The Warriors Path

by Brian Thomas

  Zanwen thought on this for a while and deciding he wouldn’t receive a reading from Old Leckey he grudgingly nodded to Li Chin, adopting a serious tone. “Well, if ignorance will win me a beautiful princess and wealth, then this is what I would prefer.” Turning to Old Leckey he said with a mock frown. “The explanation just needed to be straightforward. If I am to defeat a bear and find a princess who will deliver wealth and honour but for these things to happen you are unable to tell me this will be the case, then so be it.”

  Old Leckey sat back regarding Li Chin speculatively, as though there were considerably more to him than she had previously noticed. With eyes narrowed slightly, she turned back to Zanwen with a sly look and no less speculative tone. “Then you will take him with you and teach him the barbarian language?”

  Zanwen gave a small smile and nodded. “As you said I would. We will leave in the morning if we are to catch the first of the season’s silk harvest.”

  Li Chin watched them smile at each other smugly, his own jaw clenching in irritation. “But I have not decided to travel with Zanwen. That is a presumption on your part, regarding a decision I have not yet made about myself.”

  Zanwen turned to him in surprise, whilst Old Leckey looked askance. Then she threw back her head and laughed. “What else will you choose to do? Guards search the land thicker than fleas on a dog. Turn in any direction and you will likely be trapped, killed or taken. Whereas this man can lead you through the maze of guards and teach you a new language you will need along the way. What man of learning, what man of intelligence would choose other than to follow the obvious and attractive way?” Old Leckey chuckled, “for a moment…” she cackled out loud again, shaking her head from side to side.

  Li Chin pursed his lips in irritation at being read so easily and taken so lightly. “How will you lead me through this maze of guards? You will be restricted to roads and trails which are bound to be patrolled, taking me straight to the guards I seek to avoid.”

  Zanwen looked uncomfortable and reluctant to answer, while Old Leckey frowned in curiosity. It became obvious to Li Chin that while she knew there was no danger she was not sure why. Zanwen, seeing he was not going to avoid telling them both capitulated. “I have a copy of my master’s licence to buy raw silk product in the Yue province and transport it from the weavers and dyers to the tailors of Chu province, returning trade goods in the other direction.”

  Li Chin frowned. “Your master?”

  “He is not really my master. I merely have a license which says that I am trading on his behalf.”

  Li Chin’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “You trade under a false licence!”

  Zanwen lifted his chin defensively. “It is only false in so much as it is not an authorised licence issued by the Sun Palace. It was, however, drafted by a palace official and is authentic in every other respect. To all intents and purposes I carry on a legitimate trade and can even call upon the emperor’s guards to protect my caravan from bandits along the main highways.”

  Li Chin was incredulous at such a blatant abuse of the system which controlled the trade tightly managed by the Sun Palace between the provinces. None but representatives for their Great Houses could trade between provinces and none of the masters would dare risk forging such a licence. Discovery would see the end of their legitimate trading licences, seizure of their possessions by the palace, certain execution and no support amongst their fellows whose own trade would have been undermined by the fraudulent licence. “But what happens when you leave the provinces your licence authorise you to trade between? Do you pass your goods on to another nefarious trader?”

  Zanwen gave a small shrug and did not try too hard to conceal his smugness at Li Chin’s surprise. “I have other licences to trade between the Chu province and Han province. In fact, I have many other licences allowing me to trade across many borders and eventually with the barbarians. In each province I am careful to always show the licence held on behalf of my master from a distant province, as they are less likely to be detected as false than if they were checking licences from local Great Houses. These licences allow me to travel through the empire, trading as I go, paying the local factors’ fees and get to the empire’s borders where I am able to meet with traders from the barbarian nations.”

  Pausing for effect Zanwen casually added. “I also hold an authorisation from the Sun Palace to collect their tithe and return it to the Sun Palace. In effect it provides freedom to travel in any direction, as I can be travelling out while collecting and travelling back having collected. This is to be used in only dire circumstances though, as not having a royal guard would make use of the license appear most unusual.”

  Li Chin was incredulous and stared at Zanwen in admiration as Old Leckey laughed in appreciation, clapping her hands in glee at the deception. Licences for controlled goods were issued by the Sun Palace and were deliberately restrictive to ensure no single province profited from trade of these goods without the Sun Palace receiving its cut of the profits. It was also a means whereby the Sun Palace prevented any single Great House becoming disproportionately wealthy and therefore disproportionately strong, carefully allocating trading licenses as rewards or bribes to the Great Houses. Great Houses would arrange marriages over generations between themselves to extend their ability to trade on each other’s licenses. A genuine licence which allowed trade all the way across the empire would be priceless but impossible to secure legitimately from the Sun Palace, which kept a tight control on such things. If caught in his deception Zanwen would meet a very abrupt and painful end to his otherwise lucrative trade. To work the licences must be faultless as they would be examined in detail at each city and by Imperial Guards while the caravan travelled along empire trade routes. Zanwen must be a cool man under pressure to juggle the various licences under the demanding scrutiny of the local factors and soldiery he would come into contact with regularly. The local factors would assess tithes and record them against the licence for their own House’s records. They would be very familiar with such documents and any discrepancy would be detected immediately. “Show me the licences.” Li Chin demanded.

  Not bothering to protest Zanwen rose to collect the licences and soon returned with an armful of bamboo cases, each of which contained a licence drawn up on quality paper and written in the formal style of the Sun Palace. At the bottom of each licence was the name and seal of Feng, the palace official responsible for issuing the licence. The licences were perfect in every respect and as Li Chin examined them carefully he could detect no reason why, if he were presented with any of them, to question their authenticity.

  When Li Chin looked up from the last scroll he could see Zanwen had been watching his examination of the scrolls carefully and now wore a smug look of satisfaction. Li Chin tapped a finger quietly on the table. For the licenses to appear so authentic Zanwen must have secured the collusion of a senior official within the Sun Palace who would be knowledgeable about such things and have access to the all important seal. If ever discovered the forger would be punished far worse than the trader caught with the false licences.

  How much money would it take, Li Chin conjectured, to expose one’s self to such risk, fearing each day the deceit would be detected? No, not if but when. It could only be a matter of time before fate intervened and the deceit were discovered. The crime would quickly be traced to the official whose name appeared on the bottom of the licence and who had applied the seal. Claims of ignorance and denials would not be accepted. Li Chin pondered on how someone with the treacherous heart to deceive their master and sworn House would seek to avoid such a situation and quickly came to the conclusion they would not use their own name and chop, or seal, but would probably use that of an innocent who would take the blame in their stead.

  The scribe whose name appeared on the bottom of the licence might be completely innocent of the crime and unaware of the true culprit’s involvement. Li Chin looked up at Zanwen. “You know this man Feng, the official whose chop appears on the
licences and supposedly prepared them?”

  “We have met on a number of occasions. I pass him his share of the profits from the season’s trade and he provides replacement licences when there is a need. He contacted me initially and always meets me in a dark room with a rear entrance, where he enters after me and leaves before I go. His face remains covered the whole time and when arriving and leaving he takes elaborate precautions to conceal his identity. But it is always the same man.”

  “So you would not recognise him if you saw him?” Li Chin asked.

  Zanwen smiled conspiratorially. “I am neither a trusting or stupid man. One time I had the place where we met surrounded by my men and he was followed back to his residence outside the Sun Palace when he left. He was pointed out to me the following day as he left for his day’s work. I know my man, the same whose name is on the bottom of each license. He is in it for the profit as much as I am and uses his own name on the license. Who else could he trust with such a secret, should a report or query get back to the palace?”

  “And what if you are challenged by genuine licence holders?”

  Zanwen shrugged dismissively. “I send scouts ahead and they report back as to who has been trading recently, who is there at the time and who is expected shortly. Only certain key products are controlled by the licences and we only show a licence when there is no prospect of a conflict from another Great House. I am really double checking there have been no changes before I move into an area and to avoid the legitimate traders, so they cannot claim that they have exclusive rights.”

  “And if one day your scout receives poor information or fate intervenes?” Li Chin challenged.

  Zanwen shrugged. “There is always risk. We do what we can to minimise it but my licence appears as good as their own and they would have to check with the Sun Palace to confirm its authenticity, whatever their suspicions.”

  Li Chin sat back with a deep frown as he considered what he had been told and seen. There was such deceit and political machinations between the Sun Palace and Great Houses that so long as Zanwen did not present the licence for a Great House whilst a legitimate licence holder with exclusivity was there simultaneously his fraudulent trading might not be discovered for a very long time.

  Zanwen correctly interpreting Li Chin’s expression responded easily. “The Great Houses would like to keep all the lucrative trade to themselves. The masters flaunt their educated sophistication as a demonstration of their superiority and have no qualms about forcing everyone else into abject poverty. Their honour is merely a means of justifying much of what they do on an intellectual level amongst themselves. They show no honour beyond their own class, so why should I do differently?”

  Li Chin could not argue any benefit to the Hansee People of the rigid appliance of a House’s honour. It was not that honour or adherence to codes was wrong it was their warped application for the disproportionate benefit of the masters and the glory of the warrior casts which was wrong. It would take great courage and a sharp mind for Zanwen to carry off the deception. Zanwen’s allegiance was to his own House and his followers, while that of his men was to Zanwen. They held true to their own code, so who was Li Chin, a priest banished by his own brethren, to criticise? Hadn’t he just been encouraging the remnants of the village, whose peaceful existence he had wreaked, to do exactly the same thing?

  Even so, Li Chin wondered if he should follow this man. Doing so would make him part of the deception, presenting its own obstacles and dangers. He had little confidence he could fulfil the Temple’s prophecy anyway and was equally determined he would not waste his life trying to. Nevertheless, here was an opportunity to learn the barbarian tongue, an intriguing prospect in itself, and it would be foolish to miss any opportunity for a skill which may help in the future, dubious prophesies to one side.

  Zanwen also seemed to offer an ideal escape route. Possibly the only route past the emperor’s guards, who were no doubt closing in on him even as he sat here ready to discard it, while no superior alternative presented itself. It seemed circumstance, with the aid of Old Leckey, was driving him closer towards fulfilment of prophecy. Well, he had to fulfil one future, if it were the one prophesised and as a result of his own decisions, then so be it. “Presumably there is more than one barbarian tongue. How will I know the one Zanwen will teach me is the one I need?”

  Zanwen frowned in irritation. “I know the language of the traders I deal with, my father’s people. I know a few words in other tongues but I have little use for them. I can teach you what I know, if you are able to learn. Whether it is what you need I have no idea nor do I care.”

  Old Leckey ignored Zanwen’s testy response, pulling her gown close before replying. “I can point you at someone able to teach you a foreign tongue, I do not know if it will be the right one. I know of no others that can do the same and you need a safe way past the emperor’s guards.” She looked up with a smirk. “What man of learning and with an enquiring mind would pass up an opportunity to learn something new, whether it be of immediate benefit or not?”

  Li Chin gave a small smile. “Indeed.” Old Leckey and Zanwen joined with their own smiles. Li Chin adopted a sterner visage with Old Leckey. “And now I am hungry again. I believe I have earned a second helping.”

  Old Leckey rose, chuckling as she spooned out a second helping from the pot over the fire’s embers. Zanwen also rose, leaving them so he could check on his men. Once Zanwen had left Li Chin said quietly between mouthfuls. “I have noticed the emblems of my Temple are no longer visible on my forearms. I assume the emblem on my forehead has also gone?”

  Old Leckey joined him at the table again nodding in answer. “They are still there but hidden from sight. If you wish them to return you must rub them with charcoal and think of the Temple as you do so. Once they return they will stay, so choose carefully when you wish them visible again.”

  Li Chin chewed as he thought on this. “Zanwen knows nothing of my background and the danger my presence could bring to him?”

  “His ignorance is his defence and your futures are entwined. It is important for him as well as yourself that you travel together. It is a good bargain you both make today.”

  Li Chin clenched his jaw at the recollection of his last bargain with this woman, his burning muscles a reminder of his casual acceptance the first time. When he looked up he saw Old Leckey regarding him with an amused smile. “I believe your mind was plagued by self doubts and you were marked as a Temple priest by your tattoos when we met. You made the bargain and could have broken it at any time. My charm merely shielded your sight and hearing from the outside world. Now those doubts and the Temple’s symbols have gone, until you choose otherwise.” She chuckled. “A good exchange for carrying a little more wood, a little farther than you had initially expected.”

  Li Chin thought about what she had said. It was true, he felt as though he had passed some internal trial with the wood carrying and as a result he felt more at peace. He now knew whatever burden placed upon him personally, he would fulfil commitments he had made but would nevertheless constantly assess whether it remained right to do so. He was confident subsequent decisions to drop a burden would be a result of a genuine change in his conviction, without fear of any self-delusion to avoid dangers or hardships for his own convenience, as T’ze’s accusation had claimed. It was also a lesson to be wary in future of making unnecessary commitments of any kind, to avoid unwittingly falling into a moral dilemma. “And how do you benefit from this bargain I make now with Zanwen?”

  Old Leckey looked Li Chin in the eye as she responded, her own eyes bright with vitality and intelligence, her glance unflinching and without guile. “The life of an old friend is prolonged and the life of a new friend is saved. The world and our people are better off for the good deeds these two will do as a result of their collaboration. It is enough.”

  Li Chin held the glance for a few heartbeats until he relaxed his tight jaw and continued eating. For better or worse, he had made his
choice and would play his part with Zanwen, though he had his doubts whether such an unusual collaboration could bear the fruit the old woman believed.

  Chapter 20

  Master Guang was struggling to maintain a stoic visage as Master Tanyeu entered the room. Their two Great Houses had intermittently been in conflict with each other for over three generations. He feared Master Tanyeu was in some undetectable way seeking to entrap him, either physically or in a compromising and more subtle fashion. Guang felt he had shown considerable moral courage in coming to the secret meeting at the House of the Willow Women.

  True, Master Tanyeu had offered his nephew as hostage for the course of their meeting and the youth was being held in a separate room within the building. One of Guang’s men stood with a knife at the boy’s throat. It would be cut through at the first sign of betrayal or if anyone other than Guang or his guard were to enter the room where he was being held. However, there were occasions when such a sacrifice might be considered worthwhile so caution was justified despite the hostage, hence the venue which had been carefully chosen by Guang. Should he be challenged he could proclaim innocence and that he came to the House of the Willow Women as a patron, to enjoy their renowned pleasures. Though, he wouldn’t necessarily want it generally known he was already a regular visitor to their esteemed abode. He was though an appreciative recipient of their indubitable skills at pleasuring connoisseurs of the sensual delights they provided. Indeed, Guang was unquestionably a connoisseur of their arts.

  Despite these safeguards and the assurances from Master Tanyeu the meeting would be to their mutual benefit, Guang maintained a healthy scepticism. His own most accomplished swordmaster stood behind him. From which he gained considerable comfort. But in agreeing to this concession Master Tanyeu had also insisted that he bring his own swordmaster, which Guang could hardly refuse.