There was even a tremor in his voice, Kai noticed.
It was not difficult to scare such men. They were terrified of seeming unfaithful to the Party line. Kai said: ‘There are only two ways this story could go. Either the doctors are incompetent and she dies, or the doctors are incompetent but she survives by a miracle. Either way, the doctors are incompetent.’
‘But doctors knew nothing in the eighteenth century.’
‘All the same, I don’t think the Party wants to see the subject of incompetent doctors raised in a popular television drama.’ In township health centres only ten per cent of doctors had formal medical education. ‘I think you know what I mean.’
‘Yes, I do, of course.’ Wang was now in more familiar territory, and he cottoned on fast. ‘Someone might post on social media: “I had a lousy doctor once.” And another person could say: “Me, too.” And before you know it, there’s a national discussion about the competence of our doctors, with people reporting personal experiences on the Internet.’
Kai said: ‘You’re a very intelligent thinker, Wang Bowen, and you have immediately seen the dangers.’
‘Yes, I have.’
‘The production team look to you for guidance on such questions, and you’re well able to help them. It’s a good thing the Party has you to rely on.’
‘It’s always helpful to talk to you, Chang Kai. Thank you for your input.’
Pride was satisfied. Wang had saved face. Kai went back to Ting. ‘I don’t think they will use that storyline,’ he said. ‘Wang has realized that it has unwelcome political implications.’
‘Oh, thank you, my darling,’ she said. ‘But do you think they’ll try something else?’
‘I’m hoping my enemies will decide that it’s simpler to go straight for me, rather than attack me through you.’ He did not have high hopes of this. The use of threats to the family as a way of keeping people in line was a standard Communist Party tactic. It was how the government controlled Chinese people abroad. Threats to the individual himself were much less effective.
‘People are starting to leave,’ Ting said. ‘Let’s slip out.’
They left the studio and got into the car, and Monk pulled away. Ting said: ‘We’ll buy something nice for dinner and have a quiet evening.’
‘Sounds wonderful.’
‘We could get deep-fried rabbit ears. I know you love them.’
‘My favourite.’ Kai’s phone sounded the bell-like tone that indicated a text message. He looked at the screen and saw that the caller was unidentified. He frowned: few people had his number, and even fewer were allowed to contact him anonymously. He read the message. It was one word: IMMEDIATE.
He knew right away that it was from General Ham in North Korea. It meant that Ham wanted a meeting as soon as possible.
Ham had been quiet for almost three weeks. Something important must have happened. The country’s economic crisis was old news; there must have been a new development.
Spies often exaggerated the significance of their information in order to pump up their own importance, but Ham was not like that. Perhaps Supreme Leader Kang U-jung was about to test a nuclear warhead, which would infuriate the Americans. Perhaps he was planning some violation of the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. He had many ways to make life difficult for the Chinese government.
There were three scheduled flights per day from Beijing to Yanji, and in an emergency Kai could use an air-force plane. He called his office. His senior secretary, Peng Yawen, was still at her desk. He said: ‘What time is the first flight to Yanji tomorrow?’
‘It’s early . . .’ Kai heard her tapping her keyboard. ‘Six forty-five, and it’s nonstop.’
‘Book me on it, please. What time does it land?’
‘Eight fifty. Can I order a car to meet you on arrival at Chaoyangchuan Airport?’
‘No.’ Kai preferred to be unobtrusive. ‘I’ll get a taxi.’
‘Will you stay overnight?’
‘Not if I can help it. Book me on the next flight back. We can change it if necessary.’
‘Yes, sir.’
Kai hung up and calculated timings in his head. Meetings were held at Ham’s unfinished house, unless otherwise agreed. Kai should be there at about half past nine.
He replied to Ham’s message with one equally terse. It said simply: 9.30 a.m.
*
A cold, hard rain was falling on the airport at Yanji next morning. Kai’s plane had to circle for fifteen minutes while an air-force jet landed. Civilian and military terminals shared the runway, but the military had priority – as always in China.