The World of a Tiny Insect: A Memoir of the Taiping Rebellion and Its Aftermath

Chronology

177 Chronology January 29, 1854 (the first day of the first month in the jiayin or fourth year of the Xianfeng era): The author, Zhang Daye, is born at South Qinghe/ Yuanjiang (in Huai’an, Jiangsu), where his father is serving in public office 1857: Author begins schooling February 20, 1860 (the 29th day of the first month in the 10th year of the Xianfeng era): The Nian rebels press close to Huai’an of Jiangsu, and the director-general of the Grand Canal flees; at about the same time, author escapes with his three mothers (his “birth mother,” “legal mother,” and “concubine mother”) and young servant Zhou, and goes to family residence at Shaoxing August or September, 1860: Author’s “legal mother” Madame Chen goes back to Yuanjiang to join his father; author stays behind at Shaoxing along with his “birth mother” Wang and “concubine mother” Lou October 29, 1861 (the 26th day of the ninth month in the xinyou or 11th year of the Xianfeng era): Author flees from Shaoxing to Black Stone Village with the help of hired hand Lu Sanyi, just before Shaoxing falls to the Taiping army November 1, 1861: Taiping army captures Shaoxing November/December 1861: Author flees to Tiaomachang, south of Black Stone Village, via Cuangong December 28, 1861 (the 27th day of the 11th month): Taiping army attacks Tiaomachang 178 Chronology 1862: Author goes to Lu’s Dyke (his fourth sister’s married home), where he witnesses the dismembering of a woman; then to Diankou (hometown of his “legal mother”) and on to Pig’s Jaw; then to Ding’s Port, and comes down with malaria; then back to Diankou Summer 1862: Author suffers from acute dysentery at Diankou; goes back to Ding’s Port, then is taken by Wenjing to Houbao, where he receives news of Zhou’s death; paternal aunt gets married to Mr. Lu at Dragon’s Tail Mountain July 27, 1862: Bao Village is captured and slaughtered by Taiping army; author’s maternal cousin Xiong and his wife die Later 1862: Author flees to Temple’s East, where he watches family tailor ’s son Feng Zhihua retrieve his brother Feng Zhiying’s head; in early autumn, he and mother briefly seek refuge at Cypress Lodge, where his ancestral shrine is; then to Tao’s Weir; then to West Port (aka Roosting Duck Village), where cousin Xiaoyun’s wife née Wang commits suicide; her infant son Ren dies shortly afterward; author, mother, and old family servant Ah Zhang flee to Dragon’s Tail Mountain and join author’s aunt, now Mrs. Lu; mother is ill; author is cared for by Ah Zhang for six months Spring 1863: Author’s mother gradually recovers from illness March 17, 1863: Taiping army leaves Shaoxing March 18, 1863: Cousin Xiaoyun returns to Shaoxing to look at family residence, finds everything intact, and leaves March 25, 1863: Cousin Xinquan goes back to Shaoxing’s family residence and finds it robbed clean October–November 1863: Author and mother go north and join his father at South Qinghe/Yuanjiang of Jiangsu, and subsequently witness the Nian rebels’ attack of Yuanjiang 1870: Author’s father passes away; author escorts father’s coffin back to Shaoxing; pays respects to Lu Sanyi’s grave; sees Ah Zhang for the last time 1871: Author visits Tiaomachang and sees Old Woman Tang Chronology 179 October/November, 1874 (the ninth month of the jiaxu or 13th year of the Tongzhi era): Author begins trip to Jinsha (in Nantong, Jiangsu) (Yuanjiang—Huaicheng—Baoying—Gaoyou—Shaobo—Yangzhou— Tai Zhou—Rugao—Jinsha) 1875: Author returns to Yuanjiang from Jinsha April 22, 1875: Cousin Xuequan dies November 28–December 27, 1875 (the 11th month of the yihai or first year of the Guangxu era): Author goes to Shaoxing for father’s permanent burial (Yuanjiang—Danyang—Changzhou—Wuxi—Suzhou— Pingwang—Jiaxing—Shimen—Hangzhou—Shaoxing) Spring 1876: Author stays at Shaoxing and tours nearby sites; returns to Yuanjiang (Shaoxing—Xiaoshan—Hangzhou—Shimen—Jiaxing— Pingwang—Suzhou—Wuxi—Changzhou—Zhenjiang—Yangzhou— Shaobo—Gaoyou—Yuanjiang) August 11, 1878 (the 13th day of the seventh month in the wuyin or fourth year of the Guangxu era): Author goes to Hangzhou for livelihood [Dates unknown]: After leaving Hangzhou, author spends seven months at Songjiang (Shanghai), followed by several years at Suzhou; also, some time between 1878 and 1893, author’s family moves to Ningbo April/May 1885 (thethirdmonthoftheyiyouor11thyearoftheGuangxu era): Author...