Ah Ling

Ah Ling is an historical figure. Ah Ling is the child of a white man who visited China and the Chinese prostitute he sleeps with. His mother having died young, Ling is sold to a nomadic people who live on the sea. Ling is raised among prostitutes and opium trade. When he goes to America, he is sent to find a fortune. He becomes obsessed with gold and amassing wealth. He is first employed by Uncle Ng, a laundryman running a small side business with the prostitute, Little Sister. Ling eventually becomes employed by Charles Crocker, a wealthy Irish American man responsible for America's railroad expansion. He takes Ling on as a personal laundryman and eventual manservant. Ling delights at the role but later realizes he is betraying his people.

One of the signature traits of Ling's character is his naïveté. Ling comes to America thinking...