The Mandate of Heaven (28 page)

Hsiung laughed harshly and swallowed another burning cup.

‘That is all very well,’ he said, ‘but he will not come down! I tell you I must go to him.’

Liu Shui shook his head. ‘Inadvisable!’ He added, ‘I rushed back here after I heard of the victory at Dragon Whirl Gorge. At last, I thought, a real leader for our cause! But you are young, Hsiung, and need guidance.’

‘You have not answered my question,’ said Hsiung. ‘How are we to persuade Hornets’ Nest to come down?’

‘But I have,’ answered Liu Shui, coldly, ‘except you did not hear. I shall say it again. You need an adviser. And the first thing I advise is to drink no more of that poison. There will be plenty of fine wine when you possess Hornets’ Nest’s head. Besides, I have a plan.’

And Hsiung had to concede the fat man was right on all counts.

An hour after dawn the next day, having been thoroughly drilled by Liu Shui, Lieutenant Jin proceeded to the bottom of the path leading to Hornets’ Nest’s cave. He did not go alone. Hundreds of Yueh Fei rebels accompanied him, led by Captain P’ao (he had received another promotion overnight, his second in two days).

They stayed below, waiting in disorderly groups, many lolling on the ground while Lieutenant Jin climbed the winding path up the cliff. No one punctured him with crossbow bolts and at the very top he was allowed admittance.

Hsiung and Liu Shui watched from a concealed position on the other side of the valley.

‘He’s been a long time,’ whispered Hsiung, though Hornets’ Nest was hardly likely to hear.

‘Not that long,’ mused Liu Shui.

‘What if he doesn’t believe Jin? Or has him beaten like last time?’

‘That is unlikely. He needs Jin now. But if it happens you will need to appoint a new lieutenant. And I will think of a new strategy.’

Still there was no sign of either Jin or their quarry. Even Liu Shui grew restless. ‘It seems we must devise a new strategy,’ he said.

Within moments, Lieutenant Jin appeared on the top of the path, bowing to someone out of sight. He retreated to the bottom and had a brief conversation with P’ao, who dismissed the assembled soldiers, instructing them to forage for food.

‘Well then,’ said Liu Shui, after Hsiung, P’ao and Jin had gathered in a sheltered corner outside Hornets’ Nest’s view. Jin was still mopping his forehead and seemed unlikely to recover from his experience in the cavern for a while.

‘Speak up!’ commanded Hsiung.

Jin smacked fist against palm. ‘Sir, I told him you were dead, as instructed. I do not know if he believed me. I also said we desperately require his leadership. On that point he was easily convinced. He asked how many men were left, their strength and determination. Then he told me that he – not you – had planned the whole victory and that all its glory belonged to him.’

Hsiung’s face darkened. ‘How do they fare up there?’

Lieutenant Jin grew more thoughtful. ‘He talked with me outside his house. I saw at least twenty corpses hanging from the eaves. As a warning to others, I think.’

‘Why?’ asked Hsiung. ‘How is this?’

Jin shrugged, but Liu Shui smiled his Buddha-like smile. ‘Because some of them must have opposed his will,’ said the fat man. ‘A large share of his followers, and he only had fifty to begin with. Perhaps they regretted betraying their oaths to Yueh Fei. Or recalled the Buddha Maitreya’s promise to cleanse the Middle Kingdom. Who can say? Let us take it as a good sign.’

‘Yet Hornets’ Nest is just as safe up there with thirty men as sixty,’ said Hsiung. ‘It would take only a handful to hold off an attack up the cliff path!’

Liu Shui stroked his wispy beard, his smile broadening.

‘No doubt. But his position is dangerous. Consider, Hornets’ Nest has sent messengers to the Great Khan hoping to purchase a pardon. Yet without an army to support him, how can he negotiate from a position of strength? Without an army, how can he even transport his carefully gathered treasure to the Great Khan’s officials, even if an agreement has been reached? So you see, he dare not skulk in his cavern for long, however safe it might seem.’

The other men listened in silence.

‘There was a naked girl hanging among the corpses,’ said Jin, thinking aloud. ‘His concubine, I believe. A bad business.’

No one was interested in a mere concubine apart from Hsiung. His teeth clenched involuntarily; he said in an odd, dull voice: ‘I must fight him at once. He clearly does not believe I am dead.’

Liu Shui was less sure. ‘Jin, did he
definitely
refuse to descend and lead the army?’

‘He told me he would consider my message and descend when it suited him.’

‘That is a kind of agreement!’ cried P’ao. ‘No reason then for you to go up there, Hsiung!’

Liu Shui nodded and recited: ‘
The fish nibbles its own hunger; the patient fisherman stirs.
’

‘Ah, to be a scholar,’ sighed P’ao, ‘that sounds like a poem, sir.’

‘It is,’ replied Liu Shui with a faint smile, ‘one by Yun Cai.’

Though Jin and P’ao exchanged dubious glances, Hsiung did not conceal his pleasure at possessing so learned an adviser.

Hours passed while the rebel army foraged. Hsiung knew he must march them to the Min River tomorrow at the latest, before hunger set in. Yet Liu Shui insisted Hornets’ Nest would certainly quit the safety of the cavern.

‘We must tempt him until his nibble becomes a bite,’ he said. ‘We must offer tasty bait.’

What did they have that Hornets’ Nest desired? P’ao came up with the solution. ‘Tell him we’ve captured chests of Mongol coins but that he won’t get them unless he allows us to swear allegiance. Tell him we’re desperate for a leader. Otherwise the army will disband.’

‘Don’t ask me to pass
that
message,’ muttered Jin.

Liu Shui, however, applauded the suggestion. ‘Gather the men as before and prepare a case of
cash
. Lieutenant P’ao shall be our matchmaker.’

P’ao’s smile showed more teeth than usual. ‘It is
Captain
P’ao.’

Once again the troops were paraded for Hornets’ Nest’s inspection. P’ao abandoned his gift near the cliff top, shouting from the pathway a threat to disband the army. Trembling, he awaited arrows in response. None came. After a suitable delay he bowed his way back to the bottom.

Liu Shui refused to be discouraged by Hornets’ Nest’s silence. ‘Something’s going on up there,’ he muttered.

An hour later their patience was rewarded. The rebel chief wore full armour, both of his famous battle-axes on his back. His burnished helmet, though small for his head, glittered in the noon sun.

Hsiung, who had been watching with Liu Shui from a hidden corner, leapt up, fumbling for his sword. The older man clutched his arm.

‘You will ruin everything!’ he hissed. ‘Let him gulp the bait!’

Reluctantly, Hsiung subsided.

Step by step Hornets’ Nest descended the path, halting halfway to survey the valley with haughty suspicion. Hundreds of faces were looking up at him and perhaps he felt unnerved by their collective gaze; perhaps he glimpsed his cowardly role in the recent battle and that no sensible man would want such a leader – in peace or war – ever again; perhaps, too, he sensed a trap, as deer will halt at the edge of a clearing ringed with hunters they cannot smell. Then P’ao rushed forward.

‘Kneel for our Lord!’ he cried, thrusting down the rebels around him. ‘Kneel, damn you! We’re saved! Hornets’ Nest will lead us!’

At first only a few obeyed. But they were more used to obedience than defiance, and even those who had every reason to despise Hornets’ Nest as a leader undeserving of Heaven’s Mandate, gradually joined the hundreds on their knees. Still Hornets’ Nest hesitated on the cliff path until, with a masterful glance at his supporters crowding behind him, he swaggered down the final steps onto the valley floor.

Meanwhile Hsiung had sidled close to the front of the cliff, blocking Hornets’ Nest’s route of escape. Then he, too, knelt on the fire-scorched ground, conscious that twenty of his picked bodyguard had done the same nearby.

Hornets’ Nest examined the heads and necks presented. He bellowed, as he had when a young man, before compromise and cruelty misplaced his ideals: ‘Red Turbans! Yueh Fei! My victory is complete and the enemy driven off! With the silver and gold I provide we shall rebuild this camp …’ He fell silent, evidently unsure of further plans. ‘As for brave Captain Hsiung,’ he continued, ‘who perished obeying my orders, let his body be found for an honourable burial. I shall weep over it! And any who do not weep shall be punished!’

This last word echoed round the crags and cliffs. Hsiung could stand the farce no more. Kneeling a moment longer would taint his honour forever. He rose to his full height and coughed loudly. Hornets’ Nest turned; and when he saw his way to safety blocked, reached for his axes. At once P’ao was shouting, ‘Aim! Await the order!’

Hornets’ Nest’s supporters on the cliff were exposed to scores of tensed arrows and crossbow bolts. All froze. For a long moment no one dared move.

‘Do not loose!’ commanded Hsiung. He stepped forward, one hand on his sword hilt. ‘Hornets’ Nest!’ he shouted, for this was no private conversation. It was like the actors’ performances he had watched during festivals as a boy. ‘It is a vile lie to claim you won the battle! It was won
despite
you. You are a traitor to Yueh Fei!’

The older man, however, was not listening, looking instead at the crossbows pointing like cruel eyes.

‘Hornets’ Nest!’ called Hsiung, impatiently. ‘Are you deaf?’

Now the rebel chief fixed his attention on his opponent.

‘Neither deaf nor dead, boy,’ he replied.

Hsiung took a step closer. ‘I strip you of your command,’ he cried. ‘You are a coward and have lost the Mandate of Heaven!’

This last phrase had been planted by Liu Shui, quite insistent he should use it as often as possible. Hornets’ Nest merely glowered.

‘You may leave now with whatever clothes and weapons you carry,’ said Hsiung. ‘Or face justice.’

This last word seemed to energise the rebel chief. ‘Justice?’ he roared. ‘That will only come when we face each other man to man!’

‘No, sir! Hsiung!’ pleaded P’ao. ‘Let me order the archers …’

Too late, for Hsiung had drawn his sword and strode from the safety of his bodyguard. ‘Let’s settle this then,’ he said.

Two men circling each other on ground blasted by fire, ground already sown with corpses. If one of them joined the dead, those failed seeds, did it matter? Both had been hailed and obeyed. Did the fall of leaders count more than lowly footsoldiers?

High above, monsoon clouds advanced towards the limestone country, ready to wash away all trace of battle, joy or loss. Ready to make the mountain streams delight in splash and motion.

Hsiung realised his breath was too quick. Why was he nervous? He had killed many men in combat and here was another. He longed for the dark lights to dance. Then his sword would be guided straight to Hornets’ Nest’s throat.

‘You’re afraid, boy,’ taunted the rebel chief. ‘You know I’m your master. Always will be.’

Hsiung resisted an urge to launch himself. That was what his enemy wanted.

‘You daren’t attack me,’ said Hornets’ Nest. ‘You are the coward here.’

Still Hsiung did not reply. He was noting the patterns his enemy made with his axes. Far beyond the realms of conscious thought, he sensed moments in the pattern when the axes were less poised, more unwieldy. Hsiung edged forward.

‘Come on, boy!’ cried Hornets’ Nest, breath coming out in gasps. There was fear in his voice now. ‘What are you afraid of?’

Hsiung positioned himself a footstep closer.

‘I will share my command with you,’ said Hornets’ Nest. ‘Yes! That was always my intention. To adopt you as my heir! To be the father you lack! It is not too late.’

A flaw appeared in the circling, defensive pattern of Hornets’ Nest’s two battleaxes, Hsiung was sure of it. In that gap one might knock them aside with a single blow.

Around them Yueh Fei rebels shouted encouragement to General Hsiung,
Take his head! Take his head!
Hornets’ Nest’s few supporters either stayed rooted on the cliff path, watching the fight below with fearful expectancy, or had fled back to the cave. If their chief fell, no one doubted their fate.

Hornets’ Nest’s breath was coming harder now. Too much fine living had not prepared him for duelling. He must strike soon or lose all initiative.

‘You puppy,’ he grunted, feinting with his axes. Then, like a ghost of the furious young man who had earned the nickname ‘Hornets’ Nest’, he leaped forward and aimed a blow. If it had connected, Hsiung’s skull would have split open like a melon. It never did. He dodged in time to feel the wind of the blade. His sword passed through the axes’ guard, finding Hornets’ Nest’s exposed throat. A momentary resistance of skin, a spurt of blood.

Hsiung playfully knocked aside flailing axes as his enemy staggered, one hand trying to stem the flow from his throat. With an easy forward slide of his foot, Hsiung swung back the sword and launched a blow, half-severing his enemy’s head at the nape. Hornets’ Nest’s face still wore an expression of astonishment as Hsiung hacked again and again to make sure. He was surrounded by roaring, chanting voices. When the cheering subsided he raised Hornets’ Nest’s head aloft by its greasy hair.