jamesclavell.noblehouse-第16章

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　〃There's　no　American　outfit　as　big　as　mine　here　in　strength　yet；　and　there　should　be。　This　is　the　age　of　the　Pacific。　But　you　could　benefit　from　our　ing。　We've　a　lot　of　expertise　you　don't　have　and　a　major　say　in　areas　of　the　U。S。　market。　On　the　other　hand；　Rothwell…Gornt　…　and　Struan's　…　have　the　expertise　we　lack　and　a　major　say　in　the　Asian　markets。〃
　〃How　can　we　cement　a　relationship？〃
　〃First　I　have　to　find　out　what　Struan's　are　after。　I　started　negotiating　with　them；　and　I　don't　like　changing　airplanes　in　mid…ocean。〃
　〃I　can　tell　you　at　once　what　they're　after：　profit　for　them　and　the　hell　with　anyone　else。〃　Gornt's　smile　was　hard。
　〃The　deal　we've　discussed　seems　very　fair。〃
　〃They're　past　masters　at　appearing　to　be　very　fair　and　putting　up　a　half　share；　then　selling　out　at　their　own　choosing　to　skim　the　profit　and　yet　retain　control。〃
　〃That　wouldn't　be　possible　with　us。〃
　〃They've　been　at　it　for　almost　a　century　and　a　half。　They've　learned　a　few　tricks　by　now。〃
　〃So've　you。〃
　〃Of　course。　But　Struan's　is　very　different　from　us。　We　own　things　and　panies　…　they're　percentagers。　They've　little　more　than　a　5　percent　holding　in　most　of　their　subsidiaries　yet　they　still　exercise　absolute　control　by　special　voting　shares；　or　by　making　it　mandatory　in　the　Articles　of　Association　that　their　tai…pan's　also　tai…pan　of　the　subsidiary　with　overriding　say。〃
　〃That　sounds　smart。〃
　〃It　is。　And　they　are。　But　we're　better　and　straighter　…　and　our　contacts　and　influence　in　China　and　throughout　the　Pacific　Rim；　except　for　the　U。S。　and　Canada；　are　stronger　than　theirs　and　growing　stronger　every　day。〃
　〃Why？〃
　〃Because　our　pany　operations　originated　in　Shanghai　…　the　greatest　city　in　Asia　…　where　we　were　dominant。　Struan's　has　always　concentrated　on　Hong　Kong　which；　until　recently；　was　almost　a　provincial　backwater。〃
　〃But　Shanghai's　a　dead　issue　and　has　been　since　the　mies　closed　off　the　Mainland　in　'49。　There's　no　foreign　trade　going　through　Shanghai　today　…　it's　all　through　Canton。〃
　〃Yes。　But　it's　the　Shanghainese　who　left　China　and　came　south　with　money；　brains　and　guts；　who　made　Hong　Kong　what　it　is　today　and　what　it'll　be　tomorrow：　the　now　and　future　metropolis　of　the　whole　Pacific。〃
　〃Better　than　Singapore？〃
　〃Absolutely。〃
　〃Manila？〃
　〃Absolutely。〃
　〃Tokyo？〃
　〃That　will　ever　only　be　for　Japanese。〃　Gornt's　eyes　sparkled；　the　lines　on　his　face　crinkled。　〃Hong　Kong　is　the　greatest　city　in　Asia；　Mr。　Bartlett。　Whoever　masters　it　will　eventually　master　Asia。　。。。　Of　course　I'm　talking　about　trade；　financing；　shipping　and　big　business。〃
　〃What　about　Red　China？〃
　〃We　think　Hong　Kong　benefits　the　PRC　…　as　we　call　the　People's　Republic　of　China。　We're　the　controlled　'open　door'　for　them。　Hong　Kong　and　Rothwell…Gornt　represent　the　future。〃
　〃Why？〃
　〃Because　since　Shanghai　was　the　business　and　industrial　center　of　China；　the　pacesetter；　Shanghainese　are　the　go…getters　of　China；　always　have　been　and　always　will　be。　And　now　the　best　are　with　us　here。　You'll　soon　see　the　difference　between　Cantonese　and　Shanghainese。　Shanghainese're　the　entrepreneurs；　the　industrialists；　promoters　and　internationalists。　There's　not　a　great　textile　or　shipping　magnate　or　industrialist　who　isn't　Shanghainese。　Cantonese…run　family　businesses；　Mr。　Bartlett；　they're　loners；　but　Shanghainese　understand　partnerships；　corporate　situations　and　above　all；　banking　and　financing。〃　Gornt　lit　another　cigarette。　〃That's　where　our　strength　is；　why　we're　better　than　Struan's　…　why　we'll　be　number　one　eventually。〃
　Linc　Bartlett　studied　the　man　opposite　him。　From　the　dossier　that　Casey　had　prepared　he　knew　that　Gornt　had　been　born　in　Shanghai　of　British　parents；　was　forty…eight；　a　widower　with　two　grown　children；　and　that　he　had　served　as　a　captain　in　the　Australian　infantry　'42…'45　in　the　Pacific。　He　knew　too　that　he　ruled　Rothwell…Gornt　very　successfully　as　a　private　fief　and　had　done　so　for　eight　years　since　he　took　over　from　his　father。
　Bartlett　shifted　in　the　deep　leather　chair。　〃If　you've　got　this　rivalry　with　Struan's　and　you're　so　sure　you'll　be　number　one　eventually；　why　wait？　Why　not　take　them　now？〃
　Gornt　was　watching　him；　his　craggy　face　set。　〃There's　nothing　in　the　world　that　I'd　like　to　do　more。　But　I　can't；　not　yet。　I　nearly　did　three　years　ago　…　they'd　overreached　themselves；　the　previous　tai…pan's　joss　had　run　out。〃
　〃Joss？〃
　〃It's　a　Chinese　word　meaning　luck；　fate；　but　a　bit　more。〃　Gornt　watched　him　thoughtfully。　〃We're　very　superstitious　out　here。　Joss　is　very　important；　like　timing。　Alastair　Struan's　joss　ran　out；　or　changed。　He　had　a　disastrous　last　year；　and　then；　in　desperation；　handed　over　to　Ian　Dunross。　They　almost　went　under　that　time。　A　run　had　started　on　their　stock。　I　went　after　them；　but　Dunross　squeezed　out　of　the　run　and　stabilized　the　market。〃
　〃How？〃
　〃Let's　say　he　exercised　an　undue　amount　of　influence　in　certain　banking　circles；〃　Gornt　remembered　with　cold　fury　how　Havergill　at　the　bank　had　suddenly；　against　all　their　private；　secret　agreements；　not　opposed　Struan's　request　for　a　temporary；　enormous　line　of　credit　that　had　given　Dunross　the　time　to　recover。
　Gornt　remembered　his　blinding　rage　when　he　had　called　Havergill。　〃What　the　hell　did　you　do　that　for？〃　he　had　asked　him。　〃A　hundred　million　as　an　Extraordinary　Credit？　You've　saved　their　necks　for　chrissake！　We　had　them。　Why？〃　Havergill　had　told　him　that　Dunross　had　mustered　enough　votes　on　the　board　and　put　an　extreme　amount　of　personal　pressure　on　him。　〃There　was　nothing　I　could　do。　。。。〃
　Yes；　Gornt　thought；　looking　at　the　American。　I　lost　that　time　but　I　think　you're　the　twenty…four…carat　explosive　key　that　will　trigger　the　bomb　to　blow　Struan's　to　hell　out　of　Asia　forever。　〃Dunross　went　to　the　edge　that　time；　Mr。　Bartlett。　He　made　some　implacable　enemies。　But　now　we're　equally　strong。　It's　what　you'd　call　a　stand…off。　They　can't　take　us　and　we　can't　take　them。〃
　〃Unless　they　make　a　mistake。〃
　〃Or　we　make　a　mistake。〃　The　older　man　blew　a　smoke　ring　and　studied　it。　At　length　he　glanced　back　at　Bartlett。　〃We'll　win　eventually。　Time　in　Asia's　a　little　different　from　time　in　the　U。S。A。〃
　〃That's　what　people　tell　me。〃
　〃You　don't　believe　it？〃
　〃I　know　the　same　rules　of　survival　apply　here；　there　or　where　the　hell　ever。　Only　the　degree　changes。〃
　Gornt　watched　the　smoke　from　his　cigarette　curling　to　the　ceiling。　His　office　was　large　with　well…used　old　leather　chairs　and　excellent　oils　on　the　walls　and　it　was　filled　with　the　smell　of　polished　leather　and　good　cigars。　Gornt's　high…backed　chair；　old　oak　and　carved；　with　red　plush　fitted　seat　and　back　looked　hard；　functional　and　solid；　Bartlett　thought；　like　the　man。
　〃We　can　outbid　Struan's　and　we've　time　on　our　side；　here；　there；　where　the　hell　ever；〃　Gornt　said。
　Bartlett　laughed。
　Gornt　smiled　too　but　Bartlett　noticed　his　eyes　weren't　smiling。　〃Look　around　Hong　Kong；　Mr。　Bartlett。　Ask　about　us；　and　about　them。　Then　make　up　your　mind。〃
　〃Yes；　I'll　do　that。〃
　〃I　hear　your　aircraft's　impounded。〃
　〃Yes。　Yes　it　is。　The　airport　cops　found　some　guns　aboard。〃
　〃I　heard。　Curious。　Well；　if　you　need　any　help　to　unimpound　it；　perhaps　I　can　be　of　service。〃
　〃You　could　help　right　now　by　telling　me　why　and　who。〃
　〃I've　no　idea　…　but　I'll　wager　someone　in　Struan's　knows。〃
　〃Why？〃
　〃They　knew　your　exact　movements。〃
　〃So　did　you。〃
　〃Yes。　But　it　was　nothing　to　do　with　us。〃
　〃Who　knew　we　were　to　have　this　meeting；　Mr。　Gornt？〃
　〃You　and　I。　As　we　agreed。　There　was　no　leak　from　here；　Mr。　Bartlett。　After　our　private　meeting　in　New　York　last　year；　everything's　been　by　telephone　…　not　even　a　confirming　telex。　I　subscribe　to　your　wisdom　of　caution；　secrecy　and　dealing　face　to　face。　In　private。　But　who　on　your　side　knows　of　our　。。。　our　continuing　interest？〃
　〃No　one　but　me。〃
　〃Not　even　your　lady　treasurer　executive　vice…president？〃　Gornt　asked　with　open　surprise。
　〃No　sir。　When　did　you　learn　Casey　was　a　she？〃
　〃In　New　York。　e　now；　Mr。　Bartlett；　it's　hardly　likely　we'd　contemplate　an　association　without　ascertaining　your　credentials　and　those　of　your　chief　executives。〃
　〃Good。　That　will　save　time。〃
　〃Curious　to　have　a　woman　in　such　a　key　position。〃
　〃She's　my　right　and　left　arm　and　the　best　executive　I've　got。〃
　〃Then　why　wasn't　she　told　of　our　meeting　today？〃
　〃One　of　the　first　rules　of　survival　is　to　keep　your　options　open。〃
　〃Meaning？〃
　〃Meaning　I　don't　run　my　business　by　mittee。　Besides；　I　like　to　play　off　the　cuff；　to　keep　certain　operations　secret。〃　Bartlett　thought　a　moment　then　added；　〃It's　not　lack　of　trust。　Actually；　I'm　making　it　easier　for　her。　If　anyone　at　Struan's　finds　out　and　asks　her　why　I'm　meeting　with　you　now；　her　surprise　will　be　genuine。〃
　After　a　pause　Gornt　said；　〃It's　rare　to　find　anyone　really　trustworthy。　Very　rare。〃
　〃Why　would　someone　want　M14's　and　grenades　in　Hong　Kong　and　why　would　they　use　my　plane？〃
　〃I　don't　know　but　I'll　make　it　my　business　to　find　out。〃　Gornt　stubbed　out　his　cigarette。　The　ashtray　was　porcelain　…　Sung　dynasty。　〃Do　you　know　Tsu…yan？〃
　〃I've　met　him　a　couple　of　times。　Why？〃
　〃He's　a　very　good　fellow；　even　though　he's　a　director　of　Struan's。〃
　〃He's　Shanghainese？〃
　〃Yes。　One　of　the　best。〃　Gornt　looked　up；　his　eyes　very　hard。　〃It's　possible　there　could　be　peripheral　benefit　to　dealing　with　us；　Mr。　Bartlett。　I　hear　Struan's　is　quite　extended　just　now　…　Dunross's　gambling　heavily　on　his　fleet；　particularly　on　the　two　super　bulk　cargo　carriers　he　has　on　order　from　Japan。　The　first's　due　to　be　paid　for　substantially　in　a　week　or　so。　Then；　too；　there's　a　strong　rumor　he's　going　to　make　a　bid　for　Asian　Properties。　You've　heard　of　them？〃
　〃A　big　land　operation；　real　estate；　all　over　Hong　Kong。〃
　〃Yes。　They're　the　biggest　…　even　bigger　than　his　own　K。I。〃
　〃Kowloon　Investments　is　part　of　Struan's？　I　thought　they　were　a　separate　pany。〃
　〃They　are；　outwardly。　But　Dunross　is　tai…pan　of　K。I。　…　they　always　have　the　same　tai…pan。〃
　〃Always？〃
　〃Always。　It's　in　their　Heads　of　Agreement。　But　Ian's　overriding　himself。　The　Noble　House　may　soon　bee　ignoble。　He's　very　cash　light　at　the　moment。〃
　Bartlett　thought　a　moment；　then　he　asked；　〃Why　don't　you　join　with　another　pany；　maybe　Asian　Properties；　and　take　Struan's？　That's　what　I'd　do　in　the　States　if　I　wanted　a　pany　I　couldn't　take　alone。〃
　〃Is　that　what　you　want　to　do　here；　Mr。　Bartlett？〃　Gornt　asked　at　once；　pretending　shock。　〃To　'take'　Struan's？〃
　〃Is　it　possible？〃
　Gornt　looked　at　the　ceiling　carefully　before　answering。　〃Yes　…　but　you'd　have　to　have　a　partner。　Perhaps　you　could　do　it　with　Asian　Properties　but　I　doubt　it。　Jason　Plumm；　the　tai…pan；　hasn't　the　balls。　You'd　need　us。　Only　we　have　the　perspicacity；　the　drive；　the　knowledge　and　the　desire。　Nevertheless；　you'd　have　to　risk　a　very　great　deal　of　money。　Cash。〃
　〃How　much？〃
　Gornt　laughed　outright。　〃I'll　consider　that。　First　you'll　have　to　tell　me　how　serious　you　are。〃
　〃And　if　I　am；　would　you　want　in？〃
　Gornt　stared　back；　his　eyes　equally　level。　〃First　I　would　have　to　be　sure；　very　sure；　how　serious　you　are。　It's　no　secret　I　detest　Struan's　generally　and　Ian　Dunross　personally；　would　want　them　obliterated。　So　you　already　know　my　long…term　posture。　I　don't　know　yours。　Yet。〃
　〃If　w