{"product_id":"the-english-concubine-passion-and-power-in-1860s-singapore-9789814423625","title":"The English Concubine : Passion And Power In 1860S Singapore","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the fourth and final volume of the The Straits Quartet, Charlotte \u003cbr\u003e\nMacleod is the English concubine. Her love affair with Zhen, wealthy \u003cbr\u003e\nChinese merchant, is an open scandal to both the English and the Chinese \u003cbr\u003e\ncommunities. Singapore in 1860 is a vice-ridden town filled 'with the dregs \u003cbr\u003e\nof humanity from two continents.' Opium makes up half of the British \u003cbr\u003e\nEmpire's trade in the East and, from Singapore, the Chinese triads control \u003cbr\u003e\nthe vast distribution of chandu, the refined opium, which is spread through \u003cbr\u003e\nthe south seas. Turf wars are fought on the high seas and on the streets of \u003cbr\u003e\nChinatown to control the mighty profits of this trade. The colonial \u003cbr\u003e\ngovernment, impoverished and ineffectual, can do nothing about it. Only the \u003cbr\u003e\nChinese godfather, the Lord of the Kongsi, has that power through his \u003cbr\u003e\ncontrol of the coolie, prostitute and opium trade.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Monsoon Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42978570666150,"sku":"9789814423625","price":17.9,"currency_code":"MYR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0443\/8471\/4918\/products\/the-english-concubine-passion-and-power-in-1860s-singapore-9789814423625-31515030945970.jpg?v=1656107952","url":"https:\/\/bookxcess.myshopify.com\/products\/the-english-concubine-passion-and-power-in-1860s-singapore-9789814423625","provider":"Staging Site ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}