Tom Bradby
The Master Of Rain

© 2002

Thanks to Mark Lucas, the world’s greatest agent; Bill Scott-Kerr and Jason Kaufman,

a supportive, clever, and extremely insightful editorial team;

and, most of all, to Claudia, my inspirational wife.

Shanghai

1926

ACCORDING TO CHINESE LEGEND,

AFFAIRS IN THE “OTHER WORLD”

ARE MANAGED BY BUREAUS OR MINISTRIES.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF THESE IS

THE MINISTRY OF THUNDER AND STORM,

PRESIDED OVER BY THE MASTER OF RAIN.

IN THE CLOSE, INTENSE HEAT

OF THE SHANGHAI SUMMER,

THE MASTER OF RAIN STANDS ABOVE

THE DARK CLOUDS THAT HANG OVER THE CITY,

BROODING UPON ITS FATE. THE RAIN IS IN HIS GIFT,

AND THUS HE CONTROLS THE FERTILITY OF THE LAND

AND THE PROSPERITY OF ITS INHABITANTS.

HE IS AN OMNIPOTENT AND CAPRICIOUS

BENEFACTOR-OR TORMENTOR.