Remo grunted absently. He was watching the mountains.
The switchbacks of the Great Wall of China became visible in the distance, coming in and out of view as the bus rumbled along.
"Do you know about Great Wall?" Fang Yu asked suddenly. "It is mightiest Chinese achievement."
"Not really," Remo said. His thoughts were on Chiun now. Why had he come to Beijing and what was he doing?
"Americans are very proud because they have gone to the moon," Fang Yu told him. "But if an American stands on the moon and looks to China, he could see the Great Wall, so magnificent is it."
"Is that true?" Remo asked in surprise.
"I am told it is. But I have never been to the moon."
"I have," Remo said suddenly.
Fang Yu became excited. "You, Remo? You have been to the moon?"
"Yep. Last night. Several times."
Fang Yu actually flushed and looked away. She gave Remo a playful nudge to the ribs.
"Now I know how to shut you up when I need to." Another nudge. Remo grinned. He couldn't believe how good he felt.
After two hours on the road, the bus trundled onto a parking area. The driver let them off at the Great Wall. Fang Yu took Remo's hands and practically pulled him up the parapet to the top of the Wall itself.
Walking along the undulating Wall was like traveling along a stone bridge laid out by architects who had never heard of level ground. They found a deserted spot in the shadow of a crenellated battlement on the far side and looked northward through one of the narrow slots cut in the wall.
"This section was built during Ming dynasty, many years ago," Fang Yu explained. Pride was strong in her voice and it made Remo a little sad. It told him she would never leave China.
"At first, the Wall was not one wall, but many walls," she was saying. "Then Mongos come."
"Who?"
"Mongos. Surely you know of them. Everyone know of Mongos." Her English was slipping again, reverting to native Chinese speech patterns.
"Oh, Mongols," Remo said. A thought struck him. "Genghis Khan was their leader at one time, wasn't he?"
Fang Yu made a face. "Mongos dwell in north. Very harsh people, and cruel. Not like Chinese. Not cultured. In the old days, the Mongos would come down from steppes on their horses. Nothing could stop them. In the winter, horse and men die on way, but Mongos like locusts. Crush all in their path. Kill men and children. Ravish women. Some days they ride for days, never resting. Mongos do not plant, so they eat whenever they find. If they find no food, a Mongo will stab wound in his horse and drink the blood. Live longer."
"Nice guys," Remo remarked. Fang Yu shook her head. "Not nice at all. These walls were built to keep out Mongos. Then Mongos grow too strong. They conquer China. That was our Yuan dynasty. It was a cruel time." Her voice dropped. "This is a cruel time too. No more Mongos vex us. People's Army become China's own Mongos. Perhaps Mongo blood has poisoned us, I do not know."
Remo took her in his arms.
"Never mind," he said firmly. "Look, I've got to follow this Korean."
"The bus went north, into Mongo land."
"What's up there?"
"Nothing. No rocks, no trees, just snow and steppe and wolves. There is nothing up there in Mongo land. That is why Mongos capture China. They have nothing. Want something. Everyone want something. What do you want, Remo?"
"I want you," he said simply. "But first I want to find that old Korean."
"Then I will go with you into Mongo land."
"That's the answer I was hoping for," Remo said, looking into her dark, frightened eyes.
They kissed under the shadow of the battlement with the knifelike wind sweeping down from the steppes.
Fang Yu continued shivering even after the wind dropped off.
Riding the Iron Rooster train, Remo looked as inconspicuous as feathers on a cat.
They had what Remo learned were soft-seat tickets. Even surrounded by tourists, Remo stuck out in his black T-shirt and chinos. Not a PLA soldier who passed through the car failed to cast an accusing glance in Remo's direction.
One stopped and began hassling Fang Yu in Mandarin, while Remo pretended to look unconcerned.
Their exchange was tight and contentious. The soldier kept repeating whatever it was he was saying. After answering several queries, Fang Yu lost her patience and practically spat her replies back.
Grudgingly she produced some documentation and personal ID.
The soldier looked these documents over and unhappily returned them. Then he stormed from the car. They were not bothered by PLA men after that.
"What was that all about?" Remo asked.
"Deel lae loe moe," Fang Yu muttered, watching the soldier bull past an old woman attempting to negotiate the bouncing aisle.
"What's a deel lae loe moe?" Remo wondered.
Fang Yu's fingertips flew to Remo's lips, silencing him.
"Shhh! Do not say those words aloud! It very embarrassing."
"So what is it?"
"Chinese curse. That man was what we call dai-stupid. Very stupid. He ask me if I accompanied you as guide. I tell him yes. Still he ask questions. Demand to see your travel permit."
"What'd you do?"
"I show it to him, of course. Here."
Remo accepted the passportlike document and looked it over. Inside there were a red stamp and in English a list of cities which Remo was officially entitled to visit.
"Where are we going, by the way?" Remo said.
"Our ticket say Baotou, but we get off one stop early, at Hohhot."