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staccato rhythm on the wooden floorboards as he waited for a response from inside. Eventually, the door opened.
    “Captain.” Zhou gave the briefest of bows and brushed past the Captain and into the room. There was a tidy bed, and short cupboard, a bare writing desk, a chest with the stamp of Wubei on its lid and a great padlock sealing it shut. The Captain wore his dagger and there was a sword resting against the chair.
    “Diplomat Zhou, how can I help you?” The Captain returned the bow to the exact angle that Zhou had delivered. “I am very busy.”
    Zhou gave the desk a pointed look, “Captain, are you aware that your men are, as we speak, downstairs playing cards and drinking with the enemy?”
    “Enemy? I thought we were here to make peace.” The Captain responded.
    “Until there is peace, they remain the enemy. Who knows what secrets your men are giving away in their cups.” Zhou said in clipped tones.
    “My men are trustworthy and know their jobs, Diplomat.” The Captain took a step towards Zhou, “If you would care to look properly, you’ll note that though they are playing cards they are drinking heavily watered wine that they take slowly for appearance sake. Also, the man they are playing, Yuen, we have checked out. Two of my men followed him back to his house and business last night. They spoke with the neighbours and other businesses, enquiring after goods and trade opportunities. There is nothing suspicious about Yuen, nor are we giving our secrets away. Indeed, we checked with the Venerable Hsin and our factors within the city to ascertain that Yuen’s import house has, in the past, been a trustworthy trading partner.”
    “So you say.” He saw the look in the Captain’s eyes. “So your men say, but we must be careful. I want you to order your men not to speak to the locals.”
    “Diplomat,” and Zhou was sure that it was meant as an insult rather than an honour, “you do your job and I will see to my men and their work.”
    “Captain,” Zhou tried to mimic the Captain’s tone, “I think that you...”
    He was stopped by the Captain’s raised hand, “I think and I follow orders. Perhaps you should consider that before you come to me with demands again. Now, as long as we understand each other, I will bid you good night.”
    The Captain placed a firm hand on Zhou’s elbow and another in the small of his back guiding Zhou out of the room and closing the door. Zhou raised his hand to knock again but instead let it fall back to his side. He spun about and headed further down the corridor to the Senior Diplomat’s room. Swallowing his anger, he knocked on Hsin’s door and entered when the weedy voice from inside gave him permission.
    “Senior Hsin,” he began. “Are you aware that our soldiers are downstairs, drinking and speaking with a local tradesman?”
    “Yes,” said Hsin without looking up from the paper he was reading.
    “Aren’t you going to stop it?” Zhou asked.
    “No.”
    “Why?” Zhou moved across the room to stand before the Senior Diplomat.
    “You are in my light,” Hsin hissed and Zhou shifted a little, letting more light from the window reach the beady-eyed old man. “Am I to answer all your questions? Am I to do as you say? Is that what you teach at the Academy?”
    “No, but…” Zhou began.
    “Good,” Hsin interrupted. “For a moment, I thought the teaching was not to the standard it should be. You understand your role here?”
    “Yes, but…” he tried again.
    “Good. Then you’ll be aware that I am in charge of this negotiation and all the factors that pertain to it.” Hsin turned the page and continued reading.
    “Yes.” Zhou let some of his frustration seep into his voice.
    “Do not,” Hsin’s voice rose above its usual sibilant whisper to a tone of command, “let your next word be a ‘but’.”
    “Of course, Venerable Hsin.” Zhou bowed low, as a subordinate should.
    “I am tired, Zhou. Tired of the length of the days here,