Part 19 (1/2)

The silence was broken by a woman pressing through the crowd, shouting, holding a crying baby over her head.

”We should leave,” said Jin-yao.

”No! Wait a moment!”

The woman reached the wagon, and held up her child. ”He is sick, with a fever. Please, Lady; heal my son.”

The child screamed, drawing up his knees when Kati took him. She held him close, pa.s.sed a hand over his face and body, and the screams instantly stopped. She handed the baby back to his mother, and said, ”He is well, with the blessings of First Mother. Take him home, and feed him milk fresh from the stores.”

There were smiles now, and tearful faces in the crowd, amulets waving. The wagon moved, and the people followed them, some crying out, and falling down prostrate. Kati waved serenely, but nervously, then turned to Mengmoshu.

She fed him spoiled milk! He was cramped!

There is no refrigeration. Food poisoning is common here.

”How did she know to come to me?”

Jin-yao turned around. ”Relatives of those in the hospitals. Word travels fast here.” He paused, then said, ”My Lady, you heal in the name of First Mother.”

”Yes. All that I do comes from Her.”

”The word in the streets is different, My Lady. The unbelievers call you a magician, but the others-the

believers-they say that First Mother has come to them in person. They say you are First Mother.”I didn't intend this!

”I only represent her, Jin-yao. You must tell them that.”

”I will, My Lady.” He slapped the horses with the reins, and the cart jerked forward.

What will She think?

Don't worry. I've never seen those amulets displayed so openly before now, and I think there will be many new believers within the city because of the time you've spent here. She will be pleased.

They thought I performed miracles?

The people hope a G.o.ddess will come to ease their lives, but they are wrong. Change will come when a new person sits on the throne of Shanji.

Shan-lan?

No.

Who, then?

We shall see-and don't probe me so hard. There's nothing more I can tell you at this point. Stop trying!

She didn't, but he resisted her efforts, and she finally gave up when they reached the edge of the city and saw the men and horses waiting there to take them to the factories.

They traveled four days in order to spend two with the people. Along the way they saw many travelers, hand carts loaded with families and meager possessions, headed towards an uncertain future in the city. Kati was now cautious about her actions and asked not to visit the small clinic in the unnamed town built around the smelting plants. Being thought of as First Mother had shaken and confused her badly. Her serene smile had disappeared, and there was now a stern expression when she asked her questions. The plant managers saw her as a spy for the n.o.bles. But they were quick to learn how to judge her reactions to their answers by noting the color of her eyes, and after a few false starts were honest with her.

Production was erratic and inefficient, workers often idle, or laid off, the furnaces continually turned off and on again because of unpredictable delivery schedules of ores from the mines in the north only two hundred kilometers distant. She wanted to visit the mines, but it was not on their itinerary, and Mengmoshu personally felt her anger for that.

Hydroelectric power production by the river called Dahe was enormous, enough to power the plants, the town, Wanchou and more. She asked why a line hadn't been run to Wanchou, and was told the n.o.bles had decided it was unnecessary.

She asked why the workers' apartments had lighting and electric stoves, but no heating or cooling systems.

The n.o.bles had decided it was unnecessary.

Electric vehicles? Mag-rails?

Unnecessary, and expensive. Horse and cart were sufficient for the needs of Shanji and kept the people busy. Only the sick and the very old were unemployed, and they were cared for by the system. Kati saw their lies. She asked why ingots of copper, zinc, tin, lead and all manner of steels were piling up in several warehouses around the plants.

The n.o.bles had no immediate use for them, but you never could tell when there might be a need.

Kati was frustrated, tired, and discouraged. Their last evening within sight of the tall stacks belching steam was spent briefly on the bank of the river Dahe, Shanji's largest. Water crashed past them over rocks and sprayed them with mist as they sat on a carpet of moss, momentarily mesmerized by sound.

This is impossible. The n.o.bles control everything and do nothing to make improvements. First Mother says there will be a new Emperor, and you say it is not Shan-lan. I say whoever it is makes no difference. What we need is not a new Emperor, but a new system, a new way of doing things.

And what is that new system?

I don't know.

That's not helpful, Kati.

I don't know! I've just seen these things.

Then talk it over with Huomeng. Tell him the problems you see. Ask his advice. Share your ideas.

He'll only be critical.

Good! A worthwhile idea must withstand criticism. Work out a reformation plan with him. I will tell

Huomeng I've a.s.signed it to you as an exercise.

You won't!

I will. It's done. Now get some sleep. We get up early in the morning.

You sound like a father! I will go to sleep when I'm ready!