he looked very much like a Manchu with Sogdian blood.
No matter how impoverished the old licentiate was, he still wore a long robe rather than the "short brown" clothing of commoners. The latter was convenient for movement, with the upper garment falling around the knees, while a long robe came close to the ankles.
Many people who were not "scholars" also wore long robes, so they need not worry about being stopped and questioned by patrolling soldiers. Many sailors from Europe gathered in Pig Alley near the small square of the Thirteen Hongs, drinking in ramshackle taverns like "Good Tom" and "Good Jimmy." They did not merely drink and cause trouble; sometimes they also ran into swindlers. The imperial court had issued an edict forbidding commoners from carrying weapons, but these sailors generally carried guns and gunpowder. British sailors in particular wore shoes with very thick soles, at least a finger high, concealing blades inside. Miao women in Guizhou did the same, using them as a means of self-defense.
Port cities often had chaotic public order, but Guangzhou was far better than other port cities in Southeast Asia. At least, two blocks away, there was no sign of any disturbance.
Guangzhou had no streetlights. Only the lanterns outside wealthy homes provided illumination, with the owner's surname written on the red paper. Beyond the lantern light lay complete darkness, and the streets were silent.
As he passed one household, noise drifted from its open gate. Nick could not help stopping to look inside and discovered that a banquet was underway.
Just as the admiral had held a