Free The Art of War by David Wingrove Page A

T’ang nodded. ‘It’s true. Why, does it put you off, Hal?’
    Shepherd laughed, the laugh lines etched deep now in his pallid face. ‘Not at all.’ He tipped the glass back and drank heavily, then shuddered and handed the half-empty glass to the nurse.
    Tsu Ma gave a laugh of surprise. ‘One should sip Yang Sen, friend Hal. It’s strong stuff. Matured for eighteen months before it’s even fit to drink. And this is Shai Tung’s best. A twelve-year brew.’
    ‘Yes...’ said Shepherd hoarsely, laughing, his rounded eyes watering. ‘I see that now.’
    Tsu Ma watched the ill man a moment longer then turned and faced Ebert. ‘Well, Major, and how is your father?’
    Ebert bowed deeply. ‘He is fine, Chieh Hsia. ’
    Li Shai Tung leaned forward. ‘I must thank him for all he has done these last few months. And for the generous wedding gift he has given my son today.’
    Ebert turned and bowed again. ‘He would be honoured, Chieh Hsia .’
    ‘Good. Now tell me, before you leave us. Candidly now. What do you think we should do about the confiscated companies?’
    Ebert kept his head lowered, not presuming to meet the T’ang’s eyes, even when asked so direct a question. Neither was he fooled by the request for candour. He answered as he knew the T’ang would want him to answer.
    ‘I believe his Excellency, Tsu Ma, is right, Chieh Hsia. It is necessary to placate the Above. To let wounds heal and bitterness evaporate. In appointing stewards the markets will remain stable. Things will continue much as normal, and there will be none of the hectic movements on the Index that a selling-off of such vast holdings would undoubtedly bring. As for rewards, the health and safety of the Seven is reward enough, surely? It would be a little man who would ask for more.’
    The old T’ang’s eyes smiled. ‘Thank you, Hans. I am grateful for your words.’
    Ebert bowed and backed away, knowing he had been dismissed.
    ‘A fine young man,’ said Li Shai Tung, when Ebert had gone. ‘He reminds me more of his father every day. The same bluff honesty. Tolonen’s right. He should be general when he’s of age. He’d make my son a splendid general, don’t you think?’
    ‘An excellent general,’ Tsu Ma answered him, concealing any small qualms he had about Major Hans Ebert. His own Security reports on Ebert revealed a slightly different picture.
    ‘Now that we’re alone,’ Li Shai Tung continued, ‘I’ve other news.’
    ‘What’s that?’ Tsu Ma asked, stubbing out his cheroot in the porcelain tray on the kang beside him.
    ‘I’ve heard from Karr. Berdichev is dead.’
    Tsu Ma laughed, his eyes wide. ‘You’re certain?’
    ‘I’ve seen it with these eyes. Karr was wired up to transmit all he saw and heard.’
    ‘Then it’s over.’
    Li Shai Tung was silent a moment, looking down. When he looked up again his eyes seemed troubled. ‘I don’t think so.’ He looked across at Shepherd. ‘Ben was right after all, Hal. We’ve killed the men, and yet the symptoms remain.’
    Shepherd smiled bleakly. ‘Not all the men. There’s still DeVore.’
    The old T’ang lowered his head slightly. ‘Yes. But Karr will get him. As he got Berdichev.’
    Tsu Ma leaned forward. ‘A useful man, Karr. Maybe we ought to mass-produce the fellow. Give Old Man Ebert a patent for the job.’
    Li Shai Tung laughed and lifted his feet one at a time from the turtle stool. ‘Maybe.’ He pulled himself up and stretched. ‘First, however, I have another idea I want you to consider. Something Li Yuan has been working on these last few months. I’m going to introduce it in Council tomorrow, but I wanted to sound you out first.’
    Tsu Ma nodded and settled back with his drink, watching the old T’ang as he walked slowly up and down the room.
    ‘It was an idea Li Yuan had years ago, when he was eight. He was out hawking with Han Ch’in when one of the hawks flew high up in a tree and refused to come down to the lure. Han Ch’in,