Visak raised his chin challengingly, then relented, giving a grudging nod. Huang Jen, who had been watching him, looked back at Lehmann.
"You are right, Shih Lehmann. There are whispers. But you have still not answered me. What do we get out of this? And what do you want from us?"
Lehmann was silent a moment, his pink eyes seeming to hold and judge each one of them in turn. Then, satisfied, he answered.
"I want you to swear loyalty to me. Here. Right now. I want each one of you to be my man. To serve me. And, in the time that is to come, to do what I ask of you."
"And in return?"
"You live. You rule with me."
Huang Jen smiled. "And that's all?" But the smile quickly faded.
"The choice is simple," Lehmann said coldly. "All or nothing. Which is it to be?"
For a moment there was silence, stillness. Then, hesitantly, Meng Te went down onto his knees and bowed his head. Slowly, and with one final questioning look at the albino, Huang Jen also knelt.
For a time it seemed that Visak would choose against, but then, with a suddenness that was strange, he too knelt and lowered his head. Only then did Lehmann go down the line, offering his foot for them to kiss, speaking the words he would have them offer him in token of their loyalty.
He moved back, calling on them to stand.
"I want you to prepare yourselves. To gather about you those loyal to you and put aside those who might waver. When things are ready, I'll send and tell you what to do."
Soucek shivered, understanding how they were feeling at that moment. He too had knelt and sworn his loyalty. Yes, he thought, watching them bow and turn away, I understand this better now.
It was not simple force or cunning they responded to, but something stronger, deeper than those; something so different from what they were used to that to encounter it was to be changed, as he, Jiri Soucek, had been changed. To be in Lehmann's presence was to cast off all masks, all illusions. It was to grasp the raw essence of things. It was like . . . like pressing through the flesh and touching bone!
All ... or nothing. It was so potent an offer that to refuse it was almost impossible for men such as they. Even so, he wondered whether it were enough. Whether they were bound to Lehmann as he himself was bound.
He turned, looking at Lehmann. The albino was staring at the tunnel's mouth, concentrating, his features fixed, like" a mask. Then he turned, looking at Soucek. "That will make Whiskers Lu think, neh? He'll try to kill me, I warrant."
It was so unexpected that Soucek laughed. "Then Visak was act-ing?"
Lehmann shook his head. "Not all the time." He sniffed loudly, then cleared his throat. "Still, times are sad when such hsiao jen are legend. You'll watch him, neh?"
Soucek nodded, but he was thinking through what had happened, trying to see it all anew.
Lehmann turned, starting toward the tunnel's mouth. "Come, Jiri. Let's go. It stinks here."
Soucek looked up, his eyes widening, surprised that Lehmann had even noticed.
TO the SOUND of martial music, the golden curtains swept back, revealing the dragon throne, mounted on a platform of seven broad steps. To each side, vast pillars rose up into depths of darkness, while in the great chair itself Wu Shih, T'ang of North America and spokesman for the Seven, sat cloaked in silks of imperial yellow. As the camera panned in, his face grew until it filled the screen, its stem authority staring out at the watching billions.
"People of Chung Kuo," he began, his dark eyes clear and certain. "Today I have great news to tell you. An announcement of the utmost importance to everyone in the seven Cities. For the first time since the dark cloud of war fell over our great civilization, there is peace in the levels. Both high and low can look forward to a future of safety and prosperity, of growth and stability. But to ensure that stability, certain measures must be taken."
Wu Shih paused, his lined and bearded face emanating a strength, a calm assurance that was impressive. Rocklike and yet fair he seemed at that moment. A father to his people.
"First of all, the State of Emergency which has been in place these past nine years is immediately revoked. From this day on, the law will be as it was before the troubles began. Furthermore, all political prisoners will have their cases reviewed by civil tribunals, these matters to be concluded, at the latest, six months from now."
There was a faint softening to the features, the merest hint of a smile. "Secondly, the House of Representatives at Weimar will be reopened one year from now, elections to be held in three stages in the six months prior to that. Further announcements regarding the dates of such elections and of franchise rights will be posted throughout the Cities in the days to come."
He paused once more, letting that sink in, then continued, his eyes staring out unblinking at the gathered masses, commanding their attention.
"Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, we have decided upon a package of revisions to the present Edict of Technological Control. In five important areas we shall be allowing new developments. Developments which, it is hoped, will be of benefit to everyone living within our great society. Changes."
Throughout Chung Kuo there was a murmur of surprise. Changes. Never had they thought to hear the word from the lips of a T'ang. But Wu Shih was not finished.
"Finally, there is one last great matter we must face as a people.
One challenge which we must let unite us in the years to come. For many years now we have chosen not to speak of it. To ignore it, as if by itself it would go away. But it will not go away. And so, finally, we must tackle the great question of our time. Are we to be a single people, free and safe and prosperous? Or are we to see ourselves riven by division, our great Cities destroyed, our institutions falling into anarchy and chaos?"
There was a slight upward movement of the great T'ang's head. His eyes burned now with a fierce challenge.
"We cannot let that be. We cannot let our children suffer. Therefore we must confront the fact that has stared us in the face too long. Our numbers are too great. Chung Kuo groans beneath the burden of that weight. That is why, in the years to come, we must work together, People and Seven, to find a solution to this last great problem that confronts us. This is a new beginning. A new chance for us to set things right. People and Seven. Our chance to be strong again. To ensure stability and a good life for all."
As the final words echoed out across the great world of levels, the camera panned back, revealing once more the dragon throne, the pillars, and the steps. Slowly the golden curtains closed.
Wu Shih rose from his seat and, coming slowly down the steps, made his way through the kneeling technicians and out into the hospitality suite at the back of the studio. Guards opened the doors before him, their heads bowed low. He went through. Inside, his fellow T'ang, Tsu Ma and Li Yuan, were sitting on the far side of the room, facing a giant screen. They turned as he entered, standing up to greet him.
"That was good," Tsu Ma said, coming across and holding Wu Shih's arm briefly.
"Yes," added Li Yuan, smiling. "The people will sleep soundly tonight, knowing what is to come."
"Maybe so," Wu Shih answered, taking a seat between them, "and yet for once the words felt hollow even as I uttered them. All that talk of a new age. Of peace and stability and of working together, People and Seven. I would that it were so, that we could call on them and they'd respond, yet I fear we must face dark days before things get any better."
Tsu Ma looked down thoughtfully. "Maybe. And yet to say as much would only bring it that much quicker. No, you spoke well tonight, cousin. For once we must pray that what we say will come about, even as we prepare ourselves for the worst."