Read The Art of War for Free Online

he spun about, as he’d been taught, the bow suddenly at his waist, the string tensed, as if to let fly.
    He shivered, then felt himself grow still, looking back.
    He had not thought of it in a long time, but now it came clear to him, the memory released like an arrow across the years. He saw himself, eight years old, sitting beside Fei Yen in the meadow by the lake. He could smell the faint, sweet scent of jasmine; see the pale cream of her sleeve – feel once more the shudder that had run through him as it brushed deliciously against his knees. Across from them sat his brother, Han Ch’in, his booted feet like two young saplings rooted in the earth, his hands placed firmly on his knees.
    Wang Sau-leyan... Yes, he remembered it now. Fei Yen had been talking about Wang Sau-leyan and how he had been caught in his father’s bed. Ten years old, he’d been. Only ten, and caught with a girl in his father’s bed!
    Li Yuan frowned, then swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry, remembering how Fei Yen had laughed, not shocked but amused by the tale. He recalled how she had fanned herself slowly; how her eyes had looked briefly inward before raising her eyebrows suggestively, making Han guffaw with laughter. Fei Yen. His brother’s wife. And now his own betrothed. The woman he would be marrying, only weeks from now.
    And Wang Sau-leyan? Yes, it all made sense. He remembered how Wang Hsien had exiled his youngest son; had sent him in disgrace to his floating palace, a hundred thousand li above Chung Kuo. And there the boy had stayed a whole year, with only the T’ang’s own guards for company. A year. It was a long, long time for such a spirited child. An eternity, it must have seemed. Long enough, perhaps, to break the last thin ties of love and filial respect. What bitterness that must have engendered in the boy – what hatred of his captors.
    Li Yuan looked down at the bow in his hands and shivered violently. That day with Fei Yen. It had been the day of the archery contest – the day she had let his brother best her. And yet, only two days later, Han Ch’in was dead and she a widow.
    He shuddered, then saw her smile and tilt her head, showing her tiny, perfect teeth. And wondered.
    Sun Li Hua, Master of the Inner Chamber, stood by the door, watching as the doctors examined the body. He had made his statement already, sat beneath the glaring lights of the Security cameras while monitors tested his vital body signs for abnormalities. He had passed that test and now only one thing stood between him and success.
    He saw them mutter amongst themselves, then Fischer turned and came across to him.
    ‘It tests out, Master Sun,’ he said, making a small bow. ‘The ho yeh was pure.’
    ‘I did not doubt it,’ Sun answered, allowing a slight trace of indignation to enter his voice. ‘Doctor Yueh is a trusted servant. He had served the T’ang for more than forty years.’
    ‘So I understand. And yet men can be bought, can they not?’ Fischer smiled tightly, then bowed again and walked on, leaving the room momentarily.
    Sun watched him go. What does it matter what he suspects? he thought. He can prove nothing .
    He turned, then went across to where the doctors were busy at their work. One cradled the T’ang’s head while a second delicately examined the area where the ear had been cut away. They would make new ears from the T’ang’s own genetic material – for a T’ang must be buried whole. But as to where the originals had gone, there was no sign as yet, just as there was no sign of Fu or Chai.
    A mystery...
    Sun Li Hua stared down into the old man’s vacant face and took a deep breath, filled suddenly with a sense of grim satisfaction. Yes, old man , he thought, you humiliated me once, before your sons. Refused to promote my brothers. Held down my family. But now you’re dead and we will rise in spite of you. For another has promised to raise the Sun family high; to make it second family in all of City Africa.
    He