Chapter 5: A New Virus, 27th March 2021

Chairman Jing Xi, was finishing his monthly column for the China Daily. He emailed the document to the editor, and he slammed his computer against the floor in frustration. He had hated writing the column about how he intended to improve his character traits in 2021 but it was part of the societal contract. One of his obligations as the chairman was to write an article that the people requested, once a month. Jing's promise for improvement was to stop importing expensive honey from overseas and instead ensure that China produced the best in the world.

To produce the best honey in the world, Jing had travelled to Elephant Hill in the Guilin region of China. The caves, vegetation, and climate of this location should create the perfect blend. Jing closed his eyes and envisioned how his perfect blend would taste.

Jing's secretary, Biyu Sang, interrupted him in his thoughts.

- Chairman Xi. Theodore Ahmadi from the Global Health Association will see you shortly.

Jing:

- Why is that dog coming? Why didn't you cancel the summit?

Biyu:

- I couldn't cancel it as you only told me about your trip Guilin yesterday, and Theodore was already on the way to China.

Jing:

- Very well. I forgive your incompetence for this time, but keep making mistakes and it will cost you dearly.

Biyu:

- Thank you for having mercy on this dumb and useless woman. You are the most gracious leader that China has ever seen.

Biyu bowed, turned around and quickly left Jing's office. 'Pathetic woman. She fucked up, I forgave her, and yet she cried.' Jing thought.

Jing leaned back in his massage chair and turned on some meditative music. Jing recalled that he was meant to discuss China's aid in alleviating an Ebola outbreak in central Africa. But that was of no concern to Jing, so instead Theodore would have to accompany Jing during the hunt for the perfect honey making location. The only way to make his lapdog obey him was to treat him as such. Jing leaned back into his chair and fell asleep.

***

- Chairman Xi, Theodore Ahmadi has arrived.

Jing opened his eyes, Biyu was standing on the other side of the desk. She looked tense as if she was anticipating that Jing would attack her. This didn't come to pass, Jing had experienced great dreams, envisioning a honey degustation while his concubine Min Li was massaging him. He couldn't be angry after such a pleasant dream. Jing Xi spoke

- Very well, let him in.

Theodore entered the room, and Jing struggled to hide his contempt for the scruffy African man he would have to interact with for the next few hours. Jing had preferred to appoint a Chinese citizen to be the GHA director, but an African would have more credibility among Jing's western enemies. Theodore spoke:

- Greetings Chairman Xi. Can I expect China's help to resolve the Ebola epidemic in Central Africa?

Jing:

- Is this a real epidemic or are you merely trying to extort more money from the Middle Kingdom?

Theodore:

- It is a real epidemic. I wouldn't bother you otherwise. You have been very generous to me and my country.

Jing:

- Very well. I want you to get down on the floor, begging me for the money.

Theodore:

- I cannot do that. I am the leader of an important global organisation. We are equals.

Hearing Theodore's objections, Jing lost his temper. He picked up a vase and he threw it at the floor next to Theodore. As the vase shattered, Jing roared:

- You are nothing but my dog. I put you where you are and I can put you somewhere else. No-one will ever know what happened to you!

- Now kneel and beg for my forgiveness.

Being a pathetic and corrupt lapdog, Theodore got down to, the ground, kissed Jing's shoes and pleaded:

- Please forgive me, Heavenly Master Xi. Please have mercy with the poor souls in Central Africa who cannot develop enough to deal with their diseases.

Jing spat next Theodore and replied:

- Get up, you dog. You have swayed my heart. Speak to my minsters and the Chinese Empire will save your sorry continent, for now.

Theodore:

- Thank you, Master Xi. God bless your kindness and grace.

Jing:

- I care little for deities and other superstitions.

- But since you are here, you'll follow me on an important mission today.

Theodore:

- What do you need me to do, Chairman Xi?

Jing:

- You're coming with me to the caves near Elephant Hill. You can fill me in on your Ebola epidemic while we are in the car.

Jing picked up his phone, organised his car, and left his office, with Theodore as his obedient dog in tow.

***

Jing was enjoying the view from the Elephant Hill lookout. He would make sure to get photos of him and Theodore, that could accompany the official narrative of the days. Jing cringed as the burst of photo flashes struck his face, and he had to pretend to smile and treat Theodore as his equal. In the past, the emperor of China had been revered like a god, yet Jing had to pretend to be equal to his African henchman.

"Don't get any ideas!" Jing whispered to Theodore, who looked away. After finishing the press conference, Jing and his entourage started walking to a nearby cave. The cave was perfect. Jing had never been to the cave where the Turkish Elvish Honey was made, but his intuition told him that this place would do the job. As Jing traversed deeper into the cave, he heard a cough echoing followed by a male voice wheezing "Help me."

One of Jing's bodyguards, Chao Li, approached him and whispered into his ear:

- Chairman Xi. We found a very ill man. This place is not safe. We better get you back to safety.

Jing gave Chao a stern look and replied.

- I am the master of this country. The truth cannot be concealed from me. I want to see the man who is wheezing.

Chao:

- Understood. Put on this facemask and follow me.

Jing put on the facemask, turned towards Theodore and spoke:

- Come with me. As the leader for the GHA, you can help with the diagnosis.

Theodore:

- But I don't have any facemask.

Jing:

- Well, that's a shame. Shouldn't the leader for the GHA always have one in his pocket? Pray to your gods that the disease is not infectious then.

Jing didn't wait for Theodore's response. Instead, he ventured forth until he reached the source of the wheezing.

Jing stared in shock and awe at the sick man. The man had a layer of fungus that covered his body and gave off the impression that he was covered in bark. The man's eyes were blood sprained and he smelled of faeces.

The diseased man got up on his feet and tried to approach Jing:

- Chairman Xi. You must help me. The pain is unbearable.

Jing didn't have the time to respond as a multitude of bullets ended the disease-stricken man's life. Jing turned around and gave Chao a disapproving look:

- Why did you shoot that man, Chao?

Chao:

- He was posing a threat to you, Heavenly Master.

Jing:

- Bloody fool. You could have knocked him out. We lost an excellent opportunity to examine this man for our biological weapons program.

- Anyways. Let's get out of here. Get our scientists to come here and examine the man and the cave. Leave no stone unturned.

Having said this, Jing left the cave. As his car drove him and Theodore back to the banquet hall, for a state dinner, Jing spoke:

- I hope that you realise that nothing of this happened?

Theodore:

- As far as I am concerned you took me to a beautiful lookout and then you shared your passion for honey-making with me. Nothing else happened.

Jing:

- We are on the same page. Keep being on the same page, so I don't have to turn your page.

Having said this, Jing plugged in headphones to listen to meditative music and ignored Theodore.