"The country that heaven loves"

Throughout "The Chinese Lily" the phrase "the country that heaven loves" is used quite often. Immediately the topic of death came to mind upon seeing this phrase in the story. At the beginning Lin John and Mermei loose their parents and uncle. Also Sin Far is killed at the end when Lin John is unable to rescue her from the fire. One way the topic of death can be interpreted in the story is that it can bring loved ones closer together. Obviously after the death of their parents and uncle Lin John and Mermei were left to fend for themselves. Mermei being a cripple is so attached to her brother than when he doesn't visit her one night she begins to cry.

Also when Sin Far dies in the fire Lin John says to Mermei " Sin Far is happy. And I - I did my duty with her approval, aye, at her bidding. How then, little sister, can I be sad?" This statement along with him describing heaven as "the land of happy spirits" seems to imply that the author is taking a positive view on death.