jamesclavell.noblehouse-第72章

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gage　land　to　buy　face　and　ladies'　favors。　Third　generation　sell　land；　go　bankrupt　for　same　favors。　Fourth　generation　coolie。〃　His　voice　was　calm；　even　gentle。　〃My　old　friend's　dead　and　I've　no　feeling　for　his　sons；　or　their　sons。　They're　rich；　hugely　rich　because　of　me；　and　they'll　find　their　own　level；　good；　bad　or　very　bad。　As　to　Tightfist　。。。〃　Again　his　fingers　stopped。　〃Tightfist's　dying。〃
　Dunross　was　startled。　〃But　I　saw　him　only　a　week　or　so　ago　and　he　looked　healthy；　frail　as　always；　but　full　of　his　usual　piss　and　vinegar。〃
　〃He's　dying；　Ian。　I　know　because　I　was　his　interpreter　with　the　Portuguese　specialists。　He　didn't　want　to　trust　any　of　his　sons　…　that's　what　he　told　me。　It　took　me　months　to　get　him　to　go　to　see　them　but　both　doctors　were　quite　sure：　cancer　of　the　colon。　His　system's　riddled　with　it。　They　gave　him　a　month；　two　months　。。。　this　was　a　week　ago。〃　Mata　smiled。　〃Old　Tightfist　just　swore　at　them；　told　them　they　were　wrong　and　fools　and　that　he'd　never　pay　for　a　wrong　diagnosis。〃　The　lithe　Portuguese　laughed　without　humor。　〃He's　worth　over　600　million　U。S。　but　he'll　never　pay　that　doctor　bill；　or　do　anything　but　continue　to　drink　foul…smelling；　foul…tasting　Chinese　herbal　brews　and　smoke　his　occasional　opium　pipe。　He　just　won't　accept　a　Western；　a　quai　loh　diagnosis　…　you　know　him。　You　know　him　very　well；　eh？〃
　〃Yes。〃　When　Dunross　was　on　his　school　holidays　his　father　would　send　him　to　work　for　certain　old　friends。　Tightfist　Tung　had　been　one　of　them　and　Dunross　remembered　the　hideous　summer　he　had　spent　sweating　in　the　filthy　basement　of　the　syndicate　bank　in　Macao；　trying　to　please　his　mentor　and　not　to　weep　with　rage　at　the　thought　of　what　he　had　to　endure　while　all　his　friends　were　out　playing。　But　now　he　was　glad　for　that　summer。　Tightfist　had　taught　him　much　about　money　…　the　value　of　it；　how　to　make　it；　hold　on　to　it；　about　usury；　greed　and　the　normal　Chinese　lending　rate；　in　good　times；　of　2　percent　a　month。
　〃Take　twice　as　much　collateral　as　you　need　but　if　he　has　none　then　look　at　the　eyes　of　the　borrower！〃　Tightfist　would　scream　at　him。　〃No　collateral；　then　of　course　charge　a　bigger　interest。　Now　think；　can　you　trust　him？　Can　he　repay　the　money？　Is　he　a　worker　or　a　drone？　Look　at　him；　fool；　he's　your　collateral！　How　much　of　my　hard…earned　money　does　he　want？　Is　he　a　hard　worker？　If　he　is；　what's　2　percent　a　month　to　him　…　or　4？　Nothing。　But　it's　my　money　that'll　make　the　fornicator　rich　if　it's　his　joss　to　be　rich。　The　man　himself's　all　the　collateral　you　ever　need！　Lend　a　rich　man's　son　anything　if　he's　borrowing　against　his　heritage　and　you　have　the　father's　chop　…　it'll　all　be　thrown　away　on　singsong　girls　but　never　mind；　it's　his　money　not　yours！　How　do　you　bee　rich？　You　save！　You　save　money；　buy　land　with　one　third；　lend　one　third　and　keep　one　third　in　cash。　Lend　only　to　civilized　persons　and　never　trust　a　quai　loh　。。。〃　he　would　cackle。
　Dunross　remembered　well　the　old　man　with　his　stony　eyes；　hardly　any　teeth　…　an　illiterate　who　could　read　but　three　characters　and　could　write　but　three　characters；　those　of　his　name　…　who　had　a　mind　like　a　puter；　who　knew　to　the　nearest　copper　cash　who　owed　him　what　and　when　it　was　due。　No　one　had　ever　defaulted　on　one　of　his　loans。　It　wasn't　worth　the　incessant　hounding。
　That　summer　he　had　been　thirteen　and　Lando　Mata　had　befriended　him。　Then；　as　now；　Mata　was　almost　a　wraith；　a　mysterious　presence　who　moved　in　and　out　of　Macao's　government　spheres　as　he　wished；　always　in　the　background；　hardly　seen；　barely　known；　a　strange　Asian　who　came　and　went　at　whim；　gathered　what　he　liked；　harvesting　unbelievable　riches　as　and　when　it　pleased　him。　Even　today　there　were　but　a　handful　of　people　who　knew　his　name；　let　alone　the　man　himself。　Even　Dunross　had　never　been　to　his　villa　on　the　Street　of　the　Broken　Fountain；　the　low　sprawling　building　hidden　behind　the　iron　gates　and　the　huge　stone　encircling　walls；　or　knew　anything　about　him　really　…　where　he　came　from；　who　his　parents　were　or　how　he　had　managed　to　acquire　those　two　monopolies　of　limitless　wealth。
　〃I'm　sorry　to　hear　about　old　Tightfist；〃　Dunross　said。　〃He　was　always　a　rough　old　bastard；　but　no　rougher　to　me　than　to　any　of　his　own　sons。〃
　〃Yes。　He's　dying。　Joss。　And　I've　no　feeling　for　any　of　his　heirs。　Like　the　Chins；　they'll　be　rich；　all　of　them。　Even　Zeppelin；〃　Lando　Mata　said　with　a　sneer。　〃Even　Zeppelin'll　get　50　to　75　million　U。S。〃
　〃Christ；　when　you　think　of　all　the　money　gambling　makes　。。。〃
　Mata's　eyes　lidded。　〃Should　I　make　a　change？〃
　〃If　you　want　to　leave　a　monument；　yes。　At　the　moment　the　syndicate　only　allows　Chinese　gambling　games：　fan…tan；　dominoes　and　dice。　If　the　new　group　was　modern；　far…seeing；　and　they　modernized　。。。　if　they　built　a　grand　new　casino；　with　tables　for　roulette；　vingt…et…un；　chemin　de　fer；　even　American　craps　you'd　have　all　Asia　flocking　to　Macao。〃
　〃What're　the　chances　of　Hong　Kong　legalizing　gambling？〃
　〃None　…　you　know　better　than　I　do　that　without　gambling　and　gold　Macao'd　drift　into　the　sea　and　it's　a　cornerstone　of　British　and　Hong　Kong　business　policy　never　to　let　that　happen。　We　have　our　horse　racing　…　you've　the　tables。　But　with　modern　ownership；　new　hotels；　new　games；　new　hydrofoils　you'd　have　so　much　revenue　you'd　have　to　open　your　own　bank。〃
　Lando　Mata　took　out　a　slip　of　paper；　glanced　at　it；　then　handed　it　over。　〃Here　are　four　groups　of　three　names　of　people　who　might　be　allowed　to　bid。　I'd　like　your　opinion。〃
　Dunross　did　not　look　at　the　list。　〃You'd　like　me　to　choose　the　group　of　three　you've　already　decided　on？〃
　Mata　laughed。　〃Ah；　Ian；　you　know　too　much　about　me！　Yes；　I've　chosen　the　group　that　should　be　successful；　if　their　bid　is　substantial　enough。〃
　〃Do　any　of　the　groups　know　now　that　you　might　take　them　as　partners？〃
　〃No。〃
　〃What　about　Tightfist　…　and　the　Chins？　They　won't　lose　their　monopoly　lightly。〃
　〃If　Tightfist　dies　before　the　auction；　a　new　syndicate　will　e　to　pass。　If　not；　the　change　will　be　made　but　differently。〃
　Dunross　glanced　at　the　list。　And　gasped。　All　the　names　were　well…known　Hong　Kong　and　Macao　Chinese；　all　substantial　people；　some　with　curious　pasts。　〃Well；　they're　certainly　all　famous；　Lando。〃
　〃Yes。　To　earn　such　great　wealth；　to　run　a　gambling　empire　needs　men　of　vision。〃
　Dunross　smiled　with　him。　〃I　agree。　Then　why　is　it　I'm　not　on　the　list？〃
　〃Resign　from　the　Noble　House　within　the　month　and　you　can　form　your　own　syndicate。　I　guarantee　your　bid　will　be　successful。　I　take　40　percent。〃
　〃Sorry；　that's　not　possible；　Lando。〃
　〃You　could　have　a　personal　fortune　of　500　million　to　a　billion　dollars　within　ten　years。〃
　Dunross　shrugged。　〃What's　money？〃
　〃Moh　ching　moh　meng！〃　No　money　no　life。
　〃Yes；　but　there's　not　enough　money　in　the　world　to　make　me　resign。　Still；　I'll　make　a　deal　with　you。　Struan's'll　run　the　gambling　for　you；　through　nominees。〃
　〃Sorry；　no。　It　has　to　be　all　or　nothing。〃
　〃We　could　do　it　better　and　cheaper　than　anyone；　with　more　flair。〃
　〃If　you　resign。　All　or　none；　tai…pan。〃
　Dunross's　head　hurt　at　the　thought　of　so　much　money；　but　he　heard　Lando　Mata's　finality。　〃Fair　enough。　Sorry；　I'm　not　available；〃　he　said。
　〃I'm　sure　you'd；　you　personally；　would　be　weled　as　a　。。。　as　a　consultant。〃
　〃If　I　choose　the　correct　group？〃
　〃Perhaps。〃　The　Portuguese　smiled。　〃Well？〃
　Dunross　was　wondering　whether　or　not　he　could　risk　such　an　association。　To　be　part　of　the　Macao　gambling　syndicate　was　not　like　being　a　steward　of　the　Turf　Club。　〃I'll　think　about　that　and　let　you　know。〃
　〃Good；　Ian。　Give　me　your　opinion　within　the　next　two　days；　eh？〃
　〃All　right。　Will　you　tell　me　what　the　successful　bid　is　…　if　you　decide　to　change？〃
　〃An　associate　or　consultant　should　have　that　knowledge。　Now　a　last　item　and　I　must　go。　I　don't　think　you'll　ever　see　your　friend　Tsu…yan　again。〃
　Dunross　stared　at　him。　〃What？〃
　〃He　called　me　from　Taipei；　yesterday　morning；　in　quite　a　state。　He　asked　if　I'd　send　the　Catalina　for　him；　to　pick　him　up　privately。　It　was　urgent　he　said；　he'd　explain　when　he　saw　me。　He'd　e　straight　to　my　home；　the　moment　he　arrived。〃　Mata　shrugged　and　examined　his　perfectly　manicured　nails。　〃Tsu…yan's　an　old　friend；　I've　acmodated　old　friends　before；　so　I　authorized　the　flight。　He　never　appeared；　Ian。　Oh　he　came　with　the　flying　boat　…　my　chauffeur　was　on　the　jetty　to　meet　him。〃　Mata　looked　up。　〃It's　all　rather　unbelievable。　Tsu…yan　was　dressed　in　filthy　coolie　rags　with　a　straw　hat。　He　mumbled　something　about　seeing　me　later　that　night　and　jumped　into　the　first　taxi　and　took　off　as　though　all　the　devils　from　hell　were　at　his　heels。　My　driver　was　stunned。〃
　〃There's　no　mistake？　You're　sure　it　was　he？〃
　〃Oh　yes；　Tsu…yan's　well　known　…　fortunately　my　driver's　Portuguese　and　can　take　some　initiative。　He　charged　in　pursuit。　He　says　Tsu…yan's　taxi　headed　north。　Near　the　Barrier　Gate　the　taxi　stopped　and　then　Tsu…yan　fled　on　foot；　as　fast　as　he　could　run；　through　the　Barrier　Gate　into　China。　My　man　watched　him　run　all　the　way　up　to　the　soldiers　on　the　PRC's　side　and　then　he　vanished　into　the　guardhouse。〃
　Dunross　stared　at　Mata　in　disbelief。　Tsu…yan　was　one　of　the　best…known　capitalists　and　anti…munists　in　Hong　Kong　and　Taiwan。　Before　the　fall　of　the　Mainland　he　had　been　almost　a　minor　warlord　in　the　Shanghai　area。　〃Tsu…yan'd　never　be　wele　in　the　PRC；〃　he　said。　〃Never！　He　must　be　top　of　their　shit　list。〃
　Mata　hesitated。　〃Unless　he　was　working　for　them。〃
　〃It's　just　not　possible。〃
　〃Anything's　possible　in　China。〃
　
　Twenty　stories　below；　Roger　Crosse　and　Brian　Kwok　were　getting　out　of　the　police　car；　followed　by　Robert　Armstrong。　A　plain…clothes　SI　man　met　them。　〃Dunross's　still　in　his　office；　sir。〃
　〃Good。〃　Robert　Armstrong　stayed　at　the　entrance　and　the　other　two　went　for　the　elevator。　On　the　twentieth　floor　they　got　out。
　〃Ah　good　evening；　sir；〃　Claudia　said　and　smiled　at　Brian　Kwok。　Zeppelin　Tung　was　waiting　by　the　phone。　He　stared　at　the　policemen　in　sudden　shock；　obviously　recognizing　them。
　Roger　Crosse　said；　〃Mr。　Dunross's　expecting　me。〃
　〃Yes　sir。〃　She　pressed　the　boardroom　button　and；　in　a　moment；　spoke　into　her　phone。　〃Mr。　Crosse's　here；　tai…pan。〃
　Dunross　said；　〃Give　me　a　minute；　then　show　him　in；　Claudia。〃　He　replaced　his　phone　and　turned　to　Mata。　〃Crosse's　here。　If　I　miss　you　at　the　bank　tonight；　I'll　catch　up　with　you　tomorrow　morning。〃
　〃Yes。　I'm　。。。　please　call　me；　Ian。　Yes。　I　want　a　few　minutes　with　you　privately。　Tonight　or　tomorrow。〃
　〃At　nine　tonight；〃　Dunross　said　at　once。　〃Or　anytime　tomorrow。〃
　〃Call　me　at　nine。　Or　tomorrow。　Thank　you。〃　Mata　walked　across　the　room　and　opened　a　hardly　noticeable　door　that　was　camouflaged　as　part　of　the　bookshelves。　This　opened　onto　a　private　corridor　which　led　to　the　floor　below。　He　closed　the　door　behind　him。
　Dunross　stared　after　him　thoughtfully。　I　wonder　what's　on　his　mind？　He　put　the　agenda　papers　in　a　drawer　and　locked　it；　then　leaned　back　at　the　head　of　the　table　trying　to　collect　his　wits；　his　eyes　on　the　door；　his　heart　beating　a　little　quicker。　The　phone　rang　and　he　jumped。
　〃Yes？〃
　〃Father；〃　Adryon　said　in　her　usual　rush；　〃sorry　to　interrupt　but　Mother　wanted　to　know　what　time　you'd　be　in　for　dinner。〃
　〃I'll　be　late。　Ask　her　to　go　ahead。　I'll　get　something　on　the　run