Swan Cloud - Southern Swallow Book III (The Southern Swallow 3) by Edward C. Patterson

Author:Edward C. Patterson [Patterson, Edward C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dancaster Creative
Published: 2011-10-30T22:00:00+00:00

Prince Wei was given the seat of honor. Nan Ya and K’ang Yu-wei flanked him. The tent pavilion had been erected on a bluff that Fu Lin-t’o recognized as being the place where Lu Yi-hao had erected his headquarters in those misty days of the Nan Tu. As robust as Chang Chun appeared, his table implied otherwise — a modest cold-feast spread before his company. Wine flowed freely with the captains, but the generals moderated. Nan Ya was glad they did, because if the spirits moved these three powers, they could steer into uncharted waters. The captains kept their places and their tongues. In fact, the conversation was mere chitchat — jokes at Chang Chun’s weight gain and Han Shr-chung’s creaky bones — nothing consequential, filling the void over the cold-vegetable platters. Finally, Prince Wei stood, holding forth his wine cup.

“I shall retire for the evening,” he announced.

“No, Your Grace,” Yueh Fei objected. “You light our company like a hearth.”

“No, my lord. I’m dowsing your flames with the blood of T’ai-tsu. I’ll take a ride around your encampment and enjoy the salutes of your soldiers.”

He lifted his cup high. The entire company bowed and lifted theirs, downing their drink to His Grace’s health in one go.

Nan Ya was proud of this lad, who had learned much and now exercised it without being nudged — a keen intuition. The prince would have loved to remain here and listen to the talk, but the quality of that talk would be different when he departed — and so he did.

“You might think that I’ll depart also,” Nan Ya said. “However, my directives wouldn’t be served by it. So speak freely in front of me. If you think that I’m a spy, just kill me outright.”

Yueh Fei lifted a piece of honey cake high.

“I’d sooner throw this treasure aside than kill you, Nan Ya. I see no spies among your ch’i-t’ang either. Besides, no thought nor memory can be hidden from you, so there’s no advantage to think one way and say differently.”

“Yes,” Chang Chun said. “I could say Yueh Fei’s looking hail and hearty, but you’d know it was a lie.”

He laughed. The captains frowned, and Pan La shook with controlled rage.

“I’ve been ill,” Yueh said. “It’s true. But has that ever diminished my success in battle?”

“You’re the master of strategy,” Han Shr-chung announced.

“And our greatest patriot,” Chang Chun echoed. “In fact, I’m surprised to see you here.”

Yueh Fei stood. Now he was angry.

“Do you doubt my loyalty, sir?”

“Easy now. Your loyalty’s never doubted, but your stern resolve is never doubted also. If I were to lay odds you’d leave your armies and venture to the capital with a brace of lieutenants, I’d have thought to lose the bet. And that, sir, is a compliment.”

Yueh Fei looked to Nan Ya, who nodded.

“So it is.”

He resumed his seat.

Flies buzzed about the cold-feast.

“The question, gentlemen, is one of resolve,” Yueh Fei said tensely. “That’s truth enough. There are rascals in the government — rascals who would have us tamed and mellowed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.