The Minister's residence.

Steam curled through Fu Lu's room.

Fu Lu had wedged his fat body into a bathtub and was enjoying himself thoroughly.

Two good-looking women were scrubbing his back.

They were his concubines.

It wasn't that Fu Lu was a lecher. He was simply too fat to reach his own back, so he had to get help.

He was still savoring that evening's dinner.

The smoked fish and dried squid Ning Chen had given him had been absolutely delicious.

He'd drunk a fair amount tonight.

"Master, someone from the Watch Battalion is asking to see you."

It was the steward's voice, from outside.

Fu Lu was puzzled. What did the Watch Battalion want with him this late? It answered to the Ministry of War, not to him.

He asked, "Did they say what it's about?"

The steward said, "There's been a killing in the street. The Watch Battalion picked up a man, and he says he's from our household, so they came to ask."

"From our household? What's his name?"

"Ning Chen, Master. You don't suppose it's..."

Fu Lu went white. He shot up out of the tub, and the water, which had been about to slop over the rim, dropped to half a tubful.

"Quick, quick, quick, get your master dressed! Something terrible's happened..."

When Fu Lu stood up, the two concubines were still staring, hunting for the little worm in the bushes... At his urging, they gave up the search and ran inside for his clothes.

"Steward, get in here now and help your master out..."

Fu Lu was so frantic his forehead was dripping sweat. He was too fat. He tried and tried and couldn't get himself out of the tub.

The steward pushed the door open, came in, and with a tremendous struggle finally hauled him out.

The two concubines hurried to dress him.

Fu Lu muttered frantically, "What do you mean, 'you don't suppose'? Of course it's him... Nothing can happen to that man. If anything happens to him, Her Majesty will be furious, and who knows how many people will die?

Hurry…