Chapter 17 Two Wise Men

Lord Robert had heard Allen's tale. Word travels fast aboard a ship. He had heard how Allen believed it a dream. He heard how their Gypsy Queen had told there was a Gypsy legend much like the Emperor's. He heard how she was most convinced that the henna faced gypsy is the descendant of the girl in the story. He had heard how her eyes glittered as she said so. He had heard how Allen had protested, speaking of the Genie the color of a summer sky. He had heard how Old Joseph had said to Allen "A wise man must keep an open mind." Then he had heard how some nobleman by the name of Scott Moore had already headed for the Orient to seek the wise men of that kingdom. Blast! I would like to have been the first to go. I'll have to hurry now, lest I miss out on more. Lord Robert took a turn that brought him past the gypsy camp as he'd been told. Indeed, the vegetation is better here. He continued past the camp. The desert did end shortly after the gypsy camp, and he could see a red gate, and the Great Wall beyond it. Once past this, Lord Robert studied what he could see. Way up on a hill there was a great palace. Where would this man keep his wise men? Likely they'd be close by. There was but one other building upon the hill, but it looked more suited to a nobleman. Perhaps closer to the water? Lord Robert felt at home as he passed through woods and meadows. At last he arrived at what he hoped would be the home of the wise men. The gardens were lush, and the house fine.

He was greeted by a man who brought him to a table where Lord Scott Moore was already seated. The man served him food.

Lord Scott wasted no time with introductions. He shared what he had learned with Lord Robert as quickly and discreetly as he could. "There are 2 men living here. They are both wise men. There are no servants here. The one who answers the door and serves the food is called Confucius. He seems to do a lot, if not all, the work around here. He doesn't speak much, but everything he says is wise beyond his years."

Lord Robert thought perhaps servitude is part of the wise man's philosophy. "The other one is called Buddha. He is very large and wears little clothes. He seems to be almost like a God to these people." "Is Confucius his follower?" "From what I can tell the people see them as equals. Confucius is not commanded by Buddha, he just works in silence."

Lord Robert glanced at Confucius. The man indeed had worked steadily as his guests ate, cleaning the kitchen. It seemed different than the way a servant would work. It was if he found the duty sacred. "They seem to be opposites. While Confusions is mostly quiet, Buddha is very social. Confucius does his work diligently, Buddha flirts diligently." "Are they equals in wisdom?" "I suppose it depends on the listener."

"What do you mean?"

"When Buddha was very young, he said that the more often the Emperor...enjoys a woman...the more the Orient will prosper. Every Emperor since has had concubines and the kingdom has clearly prospered...." "And Confucius?"

Confucius took that moment to join them for dinner. Lord Robert wasn't sure if he heard the last part of the conversation. "I thank you for your warm hospitality. My friend and I were just discussing how you and Buddha are the kingdom's wisest men, but seem to be opposites."

Confucius says, "When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inward and examine ourselves."

"While I haven't met the man, I think I like your sort of wisdom better."

Confucius says, "Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart." Lord Robert could see a nearly naked man at the edge of the room who could only be Buddha. Lord Scott thanked the men for the meal and told Robert he would meet him back at the ship.

Blast! Robert decided to do as Confucius and eat in a polite silence. He then quietly thanked Confucius for the meal and left.

Buddha followed him out. Robert wondered if he had overheard anything that might have offended him.

"Thank you very much for the..." For what? For the food you neither served or ate with us? For not approaching me before now? For not kicking us out? For eating like a pig in the other room and not offering us seconds? "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Your welcome. Oh, and nice tights." Buddha sneered.

"Thank you. Nice loincloth." This is a wise man equal to Confucius?

The 2 stared each other down a moment before turning away.

Lord Robert was not impressed with Buddha.

There was something most disturbing about Buddha.

Robert felt better as he left the yard.