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“He is political, yes,” Li said as he poured another round of drinks

“Is he a Party member?”

The men jutted their chins Who could know? Maybe

“But he was educated abroad,” David went on

“He shows one face to the outside world,” Li answered, “but his inner face is very outdated”

David tried to read between the lines Did Li mean that Ma was old-line politically, or did it have to do with social class?

“His manners are not classic Chinese—”

“Attorney Stark, Ma has his place We have ours Or didn’t you hear what he calls us?”

“Vultures—”

“A rude accusation in any language,” theobserved

“And he makes others,” Li went on “As you know, bribery and corruption are serious offenses in my country”

“But you’ve given gifts,” David prodded carefully

“I can tell from your Mandarin that you’ve been in our country for some time,” Li noted “You are faift to your host?”

Absolutely Cigarettes, Danish sugar cookies, VSOP cognac were all acceptable, even expected

“Is Ma re artifacts from here?”