His brides…
He had told Nan Ho to get the Heads of the three clans to agree to waive the preliminary ceremonies – had insisted that the thing be done quickly if at all – yet it had not been possible to dispense with this final ritual. It was, after all, a matter of face. Of pride. To marry a T’ang – that was not done without due celebration, without due pomp and ceremony. And would the T’ang deny them that?
He could not. For to be T’ang had its obligations as well as its advantages. And so here he was, on a cold, wet, windy morning, marrying three young women he had never seen before this day.
Necessary, he told himself. For the Family must be strong again. Even so, his heart ached and his soul cried out at the wrongness of it.
He watched them come, a feeling of dread rising in him. These were the women he was to share his life with. They would bear his sons, would lie beneath him in his bed. And what if he came to hate them? What if they hated him? For what was done here could not easily be undone.
No. A man was forgiven one failure. But any more and the world would condemn him, wherever lay the fault.
Wives. These strangers were to be his wives. And how had this come about? He sat there, momentarily bemused by the fact. Then, as the music changed and the chant began below, he stood and went to the top of the steps, ready for the great ceremony to begin.
An hour later it was done. Li Yuan stepped back, watching as his wives knelt, bowing low, touching their foreheads to the floor three times before him.
Nan Ho had chosen well, had shown great sensitivity, for not one of the three reminded him in the least of Fei Yen and yet each was, in her own way, quite distinct. Mien Shan, the eldest and officially his First Wife, was a tiny thing with a strong build and a pleasantly rounded face. Fu Ti Chang, the youngest, just seventeen, was also the tallest, a shy, elegant willow of a girl. By way of contrast, Lai Shi seemed quite spirited; she was a long-faced girl, hardly a beauty, but there was a sparkle in her eye that made her by far the most attractive of the three. Li Yuan had smiled when she’d pulled back her veil, surprised to find an interest in her stirring in himself.
Tonight duty required him to visit the bed of Mien Shan. But tomorrow?
He dismissed his wives then turned, summoning Nan Ho to him.
‘Chieh Hsia?’
He lowered his voice. ‘I am most pleased with this morning’s events, Master Nan. You have done well to prepare things so quickly.’
Nan Ho bowed low. ‘It was but my duty, Chieh Hsia.’
‘Maybe so, but you have excelled yourself, Nan Ho. From henceforth you are no longer Master of the Inner Chamber but Chancellor.’
Nan Ho’s look of amazement was almost comical. ‘Chieh Hsia! But what of Chung Hu-yan?’
Li Yuan smiled. ‘I am warmed by your concern, Nan Ho, but do not worry. I informed Chung yesterday evening. Indeed, he confirmed my choice.’
Nan Ho’s puzzlement deepened. ‘Chieh Hsia?’
‘I should explain, perhaps, Master Nan. It was all agreed long before my father’s death. It was felt that I would need new blood when I became T’ang, new men surrounding me. Men I could trust. Men who would grow as I grew and would be as pillars, supporting me in my old age. You understand?’
Nan Ho bowed his head. ‘I understand, Chieh Hsia, and am honoured. Honoured beyond words.’
‘Well… Go now. Chung Hu-yan has agreed to stay on as your advisor until you feel comfortable with your new duties. Then he is to become my counsellor.’
Nan Ho gave the briefest nod, understanding. Counsellor. It would make Chung virtually an uncle to Li Yuan, a member of Li Yuan’s inner council, discussing and formulating policy. No wonder he had not minded relinquishing his post as Chancellor.
‘And when am I to begin, Chieh Hsia?’
Li Yuan laughed. ‘You began two days ago, Master Nan, when you came to my room and took the book of brides from me. I appointed you then, in here.’ He tapped his forehead. ‘You have been my Chancellor ever since.’
Jelka was standing at her father’s side, among the guests in the great pavilion, when Hans Ebert came across and joined them.
‘Marshal Tolonen…’ Ebert bowed to the old man then turned, smiling, to Jelka. In his bright red dress uniform he looked a young god, his golden hair swept back neatly, his strong, handsome features formed quite pleasantly. Even his eyes, normally so cold, seemed kind as he looked at her. But still, Jelka hardened herself against the illusion, reminding herself of what she knew about him.
He lowered his head, keeping his eyes on her face. ‘It’s good to see you here, Jelka. I hope you’re feeling better.’
His enquiry was soft-spoken, his words exactly what a future husband ought to have said, yet somehow she could not accept them at face value. He was a good actor – a consummately good actor, for it seemed almost as if he really liked her – but she knew what he was beneath the act. A shit. A cold, self-centred shit.
‘I’m much better, thank you,’ she said, lowering her eyes, a faint blush coming to her cheeks. ‘It was only a sprain.’
The blush was for the lie she had told. She had not sprained her ankle at all. It was simply that the idea of seeing Hans Ebert made general in her father’s place had been more than she could bear. To have spent the evening toasting the man she most abhorred! She could think of nothing worse.
She kept her eyes averted, realizing the shape her thoughts had taken. Was it really that bad? Was Hans Ebert really so abhorrent? She looked up again, meeting his eyes, noting the concern there. Even so, the feeling persisted. To think of marrying this man was a mistake. A horrible mistake.
His smile widened. ‘You will come and dine with us, I hope, a week from now. My father is looking forward to it greatly. And I. It would be nice to speak with you, Jelka. To find out who we are.’
‘Yes…’ She glanced up at him then lowered her eyes again, a shiver of revulsion passing through her at the thought. Yet what choice had she? This man was to be her husband – her life partner.
Ebert lifted her hand, kissing her knuckles gently before releasing it. He smiled then bowed, showing her the deepest respect. ‘Until then…’ He turned slightly, bowing to her father, then turned away.
‘A marvellous young man,’ Tolonen said, watching Ebert make his way back through the crowd towards the T’ang. ‘Do you know, Jelka, if I’d had a son, I’d have wished for one like Hans.’
She shivered. The very thought of it made her stomach tighten, reminded her of the mad girl in the Ebert Mansion and of that awful pink-eyed goat-baby. A son like Hans… She shook her head. No! It could never be!
In the sedan travelling back to Nanking, Jelka sat there, facing her father, listening to him, conscious, for the first time in her life, of how pompous, how vacuous his words were. His notion that they were at the beginning of a new ‘Golden Age’, for instance. It was a nonsense. She had read the special reports on the situation in the lower levels and knew how bad things were. Every day brought growing disaffection from the Seven and their rule – brought strikes and riots and the killing of officials – yet he seemed quite blind to all that. He spoke of growth and stability and the glorious years to come. Years that would recapture the glory of his youth.
She sat there a long while, simply listening, her head lowered. Then, suddenly, she looked up at him.
‘I can’t.’
He looked across at her, breaking off. ‘Can’t what?’
She stared back into his steel-grey eyes, hardening herself against him. ‘I can’t marry Hans Ebert.’
He laughed, shocked. ‘Don’t be silly, Jelka. It’s all arranged. Besides, Hans is General now.’
‘I don’t care!’ she said, the violence of her words surprising him. ‘I simply can’t marry him!’
He shook his head then leaned forward. ‘You mustn’t say that, Jelka. You mustn’t!’
She glared back at him defiantly. ‘Why not? It’s what I feel. To marry Hans would kill me. I’d shrivel up and die.
’
‘Nonsense!’ he barked, angry now. ‘You’re being ridiculous! Can’t you see the way that boy looks at you? He’s besotted!’
She looked down. ‘You really don’t understand, do you?’ She shuddered then looked up at him again. ‘I don’t like him, Daddy. I…’ She gave a small, pained laugh. ‘How can I possibly marry someone I don’t like?’
He had gone very still, his eyes narrowed. ‘Listen, my girl, you will, and sooner than you think. I’ve agreed a new date for the wedding. A month from now.’
She sat back, open-mouthed, staring at him.
He leaned closer, softening his voice. ‘It’s not how I meant to tell you but, there, it’s done. And no more of this nonsense. Hans is a fine young man. The very best of young men. And you’re a lucky girl, if only you’d get these silly notions out of your head. You’ll come to realize it. And then you’ll thank me for it.’
‘Thank you?’ The note of incredulity in her voice made him sit back, bristling.
‘Yes. Thank me. Now, no more. I insist.’
She shook her head. ‘You don’t know him, Father. He keeps a girl in his house – a mad girl whose baby he had killed – and I’ve heard –’
‘Enough!’
Tolonen got to his feet, sending the sedan swaying. As it slowed, he sat again, the colour draining slowly from his face.
‘I won’t hear another word from you, my girl. Not another word. Hans is a fine young man. And these lies…’
‘They’re not lies. I’ve seen her. I’ve seen what he did to her.’
‘Lies…’ he insisted, shaking his head. ‘Really… I would not have believed it of you, Jelka. Such behaviour. If your mother were alive…’
She put her head down sharply, trembling with anger. Gods! To talk of her mother at such a time. She slowed her breathing, calming herself, then said it one more time.
‘I can’t.’
She looked up and saw how he was watching her: coldly, so far from her in feeling that it was as if he were a stranger to her.
‘You will,’ he said. ‘You will because I say you will.’
The doctor was still fussing over Karr’s shoulder when they brought the man in. Karr turned, wincing, waving the doctor away, then leaned across the desk, studying the newcomer.
‘You’re sure this is him?’ he asked, looking past the man at Chen.
Chen nodded. ‘We’ve made all the checks. He seems to be who he claims he is.’
Karr smiled then sat back, a flicker of pain passing across his face. ‘All right. So you’re Reid, eh? Thomas Reid. Well, tell me, Shih Reid, why are you here?’
The man looked down, betraying a moment’s fear, then he girded up his courage again and spoke.
‘I was there, you see. After you raided the fortress. I was there with the Man’s lieutenant…’
‘The Man?’
‘DeVore. That’s what we call him. The Man.’
Karr glanced at Chen. ‘And?’
‘Just that I was there, afterwards. Lehmann and I…’
‘Lehmann?’
‘Stefan Lehmann. The albino. Under-Secretary Lehmann’s son.’
Karr laughed, surprised. ‘And he’s DeVore’s lieutenant?’
‘Yes. I was with him, you see. We’d been off to deliver something for the Man. But when we got back, shortly after eight, we saw your transporters from some distance away and knew there had been trouble. We flew south then doubled back, crossing the valley on foot, then climbed up to the ruins.’
‘The ruins?’
‘Yes, there’s a castle… or, at least, the remains of one. It’s on the other side of the mountain from the base. There’s an old system of tunnels beneath it. The Man used them when he built the base. Linked up to them.’
‘Ah…’ The light of understanding dawned in Karr’s eyes. ‘But why did you go there?’
‘Because Lehmann had a hunch. He thought DeVore might be there, in the old tunnel.’
‘And was he?’
‘Yes.’
Karr looked at Chen. It was as he’d said. But now they knew for sure. DeVore had got out: was loose in the world to do his mischief.
‘Do you know where he is?’
Reid shook his head.
‘So why are you here? What do you want?’
Reid looked aside. ‘I was… afraid. Things were getting desperate out there. Out of hand. DeVore, Lehmann… they’re not people you can cross.’
‘And yet you’re here. Why?’
‘Because I’d had enough. And because I felt that you, if anyone, could protect me.’
‘And why should I do that?’
‘Because I know things. Know where the other bases are.’
Karr sat back, astonished. Other bases… ‘But I thought…’ He checked himself and looked at Chen, seeing his own surprise mirrored back at him. They had stumbled on to the Landek base by complete chance in the course of their sweep of the Wilds, alerted by its heat emission patterns. They had blessed their luck, but never for an instant had they thought there would be others. They assumed all along that DeVore was working on a smaller scale: that he’d kept his organization much tighter.
This changed things.
Reid was watching Karr. ‘I know how things are organized out there. I was in charge of several things in my time. I’ve pieced things together in my head. I know where their weak spots are.’
‘And you’ll tell us all of this in return for your safety?’
Reid nodded. ‘That and ten million yuan.’
Karr sat back. ‘I could have you tortured. Could wring the truth from you.’
‘You could. But then Ebert might come to know about it, mightn’t he? And that would spoil things for you. I understand he’s already instigated a special investigation into your activities.’
Karr jerked forward, grimacing, the pain from his shoulder suddenly intense. ‘How do you know that?’
Reid smiled, amused by the effect his words had had. ‘I overheard it. The Man was speaking to Ebert. It seems the new General plans a purge of his ranks. And you and your friend, Kao Chen, are top of the list.’
‘But ten million. Where would I get hold of ten million yuan?’
Reid shrugged. ‘That’s your problem. But until you agree to my terms I’m telling you nothing. And the longer you wait, the more likely it is that Ebert will close you down.’
Chen broke his silence. ‘And what good would that do you, Shih Reid?’
Reid turned, facing Chen. ‘The way I figure it, Kao Chen, is that I’m either dead or I’m safe and very, very rich. It’s the kind of choice I understand. The kind of risk I’m willing to take. But how about you? You’ve children, Kao Chen. Can you look at things so clearly?’
Chen blanched, surprised that Reid knew so much. It implied that DeVore had files on them all: files that Ebert, doubtlessly, had provided. It was a daunting thought. The possibility of Wang Ti and the children being threatened by DeVore made him go cold. He looked past Reid at Karr.
‘Gregor…’
Karr nodded then looked back at Reid, his expression hard. ‘I’ll find the money, Shih Reid. I give you my word. You’ll have it by this evening. But you must tell me what you know. Now. While I can still act on it. Otherwise my word won’t be worth a dead whore’s coonie.’
Reid hesitated then nodded. ‘All right. Get me a detailed map of the Wilds. I’ll mark where the bases are. And then we’ll talk. I’ll tell you a story. About a young General and an ex-Major, and about a meeting the two had at an old skiing lodge a year ago.’
Li Yuan sat in his chair in the old study at Tongjiang, the package on the desk before him. He looked about him, remembering. Here he had learned what it was to shoulder responsibility; to busy himself with matters of State. Here he had toiled – his father’s hands – until late into the night, untangling the knotted thread of event to find solutions to his father’s problems.
And now those problems were his. He looked down at the package and sighed.
He turned, looking across at the big communications screen. ‘Connect me with Wu Shih,’ he said, not even glancing at the overhead camera. ‘Tell him I have something urgent to discuss.’
There was a short delay and then the screen lit up, the T’ang of North America’s face filling the screen, ten times life-size.
‘Cousin Yuan. I hope you are well. And congratulations. How are your wives?’
‘They are wives, Wu Shih. But listen. I have been considering that matter we talked about and I believe I have a solution.’
Wu Shih raised his eyebrows. Some weeks before, his Security sources had discovered the existence of a new popular movement, ‘The Sons of Benjamin Franklin’. Thus far there was nothing to link them to anything even resembling a plot against the Seven, neither could any acts of violence or incitement be laid at their door. In that respect they kept scrupulously within the letter of the law. However, the mere existence of such a secret society – harking, as its name implied, back to a forbidden past – was cause for grave concern. In other circumstances he might simply have rounded up the most prominent figures and demoted them. But these were no ordinary hotheads. The ‘Sons’ were, without exception, the heirs to some of the biggest Companies in North America. Wu Shih’s problem was how to curtail their activities without alienating their powerful and influential fathers. It was a tricky problem, made worse by the fact that because no ‘crime’ had been committed, there was also no pretext upon which he might act.
‘A solution, Li Yuan? What kind of solution?’
‘I have sent someone into your City, Wu Shih. As my envoy, you might say, though he himself does not know it.’
Wu Shih frowned and sat forward slightly, his image breaking up momentarily then re-forming clearly. ‘An envoy?’
Li Yuan explained.
Afterwards Wu Shih sat back, considering. ‘I see. But why do you think this will work?’
‘There is no guarantee that it will, but if it fails we have lost nothing, neh?’
Wu Shih smiled. ‘That sounds reasonable enough.’
‘And you will look after the boy for me?’
‘Like my own son, Li Yuan.’
‘Good. Then I must leave you, Wu Shih. There is much to do before this evening.’
The Broken Wheel Page 32
