The Dragon's Breath

by James Boschert

  After shouting some orders and telling Tarif to take the helm, he turned back to Talon.

  “We have heard many stories from the people in the Arab settlement since we arrived. Few of them are good. The Chinese customs are robbers, and many of the foreign merchants, Persians, Indians, and Arabs too, have been here for a very long time, unable to sell their cargos. In many cases, their cargos of spices and peppers have spoiled, and there are fires in the warehouses that happen without good reason. All this has beggared some of them so that all they want to do is to go home on the next tide, and they can't even do that without paying tax! I was beginning to wonder if the journey was going to be worth it.”

  “Hsü hinted at this, which is why he is offering me this chance to sell our cargo without the pain that normally goes with trading here,” Talon murmured. Jiaya was one deck down and might have heard the captain.

  “He has the power to do this, Master Talon?”

  “You have not yet seen his palace. We dragged a very wealthy and influential man out of the water, Captain. Good Joss for him, as he would say, and perhaps for us too!”

  “What is this ‘Joss’ thing?” the captain asked.

  “It means the same as good fortune, but I am sure that here in Guangzhou bribery has a great deal to do with it too,” Talon grinned.

  Captain Dandachi barked out a laugh, and then went off to shout at Umayr and Abdullah, who were being too slow to get the main sail up. “You spend a few days on shore, and you forget how to be sailors, you miserable sons of whores. Get those men busy, Umayr, or I'll take care of it myself and leave you ashore next time we sail.”

  Umayr grinned, and his men set to with a will. Abdullah laughed up at Talon, who was watching, and shrugged his shoulders. “Who'd be a sailor?” he joked. The boom with the sail attached was hauled rapidly into place and bellied in the light breeze.

  *****

  They sailed across the crowded river way and made it to the quayside without incident, although both Talon and the captain were sweating by the time they arrived. The river traffic never seemed to slow down or become less crowded no matter what time of day it was. The unloading of the ship was soon underway, with a chain of men and pack animals moving between the now docked vessel and the godown, situated among many others on the island of Honam.

  At one point, Reza looked up from watching the activity in the hold and pointed to the end of the quay. Striding down the slope was Fang, wearing his habitual scowl. Alongside him was an elegant palanquin carried by two stout men, which Talon recognized as being that of Lord Meng Hsü.

  The men who were carrying the palanquin came to a halt at a gesture from Fang. They placed the contraption on the ground and out stepped Hsü. He was dressed in dark clothing suitable for the street. He beamed at Reza and Talon, and then walked the short distance to the side of the ship, looking around him at the bustle of activity. After a brief word with Jiaya, who was on deck ticking merchandise off on a list as it was carried down, Hsü beckoned to Talon, who was up on the steering deck, and called up, “Talon, please spare me some of your valuable time. I wish to speak with you alone.”

  Talon glanced at Reza, who shrugged, then he strode down the gangplank onto the wharf and joined Hsü. Together they walked to a relatively quiet place along the quayside near the after end of the ship.

  “I could easily have walked the short distance between the villa and here, but Fang would have had a fit and called it undignified for a man of my stature,” he told Talon.

  Talon smiled, he enjoyed Hsü’s dry comments. “We do not see very much of you these days, Hsü,” he observed.

  Hsü, who had his hands behind his back in his normal, thoughtful mode, turned slightly and nodded, “No, you have not, and I have to apologize, but I have much work to do that needs my attention. When I get back from my visit, we will spend more time together. I would like to take you all to a polo game at the Governor's Park some time; we talked about the game while on the ship, remember? However, I am here to discuss a, hum, sensitive issue with you.”

  “I am listening,” Talon told him. They were facing one another by now, so he could see that Hsü looked concerned.

  Hsü seemed to be deep in thought for a few moments, tugging gently at the ends of his mustache, as was his habit when worried; then he shook his head slightly and said, “You know that I have to go and pay my respects to our Emperor; the Illustrious and Heaven Sent Zhao Shen, whose holy name is Xiaozong, has commanded my presence, and I cannot refuse.”

  Talon made to open his mouth, but Hsü lifted his hand, signaling for him to wait.

  “What you do not know, and this is very recent, is that I am being encouraged by certain factions to become the new governor of this city Guangzhou.”

  Talon stared at him. “What is wrong with the old governor?” he asked stupidly.

  Hsü smiled his enigmatic smile. “He is very ill, and has himself asked me to try for the post.”

  “Should I be congratulating you?” Talon inquired with a grin. “Does that explain all the visitors?” he guessed out loud.

  “Ah, yes, that is nice of you; and yes, it is the reason for the visitors. Most of them are wealthy merchants who are pledging help and cash to my cause. Politics can be an expensive undertaking. If fate smiles upon us, then that is good, but... much can occur, and I have many enemies who would rather I did not succeed.”

  Talon stared into Hsü’s eyes and understood. “Will you be in danger while on the road to the capital? Is that it?” he asked.

  “Perhaps, but I shall be taking Fang with me and an escort, so it should not be too dangerous. Besides, few would be stupid enough to interfere with an Envoy to the Emperor, which would be my status while on the road.”

  “What is the problem then?” Talon asked, puzzled.

  “I shall be leaving my family and my guests relatively unprotected at the house, and I am concerned that this could be dangerous for you,” Hsü said in a very low voice. “Once the word goes out that I intend to try for the post of governor, several things will occur. Some have already happened.” He paused and waved his arm around him. “Those who intend to oppose me will try by whatever means possible to discredit me, in this city and at the palace. Those who want me to succeed will visit me, as they have been, and pledge their loyalty. Some will be lying, trying to ingratiate themselves with me while plotting on behalf of other patrons; some will be sitting on the fence, watching to see who has the best chance to win; and others who will actively try to oppose me.”

  Talon realized what an effort this confidence had cost Hsü, so he gave a small bow and said, “I understand completely, but you should not worry too much, Hsü. Both Reza and I are capable warriors and we will assume responsibility for your family’s safety.”

  Hsü nodded. “I watched you both practicing on the ship. You are very competent.”

  “Reza is one of the very best bowmen I have known,” Talon told him.

  “Ah! He told my son that you were the very best bowman, Talon.” Hsü smiled properly this time. “I shall put my trust in you and your friend. I knew that I could, but I needed to ask,” he said, almost in an undertone.

  “You did not need to ask, Hsü. Although now we will pay more attention to who comes and goes, now that we know of your concerns.”

  “I shall be gone two weeks at most. If I don’t take Fang with me this time, he will commit seppuku in the courtyard and make a mess. Even worse, I will never live down the loss of face,” Hsü said with an amused glint in his eyes.

  “Seppuku?”

  “Suicide. He learned of this unfortunate habit while with the Nippon. They cut themselves open to atone for something obscure that they have done which they feel has brought shame on them. I swear he is dying to do it someday, but it shall not be on my time.”

  Talon snorted with laughter. “Is he mad?”

  “Oh, yes. He is quite mad, but he is a skilled and ferocious swordsman and deeply loyal to me so... I keep him.”
/>   *****

  Later that day, Talon and his friends talked about the situation. The others were surprised to hear the news. Talon felt that he needed to explain things in very clear terms. “Hsü said that it might become dangerous for his family because he has decided to go for the post.”

  “Isn’t that kind of position by appointment? Why should it be dangerous?” Rav’an asked with a frown.

  “I would have thought so, but apparently he needs to have the support, not only of people in the Emperor’s palace, but here in Guangzhou as well.”

  “Why is that so necessary, Talon?” Jannat asked, sipping tea out of a tiny porcelain cup. He had noticed that Jannat kept pace with Rav’an on many issues, and that included an interest in their presence in Guangzhou.

  “He calls them factions, Jannat. I think that means that there are rival leaders of certain groups of people. In his case, it is the majority of the merchants in the city, all those expensive looking visitors we have seen come and go; whereas his opponents represent another group, perhaps not such nice people, who want their own man in the office.”

  Reza picked up a small almond cake and chewed it, enjoying its sweet taste, and then he said with his mouth half full, “Why do they go about it in this manner? Isn't the governor like our sultans? Doesn't he have any heirs to pass it to?”

  “It would seem not,” Talon said. He was still working this one out in his head. “They do things very differently here in China. I am familiar with the violence of the world and its hideous cruelty, but this country chills me with its cold calculations.”

  “One thing does not change, no matter where we are in the world,” said Rav’an flatly, as she handed a cake to the eager Rostam.

  “What do you mean?” Jannat asked, her eyes wide.

  “My sister, it's all about power, no matter how they go about it. The winner gains much power,” Rav'an told her. Talon nodded agreement.

  “From what Hsü implied, the winner gains it all, while the losers ....” He left the rest unsaid.

  There was a long silence after this remark.

  Finally Jannat asked, “Are you saying that we might also be in danger, Talon?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far just yet, Jannat, but... we need to be careful and not stray too far from the compound until we know more. Have you noticed that there are more guards than there were when we first arrived? They are also more like real soldiers.”

  Ah, Live like it's the style

  Oh, we waltz on your front porch

  We are all our own devil

  We are all our own devil

  And we make this world our hell.

  —Oscar Wilde

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Intruders

  Late one evening, not long after his conversation with Buwei, Rong was seated in a dingy room he sometimes used for meetings with the scum of the harbor when Lin Chong arrived at the doorway. Lin shoved someone else into the room who, upon seeing Rong, bowed respectfully. Rong recognized the man. It was Kee Wen Hua; one of the servants from Hsü’s villa that Lin had planted there during Hsü’s long absence.

  “Ah, Kee, I am pleased to see you. How are things working out at the Meng household?” he asked.

  Kee peered at him. He could not make out the speaker’s features in the shadows. All he could see were the slightly plump manicured hands resting on the table and the rich clothing; the face was concealed in shadow. “All is well with the household, Master.” His voice was more of a whine.

  “I have a little task for you, Kee,” Rong rumbled.

  “Master?”

  “It has come to my ears that Lord Meng came home with a box of pretty little stones.”

  Kee nodded his head doubtfully. “This is true, Master. Of course I have not seen them, but I think it is true. Excuse my impertinence, Master, but do I know you?” Kee asked humbly. He received a clout on the back of his head from Lin that knocked off his cap.

  “You show respect when you are talked to,” Lin snapped.

  “We know where your family lives, Kee. Do you want me to bring the fingers of your little daughter in a box to remind you?” The man in front of him continued.

  “No, Master, please, don’t harm my family. I will do anything you say,” Kee begged as he scrabbled for his cap on the floor.

  “Then you need to find these stones and bring them to me, Kee,” Rong told him.

  Kee fell to his knees. He clasped his hands together in supplication.

  “Master, even if I knew where they were, I could not obtain them. They could be anywhere in the inner house, locked away, and it is very possible they are in Lady Meng’s quarters. That is the innermost part of the house, and I know of a room within a room with but one entrance. If they are in the house then they are there, but I could not possibly go anywhere near that place for any excuse!” he cried.

  Lin Chong raised his hand to slap Kee again, but Rong forestalled him.

  “Where does the entrance lead to?” he asked pleasantly.

  “It is the Lady Meng’s bedroom, Lord.” Kee was still kneeling and clasping his hands.

  Rong thought about that. The Lady Meng was most likely unable to get out of bed without help, once in it. She, like so many other women, Rong’s wife included, had had her feet bound at an early age. She was effectively crippled.

  Kee shuffled over towards Rong. Lin put a hand on his shoulder to stop him, but he looked up at Rong and whined.

  “My Lord Meng is going to the Emperor’s palace this week, Lord.”

  Lin looked up sharply at his master and smiled. Rong nodded and smiled too.

  “Then we shall have to pay the villa a visit. But first, Kee, you will tell us exactly where the box is that holds the jewels. You will find out, you will not get caught, and then you will pass a message to Lin here, who will do the rest.”

  “Sir?” Kee said.

  “What is it, Kee? I am busy.”

  “There are foreigners in the guest house who are still there. The Persians who brought Lord Meng home.”

  “They shouldn’t be a problem. Lin can deal with any interference from them if they are foolish enough to get in the way. Find out where the jewels are, and make sure you draw an accurate map. Now go, and remember, your family is safe as long as you do as you are told and say nothing to anyone.”

  Kee nodded and Ke Tou’d right there on the floor. He got to his feet and was pushed roughly out of the room by Lin. Rong sat back on his chair and considered the news. Lin knew just the right people to carry out the kind of work he had in mind. Kee simply had to provide a map, and the men could slip in and out without being noticed. The jewels would simply disappear; and he, Rong, could do a great deal with the wealth they would provide, if they were as valuable as was rumored, including getting rid of Hsü and Buwei when the time was appropriate.

  *****

  A week later Kee slipped out of the compound through a small entrance at the back wall near the stables. Waiting for him was a man loitering in the shadow of a tree in the narrow street.

  Kee handed a folded piece of paper to the man, who didn’t say anything; he just pushed Kee back towards the doorway and then disappeared around the corner.

  Lin produced the much handled piece of paper in Rong’s office that afternoon. Rong pondered the crudely drawn map. “Have you looked at this, Lin?” he asked, knowing his man had looked it over thoroughly.”

  “Yes, my Lord,” Lin replied truthfully. “It will not be hard to go over the wall. Kee could let us in, but I don’t want him to be seen, as he could still be useful.”

  Rong nodded his approval. Lin was thinking this through carefully. “There is no moon in five days time. You will have only one chance, I suspect. Who are you taking with you?”

  Lin mentioned two names, and again Rong nodded approval. “Three is enough for this enterprise. Those two will be more than a match for Hsü’s guards if there is a problem. With any Joss, you will be in and out and long gone before they even discover the
items are missing. Hsü must suspect only his own people, and if Kee is in bed with a maid, that will be his alibi,” Rong chortled.

  It took a huge effort not to rub his hands together with glee. He could only imagine what it would be like to handle so much treasure. Lin, he knew, would be faithful to the end. Not even the wealth the jewels represented would tempt him to betray Rong. He had been taken off the execution field on the mud flats on the East side of the city by Rong himself, who had intervened one hour before the moment.

  *****

  The news that they might be asked to act as guardians of the villa was generating mixed feelings.

  “Does that mean we have to be guards?” Reza asked without any enthusiasm.

  “It means that Yosef and Dar’an will be on guard at the entrance to our guest compound until we know better,” Talon said. “They can see the main entrance and most of the rest of the compound from our own gate. They don’t have to go around making themselves obvious. Hsü told me that there will also be guards at the entrance to the inner courtyard.”

  “Where do you think any danger might come from, Talon?” Rav’an asked him.

  “I don’t know, and Hsü was less than clear about it, my Love,” he responded. “He seemed a little worried, but he assured me that nothing was likely to happen. I think we should just go about our business and keep an eye on the guards. They are not the most experienced I have ever met,” he added.

  Hsü departed without ceremony two days later, taking with him Fang, Fuling, and six men-at-arms. On the evening of the fourth day, Talon and Reza were returning from a walk along the river when were stopped by Lihua. Talon had been somewhat surprised that she had not left with Hsü, but then realized that, had she done so, they would have been left with no one to translate for them.

  “Master Talon,” she called. He and Reza stopped and waited for her to join them.

  “My Lady wants you to come and speak with her,” Lihua said, after she had bowed respectfully.