The Interior (13 page)

“So,” she asked, “how was your day?”

He told her how he’d been pushed in and out of buildings by a highly organized little demon named Miss Quo.

“You’re very fortunate to have Quo Xuesheng,” Hulan said, breaking off a piece of watermelon.

“You know her?” David asked rather dubiously.

“Since she was a baby. She’s the daughter of the minister of the Foreign Enterprise Service Corporation. You were assigned someone very high up. You must have very good
guanxi
,” she said in mock serious tones, then popped a grape into her mouth.

“You arranged this?”

“You have to hire someone. You might as well have a friend. After I got off the phone with you, I called Miss Quo’s father. The minister was very happy to place his daughter with you.”

“Do the people at Phillips, MacKenzie know?”

Hulan shrugged.

“And she’s a Red Princess?” David asked.

“In two ways. Her grandfather was on the Long March, while her father has made millions in his government position.”

“So she knows who I am.”

Hulan smiled and nodded.

“And she knew perfectly well that I didn’t need an apartment.”

“Um, I don’t know about that. That may have been a test for both of us.” She leaned over and reached for another grape. As she did this, her robe fell open, exposing the curve of her breasts. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to take a small apartment just to keep gossip down.”

“Will it be better for you?”

She closed her eyes and played out different scenarios in her head. When she opened them, she said, “Take an apartment, but you’ll live here.”

“She showed me space in the Capital Mansion.”

Hulan shook her head and laughed. “That’s because she lives there, just like Guang Henglai and Cao Hua did. It’s very popular with the young crowd.”

“Well, I’m not going there.”

“No, of course not. I know a good space for you. It’s not fancy, but it is close by. We’ll look at it tomorrow.”

“Okay, but I don’t want to pay through the nose.”

Hulan smiled. “It’s not you. It’s the firm.”

“Still, I don’t like to be treated like a sucker.”

“You’ll be treated like a foreigner no matter what.”

“Which means getting fleeced?”

David told her about the prices that he was expected to pay for a fax line.

“That’s not so bad,” she said. “Consider this: Until a couple of years ago, foreigners could only send faxes during the day because the government surveillance people who monitored the lines all went home at five.”

“But that’s no longer in effect?” he asked, relieved.

“No, it’s still in effect. We just have people working all night now.”

“They can’t possibly monitor
every
fax!”

Hulan shrugged again, and a little more flesh was exposed. “Believe what you want to believe.” She pulled another grape from the stem. This time she slipped it and the tip of her index finger into David’s mouth. “If you think that’s unfair, think about what you—or rather the firm—must be paying your Miss Quo.”

But David didn’t respond with words, overcome as he was by the reflexive stirring he felt in his loins. Hulan let her finger languidly trace a path from his lips, down across his chest, to where the cotton sheet edged against his skin. Her voice was husky as she said, “The typical translator makes about seven hundred dollars U.S. a month of which the state-run agency receives about six hundred and thirty dollars. Then you look at someone like your Miss Quo, a Red Princess, very well connected. Phillips, MacKenzie is probably paying her a hundred thousand dollars a year.” But David had heard enough. He covered her mouth with his, and they continued a far more intimate conversation.

8

O
N DAVID AND HULAN’S FIRST FULL DAY TOGETHER, SATURDAY
, Investigator Lo picked them up and took them to a building not far from her home. The corner office suite was simple. The walls were painted white; the furniture was restrained; there was a phone, a copy machine, a fax, and a television set. The view presented a panorama of Beijing. Looking behind him, David could see into the courtyards of Hulan’s—and his—
hutong
neighborhood. Stretching out in front of him were the red burnished walls of the Forbidden City. After looking at the office, they rode the elevator up four flights to see an apartment, which came fully furnished and with the same spectacular view. Miss Quo arrived and she and Hulan carried on a lively conversation in Mandarin. At the end of it, Hulan switched back to English. “Good, then everything is taken care of. Attorney Stark will be here Tuesday at nine.”

On Sunday and Monday, they stayed home. While Hulan puttered around the house, David continued familiarizing himself with the Tartan-Knight paperwork and the list of prospective clients given to him by Miles Stout. On Tuesday, July 15, they both rose to the sounds of the
yang ge
troupe. David showered, shaved, and dressed in a lightweight suit. When he came out to the kitchen, Hulan was standing over the stove, stirring a pot of
congee
. David ate, then it was time for him to leave. Arrangements still hadn’t been made for a driver, so Investigator Lo took David down to his new office.

At this point Hulan should have showered, dressed, and gotten on her Flying Pigeon bicycle to go to the Ministry of Public Security. She did none of these things. Instead she went back to bed, took a nap, got up just before noon, then rode her bike down to David’s new office and took him out for lunch. That afternoon she went to the open-air market, bought some greens, ginger, garlic, salted black beans, and a little fresh pork, carried them home, and prepared dinner. When David returned, she asked him about his day.

In the morning he’d met with the representative of a hotel that was in a dispute with a California winery over a shipment of chardonnay. His next appointment was with an American man who came with his Chinese partner. They had a factory that manufactured women’s clothing made from pigskin. For five years this venture had operated smoothly, with the products having a steady growth in the United States. Unfortunately, the tanner had become involved with some unsavory types, and now the whole enterprise faced investigation by the government. The American in particular was worried about his rights. Was there anything that David could do to help?

At a quarter to five, David and Miss Quo left the office, and Investigator Lo drove them to the Zhongnanhai compound next to the Forbidden City to meet with Governor Sun Gan, who served on the Central Committee representing Shanxi Province. As the car pushed through traffic, Miss Quo ran through David’s itinerary for his trip to Knight International. On Thursday, he would have private meetings with the American managers of the factory and the Knights—father and son. On Friday, they would meet with Governor Sun and the other VIP-ers, as Miss Quo called Randall Craig and the Tartan team. On Saturday, after a ceremony at the Knight compound, they would all fly back to Beijing on the two companies’ private jets for a series of banquets and meetings with top officials from Knight, Tartan, and the Chinese government. Miles Stout would also fly in to attend. The Sunday evening banquet would culminate in the signing of the closing documents.

Once at the Zhongnanhai compound, Miss Quo led the way to the small private office the governor used while in Beijing. She made the introductions, carefully translating the conversation. By the quality of the fabric and cut, David surmised that Sun’s navy blue pinstripe suit had been tailored either in Hong Kong or London. Despite this surface sophistication and his age—Sun looked to be in his late sixties—his ruddy complexion and the strength of his handshake attested to a life spent largely outdoors in physical labor.

The two men sat down in overstuffed burgundy velvet chairs, while Miss Quo took a straight-back chair a little to David’s left. For the next couple of minutes Miss Quo spoke in Mandarin. David recognized certain words—
baba
and
cha
—and knew that they were exchanging pleasantries about Miss Quo’s father and negotiating the ever important issue of whether or not the guests would drink tea. Their chatter came to a close. Sun himself poured three cups of tea, and then he began to speak in a smooth, confident voice, pausing occasionally to let Miss Quo translate. During the next twenty minutes, as Sun spoke in glowing terms of the attributes of his home province, he never took his eyes off David. Under other circumstances David might have chafed under this scrutiny, but Sun had a warmth about him. He was down-to-earth and, if Miss Quo’s translation was accurate, very direct.

“Governor Sun wishes you to know that he has encouraged many foreign businesses to come to his province,” Miss Quo said as Sun came to the conclusion of his remarks. “Every year it becomes easier to reach. Shanxi has built a new expressway, making Taiyuan only five hours away from Beijing by car or bus, while a plane takes only minutes. He thinks it’s important for you to know that he believes that within ten years his province will be a leader for economic investment in the interior.”

“How does Governor Sun plan to accomplish his goals?”

Miss Quo dutifully translated David’s question, listened as Sun replied in Mandarin, then said, “As you know, China is in a period of great change. Supreme Leader Deng Xiaoping encouraged us to move forward with economic reform.”

“To get rich is glorious,” David quoted.

“Precisely.” Miss Quo nodded. “But there are some things that he did not want to see change. Since his death our country can now move forward on some of those programs. This is what Governor Sun is promoting here in Beijing as well as in Shanxi. Historically, he says, change can only come from the countryside. He has proposed one-person, one-vote balloting in local elections that would be open to party and non-party candidates alike. He has worked hard to abolish rice-eating finance.”

At David’s puzzled look, she explained, “This is a phrase used by Premier Zhu Rongji. It means he wants to cut our country’s bureaucracy, which so often promotes corruption. Governor Sun greatly supports these new ideas and believes that they will eventually lead to greater freedoms for the Chinese people, increased prosperity, and a better relationship with our brothers in the West.”

“That all sounds wonderful,” David said. “But why has Governor Sun invited me here?”

Miss Quo didn’t attempt to hide her displeasure. “You ask too forward a question.”

“It doesn’t matter, Miss Quo,” Sun said, speaking in near-perfect English.

David had fallen for one of the oldest tricks in the Chinese book. Of course this man would speak English.

“I thought it would be wise to meet you before we see each other at Knight International,” Sun said. “I have nothing but the greatest respect for Mr. Knight and Mr. Craig. Henry Knight is an old friend while Mr. Craig is new. Still, I think it is good for us to become friends ourselves. In this manner the road of business is smooth.”

“I agree fully,” David said.

Sun offered David a saucer filled with dried watermelon seeds. “But I must admit that I have what you would probably call ulterior reasons for meeting with you today,” Sun continued. “Like many of us in China who read the newspaper or watch television, I’m familiar with the good work you did for our country earlier this year. But we both know that what was in the news was not the full truth of those days. I do hope you’ll forgive my immodesty when I say that I’ve been permitted the great privilege of sitting in on conversations with people very high in our government who are aware of the true nature of your deeds. Our nation has been honored by your work in uncovering corruption in our government as well as in your own.”

David was in a country with the world’s largest population, and yet he felt as though he had moved to a small town where everyone knew everyone else’s business. Before he could say anything, however, Sun went on.

“I too am very concerned about corruption. As Premier Zhu has observed, the collecting of illegal fees sows seething discontent among the people. So, as you might say, you and I are on the same wavelength. I think that two people of such like minds should work together. I would be honored if you would accept me as a client.”

“Are you in trouble?” David asked, the litigator in him showing through.

An awkward silence followed, and David felt Miss Quo’s disapproving eyes on him. Then Sun laughed heartily and said, “Some people say that bluntness is the worst trait of Americans. In China we would never use words so freely. Well, maybe after you and I had known each other for ten thousand years and had been meeting here every day for ten thousand weeks, perhaps then you would have shown this weakness. But actually this characteristic is what I love about Americans as a people. You speak your mind. It makes you so very transparent, but I must admit it is refreshing.”

The remarks were condescending, but Sun’s affability took the sting out of them.

“To answer your question,” Sun continued, “no, I’m not in trouble. But people have many reasons to need lawyers.”

“I’m not an expert on Chinese law,” David said. “You’d be better served by a Chinese law firm.”

“You see, Miss Quo, there he is showing his open heart to us again,” Sun said.

Miss Quo cast her eyes down modestly, pleased that her new boss had fallen into favor with such a powerful man.

“I don’t need someone who is familiar with Chinese law,” Sun said after a moment. “As your Miss Quo has already explained, I act on behalf of my province and my country when foreign companies come calling. I have actively sought foreign investment in Shanxi. You must understand, until very recently we didn’t do much business using contracts. You don’t need things like that when the government owns every business, factory, and farm. So in China we’ve had many problems with outsiders as we negotiate our deals. I think foreigners would be pleased to deal with someone like you who understands their ways. What I’m proposing is that you represent me both as an individual, for I have many investments of my own, and as the representative of Shanxi Province.”

“It would be a conflict for me to represent you in any dealings with Tartan,” David said.

“Again, that’s just one deal. It’s my job to bring many foreign companies to Shanxi.”

“If I represent you, I’ll be privy to many aspects of your business. There may be things you won’t want Tartan to know and vice versa.”

“Lawyers are supposed to be discreet.”

“Discretion isn’t the problem,” David said. “Many clients simply prefer to know that there’ll never be a chance that their affairs will be anything other than completely private, that work product won’t somehow get misplaced or misfiled, that no one will be in the office and glance at something they shouldn’t see.”

“What you’re saying, Attorney Stark, is making me nervous about you
and
Phillips, MacKenzie…”

“We are scrupulous with all work product, but accidents can happen. Not to mention…”

When David hesitated, Sun finished for him. “You’re in China and you can’t guarantee complete confidentiality anyway.”

David turned his palms up and surrendered to that truth, then added, “In addition, what if five years from now there’s a disagreement between you and Tartan?”

“There won’t be,” Sun said.

“But what if there were?” David persisted. “Wouldn’t you want to know that your affairs had always been totally secure?”

“We’re both working toward the same ends,” Sun said. “There are no conflicts and there never will be.”

“Still, if there were, I’d have to choose which client I’d represent. I’m afraid it would have to be Tartan.”

“Because it’s a bigger client than I am.”

“And because my firm has represented Tartan longer.”

“This is all right with me.”

“Then let me call my office and Tartan to see how they feel about it. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can with their answers as well as a waiver that you’ll need to sign.”

Governor Sun stood, signaling the end of the meeting. He shook David’s hand, looked deeply into his eyes, and said, “As soon as you get your waiver, I’ll send you a report of my various activities.” He walked David and Miss Quo to the door. He bowed his head. “If you need anything before I see you later this week, please call my assistant Amy Gao.” Then Sun turned his attention to a delegation of businessmen waiting in the foyer.

“There’s something quite wonderful about listening to people’s troubles, then trying to help them,” David said to Hulan that night. “I made a couple of phone calls this afternoon and was able to resolve the problems with the winery. The pig thing will be a little more difficult, but Miss Quo has already drafted a couple of letters to whom she says are the right people. Hopefully we’ll be able to have some meetings at the beginning of next week after the signing of the Knight deal and those pig guys can go back to their manufacturing with no more problems.”

Hulan thought David still had a lot to learn about the way things worked in China.

He’d saved the news of his meeting with Governor Sun for last. Hulan absorbed the details, listening carefully for the usual Chinese nuances that David might have missed. They both laughed when he told her about the new Beijing-Taiyuan expressway. “How was I supposed to know it existed?” Hulan asked, groaning in mock horror at the needless misery she’d put herself through on those two trains, while at the same time thinking just how far removed Suchee and the others she’d met in Da Shui were from this life-changing news.

They laughed even harder when David got to the part about Sun speaking perfect English. “I should have known better,” David said. “I
do
know better!”

“But?”

“Jet lag?” he tried. And again they laughed. Then he said, “Thank you.”