The Emperor's Tomb

THIRTY-FOUR

NI STROLLED THROUGH PAU WEN’S EXHIBIT HALL, WAITING for his host to return. When they’d arrived back at the compound, Pau had excused himself. On the drive from Antwerp, Ni had called Beijing and spoken with his chief assistant, telling him he wanted an immediate report on Karl Tang’s activities. Contrary to what Pau Wen might think, Ni had been watching Tang for some time, employing spies embedded deep within the first vice premier’s office. Still, never had anyone spoken of eunuchs or the Ba.

He already knew Tang had left the capital yesterday, ostensibly to meet with local officials in Chongqing, but the true purpose of his journey had been to oversee the death sentence of a man named Jin Zhao, whose treason conviction had recently been upheld by the Supreme People’s Court. He’d instructed his chief assistant to learn more about Zhao’s case, along with Tang’s interest in the man’s death.

The vibration of his cell phone startled him. His staff had been fast, as usual. He answered, hoping that Pau would be delayed at least a few minutes more since this conversation must be private.

“Jin Zhao was an experimental geochemist who worked under the Ministry of Geological Development,” his aide reported. “He supposedly passed sensitive information about oil exploration to the Russians.”

“What type of information?”

“The record is silent. State secret.”

“And the Russian agent?”

“No mention.”

“Was the information actually passed?”

“No. An attempt thwarted, or so the trial record notes. However, the name you provided, Lev Sokolov, was also mentioned during the proceedings.”

He’d taken Pau’s advice and asked his office for a dossier on and current whereabouts of Lev Sokolov.

“He’s a Russian expatriate who worked with Jin Zhao at a petrochemical research facility in Lanzhou, a lab under the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry of Geological Development.”

Which meant Karl Tang controlled the facility.

“Were Zhao and Sokolov colleagues?”

“They were working on an experimental project relative to advanced oil exploration. That’s what the facility’s budget reveals. Beyond that, we learned no details.”

“Learn them,” he said. He knew there were ways, especially in his department.

He listened as he was told about Tang’s busy night, traveling from Chongqing to the terra-cotta warrior site. Interestingly, a portion of one of the display pits had been destroyed by a fire, preliminarily blamed on an electrical short. Tang had been gone when the destruction occurred, flown to an oil exploration site in northern Gansu. Nothing out of the ordinary there, as Tang oversaw the nation’s entire oil exploration program.

“He’s in Gansu now,” his aide reported. “We have no eyes or ears at that location, but it’s not necessary. We know his next destination. Lev Sokolov has been missing for the past two weeks. Tang’s emissaries found him yesterday in Lanzhou. The minister is flying there.”

“We have men in Lanzhou?”

“Five. Ready.”

He recalled what Pau Wen had said. Find Sokolov. He is the person who can explain the lamp’s significance. “I want Sokolov taken before Tang gets him.”

“It will be done.”

“I’m on my way back.” He already held a reservation on a flight leaving Brussels, which he’d confirmed on the ride from the city. “It will be fifteen hours or so before I’m there. Send whatever you learn on Sokolov and Zhao by e-mail. I’ll be able to access it while en route. I want to know how they are connected and why Tang is so intent on them both.”

Beyond the open doors he spotted Pau Wen strolling through the courtyard, headed his way.

“I have to go.”

He ended the call and hid the phone.

The older man entered the room and asked, “Have you enjoyed another look at my wonders?”

“I’m more interested in the lamp.”

Pau had given the artifact to one of his men upon their arrival. “I’m afraid it was scarred from the fire, and the liquid it contained is gone.”

“I want to take it back to China.”

“Of course, Minister. You may have it. I only ask that you keep it from Karl Tang. I also have some disturbing news.”

He waited.

“Tang conducted a virtual meeting with members of the Ba a few hours ago. Quite a gathering, I’m told. They are preparing for their final assault.”

He decided he’d had enough of accepting what this man said on blind faith. “Where is Tang?”

Pau appraised him with a curious glare. “A test, Minister? To see if I speak with authority?” The older man paused. “All right. I understand your skepticism, though after what happened at the museum I had hoped we were making progress. But it is good to be cautious. It will keep you alive much longer.”

“You haven’t answered the question.”

“He’s at an oil exploration site, in northern Gansu.”

Exactly what his aide had reported.

“Did I pass?”

“What assault has begun?”

Pau smiled, pleased at knowing he’d been right. “The Ba is again alive, after decades of self-imposed sleep.”

“I’m leaving for home.”

Pau nodded. “The lamp is packaged and ready.”

“And you still have no idea of its significance?”

Pau shook his head. “Only that Minister Tang and Cassiopeia Vitt both wanted it. There is writing on the outside. Perhaps it’s significant. Surely you have experts who can interpret it for you.”

He did, but this old man was lying and he knew it. No matter. A war awaited him in China, and he was wasting time. He did need to know, “What happened at the museum?”

“Three bodies were removed. I assume one of those was my brother. Miss Vitt and two other men were brought out by the authorities.”

“What will happen now?”

“For you, Minister? Nothing. For me, it means Cassiopeia Vitt will be returning here.”

“How do you know that?”

“Years of experience.”

He was tired of this man’s pedantics, knowing now that the dull face and clever words were a mask for a callous, calculating mind. Pau was an expatriate who’d obviously interjected himself, once again, into Chinese politics. But Pau was in Belgium, a long way from the fight. A nonplayer. He was curious, though, on one point. “What will you do when Vitt returns?”

“Perhaps it’s better you not know, Minister.”

He agreed.

Perhaps it was.