The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry

he have known to go to Belgium? No surprise, but the depth of Ni's intelligence network worried him. Precious few of his staff were aware of Pau Wen's significance.
    "Is Ni still within the compound?" he asked.
    "As of ten minutes ago."
    "Have both Ni and Pau eliminated."

    Chapter Sixteen.
    NI FOCUSED ON THE INTERESTING WORD PAU WEN HAD USED.
    Pride.
    "We were once the greatest nation on earth," the older man said. "Possessed of a proven superiority. During the Tang dynasty, if a foreign resident took a Chinese wife he was not allowed to leave China. It was deemed unthinkable to take a woman out of the bounds of civilization, to a lesser realm."
    "So what? None of that matters any longer." He was frustrated and it showed. "You sit here, safe in Belgium, while we fight in China. You talk of the past as if it is easily repeated. My task is far more difficult than you imagine."
    "Minister, your task is no different from the tasks of many who have come before you. In my time there was no refuge from Mao. No public building was without a statue or bust of him. Framed pictures hung everywhere--on matchboxes, calendars, taxis, buses, planes. Fire engines and locomotives displayed giant photos fixed to the front, banked by red flags. Yet, as now, it was all a lie. Mao's unblemished face rosy with health? That image bore no resemblance to the man. He was old and sick, his teeth blackened. He was ugly, weak looking." Pau motioned at the bowl with fish swimming inside. "Then, and now, China is like fish in trees. Totally lost. Out of place. No hope to survive."
    Ni's thoughts were in chaos. His moves after he returned home seemed no longer viable. He'd planned on initiating his quest for the premiership. Many were ready to assist him. They would start the process, recruiting more to their cause. But a new threat had arisen, one that might foretell failure.
    He stared around at the courtyard, reminded of what his grandfather had taught him about feng shui.
    Where one chose to live had great importance. How one orientated one's house could be even more important. Face it south. Choose right and the hills are fair, the waters fine, the sun handsome.
    His grandfather had been wise.
    Amid confusion, there is peace. Amid peace, one's eyes are opened.
    He tried to take heed of that lesson and gather his thoughts back into order, telling himself to stay in control.
    "Karl Tang recognizes China's confusion," Pau said. "He also understands the value of national pride. That is most important, Minister. Even as change occurs, no one can lose face, least of all the Party."
    "And this lamp is part of that plan?"
    Pau nodded. "Tang is many steps ahead of you."
    "Why are you telling me this?"
    "That explanation would take far too much time, just accept that what I am saying is sincere." Pau's callused hand reached out and touched Ni on the arm. "Minister, you must adjust your thinking. It is good that you learned of Tang's interest and traveled here, but the threat to China is greater than you realize."
    "What would you have me do?"
    He hated himself for even asking guidance of this thief.
    "You are a man to be respected. A man trusted. Use that."
    He was not impressed by Pau's flattery.
    Truth would be better.
    "A few hours after she left this house, Cassiopeia Vitt was taken prisoner by Tang. She managed to hide the lamp before being captured, and I know where. I planned to retake it myself, but the task should now belong to you."
    The extent of Pau's deceit became clear. He'd played Ni from the start. And Ni did not like it. But since he had no choice, he asked, "Why is that lamp so important?"
    "The fact that you do not know the answer to that question is proof of how far behind Karl Tang you truly are."
    He couldn't argue with that. "How do I gain ground?"
    "Retrieve the lamp, return to China, then locate a man named Lev Sokolov. He works for the Ministry of Geological Development, in Lanzhou, but he is presently in hiding. Tang abducted his son