The Project 01 - White Jade

you say in your report. "
    Deng looked at Yao , considered him for a long moment. He gestured to the secretary.
    " Bring Senior Investigator Yao a chair. Block all appointments for the next hour. And bring tea. "
    Yao breathed an inward sigh of relief. Until that moment he had not been sure how his report would be received. Now the power of the Ministry would focus on Yang until the truth was revealed. At a nod from the Minister he sat in the chair that had been provided.
    " Tell me the facts of your case, Yao . I wish to hear what may not be found in this report. There is always something. "
    Yao relaxed a little more.
    " I became suspicious when I received a report from one of our agents in America . He was observing Colonel Wu and overheard his conversation regarding the American, Connor. "
    " Your report says that several hundred million dollars stolen from Connor were transferred to Yang and back again to America . "
    " Yes, Minister, that is correct. The accounts in America are controlled by the Black Societies. That increased my concern. "
    " It has increased my concern as well. What is the current status of your investigation? What is being done? "
    " General Yang is being observed at all times and his communications have been intercepted and recorded for several days. Wu has returned to Beijing and is under surveillance. Wu ' s sergeant arrived home yesterday and I have agents following him.
    " We recorded calls from Yang to the officers and officials listed in my report. Each call contained a phrase I believe was code to alert these men in some way. Minister, this is more than a case of corruption. General Yang is hatching a plot against the Party and has enlisted the aid of the Triads in America to accomplish whatever he is planning. "
    Deng sipped his tea. " The Triads back the Nationalist revisionists. We tolerate them because they stick to their criminal activities and don ' t interfere in politics. If Yang is enlisting their aid, it must have subversive meaning. "
    " That was my thought, Minister. "
    " In your report you mention a book Yang wished to secure. Do you have any further knowledge of this? "
    " No, Minister. But I am looking into it. The key to that riddle lies in America . My agents are seeking more information, but as yet I have nothing to report. " He paused. " Sir, to the Americans all Chinese appear the same. Whatever the Triads do, it will reflect on all of us. We will lose face before the world if their actions are public. "
    Deng nodded. " You have been thorough, Comrade Yao. When I first saw your report, I was skeptical. I wanted to see you to get a feeling for the man who wrote it. "
    Minister Deng looked at Yao . What he saw there seemed to satisfy him. He made up his mind.
    " You have convinced me Yang is a danger. What do you suggest? Should we arrest him, do you think? "
    Yao was shocked and pleased that the Minister would ask his advice on such a delicate matter.
    " That, of course, is your decision, Minister. Since you ask for my opinion, I suggest waiting a little longer, until we get a better picture of what Yang is planning. I have ordered surveillance on all members of the White Jade Society and the others Yang contacted. All of their communications are being monitored. "
    " These men are honored leaders of our military and some of our most critical government ministries. "
    " Yes, Minister. That is what concerns me. "
    " You think all these men are conspiring against the Party? "
    Yao became flushed, thinking about traitors.
    " Yes, Minister, I do. Reactionary elements are always seeking to undermine the good of our society. If they are men of high rank and standing, their betrayal is that much worse. They must be rooted out, no matter who they are. "
    Deng nodded his approval. " That is correct. You have full authority to pursue this investigation as you see best. You have so far been discrete. See that you continue to be so. Keep me informed. "
    The meeting was over. Yao stood. " Thank you for your confidence, Minister. Your trust is not misplaced. "
    Deng dismissed Yao with a wave of his hand and waited until he was out the door. Then he turned to his secretary.
    " Establish surveillance on him. Sometimes it is necessary to watch the watcher. I want to know what he is doing. "
    " Yes, Minister. "
    Deng thought about the conversation. Then he picked up the phone and placed a call to the President and Chairman of the People ' s Republic.

Chapter Forty

    " This is the