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outside.
    ‘You’ve found them, then?’
    Fischer bowed, then glanced at Wang Sau-leyan. ‘The Prince found them, in his quarters. He has incapacitated them, it seems.’
    Hung Mien-lo glared at Wang Sau-leyan, then turned away angrily. ‘Come, then. Let’s see what the Prince has left us, neh?’
    Wang Sau-leyan sat on a footstool in his bedroom, letting the doctor dress the wound at his neck. Across from him Fischer was moving about the bathroom suite, examining the two corpses.
    ‘Why?’ Hung Mien-lo asked him again, standing over him almost threateningly. ‘Why did you kill them?’
    He looked up, ignoring Hung Mien-lo, his eyes piercing his elder brother. ‘They were dangerous men. They killed our Father. What was to stop them killing me?’
    He smiled tightly, then looked back at the bathroom. He saw Fischer straighten up, then turn and come to the doorway. He had been searching the dead men’s clothing, as if for something they had stolen.
    ‘Where are they?’ Fischer asked, looking directly at him.
    Wang Sau-leyan stared back at him, irritated by his insolence. ‘Where are what?’ he asked angrily, wincing as the doctor tightened the bandage about his shoulder.
    ‘The ears,’ said Fischer, coming out into the room.
    ‘Ears?’ Wang Sau-leyan gave a short laugh.
    ‘Yes,’ Fischer said, meeting the Prince’s eyes. ‘The ears, my lord. Where are the great T’ang’s ears?’
    The Prince rose sharply from his stool, pushing Hung Mien-lo aside, his broad, moon face filled with disbelief. He strode across and stood there, glowering at Fischer, his face only inches from his.
    ‘What are you suggesting, Captain?’
    Fischer knelt, his head bowed. ‘Forgive me, my lord. I was suggesting nothing. But the murderers took your father’s ears, and now there is no sign of them.’
    Wang Sau-leyan stood there a moment longer, clearly puzzled, then whirled about, looking directly at his brother.
    ‘Is this true, Ta-hung?’
    ‘ Chieh Hsia ...’ Hung Mien-lo reminded him, but Wang Sau-leyan ignored him.
    ‘Well, brother? Is it true?’
    Wang Ta-hung let his head fall before the fierceness of his younger brother’s gaze. He nodded. ‘It is so.’
    Wang Sau-leyan took a shuddering breath, then looked about him again, his whole manner suddenly defiant, his eyes challenging any in that room to gainsay him.
    ‘Then I’m glad I killed them.’
    Hung Mien-lo stared at the Prince a moment, astonished by his outburst, then turned and looked across at Wang Ta-hung. The contrast was marked. Tiger and lamb they were. And then he understood. Wang Sau-leyan had dared to have his father killed. Yes! Looking at him he knew it for a certainty. Sun had had access to the T’ang and motive enough, but only Wang Sau-leyan had had the will – the sheer audacity – to carry through the act.
    It took his breath. He looked at the Prince with new eyes. Then, almost without thinking, he stepped forward and, his head bowed in respect, addressed him.
    ‘Please, my Prince, sit down and rest. No blame attaches to you. You did as you had to. The murderers are dead. We need look no further.’
    Wang Sau-leyan turned, facing him, a smile coming to his lips. Then he turned, facing Fischer, his face hardening again.
    ‘Good. Then get the bodies of those vermin out of here and leave me be. I must get some sleep.’

PART TEN
    THE ART OF WAR
    SUMMER 2206
    Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may prevent him from fighting. Scheme so as to discover his plans and the likelihood of their success. Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots. Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.
    —Sun Tzu, The Art of War (5th century BC )

Chapter 43
    THE FIFTY-NINTH STONE
    I t was dawn on Mars. In the lowland desert of the Golden Plains it was minus one hundred and