The Mandarin Code by Steve Lewis Read Free Book Online

prosper. And if we accommodate China’s rise we can guarantee the peace. If you attempt to ring-fence it, no good will come of it.’
    Toohey reached for a glass of water, perching it on his knee before continuing.
    â€˜Brent, I – we – can appreciate the concerns you may have, but my government believes it is critical that China and the US attempt to forge a more constructive relationship. A true partnership. And that might mean that, occasionally, the US has to step back and give China space to mature. The twenty-first century rests on peace between your nations, and as a friend to both of you, that is our counsel.’
    Toohey knew that the idea of the US taking a step back on anything wasn’t one that had a lot of currency in Washington. But he believed that it was a powerful argument and one he intended to make as strongly as he possibly could.
    The two men had been talking for close to twenty minutes when Moreton lifted the stakes.
    â€˜A free-trade deal is one thing. But Washington is very worried that you are about to get strategically entangled with China. Martin, we hear that a massive gas deal that involves effective Chinese ownership of Australian resources will be at the heart of your Press Club address.’
    Toohey was stunned. The China deal was top secret. Just a handful of people knew about the Northern Territory gas hub plan.
    â€˜As usual I am staggered by your intelligence.’ Toohey was measuring each word and wrestling with his emotions. ‘That plan is not yet finalised, and if and when it is I will act in the best interests of my nation.’
    â€˜Don’t commit yourself to this, Prime Minister.’ Moreton was treading carefully. ‘If you do, it will put us in a very awkward position.’
    â€˜Brent, I will promise you just this. I will do what is right for my country. And the party I lead. Labor has always been the party of big ideas, just like your Democrats. We owe our political success to our ability to marry good economic policies with progressive social reforms. That is what I intend doing.’
    Moreton looked unconvinced and Toohey suspected the cable back to DC would be quite something.
    â€˜Martin, our relationship – our friendship – has endured for many decades. Australia has always, always , been one of our closest allies, through good and bad. The President will be calling soon and I think our conversation has given you a good flavour of what is on his mind. He treasures this alliance and hopes he can count on you in what may well be difficult times ahead.’
    â€˜Always happy to talk.’ But Toohey had run out of patience with the conversation and was keen to begin another with his chief of staff to try to track down the source of this latest damaging leak. ‘And as a friend of America I will repeat the advice I have offered you.’
    The Ambassador had delivered his message and glanced at his Seiko Velatura before continuing. ‘Your government has some big decisions ahead of it, my friend. Now, I must away. Lunch with the Brits awaits.’
    He stalled at the door, and looked back.
    â€˜And Prime Minister, don’t forget who your mates are.’

CHAPTER NINE
    Canberra
    This was his daily god moment, an intersection of nature and music, played out in the private amphitheatre of his home.
    Most mornings around 7am, Charles Dancer would sit Buddha-like, meditating, as the Canberra sun streamed in, a soft tune thrumming in the background. The spears of light created a natural kaleidoscope as they played across a row of jade statues, sourced from back-alley dens in Laos and Cambodia. His obsession with the art of Asia was evident in the paintings and portraits that covered the walls, while a custom-made set of shelves tastefully showcased fertility figures, dolls and masks. They were his nod to the romance of the East, a reminder that he – ostensibly a dry-as-dust bureaucrat – had led a life of