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Before he could speak this thought, the Lao-shi continued with the lesson “They have ar another black stone “They control the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Indian oceans They have bases in the Middle East, they station troops in territory that used to be Communist Russia They launch aircraft and ships from islands around the Pacific”

Wen was no longer playing the ga one A stones to represent each one “Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand,” he said, as three black stones went down “Korea, the Philippines and Formosa—which they call Taiwan—and, of courseJapan”

As the last stone went on the board, the white pieces representing China were encircled

With the lesson coaze banished any thought of frailty “From their island continent, the Americans have surrounded the world Our world”

Han’s confidence was replaced by the sting of embarrassment “I understand But what can we do?”

Wen pointed to the board “Which stone would you remove?”

Han studied the game once more It was the last one that mattered most The one that had closed the circle and ensured that white side—that China—would die “This one,” he said, sliding the piece off the board “Japan”

“And so it must be,” the Master told him

The enorestion hit Han at once His heart pounded at the thought “You can’t be considering military action?”

“Of course not,” Wen said “But if Japan were changed from black to white—from an American ally to a Chinese one—the board would be redrawn instantly We would not only begin to roll back American dominance, but we’d be free to mine all the Golden Adamant known to exist in this world”

“Can it be done?” Han asked “There are centuries of animosity between us War crimes and territorial disputes”

“A plan is already in motion,” Wen said “One that you are uniquely qualified to see through”

“Because I’m half Japanese”

“Yes,” Wen said “But there is another reason also: the corporations you control and the various technologies your engineers have mastered”

Han listened to the veiled words and wondered exactly what Wen was getting at He knew the details would only come forth once he’d committed “I will do my part,” he said “Whatever it is that you need”