Ice and Fire: Chung Kuo Series by David Wingrove Page B

only that if the problem is in their heads then the solution can
     be found in the same place. They want outwardness. They want space, excitement, novelty.
     Well, why not
     give it to them? But not out there, in the real world. Give it to them up here, in
     their heads.’
    ‘But don’t they get that? Doesn’t the media give them that now?’
    ‘No. I’m talking of something entirely different. Something that will make the walls
     dissolve. That will make it real to them.’ Again he tapped his brow. ‘Up here, where
     it counts.’
    The T’ang was about to answer him when there was a knock on the door.
    ‘Come in!’ said Shepherd, half turning in his seat.
    It was the T’ang’s steward. He bowed low to Shepherd and his son, then turned, his
     head still lowered, to his master. ‘Forgive me,
Chieh Hsia,
but you asked me to remind
     you of your audience with Minister Chao.’ Then, with a bow, the steward backed away,
     closing the door behind him.
    Li Shai Tung looked back at Shepherd. ‘I’m sorry, Hal, but I must leave soon.’
    ‘Of course…’ Shepherd began, but his son interrupted him.
    ‘One last thing, Li Shai Tung.’
    The T’ang turned, patient, smiling. ‘What is it, Ben?’
    ‘I saw something. This afternoon, in the town.’
    ‘You
saw
something?’
    ‘An execution. And a suicide. Two of the elite guards.’
    ‘Gods!’ The T’ang sat forward. ‘You saw that?’
    ‘We were upstairs in one of the shops.’
    Shepherd broke in. ‘
We
. You mean Meg was with you?’
    Ben nodded, then told what he had seen. At the end Li Shai Tung, his face stricken,
     turned to Shepherd. ‘Forgive me, Hal. This is all my fault. Captain Rosten was acting
     on my direct
     orders. However, had I known Ben and Meg would be there…’ He shuddered, then turned
     back to the boy. ‘Ben, please forgive me. And ask Meg to forgive me, too. Would that
     I could
     undo what has been done.’
    For a moment Ben seemed about to say something, then he dropped his eyes and made
     a small movement of his head. A negation. But what it signified neither man knew.
    There was another knock on the door; a signal that the T’ang acknowledged with a few
     words of Mandarin. Then the two men stood, facing each other, smiling, for a brief
     moment in perfect
     accord.
    ‘It has been an honour to have you here, Li Shai Tung. An honour and a pleasure.’
    The T’ang’s smile broadened. ‘The pleasure has been mine, Hal. It is not often I can
     be myself
    ‘Then come again. Whenever you need to be yourself
    Li Shai Tung let his left hand rest on Shepherd’s upper arm a moment, then nodded.
     ‘I shall. I promise you. But come, Hal, I’ve a gift for you.’
    The door opened and two of the T’ang’s personal servants came in, carrying the gift.
     They set it down on the floor in the middle of the room, as the T’ang had instructed
     them
     earlier, then backed away, heads lowered. It was a tree. A tiny, miniature apple tree.
    Shepherd went across and knelt beside it, then turned and looked back at Li Shai Tung,
     clearly moved by the T’ang’s gesture.
    ‘It’s beautiful. It really is, Shai Tung. How did you know I wanted one?’
    The T’ang laughed softly. ‘I cheated, Hal. I asked Beth. But the gift is for you both.
     Look carefully. The tree is a twin. It has two intertwined trunks.’
    Shepherd looked. ‘Ah, yes.’ He laughed, aware of the significance. Joined trees were
     objects of good omen; symbols of conjugal happiness and marital fidelity. More than
     that, an
     apple –
p’ing,
in Mandarin – was a symbol of peace. ‘It’s perfect, Li Shai Tung. It really is.’
     He shook his head, overwhelmed, tears forming in his eyes.
     ‘We shall treasure it.’
    And I this.’ Li Shai Tung held up Shepherd’s file. He smiled, then turned to the boy.
     ‘It was good to talk with you, Ben. I hope we might talk again some time.’
    Ben stood and, unexpectedly, gave a small bow to the T’ang.
    ‘My father’s