Chapter 274 - Rice Wine

A southerly wind blew across the city, carrying dark clouds with it as the night set in on Noga City. A soft rain drizzled down onto the streets and in the plaza outside the Tye-Ann Cathedral.

The large plaza had been nearly completely destroyed during the failed resurrection ritual seven weeks prior, but it had been completely rebuilt since then. The large fountain in the center of the plaza was at even grander scale than before, shooting a constant jet of water ten meters into the air that formed an elegant dome of water in the midst of a circular pool.

The gas lanterns around the fountain cast a warm, shimmering glow as citizens passed to and fro. The drizzle was light enough that there were still plenty of people mingling around the square, taking a leisurely walk under black umbrellas and buying various street food and trinkets from the scattered vendors around the plaza.

On the northern end of the plaza the Tye-Ann Cathedral cast an impressive sight with its complicated stone facade and numerous towers and steeples. The cathedral was tastefully lit by numerous lanterns, bathing the monument in a soft glow. The huge doors of the Cathedral were open and inviting as citizens came for evening prayers.

On the third storey of the main Cathedral building a pair of eyes looked down on the procession of citizens entering and leaving the Cathedral from behind a small nondescript window. Droplets of water drizzled down the glass, shimmering from the lantern light within the dimly lit room.

The man at the window had a dignified pose as he look out the window with his hands folded comfortably behind his back. He had a poised and elegant figure, tall with a slender build. He wore an impeccable tailored suit and polished black shoes. His chestnut hair was neatly styled, matching his sharp facial features.

A soft frown indented his lips as he noted that it was nearly midnight, and yet the daughter of the Tycoon had not yet been delivered to the Cathedral. A seed of doubt had sprouted in his mind wondering if there had been an issue with carrying out the decree for Char Char Zhao’s arrest.

Finn Mackenzie, the officer in charge of Char Char’s custody was known to be competent, there was no concern about his ability to bring her in. However the White Maiden was the critical factor here. If this elusive entity made a move to keep Char Char out of his custody it would greatly mess up his plans.

The penalty of high treason had been set that high precisely as a counter measure against the White Maiden and any helpers she might have hidden in the wings.

There was a knock at the door, the man’s eyes flickered to the reflection in the glass as it opened. As the portly, double-chinned Earl Shum appeared in his vision the man at the window turned around and bowed respectfully.

“Earl Shum, good evening.”

“Good evening, Minister Byron. I hope you don’t mind me calling on you unannounced.” The Earl nodded in response to the bow, stepping in without waiting for an invitation.

Byron maintained a pleasant smile as he straightened his posture, “Not at all, I was only lost in my thoughts after a long day.”

The Earl made his way over to a small bar at the side of the office, casually examining the bottles of wine and spirits. He had the self-important bearing of an elder visiting a junior, but in fact both Ganyu Shum and Louis Byron held the same rank in the Ministry. Shum was the Deputy Minister of Commerce, while Byron was the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

For any other politician Byron might have taken offence, but Earl Shum was different. He was pompous and self-important, an alcoholic and quite nosy in people’s affairs. He insisted on being called by his noble title of Earl rather than his official position of Deputy Minister. On that matter, he used the term ‘Minister’ instead of Deputy Minister - a conversational shortcut, but Byron also suspected it was a way of subconsciously elevating himself to a higher rank.

Despite his flaws, Shum had a way with people. He had a knack for knowing what everyone was up to and for providing critical information and connections at the most crucial times. In some ways his reputation as a bumbling idiot served him well - he was not a schemer, or at least he did not put on the airs of one - and so he made more friends than enemies, even if those friends were secretly at odds with each other.

Byron had only met Earl Shum a few times, he couldn’t consider himself close to the Earl, though he had been looking for a way to get into the Earl’s good books. These thoughts flashed through his mind as he considered how to treat this unexpected visit.

 ”Are you thirsty? I was recently gifted a sixty year rice wine that I’ve been looking for an excuse to open. Would you care for a glass?”

“Oh, I couldn’t bother you.” The Earl failed to suppress an eager grin that bubbled up on his pudgy face, “But if you insist, Minister, I would be a poor guest to refuse!”

Byron smiled, stepping over to the bar to prepare the drinks, “I was looking out at the crowds in the plaza tonight and was just thinking to myself that the public confidence campaign seems to be a great success. It’s a relief to see that the populace’s faith in Lord Noga hasn’t been affected by the disasters earlier this year.”

“Ah, yes. Minister Wan has done a great job instilling confidence into the people.” The Earl nodded, “You know, I gave him the idea for the prayer campaign. I told him, ‘The people are shaken, they need a source of reassurance’— and you know that Minister Liu also was tasked with increasing prayers due to other matters— I said— thank you, this wine is excellent— I said, ‘Why don’t you and Liu combine forces, it’s the perfect way to bring stability back to the city.”

“And you know Wan, he can give a good speech but he can’t write one. I had a big hand in that public address of his.” The Earl chuckled, quoting dramatically, “These are strange times, but whether we are beseeched by man or nature or something more, our strength is in our hearts.”

“Ah yes, I recall those words. Very poetic, with a subtle nod to ‘Runan’s Plight’. Those were your lines?”

“Ah, no. Not precisely. But I gave him the idea!” The Earl smiled.

Sensing a break in the conversation Byron changed the topic, “What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

“Nothing in particular. I had some business with Minister Cheng, I was merely passing by and saw that you were still in your office.”

Bullshit, our offices are on opposite sides of the Cathedral. Byron concealed his doubt as he nodded politely.

The Earl continued, “You were promoted to Minister a year ago now? And prior to that you were the Director for Border Control. That’s quite the accomplishment for a man of your age. I’ve heard from several people that you’re one of the shining new stars of the Ministry.”

“I simply am doing my duty, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this position.” Byron replied humbly. He followed the Earl as the older man casually walked to the window, looking out onto the plaza in the same manner that Byron had been doing prior to the interruption. 

“I was good friends with the previous Minister of Foreign Affairs. We had a routine of playing cards on the weekends. I don’t suppose you play? We have a small group, you should join us.” The Earl hummed to himself softly in good spirits.

“Any time.” Byron smiled.

In fact he was getting quite impatient with the Earl, though he hid it well. He wondered if the Earl had a point or if his time was being wasted. His heart also stung a bit as the Earl was taking full advantage of the rice wine, having already drunk a fair amount of the expensive liquor. As a matter of hospitality Byron had to refill the Earl’s cup each time it was near empty, which was happening at an alarming rate.

His main concern of the evening was hanging heavily on his mind. The Zhao girl hadn’t been delivered yet, and the Earl was an uninvited distraction.

“Something on your mind, Minister?” The Earl asked potently.

“Ah? No, nothing in particular.” Byron chastised himself internally for allowing his thoughts to wander enough for the Earl to pick it up.

The Earl looked down at the rain-soaked plaza, a wry grin on his face, his cheeks glowing red from the alcohol, “No? I’d have thought you’d be watching out for the White Maiden’s blessed’s arrival.”

“Oh, don’t look so surprised, Minister.” Earl sipped at his wine casually, “I don’t have any stake in this matter myself.”

Byron frowned, a multitude of questions burning in his mind as he tried to surmise the Earl’s intentions. Strangely, this portly, half drunk man had become difficult to read.

“You wonder how I learned of it, perhaps?” The Earl asked rhetorically, “I was just in Minister Cheng’s office discussing trade matters, when he received a telegram informing him of a change in one of his arrangements. Cheng oversees the Trade Ministry, as you well know, he handles the day to day operations of our ports and trade guilds.”

“Busy man, hard to get ahold of.” Earl sighed, “I’ve been inviting him to play cards for months but well, with the matters overseas he’s been up to his neck in work.”

The Earl was alluding to the increasing tensions at the borders of Banbajan across the Altic Sea. It was one of the major concerns of the Ministry as a whole, and one that Byron himself was intimately a part of as the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Byron came to an epiphany as he finally understood the reason why the Earl had chosen this exact evening to visit him.

“The White Maiden’s blessed, yes.” Byron sipped at his wine, maintaining a straight expression, “We are bringing her in as a matter of national security.”

Does Cheng have a problem with that? He avoided asking the question on his mind, knowing that simply asking the question would reveal too much to the Earl. In fact he knew the answer already to the question. He was well aware of the deals which Sansen Zhao had made with the other Ministry departments.

Why was the decree issued with such a short time frame?

To make sure the exchange took place before the other Ministers knew of it and could oppose it!

The complicated web of political forces lit up in Byron’s mind as he considered the information that the Earl had revealed to him. The old fool was humming softly to himself, clearly deeply under the influence of the alcohol. He seemed oblivious to the internal conflict Byron was having, as if he had his lips loosened by the spirits and wasn’t even aware of the significance of what he’d revealed.

Now that Byron knew the other ministers were aware of the matter, though, he felt the need to take action and check on the status of the delivery.

“Well, then—“ Byron was about to find a way to excuse himself.

“Oh, look!” The Earl interrupted, pointing down at the street below, “Isn’t that a police prisoner carriage below coming up the side? Ah, there are already officers ready to receive it.”

Byron’s eyes hyper focused on the streets below where two carriages had turned the corner onto the plaza. The second carriage was a boxy, closed off vehicle used for transporting prisoners. 

As the vehicles approached the cathedral, a number of men emerged from the northwestern doors, some of them officers as the Earl had pointed out but there were also a few non-uniformed men holding black umbrellas as well.

“Ah, is that—“ The Earl’s eyes lit up, “If I’m not mistaken it’s Minister Cheng and Minister Mak coming out to greet the wagon.”

“Pardon me, Earl Shum. I must also join them, post-haste.” Byron had a bad feeling as he thrust the rice wine bottle in the Earl’s hands, “Please make yourself at home, I shall be back shortly.”

Byron didn’t stand on ceremony, grabbing his coat and rushing out the door.

Earl Shum chuckled as he poured another glass for himself, looking down at the procession below. Minister Byron’s tall, slender form rushed out the doors to join the rest of the group just as the carriages pulled up to the doors.

“Well I’ve done what you’ve asked, officer Mackenzie.” The Earl muttered to himself with amusement, “I wonder what Sansen has in mind to repay me for the favour… Sake from Huan, perhaps? Tenyuan plum wine? Ah!”