The Interior (Red Princess 2)

At this point Hulan should have showered, dressed, and gotten on her Flying Pigeon bicycle to go to the Ministry of Public Security. She did none of these things. Instead she went back to bed, took a nap, got up just before noon, then rode her bike down to David’s new office and took him out for lunch. That afternoon she went to the open-air market, bought some greens, ginger, garlic, salted black beans, and a little fresh pork, carried them home, and prepared dinner. When David returned, she asked him about his day.

In the morning he’d met with the representative of a hotel that was in a dispute with a California winery over a shipment of chardonnay. His next appointment was with an American man who came with his Chinese partner. They had a factory that manufactured women’s clothing made from pigskin. For five years this venture had operated smoothly, with the products having a steady growth in the United States. Unfortunately, the tanner had become involved with some unsavory types, and now the whole enterprise faced investigation by the government. The American in particular was worried about his rights. Was there anything that David could do to help?

At a quarter to five, David and Miss Quo left the office, and Investigator Lo drove them to the Zhongnanhai compound next to the Forbidden City to meet with Governor Sun Gan, who served on the Central Committee representing Shanxi Province. As the car pushed through traffic, Miss Quo ran through David’s itinerary for his trip to Knight International. On Thursday, he would have private meetings with the American managers of the factory and the Knights—father and son. On Friday, they would meet with Governor Sun and the other VIP-ers, as Miss Quo called Randall Craig and the Tartan team. On Saturday, after a ceremony at the Knight compound, they would all fly back to Beijing on the two companies’ private jets for a series of banquets and meetings with top officials from Knight, Tartan, and the Chinese government. Miles Stout would also fly in to attend. The Sunday evening banquet would culminate in the signing of the closing documents.

Once at the Zhongnanhai compound, Miss Quo led the way to the small private office the governor used while in Beijing. She made the introductions, carefully translating the conversation. By the quality of the fabric and cut, David surmised that Sun’s navy blue pinstripe suit had been tailored either in Hong Kong or London. Despite this surface sophistication and his age—Sun looked to be in his late sixties—his ruddy complexion and the strength of his handshake attested to a life spent largely outdoors in physical labor.

The two men sat down in overstuffed burgundy velvet chairs, while Miss Quo took a straight-back chair a little to David’s left. For the next couple of minutes Miss Quo spoke in Mandarin. David recognized certain words—baba and cha—and knew that they were exchanging pleasantries about Miss Quo’s father and negotiating the ever important issue of whether or not the guests would drink tea. Their chatter came to a close. Sun himself poured three cups of tea, and then he began to speak in a smooth, confident voice, pausing occasionally to let Miss Quo translate. During the next twenty minutes, as Sun spoke in glowing terms of the attributes of his home province, he never took his eyes off David. Under other circumstances David might have chafed under this scrutiny, but Sun had a warmth about him. He was down-to-earth and, if Miss Quo’s translation was accurate, very direct.

“Governor Sun wishes you to know that he has encouraged many foreign businesses to come to his province,” Miss Quo said as Sun came to the conclusion of his remarks. “Every year it becomes easier to reach. Shanxi has built a new expressway, making Taiyuan only five hours away from Beijing by car or bus, while a plane takes only minutes. He thinks it’s important for you to know that he believes that within ten years his province will be a leader for economic investment in the interior.”

“How does Governor Sun plan to accomplish his goals?”

Miss Quo dutifully translated David’s question, listened as Sun replied in Mandarin, then said, “As you know, China is in a period of great change. Supreme Leader Deng Xiaoping encouraged us to move forward with economic reform.”

“To get rich is glorious,” David quoted.

“Precisely.” Miss Quo nodded. “But there are some things that he did not want to see change. Since his death our country can now move forward on some of those programs. This is what Governor Sun is promoting here in Beijing as well as in Shanxi. Historically, he says, change can only come from the countryside. He has proposed one-person, one-vote balloting in local elections that would be open to party and non-party candidates alike. He has worked hard to abolish rice-eating finance.”

At David’s puzzled look, she explained, “This is a phrase used by Premier Zhu Rongji. It means he wants to cut our country’s bureaucracy, which so often promotes corruption. Governor Sun greatly supports these new ideas and believes that they will eventually lead to greater freedoms for the Chinese people, increased prosperity, and a better relationship with our brothers in the West.”

“That all sounds wonderful,” David said. “But why has Governor Sun invited me here?”

Miss Quo didn’t attempt to hide her displeasure. “You ask too forward a question.”

“It doesn’t matter, Miss Quo,” Sun said, speaking in near-perfect English.

David had fallen for one of the oldest tricks in the Chinese book. Of course this man would speak English.

“I thought it would be wise to meet you before we see each other at Knight International,” Sun said. “I have nothing but the greatest respect for Mr. Knight and Mr. Craig. Henry Knight is an old friend while Mr. Craig is new. Still, I think it is good for us to become friends ourselves. In this manner the road of business is smooth.”

“I agree fully,” David said.

Sun offered David a saucer filled with dried watermelon seeds. “But I must admit that I have what you would probably call ulterior reasons for meeting with you today,” Sun continued. “Like many of us in China who read the newspaper or watch television, I’m familiar with the good work you did for our country earlier this year. But we both know that what was in the news was not the full truth of those days. I do hope you’ll forgive my immodesty when I say that I’ve been permitted the great privilege of sitting in on conversations with people very high in our government who are aware of the true nature of your deeds. Our nation has been honored by your work in uncovering corruption in our government as well as in your own.”

David was in a country with the world’s largest population, and yet he felt as though he had moved to a small town where everyone knew everyone else’s business. Before he could say anything, however, Sun went on.

“I too am very concerned about corruption. As Premier Zhu has observed, the collecting of illegal fees sows seething discontent among the people. So, as you might say, you and I are on the same wavelength. I think that two people of such like minds should work together. I would be honored if you would accept me as a client.”

“Are you in trouble?” David asked, the litigator in him showing through.

An awkward silence followed, and David felt Miss Quo’s disapproving eyes on him. Then Sun laughed heartily and said, “Some people say that bluntness is the worst trait of Americans. In China we would never use words so freely. Well, maybe after you and I had known each other for ten thousand years and had been meeting here every day for ten thousand weeks, perhaps then you would have shown this weakness. But actually this characteristic is what I love about Americans as a people. You speak your mind. It makes you so very transparent, but I must admit it is refreshing.”

The remarks were condescending, but Sun’s affability took the sting out of them.

“To answer your question,” Sun continued, “no, I’m not in trouble. But people have many reasons to need lawyers.”

“I’m not an expert on Chinese law,” David said. “You’d be better served by a Chinese law firm.”

“You see, Miss Quo, there he is showing his open heart to us again,” Sun said.

Miss Quo cast her eyes down modestly, pleased that her new boss had fallen into favor with such a powerful man.

“I don’t need someone who is familiar with Chinese law,” Sun said after a moment. “As your Miss Quo has already explained, I act on behalf of my province and my country when foreign companies come calling. I have actively sought foreign investment in Shanxi. You must understand, until very recently we didn’t do much business using contracts. You don’t need things like that when the government owns every business, factory, and farm. So in China we’ve had many problems with outsiders as we nego

tiate our deals. I think foreigners would be pleased to deal with someone like you who understands their ways. What I’m proposing is that you represent me both as an individual, for I have many investments of my own, and as the representative of Shanxi Province.”

“It would be a conflict for me to represent you in any dealings with Tartan,” David said.