finished his house in Lo-Yang. He had not seen the cultured old man since. “You are fortunate in your distinguished name and your highly regarded ancestors.”
“Thank you,” the Magistrate Hao said curtly. Then he added, since he was grudgingly well-mannered, “My personal name is Sai-Chu. I have been District Magistrate here for four years.”
And, thought Saint-Germain, in another few years he would be transferred, as the law required, to another equally unimportant post in some provincial city, never allowed to reach any higher position than what he had already achieved. He felt sympathy for Hao Sai-Chu even as he admitted that the man’s frustration made him dangerous. “It is a pleasure to renew my acquaintance with your family. The dedication of the Haos to the Empire is legendary.”
“Dedication,” Magistrate Hao repeated sullenly. “Yes.”
En Jen, the Buddhist priest, stepped in from the hallway. “August Magistrate,” he said quietly, “the guards have asked to have your instructions for the others.”
Hao Sai-Chu glared at the old man, half-rising as he listened. He shot a swift look at Saint-Germain and resumed his place on the bench. “Hold them for the time being. I will send word when I am through here and will tell them then what is to be done.” He watched Saint-Germain covertly to see how this pronouncement affected him.
Saint-Germain looked up at the beams of the dressing room and fixed his thoughts on the sound of the rain on the roof tiles. It would not benefit him or the men accompanying him if he let himself be harried by this contumelious official. Idly he wondered what had happened to his safe-conduct and his clothes. Surely, he told himself, he would not be made to appear in the tribunal wrapped in a towel? He could not entirely convince himself of that.
“Your men…” Magistrate Hao was saying. “Where did you hire them?”
“The outriders were hired in Lo-Yang through the good offices of the Ministry of Roads and Transport. These men were recommended because of their long experience and knowledge. They have been most useful, as this part of your country is largely unknown to me.” He kept a level tone and easy manner, though it was becoming an effort.
“And the seventh man?” Hao Sai-Chu leaned forward. “What of him?”
“Rogerio comes from the city of Gades. He has been my servant for many years. I have traveled a great deal, Magistrate, and this man has been with me much of the time.” He doubted that Magistrate Hao had ever heard of that Roman city in Spain, and he decided to press this advantage. “Instruct your guards to speak to my servant. He will tell them the same thing.”
“No doubt,” was the sarcastic answer. “Do not think that because I am in a remote city that I am unaware of the subtleties of you crafty foreigners. I am not one to be deceived by convincing lies.”
“It is not my intention to lie to you, Worthy Magistrate Hao. Why should I, when I am on legitimate business?” He lowered his voice as he spoke but did not look at the Magistrate, knowing that such men do not like their authority challenged.
“I have only your word on that, foreigner.” Hao Sai-Chu gave Saint-Germain a thorough and appraising scrutiny. “You are very strong. I think you are stronger than you look.”
Saint-Germain did not answer this, though he realized with ironic self-appreciation that half his lifetime ago he would have confirmed the Magistrate’s evaluation by putting his fist through the wall. Such fruitless demonstrations were behind him now, but the memory of those events still had the capacity to sting him.
“You say nothing,” the Magistrate snapped.
“I was thinking on the follies of my youth,” Saint-Germain answered with a wry smile.
“Youth is an abuse of men unless it is eternal.” His face showed he would brook no opposition. “They say that the Taoist charlatans have a skill in such matters. It is said that they know the
“Thank you,” the Magistrate Hao said curtly. Then he added, since he was grudgingly well-mannered, “My personal name is Sai-Chu. I have been District Magistrate here for four years.”
And, thought Saint-Germain, in another few years he would be transferred, as the law required, to another equally unimportant post in some provincial city, never allowed to reach any higher position than what he had already achieved. He felt sympathy for Hao Sai-Chu even as he admitted that the man’s frustration made him dangerous. “It is a pleasure to renew my acquaintance with your family. The dedication of the Haos to the Empire is legendary.”
“Dedication,” Magistrate Hao repeated sullenly. “Yes.”
En Jen, the Buddhist priest, stepped in from the hallway. “August Magistrate,” he said quietly, “the guards have asked to have your instructions for the others.”
Hao Sai-Chu glared at the old man, half-rising as he listened. He shot a swift look at Saint-Germain and resumed his place on the bench. “Hold them for the time being. I will send word when I am through here and will tell them then what is to be done.” He watched Saint-Germain covertly to see how this pronouncement affected him.
Saint-Germain looked up at the beams of the dressing room and fixed his thoughts on the sound of the rain on the roof tiles. It would not benefit him or the men accompanying him if he let himself be harried by this contumelious official. Idly he wondered what had happened to his safe-conduct and his clothes. Surely, he told himself, he would not be made to appear in the tribunal wrapped in a towel? He could not entirely convince himself of that.
“Your men…” Magistrate Hao was saying. “Where did you hire them?”
“The outriders were hired in Lo-Yang through the good offices of the Ministry of Roads and Transport. These men were recommended because of their long experience and knowledge. They have been most useful, as this part of your country is largely unknown to me.” He kept a level tone and easy manner, though it was becoming an effort.
“And the seventh man?” Hao Sai-Chu leaned forward. “What of him?”
“Rogerio comes from the city of Gades. He has been my servant for many years. I have traveled a great deal, Magistrate, and this man has been with me much of the time.” He doubted that Magistrate Hao had ever heard of that Roman city in Spain, and he decided to press this advantage. “Instruct your guards to speak to my servant. He will tell them the same thing.”
“No doubt,” was the sarcastic answer. “Do not think that because I am in a remote city that I am unaware of the subtleties of you crafty foreigners. I am not one to be deceived by convincing lies.”
“It is not my intention to lie to you, Worthy Magistrate Hao. Why should I, when I am on legitimate business?” He lowered his voice as he spoke but did not look at the Magistrate, knowing that such men do not like their authority challenged.
“I have only your word on that, foreigner.” Hao Sai-Chu gave Saint-Germain a thorough and appraising scrutiny. “You are very strong. I think you are stronger than you look.”
Saint-Germain did not answer this, though he realized with ironic self-appreciation that half his lifetime ago he would have confirmed the Magistrate’s evaluation by putting his fist through the wall. Such fruitless demonstrations were behind him now, but the memory of those events still had the capacity to sting him.
“You say nothing,” the Magistrate snapped.
“I was thinking on the follies of my youth,” Saint-Germain answered with a wry smile.
“Youth is an abuse of men unless it is eternal.” His face showed he would brook no opposition. “They say that the Taoist charlatans have a skill in such matters. It is said that they know the
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