Chapter - 29 (29) (1/2)

Fragrant breeze suddenly arrives through the rolling curtain, new moon looks down on the bed drenched with early rain.

Wei Xiaobao went out of the Palace to see Li Lishi, Guan Anji, Priest Xuanzhen, Qian Laoben, and the others. The Tian Di Hui warriors were in high spirit. Li Lishi said, ”Subordinate has just received information that Zongduozhu has arrived in Tianjin, he will reach the Capital in a day. Wei Xiangzhu has just returned to the Capital as well; this is very good!”

”Yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”It's very good!” Thinking that he was going to see his shifu again, his heart was inevitably frightened.

The warriors immediately bought some wine and killed some chicken to prepare a welcoming dinner for him.

When the night fell, Wei Xiaobao pulled Gao Yanchao aside and said, ”Gao Dage, could you bring me an axe, an iron hammer and a chisel, please?”

Gao Yanchao complied and brought everything he asked for. Wei Xiaobao asked him to take him to the clay-walled shed in the garden where the coffin was placed. ”I have to open the coffin,” he said, ”To put some things inside.”

”Yes!” Gao Yanchao complied. He felt strange, but since Xiangzhu did not tell him, he felt it was inappropriate for him to ask.

”The night before last,” Wei Xiaobao explained, ”This dead friend came to me in a dream, telling me that he wanted several things. Since he was my friend, I can't possibly refuse.”

Gao Yanchao felt even stranger, but he only responded with 'yes, yes'.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Please guard outside the door for me, don't let anybody come in.” And he pushed the door and came in, closed the door, and bolted it.

He saw the thick dust on the coffin; apparently nobody had touched it. Using the chisel and axe he pried out the nails, and shoved the coffin lid away. He took the oil cloth bundle containing the five copies of sutra, and was about to push the coffin lid back when suddenly he heard Gao Yanchao's voice outside, ”Who's there?”

And then he heard another voice sternly asked, ”Where is Chen Jinnan?”

Wei Xiaobao was shocked. ”Who's asking for my Shifu?” he mused. The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Gao Yanchao replied, ”Who are you?”

And then someone coldly said, ”No matter where he hides, we will drag him out.”

Wei Xiaobao did recognize this voice, it was Zheng Keshuang. He was even more surprised, ”How could this stinky fellow be here?” Immediately he realized that the first person must be the 'One Sword without Blood' Feng Xifan.

He heard the clang of metals, the clash of weapons, followed by Gao Yanchao's muffled grunt, and then 'bang!' he fell to the ground. Wei Xiaobao's shock was even greater, without having much time to think he leaped into the coffin.

He heard Zheng Keshuang said, ”That revolting thief must be hiding inside.” In his fright, Wei Xiaobao lifted the lid and closed the coffin, just in time before 'crack, crash!' the wooden door of the clay-walled shed was kicked broken. Zheng Keshuang and Feng Xifan walked in.

From inside the coffin Wei Xiaobao looked out, and saw a thread of light; he knew that in his rush he did not close the lid tightly. ”Bad, bad!” he groaned inwardly, ”They are looking for my Shifu, but find out his disciple instead.”

Suddenly outside the door someone said, ”Is Gongzi looking for me? What can I do for you?” It was precisely Chen Jinnan's voice.

Wei Xiaobao was greatly delighted, ”Shifu is here!”

Suddenly Chen Jinnan cried, ”Ah!” Apparently he was injured. Followed by 'clang, clang' twice, the sound of weapons clashing. Chen Jinnan angrily shouted, ”Feng Xifan, you are plotting against me? Why?”

Feng Xifan coldly said, ”I am following orders to arrest you!”

Zheng Keshuang's voice was heard, ”Chen Yonghua, do you still consider me in your eyes?” His voice was brimming with anger.

”Why did Er Gongzi [second young master] say such thing?” Chen Jinnan said, ”It was only the day before yesterday that subordinate found out that Er Gongzi would grace us with your presence in Beijing; that very night I rushed over from Tianjin, unexpectedly Er Gongzi has arrived first. Subordinate was not here to welcome you, please forgive my offense.”

Hearing his shifu was speaking very respectfully and sincerely, Wei Xiaobao cursed in his heart, ”Dog fart Er Gongzi, what are you angry for?”

He heard Zheng Keshuang said, ”Fu Wang [father king] sent me to the Central Plains on official business, did you know that?”

”Yes,” Chen Jinnan replied.

Zheng Keshuang said, ”If you did, why didn't you come earlier to escort, serve and protect me?”

Chen Jinnan said, ”Subordinate has several urgent matters to be dealt with, I was unable to spare the time for a separate task, please Er Gongzi excuse me. Subordinate also knew that Feng Dage is coming along to serve by your side, Feng Dage's divine skill is unequalled, the crowd of lowly people are afraid and succumb to him, he would be able to protect Er Gongzi safe and sound through and through.”

”Humph,” Zheng Keshuang snorted; he angrily said, ”When I came to Tian Di Hui, why are the shrimp soldiers and crab generals

[66], and a skulk of foxes, a pack of dogs under your commands very rude to me?”

Chen Jinnan said, ”Presumably they did not know Er Gongzi. In this area around the Capital, what we are doing is a rebellion against the Tatars, everybody is particularly cautious and prudent, to such an extent as to neglect etiquette. Subordinate hereby apologizes.”

The more Wei Xiaobao listened, the angrier he was. ”Why is Shifu this polite to this stinky fellow?” he mused.

Zheng Keshuang said, ”By giving me all kinds of excuses, you are actually saying that I was wrong?”

”I do not dare!” Chen Jinnan said.

And then Wei Xiaobao heard the rustling of paper. Zheng Keshuang said, ”This is Fu Wang's written order, read it.”

”Yes,” Chen Jinnan said, ”Wangye's order says: 'The order of Yan Ping Jun Wang of the Great Ming: I am sending Zheng Keshuang to the Central Plain on official business, for anything beneficial to the country, he may act at his own discretion'.”

”What does 'act at his own discretion' means?” Zheng Keshuang asked.

Wei Xiaobao said in his heart, ”It simply means don't ever suffer any loss; what's so difficult about it? Your old man is telling you to stand up and need not be polite.”

Who would have thought that Chen Jinnan actually replied, ”Wangye is instructing Er Gongzi that in all matters that benefit our country, you may forego reporting back to Wangye, and act at your own discretion.”

Zheng Keshuang asked, ”Will you submit to Fu Wang's written order or not?”

”Wangye's written order, naturally I will comply,” Chen Jinnan replied.

”Very well,” Zheng Keshuang said, ”Cut your own right arm.”

Chen Jinnan was startled. ”But why?” he asked.

Zheng Keshuang coldly said, ”In your eyes there is no master, you do not revere me, which means you do not revere Fu Wang. I'll say from your conduct and deeds, you do not have the heart of a loyal subject. Humph, in the Central Plains you strive to cultivate your own power, to expand Tian Di Hui, where's your concern for the Zheng Family of Taiwan? You are thinking of making yourself king, aren't you?”

Chen Jinnan's voice trembled, ”Subordinate has never had that thought,” he said.

”Humph! Never had that thought?” Zheng Keshuang said, ”At the Hejian Prefecture congress this time, they elected me as the Mengzhu of Fujian province; did you know that?”

”Yes,” Chen Jinnan replied, ”It was because the heroes throughout the world respect Wangye for his loyalty in working for the country.”

”How many provinces' Mengzhu does your Tian Di Hui have?” Zheng Keshuang asked. Chen Jinnan was silent.

”Damn it,” Wei Xiaobao said in his heart, ”Turns out the reason this fellow is throwing a fit is because he had drunk Tian Di Hui's vinegar [i.e. jealous].” He also mused, ”My wife's lover [orig. male adulterer] is my Shifu's superior; previously, it was a bit troublesome. Now those two people are in conflict; this is wonderful. It's just that Shifu has already fallen under their plot and is injured, I must prevent him from being killed by them.”

He heard Zheng Keshuang said in loud voice, ”Your Tian Di Hui has three provinces' Mengzhu, while I only have Fujian, one province. Compared to your Tian Di Hui, how much does my Zheng Family worth? I am only a tiny Fujian Province's Mengzhu, but you are the Central Military Strategist of the 'Weeding-out the Traitors Alliance'. Don't you realize you are crawling over my head? How can there be Fu Wang in your heart?”

”Er Gongzi, please reflect carefully,” Chen Jinnan said, ”Subordinate founded the Tian Di Hui under the order of the late Guoxing Ye [Koxinga] with the purpose of driving off the Tatars. Tian Di Hui is an integral part of Wangye, there is no distinction between what's ours and what's Wangye's. In all Tian Di Hui's affairs, subordinate always report everything to Wangye.”

With a cold laugh Zheng Keshuang said, ”Your Tian Di Hui only knows Chen Jinnan, how could they know there is still Zheng Family of Taiwan? Supposing Tian Di Hui succeeded in expelling the Tatars, the ruler of this world would be you, Chen Jinnan, not any of our Zheng family.”

Chen Jinnan said, ”What Er Gongzi just said is not right. After we drive off the Tatars, together we will present the Great Ming royal family's descendant surnamed Zhu to be the ruler.”

”Your speech is beautiful,” Zheng Keshuang said, ”This moment you do not have surnamed Zheng in your eyes at all, how can you have surnamed Zhu in your eyes in the future? I want you to break your own arm, you simply don't want to obey my command. This time I came from Hejian Prefecture, along the way I met with not a few calamities, yet I did not see a single soldier a single troop from Tian Di Hui coming to protect me. If not for Feng Shifu striving to save me, I don't know if by this time I was still alive. You are eager to see my demise; if that's your desire, then already death cannot wipe out your crimes. Humph, you can only lick my Gege's behind, you don't usually have me in your eyes.”

Chen Jinnan said, ”Da Gongzi [big/first young master], Er Gongzi are brothers, subordinate serve both the same; how could I dare to be partial?”

Zheng Keshuang said, ”Someday my Gege will be the Wangye. How can we, brothers, be the same in your eyes?”

Listening to this point, Wei Xiaobao understood for the most part. He mused, ”This fellow is struggling over the Wangye position with his Gege, he is blaming Shifu for supporting his Gege. With Feng Xifan's instigation, he is trying to get rid of my Shifu.”

He heard Zheng Keshuang continued, ”Your power in the Central Plains is so big anyway, it would be better for you to just kill me.”

Chen Jinnan said, ”Er Gongzi confronts me like this, it's hard for subordinate to explain. Why don't we go back to Taiwan? We'll see Wangye, and heard what Wangye has to say. If Wangye wants to kill me, how can I dare to disobey?”

”Humph,” Zheng Keshuang snorted, seemingly at a loss on how to answer him. He was afraid to have direct confrontation with Chen Jinnan in front of his father.

Feng Xifan coldly said, ”I am afraid as soon as Mr. Chen leave this place, if you don't surrender to the Tatars and betray Er Gongzi, then you'd fly your banner on a solitary tree, declaring yourself as the king, and will no longer return to Taiwan.”

Chen Jinnan angrily said, ”Just now you attacked sneakily and injured me, was it under Wangye's command? Where is Wangye's written order?”

Fengxifan said, ”Wangye's written order says that in the Central Plains Er Gongzi is to act at his discretion. You don't accept Er Gongzi's order, that means you are rebelling against Wangye, everybody has the right to punish you.”

Chen Jinnan said, ”Er Gongzi is perfectly all right, it is you who sow dissension. Guoxing Ye began the undertaking with great hardship and has succeeded in establishing good foundation. I am afraid it will be ruined in the hands of lowly, treacherous people like you. Although you, surnamed Feng, have unparalleled martial art skill under the heavens, do you think I am afraid of you?”

Feng Xifan sternly said, ”So, you are blatantly rebelling against the Yan Ping Wang Mansion?”

In a loud and clear voice Chen Jinnan said, ”I, Chen Yonghua, have a red-bellied devotion to Wangye. The word 'rebel' should never be slandered against me.”

Zheng Keshuang shouted, ”Chen Yonghua is rebelling, arrest him!”

”Yes,” Feng Xifan complied.

And then a series of 'clang, clang' was heard as the weapons collided with each other; the three of them began to fight. Chen Jinnan called out, ”Er Gongzi, please move aside, subordinate cannot fight with you.”

”You cannot fight with me? You cannot fight with me?” Zheng Keshuang asked the question twice, his weapon also rang twice. Apparently with each question he hacked his blade toward Chen Jinnan once.

Wei Xiaobao was greatly anxious; quietly he raised the coffin lid about a cun so that he could look out. He saw Zheng Keshuang and Feng Xifan attacked Chen Jinnan from left and right. Chen Jinnan held the sword with his left hand, while his right arm drooped down with blood constantly trickling to the ground from the wound inflicted by Feng Xifan's sneak attack earlier.

Feng Xifan's sword moved extremely fast, Chen Jinnan resisted with everything he had. Zheng Keshuang swept his blade across repeatedly, chopping and hacking, but Chen Jinnan did not dare to parry, he was only dodging here and there. Very soon he fell into the situation where he could only take a beating without being able to strike back. Moreover, he moved the sword with his left hand awkwardly, while the wound on his right arm was clearly not light.

Wei Xiaobao was anxious, ”Where are Feng Jizhong, Guan Fuzi, Qian Laoben, and the others? How come not even one come to help? If this fight continues, Shifu will definitely be killed by them.” But the outside was very quiet, the clay-walled shed was noisy with 'bing, bing, bang, bang' of the fierce battle, but unexpectedly the outside seemed to be turning a deaf ear.

He saw Feng Xifan thrust his sword swiftly forward, a powerful strike, Chen Jinnan raised his sword to block, two swords immediately stuck together. Zheng Keshuang waved his saber in diagonal chop, Chen Jinnan leaned sideways to evade. Zheng Keshuang's saber swept across, 'rip' he made a long cut on Chen Jinnan's left leg.

”Ah!” Chen Jinnan cried out; the sword in his hand jerked upward. Feng Xifan seized this opportunity to thrust his sword forward and hit Chen Jinnan's left shoulder.

Chen Jinnan was drenched in blood as he fought desperately; it was hard for him to stay standing, step by step he moved toward the door, with the intention of rushing out to make his escape. Feng Xifan understood his intention, he rushed toward the door first. ”Rebellious thief,” he said with a cold laugh, ”You are still thinking of escaping today?”

Wei Xiaobao was hoping Feng Xifan would walk toward the coffin, so that he could thrust his dagger through the coffin and kill him just like the way he killed the lama at the inn. This move, called 'stabbing people from behind partition board' [ge ban ci ren], was his entire life's special skill, it far surpassed the martial art master's special skill 'striking ox from behind the mountain' [ge shan da niu]. But Feng Xifan was fighting farther and farther away, how could he stab him?

”Rebellious thief,” Zheng Keshuang shouted, ”Still not throwing down your sword and letting your hands be bound?”

Seeing how critical the situation was, Wei Xiaobao decided that even if he had to lose his life today, he had to save his shifu. Tightening up his throat, he made three loud 'zhi, zhi, zhi' noise.

(Book note: Zheng Chenggong [real name of Koxinga] fathered Zheng Jing and the others, ten people. Zheng Jing became the Ming Dynasty's Yan Ping Jun Wang during the first year of Kangxi's reign. He fathered Zheng Keshang, Zheng Keshuang, and the others, eight people. Keshang was the oldest, born of a concubine, and was Chen Yonghua's son-in-law. Later on he became the Jian Guo [country supervisor] heir apparent. The second son Keshuang became Feng Xifan's son-in-law. When Zheng Keshang succeeded the throne, he was barely twelve years old. Our book has these matters only as background, their age are increased considerably, hence there are discrepancies with historical fact.)

When Feng Xifan and the others, three people heard it, they were startled. ”What is it?” Zheng Keshuang asked. Feng Xifan shook his head, but his hand did not slow down the least bit. Wei Xiaobao cried 'zhi, zhi, zhi' again three times. Zheng Keshuang was afraid of ghost, he was trembling with fear. Suddenly he saw the coffin lid opened, a burst of white dust flew out. Immediately the three of them felt their eyes were burning, while an unbearably pungent smells assaulting their noses.

What happened was that usually before the body was entered into the coffin, the coffin would be lined with a large quantity of lime. When Gao Yanchao purchased the coffin, it was already loaded. This moment Wei Xiaobao grabbed a handful of lime and scattered it out. Feng Xifan knew it was not demon or ghost, he quickly jumped over with closed eyes, and leaned forward to thrust his sword into the coffin. 'Pop!' the tip of the sword stabbed the coffin's lid; while he was about to pull the sword to stab again, suddenly he felt pain on the right side of his chest. He knew he had fallen into the enemy's trick; hastily he leaped back to evade, but his back heavily crashed onto the wall. His martial art skill was superb, with his left hand pressed against the wound on his chest, he brandished the sword in his right hand so that 'wind and rain could not penetrate', as a shield in front of his body.

It was actually Wei Xiaobao from inside the coffin launching his move 'stabbing people from behind partition board'. As soon as his attack succeeded, he leaped out of the coffin, clenching the dagger tightly in his hand. He saw Feng Xifan, Zheng Keshuang and Chen Jinnan, three people, were brandishing their saber and swords randomly with their eyes closed tight. He noticed that although Feng Xifan was hit by his dagger, it was not a fatal wound. He wanted to seize the opportunity and gave him another stab, but Feng and Zheng, two people moved their sword and saber in a very tight formation. He really did not dare to recklessly charge forward. The timing was critical, if he waited too long, those two would have wiped the lime from their eyes, and if they could see, it would be really bad for him. Without any definite plan, he simply grabbed another handful of lime, and as soon as he saw either Feng Xifan or Zheng Keshuang moved to wipe their eyes, he would simply scatter the lime onto them. Scattering the lime was another special skill in which he was an expert.

After only throwing several times, Feng Xifan had already figured out the direction of the lime; with the move 'thirsty horse rushing to the spring' he thrust this sword straight forward. Wei Xiaobao was greatly shocked; hastily he ducked down. 'Pop!' the sword pierced the coffin. Wei Xiaobao crawled and rolled away toward the door.

Feng Xifan raised his sword and hacked down on the coffin several times, he still thought the enemy was inside. Actually, based on his martial art cultivation, he would have detected Wei Xiaobao's extremely clumsy exit immediately, but because his eyes were suddenly blinded and his chest wounded, for a moment his mind was in disorder. Moreover, he knew Chen Jinnan's martial art was extraordinary, not inferior to his own at all; with a powerful enemy on the side, his situation was incomparably treacherous. In his fright, he did not realize that Chen Jinnan's eyes were also blinded. He only wished to kill the enemy who attacked him sneakily, and made a quick escape.

After stabbing the coffin several times, he felt that he was piercing an empty coffin. With a move 'thousand rocks vying to be the most beautiful', the tip of his sword stabbed in a flower pattern to shield around his body. He heard to his left there was no sound of weapons splitting the air, immediately he leaped to the left. As soon as his shoulder bumped onto the wall, he stood leaning against the wall. Because of this excessive use of strength, the wound on his chest was bleeding profusely.

He tried to open his eyes a slit, the lime immediately entered his eyes, the pain was difficult to bear. Afraid that he might be blind permanently, he did not dare to open his eyes anymore. With his back against the wall he moved step-by-step, thinking that as long as he followed the wall, he would eventually find the door; as soon as he was out, the terrain would be spacious, then he would have a better chance of escaping.

Wei Xiaobao was standing at the door. Seeing Feng Xifan started to move, he knew his intention; Wei Xiaobao wanted to wait until he reached the door and then give him a stab, but remembering this man's martial art skill was too high, even if he succeeded in stabbing him, at the point of death he might strike with his sword, and then Wei Xiaobao's little life would inevitably be in danger. Thereupon he quietly inserted his dagger about two cun into the doorframe. Seeing Feng Xifan was no more than two chi from the door, he suddenly called out in shrill voice, ”I am he …”

Before the word 'here' left his lips, Feng Xifan had already moved very fast. His sword slashed down, 'dang!' the sword met the dagger, and broke into two. The other half flew up and slash Feng Xifan's forehead before falling down to the ground. Wei Xiaobao had already hidden by the clay-walled shed with his heart thumping wildly.

He heard Feng Xifan's roar and saw him dashing out. Wei Xiaobao returned to the door and saw Chen Jinnan and Zheng Keshuang were still brandishing their sword and saber randomly. With the powerful enemy gone, he did not care much about the Second Young Master of the Zheng Family. ”Shifu,” he called out, ”I have chopped that 'One Sword without Blood' so that now his entire body is full of blood; he has already escaped without a trace. Please come out.”

Chen Jinnan was startled. ”Who is it?” he asked.

Wei Xiaobao replied, ”It's your disciple Xiaobao.”

Chen Jinnan was greatly delighted; he held the sword across his chest, no longer brandished it.

Wei Xiaobao called out, ”Zhang Dage, Li Erge, Wang Sange, you have arrived! Very good, very good! This stinky fellow surnamed Zheng has not put down his weapon and surrendered, let's come together and chop him down into pieces!”

Zheng Keshuang was shocked; he did not know that Wei Xiaobao was bluffing. ”Shifu, Shifu!” he called out. But did not hear Feng Xifan's replying. After slight hesitation, he tossed his saber aside.

”Kneel down!” Wei Xiaobao shouted. Zheng Keshuang bent his knees and kneeled on the ground. Wei Xiaobao laughed aloud. He picked up the saber and lightly pressed it against Zheng Keshuang's throat. ”Stand up!” he shouted, ”Turned right, walked three steps, crawl up, get in!”

For each sentence Wei Xiaobao shouted, Zheng Keshuang followed his order, trembling with fear, until finally he crawled into the coffin. Wei Xiaobao laughed aloud, stepped forward, and pushed the coffin lid. He picked up the bundle of the sutra and slung it over his shoulder. ”Shifu,” he said, ”Let's quickly wash your eyes.” Pulling Chen Jinnan's hand, he led him out of the clay-walled shed.

They only walked for seven, eight steps when he saw Gao Yanchao lying by the flower terrace. Wei Xiaobao was startled, and rushed forward to help him up.

Gao Yanchao said, ”Helping Zongduozhu is more important, subordinate only have my acupoints sealed, otherwise I am fine.” Chen Jinnan stooped down and massaged his back and his waist for a moment, the acupoints were immediately opened.

”What happened to Zongduozhu's eyes?” Gao Yanchao asked.

”Lime,” Chen Jinnan replied.

”We must wash it with vegetable oil,” Gao Yanchao said, ”Don't use water.” Pulling Chen Jinnan's hand, he quickly walked back to the house.

”I'll be right there,” Wei Xiaobao said. He returned to the clay-walled shed, picked up the axe, and pounded seven, eight nails into the coffin's lid. ”Zheng Gongzi,” he said, ”Just lay down and rest for several days. Consider yourself lucky, the ten thousand taels you owe me, I write off at one stroke, you don't have to pay it back.” With another laugh he walked back into the main hall.

He saw Gao Yanchao had finished washing the lime off Chen Jinnan's eyes with vegetable oil; he had also tended the injury on Chen Jinnan's body. Feng Jizhong, Qian Laoben, Priest Xuanzhen, and the others were lying across the floor of the main hall, Chen Jinnan was in the process of unsealing everybody's acupoints.

Turned out Feng Xifan launched a surprise attack. Not only his martial art skill was high, he also caught everybody off-guard. Before Feng Jizhong and the others were able to pull themselves together, he had already sealed their acupoints one by one. They were extremely enraged, but in front of the Zongduozhu they did not dare to curse.

Gao Yanchao told them how by using a trick Wei Xiaobao managed to inflict heavy damage to Feng Xifan; immediately everybody was in high spirit. They said that since that servant was so crafty and evil, they hoped that the lime would blind his eyes permanently.

Chen Jinnan's eyes were still red and swollen, tears still streaming down his face. With a serious expression he said, ”Qian Xiongdi, Gao Xiongdi, go wash the lime from Zheng Er Gongzi's eyes, and invite him here.” Qian and Gao, two people complied.

”Ah!” suddenly Wei Xiaobao cried out and pretended to faint, his eyes were tightly shut.

Chen Jinnan reached out with his left hand to held Wei Xiaobao's arm. ”What happened?” he asked.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”I … I was … scared … scared really bad just now, I was afraid they were going to kill Shifu … now … now my limbs feel weak …”

Chen Jinnan lifted him up and sat him on a chair. ”Just rest for a moment,” he said.

What happened was: Wei Xiaobao knew that scattering lime on people's eyes was a really low act; for this very reason Mao Shiba had given him a good beating in the past. Although the other warriors praised him for his resourcefulness, he thought that as his subordinates, naturally they wanted to flatter him. Shifu was a great hero, great warrior, ten times more so than Mao Shiba, he would surely give him a serious criticism. Thus Wei Xiaobao might as well pretend to faint in front of him, so that he would not punish him, or even if he did, he would be somewhat lenient.

Qian and Gao, two people rushed into the hall in a hurry; they said, ”Zongduozhu, we did not find Zheng Er Gongzi; he must have left.”

Chen Jinnan frowned. ”He left?” he asked, ”And not in the coffin?”

Qian and Gao, two people looked at each other in dismay. There was indeed a coffin in the clay-walled shed, but how could the Second Young Master of the Zheng Family be in it?

”Let's go take a look,” Chen Jinnan said. He led everybody toward the clay-walled shed.

Wei Xiaobao was greatly anxious, he had no choice but to follow them. His hands rubbed his own buttocks while saying in his heart, ”My buttocks, oh my buttocks, if Shifu heard that I forced that stinky fellow into the coffin, you, my old friend, will unavoidably receive several flogging; I am truly sorry.”

When they got to the clay-walled shed, they saw the floor was covered with lime and blood, but indeed neither Zheng Keshuang's body nor his shadow was around. Chen Jinnan clearly heard Wei Xiaobao forcing Zheng Keshuang to enter the coffin, but at this moment the coffin lid was firmly nailed down. His suspicion arose. ”Xiaobao,” he asked, ”Did you nail Zheng Er Gongzi inside the coffin?”

Seeing Shifu's ill expression, Wei Xiaobao hummed and hawed. ”I did not,” he said, ”Perhaps he was afraid Shifu would kill him, he nailed himself inside the coffin.”

”Rubbish!” Chen Jinnan shouted, ”Quickly open the coffin, don't let him die of suffocation. Hurry, hurry!”

Qian Laoben and Gao Yanchao picked up the axe and chisel, and busily pried the coffin nails out. When they opened the lid, sure enough there was someone lying inside.

”Er Gongzi!” Chen Jinnan called out, and reached into the coffin to help the person up.

”Ah!” when everybody saw the person, they all cried out in alarm. Chen Jinnan quickly let go and retreated two steps back. The person fell back into the coffin.

”It's Guan Fuzi!” everybody shouted in one voice. In that split second, everybody was able to see clearly that the person in the coffin was indeed Guan Anji.

Chen Jinnan rushed forward to hold him up again, they saw Guan Anji's eyes were wide open, but he had already met a violent death. His body was still warm though, apparently he had not died long. The people were shocked and grieved. Feng Jizhong, Priest Xuanzhen, and the others jumped outside, but did not see any trace of the enemy.

Chen Jinnan untied Guan Anji's robe, and saw a blood red hand print on his chest. ”Feng Xifan!” he said in choked voice.

Priest Xuanzhen angrily said, ”It is definitely Feng Xifan! This red sand palm is his Kunlun Pai's unique martial art skill. After suffering serious injury, that evil thief must have circled around a moment later. It's really … damn it, it's alright if he wanted to save Zheng Er Gongzi, but why did he have to kill Guan Erge?”

Everybody cursed in rage. Guan Anji's brother-in-law, Jia Laoliu's [Ol' Six Jia] cry shook the heavens and the earth. In his grief Chen Jinnan was silent.

They returned to the hall. Qian Laoben said, ”Zongduozhu, we all know about Er Gongzi and Da Gongzi's struggle over the Wangye position. Our Tian Di Hui has always been impartial in this matter; Da Gongzi is older, naturally we support Da Gongzi. Er Gongzi has always considered you as a nail in his eyes, this time he received Feng Xifan's instigation, and was thinking of seizing this opportunity to get rid of you. Today we have offended Er Gongzi. I am afraid Wangye might believe their slanderous report. Hereafter Zongduozhu cannot return to Taiwan anymore.”

Chen Jinnan sighed and said, ”Guoxing Ye's benevolence to me was very heavy, even with torn body and crushed bones it would be difficult for me to repay his kindness. Wangye has always been wise, plus he is very respectful toward me; he can't possibly harm a loyal and good person.”

Priest Xuanzhen said, ”As the saying goes: distant relation cannot separate flesh and blood relation. Er Gongzi has already determined that our Tian Di Hui refuses to follow Taiwan's order. If even in the Central Plains he was already like this, would he give you any leeway in Taiwan? Their Zheng Family has altogether eight Gongzi, everybody is fighting everybody else to seize the power, our Tian Di Hui does not need to be involved. Zongduozhu, while it's true that we are not Qin Hui, but we are definitely not Yue Fei either

[67].”

Qian Laoben said, ”Zongduozhu is loyal and devoted, and has always served the Zheng Family all your life, yet you were nearly killed by Er Gongzi; no matter what we cannot simply swallow this matter.”

Chen Jinnan sighed again and said, ”A real man's conduct has a clear conscience against the heaven and the earth, whatever other people say, long or short, has nothing to do with him. It's just that I have never imagined such misfortune would befall us. Just now if it were not for Xiaobao's resourcefulness, we all would die a violent death … ay, it's a pity Guan Erge …”

Wei Xiaobao was relieved to hear that his shifu would not investigate the scattering of lime and the nailing of the coffin. Afraid that it was merely a momentary lapse of memory, he decided to change the subject immediately. ”We have made quite some noise,” he said, ”I am afraid all next door neighbors have heard it; if they report to the authorities, I am afraid … I am afraid … We must move immediately.”

”Absolutely,” Chen Jinnan said, ”My mind is in turmoil, unexpectedly I haven't thought about it.”

Right away they all went back to the garden to dig a hole and bury Guan Anji's body. After shedding more tears and kowtowing, they carried their belongings out and left immediately. The Tian Di Hui warriors were constantly on the move around the Capital, moving their residence was a common occurrence. Wei Xiaobao was afraid his Shifu would ask him about his martial art training, he took the opportunity to take his leave and return to the Imperial Palace.

Back at his residence, he bolted the door, and opened the six copies of sutra one by one. Indeed he saw a lot of sheepskin pieces in between the cover of the sutras. He took out the pieces and stitched the cover back to its original state. But after stitching the cover of less than one book he already fed up with it; he thought, ”It would be best if Shuang'er is here. Right this moment she is most likely still outside Shaolin Temple waiting for me. I was captured by Shifu Jiu Nan, this good servant girl must be extremely worried. I must send someone to tell her to come here.” Sewing several stitches later, his eyes grew very heavy; he hid the sutra well and fell asleep.

Early in the morning the next day he went to the Upper Study Room to wait upon the Emperor. Kangxi said, ”I am going to issue an imperial decree tomorrow, sending you to escort Princess Jianning to Yunnan, to be married to that little surnamed Wu.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”It's just a pity that I have not served Your Majesty for several days and I will have to be far away from you.”

Kangxi lowered his voice and said, ”The Empress Dowager has told me a very important matter. This time you go to Yunnan, you may try to take this opportunity to work on it.” Wei Xiaobao complied.

Kangxi continued, ”The Empress Dowager said, that evil maid servant impersonating the Empress Dowager, actually it was part of a great conspiracy: her mission was to find the location of our Manchu's dragon vein, and try to find a way to break it.”

Wei Xiaobao blurted out without thinking, ”That old wh0re's crime is great, her evil extreme!” But then he hastily covered his mouth, realizing that he had cursed with vulgar language in front of the Emperor, unavoidably it was too disrespectful.

Who would have thought that Kangxi did not give it the slightest thought? ”Correct!” he responded, ”That old wh0re is indeed not a 'thing'. The Empress Dowager had to endure disgrace and endure suffering, she would rather die than reveal the secret; only by doing that did the old wh0re's evil scheme fail. With the Heaven's blessing therefore the Empress Dowager is safe and sound until today, and has been able to hold on without revealing this big secret.”

Wei Xiaobao already knew the secret early on, but he said, ”Your Majesty, it would be best if you do not tell me this huge secret. One more person knows about it, the danger that the secret will leak also increases by one part.”

Kangxi praised him, ”You are making good progress; you understand that in everything we must be cautious. However, since the first time you work for me, you have never leaked anything. If I can't even trust you, I can trust nobody else.”

Wei Xiaobao felt that the several hundred bones in his body, each bone was several taels several qians lighter. He kneeled down and kowtowed, while saying, ”Your Majesty trust me this much, even if your servant's tongue is cut, I will not dare to divulge half a word of what Your Majesty is going to tell me.”

Wei Xiaobao pretended to be astonished; he repeatedly said, ”Ah, strange, is there such thing? It's absolutely unthinkable!”

Kangxi continued, ”After the Shezheng Wangye [master king regent] entered the pass, he bestowed eight copies of sutra to the Eight Banners' Banner Commander. Within the Eight Banners, the troops and horses of Plain Yellow, Plain White and Bordered Yellow, three banners are under the command of the Son of Heaven. But the farmland and material belongings of these three banners are still the Banner Commanders' responsibility. The Plain Yellow Banner's copy has always been in Fu Huang's [father emperor] possession, which he took with him to Mount Wutai. Later on he sent you to bring it back and bestowed it to me. Because the Bordered White Banner's Banner Commander committed a crime, the Bordered White Banner's sutra ended up in the Palace, and Fu Huang bestowed it to Empress Duan Jing.”

Wei Xiaobao said in his heart, ”The Old Emperor doted on Empress Duan Jing; naturally he wanted to give the best thing to her. If it were me, if all eight copies ended up in the Palace, I would bestow all to her.”

Kangxi continued, ”The old wh0re murdered Empress Duan Jing, naturally she took hold of her sutra. Oboi was the Bordered Yellow Banner's Banner Commander. When I sent you to search and seize Oboi's home that day, the old wh0re wanted you to find two sutras, one was precisely the Bordered Yellow Banner's, the other was Plain White Banner's.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”If I had known the old wh0re was bad, your servant would have reported to the old wh0re that I could not find it, and quietly presented the sutras to Your Majesty.”

”Yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao said. In his heart he said, ”Flogging my buttocks and that's it? You don't need to be polite!” He asked, ”The Plain White Banner's copy, I wonder where did Oboi get it from?”

Kangxi said, ”He has killed the Plain White Banner's Banner Commander Suksaha, and seized his family property, his belongings, including his copy of sutra. Humph, even death cannot wipe out that rebel's crimes.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”In that case, the old wh0re had three copies in her hands.”

”Only three?” Kangxi said, ”She also sent the Deputy Chief of Imperial Bodyguards Rui Dong to make things difficult for the Bordered Red Banner's Banner Commander Hechabo. At that time I did not know the reason, that fellow Hechabo had always been in collusion with Oboi, so I did not pay him any attention. Now that I think about it, naturally it was to seize his copy of the sutra. And then Rui Dong mysteriously disappeared; the old wh0re must have killed him to close his mouth.”

Kangxi said, ”But if my guess is incorrect …”

Wei Xiaobao busily said, ”Definitely correct.”

Kangxi said, ”… the old wh0re had four copies of sutra in her hands. But there is one very strange thing: Fu Huang bestowed to me that copy of the Plain Yellow Banner's sutra, all along I put it on the table in the Upper Study Room, but suddenly it disappeared. You think who has such a nerve to brazenly come to the Upper Study Room and steal something?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Can come and go the Upper Study Room, and have guts to take a book without permission, only … only …”

”Princess Jianning!” Kangxi said.

Wei Xiaobao did not dare to interrupt; he mused, ”This time indeed you can see things like a deity.”

Kangxi said, ”The old wh0re sent her daughter to steal my copy of the sutra. In that case, she had five copies in her hands.”

”Let us quickly go to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful to search,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”The old wh0re was running away out of the Palace empty-handed, she did not bring anything.” While his heart was pounding madly, ”If this moment the Emperor search my room, even if Xiao Guizi has a hundred heads, all will be chopped down.”

Kangxi shook his head, ”I have already searched carefully,” he said, ”I could not find anything. I only found a monk robe. The old wh0re's good friend was actually a monk. Ha ha, ha ha …!”

Wei Xiaobao started to laugh, but after only two 'ha's, he felt it was extremely rude, so he hastily stopped laughing. Kangxi was still laughing heartily, however, as he said, ”It's just that when that short winter melon ran away, carrying the old wh0re with him, I saw that he had long hair, hence I was surprised. Most likely he was like that palace maid impersonator, his hair was fake. That fellow was short and fat; the old wh0re's man was not a good steal, why did she look for such a short winter melon?”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”That short winter melon's martial art skill was very high. If he was handsome, he might not necessarily have the ability to sneak into the Palace. Last time that fake palace maid was also very ugly.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”You got that right.” After a short pause, he said, ”The other three copies of the sutra are in the hands of Plain Red Banner, Plain Blue Banner, and Bordered Blue Banner, three Banners' possession. The current Plain Red Banner's Banner Commander is Prince Kang, I have already ordered him to present the sutra to me.”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”That night someone stole Prince Kang's sutra, and right now it is in my possession; how can Prince Kang present it to the Emperor? This time that Ol' Kang will be a deep trouble.”

Kangxi continued, ”The Plain Blue Banner's Banner Commander Fu Deng is still young. Just now I asked him, he said that his predecessor, the Banner Commander Jia Kun died during the assault of Yunnan; the funeral arrangement was taken over by Wu Sangui. What Wu Sangui handed over to him was an official seal, several army banners, and several tens of thousands taels of silver. Other than that, there was nothing else.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”The sutra must be embezzled by Wu Sangui.”

”That's right,” Kangxi said, ”For that reason, when you get to Wu Sangui's mansion, carefully investigate this matter, think of a way to get the sutra. That servant Wu Sangui is very crafty, you must never let him know the inside story.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your servant will act according to the situation, will attempt to swindle him to come out.”

Kangxi knitted his brows, he paced back and forth in the Upper Study Room. ”The Banner Commander of the Bordered Blue Banner, Eshuokeha is a big muddled egg, I told him to present the sutra to me, unexpectedly he said that it disappeared a few years ago. I dispatched Imperial Bodyguards to his home to search, no trace. I have already sent him to Tian Lao [lit. heaven prison], and have the people interrogate and torture him well. I want to know whether it was really stolen or did he hide it and unwilling to turn it in.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Perhaps the old wh0re sent someone to embezzle it; I wonder if it was seized by force or was stolen in secret.” He thought, ”I am not slandering the old wh0re; the person who seized it by force or stole it in secret was most likely the short winter melon.” He added, ”Supposing these six copies were obtained by the old wh0re, when all is said and done, where are they?” As soon as he said that, he felt a slight remorse, ”I said it wrong,” he mused, ”I suffer too much losses. I said it was the old wh0re who obtained the six copies of the sutra, while the one who has six copies of the sutra is actually Wei Xiaobao. Won't that mean I am the old wh0re?”

Kangxi said, ”Actually, what is the old wh0re's background? At this moment we do not have any clue. She managed this important matter, there must be someone she conspired with. After she obtained the sutra, she must have smuggled it out of the Palace one by one. I am afraid it will be extremely difficult to recover all those six copies of sutra. Fortunately the Empress Dowager said that to find the Great Qing's Dragon Vein location, one must have all eight copies in one's possession. Even if someone obtained seven copies, as long as one copy is lacking, all seven will be useless. We only have to have the two copies in Prince Kang and Wu Sangui's hands and destroy them, and then there will be peace and security without any trouble. We do not want to find the Dragon Vein; as long as nobody else finds it, that will be enough. It's just that I lost the sutra Fu Huang bestowed to me; if henceforth I cannot find it back, I am really unfilial. Humph, Princess Jianning, that little … little …”

Kangxi could not finish his cursing, in his heart Wei Xiaobao was finishing it for him, ”Little wh0re!”

Kangxi recalled that at that time his father emperor asked Wei Xiaobao to bring back these words: 'In the matters of the world, he must let nature take its course, nothing can be forced. It would be best if he could benefit the common people of the Central Plains. But if the common people wanted us to leave, then from the place we came, there we should come back to.' He also heard Shunzhi saying, 'That our Manchurian Qing is able to conquer the land under heaven, it is solely by the Will of Heaven; in this matter, we are really lucky. We cannot harbor the thought that we will stay in the Central Plains for a long time; we must not let Manchu people destroy everything inside the Pass, because then a single horse will not be able to go beyond the Pass.”

With his mouth Kangxi repeatedly say 'yes', but in his heart he was thinking otherwise, ”The great undertaking of our Great Qing in the Central Plains is getting more and more stable. From now on we ought to open up new territory and expand our lands, establishing a foundation that won't pull out in ten thousand ages; why would we need to prepare a fallback plan? As soon as we have a fallback, it would only bring disaster. Father has left home, his heart is contented, he is standing aloof from worldly affair, no wonder he has that kind of thought.”

As expected, his father continued, ”However, the Regent instructed all Banner Commanders: the fact that there is an enormous treasure buried outside the Pass must never be revealed. Otherwise, if the Manchurian kings, dukes and soldiers knew that there is a fallback plan, when the Han people revolt, they won't be willing to risk their lives in fighting, and then our great undertaking will fail. For this reason, when the Banner Commanders pass on the sutras to the next generation, they can only say that the sutras hide a great secret concerning the Manchurian Qing's Dragon Vein, that if the Dragon Vein is dug and broken, all the Manchurian people will die without a burial site. Hence, first, the later generation of the Eight Banners won't get greedy and sneakily dig the treasure; second, if there is anybody trying to dig the treasure, the Eight Banners would rise together to attack, to do their utmost to stop it. Only the lord of the country one person is allowed to know the real secret.”

Thinking back about the past conversation, he had to admit, ”The Regent indeed had great skill and strategy, his foresight is very true.” Casting a glance toward Wei Xiaobao, he thought, ”Although Xiao Guizi is loyal, I can only tell him about the Dragon Vein, I cannot say anything about the treasure. Someday this boy will grow, there is no guarantee that he won't be greedy. The Empress Dowager told me yesterday, when Fu Huang made up his mind to leave home, he entrusted this great secret to the Empress Dowager, telling her to wait for me to grow up, and then pass on this secret to me. The Empress Dowager was willing to bear humiliation to preserve her life was precisely for this reason. She did not know that I have already gone to Mount Wutai to see Fu Huang. But it was fortunate this way, the Empress Dowager was not killed by the old wh0re.”

Seeing Kangxi pacing back and forth, deep in thought, Wei Xiaobao suddenly had an idea, ”Your Majesty,” he said, ”If the old wh0re was sent by Wu Sangui to infiltrate the Palace, that means he … he has seven copies of sutra in his hand.”

Kangxi was startled; thinking that it was a great possibility. ”Send in the Imperial Clothing Supervisor!” he called out.

After a while, an old eunuch entered the Study Room and kowtowed; he was the eunuch manager [orig. Zongguan] of the Imperial Clothing Supervisors. Kangxi asked, ”Have you found out?”

The eunuch replied, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: your servant has examined it carefully, the material of that monk robe was weaved in Beijing.”

”Hmm,” Kangxi mumbled. Wei Xiaobao understood, ”The Emperor wants to know the short winter melon's origin. The material of his clothing was manufactured in Beijing, so what? He did not find anything.”

The eunuch continued, ”However, the man's undergarment was made of Liaodong Peninsula's cocoon silk, it was the product of Jinzhou [prefecture, Liaoning province] region.”

Kangxi's countenance lit up; he nodded and said, ”Dismissed.” The eunuch kowtowed and withdrew.

Kangxi said, ”Perhaps you are right, this short winter melon may have some connection with Wu Sangui.”

”Your servant does not understand,” Wei Xiaobao said.

Kangxi explained, ”Formerly Wu Sangui was guarding Shanhai Pass, Jinzhou was his territory. Perhaps this short winter melon was his former subordinate.”

”Exactly!” Wei Xiaobao happily said, ”Your Majesty is brilliant, your premonition is definitely correct.”

Kangxi muttered to himself, ”If the old wh0re returned to Yunnan, the danger of your trip may increase by one part. You must bring more Imperial Bodyguards, plus three thousand Valiant Cavalry sergeants.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty, please set your heart at ease. It would be best if your servant can catch the old wh0re and the short winter melon, we can make mincemeat of them and thus venting the Empress Dowager's anger.”

Kangxi patted Wei Xiaobao's shoulder; he smiled and said, ”If you can render this great service, and help the Empress Dowager venting her anger, hey, hey, your age is young, your official position is big, you are going to make things difficult for me. However, we are the young emperor, the young high-ranking minister, a couple of young people managed to accomplish big matters; we let those bunch of old officials be intimidated and stupefied. It's very amusing.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Although Your Majesty is young, your wisdom and foresight has already made that bunch of old 'things' full of admiration in their hearts. After you deal with Wu Sangui, it will be 'before there is no such thing, after there is no one of ancient times' [qian wu lai zhe, hou wu gu ren].”

Kangxi burst out laughing; ”Damn it,” he said, ”It's 'no one precedes, no one follows' [qian wu gu ren, hou wu lai zhe]. You, this fellow, is clever and quick-witted, but without learning or skills, and not willing to study.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed, ”Yes, yes,” he said, ”When your servant has some spare time, I will study well for a few days.”

Actually, Wei Xiaobao's uncouth and illiteracy was what made Kangxi like him more. If Kangxi wanted literate and highly educated chamberlains by his side, he could have as many as he wanted. Day in and day out he heard a lot of good poems, classical quotations and Confucius teachings. Only when talking street talk and day-to-day speech with Wei Xiaobao did he really feel carefree.

Wei Xiaobao withdrew from Kangxi presence. He had just went out of the Upper Study Room when an Imperial Bodyguard came up to him, paid him respect, and said in a low voice, ”Wei Fu Zongguan [deputy chief], Prince Kang wishes to see you; he was wondering if Wei Fu Zongguan have spare time.”

”Where is Wangye?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

The Imperial Bodyguard replied, ”Wangye is waiting for your reply at the Imperial Bodyguard room.”

”Has he come personally?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

”Yes, yes,” the Imperial Bodyguard replied, ”He said he wanted to invite Wei Fu Zongguan to drink wine and watch the opera. He was afraid that His Majesty might have some important matter for Wei Fu Zongguan to do that you, Senior, cannot spare a moment for him.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed. ”Damn it,” he said, ”What 'Senior' am I?”

Arriving at the Imperial Bodyguard room, he saw Prince Kang with a teacup in one hand, sitting on a chair with a blank expression on his face, wrinkled eyebrows, and deep worried look. As soon as he saw Wei Xiaobao, he hastily put down the teacup, scrambled up to pull Wei Xiaobao's hand, and said, ”Xiongdi, long time no see, I miss you like crazy.”

Wei Xiaobao was fully aware that Prince Kang was looking for him because of the lost copy of sutra, but seeing he was this warm, he was quite happy. ”If Wangye needs anything, you can simply send someone to let me know,” he said, ”You want to bestow me with food and wine, won't lowly officer rush over to your place? You are giving me a lot of face like this, you actually come personally to see me.”

”I have prepared an opera troupe at home,” Prince Kang said, ”I was only afraid Xiongdi does not have time. Can we go now?”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Alright, since Wangye is going to bestow a dinner to me, as long as His Majesty did not send me to do anything urgent, even if my own old man died, lowly officer will have to disturb Wangye and eat your food first before doing anything else.”

The two of them left the Palace hand-in-hand, they mounted their horses and rode to the Prince's mansion. Prince Kang entertained his guest lavishly, he treated Wei Xiaobao with utmost respect. This time there was no other guest in his mansion.

After dinner, Prince Kang invited Wei Xiaobao into his study room. He made small talks, praising Wei Xiaobao about being the Emperor's proxy at the Shaolin Temple and amassing countless achievements and virtue, with good result; he also praised him as a young man, but had achieved the Deputy Chief position of the Imperial Bodyguards and Commander position of the Valiant Cavalry Brigade; his future prospect was really unlimited. Wei Xiaobao responded by some humble talk, saying that in the future he would rely heavily on the Prince's support and guidance.

Prince Kang sighed. ”Xiongdi,” he said, ”You and I are family, I don't need to conceal anything from you: your Laoge [old older brother] is facing an imminent catastrophe; I am afraid my life, as well as my family's, will be difficult to protect.”

[68], the person His Majesty put in an important position as someone he could trust; what kind of imminent catastrophe might you be facing?”

”Xiongdi,” Prince Kang said, ”You did not know. When we, Manchurian Qing entered the Pass, the Banner Commander of each Banner was bestowed a Buddhist sutra by the Late Emperor. I am the Banner Commander of the Plain Red Banner, hence I was also entrusted with this gift. Today His Majesty summoned me, asking me to present the sutra the Late Emperor bestowed to me. But … but my copy of sutra, somehow, unexpectedly … unexpectedly it is stolen …”

Wei Xiaobao's entire face looked astonished. ”That's really strange!” he said, ”Stealing gold and silver, I can understand. But stealing sutra? What good does it have? Is the sutra made of gold? Or perhaps fully inlaid with jade, pearls and precious stones, so that it is extremely valuable?”

”It's not that,” Prince Kang said, ”It is only a common sutra. But I was not able to safeguard the item that was bestowed to me by the Late Emperor, it is really disrespectful. His Majesty suddenly wanted me to present it to him, I am afraid he already knew that I lost this sutra and wanted to investigate this matter. Xiongdi, please help me.” While saying that, he stood up and bowed with cupped fist to Wei Xiaobao.

Wei Xiaobao hastily returned the propriety; he said, ”Wangye is too polite, don't you think Xiaoren deserve it?”

With a distressed look Prince Kang said, ”Xiongdi, if you can't find a way to help me, I will have no choice but to kill myself.”

”Wangye is considering this matter too heavily,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Tomorrow I will present a memorial to let His Majesty know about this matter, at most he will punish Wangye by several months of official salary, or perhaps rebuke you openly in front of the other officials; how can there be any life and death situation?”

Prince Kang shook his head and said, ”If only I can keep my life, I am willing to forego my royal status as a prince; even if I have to be a commoner, I will thank the Heaven and thank the Earth, and will be perfectly contented. Because of losing the sutra bestowed to him, the Banner Commander of the Bordered Blue Banner Eshuokeha was put into Tian Lao yesterday. I heard he received a lot of beating. His Majesty sent people to interrogate him severely, to find out where did that copy of sutra go?” While saying that, his facial muscle twitched, apparently he was imagining the miserable and ruthless torture he would experience if he was sent to Tian Lao.

”I did,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”That servant Oboi had the sutra in his bedroom, in a hole on the floor; it took quite some efforts for me to find it. What's so strange about this sutra anyway? I can go to any monk's temple and ask for eight or ten copies for you, then you can present it to His Majesty.”

Prince Kang said, ”The Late Emperor personally bestowed the sutra, it is totally different than ordinary Buddhist scripture from the monk's temple; I can't pass it for the real thing.”

With a solemn expression Wei Xiaobao said, ”If that's the case, then it's a bit troublesome. I wonder what it is that Wangye wanted me to do?”

Prince Kang shook his head and said, ”I really cannot say it; how … how can I ask Xiongdi to so something that will disadvantage our lord?”

Wei Xiaobao struck his chest, ”Wangye might as well say it,” he said, ”You consider Wei Xiaobao as your friend, I will deliver this little life for you; it is yi qi. Very well, you present a memorial to His Majesty, just tell him that I, Wei Xiaobao borrowed the sutra to have a look, but I was not careful and I lost it. These last few days His Majesty liked me very much, at most he will have me flogged, he might not necessarily want to chop my head.”

”Thank you very much for Xiongdi's good intention,” Prince Kang said, ”But I'm afraid it won't work. His Majesty can't possibly believe that Xiongdi would want to borrow the sutra to have a look.”

Wei Xiaobao nodded. ”Although I have been a monk once, but I don't know any character even if it is as big as a watermelon. I am afraid His Majesty won't believe that I borrowed the sutra to read it. We must find another way.”

Prince Kang said, ”I was thinking of asking Xiongdi … of asking Xiongdi … asking Xiongdi …” He said 'asking Xiongdi' three times but did not finish; he only looked at Wei Xiaobao, watching for his reaction.