William Wu - Emperor

As they reached the counter of the tea garden, Steve turned to order tea for them.

“Has everyone forgotten that we had a plan already?” Marcia asked impatiently. “We were going to look for the Polo family today, remember?”

“I had not forgotten,” said Hunter. “I merely raised the question of what to do next. Searching for the Polos is one option.”

“All right,” said Marcia. “I really didn’t think you’d forget.”

A young woman led them to a round wooden table under the trees, where they sat down on short, wooden benches.

“I kind of like the idea of meeting Marco Polo myself,” said Steve. “Just out of curiosity. But is he really important to what we’re doing?”

“We discussed this last night,” Marcia said testily. “MC 5 probably knows about him, too, and may also try to contact him. Is that important enough?”

“Yeah, all right,” Steve muttered, shrugging.

“When you have rested and finished your tea, I suggest we search for the Polo family,” said Hunter.

As Wayne followed the peasants into Khanbaliq, he realized that they knew exactly where to go. They worked their way through the crowded streets to a block of open-air markets filled with fresh produce. An empty stall with wooden shelves and a couple of benches waited for them. Lao Li and his companions quickly moved their produce from their cart to the shelves in the stall.

“Is this place theirs?” Wayne asked Ishihara.

“They rent it. Lao Li complained to one of the others that their rent will be due next week.”

“So that means they’re in the same place every day.” Wayne looked up and down the street. “They must know their neighbors on this block, then.”

“I suppose so. Is this important?”

“Maybe.” Wayne paused to estimate the length of the city blocks. “We’ll want to start spreading the word for people to find Hunter and his team. From what I can make out, the part of the city where MC 5 will return to normal size is fairly close. I think that neighborhood is maybe another couple of blocks east of here.”

“That is where Hunter will be.”

“Obviously.” Wayne looked at Xiao Li, as the boy arranged some stalks of sorghum on a low shelf. “But we don’t want Hunter to find out where we are. We’ll need some help. Can they spare the kid, here?”

“I will ask.” Ishihara switched to Chinese, talking with Lao Li.

Their host spoke with his grandson, whose eyes widened with excitement. Lao Li talked to him in a stern tone of voice. Wayne guessed that he was admonishing the boy to obey these good spirits. Then Ishihara turned to Wayne again.

“He will do whatever we ask. Of course, I cannot allow him to take any significant risks.”

“Well, I don’t have anything dangerous in mind. I just want him to spot Hunter’s team for us without revealing our involvement. Since Hunter can’t let him get hurt, either, he should do just fine.”

“I agree. What shall I tell him?”

“Ask him what sort of neighborhood lies a few blocks east of here.”

Ishihara translated and waited for the answer. “He said it’s where the foreign traders and diplomats live. Also many of the foreigners who have taken jobs in the government here.”

“I see. Guys like Marco Polo, I guess.”

“Yes, that is my impression.”

Xiao Li looked back and forth between them, eager to please.

“Well, let’s give this a try. Say that we want him to take us over there because we think Hunter may be in that area. Repeat the description of Hunter and also Steve and Jane. Then describe MC 5 and tell the boy that he is even more important than Hunter. And explain that we have to hang back and keep these big hats over our faces so that Hunter won’t recognize us until we choose to be seen.”

Ishihara translated and Xiao Li waved for them to follow him. Wayne shifted his hat down lower over his face. Ishihara did the same,

The morning had grown hot. After a short walk, Wayne could see that they had reached the foreign quarter; he saw a number of people he guessed were Turks. In any case, they were not Chinese.

Xiao Li looked up at Ishihara and spoke.

“He suggests we sit down at a small corner stall near this spot to have some noodles or tea and wait,” said Ishihara. “He will take a quick walk up and down this block for us. If he doesn’t see Hunter or MC 5, we’ll all walk to the next block and repeat the pattern.”

“Tell him that’s fine,” said Wayne.

When Xiao Li had eagerly hurried off, Wayne shrugged. “Well, since we don’t have any money, we can’t buy anything. But I’m ready to sit down.”

Ishihara pointed to a large tree growing near the street between two small shops. One sold glazed pottery, while the other held cotton and silk clothing. “That spot should be relatively cool. It is not in anyone’s way.”

“Yeah.” Wayne walked over to the tree and sat down, leaning his back against it. His legs and feet hurt, and he would have a long walk back to that village, too, unless they were lucky enough to find MC 5 today. That seemed unlikely, but so far, he was optimistic about their overall chances here. For the first time, he had a team of people helping him to compete with Hunter’s team.

Ishihara stood next to him under the tree, looking at the people on the street.

A child’s excited shouts got their attention. Wayne looked down the street and saw Xiao Li running toward them with a big grin, waving and yelling as he dodged around other pedestrians. Wayne started to stand, then decided to rest his legs just a moment longer.

The boy stopped in front of them, talking quickly. Ishihara listened, nodding. When Xiao Li finished, he grabbed Ishihara’s hand and started pulling him.

“I suggest we go,” said Ishihara. “He reports that friends of his have seen Hunter and his team on the next block. In fact, Hunter has widely offered rewards to anyone who can bring them in contact with MC 5.”

“Oh, yeah?” Wayne got to his feet. “Well, let’s take a look. We still have to stay out of sight, though.”

As they started to walk, Ishihara spoke briefly to Xiao Li. The boy nodded and let go of his hand. He led them at a brisk pace, however.

“What did you say?” Wayne asked.

“I told him that running would draw attention to us,” said Ishihara. “I reiterated the importance of Hunter’s not seeing us until we were ready.”

“Good.”

Wayne could tell when they were nearing Hunter because Xiao Li slowed down and moved to one side of the street, furtively glancing ahead to the opposite side. Wayne lowered his head slightly so the broad brim of his hat would cover more of his face. Ishihara did the same. The crowd of people and carts on the street gave them plenty of cover.

Finally Xiao Li moved behind the corner of a small noodle shop and pointed diagonally across the street to an area that was shaded with trees. Wayne and Ishihara slipped behind him. Xiao Li spoke eagerly to Ishihara.

“Hunter and his team are drinking tea at a table in the shade,” said Ishihara. “I can see Hunter, facing slightly away from us.”

“Yeah?” Wayne looked around the corner carefully. He spotted Hunter easily, because of his height and blond hair. Jane sat next to him, blowing on her teacup. Steve sat across from her, next to a woman Wayne did not recognize. She would be the team’s historian for this trip, of course.

“See them?” Ishihara asked.

“Yeah.” Wayne grinned and gave Xiao Li a quick pat on the shoulder. “Tell him that he will have good luck for doing such a fine job.”

Ishihara spoke to the boy, who smiled broadly.

“Now what shall we do?” Ishihara asked. “We do not have any funds with which to match Hunter’s reward.”