The Stone Road by G R Matthews Read Free Book Online Page B

River and thence to the sea. It has been a trade route of ours for many years.” Hsin dipped his brush into a small bowl of ink and painted words on the paper as he spoke.
    “And the high plains provide some excellent grazing land for the farmers of Yaart.” The Yaart negotiator made notes on his own paper.
    “It is good to see we understand each other, Honoured Cheng. Our list for the day is nearly at an end. We should congratulate ourselves with some more tea, perhaps?” Hsin’s face carried an open smile which Zhou found, for some reason, troubling.
    “An excellent idea, Honoured Hsin,” and Cheng waved to a servant who bowed and left the room.
    “We are getting nowhere at all,” Zhou hissed quietly to Hsin.
    “You think so? I am finding out quite a lot about Yaart and its situation.” Hsin whispered back. “You still do not see? Even after yesterday?”
    “See what? We mention an area, they offer a counter, and we both note it down for further discussion. Nothing is ever agreed; round and around it goes.” Zhou checked to make sure that Cheng was in discussion with his own team of diplomats.
    “Zhou, so many things are beginning to make sense. If you cannot see, then think carefully about all you have seen and heard.” Hsin’s smile turned malicious, “If even this simple thing is beyond you, your father-in-law will have made a serious mistake in backing you. Now, be quiet and pay attention.”
    Cheng turned from his conference. “Is the Esteemed Zhou all right, Honoured Hsin? He seems to be pre-occupied with something.”
    “The spicy food, dear Cheng. The delicious fare the Yaart chefs have placed before us each day does not sit well in his belly,” Hsin explained. “The youth of today are not well travelled nor their stomachs strong enough to cope with changing food. Give him time and he will come to enjoy it as much as I do.”
    “My apologies, Diplomat Zhou, I was unaware of this.” Cheng turned his concerned face from Zhou and addressed Hsin again, “I can instruct the chefs prepare some blander food if required. It would not do for a guest in our city to fall ill if there were something we could do to prevent it.” Cheng looked concerned.
    “No, no. He will be fine, dear Cheng. If he is to follow his chosen career he must open his mind, and belly, to new experiences. It is all good learning for him,” Hsin chuckled as he waved away the concern.
    Zhou looked back and forth between the two, certain some un-spoken joke was taking place, one he had not been let in on. There was a knock at the door and servants entered placing fresh, steaming tea on the low table and clearing away the old.
    “Perhaps, the tea will calm the storm in his stomach, Hsin?” Cheng said as he poured and against all protocol, handed the first cup to Zhou, who turned to look at Hsin, awaiting the explosion. The Senior Diplomat nodded as he received his own cup.
    “Ah,” Hsin gave a deep sigh of satisfaction as he sipped the scaldingly hot beverage. “The tea is excellent, Honoured Cheng.”
    “Thank you. The leaves are picked only in the evening when the sap is at its height, and then only the very tips of the youngest leaves. The drying process is very quick in the mountains where it grows. It was explained to me why this is but I must confess I did not understand very much. All I needed to know is that the tea is good and worthy of guests. The duke drinks the very same tea and, I have heard, even the emperor, blessed be him in Jade Heaven, has a supply of his own from the mountain.”
    “Then we are in good company,” Hsin turned a sly glance on Zhou. “I hope everyone appreciates your care as much as I do.”
    Zhou took a breath to respond but when no suitable words came to mind he settled for silence and slight bow towards the Yaart negotiator.
    “If I may,” Hsin began, “I have never had the pleasure of visiting your lovely city before. The current difficulties have always precluded that possibility.