Weird Tales/Volume 36/Issue 11/The Man Who Amazed Fish

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TheMan Who Amazed Fish
By Frank Owen
Through the lattice-work screen,
Doctor Shen Fu watched the Japanese
officer enter "The Drug Shop
of a Thousand Years." In his heart was
a sharp sword but his face was bland as he
walked out to meet the smug little man.
"I am the proprietor, Doctor Shen Fu,"
he said aloofly.
"And I, General Nishikori, in charge
of this district."
The Doctor nodded but he did not bow.
He stood tall and straight as a bamboo
reed, despite his years. He was shrewd,
a Han-lin graduate, a famed alchemist
who had discovered the secret of immortality,
so he spoke without fear.
"The district needs no one to take charge
of it. It has been Chinese soil for countless
centuries and so forever shall it remain,
unless by some fantastic power you
are able to carry it back to Nippon."
The stunted general wondered whether
he should be insulted and claim that he
had lost face. It was the usual trick of
his people but he turned from it. He
could make better use of the famed Doctor
by treating him with a modicum of respect.
Therefore, he ate bitterness and managed
a somewhat bilious-looking smile.
"I wish tea," he said.
"This is a drug shop, not a tea house."
"Nevertheless, I wish

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