‘You must make it clear that she is under your control, that she has to come and there is nothing to discuss. Having made that clear, on that basis you can discuss her conditions. That way it’s clear that you respect her, but also that you are very powerful.’

‘What do we do if she wants to be unreasonable, and sets us some impossible conditions?’

‘Is it possible that she can ask for something that you can’t do? Besides, it’s just a tactic to bring her under psychological control, to make her understand your determination and your power.’

I realized that he was right, and took her to meet Director Tie. While the two of them were talking, I was waiting uneasily in the corridor outside. I knew Director Tie very well: he was always exceptionally vigorous and decisive, and spoke in such a loud and awe-inspiring voice – but this time I wasn’t sure that he could pull it off. Director Tie’s manner worked for people like us, but would it work with Huang Yiyi? She was like a wild horse, used to roaming free across the plains and going wherever she liked: she had never been broken to the bridle! I didn’t know if Director Tie could do what Captain Hu had suggested and bring her under psychological control. I was so tense that my heart was thumping.

About half an hour later, Director Tie came out looking pleased and patted me on the back. ‘Right, she’s yours,’ he said. ‘You can take her away tomorrow.’

I just stood there. I had no idea what Director Tie could have said to make her change her mind, to make her become one of my people. I was amazed, but I also felt a kind of unimaginable happiness spread through my entire body, as though it were being pumped through my veins by the beats of my heart.

When Director Tie noticed me looking so happy, he leaned towards me and whispered in my ear, ‘She made conditions.’

‘What conditions?’

‘When she’s cracked the cipher she can leave, and she can take one person with her.’

‘Who?’

Director Tie looked at me strangely. ‘That’s her secret. How should I know?’

I smiled. ‘If she can really help us crack the cipher, she can take away a whole mountain for all I care!’