Wingrove, David - Chung Kuo 02 Read Online Free PDF

to suffer after such a
discovery. He had never been a strong boy, but now . . .
    Hung Mien-lo
stroked the young man's shoulder, comforting him, knowing the
delicacy of what lay ahead—that what must be said might well
send him deeper into madness. He spoke softly, reassuringly. "It
is your father, Ta-hung. I am afraid he is dead."
    For a moment it
didn't register. There was a flicker of disbelief, of uncertainty.!
Then, abruptly, the Prince pulled himself away, scrambling back until
he was pressed up against the headboard, his eyes wide, his mouth
open.
    "How?"
he said, the words the tiniest, frightened squeak. "How did he
die?"
    Hung Mien-lo
ignored the question. He spoke calmly, using the same reassuring tone
as before. "You must get dressed, Ta-hung. You must come and
bear witness to what has happened."
    Wang Ta-hung
laughed shrilly, then buried his head in his arms, shaking it wildly.
"No-o-o!" he cried, his voice muffled. "No-oh! God no,
not again!"
    Hung Mien-lo
turned and clicked his fingers. At once Wu Ming bustled off to get
things ready. Yes, Hung thought, he at least understands. For now
that the old T'ang is dead, Ta-hung is T'ang in his place, mad or no.
Indeed, the madder the better as far as I'm concerned, for the more
Ta-hung relies on me, the more power lies within my hands.
    He smiled and
stood, seeing how the young man cowered away from him, yet how his
eyes beseeched his help. Yes, indeed, Hung Mien-lo thought; my hour
has truly come, the hour I waited for so long as companion to this
young fool. And now I am effectively first man in City Africa. The
shaper. The orderer. The granter of favors.
    Inwardly he felt
exultation, a soaring, brilliant joy that had lit in him the moment
he had been told; yet this, more than any other moment, was a time
for masks. He put one on now, shaping his face toward sternness, to
the expression of a profound grief. Satisfied, he went over to the
young Prince and lifted him from the bed, standing him on his feet.
    "It was so
cold," the youth murmured, looking up into his face. "When
I touched Chang Ye's shoulder, it was like he had been laid in ice.
The cold of it seemed to burn my hand. I..." He hesitated, then
looked down, turning his hand, lifting the palm to stare at it.
    "That's
done with, Ta-hung. You must get dressed now and see your father. You
are the eldest now, the Head of your family. You must take charge of
things."
    Ta-hung stared
back at him uncomprehendingly. "Take charge?"
    "Don't
worry," Hung said, unfastening the cord, then pulling the
Prince's sleeping silks down off his shoulders, stripping him naked.
"I'll be there beside you, Ta-hung. I'll tell you what to do."
    Wu Ming returned
and began at once to dress and groom the Prince. He was only partway
through when Ta-hung broke away from him and threw himself down at
Hung Mien-lo's feet, sobbing.
    "I'm
frightened, Mien-lo. So frightened!"
    Hung glanced at
Wu Ming, then reached down and hauled the Prince roughly to his feet.
"Stop it! You've got to stop this at once!"
    There was a
moment's shocked silence, then the young Prince bowed his head. "I'm
sorry, I ..."
    "No!"
Hung barked. "No apologies. Don't you understand, Ta-hung?
You're T'ang now. Seven. It is I who should apologize, not
you, Chieh Hsia."
    Chieh Hsia. It was the first time the words of imperial address had been used
to the young man and Hung Mien-lo could see at once the effect they
had on him. Though Ta-hung still shivered, though tears still coursed
freely down his cheeks, he stood straighter, slightly taller,
realizing for the first time what he had become.
    "You
understand then? Good. Then remember this. Let none but a T'ang touch
you without your permission. And let no man, not even a T'ang, speak
to you as I spoke then. You are T'ang now. Supreme. Understand me, Chieh Hsia ?"
    Ta-hung's voice
when he answered was different, almost calm. "I understand you,
Mien-lo. My father is dead and I am T'ang now."
    "Good.
Then, with your permission, we