The fact that had struck them both, however, wasrui/p> . Ted the date the genotyping had given for the conception of the boy: a date that coincided with a visit Wyatt, Berdichev and Lehmann had made to a sing-song house in the Clay.
It was the day Li Yuan had been born. The day his mother, Lin Yua, had died giving birth to him, three months premature.
It was as if the gods were playing with them. Taking and giving, and never offering an explanation. But which was the boy – gift or curse? On the evidence of the Aristotle File he seemed – potentially, at least – a curse, yet if the reports on him were to be believed, he might yet prove the greatest asset the Seven possessed. The question that confronted them – the question they had met today to answer – was simple: should they attempt to harness his talents or should they destroy him?
There was a banging on the great doors at the far end of the room.
‘Come in!' the T'ang answered, turning to face the newcomer.
It was Tolonen. He strode in purposefully then stopped three paces from the T'ang, clicking his heels together and bowing his head.
‘Chieh Hsia.'
‘Well, Knut? You've seen the boy. What do you think?'
Tolonen lifted his head, surprised by the abruptness with which the T'ang had raised the matter. It was unlike him. He turned briefly to Li Yuan, giving a small bow, then turned back to Li Shai Tung, a smile forming.
‘I liked him, Chieh Hsia. I liked him very much. But that's not what you asked me, is it? You asked me whether I thought we could trust the boy. Whether we could risk using him in such a delicate area of research.'
‘And?'
Tolonen shrugged. ‘I'm still not certain, Chieh Hsia. My instinct tends to confirm what was in the file. He's loyal. The bond he formed with his tutor, T'ai Cho, for instance, was a strong one. I think that's inbred in his nature. But then there's the fight with the boy Janko to consider and the whole personality reconstruction business subsequent to that. He's not the same person he was before all that. We have to ask ourselves how that has affected him. Has it made him more docile and thus easier to control, or has it destabilized him? I can't answer that, I'm afraid. I really can't.'
The T'ang considered a moment, then nodded, smiling at his Marshal. ‘Thank you, Knut. Your fears are the mirror of my own. I have already signed the death warrant. I was merely waiting to hear what you would say...'
‘But, Father...' Li Yuan started forward, then stepped back, lowering his head. ‘Forgive me, I...'
Li Shai Tung stared at his son a moment, surprised by his interruption. ‘Well, Yuan?'
‘A thousand apologies, Father. I was forgetting myself.'
‘You wished to say something?'
Li Yuan bowed. ‘I merely wished to caution against being too hasty in this matter.'
‘Hasty?' The old T'ang laughed and looked across at Tolonen. ‘I've been told I was many things in my life, but too hasty... What do you mean, Li Yuan?'
‘The boy...' Li Yuan looked up, meeting his father's eyes. ‘If what is written about the boy is true – if he is but a fraction as talented as is said... well, it would be a great waste to kill him.'
Li Shai Tung studied his son carefully. ‘You forget why we fought the War, Li Yuan. To contain Change, not to sponsor it. This boy, Kim. Look at the mischief he has done already with his "talent". Look at the file he made. What is to prevent him making Li uo;<&rsly. &lsquofurther trouble?'
Li Yuan swallowed, sensing that everything depended on what he said in the next few moments; that his father had not quite made up his mind, even now.
‘With respect, Father, things have changed. We all know that. Our enemies are different now; subtler, more devious than ever before. And the means they use have changed, too. While we continue to ignore the possibilities of technology, they are busy harnessing it – against us.' Li Yuan looked down. ‘It's as if the gods have given us a gift to use against our enemies. We have only to monitor him closely.'
‘It was tried before. You forget just how clever the boy is.'
Li Yuan nodded. ‘I realize that, Father. Even so, I think it can be done.'
The T'ang considered a moment, then turned back, facing Tolonen. ‘Well, Knut? What do you think?'
Tolonen bowed. ‘I think it could be done, Chieh Hsia. And would it harm to delay a little before a final decision is made?'
The T'ang laughed. ‘Then I am outnumbered.'
Tolonen smiled back at him. ‘Your one is bigger than our two, Chieh Hsia.'
‘So it is. But I'm not a stupid man. Or inflexible.' He turned, facing his son again. ‘All right, Yuan. For now I'll leave this in your hands. You'll arrange the matter of security with Marshal Tolonen here. But the boy will be your direct responsibility, understand me? He lives because you wish him to. You will keep my warrant with you and use it if you must.'
Li Yuan smiled and bowed his head low. ‘As my father wishes.'
‘Oh, and one more thing, Yuan. It would be best if you saw the boy yourself.' He smiled. ‘You have two places left to fill on the Wiring Project, I understand.'
‘I was... keeping them in case.'
‘I thought as much. Then go. See the boy at once. And if your view of him confirms the Marshal's, then we'll do as you say. But be careful, Yuan. Knowledge is a two-edged sword.'
When his son was gone, the T'ang turned back, facing his Marshal.
‘Keep me closely informed, Knut. Li Yuan is not to know, but I want us to know where Kim is at all times. Maybe he is what Yuan claims. But what can be used by us can just as easily be used by our enemies, and I'm loath to see this one fall back into their hands. You understand me clearly, Knut?'
‘I understand, Chieh Hsia.'
‘Good. Then let us speak of other matters. Your daughter, Jelka. How is she?'
Tolonen's eyes brightened. ‘Much better, Chieh Hsia. She is back home now.'
Li Shai Tung frowned. ‘Was that wise, Knut? I mean... to be back where the attack happened.'
‘The doctors thought it best. And I... well, for all that happened, I felt she would be safest there.'
‘I see. But she is still not quite as she was, I take it?'
Tolonen looked down, his eyes troubled. ‘Not quite, Chieh Hsia.'
‘I thought as much. Well, listen to me, Knut. Knowing how busy you'll be these next few weeks, I've come up with an idea that might put your mind at ease and allow Jelka to come to terms with her experience.'
‘Chieh Hsia?'
‘You remember the island your family owned? Off the coast of Finland?'
‘Near Jakobstad?' Tolonen laughed. ‘How could I forget? I spent a monp wth there with Jenny, shortly after we were married.'
‘Yes...' The two men were silent a moment, sharing the sweet sadness of the memory. ‘Well,' said Li Shai Tung, brightening, ‘why not take Jelka there for a few weeks?'
Tolonen beamed. ‘Of course!' Then he grew quiet. ‘But as you say, I am far too busy, Chieh Hsia. Who would look after her? And then there's the question of passes...'
The T'ang reached out and touched his Marshal's arm. It was like Tolonen not to abuse the Pass Laws; not to grant permissions for his family or friends. In all the years he had known him he had not heard of one instance of Tolonen using his position for his own advantage.
‘Don't worry, Knut. I've arranged everything already. Passes, supplies, even a special squad to guard her.' He smiled broadly, enjoying the look of surprise on Tolonen's face. ‘Your brother Jon and his wife have agreed to stay with her while she's there.'
Tolonen laughed. ‘Jon?' Then he shook his head, overcome with emotion. ‘I'm deeply grateful, Chieh Hsia. It will be perfect. Just the thing she needs. She'll love it, I know she will.'
‘Good. Then you'll take her yourself, tomorrow. After you've sorted out this business with the boy. And, Knut?'
‘Yes, Chieh Hsia?'
‘Don't hurry back. Stay with her a night. See her settled in, neh?'
‘Is that an order, Chieh Hsia?'
The T'ang smiled and nodded. ‘Yes, dear friend. It is an order.'
After Tolonen had gone Li Shai Tung went through to his private rooms. He bathed and dressed in his evening silks, then settled in the chair beside the carp pond, picking up the Hung Lou Meng, the Dream of Red Mansions, from where he had discarded it earlier. For a while he tried to read, tried to sink back down into the fortunes of young Pao-yu and his beloved cousin, Tai-yu, but it was no good; his mind kept returning to the question of the Aristotle File and what it might mean for Chung Kuo.
His son, Li Yuan, had seen it all five years before, in those first few days after he had been told the secret of their world – the Great Lie upon which everything was built. He remembered how Yuan had come to him that night, pale and frightened, woken by a terrible dream.
Why do we keep the truth from them? Yuan had demanded. What are we afraid of? That it might make them think other than we wish them to think? That they might make other choices than the ones we wish them to make?
Back then he had argued with his son: had denied Yuan's insistence that they were the gaolers of Tsao Ch'un's City, the inheritors of a system that shaped them for ill. We are our own men, he had said. But was it so? Were they really in control? Or did unseen forces shape them?