Chapter - 24 (24) (2/2)

Not long afterwards, a group of valiant cavalry troops arrived; all of them also dressed as pilgrims. Wei Xiaobao asked, ”In total, how many pilgrims are coming from Beijing to Mount Wutai this time?”

In a low voice Dolong replied, ”Apart from us, the Imperial Bodyguards, the Valiant Cavalry, the Vanguards, and the Personal Guards are accompanying the Emperor.”

”So there are about thirty, forty thousand troops?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

”More than thirty-four thousand troops,” Dolong replied.

”And who is in command of this Emperor-protector force?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

”It's Prince Kang,” Dolong replied.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Another old friend.”

He beckoned Zhao Qixian. When he came near, Wei Xiaobao said, ”Zhao Dage, please report to Prince Kang, I need to mobilize the troops for an important mission. This is urgent, there is not enough time to ask for instructions from him first.” Zhao Qixian obeyed the order and left.

Finally the Commander [orig. 'du tong', see previous note on Qing military] of Valiant Cavalry of Plain Yellow Banner, Chalju, also arrived. Wei Xiaobao said, ”Duo Laoge [old brother], Dutong Daren, there are several thousand Tibetan lamas who found out about His Majesty's pilgrimage. Just now they are surrounding Qingliang Temple with the intention to start a rebellion. I ask you, two gentlemen, to arrest these rebellious thieves. You are going to render an enormous service.”

The two of them were delighted; they thanked Wei Xiaobao, saying, ”Wei Daren is handing us a great merit, how can we deserve it?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Everybody is devotedly working for His Majesty, why make any distinction between you and me? This is called 'blessing we enjoy together, difficulty we bear together'.”

They issued the order immediately to guard all roads around the mountain, and send a group of elite cavalry to charge up the mountain. Wei Xiaobao called loudly, ”The Holy Sage is benevolent and wise, he is also virtuous; you are to arrest the rebellious thieves only, you must not harm too many lives. Our Emperor is 'raw bird fish soup' [niao sheng yu tang], and not a bad Emperor.” The Imperial Bodyguards and the Emperor's personal bodyguards acknowledged the order together.

Actually, he said those words for the benefit of the Old Emperor; he thought that today the old and the young Emperors, father and son, would meet, he needed to lick the Old Emperor's behind, which he thought would be more effective that licking the young Emperor's behind. He turned around and walked toward Xing Chi. ”Three masters,” he said, ”Our clothes are nondescript [orig. 'neither fish nor fowl'], we need to go to Jing'e Temple ahead to change. We must find a peaceful and quiet place to rest, so that idle people will not disturb the three masters' quiet meditation.” Xing Chi and the others nodded their approval.

They walked several more li and arrived at Jing'e Temple. As soon as he entered the gate of the monastery, Wei Xiaobao took out a thousand-tael banknote, which he handed it over to the head monk, saying, ”We need to temporarily borrow your precious monastery to rest, you must not ask too much. If you ask one question, I will deduct ten taels; you do not ask any question, all these thousand taels are our offering. If you ask a hundred and one questions, you owe me ten taels. Fair and square, cheating neither young nor old.”

Seeing the huge sum of money, the head monk was surprised and happy at the same time; instantly he said 'yes, yes' repeatedly. ”Shixiong,” he said, ”You …” The words were at the tip of his tongue, suddenly he was startled and busily changed his statement, ”You must drink a cup of tea.” And he hurriedly went in to serve the tea.

Originally, he was going to ask, 'Shixiong, you want to drink a cup of tea or not?' but his mind was quick and he changed his statement, and thus saved himself ten taels.

Wei Xiaobao went out the monastery and secretly passed an order to have more than a hundred Imperial Bodyguards to guard Jing'e Temple all the way around, he also dispatched two Imperial Bodyguards to report to the Emperor: ”Your servant Wei Xiaobao is under great responsibility, does not dare to leave without permission, waiting your gracious presence at Jing'e Temple.”

One of the Imperial Bodyguards said, ”Reporting to Wei Fu Zongguan [deputy chief]: as subjects, we should go and kowtow in front of His Majesty, we cannot wait for the Emperor to see us.”

Wei Xiaobao spread out his hands, and said with a laugh, ”Can't be help. This time good or bad I have to break the rules and have a bad manner.”

The two Imperial Bodyguards complied. They turned around and left, while sticking out their tongues and thought, ”What a nerve, he does not even want his life anymore.” Right away they rushed to report to the Emperor.

After changing their clothes, the monks sat down to rest. They heard the battle cry on the mountain shaking the earth, the Imperial Bodyguards and the Emperor's personal guards were rounding up the lamas. The commotion continued for quite a while. Finally the noise gradually died down, until more than an hour later suddenly not a sound was to be heard [orig. 'ten thousand pipes are still'], but they heard a few dozen men's footsteps from the distance approaching, and stopped in front of the monastery. And then there were the heavy thumping sound of boots as a group of men entered the monastery.

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”The young Emperor is here.” Pulling out his dagger, he held it tight as he stood in front of Xing Chi's meditation room, while his face showed a determined expression to protect his master, the 'ten thousand deaths will not prevent me' look, one that would put Xing Dian's loyalty and brave sacrifice, to shame.

The sound of footsteps continued from the outside to the inside, about a dozen Imperial Bodyguards in civilian clothes came over in quick steps, with lanterns in their hands. And then they stopped and stood on either side of the pathway. One Imperial Bodyguard hissed, ”Quickly take your knife away.”

Wei Xiaobao retreated several steps, with his back against the door and the dagger in front of his chest, he struck a pose 'one man guards the pass, ten thousand men cannot enter', and shouted, ”The masters are resting inside the meditation room, no one is allowed to come to create disturbance.”

A young man wearing blue garment stepped out, it was none other than Kangxi. It was only then did Wei Xiaobao put the dagger back to its sheath; he rushed forward to kowtow, and said in a low voice, ”Your Majesty, rejoice. The old … old fashi

[39] is inside.”

With a trembling voice Kangxi said, ”You call … call [or 'announce'] for me.” Turning around, he said, ”All of you, get out!”

After the Imperial Bodyguards had left, Wei Xiaobao knocked twice lightly on the meditation room's door, he said, ”Hui Ming desires to have an audience.”

After a long time, there was still no response from inside. Kangxi could not bear not to rush ahead one step and knocked twice on the door. Wei Xiaobao shook his hand to him, signaling him not to speak. The cry 'Fu Huang' [father emperor] was already at the tip of Kangxi's tongue, but he fought hard to swallow it back.

After a long time, they heard Xing Dian's voice from behind the door, ”Fangzhang Dashi, my Shixiong's spirit is exhausted, please forgive him not to grant audience. His body has entered the gate of emptiness, there is no more earthly destiny. Please tell the outsider not to harm his peaceful cultivation.”

”Yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Please open the door, we just want to see him one time.”

Xing Dian said, ”My Shixiong's meaning is: this is Jing'e Temple, where we all are guests here, we are not required to accept Fangzhang's religious edict, please don't blame us.”

Wei Xiaobao turned his head to look at Kangxi, he saw his miserable expression and thought, ”You said that I am not the Abbot here and thus cannot tell you to open the door. How about I call this temple's abbot to knock on your door? That will be too easy.” He was about to turn around to call the Abbot, when Kangxi could not endure anymore and suddenly broke into a loud cry.

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”If I have this temple's abbot telling you to open the door, that means I am forcing the old emperor. Beseeching him gently is better.” Thereupon he beat his own chest several times and cried out loudly. He cried and wailed at the same time, ”In this world, I am an orphan with no mother and no father, alone and forsaken, no one loves me. What joy is there to stay alive? It would be better for me to crash my head against the wall and be done with it.” Faking a cry was the skill he had perfected since he was little, just by bawling a few more times, tears started to pour down like rain; it was exceptionally sorrowful.

Hearing him crying, at first Kangxi was startled, but then he could not bear his grief and cried out even louder.

Suddenly they heard a creaking noise, the meditation room's door opened. Xing Dian stood at the door and said, ”Xiao Shizhu [young benefactor], please come in.”

Kangxi was overwhelmed with mixed feelings of grief and joy; he rushed into the room and embraced Xing Chi's feet, while crying loudly.

Xing Chi gently stroked his head while saying, ”Chi'er, Chi'er

[40].” Tears also streamed down his face.

With bowed head Yulin and Xing Dian went out of the meditation room and closed the door behind them. Without even looking at Wei Xiaobao, who was standing outside the door, they walked straight outside. Xing Dian felt he was being rude, especially since he was grateful to Wei Xiaobao; so after walking about a dozen steps, he turned his head around and called, ”Fangzhang.”

Wei Xiaobao was focusing his attention to listen to the conversation between Xing Chi and Kangxi, father and son, inside the room, he completely ignored Xing Dian. He heard Kangxi was crying, ”Fu Huang, child misses you very much.”

Xing Chi said something, but from behind the door Wei Xiaobao was unable to hear clearly. Afterwards Kangxi stopped crying and started talking, but the two of them spoke in a very low voice that Wei Xiaobao could not hear anything. Although he was curious, he did not have the audacity to shove the door open even a crack; without any choice he had to wait outside with his ear against the door.

A moment later, he vaguely heard Kangxi mentioning 'Empress Duan Jing', four characters. Wei Xiaobao thought, ”Last time when the Old Emperor told me to pass on his message to the young emperor, he did not want me to give the old wh0re any trouble; therefore, following his order, I did not mention these words at all. Perhaps now the Old Emperor changed his mind?”

Another moment, he heard Xing Chi said, ”Today you and I met, it was a mistake; it harms my cultivation considerably. Later, you must not come again.” Kangxi did not make any noise. Xing Chi continued, ”You sent someone to wait upon me. Although it came from your filial piety, those who have left their homes experience strong opposition from the evil spirit. Although your intention was proper, having someone to serve me was very thoughtful, but it is inappropriate …”

The two of them talked some more. Finally Xing Chi said, ”You may go now. Take a good care of yourself, by cherishing the common people, you are fulfilling your filial duty toward me.”

Kangxi apparently was reluctant to part, he did not want to leave yet. At last Wei Xiaobao heard footsteps toward the door. Wei Xiaobao hastily took several steps back, and turned his eyes away from the door, looking toward the front courtyard. 'Creak', the door opened. Xing Chi walked out, holding Kangxi's hand. Father and son looked at each other for a moment. Kangxi was holding his father's hand firmly. Xing Chi said, ”You are very good, you are much better than I was. I feel very relieved, you must feel the same!” Gently he pulled his hand from Kangxi's grip, and withdrew back to the room and closed the door. A moment later, 'click', he put the latch on.

Kangxi threw himself to the door, while sobbing uncontrollably. Wei Xiaobao stood by his side, accompanying him shedding some tears.

Kangxi cried for a while. He knew his father would not open the door again, but he was unwilling to leave just like that. Pulling Wei Xiaobao's hand, they sat side by side on the stone steps in front of the main hall. Taking out a handkerchief, he wiped his tears, and looked up at the white cloud in the sky. When he had calmed down, he said, ”Xiao Guizi, Fu Huang said that you are very good, but he does not want you to wait upon him anymore. Fu Huang said although having the subjects to guard was very thoughtful, but it will make him, Senior, not like those who have left home.” While saying the words 'those who have left home', he shed tears again.

Hearing the Old Emperor did not want him to serve anymore, Wei Xiaobao was extremely delighted, yet his face did not show the least bit of happiness, he also did not dare to appear extremely 'loyal, dashing on bravely with no thought of personal safety', for fear that it would give him future trouble. He said, ”There are too many people who want to harm the Old Emperor, Your Majesty have to think of a way to protect him in secret.”

”Definitely,” Kangxi said, ”Those evil lamas, humph, his granny, what scheme are they playing?” Originally he could only curse 'damn it' [ta ma de – lit. his mother]; several months they did not see each other, he had learned one more cussing word, 'his granny' [ta nainai de].

”Shifu,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”You have one more cuss word.”

There appeared a slight smiling expression on Kangxi's face; he said, ”It's my Meizi [younger sister], she learned it from the Imperial Bodyguards. She and Empress Dowager came with me to the mountain …” his countenance sank, ”Fu Huang does not wish to see them.” Wei Xiaobao nodded.

Kangxi continued, ”Those lamas must want to kidnap Fu Huang, in an attempt to force me into submission, to put me under their control. Humph, they think it's that easy? Xiao Guizi, you are very good, this time you saved Fu Huang, your merit is not small.”

”Your Majesty's strategy is divine,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”You have thought about everything early on, you sent your servant here to be a monk, it was exactly for this reason. Your servant does not have any merit, it does not matter who Your Majesty sent here, anybody can do it.”

”That is not necessarily so,” Kangxi said, ”Fu Huang said you understood his wish not to harm anybody in your escape.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your servant saw the Old Emperor was about to light the fire to burn himself, saying that no matter what he wanted to give up his life and vanish; it scared me that my soul was about to leave me, I nearly pissed in my pants.”

Kangxi was startled, ”What do you mean lighting the fire to burn himself? To give up his life and vanish?”

With a lot more spice Wei Xiaobao told him everything so that Kangxi broke into cold sweat. Wei Xiaobao said, ”In a moment of desperation, your servant drenched the Old Emperor with a bucket of cold water; it was greatly disrespectful.”

Kangxi said, ”Your intention was to protect your master. Very good, very good.”

He was silent for half a day. Turning his head to take a glance at the meditation room's door he said, ”The Old Emperor told me to cherish common people, never to raise tax. You have already passed on this message to me, this time the Old Emperor personally exhorted me. Naturally I will never dare to forget.”

”What is 'never raise endowment' [yong bu jia fu]?” Wei Xiaobao asked

[41].

Kangxi smiled and replied, ”It's 'fu' from 'fu shui' – taxation. Those emperors from the Ming Dynasty indulged in lives of luxury, deployed troops to go to war, never had enough money; therefore, they issued imperial decree for the common people to pay more taxes. Ming Dynasty's government officials were extremely corrupt, the Emperor wanted to raise one million taels in tax, the government officials, big and small, extorted at least two million taels. The common people were already poor, the imperial court raised taxes this year, and raised duties the next, how could the common people still have enough rice to eat? The millet and wheat crops harvested from the fields were all taken by the government officials, very soon the common people's entire family would die of starvation; they had no choice but to revolt. This is called 'the government official drive the people to revolt'.”

Wei Xiaobao nodded. ”I understand,” he said, ”So the common people of the Ming Dynasty revolted because the Emperor and the government officials were bad.”

”Isn't that so?” Kangxi said, ”During the last years of Ming Dynasty's Chongzhen, everywhere in the world the common people did not have rice to eat; therefore, rebellion arose in the east and in the west. The Henan rebellion was crushed, Shanxi arose; Shanxi was suppressed, Sichuan arose. Those poor people migrated to the east and fled to the west just to scrape a living. The Ming Dynasty perished in these poor people's hands, the Han people say it was roving bandits' rebellion. Actually, those rebels and roving bandits were forced to existence by the imperial court.”

”So that's what happened,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”The Old Emperor wants Your Majesty never to raise tax, then there won't be any roving bandits in the world. Your Majesty is 'raw bird fish soup', iron and barrels are like rivers and mountains, long live the Emperor!”

”Yao shun yu tang; isn't it easier said than done?” Kangxi said, ”But we, Manchu people, came to be China's Emperor, we must strive to be better than those tyrannical and muddle-headed rulers of the Ming Dynasty; only then will we not let down the common people of the world.”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”The people of Tian Di Hui and Mu Palace say that Manchurian Qing's Tatars occupy our Han people's rivers and mountains, there is no single person who does not hate them with clenched teeth. Yet the young emperor says that Ming Dynasty's emperors were no good, and that he, a Tatar emperor, is better. That's not strange, there are always people who like to praise themselves.”

Kangxi added, ”Fu Huang also told me that over the years he quietly cultivate Zen meditation, whenever he recalled our Manchu people's conduct and deeds in the years past, oftentimes he would feel so ashamed that cold sweats drenched his back. Chongzhen of Ming Dynasty was persecuted to death by Li Zicheng's roving bandits. Wu Sangui came to lend his troops to us, the Great Qing, and defeated Li Zicheng, and thus he avenged the Ming Dynasty emperor's great enmity. Yet not only the common Han people are not grateful to the Great Qing, they consider us as their enemy. Tell me, what kind of logic is that?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”I suppose they are muddle-headed. In fact, in this world, muddle-headed people are many, smart people are a few. Or perhaps they simply forget favors and violate justice.”

”That's not necessarily so,” Kangxi said, ”Han people say we are barbarians, ethnic minority from outside, who are taking possession of their beautiful rivers and mountains. When the Qing troops entered the pass, they killed and burned everywhere, they murdered countless common people; it was the reason they hate us, Manchus, to the bones.”

Wei Xiaobao was actually a Han, but Kangxi bestowed him to be a Manchu person of the Plain Yellow Banner, when he talked to him, he always said 'we or us', treating him as a Manchu. Actually, speaking about national affairs, Wei Xiaobao did not understand anything. It's just that Kangxi was excited since he had just met his father. Thinking about his Father Emperor's earnest admonition, he discussed it with this little trusted aide.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”When your servant was still in Yangzhou, I have heard people mentioning the tragedy of Qing troops massacring people.”

Kangxi sighed. ”Yangzhou's Ten Days, Jiading's Three Slaughters, people were killed that their number cannot be counted; those are enormously evil deeds that we, the Great Qing, committed. I am going to issue an imperial edict to exempt Yangzhou and Jiading of land tax for three years.”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”Yangzhou people do not have to pay taxes for three years, everybody will be rich, Lovely Spring Courtyard's business will greatly flourish. How can I get the young emperor to send me to handle this matter for him in Yangzhou? I will tell Mama not to be a prostitute anymore, I will open three brothels for her, laozi will be the boss, and then I will be a banker, I will open a big gambling event for ten days, it will be another 'Yangzhou's Ten Days'. Afterwards, I will bring a lot of money to Jiading and damn it, I will gamble three days. It will be 'Jiading's Three Gambles'

[42].”

He also thought, ”Both the Old Emperor and His Majesty said that during Jiading's Three 'du' [see note 10 referred above] the number of people being killed is too many, this is an enormous disaster. How could they kill a lot of people by gambling three times? I wonder what kind of place Jiading is. In that place, the people's gambling skill is very formidable, I must be very careful.”

”Xiao Guizi, what do you think?” Kangxi asked.

”Good, very good,” Wei Xiaobao busily replied, ”That way, everybody will have rice to eat, have money … nobody will revolt.” He was about to say 'have money to gamble', but as the word was about to come out, he withdrew it.

Kangxi said, ”Although everybody has rice to eat and has money to be used, not necessarily nobody will revolt. When you left Beijing, you sent the Imperial Bodyguards to escort a man, whom you said was a rebel from Mount Wangwu. I personally interrogated him several times.”

Wei Xiaobao was shocked in his heart; he stood up hastily and said, ”Your Majesty ordered your servant not to meddle in other people's business; henceforth I did not dare to do that.”

”Sit down,” Kangxi said, ”You managed this matter very well. It was not other people's business at all, in fact, from now on we must pay close attention to this matter.”

”Yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, but in his heart he was unable to make head or tail of it.

Kangxi said in a low voice, ”I sent those Imperial Bodyguards to rebuke you, it was to block the ears and eyes of the enemy, so that the rebellious thieves won't guard against me.”

Wei Xiaobao was delighted. He sprang up, and then sat back down again and said in a low voice, ”Your servant understands. Turns out Your Majesty are afraid this rebellious thief Wu Sangui would be alarmed.”

”Whether Wu Sangui wants to rebel, it is still hard to say,” Kangxi said, ”But since the beginning he did not have a loyal heart; he took advantage of my young age and did not have me in his eyes at all.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty can always use little tricks here and there to let him know how formidable you are. Wu Sangui, his granny, what's so great about him? Your Majesty only need to stretch out your little finger, you will sweep away a thousand army, high mountain flowing water.”

Kangxi smiled, ”You did not use those two idioms correctly. You should say 'stretch out your little finger, you will sweep away a thousand army, kill him to be utterly defeated

[43]'.”

”Yes, yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your servant has become a monk for several months, my literary knowledge did not make any progress; from now on I must serve Your Majesty more often, so that my usage of idiom will be like 'sweeping away a thousand army', so that people who hear it will be 'utterly defeated'.”

Kangxi could not help but bursting in laughter, his melancholy was somewhat reduced. In a low voice he said, ”That servant Wu Sangui is very good at military strategy, the number of fierce generals and elite troops under his command is indeed not a few. If he really wanted to rebel and allied himself with Geng Jingzhong of Fujian and Shang Kexi of Guangdong, the three forces would make a thorny problem indeed. We can only take our time, must make our move only after fixing our plan, so that once we move, we will make his granny Wu Sangui utterly defeated and piss in his pants in terror.”

Kangxi was diligent and studious, every day after he personally attended the government affairs, he would have members of Hanlin Imperial Academy to attend upon him, to explore classic books in Confucianism, poetry and literature. He learned a lot about the writings and poems of Confucius; therefore, to suddenly hear him saying phrases like 'his granny' or 'piss in his pants in terror', it was clear that he was really not happy.

Meeting with his father today, he was both delighted and grieved; but after only less than an hour of intimacy, he was already thrown out of the door without knowing if he would ever see him again in the future, he was deeply wounded emotionally. Luckily there was this Wei Xiaobao whose words were amusing, so that the melancholy in his heart was somewhat relieved. Moreover, speaking about major political affair like crushing rebellion and restoring order had aroused the lofty aspiration in his heart.

He stood up, took four piece of stones from the courtyard, arranged them on the ground, and said, ”Of the four kings of Han army, the east side, the south side and the west side must be separated from each other, they cannot be allowed to ally with each other. Luckily that fellow Ding Nan Wang

[44] Kong Yude has died, leaving behind a daughter, hence it will be easy to deal with her.” While saying that, he lightly kicked a piece of stone.

He said, ”Geng Jingzhong is bold but not very astute, nothing to worry about. Only he must be prevented from making an alliance with the Zheng clan of Taiwan.” And he kicked another stone.

He said, ”Shang Kexi, father and sons, do not get along well with each other. His two sons are like fire and water, they are always in conflict with each other, rendering him powerless.” And he also kicked the third stone away, leaving one stone left, the biggest one, to which he stared while seeming lost in thought.

”Your Majesty,” Wei Xiaobao asked, ”Is that Wu Sangui?” Kangxi nodded. Wei Xiaobao cursed, ”That treacherous bandit, he is old but refuses to die, yet he gives my lord of ten thousand years a big headache. Your Majesty, soak him with your pee.”

Kangxi burst out laughing; his childish heart was aroused, he really untied his pants and peed on that piece of stone. He said with a laugh, ”Come, your turn.”

Kangxi was amused even more. He tied up his pants and said with a laugh, ”There will come a day we catch that stinky thief, then we will really pee on his body.”

Kangxi sat down on the stone steps again. They heard sound of footsteps outside; although nobody said anything, it was obvious that there were quite a number of people gathering outside. Wei Xiaobao said, ”It looks like they have caught all those evil lamas. Your Majesty really have flood of good fortune filling the heavens; it was so fortunate that you have arrived just in time to catch all those evil lamas in one net.”

”Actually, that was not luck,” Kangxi said, ”As soon as I received your secret report, I sent people to investigate. After I found out, I rushed here, but actually I was one step too late, so that those evil lamas have alarmed the holy sage. If not for your quick-wit, I will regret it for the rest of my life, and won't escape from guilt.”

Wei Xiaobao was puzzled, ”But your servant has never sent you any secret report,” he said.

Kangxi said, ”When I sent the Imperial Bodyguards to Shaolin Temple to deliver the imperial edict, they said that they saw a Mongolian prince, several lamas, and several military officers; is that right?”

”That's right,” Wei Xiaobao said.

Kangxi said, ”You instructed them to investigate in secret, what were they up to, and what was their power. Under investigation, they found out that the Mongolian prince was called Galdan. The military officer was Ma Bao, a commander under that servant Wu Sangui. They were conspiring with the lamas in rebellious scheme, something that would not be good to Fu Huang.”

Wei Xiaobao slapped his thigh, ”So that's what happened!” he exclaimed, ”Your servant saw that they were sneaky, definitely not good people, I did not know they are Wu Sangui's people.” Actually, he had known about those people's name and background, the reason he wanted Zhao Qixian and the others to investigate was to track down the girl in green, while bringing false charge against Wu Sangui. He did not think that it would lead the young emperor to catch up to Mount Wutai.

Kangxi said, ”Later on those three groups went their separate ways. Imperial Bodyguard Zhang Kangnian followed the lamas. He heard that they were assembling a large group of manpower; they were going to Mount Wutai to kidnap an important person. He did not realize the significance of this matter. After following them for several more days, he returned to the Capital and presented a memorial to me. As soon as I heard it, how could I not be anxious? I wanted to set off at once; but when the Emperor leaves the Capital, there are so many formalities and rites that have to be performed. Although I issued an imperial decree to have everything conforms to simplicity, I was still one day late.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”That rebellious thief Wu Sangui is so brazen, he dares to dispatch several thousand lamas to come and offend the Old Emperor. That … won't that be blatant rebellion?”

Kangxi sucked his breath. ”Not too loud!” he hissed, ”I only know that his officer was travelling together with those lamas. Whether he is rebelling or not, we can't say for sure for the time being.”

”I am sure he is, I am sure he is!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”If he was a good person, how could he send a general under his command to conspire with those evil lamas to secretly bring harm to the Old Emperor?”

”He is definitely not a good person,” Kangxi said. After hesitating for a moment, he slowly said, ”It's just that I am still too young, in deploying troops and fighting a battle, I am not his match. It would be best for us to wait several more years, wait till I grow up some more, and he grows older some more. When we fight that time, I am sure that victory will be within our grasp. Xiao Guizi, you need not be impatient, waiting one day longer will give us one day more advantage, while at the same time will give him one day more harm.”

Wei Xiaobao anxiously said, ”What if he grows old and die? Won't that be too easy for him?”

Kangxi smiled. ”Then that is his luck,” he said. After a short pause he continued, ”Just now Fu Huang admonished me: it would be best if I can not resort to arms and go to war; once we go to battle, it does not matter the outcome, soldiers will be dead and injured, that need not be mentioned, but the common people in all the world will suffer countless suffering. For that reason, if Wu Sangui died early and did not wait for me to take action against him, although it won't be fun …”

While he paused for a moment, Wei Xiaobao interjected, ”It's definitely not fun at all.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”As far as common people and soldiers are concerned, war is not a good thing. Xiao Guizi, if you want something fun, I can take you to Liaodong (Peninsula) to hunt black bears, hunt tigers.”

Wei Xiaobao was delighted. ”Wonderful, wonderful!” he called out.

Kangxi turned his gaze to the meditation room's door and quietly said, ”When I was six, Fu Huang took me to go hunting at Liaodong. And now …” Slowly he walked toward the door. His hand gently stroked the wooden door, while his throat choked and his eyes moist. After a while, he kneeled down and did obeisance several times, while saying in a low voice, ”Fu Huang, take a good care of yourself, Child's leaving.” Wei Xiaobao also kneeled down and kowtowed.

Kangxi went to the Hall of Great Strength. Prince Kang, along with prominent military leaders such as Valiant Cavalry Commander Chalju, Imperial Bodyguards Chief Dolong, several top ranking officers who accompanied the Emperor such as Songgotu, the Vanguard Regiment Commander, the Personal Guard Commander, and the others, have been waiting in the hall. Seeing the Emperor's arrival, they all kneeled down to pay their respect. When the officers stood up, they took a furtive glance and noticed that the young emperor's eyes were red, obviously he had been crying; they were all surprised.

Although the Emperor was young, he had outstanding knowledge and experience, he had demonstrated wise judgment in handling matters; the court official's reverence to him was growing day by day, nobody dared to belittle him due to his age. Unexpectedly the young Emperor could cry; it was indeed an unusual happening. They also noticed the tearstains on Wei Xiaobao's face, and thought, ”This kid Wei Xiaobao must have teased the Emperor to tears. Two youngsters, I don't know what kind of games they are playing.”

Kangxi tightly concealed the fact that Shunzhi has left home on Mount Wutai, even the closest family member, his own little sister Princess Jianning was not aware, naturally the court officials were in the dark even more.

Prince Kang stepped forward to present a memorial, ”Submitting a report to Your Majesty: We found several thousand lamas creating havoc and disturbing peace outside the Qingliang Temple with unknown reason. Right now all of them have been captured and been brought here, awaiting the imperial decree on how to deal with them.”

Kangxi nodded. ”Get the leader and bring him here,” he said.

Chalju dragged three old lamas, they were all shackled and handcuffed. The three lamas did not know that Kangxi was the ruling Emperor, they maintained their obstinate behavior and mumbled and grunted incessantly. Kangxi suddenly also mumbled and grunted. The officers were stunned; nobody expected that the Emperor could speak Tibetan. Actually, these lamas were Mongolian lamas, they did not come from Tibet at all. Kangxi was talking with them in Mongolians.

After talking for a while, the three lamas bowed their heads without saying anything; apparently they have surrendered. Kangxi said, ”Take them to the side room, Zhen will investigate them confidentially.”

”Yes,” Dolong replied, and have the three of them brought to the scripture room [library] next to the main hall.

Kangxi beckoned to Wei Xiaobao, the two of them also entered the scripture room. Wei Xiaobao closed the door. Pulling his dagger, he continuously waved it in front of the lamas' eyes, throats, noses and ears. Kangxi spoke several sentences loudly in Mongolian. Respectfully and submissively the oldest lama answered his questions one by one. The two of them were exchanging questions and answers for quite a while. As soon as Wei Xiaobao noticed that Kangxi raised his voice and had an angry look on his face, he drew his dagger threateningly. When he saw Kangxi's expression turned gentle, he giggled while standing by the lama's side, nodding his head in encouragement.

Kangxi's interrogation lasted for more than an hour. Finally he ordered the Imperial Bodyguards to take the lamas away, and told Wei Xiaobao to close the door. ”This is strange,” he muttered to himself.

Wei Xiaobao did not dare to interrupt his train of thought, he simply stood on the side without saying anything. Kangxi pondered for a moment, and then asked, ”Xiao Guizi, how many people are aware that Fu Huang has left home and become a monk in here?”

”Other than Your Majesty and your servant,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Those who know this matter include the Old Emperor's Shifu, Yulin Dashi, and his Shidi Xing Dian Dashi. There was also a eunuch, Hai Dafu, but he is dead. The former head monk of Qingliang Temple, Cheng Guang Dashi, did not seem to know the details, he only knew that the Old Emperor was a person of great background. Apart from these people, there is that old … old … that Empress Dowager.”

Kangxi nodded, ”That's right,” he said, ”Those who know this matter, in this world, including Fu Huang himself, and the two of us, are not more than six people. But when I interrogated that Mongolian lama just now, he said that they received the order of the Living Buddha, Dalai Lama of Lhasa, Tibet, to go to Qingliang Temple to invite a monk and take him to Tibet. I interrogate him in details, which monk in Qingliang Temple, what kind of person he is, why did the Living Buddha of Lhasa want to invite him? I repeatedly asked the questions, he definitely does not know. Finally he said that it seems that this monk understands a lot of tantra's religious chant and incantation, the Living Buddha wishes for him to teach these secret incantation, to help spreading the Dharma. Naturally it was all rubbish; but looking at his expression, I don't think he was lying. Most likely other people are deceiving him, yet he believes it was the truth.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Whether that Tibetan Living Buddha knew the Old Emperor's real identity, it is difficult to know at this moment, but the person who instigated the Living Buddha to come and offend the Old Emperor, I am afraid … I am afraid he knew the inside information.”

Kangxi nodded. Suddenly Wei Xiaobao was scared; he said, ”Your Majesty, your servant will keep my mouth as tight as a … as something. I know this matter is of grave importance; even in my dream I won't divulge half a word.”

”You won't say anything,” Kangxi said, ”I trust you completely. Naturally Yulin and Xing Dian also won't say anything. Even if Shaolin Temple's Abbot Hui Cong and Cheng Guang Dashi may have guessed something, they are virtuous eminent monks, they can't possibly reveal it to anybody. After thinking it over, there is only that … that old … old s1ut.”

”Right! Right!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Must be that old … old …”

Kangxi muttered to himself, ”She is concealing a man who dressed as a palace maid in the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful; indeed I have seen it with my own eyes. It's only natural that she is afraid her secret would be revealed. She murdered Empress Duan Jing, Fu Huang hates her to the bones. Although Fu Huang has already left home, he still sent Hai Dafu back to the Palace to investigate this matter. You knew all the details, and you are always by my side. Humph, how could that old s1ut sleep well at night? She simply must do harm to Fu Huang. Only after conspiring to murder Fu Huang, conspiring to murder me, and killing you, will she feel safe.”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”The old wh0re has long had relationship with Shen Long Jiao [Divine Dragon Cult]. Since she knew the Old Emperor has not died yet, she must have reported it to Hong Jiaozhu. Apparently this lamas arrival on Mount Wutai is somehow related to Hong Jiaozhu.” However, he must not mention to Kangxi that he had become the White Dragon Envoy of Divine Dragon Cult.

Kangxi saw the change in his countenance. ”What is it?” he asked.

Wei Xiaobao hastily said, ”Your servant thought … thought … Your Majesty's speculation is not the least bit wrong, it must be that old … the Empress Dowager who leak the secret. Other than she, there can't be any other people.”

Kangxi stretched out his hand to slap the table heavily; gnashing his teeth, he said, ”This s1ut murdered the Empress, my birth mother; she also caused Fu Huang to leave home, rendering me without a father or a mother. I … if I don't make mincemeat of this s1ut, it will be difficult for me to purge the hatred in my heart; but … but Fu Huang clearly told me not to make things difficult for her. What should I do?”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”The Old Emperor does not allow you to kill the old wh0re, but he did not tell me not to. Even if he told me not to kill her, laozi is his Abbot, he is obligated to follow my order, I don't have to listen to his order. However, if this matter is exposed, it may not be effective.”

”Your Majesty do not need to worry,” he said, ”This Empress Dowager has committed all kinds of evil, she won't have a good end. Your Majesty may open your dragon eyes wide, open your dragon ears, you'll just wait and see.”

Kangxi was very keen; he had already understood his meaning, he fixed his eyes on him for half a day, finally he nodded and said, ”That's right, that s1ut has committed all kinds of evil, she won't have a good end.”

He paced back and forth in the scripture room. ”Right now we must find a way to prevent the lamas from offending Fu Huang again,” he said, ”It would be best if we can send a trustworthy man to be the Tibetan Living Buddha. All the lamas throughout the world will be under his management, then there won't be any future danger. It's just that Tibetan Living Buddha is always the reincarnation of the previous one, I am afraid the one the Emperor sends won't work. There must be a way …”

Listening to this, Wei Xiaobao was so scared that his soul flew away and scattered; he mused, ”Today I dressed up as a young lama, I must not turn a fake into reality. As soon as the Emperor opens his golden mouth, it will be hard to take back, I must strike first.” Hastily he said, ”Your Majesty, your servant absolutely do not want to be a Tibetan Living Buddha.”

Kangxi burst out laughing. He said, ”You are quick. Actually, what's not good about being a Tibetan Living Buddha? His jurisdiction is a lot wider than Wu Sangui's Yunnan; being a Living Buddha means becoming the king of Tibet.”

Wei Xiaobao repeatedly shook his hand, he said, ”I'd rather be an imperial bodyguard by your side. Once I become the Living Buddha, it will be hard for me to be with you. I don't care if it is King of Xizang [Tibet, xi - west] or King of Dongzang [East Zang], even King of Dizang

[45], I don't want to be one.”

He was not lying. He had been with Kangxi for a long time, they were almost of the same age, they got along with each other well; although one was the young emperor, the other was a young imperial bodyguard, they were like best friends. Neither one was willing to be separated from each other.

Kangxi laughed and said, ”How can you make such a irresponsible remark about the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's name?” Shoving the door open, he walked out, and said to Chalju and Dolong, ”The two of you have handled this matter well, Zhen wants to reward you.”

Chalju and Dolong were greatly delighted; they kowtowed to express their gratitude. Kangxi said, ”Zhen respect and believe the Dharma. Sure enough, these last several years by the will of the Heaven and the blessing of the Bodhisattva, the country is safe and sound, the common people have peace and happiness. Wei Xiaobao is here as Zhen's proxy, becoming a monk on my behalf, and has rendered a great merit.” Wei Xiaobao also kowtowed to express his gratitude.

Kangxi continued, ”Now Wei Xiaobao's time to be my proxy has been fulfilled, he will follow me returning to Beijing. It is Chalju's turn to leave home for two years, but you won't be a monk, rather, you will be the Great Lama of Mount Wutai. You may select 1000 competent officers and sergeants of Valiant Cavalry to be lamas with you, to be stationed on the ten major lama monasteries on the mountain. During your time leaving your homes, everybody's pay will be doubled, and all of you will be generously rewarded.”

Chalju was startled; although he was not actually willing, he had no choice but thanking the Emperor for the kindness shown. Kangxi said, ”If you are doing a good deed but announce it to the world, it won't be really a good deed. You must tell everybody to guard his mouth like a closed bottle in this matter, no one is to reveal the secret, otherwise he will be dealt with according to the martial law, there won't be any excuse. Dolong is to bring all Mount Wutai's lamas back to the Capital, and have them locked up in detention. Send people to inform the Dalai Lama Living Buddha that the Emperor is inviting these lamas to Beijing to promote the Dharma, to make clear the mystery of the Buddhist doctrines. After seventy, eighty years, when the Dharma is flourishing, they will be sent back to Tibet.” For each sentence he said, Chalju and Dolong responded one time.

Wei Xiaobao was greatly delighted, ”Laozi escapes the will of Heaven, henceforth I don't have to be a monk anymore.” He also thought, ”After seventy, eighty years, will these lamas still alive to return home? They brazenly offended the Old Emperor, His Majesty is being magnanimous by not chopping their heads. Imprisoned for life is a great convenience for them.”

Kangxi continued, ”Wei Xiaobao, I promote you to be the Commander [du tong] of the Valiant Cavalry Regiment of the Yellow Banner, while concurrently holding your present Deputy Chief [fu zongguan] position of the Imperial Bodyguards. Chalju, if you are performing your duty as the Great Lama well, when you return to the Capital, I will send you to another province to be the provincial governor.” The two of them expressed their gratitude.

Wei Xiaobao did not care much; for him, being the commander or vice commander did not have any difference. On the other hand, Chalju was very happy; in Beijing, high-ranking officials were extremely numerous, it's just that Valiant Cavalry Regiment Commanders were the Emperor's trusted aide. He was only one Valiant Cavalry Regiment Commander; each one of the eight banners had one commander, a total of eight Valiant Cavalry Regiment Commanders. When they see the royal princes, the royal princes' children, the dukes and marquis

[46], he must bend his knees and pay respects. Other than his soldier's pay, there was no extra income. If he was to be sent to other provinces and become the provincial governor, not only his prestige and authority would spread to eight directions, his financial resources would also increase tremendously.

In the meantime, it was daybreak. Kangxi give his order that he wanted to go to the Qingliang Temple to worship Buddha. When they reach the outside of the Temple, they saw sabers and spears scattered around, the grass and rocks were red with bloodstain. It was clear that the capture of lamas the previous night involved an intense battle; obviously they were fighting fiercely. Kangxi entered the Temple to worship the Tathagata and the Manjushri [orig. 'ru lai' and 'wen shu pu sa'], before he went to the back of the mountain to visit the small vihara where Shunzhi sat in meditation. He saw charred wood and ruined bricks, the vihara had been burnt to the ground.

Kangxi was secretly scared, ”If Fu Huang did not escape last night, he would be burned inside the temple. I … I …” He did not dare to continue his thought. He ordered Songgotu to donate two thousand taels of silver to reconstruct the vihara. He knew his father would not want to have this matter publicized; therefore, he did not dare to casually donate too much.

Returning to the Hall of Great Strength, the Shaolin monks came to see him. They saw this young benefactor had a lot of attendants, he carried an imposing aura around him; they thought he must be a person of great importance, perhaps he was one of the royal princes [qin wang bei lei]. Athough the monks did not curry favor with powerful people, they acknowledge the fact that this benefactor donated a large sum of money to reconstruct the small vihara, so they put their palms together to express their thanks. Cheng Tong and the others could also see that among those attendants disguised as pilgrims, there were quite a few who knew martial art.

Upon seeing the place where his father has left home, Kangxi was unwilling to leave so soon; he said, ”I want to stay at your precious monastery for three, five days; I wonder if it is possible?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Da Shizhu [great benefactor] graces us with your presence, it is something that we seek but fail to get …”

Suddenly there was a loud crashing sound, dust and dirt fell down, a hole appeared on the ceiling of the Hall of Great Strength. A white shadow flashed, a white object dropped down from the roof; it was a monk wearing white robe, with a long sword in his hand, which was thrust swiftly toward Kangxi. ”Today I am taking revenge for the Son of Heaven of the Great Ming!” the monk called out.

Kangxi hastily retreated. Because they were in the presence of the Emperor, Dolong, Chalju, Prince Kang, and the others did not carry any weapon. Greatly alarmed, they pounced on the monk. The monk swiftly flicked the left sleeve of his robe, a strong gust of wind swept Dolong and the others, seven, eight men, so that they could not hold their ground and were thrown down backward.

Cheng Xin, Cheng Guang and the others shouted together, ”Must not harm people!” and moved to stop the monk.

The monk's sleeve brushed away again. Each one of Shaolin Temple's 'Cheng' generation monks used his own unique skill to parry, but these monks' tiger claw, dragon claw, 'picking flower qin na' [grab and capture], 'capturing dragon' skill, and so on failed to seize the monk. The Shaolin monks were surprised, they all thought, ”Unexpectedly there is such person in this world!”

The white-robed monk did not stop, his sword went straight toward Kangxi. Kangxi had his back against the sacrificial table in front of the image of Buddha, he could not retreat further.

Wei Xiaobao hastily leaped forward to block in front of Kangxi's body. 'Stab!' the tip of the sword pierced his chest. The long sword bent, but unexpectedly it failed to enter Wei Xiaobao's body. Wei Xiaobao felt severe pain on his chest. He had already had the dagger in his hand; by waving it randomly he managed cut the enemy's sword into two pieces.

The monk in white was stunned. Cheng Guan called out, ”Don't hurt my Shishu!” His left palm flew toward the monk in white's right shoulder. The monk in white threw his broken sword and turned around to meet Cheng Guan's palm head on. Cheng Guan felt his blood bubbling up in his chest, while stars appeared in his eyes.

”Good skill!” the monk in white praised. Seeing that he was surrounded by martial art masters, while just a moment ago his sword failed to stab the little monk's body, he was greatly shocked. No longer dare to prolong the fight, he stretched out his right hand to grab the back of Wei Xiaobao's collar, and suddenly his body flew up, he escaped via the hole on the roof of the hall.

This turn of events happened so quickly that although there were thirty-six Shaolin masters in the hall, unexpectedly nobody had enough time to stop him. Cheng Xin, Cheng Guang, and the others hurriedly follow the monk through the hole on the roof. They saw the white shadow flashing at the back of the mountain, the monk was already more than a dozen of zhang away. This person's qing gong [lightness skill] was amazing, it was indeed unbelievable.

The Shaolin monks realized they would not be able to catch up, but their Temple's abbot was being kidnapped, although they could not catch up with him, they still had to run after him. Shouting loudly, the thirty-six monks ran to give chase. In the blink of an eye the white shadow disappeared behind a dip on the mountain path.