# We Hear More About Li Chang Yen explained — The Big Four

> Chapter companion for The Big Four by Agatha Christie.

## What happens

A week after the fake asylum attendant's visit, Hastings hopes the man will return, but Poirot dismisses the idea. The inquest results in a verdict of accidental death. Poirot then takes Hastings to visit Mr. John Ingles, a retired Civil Servant with deep knowledge of Chinese underground life. Ingles reveals that Li Chang Yen is a mastermind behind global unrest, controlling revolutions and using scientific weapons. He describes how four men who opposed Li Chang Yen died mysteriously. Ingles also shares a letter from a man named Jonathan Whalley, who claims to be hiding from 'The Big Four,' prompting Poirot to immediately set out for Dartmoor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Global Criminal Conspiracy

Li Chang Yen is revealed as the mastermind behind worldwide unrest, revolutions, and a secret organization known as 'The Big Four.'

### Science and Technology as Weapons

Mr. Ingles describes a young chemist conducting horrific experiments on coolies, and a death by a mysterious electrical force, highlighting the use of science as a weapon.

### Fear and Paranoia

The chapter is steeped in paranoia: the fake asylum visit, the mysterious deaths of those who opposed Li Chang Yen, and Whalley's terrified letter all contribute to an atmosphere of fear.

## Character check-ins

### Hercule Poirot

Dismisses Hastings' hope of the fake attendant returning; visits Mr. Ingles to learn about Li Chang Yen; decides to travel to Dartmoor after reading Whalley's letter.

### Captain Hastings

Hopes the fake asylum attendant will return; accompanies Poirot to visit Mr. Ingles; protests the idea of a Chinaman controlling Russia.

### John Ingles

Retired Civil Servant with deep knowledge of Li Chang Yen; describes Li Chang Yen as the controlling brain behind global unrest; shares a letter from Jonathan Whalley about 'The Big Four.'

### Number Four

Referred to as the executive of the organization; Poirot suggests his visit was a reconnaissance to see Hercule Poirot.

### Mayerling

Dead; his body was found in Poirot's flat; the inquest ruled accidental death.

### Li Chang Yen

Described as the mastermind behind global unrest and revolutions; controls a scientific force; never leaves his palace in Peking.

### Mr. Whalley

Wrote a letter to Ingles claiming to be hiding from 'The Big Four'; his letter prompts Poirot to travel to Dartmoor.

## Key lines

> Mon ami, if you wish you may wait in to put salt on the little bird's tail, but for me I do not waste my time so.

My friend, if you want to wait around to catch the bird, go ahead, but I'm not going to waste my time doing that.

_Poirot dismisses Hastings' hope that the fake attendant will return._

> We go, Hastings, to see the one man in England who knows most of the underground life of China.

We're going to visit the person in England who knows the most about the secret activities in China.

_Poirot reveals their destination to Hastings._

> There are people, not scaremongers, who know what they are talking about, and they say that there is a force behind the scenes which aims at nothing less than the disintegration of civilization.

There are knowledgeable people, not alarmists, who claim that a hidden force is working to destroy civilization.

_Mr. Ingles explains the scale of Li Chang Yen's conspiracy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_four_se/chapters/iii-we-hear-more-about-li-chang-yen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_four_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_four_se/chapters