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“Because in draining the world of floods, Da Yu created arable land He taught the people how to farht them rituals of divination and sacrifice We believe Yu was the beginning of what today ould call civilization”

“But as Brian so curious about the Xia if they lived on the Yellow River?” David asked

The vultures didn’t know

By the time Hulan arrived at the site, David was more than a little drunk The vultures were his comrades now, and they patted him on the back and shook his hand andhi branches tremble when the petals shake”

David’s as not amused

DAVID AND HULAN WALKED THROUGH THE RAIN ALONG THE TRAIL toward the Wu house “I’ve been thinking about Lily’sif they’re purely unique to this killer or have so’s drowning”

“Ma said Lily couldn’t have been involved in Wu’s death” Hulan dodged a puddle, then edged back next to David

“But what if the scholars’ teasing accusations that Lily sent Wu to look for the tripod in the whirlpool turned out to be true?” David adjusted the satchel strap on his shoulder “What if Brian and Lily were both responsible? Soe, only no one’s understanding it”

“Actually, David, I understand it quite well The All-Patriotic Society lieutenant said the group wouldthat woman in Tiananmen Square The best punish that I’m incompetent”

He was astounded by the leap her mind had made “Why? And how?”

r />“Lily died on my watch”

He stopped “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely”

“Hulan, honey”—he tried to sound reasonable—“I don’t think anyone around here knows that happened”

“Because they don’t have television? They do have an All-Patriotic Society chapter You’ve seen the signs in town, haven’t you? Word travels”