Mouse by Jeff Stone Page B

iron balls fused into a solid mass by years of neglect and decay
    “I might be able to recondition the cannon,” Lei said. “But it would take weeks. The shot is of no use to anyone.”
    “We don't have that kind of time,” Tonglong said. “Let's hope their portable equipment has been better maintained. Take us to the encampment.”
    ShaoShu followed Lei and Tonglong for quite a while before they encountered their first soldier. He was sleeping in a hammock beneath a tree. Tonglong swung his straight sword as they walked past, slicing through the hammock's ropes as though they were nothing more than blades of grass. The man crashed to the ground and jumped to his feet with his hands up, ready for a fight. When he saw Tonglong, he dropped to his knees like a frightened child.
    “General Tonglong,” the man said. “I recognize you from the fight clubs—”
    “Round up the officers,” Tonglong ordered, interrupting the man. “Immediately.”
    The man took off like a shot toward the distant inner compound.
    By the time Tonglong, Lei, and ShaoShu arrived at the encampment's series of low buildings, an impressive crowd had gathered. Men were squeezed between the buildings and sitting on the rooftops, elbowingeach other for the best viewing spots. They didn't appear to be very disciplined.
    Tonglong stopped short of the buildings, and ShaoShu and Lei stayed back several paces. The crowd parted for a fat middle-aged man who strode forward with a confident air, adjusting a ridiculously large hat on his balding head. His robes were brilliant green silk, a stark contrast to the shabby gray cotton uniforms of the men.
    “General Tonglong!” the man in green said, offering Tonglong a slight bow. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Commander Sow.”
    Tonglong glared at the man, and ShaoShu could almost feel anger flowing from his rigid body. The mouse in his pouch began to squirm.
    “You have been neglecting your duty, Com mander,” Tonglong said tersely. “Your camp is a disgrace.”
    The commander smiled. “Come now, General. Don't you think you're overreacting?”
    “From what I see, you're not prepared for a raid by a handful of schoolchildren, let alone a superior force.”
    Commander Sow laughed. “Are you alluding to war, sir? We haven't had a war in more than two hundred years! We have no time for war. War is bad for business.”
    Tonglong's teeth ground loud enough for ShaoShu to hear. “What about the wars in the north?” Tonglong asked. “What about the new Emperor, theman I represent? His inauguration was the result of war.”
    “We can't concern ourselves with everyone else's business. If we did, who would look after our interests? With all due respect, General, here in the south, one Emperor makes no difference over another. They keep to themselves in the north and leave us alone, and we send them tribute. Boatload upon boatload of tribute, I might add.”
    “Are you saying that you have no need for an army here?”
    “This is a peaceful region,” the commander said. “The only difficulties we have are a few pesky bandits by land and the occasional Round Eye pirate by sea.”
    “Isn't it your duty to stop these Round Eyes?”
    “Heavens, no!”
    Tonglong's face began to turn a bright red. “Why not?”
    The commander looked confused. “Because one of my men might get hurt, of course. No, no. We couldn't have that. What would their families say? We leave the barbarians be. Let them take a shipment here or there. It is a small price to pay for our well-being, don't you think?”
    “Would you like to see what I think?” Tonglong asked.
    “Nothing would please me more,” the commander replied.
    ShaoShu watched as Tonglong drew his straightsword, throwing its ornate scabbard to the ground with unusual force. He gripped the sword's hilt with both hands and twisted his body powerfully from right to left, slicing across Commander Sow's midsection. The sword's blade appeared to have only