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The guards at Herod’s palace recognized me immediately and allowed me to enter after I passed them each a copper coin. They did not bother asking whom I was seeing or whether I needed directions — I often conducted business here and knew my way around quite well, thank you. I made my way down a dimly lit corridor toward a door at the far end. I rapped twice on the door and opened it without waiting for a response.
Chuza was giving instructions to one of the slaves. He nodded at me momentarily while he continued speaking to the boy. I kept my silence, not wishing to undermine Chuza’s authority. Watching him, I was still amazed at the abrupt change in his fortune in the past several years. From the illiterate son of a simple day laborer, he had grown to a position of respect. When his father died several years ago, the household passed to his control seamlessly. Of course, he had a tremendous amount of help from Simon and, thank goodness, he had never forgotten.
Finally, he sent the boy on his way. As soon as we were alone, he turned with a grin and clasped my forearms in greeting. “Chuza, the boss man,” I chuckled.
Holding me out at arm’s length, he laughed. “Ah, then you have not heard the latest?” he said. “The foreigners apparently thought Chuza was too coarse, so they have changed it slightly to give me a proper, Greek-sounding name worthy of one such as I.” With a flourish he gave a half bow and then held his hands toward his chest to indicate he was speaking of himself. “Let me present to you Joses, an esteemed steward of Herod’s household.”
I nodded my head deeply. “Joses! It fits you well, and I am sure the name will win you even more respect among the visitors who come seeking favor. But as the saying goes, beware of Greeks bearing gifts. They will want something in return, not always of your choosing.”
He finished straightening up some items on his table and then beckoned me toward the door. “I have to make my rounds. Walk with me for a while. What can I do for you today?”
My eyes took a moment to adjust to the dark as we stepped back out of the door, but there was a light at the end of the corridor that gave me something to focus on. I knew from experience that voices carried farther than usual in this hallway, so I spoke barely above a whisper as we walked. “Two things. First, more of the usual. There are still men going about claiming that they represent Herod, and saying the taxes have increased and that the people must pay immediately or else forfeit some personal property of great value. Many other merchants and owners of large homes have asked me to make an appeal to Antipas to make it stop. Before I go to him directly, I would appreciate it if you would pass the word up the chain of command and see if something could be done at a lower level of command. I’d prefer not to owe Herod a favor.”
Chuza opened a door wide and stepped into the room behind it, looking sternly at the servants working inside. He stayed just long enough to make sure each of the servants had seen him, then he went back out into the corridor and closed the door behind him. “Just need to let them know I’m keeping an eye on them,” he chuckled.
In a more serious tone, he said, “This matter of the men demanding taxes has come up time and time again. I remember this happening at your house years ago when your father was still well. It’s true that some of them are just plain thieves, but some others we’ve investigated really are tax collectors approved to collect in Herod’s name. They’re just demanding more money to fill their own purses.”
“Yes, and that’s why it’s so difficult to tell them from the thieves,” I countered. “I’m telling you that a large number of your taxpayers may soon refuse to pay at all unless Herod personally comes to collect. At least him they can recognize. But when anyone else comes demanding higher taxes, many people are tempted to attack these tax collectors with swords. Your master’s stream of income could be disrupted if he doesn’t find a way to root out the thieves and make the real tax collectors more honest.”
Chuza nodded as we approached a yard in the rear of the palace where a number of women were spinning fleece to make cloth. “I will speak to the treasurer. He will understand better than anyone else how a disruption could have a disastrous impact. He’ll make sure Antipas understands the need for action.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I’ll tell the men to put away their swords.”
After a brief glance at their work, he gave some words of encouragement to the women and turned to continue on his way. “You said there were two things you wanted to discuss.”
“Ah, yes.” I walked in silence for a few moments, searching for the best way to broach the topic. “I have heard whispers in my household that you might ask my father for the hand of my sister, Joanna.”
Chuza grinned. “Well, I was hoping to discuss that directly with your father.”
So my suspicion was correct. “I would be proud to welcome you to our family. I only wanted to suggest that you ask my father sooner rather than later. His health worries me, and I would want you to speak to him while he still has his wits about him.”
Chuza broke out in a deep belly laugh and had to stop walking, and leaned forward resting both hands against his knees while he recovered his breath. “Judas,” he said between gasps and laughs, “do you really believe that I have any say in when, where, why or how I will speak to your father? Your mother — Thanks Mom! — is in charge of the conspiracy, and both of your sisters are arranging affairs so that he will enjoy several rapid episodes of success and good news, followed by a wonderful meal and good wine. They will pamper him as if he were the Emperor himself, and then I will be allowed to stand before him and make my case.”
Yes, I thought, this man is well prepared to become a member of my family. He has learned the proper order of the world and will not attempt to stand in the way of forces greater than himself. “Just suggest that she make it soon. This will lift the old man’s heart, and I want him to be able to enjoy it.”
As we turned the corner toward the barns outside, he suddenly cocked his head at an angle. “Wait a minute. You’re already under the same roof with her. Why don’t you ask her to make it soon.”
I looked him square in the eye. “Brother — I mean brother-to-be — this is your battle, not mine. I already have enough dangers in front of me on my path.”