Chapter - 34 (34) (1/2)

Rise and fall of a document to take care of restoring the deer, thousand years of ash to take the great wild goose from the deep by force.

Shortly afterwards the two boats drew close to each other. The Tian Di Hui brothers pushed Zheng Keshuang out.

”His granny,” Wei Xiaobao cursed, ”You murdered Tian Di Hui brothers, and wanted to harm Tian Di Hui Zongduozhu; I must cut your chest and open your belly. Hot piece mama, you know very well that Ah Ke is my wife, yet you dare to fool around with her.” While saying that, he stepped closer and 'slap, slap, slap, slap', he slapped him on the face from left and right four times.

Zheng Keshuang had drunk a lot of river water, he had lost the will to resist; seeing Wei Xiaobao's devilish appearance, he begged, ”Wei Daren, please consider my father's face and spare my life. From this day forward, I … I will no longer dare to speak one sentence to Miss Ah Ke.”

”What if she speaks to you?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

”I will not reply,” Zheng Keshuang said, ”Otherwise … otherwise …” Whatever it was, momentarily he was not able to decide.

”You speak like you fart,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I'd better cut your tongue first, so that even when you want to speak to Ah Ke, you won't be able to.” While saying that, he pulled his dagger, and then shouted, ”Stick out your tongue!”

Zheng Keshuang was greatly alarmed. He hastily said, ”I won't speak with her; if I speak even one word, I am a scoundrel ”

Wei Xiaobao was afraid Chen Jinnan might punish him, hence did not really dare to kill Zheng Keshuang. ”In the future, if you ever be rude to Tian Di Hui Zongduozhu and brothers later, if you ever dare do some dubious thing to my wife, thinking to make a green hat for laozi to wear, laozi will insert a sword into your adulterer head.” He raised the dagger and lightly tossed it forward. The dagger went straight into the bow of the boat.

”I don't dare, I don't dare,” Zheng Keshuang hastily said, ”I will not dare to do that anymore.”

Wei Xiaobao turned his head toward Ma Chaoxing and said, ”Ma Dage, it was your Latter Family Hall who caught him, please deal with him.”

Ma Chaoxing sighed and said, ”Guoxing Ye [Koxinga, lit. 'Master of Guoxing'] is such a hero, his grandson is actually a good-for-nothing kid.”

Wu Liuqi said, ”When this man returns to Taiwan, he would surely make things difficult for Zongduozhu, we'd better cut him into two, then I guarantee we won't have any future trouble.”

Zheng Keshuang was greatly alarmed. ”No, it won't happen,” he busily said, ”When I return to Taiwan, I will ask my father to make Chen Yonghua, Mr. Chen an officer, a very high-ranking officer.”

”Humph,” Ma Chaoxing snorted, ”Do you think Zongduozhu will like that?” Lowering his voice, he said to Wu Liuqi, ”This man is Zheng Wangye's son; if we kill him, I am afraid the charge of 'killing the master' will fall upon Zongduozhu.”

Tian Di Hui was founded by Chen Yonghua under Zheng Chenggong's [Koxinga's real name] order. Chen Yonghua was the head of Tian Di Hui, but he was still an officer under the Taiwan's Yanping Jun Wang. If the Society brothers killed Yanping Jun Wang's son, although Chen Yonghua was not present, he would not escape responsibility.

Wu Liuqi thought he was right; pulling with both hands, he snapped the ropes binding Zheng Keshuang. Standing him up, Wu Liuqi shouted, ”Get lost!” and threw him to the shore. Immediately Zheng Keshuang flew out as if he was soaring over the clouds or riding on the mists, crying out 'wah, wah' while still in the air; he must have expected that when he dropped, his muscle would be broken and his bones fractured. Who would have thought that as his butts landed on the ground, he slid over a grassy lawn? Although his body was aching from the shock, he was not injured at all. Quickly he crawled up and ran away. Wu Liuqi and Wei Xiaobao roared in laughter.

Ma Chaoxing said, ”This fellow disgraced Guoxing Ye's face.”

Wu Liuqi asked, ”How did this fellow murder our Society brothers and harm our Zongduozhu?”

”It's a long story,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Let's go ashore, Xiongdi will tell Dage in details.” Looking at the horizon, he said, ”There are black clouds over there, I am afraid heavy rain is coming; let us come ashore quickly.” A burst of strong wind came, it blew everybody's clothes that it made rustling noise; they mouths and noses were blown by the wind.

Wu Liuqi said, ”This storm will be most likely a big one, let us sail to the middle of the river, we can drink wine and talk in the midst of big wind, big rain; it must be very interesting.”

Wei Xiaobao was shocked; he hastily said, ”This little boat may not be able to withstand the wind; if it capsized, won't it be bad?”

Ma Chaoxing smiled. ”No need to worry about that,” he said. Turning his head around, he gave the boatman some orders; the boatman complied, he went to the bow and raised the sail.

By this time the wind was picking up speed, the sail received the full force of the wind, like an arrow the boat sailed to the middle of the river. The waves billowed, the small boat went up and down abruptly, the water from the river splashed into the cabin. Wei Xiaobao bore the nickname 'little white dragon' in vain, since he did not have any water skill. While it's true that he was still 'little', and by now his face was 'white' from the terror, apparently he had nothing to do with the character 'dragon'.

Wu Liuqi laughed and said, ”Wei Xiongdi, I don't have any water skill either.”

Wei Xiaobao was greatly surprised. ”You can't swim?” he asked.

Wu Liuqi shook his head, ”I never learn,” he said, ”As soon as I saw water, I am dizzy and light-headed.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Then … then why did you tell the boat to sail to the middle of the river?”

Wu Liuqi laughed and said, ”Everything in the world, the more frightening it is, the more I wanted to try it. The worst that could happen is that the billow will overthrow the boat, then everybody will become Liujiang River ghosts; it's not such a big deal. Besides, Ma Dage's nickname is 'Xijiang Divine Dragon

[19]'; how excellent do you think his water skill is? Ma Dage, let us agree in advance: if the boat did capsize, you must rescue Wei Xiongdi first, and then rescue me next.”

Ma Chaoxing laughed. ”Alright,” he said, ”It's a deal.” Wei Xiaobao felt slightly better.

Presently the wind and waves were getting stronger, the little boat was tossed around, sometimes it went up more than a zhang into the air, and then suddenly dropped straight down as if the boat was heading to the bottom of the river. Wei Xiaobao was thrown up, and then 'bang!' he landed heavily on the cabin's floor. ”My goodness; that was serious!” he cried out in a shrill voice.

The sail made a loud flapping noise, the rain poured down, followed by a burst of gale, blowing the lanterns on the bow and the stern of the boat off; the lantern inside the cabin also went off. Wei Xiaobao cried out again, ”Aiyo, not good!” From inside the cabin he peered outside, and saw the surface of the river was white with the surging waves. The wind was strong, the rain heavy; there was grandeur in the power of nature.

”Xiongdi, don't be afraid,” Ma Chaoxing said, ”This storm is indeed violent, I will take the helm.” Walking to the stern, he shouted at the boatman, ordering them to go into the cabin. The storm was usually bad, the two boatmen had just reached the mast when they were blown by the wind that they nearly fell into the river. They held on to the mast tightly and did not dare to let go.

In the big storm, the boat was suddenly blown that it leaned to one side. Wei Xiaobao was thrown to the left; he screamed in terror, while in his heart he cursed, ”This is the old beggar's damned weird idea. You yourself don't know how to swim, you don't want to go someplace else to play, yet you are going to this gale and heavy rain in the river to play a joke? The wind is big the rain is big, your Mama's belly is also big.”

The gale brought torrential rain with it. Burst after burst of rain invaded the cabin. Wei Xiaobao was already drenched from head to toe. Suddenly they heard loud crashing noise, the sail mast broke, the hull leaned to the side. Wei Xiaobao was thrown to the right. 'Crash!' his head bumped onto the small table. Suddenly he had a thought, ”I have not been unfair to Hu Dage, why should I be drowned to death in Liujiang River today? Aiyo, that's right, when I made that oath, I was having evil designs in my heart that someday I would cheat on him. Jade Emperor, Yan Wang of the Ten Palace, Guanyin Bodhisattva who helps those in distress, with all sincerity Wei Xiaobao wants to enjoy blessing and endure hardship together with Hu Dage. But what blessing would we enjoy together? If he marry Chen Yuanyuan … could it be that I will also …”

Amidst the wind and the rain, suddenly he heard Wu Liuqi opened his mouth and sang loudly, ”Walking to the waterfront, the heart is filled with resentment, but to whom can I talk to? Old tears are blown by the wind, a lone city walls, the eyes piercing the distance hoping for a rescue, exerting all my strength to destroy the troops in bloody battle. Jumping out the tight encirclement, longing with grief of the old country, who knew the song would end leaving the bamboo mat empty? Along the Chang Jiang [Yangzte River], the head in Wu and tail in Chu in three thousand journeys, home exhausted the surname left behind, the rain turns over the cloud changes. Cold wave rolls up to the east, everything is handed over to the smoke in the air. The spirit moves in a prominently big way, the voice pursues the horizon where the sea meets the sky.”

The sound of singing was carried far on the surface of the river; although the wind and the rain were loud, they could not suppress his voice. From the stern Ma Chaoxing did not stop cheering. He called out, ”What a good verse! The voice pursues the horizon where the sea meets the sky!”

Listening to him singing fervently, Wei Xiaobao did not understand what he was singing about. He cursed in his heart, ”You have such a nice voice, why don't you go up the stage and become an actor [orig. 'hua mian' – flowery/fancy face]? The Old Beggar, with a loud voice calls, 'Master, Madame, please give alms some leftovers and cold rice', then you won't die hungry.”

Suddenly from the distance someone with a clear and resonant voice called out, ”Throughout the ages the Southern Dynasties' words were passed on, grieving heart and tears of blood scattered on mountains and plains.”

The call was coming from a very far distance, yet in the mid of storm it was heard very clearly; obviously that man's internal energy was very profound. Wei Xiaobao was startled. He heard Ma Chaoxing called out, ”Is that Zongduozhu? Xiongdi Ma Chaoxing here.”

”Precisely,” from the other side came the reply, ”Is Xiaobao there?” It was indeed Chen Jinnan's voice.

Wei Xiaobao was pleasantly surprised. ” Shifu,” he called out, ”I am here.” But in that storm, how could his voice travel far?

Ma Chaoxing called out, ”Wei Xiangzhu is here. We also have Great Obedience Hall's Red Banner's Wu Xiangzhu.”

”Wonderful!” Chen Jinnan replied, ”No wonder he sang a song on the river, his voice resounding into the clouds.” From his voice it was evident that he was genuinely happy.

Wu Liuqi said, ”Subordinate Wu Liuqi pays his respect to Zongduozhu.”

”We are all brothers here,” Chen Jinnan said, ”No need to be polite.” His voice sounded closer, the boat he was riding was approaching fast.

The storm had not abated, from inside the cabin Wei Xiaobao looked out, the river was pitch black, with only a dot of light slowly moving on the river's surface toward them, Chen Jinnan's boat still had a lantern on it.

After quite a while, the lantern arrived near them. The bow of their boat sank slightly; Chen Jinnan had already jumped onboard. Wei Xiaobao thought, ”Shifu is here, this time my little life will be saved.” He rushed toward the cabin entrance, but in the darkness he could not see Chen Jinnan's face, so he only called out again, ”Shifu!”

Chen Jinnan pulled his hand and dragged him back into the cabin. ”This storm is really bad,” he said with a laugh, ”Are you scared?”

”Not bad,” Wei Xiaobao replied.

Wu Liuqi and Ma Chaoxing also entered the cabin to pay their respect. Chen Jinnan said, ”I went into the city, and was told that you went to the river, hence I came to look for you. I did not expect the storm to be this bad. If it were not for Wu Dage singing loudly, I would never found you.”

Wu Liuqi said, ”Subordinate's spirit was aroused, I was only incurring Zongduozhu's ridicule through my poor performance.”

Chen Jinnan said, ”We, brothers, match each other. The song Wu Dage sang, was it the 'Sinking in the River' from the play 'Peach Blossom Fan'?”

”Precisely,” Wu Liuqi said, ”This song was written about the history of Ge Bujing who loyally fought the enemy, and sacrificed himself by drowning in the river. Xiongdi usually love to listen to this song the most. This time the storm flared up on the river, I could not stop myself from singing it.”

”You sang very well,” Chen Jinnan praised, ”Indeed very good.”

Wei Xiaobao mused, ”Turns out this song is called 'Sinking in the River'. Why didn't you sing form a good play, but sang this bad luck play instead? If you want to sink into the river, please excuse Xiaodi for not keeping you company.”

Chen Jinnan said, ”The other day on the Jiaxing boat, Zhejiang, I heard Mr. Huang Zongxi, Mr. Lu Liuliang, and Mr. Zha Yihuang, the three Jiangnan scholars telling me about Wu Xiong's past achievements; Xiongdi was full of admiration. Although you and I are brothers of the same Society, Xiongdi has so many complicated businesses I need to take care of; all along I failed to pay you a visit in Guangdong. Wu Xiong's capacity is unusual, you cannot come to the north either. Unexpectedly today we can be together here; this is indeed a great comfort in my life.”

Wu Liuqi said, ”Ever since Xiongdi entered Tian Di Hui, there was not a day I did not wish to see Zongduozhu. There is a saying in Jianghu, 'Whoever never knew Chen Jinnan, he calls himself a hero in vain.' Starting today, I can call myself a hero. Ha ha, ha ha …”

Chen Jinnan said, ”Jianghu friends praised me too much, I am really ashamed.”

The two of them were genuinely happy to see each other, there was instant bond between them as they talked freely about their long life's aspiration; immediately they forgot the wind and the rain outside the boat.

After chatting for a while, the storm gradually subsided. Chen Jinnan asked about Wu Sangui's affair, Wei Xiaobao told him everything in thrilling details, unavoidably he added spices and soy paste; as well as everything else they had been through, so that it was the first time even for Ma Chaoxing to hear about it. Chen Jinnan was very delighted to hear that they had obtained the Mongolian emissary Hantiemo, a conclusive proof that Wu Sangui would definitely raise arm to rebel. When he heard about Luocha Country was going to respond Wu Sangui from the north by seizing a large of territory outside the Pass, he could not help knitting his brows and did not say anything for half a day.

”Shifu,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Luocha Country people have red hair and green eyes, those we do not need to be afraid, at most we won't look at their faces too much and that's the end. Their firearms, however, are very formidable. When their guns explode, no matter what kind of hero or warrior you are, you won't be able to withstand.”

”That is the reason I am worried,” Chen Jinnan replied, ”Wu Sangui and the Tatars fighting each other until both sides suffer, that is exactly the golden opportunity bestowed by the Heaven to restore our Han people's mountains and rivers. However, we drive the tiger out from the front door, and let the wolf come in from the back door. We drive away the Tatars, the Luocha Country, who is more ferocious that the Tatars, will come and occupy our beautiful rivers and mountains. How can that be good?”

Wu Liuqi asked, ”Is there really nothing we can do to handle the Luocha Country's firearms?”

”There is one person,” Chen Jinnan replied, ”I may introduce him to the two gentlemen.” Walking to the cabin's mouth, he called, ”Xingzhu, come over here.”

From the opposite boat someone replied, ”Yes.” He leaped onboard and entered the cabin. He bowed slightly toward Chen Jinnan. This man was about forty years old, his stature was thin and small, his face carried a heroic expression.

Chen Jinnan said, ”Please meet Wu Dage, Ma Dage. And this is my disciple, surnamed Wei.” The man bowed with cupped fist. Wu Liuqi and the others stood up and returned the propriety.

Chen Jinnan said, ”This is Lin Xingzhu, Lin Xiongdi. He has been in Taiwan working with me, a very competent man. When Guoxing Ye defeated the red-haired devils in the past and captured Taiwan, Lin Xiongdi has rendered great merit.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Lin Dage has fought with the red-haired devils; that is very good. Luocha devils have firearms, the red-haired devils also have firearms. Lin Dage must have a way to deal with them.”

Wu Liuqi and Ma Chaoxing applauded together; they both said, ”Wei Xiongdi's brain is very quick.”

At first Wu Liuqi did not take Wei Xiaobao seriously, he thought that it was only because he was the Zongduozhu's disciple that he achieved such a high position as the Xiangzhu of the Green Wood Hall. Although for the past few years the Green Wood Hall had accomplished not a few meritorious deeds, it was not necessarily because of this young fellow. Seeing him to be infatuated with Ah Ke, his despise was elevated by several degrees. However, this time he could not help but admiring him, ”This little baby can see matters very quickly, he must have some ability.”

Chen Jinnan smiled and said, ”When Guoxing Ye attacked Taiwan in the past, the red-haired devils' firearms were very formidable, it was indeed extremely difficult to withstand. At that time we built earth embankment, encircling several thousands of the red-haired troops in the city. We cut the water supply to the city, so that they had no water to drink. The red-haired troops could not endure anymore, they charged out of the city. We did not fight during the day, we only engaged them at night. Xingzhu, why don't you tell everybody how we fought the battle?”

Lin Xingzhu said, ”Our Jun Shi's [lit. army master – military strategist] divine strategy was very clever …” Chen Jinnan was serving Zheng Chenggong as his military strategist, and was able to render great merit, hence the armed forces called him the 'Jun Shi'.

”Jun Shi?” Wei Xiaobao questioned. He saw Lin Xingzhu was looking at Chen Jinnan, his Shifu smiled; immediately he understood. ”Ah,” he said, ”Shifu, turns out you are Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Jun Shi defeated the rattan-armored troop, Chen Jun Shi defeated the red-haired troop.”

Lin Xingzhu said, ”Guoxing Ye offered sacrifice on the river on the first day of the second month of Yong Li's fifteenth year, leading all civil and military officials, personal guards and armed self-defense troops. They sailed on battleships, from Ke Luo Bay out to the ocean, and reached Penghu [county, Pescadores Islands, Taiwan] twenty-four days later. By the first of the fourth month they arrived at Taiwan's Lu Er Men [lit. deer ears gate]. There was sandbar outside the Gate, several dozen li long, the red-haired troops drilled holes on their ship and scuttled it to block the harbor, our battleship could not enter. While we were at a loss of what to do that time, suddenly the tide sharply rose, the soldiers' cry of joy shook the heavens, our battleships rode the water and went ashore at the naval base port. The red-haired troops opened fire. Guoxing Ye told everybody that if we retreated a single step and were driven back to the ocean, it would mean we die without a burial site. Although the red-haired devils' firearm was formidable, everybody charged forward courageously. The troops followed the order together, with Jun Shi personally led the assault. Suddenly, there was an explosion by my ears, as if several hundreds or thousands thunderclap struck together, a row of the brothers in front fell down. We panicked and ran away.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”The first time I heard the red-haired gun exploded, I was also so scared that I collapsed and lost my mind.”

Lin Xingzhu said, ”Just as I was moving my hands and feet in confusion like a fly without a head, I heard Jun Shi's loud voice, 'After red-haired devils fire their guns, they must reload the gunpowder and the bullet, everybody charge!' I hastily led the brothers to charge forward. Sure enough, for a short while the red-haired devils could not open fire. However, we have just charged forward, the red-haired devils opened fire again. I immediately rolled down on the ground to evade, not a few brothers were killed. There was no other way; we were forced to retreat. The red-haired devils did not dare to pursue. Several hundred brothers died in this battle, we were all crestfallen. Thinking about the red-haired devils' firearms, 'our heart was alarmed, our flesh leaping'.”

”And then Jun Shi figured out an ingenious plan?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

”That's right!” Lin Xingzhu shouted, ”That evening, Jun Shi came to me and asked, 'Lin Xiongdi, you are a disciple of Mount Wuyi's [in Fujian] Di Tang [paradise terrestrial] School, are you not?' I said yes. Jun Shi said, 'When the red-haired devils opened fire earlier, you immediately rolled down on the ground; your movement was very nimble.' I was extremely ashamed; I said, 'Reporting to Jun Shi: Xiao Jiang [little/lowly general – referring to self] will not dare to be greedy for life, afraid of death anymore. In the battle tomorrow, I will definitely not dare to roll around to evade, and thus damaging our Great Ming's officers and men's power and prestige. Otherwise, you may just chop my head.'”

”Lin Dage,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”My guess is that Jun Shi did not blame you for being greedy for life, afraid of death; he was praising the way you rolled around to evade as very good, and he wanted you to impart that skill to the other brothers.”

Chen Jinnan cast him a glance; there was a hint of smile on his face, apparently he was praising his disciple. Lin Xingzhu slapped his thigh and loudly said, ”That's right. You are Jun Shi's disciple, indeed brilliant master produces brilliant student …”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”You are my Shifu's subordinate, indeed there are no weak soldiers under a capable general.” Everybody laughed.

Lin Xingzhu continued, ”That night Jun Shi indeed instructed me just that. He said, 'You must not misunderstand my meaning. I think your Yan Qing [lit. swallow green] Eighteen Tumble, Flying Squirrel on the Grass' style will be very useful; you can roll to the enemy, and then use the saber to hack their legs. How's your mastery of Di Tang Saber Technique?' When I heard that Jun Shi was not scolding me as a coward who was afraid to die, I was relieved. I said, 'Reporting to Jun Shi: Xiao Jiang did practice some Di Tang Saber Technique. In the past Shifu told me that if I go into battle, I could roll forward and hack the enemy horse' legs; but the red-haired devils do not ride on horses, I am afraid it is useless.' Jun Shi said, 'Although the red-haired devils do not ride horses, we can chop their legs; why can't we?' When I heard that, I suddenly saw the light. 'Yes, yes,' I repeatedly said, 'Xiao Jiang's brain did not work, I did not think about that.'”

Wei Xiaobao smiled; he mused, ”Just because your Shifu told you that this saber technique could be used to chop horses' legs, you assumed it cannot be used to chop people's legs. Laoxiong's [old fellow] brain is really not too bright.”

Lin Xingzhu said, ”And then Jun Shi instructed me to demonstrate the saber technique. He praised my mastery as adequate, he said, 'Your Di Tang School's saber technique, if you had not had ten summers and winters worth of training, you would not have reached this level. But we must fight the battle tomorrow, if we want everybody to train, there won't be enough time.' I said, 'Yes, Xiao Jiang's training in this Di Tang School Saber Technique is not good, but I have indeed trained it for more than ten years.' Jun Shi said, 'We will catch-up by building earth embankment, and defend it with bow and arrow. You will immediately teach the soldiers and generals the technique of rolling and chopping the enemy's legs. If everybody can learn only three or four styles, that will do. You should not need to teach them the profound martial art of Di Tang School.' I accepted Jun Shi's order, and that very same night I taught the troop of our own team. Early in the morning the next day, the red-haired devils attacked. We returned with bows and arrows. Our team had mastered five moves of the Di Tang Saber Technique, in turn they taught the officers and soldiers of other teams. Jun Shi also instructed everybody to cut down tree branches and tie them together as shields to keep off the red-haired troops' lead bullets. Early morning the fourth day, the red-haired troops launched a large-scale attack. We went up to meet the enemy head-on. Rolling forward, we managed to completely rout the red-haired devils. The battlefield was littered with several hundred hairy legs. Even the head of the red-hairs, Chikan City's garrison commander's left leg was also chopped down. And thus this head of the red-haired devils surrendered. Afterwards, when we attacked the defense cities, we also used the same method.”

Ma Chaoxing happily said, ”When we fight the war against the Luocha devils someday, we can use this skill to deal with them.”

”However,” Chen Jinnan said, ”The situation is somewhat different. In those days, there were no more than three, four thousand red-haired troops in Taiwan; we kill one, their number decreases by one. If Luocha troops came to invade, at least there would be several tens of thousands people. If they come in a steady stream, we won't be able to kill them all. What's more, Di Tang Saber Technique can only be used in close combat. If Luocha troops used cannon to bombard us, it would be difficult to withstand.”

Wu Liuqi nodded his agreement. ”In Jun Shi's opinion, what should we do?” he asked. He noticed that when Chen Jinnan introduced him to Lin Xingzhu, he did not address Wu Liuqi as 'Xiangzhu'; presumably because Lin Xingzhu did not belong to Tian Di Hui. Therefore, he also refrained from addressing Chen Jinnan as 'Zongduozhu'.

Chen Jinnan said, ”Our China's land is vast and its people numerous; if there is no traitor who respond to them from the inside, it will be extremely difficult for foreigners to force their way in.”

”Precisely,” everybody said, ”The Tatars occupies our rivers and mountains, they were entirely dependent upon that traitor Wu Sangui to lead the way.”

Chen Jinnan said, ”Nowadays Wu Sangui is colluding with the Luocha Country. When he deploys his troops to rebel, in one vigorous effort we must try to destroy him first. If Luocha Country does not have anybody inside to respond, they will not invade rashly.”

Ma Chaoxing said, ”But if Wu Sangui is defeated too quickly, he won't fight the Tatars until both sides suffer.”

”That is also correct,” Chen Jinnan said, ”But in term of formidable power, Luocha people are more dreadful than the Tatars.”

”That's right,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Tatars also have yellow skin, black eyes and flat nose; not much different than us. Their language is also similar. Foreign devils have red hair and green eyes, plus they talk gibberish; who could understand?”

They discussed the affair of the country for a while. The sky gradually brightened, the storm had also abated. Ma Chaoxing said, ”Everybody's clothes are wet, please come ashore and drink a cup to drive the cold away.”

”Very well,” Chen Jinnan said.

The storm had blown the boat more than thirty li; by the time they returned to Luizhou, it was already almost noon. They all disembarked from the same dock they left. They saw someone rushed over and called out, ”Xianggong [young master], you … you are back.” It was none other than Shuang'er. Her whole body was dripping wet, but her face looked happy.

”Why are you here?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

Shuang'er replied, ”There was a big storm last night, and you were travelling by boat; I was really worried. I only hoped Xianggong would come back sooner safe and sound.”

”And you have been waiting here all along?” Wei Xiaobao asked in surprise.

”Yes,” Shuang'er replied, ”I … I … was worried …”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Worried that the boat I ride on would sink?”

Shuang'er said in a low voice, ”I know your luck is good, your boat can't possibly sink, but … but …”

A boatman standing nearby on the dock said with a laugh, ”This young master, late at night last night, when the storm was the fiercest, wanted to hire our boat to go to the river, saying that he must look for someone. At first he offered fifty taels, nobody took it. And then he offered a hundred taels. Zhang Laosan [ol' Zhang the third] was greedy for the money; he agreed. But as they were about to set sail, 'crack!' the storm blew his mast and broke it. When that happened, nobody dared to go. He was so anxious that he could only cry.”

Wei Xiaobao's heart was touched; he grabbed Shuang'er's hands and said, ”Shuang'er, you are very good to me.” Shuang'er blushed, and lowered her head.

The party arrived at Ma Chaoxing's temporary lodging and changed their clothes there. Chen Jinnan instructed Ma Chaoxing to send his people out to investigate Zheng Gongzi and Feng Xifan's whereabouts. Ma Chaoxing complied. He sent his people to investigate, and then he reported the Latter Family Hall's business.

Ma Chaoxing prepared a banquet and asked Chen Jinnan to sit on the seat of honor, with Wu Liuqi sat on the seat next to him. He asked Wei Xiaobao to sit on the third seat, but Wei Xiaobao said, ”Lin Dage broke through Taiwan, Di Tang Saber chopped the red-hair's ham. He has established such a great merit, even if Xiongdi has to stand up to accompany him drinking, I am most willing. This kind of hero, how could Xiongdi dare to sit above him?” He pulled Lin Xingzhu and had him sit on the third seat. Lin Xingzhu was greatly delighted; he thought that although Jun Shi's disciple was young, he was truly a good friend.

After the banquet was over, the four Tian Di Hui men gathered in the side room to discuss official business. ”Xiaobao,” Chen Jinnan said, ”You have an important matter at hand, this time we, master and disciple, still cannot be together too long. Tomorrow you may head north.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”It's a pity that this time I cannot listen too much to Shifu's instruction. Actually, I also wanted to listen to Wu Dage's heroic exploits, but I have to wait until Wu Sangui is defeated before I can listen to his story.”

Wu Liuqi laughed and said, ”Your Wu Dage does not have any heroic exploits. In all my life, I have actually committed not a few bad things. If not for Mr. Zha Yihuang giving me a lesson, I would have still acted as an accomplice to the tiger, haplessly giving my life for the Tatars.”

Wei Xiaobao took out the foreign-made gun presented by Wu Sangui as a gift, and said to Wu Liuqi, ”Wu Dage, you have travelled far to see Xiongdi, I really can't thank you enough. Please take this Luocha Country's gun as a souvenir.” Actually, Wu Sangui gave him a pair. When Wei Xiaobao was rescuing Mu Jianping, he gave the other one to Xia Guoxiang as a proof. And then in his rush to leave Yunnan, he did not have time to ask it back.

Wu Liuqi thanked him and received the gun. He packed the gunpowder and installed a bullet in it. Igniting the fuse, he aimed the gun toward the front courtyard. There was a spark, followed by a loud bang; the green flagstone on the front courtyard shattered, fragments of stone flew everywhere. Everybody was scared.

Chen Jinnan knitted his brows, thinking, ”Luocha Country's firearms are surprisingly this sharp; if they send troops to invade, it would be really hard to stop them.”

Wei Xiaobao took out four sheets of five thousand taels banknote, and gave them to Ma Chaoxing; he said with a laugh, ”Ma Dage, I will have to bother you to invite your precious Hall's brothers to drink a cup of wine.”

Ma Chaoxing laughed and said, ”Twenty thousand taels? Might be too much. Even if we drink for three years, there will still be some left over.” He thanked him and accepted the gift.

Wei Xiaobao kneeled down in front of Chen Jinnan to take his leave. Chen Jinnan reached out to help him up; he patted Wei Xiaobao's shoulder and said with a laugh, ”You are very good, you become Chen Jinnan's disciple not in vain.”

Wei Xiaobao stood close to him, he could see him clearly; he saw both sides of his temples were graying, his countenance was thin and pallid. Wei Xiaobao thought that his Shifu was always on the go in Jianghu over the past few years, braving the wind and frost and hardships; he could not help but was grieved, and wanted very much to give something to him. He mused, ”Shifu does not want money; jewels, curios or toys he also does not like. Shifu's martial art skill is superb, he won't want my dagger or precious clothes.” Suddenly he said on impulse, ”Shifu, there is something I need to report to you, Senior.”

Knowing that those two, master and disciple had something to discuss, Wu Liuqi and Ma Chaoxing withdrew.

Chen Jinnan was greatly astonished. ”What are those?” he asked.

Thereupon Wei Xiaobao told him everything about the history of these pieces of skin. The more Chen Jinnan listened, the more his face turned serious. He heard about the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, Oboi, the Great Lama of Tibet, the one-armed nun Jiu Nan, the Cult Leader of Divine Dragon Cult, and the others, people with special background, not one of those people did not rack their brains trying to get these pieces of skin. He heard about the secret hidden in these skins involving Manchurian Qing Tatars' dragon vein and large amount of treasure. Not even in his wildest dream would he think about these things. He questioned Wei Xiaobao in details, and Wei Xiaobao told him everything. Naturally some details, like the Cult Leader of Divine Dragon Cult taught him some moves, and that he bowed to Jiu Nan to take her as his Shifu, were skipped.

Chen Jinnan was deep in thought for half a day. Finally he said, ”This package is really no small matter; we, master and disciple, could lead the brothers of our Society to dig the Tatars' dragon vein, take out the treasure, send the troops in an uprising; this is indeed an amazing merit of our age. However, I am about to return to Taiwan to appear before Wangye. If I carry this package with me on the sea back and forth, I am afraid I might lose it. For the time being you'd better keep it. When I am back from Taiwan, I am going to Beijing to see you, and then we will attempt to do this important matter together.”

”Alright!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”In that case, Shifu, please come to Beijing as quickly as possible.”

”Don't worry,” Chen Jinnan said, ”I won't stay a moment longer. Xiaobao, your Shifu has been rushing about all his life, for the sake of conspiring to restore the Ming. I see it with my own eyes that as the days go by, the previous dynasty is gradually fading from the common people's mind. The Tatars' young emperor is running the administration very properly; the great undertaking is getting more and more uncertain. Unexpectedly Wu Sangui is finally going to raise the troops in rebellion, plus you obtained this buried treasure map. This is indeed a huge favorable turn of events.” Speaking to this point, his countenance brightened considerably.

His facial features were actually elegant, but he always appeared to be filled with concerns. This moment his spirit was greatly aroused, Wei Xiaobao was very happy to look at him.

”How is the poison in your body?” Chen Jinnan asked, ”Is it better?”

”Disciple has taken the antidote given by Shen Long Jiao's Hong Jiaozhu,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”The poison is completely neutralized.”

”That's very good,” Chen Jinnan happily said, ”You are bearing the ten-thousand catty of great responsibility of fighting the Qing restoring the Ming on your shoulders, in everything you must take a good care of yourself.” While saying that, he put his hands on Wei Xiaobao's shoulder.

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Disciple is a hideous mess, I don't understand anything. Obtaining these pieces of skin is no more than stroke of luck. Each time it was just like I was being the banker, eating the bounty of the family for free. Heaven's pole eats heaven's pole, departing ten eats departing ten; winning is very easy.”

Chen Jinnan smiled. ”When you get back to Beijing,” he said, ”Bolt your door and close your window at night, slowly piece these skins together, construct the map, and then record the map firmly in your mind, memorize it well. After you can remember it without any mistake, disassemble the pieces of skin, divide it into seven or eight packages, and hide them in different places. Xiaobao, there will always be good things and bad things about someone's luck; you can't expect to always have propitious wind throughout the journey. In such an important matter like this, we must not depend on good luck alone.”

”Shifu is right,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Just like when I play Pai Jiu and become the banker, until now I have won eight plays; if I happen to lose and have to compensate, this package of pieces of skin might be taken away by other people, won't that be a total defeat of an army, a leveling off of my bank? Therefore, after successively winning eight plays, I have to stop being the banker.”

Chen Jinnan thought that this child's gambling character was really strong. He smiled and said, ”It's good that you understand this logic. Winning or losing in gambling is not a big deal. In the important matter we are planning, even if we have to deliver our lives, it is also a common matter. But the object in this package involves the lives and properties of million upon millions of people in the world; you must absolutely not lose it.”

”That's right,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”After I won, I brought the money home, and hid it under my bed. I would chop my finger so that I cannot gamble anymore; that way I will never lose.”

Chen Jinnan walked to the window and looked up to the sky. ”Xiaobao,” he softly said, ”After hearing this news, even if I had to die immediately, my heart is very happy.”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”When I saw Shifu in the former days, he was always in high spirit; why is it this time he is always thinking of dying?” He said, ”Shifu, whatever it is that you have to attend to at the Yanping Wang palace, your heart is not too happy; is that right?”

Chen Jinnan turned around with a surprised look on his face. ”How do you know?” he asked.

Wei Xiaobao replied, ”I can see that Shifu does not appear to be very happy. But I know that in this world, even more difficult things, you have never taken it to your heart. All heroes and warriors of Jianghu are also holding you in high regards. I think that you are not afraid of even the Emperor himself. Throughout the world, only Zheng Wangye, one person, could give you reason to worry.”

Chen Jinnan sighed. After half a day of silence, he said, ”Wangye has always treated me with respect, plus he relies on me heavily.”

”Um, it must be that fellow Zheng Er Gongzi [second young master] who put on damned obnoxious airs and offended you,” Wei Xiaobao said.

”In the past,” Chen Jinnan said, ”Guoxing Ye's kindness to me was as heavy as the mountain. I have early on pledged my life to repay it, to bend to a task and spare no effort in attending to his Zheng family's matters until the day I die. Zheng Er Gongzi is young, he may have said some improper things to me, but I do take it to heart. Wangye's heir apparent is wise and loves the people, but he is born of a concubine.”

Wei Xiaobao did not understand, ”What do you mean 'he is born of a concubine'?”

”That means he was not born to the Wangfei [wife of a 'king', I guess the western equivalent would be a duchess],” Chen Jinnan explained.

”Ah, I understand,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”He was born of Wangye's mistress.”

Chen Jinnan felt that Wei Xiaobao's wording was too vulgar, but remembering that he was uneducated, he did not care too much. ”Right,” he said, ”In the past, Guoxing Ye's death was also closely related to this issue, for this reason Wangtaifei [mother of the 'king'] did not like the heir apparent very much. She repeatedly told Wangye to depose the heir apparent, and set up the Er Gongzi as the heir apparent.”

Wei Xiaobao shook his head vehemently and said, ”Er Gongzi is a useless muddle head, and he fears death; that won't do! This fellow is a scoundrel, useless, a damned son of a b1tch. The other day he was trying to kill Shifu, you, Senior.”

Chen Jinnan's countenance sank slightly. ”Xiaobao,” he reprimanded, ”Clean your mouth a bit! Didn't that mean you were cursing Wangye?”

”Ah!” Wei Xiaobao exclaimed, while pressing his hand over his mouth. ”I deserve to die!” he said, ”I must not curse people with these three characters 'wang ba dan' [s.o.b.] casually.”

Chen Jinnan said, ”Comparing those two young masters, in everything Er Gongzi cannot surpass his Gege; only his facial features are smart, his mouth is sweet, he knows how to make his [paternal] grandmother happy …”

Wei Xiaobao slapped his thigh. ”That's right,” he said, ”Womenfolk don't know anything; seeing a pretty boy who knows how to flatter, they thought he is a treasure.”

Chen Jinnan did not know Wei Xiaobao was referring to Ah Ke. He shook his head and said, ”Wangye has not agreed to change the heir apparent. All the civil and military officials are also urging Wangye not to change his mind. Consequently, while it's true that these two young masters have become estranged, oftentimes Taifei and Wangye, mother and child, are also in disagreement with each other over this matter. Sometimes when Taifei is angry, she would summon us to vent her anger.”

”This old …” Wei Xiaobao started; he was about to say 'old wh0re', three characters [lao biao zi], but managed to stop just in time. Hastily he changed his statement, ”When elderly ladies [orig. lao tai tai] grow old, they become muddleheaded. Shifu, since you cannot solve the Zheng family problem and you cannot offend them, you might as well let each of them sweeping the snow from their own front door, don't care if there is frost on the tiles of their roof.”

Chen Jinnan sighed, ”My life is no longer mine,” he said, ”I have already sold it to Guoxing Ye long time ago. In this life, when you receive kindness you ought to repay. In the past Guoxing Ye has entrusted our country's territory to me, I should be responsible for our country's territory to repay him. Presently the number of capable people by Wangye's side is diminishing with each passing day, I simply cannot cultivate my own moral worth and abandoning him. Ay! The great undertaking is difficult. All I can do is to let this matter runs its own course.” Speaking to this point, he sounded like he had lost any enthusiasm.

Wei Xiaobao wanted to say something to console him, but momentarily he did not know what to say. After a while he said, ”Yesterday we were originally going to …” while saying that, he raised his hand and ran it across his neck, ”… with one knife cutting that Zheng Keshuang into two, to get rid of him completely. But Ma Dage said that if we do that, we may make Shifu lose your standing, you would be charged with something like 'tearing the master' [si zhu] accusation.”

”Yes, 'killing the master' [shi zhu],” Chen Jinnan said, ”Ma Xiongdi is absolutely right. If you killed Zheng Gongzi, how could I have the face to see Wangye? Another day in the next world [orig. nine springs], I will have no face to see Guoxing Ye.”

”Shifu,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Why don't you take me to see this Wangtaifei of the Zheng Family? Disciple has various techniques to deal with this kind of elderly lady.” He thought that since he managed to deal with the fake empress dowager, that even the real Empress Dowager was very obedient to him, dealing with one Wangtaifei should not be any problem.

Chen Jinnan smiled and said, ”Don't fool around!” Holding Wei Xiaobao's hand, he took him out of the room.

[Book note

[20]: Taiwan's Yanping Jun Wang Zheng Jing's eldest son, Keshang, was Chen Yonghua's son-in-law; he was a resolute and decisive man. Zheng Jing appointed him as the heir apparent, and to act as the Regent in military campaigns. As Keshang solidify his power and win public approval, his numerous [younger] uncles and [younger] brothers became resentful of him. They made up a story that his mother pregnancy was with certain Butcher Li. After the deaths of Zheng Jing and Chen Yonghua, Keshang murdered Dong Taifei and his numerous [younger] brothers.]Immediately Wei Xiaobao took his leave from his Shifu, Wu Liuqi and Ma Chaoxing. Wu and Ma, two people, walked him to the door.

”Wei Xiongdi,” Wu Liuqi said, ”Your little servant girl, Shuang'er, I have sworn brotherhood with her, we are now brother and sister.”

Wei Xiaobao and Ma Chaoxing were stunned. They turned their head to look at Shuang'er, and saw her looking down, but her cheeks were blushing; she looked extremely bashful.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Wu Dage is very good at making jokes.”

With a serious expression Wu Liuqi said, ”It's not a joke. My Yi Mei [foster/sworn younger sister] is loyal, righteous and brave; she surpasses men. She is precisely the woman of our generation. As her Gege, I respect her very much. I saw how you swear brotherhood with the 'Hundred Victory Saber King' Hu Yizhi; your brotherhood is very strong. I wanted to follow suit, thereupon I wanted to become the sworn brother of Shuang'er. She said she did not want to, no matter what, saying that she could not climb the social ladder. I told her I am an old beggar, what climbing or descending social ladder? I simply must swear brotherhood with her. She had no choice but to comply.”

Ma Chaoxing said, ”So when the two of you had a private discussion in that room a moment ago, you were talking about this brotherhood.”

”Exactly,” Wu Liuqi said, ”Shuang'er Meizi [younger sister, term of endearment] told me not to say anything about this. Ha ha … becoming sworn brother and sister is just and honorable; why can't I tell anybody?”

Only after listening to him did Wei Xiaobao realize that he was not joking. He looked at Wu Liuqi, and then he looked at Shuang'er, he felt it was very strange.

”Wei Xiongdi,” Wu Liuqi said, ”From now on you must view this Yi Mei of mine in a new light. If you offend her, I will make life difficult for you.”

”No … that's impossible,” Shuang'er busily said, ”Xianggong, he … he treats me very well.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”With a Dage like you supporting her, even the Jade Emperor, the old man Yanluo [Yama, King of Hell] would not dare to offend her.” The three of them roared in laughter. They cupped their fists across their chests and bade farewell.

Returning to their temporary lodging, Wei Xiaobao asked Shuang'er about the sworn brotherhood business. Shuang'er was very bashful, she said, ”That Wu … Wu Ye [master] …”

”What Wu Ye?” Wei Xiaobao cut her off, ”Dage is Dage; you have sworn brotherhood with him, don't tell me it did not count.”

”Yes,” Shuang'er said, ”He said that in his opinion, I am not bad; hence he was determined to become sworn brother and sister with me.” From her pocket she took out the gun and said, ”He said that he did not bring anything good with him; this gun was presented by Xianggong as a gift to him. In turn, he gave this to me. Xianggong, please take it to defend yourself.”

Wei Xiaobao shook his hand repeatedly; he said, ”It was a gift from your Dage, how can you return it to me?”

Remembering Wu Liuqi's conducts had always been beyond other people's expectation, he could not help but clicking his tongue in wonder; he also thought, ”His name is 'Liuqi' [six strange/wonderful/weird]; no wonder, no wonder! I wonder what are the other five?”

The party slowly headed back to the Capital. Along the way Jiu Nan taught Wei Xiaobao a boxing technique, and told him to practice. But Wei Xiaobao was unstable and jumpy, no matter what he just could not concentrate on learning martial art. Jiu Nan told him to demonstrate in her presence, but from her disciple's stance and style, she could tell that he had not learned even half a part of real martial art. She sighed and said, ”Although you and I have a master-disciple relationship, but looking at your temper, frankly you are not a martial art practitioner material. Very well, let's do it this way: our Tie Jian Men [Iron Sword School] have a skill called 'Shen Xing Bai Bian' [divine line hundred changes], it was created by my Enshi [benevolent master] Priest Mu Sang. It is the chief among the qinggong skills in the world. This type of qinggong needs profound internal energy as its foundation that even you will not be able to comprehend. You don't have even one school's skill on you; someday when you meet a danger, how would you deal with it? I have no choice but to teach you a technique with which you can escape.”

Wei Xiaobao was greatly delighted; he said, ”When the soles of the feet can rub oil, fighting is nothing to worry about. If Shifu teach me the technique to escape, definitely no one can overtake me.”

Jiu Nan smiled and said, ”'Shen Xing Bai Bian' is incomparable in the world, in those days its prestige shook Wulin, yet now you only want to use it to rub oil on your feet. If under the ground Enshi knew, he would not want to acknowledge a lacking-prospect grand-disciple like you. However, apart from this, I have no other skill to pass on to you that you can learn.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Shifu accepted a lacking-prospect disciple like me, you have already shown great favor. However, in gambling there are winning and there are losing; this time Shifu's luck is no good and thus have accepted this kind of disciple. It can be considered that you have lost big. Laotianye has eyes; He will bless Shifu so that in the future Shifu will win eight plays in a row, you will accept eight good disciples whose prestige will shake the world.”

Jiu Nan let out a 'hey, hey' laugh; she patted his shoulder and said, ”Those with good martial art skill are not necessarily good people. You don't like learning martial art, it was your inborn nature; we can't force it. Other than your glib tongue, you can be considered my good disciple.”

Wei Xiaobao was greatly delighted, there was a burst of excitement bubbling up in his heart, and on impulse he wanted to give the sheepskin pieces to Jiu Nan; but then he thought, ”I have already given these skin pieces to my man Shifu, I can't give it to my woman Shifu as well. Fortunately both Shifu wish to drive the Tatars away, to recover our Han people's rivers and mountains, it does not matter if I give it to one or the other.”

Thereupon Jiu Nan explained a little bit of the stance and footwork of the 'Shen Xing Bai Bian' that did not require any internal energy foundation. Strange things happened. Generally, when he learned fist technique or palm technique, he would dabble and stop, and was unwilling to train diligently. Toward this escape technique, however, he showed great interest. The whole journey he learned it with keen interest; as soon as he was free, he would practice. Sometimes he would ask Xu Tianchuan, whose qinggong was outstanding, to chase him around, while he would run to the east and flee to the west to evade. Seeing his marvelous movements, Xu Tianchuan was quite impressed. Initially Xu Tianchuan was able to overtake him several times, but as Jiu Nan continuously imparted new tricks, by the time they reached Zhili's border, no matter what Xu Tianchuan was not able to catch him anymore.

Seeing that Wei Xiaobao seemed to have a predestined affinity to the 'Shen Xing Bai Bian' qinggong, Jiu Nan herself was also greatly amazed. She said, ”Looks like you were born with a natural talent in 'escaping without a trace'.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Disciple's training is inadequate. The 'Shen Xing Bai Bian' has become the 'Shen Xing Mo You' [divine line rubbing oil]; in the end it was not a total failure.”

He poured a bowl of fresh tea and presented it with both hands to Jiu Nan. ”Shifu,” he asked, ”Since Shizu [ancestor master] Priest Mu Sang has passed away, in the world today, you, Senior, are the number one in martial art?”

Jiu Nan shook her head. ”I am not,” she said, ”How can I dare to make the claim those six characters 'the world's number one martial artist' [tian xia wu gong di yi] without justification?” She cast her glance outside the window and grimly said, ”There is someone who deserves the title 'the world's number one martial artist'.”

”Who is that?” Wei Xiaobao hastily asked, ”Disciple surely must call to pay my respect.”

”He … he …” Jiu Nan said; suddenly her eyes reddened and she stopped talking.

”Who is this Senior?” Wei Xiaobao asked, ”If by fate someday disciple is able to meet him, I will respectfully kowtow several times to him.”

Jiu Nan waved her hand, telling him to get out. Wei Xiaobao was very baffled; he slowly stepped out, while thinking, ”Shifu's expression is very strange. Could it be that this 'number one martial artist in the world' was her old lover?”

At this moment Jiu Nan's mind was precisely on Yuan Chengzhi, who was ten-thousand li away across the sea. She had fallen in love to Yuan Chengzhi, but Yuan Chengzhi's feeling toward her was different. For more than twenty years this feeling had been buried deep at the bottom of her heart, but this time it had resurfaced due to Wei Xiaobao's provocation.

The next day he came to Jiu Nan's room to pay his respect, but she had already left, and left only a brief note. Wei Xiaobao took the note and asked Xu Tianchuan to read it for him, it says, 'Do your best' [hao zi wei zhi], four characters. Wei Xiaobao felt a twang of heaviness in his heart; he mused, ”I asked Shifu yesterday about 'the world's number one martial artist'; is it possible that my question have offended her?”

One day the party arrived in Beijing. Princess Jianning and Wei Xiaobao went to have an audience with the Emperor together. Kangxi had already received the memorial to the throne, and had issued an imperial decree to allow Wu Yingxiong to come to the Capital to conclude the wedding ceremony. Upon seeing his younger sister and Wei Xiaobao, his heart was very happy.

Princess Jianning threw herself forward and wrapped her arms around Kangxi. Bursting into tears, she said, ”That fellow Wu Yingxiong bullied me.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”That fellow is this brazen, let me spank his bottom later. How did he bully you?”

The Princess cried, ”You ask Xiao Guizi. He bullied me, he bullied me! Huangdi Gege [big brother emperor], you must back me up.” While crying, she repeatedly stomped her foot.

Kangxi laughed and said, ”Alright, why don't you go back to your room and take a rest. I will ask Xiao Guizi.”

Early on Princess Jianning and Wei Xiaobao had decided on how they were going to report Wu Yingxiong's rudeness when they saw Kangxi. As soon as the Princess withdrew, Wei Xiaobao then told Kangxi in details.

Kangxi frowned, he listened quietly until Wei Xiaobao finished. After pondering for half a day, he suddenly said, ”Xiao Guizi, you are very brazen!”

Wei Xiaobao jumped in fright. ”Your servant does not dare,” he said hastily.

”You are in cahoots with the Princess, you dare to deceive me,” Kangxi said.

”I did not,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”How can your servant dare to deceive Your Majesty?”

Kangxi said, ”Wu Yingxiong being rude to the Princess, you did not see it with your own eyes. How could you report to me in this way based on the Princess's one-sided statement?”

Wei Xiaobao mused, ”My goodness, this is serious. The young Emperor is very formidable; he is able to look through the flaw.” Busily he kneeled down and kowtowed, saying, ”Your Majesty can see clearly for ten-thousand li. As how Wu Yingxiong was being rude to the Princess, your servant indeed did not see it with my own eyes; but at that time there were many people standing outside the Princess' window. Everybody could hear it with our own ears.”

”That is even worse,” Kangxi said, ”This man Wu Yingxiong, I have met him twice. He is competent and efficient, a talented individual. Plus he is not too young, I don't know how many good-looking concubines he had in his house; how could he have the audacity to be arrogant and treated the Princess impolitely? Humph, do you think I don't know the Princess' temperament? It must be that she had some disagreement with Wu Yingxiong, and she cut … she cut his damned eggs.” Speaking to this point, he could not help but bursting in laughter.

Wei Xiaobao also laughed; he stood up and said, ”It's not convenient for the Princess to tell this kind of matter in details; your servant naturally did not dare to ask too much. Whatever Princess said, that was what your servant reported.”

Kangxi nodded. ”You are right,” he conceded. ”This fellow Wu Yingxiong has been wronged. Go pass on my edict, tell them to select an auspicious date to conclude the wedding in the Capital. After a full month, they may return to Yunnan.”

”Your Majesty,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Concluding the wedding is not a big deal, that fellow Wu Sangui is about to rebel, you must not let the Princess return to Yunnan.”

Kangxi remained calm and collected; he simply nodded and said, ”So Wu Sangui is about to rebel. What did you see?”

Thereupon Wei Xiaobao told in details how Wu Sangui colluded with Tibet, Mongolia, Luocha Country and Divine Dragon Cult. Kangxi listened with serious expression, he was deep in thought and did not say anything. After quite a while, he finally said, ”That traitor! Unexpectedly he is colluding with that many foreign powers!”

Wei Xiaobao knew early on that this matter is extremely thorny; hence he did not dare to make a sound.

After a while, Kangxi asked again, ”And then what happened?”

Wei Xiaobao told him that they had captured the Mongolian Prince's emissary. He recounted how he pretended to be Wu Sangui's younger son and swindle the emissary into spilling everything; how Wu Yingxiong wanted to seize Hantiemo back by setting the Princess' dwelling on fire, but suffered castration instead; how Wei Xiaobao sent the troops under his command to masquerade as the Palace's guards, and fight in a brothel over some beauties, and thus gave the impression that they killed Hantiemo.

Kangxi was listening leisurely while stretching on his chair; he said, ”That's much more fun.” He continued, ”This man Wu Sangui, I have never seen him. That day there was news spreading in the Palace that when Fu Huang [father emperor] returned to Heaven, Wu Sangui led a massive military force to the Capital to offer sacrifice. I wanted to go see him, several regent ministers wanted to guard against him entering the Capital with his soldiers and suddenly revolted; therefore, they told him to mourn and offer sacrifice outside Beijing, they did not allow him to enter Beijing's city walls.”

Speaking to this point, he stood up, paced back and forth, and said, ”That servant Oboi failed to see this matter clearly. If he was worried that Wu Sangui would enter the Capital and revolt, he only need to issue a decree granting them, father and son, to enter the Capital to worship, while his large army must remain outside the city; what could he possibly achieve? If he did not dare to enter the City, that means his etiquette was lacking. By not allowing him to enter the city, the message was clear: 'We are afraid of your large army, we are afraid that you will enter the Capital and revolt. You must not come in!' Hey, hey, it was a display of utmost weakness! Wu Sangui must know that the imperial court is suspicious and jealous of him and also afraid of him; how can he not know? Perhaps his rebellion scheme was born because of this incident.”

Listening to Kangxi's detailed analysis, Wei Xiaobao's admiration grew from the bottom of his heart. ”Supposing he saw Your Majesty that time,” he said, ”Your Majesty could enlighten him well, maybe he would not dare to revolt.”

Kangxi shook his head. ”At that time I was too young,” he said, ”I did not understand military and national affairs. If I did see him, I would not have any formidable things to say to him, he might rise in rebellion sooner.” And then he inquired in details Wu Sangui's appearance and mannerism. He also asked, ”About that white tiger skin in his study, what exactly is that?”

Wei Xiaobao was greatly surprised; he described the appearance of the white tiger skin, and then said, ”Even small matter like that Your Majesty also knows.”

Kangxi smiled, but did not say anything. He then asked about Wu Sangui's troops and horses deployment, about the temperament and talent of the ten great zongbing [regional commander] under Wu Sangui's employment. In these questions, he seemed to have a detailed knowledge of Wu Sangui's situation; he knew which great general under Wu Sangui was greedy for money, which one was given to lust, which one was courageous, which one was muddleheaded. He clearly understood everything.

Wei Xiaobao was already stunned, now he was full of admiration. ”Your Majesty,” he said, ”You have not been to Yunnan, yet you know about Ping Xi Wang Mansion's inside situation better than your servant.” He suddenly realized, ”Ah, right, you must have sent not a few spies to Kunming.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”This is called 'know yourself, know your enemy, emerge victorious in every battle'. He wholeheartedly wants to rebel, do you think we will simply ignore him? Xiao Guizi, your merit this time is very big, you managed to verify Wu Sangui's collusion with Tibet, Mongolia and Luocha Country. My spies are not able to uncover this big secret. They can only find minor matters, but cannot investigate important matters.”

Wei Xiaobao felt the bones in his body were considerably lighter. ”This is all due to Your Majesty's flood of good fortune fills the heavens,” he said.

Kangxi said, ”Bring that Hantiemo into the Palace; let me interrogate him personally.” Wei Xiaobao complied. Leading ten Imperial Bodyguards, he brought Hantiemo to the Upper Study Room.

As soon as Kangxi saw him, he started questioning him in Mongolian. Hantiemo was surprised to hear his native tongue Mongolian was spoken, but he also felt warmness in his heart. Seeing the grandeur of the Palace, he no longer dared to cover up the truth, he told Kangxi everything he wanted to know 'in fives and tens'.

Kangxi interrogated him for more than four hours; other than about the collusion between Mongolia and Wu Sangui, he also asked in detail about Mongolian military strength and disposition, the monetary, grain and production situation, the mountain and river topography, local conditions and customs, as well as various Mongolian ruling class, the princes and dukes: who were astute, who were mediocre, who had enmity with whom, and who had close relationship with whom.

All along Wei Xiaobao was waiting on Kangxi on the side, listening to these two people talking gibberish incessantly. He saw sometimes Hantiemo looked impressed, some other times he looked afraid, until finally he went down on his knees and kowtowed repeatedly, as if he was expressing a deep gratitude. And then Kangxi ordered an Imperial Bodyguard to take Hantiemo back to prison.

A little eunuch delivered a bowl of ginseng soup. Kangxi received it and drank it. He said to the little eunuch, ”Pour another bowl for Wei Fu Zongguan [deputy chief].” Wei Xiaobao kowtowed to express his gratitude for the kindness shown, and drank the soup.

They heard the sound of footsteps outside the Study Room. A little eunuch appeared and said, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: Nan Huairen

[21] and Tang Ruowang

[22] are here to serve Your Majesty.” Kangxi nodded. The little eunuch called out the notification. Two big and tall foreigners came in, kneeled down and kowtowed before Kangxi.

Wei Xiaobao was greatly surprised; he mused, ”How come we have foreign devils in the Palace? This is really strange.”

After doing their obeisance, the two foreigners both took a scroll from their bosom, and placed the scrolls on Kangxi's desk. The younger one, the foreigner by the name of Nan Huairen said, ”Your Majesty, we are going to discuss about the shooting of the cannon today.”

Wei Xiaobao could hear Beijing dialect in his speech, sharp, clear and fluent; he could not help but exclaiming in surprise. In great amazement he thought, ”Strange, strange, very strange; the devils cannot release foreign fart.”

Kangxi laughed at Wei Xiaobao, and then he turned his attention to the scroll on his desk. Nan Huairen stood by Kangxi's side; with finger on the scroll he made some explanations. Whenever Kangxi saw something he did not understand, he immediately asked.

Nan Huairen talked for about an hour. The other foreigner, the old and white-bearded Tang Ruowang, continued by speaking about astronomy and calendar system; he also talked for about an hour. And then the two of them kowtowed and withdrew.

Kangxi laughed and said, ”The foreigners speak our Chinese language, you were surprised, weren't you?”

”At first your servant felt it was very strange,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”But after thinking about it, I am not surprised anymore. The Sacred Son of Heaven is blessed by a hundred gods. The Luocha Country conspires against you, the Heaven then sent two foreign devils who can speak Chinese language to assist the Sacred Dynasty in manufacturing firearms to sweep away the Luocha.”

Kangxi said, ”Your mind is quick. However, the foreign devils can speak Chinese is not due to divine providence. That old man arrived in China during the Ming's Tianqi Emperor

[23]; he is a German. The younger one is from Belgium, he came during Shunzhi's reign. They are Jesuits clergymen, and came to China to do missionary work. To preach, they need to learn how to speak Chinese.”

”So that's how it is,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your servant has always been worried that Luocha Country's firearms are too formidable. After listening to those foreigner talking clearly and logically about those cannon or short gun today, I am relieved.”

Kangxi paced back and forth slowly in the Study Room. ”Luocha people are humans,” he said, ”We are also humans. If they can build firearms, we can do the same thing. It's just that all along we did not understand how. When we fought the Ming Dynasty at Liaodong Peninsula in the past, the Ming troops had cannon, we suffered quite a bit of defeat. Taizu Huangdi [posthumous title for the founder of a dynasty] was injured by gunfire, he rode the dragon and returned to Heaven. However, didn't we still manage to take the Ming Dynasty's land under the heavens? It can be seen clearly that firearm is important for the people to use, but if the people using it fail to live up to expectations, even a more formidable firearm will be worthless.”

”Turns out Ming Dynasty had cannon,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I wonder where are those cannons now? We can take them and blast Wu Sangui that old fellow, blast him so that one Buddha get reborn, two Buddhas ascend to heaven!” [not sure about this]Kangxi smiled and said, ”Ming Dynasty's cannons were only a few, they were purchased from Aomen's [Macao] red-haired people. Only buying the devils' firearm is useless. If we fight a battle against the devils, they will refuse to sell it to us, won't that be terrible? We must build it ourselves, then we won't be afraid other people would make us desperate.”

”Very true, very true,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty is still concerned that those Jesuits clergymen would build western cowrie shells to swindle you, thus you personally want to know how to do it. From now on, let those devils give an exaggerated account of things, trying to confuse you [orig. seven meat eight elements], you won't be deceived.”

”You understand my intention,” Kangxi said, ”The technique to build firearm is very complicated and very difficult. Just to refine the highest quality fine iron is greatly not easy.”

”Your Majesty, let me go get all blacksmith inside and outside of Beijing,” Wei Xiaobao volunteered, ”We call them together, everybody pump the bellows, push and pull, push and pull, refine several million catties of those fine iron.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”When you were in Yunnan, we have already refined several tens of thousands catties of fine iron. Tang Ruowang and Nan Huairen are in the process of supervising the building of cannons. When the time comes, you will come with me to take a look.”

Wei Xiaobao was delighted. ”That is very good,” he said. Suddenly he remembered something and said, ”Your Majesty, foreign devils are malicious and two-faced, we must guard against either one of those. The place we build cannon will have gunpowder and lots of ironware. Your Majesty must not go personally, let your servant supervise it for you.”

”No need to be worried,” Kangxi said, ”This matter concerns the country's destiny. I won't feel reassured if I do not see it with my own eyes. Nan Huairen is loyal and upright. Tang Ruowang's old life was rescued by me, he is very grateful to me. These two men can't possibly have different feelings toward me.”

”Unexpectedly Your Majesty has saved the foreign old devil's old life,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”That is indeed strange.”

Kangxi smiled and said, ”Kangxi's third year, Tang Ruowang said that the imperial observatory's calculation of the solar eclipse contains errors; he and the imperial observatory's Chinese officials had a sharp debate. Imperial observatory Chinese official Yang Guangxian

[24] argued, but failed to find any flaw in Tang Ruowang's argument; hence he submitted a memorial to the throne, saying that Tang Ruowang formulated the document 'Great Qing Constitution Period Calendar', in which he calculated a total of two hundred years. But our Great Qing has obtained the Heaven's provision, the divine blessing has no bound, our rivers and mountains will last tens of thousands of years. Tang Ruowang's calendar stops at only two hundred years. Isn't that the same as putting a curse on our Great Qing that it will only last for two hundred years?”

Wei Xiaobao stuck out his tongue. ”Formidable, formidable! This foreign old devil can calculate astronomy and geography, but he cannot calculate the trick of the government official.”

”Isn't that so?” Kangxi said, ”At that time Oboi was in power. That fellow randomly accused Tang Ruowang of cursing the imperial court, hence he deserved to be executed by lingering death. The decree was sent to me to review, immediately I was able to see a flaw in it.”

”Kangxi's third year, that means you were only ten,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Yet you were already able to see the deceit in it. Indeed the Sacred Son of Heaven is intelligent and wise, a rarity from time immemorial.”

Kangxi laughed. ”You should pat the horse hindquarters less,” he said, ”Actually, this case was quite shallow. I asked Oboi, when did Tang Ruowang finish the 'Great Qing Constitution Period Calendar'? He said he did not know. Upon further investigation, he returned with a report that it was finished during Shunzhi's tenth year. At that time the Late Emperor bestowed a commendation by conferring him the title of 'Tong Xuan Jiao Shi' [lit. master/teacher who understands mystery]. I said, 'That's right, because when I was six, seven years old, I have already seen this 'Great Qing Constitution Period Calendar' book in the Study Room. This document was finished ten years ago, why didn't anybody say that he was wrong back then? At this time someone is having a strife with him, isn't that simply settling an old debt? This is not fair. Oboi thought I was right, hence he did not have him killed, but have him locked up in prison. Afterwards I have forgotten about this matter. Only recently Nan Huairen brought it up to my attention, and then I issued a decree to have him freed.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Let your servant put some thoughts in him to create the 'Great Qing Ten Thousand Year Calendar'.”

Kangxi chuckled for a moment, and then his expression turned serious as he said, ”I have read the previous dynasty's history book; those who cherish common people were sure to reign for a long time, otherwise, what good would it bring to simply say auspicious speech? Since the ancient times, everybody always call the Emperor as Lord of Ten Thousand Years, while in reality, forget ten thousand years, not one of the emperors had ever reached a hundred years. What 'ten thousand years of boundless longevity'? It's all nonsense to deceive people. Fu Huang earnestly urged me to obey his particular instruction of 'never raise taxes'. As long as I observe these four characters [yong bu jia fu], our rivers and mountains will be as strong as iron. All those foreigners' cannon, Wu Sangui's troops and horses, are nothing to worry about.”

Kangxi was greatly delighted. ”Very good, very good,” he said, ”The Empress Dowager is always concerned over this matter. I'll go and present it to her, the Senior, and then take it to the imperial ancestral temple and cremate it there. No matter what secret is hidden inside, henceforth nobody will find out.”

Wei Xiaobao said in his heart, ”It is best that you are burning it! This is called 'destroy the corpse and leave no trace'. Nobody will ever find out that I stole the pieces of thin leather inside the sutra.”

He returned to his viscount mansion. When the night fell, he bolted the door, took out the bundle of skin pieces, and summoned Shuang'er. ”I have a 'rubbing the water' job I'd like you to do for me,” he told her. And then ordered her to assemble and restore the several thousand pieces of thin leather into its original state.

Bending over the table, Shuang'er slowly looked at the cutting mark, and paired the pieces one by one to see if there was a match. But these several thousand pieces of skin were jumbled together at random; restoring the pieces into the original condition was indeed easier said than done.

At first Wei Xiaobao was still sitting by the table, offering some advice, taking a piece from the east, a piece from the west, trying to find a match. But after doing it for half a day, he could not find even a pair of matching pieces; his interest waned, he went to sleep without saying anything.

When he woke up the next morning, he noticed that there was candlelight in the outside room. With a piece of skin in her hand, Shuang'er was staring at the table as if she was in daze. Wei Xiaobao tiptoed behind her back, and then 'Ha!' he yelled. Shuang'er jumped in fright. She laughed and said, ”You are awake?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”These pieces of skin are very troublesome, I don't need it right away, why didn't you sleep the whole night? Quickly go to bed!”

”Alright,” Shuang'er said, ”I will tidy up first.”

Wei Xiaobao saw a large sheet of white paper on the table, on which about eleven or twelve pieces of skin were pinned down with embroidery needles; the pieces were joined together in a good fit, he was delighted. ”You have fitted quite a few pieces,” he said.

”The beginning was the most difficult,” Shuang'er said, ”Right now I already understood some logic behind it, later on I should be able to assemble the pieces a bit faster.” She put the pieces back into the bundle and carefully wrapped it with oilcloth, along with the large sheet of white paper, and locked everything inside a gold-painted chest.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”These pieces of skin are very useful, we must not let anybody steal it.”

Shuang'er said, ”I will stay to guard here, I won't leave even for half a step. I am only afraid if I fell asleep, something bad might happen.”

”No worries,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I will get a small group of Valiant Cavalry Brigade sergeants to guard outside the room, and guard you as well.”

Shuang'er smiled and said, ”I feel much better.”

Wei Xiaobao saw her pair of beautiful eyes was bloodshot, obviously she worked really hard the previous night; he felt tenderness toward her. ”Quickly go to sleep, I'll carry you to the bed.”

Shuang'er's face blushed of shyness, she repeatedly waved her hand and said, ”No, no, not good.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”What do you mean good or not good? You helped me, you worked hard the entire night, I carry you to the bed, what's the big deal?” While saying that, he reached out to carry her. Shuang'er squealed and slipped out of his arms.

Wei Xiaobao tried to grab her several times, but each time he only caught empty air. He knew that his qinggong was far below hers, in his heart he was quite dismayed. Taking a deep sigh, he sat down on a chair. Shuang'er chuckled and came near him, saying, ”Let me serve you have a wash and eat light breakfast, and then I'll go sleep.”

Wei Xiaobao shook his head without saying anything. Seeing him in low spirits, Shuang'er was worried. ”Xianggong,” she said in a low voice, ”Are you … are you angry?”

”I am not angry,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”My qinggong is too lacking. Shifu taught me a lot of good techniques, I always cannot learn it. Even a little girl like you I cannot catch, what a useless fart am I?”

Shuang'er smiled and said, ”You wanted to carry me, naturally I ran away desperately.”

Wei Xiaobao suddenly sprang up and called out, ”I must catch you.” With arms spreading wide, he threw himself toward Shuang'er. Shuang'er giggled and leaned sideways to evade. Wei Xiaobao pretended he was pouncing to the left, but as soon as she fled to the right, he reached out to grab the corner of her garment. ”Ah!” Shuang'er cried out. Afraid that he might tear the garment, Shuang'er did not dare to pull too hard. Wei Xiaobao reached out with both arms and grabbed her waist. Shuang'er only giggled. Wei Xiaobao's right hand went down behind her knees, and carried her horizontally across his chest, and put her on his own bed.

Shuang'er blushed deep red. ”Xianggong,” she cried, ”You … you …”

Wei Xiaobao laughed. ”I what?” he said. Pulling the quilt, he covered her body. And then he bent over and planted a gentle kiss on her face. ”Quickly close your eyes,” he said with a laugh, ”Go to sleep.” And he turned around, walked out the room, and closed the door behind him. ”This girl was afraid that I was angry, she deliberately let me catch her,” he mused. When he got to the hall, he ordered his personal guard to summon a squad of Valiant Cavalry Brigade sergeants to guard outside his room.

For the next several days he distributed the money and gifts he received from Yunnan to the imperial concubines, princes and dukes, court ministers, imperial bodyguards and palace eunuchs; scheming in his heart, ”If I said it is a gift from Wu Sangui, that means these people would receive favor from that old fellow. I'd better let laozi be the good man.” Therefore, these several hundred thousand taels of gold and silver from Wu Sangui became the Imperial Envoy Minister, the Valiant Cavalry Brigade Commander Wei Xiaobao's gifts. Naturally the recipients of his gifts poured high praise on him. Everybody in the Palace and the Imperial Court said that the Emperor was indeed an enlightened sage, he promoted this astute, capable and experienced young commander into a very fitting official position.

These days, Shuang'er worked hard every day assembling the pieces of sheepskin. Each time she found a matching piece, she would pin it to the sheet of paper with an embroidery needle. Wei Xiaobao watched her every night; he saw the finished section was growing bigger and bigger. As expected, he saw mountains and rivers terrain drawn on the map, there were also curvy characters written on the map. ”These are foreign characters,” Shuang'er said, ”I do not recognize even one of them.”

Wei Xiaobao had lived in the Palace for a long time, hence he knew that those were Manchurian characters; but since he did not know even Han characters, he could not care less of what were written on the map.

At the evening of the eighteenth day, Wei Xiaobao returned to his residence, and saw Shuang'er with happy expression all across her face. He reached out to stroke her chin, and asked, ”What is it that makes you this happy?”

Smiling, Shuang'er said, ”Xianggong, go ahead and guess.”

Before he went to sleep the previous night, Wei Xiaobao saw there were still two, three hundred pieces not assembled yet. In this kind of assembling effort, one piece assembled means one piece less remaining, and the task became one part easier. The first one or two days were the most difficult, in one sichen [2 hours] she may not necessarily be able to find two matching pieces; afterwards, however, she was able to make a rapid progress.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”You found and picked up a treasure from the floor?”

”No,” Shuang'er said.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Yi Xiong [foster/sworn older brother] sent some good things for you from Guangdong?”

”No,” Shuang'er replied, ”He is so far away, how can he send something for me?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”The Zhuang Family's Third Mistress sent a letter to you?”

Shuang'er shook her head, her eyebrows slightly knitted. ”She did not,” she said softly, ”I wonder how the Zhuang Family's Third Mistress and the others are doing? I often think about them.”

”I got it!” Wei Xiaobao exclaimed, ”Today is your birthday.”

Shuang'er smiled and said, ”It's not. My birthday is not today.”

”When is it?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

Shuang'er said, ”It's ninth month ten

[25] …” Suddenly she blushed and said, ”I forget.”

”You lie,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”How can you forget your own birthday? Right, right, it must be the old monk, your friend when you live by Shaolin Temple, came to visit you.”

”Pfft!” Shuang'er stifled her laugh. ”Xianggong is funny,” she said, ”How can I have a Shaolin Temple old monk as a friend? It is you who have some.”

Wei Xiaobao scratched his head and muttered, ”It's neither this nor that; this is a difficult riddle. I was actually going to guess that you have finished piecing the map together, but last night I saw there were still two, three hundred pieces not joined together yet, at the quickest you will need five, six more days.”

Shuang'er's pairs of eyes were gleaming with delight as she smiled and said, ”What if I finished it today for real?”

”You are deceiving me,” Wei Xiaobao shook his head, ”I don't believe you.”

”Xianggong,” Shuang'er said, ”Come and see, what is this?”

Wei Xiaobao followed her to the table and saw the large white sheet was full of several thousand embroidery needles, the several thousand pieces of skins had been assembled together into a complete, whole large map. What was amazing was that several thousand pieces of skin fit together; there was not a single extra piece, and there was not a single hole either.

Wei Xiaobao cried out in delight, turned around and gave Shuang'er a hug. ”It is a great success, you deserve a kiss,” he called out, while planted a kiss on her mouth.

Shuang'er was shy, her face blushed as she turned her head sideways, so that Wei Xiaobao's kiss landed on her earlobe. Shuang'er felt her body had turned into a jelly. ”No, I don't want it!” she cried out in fear.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and let her go. He pulled her hand and had her stood next to him as they looked at the map together, while he clucked his tongue incessantly and praised her, saying, ”Shuang'er, if you did not help me with this task, if I had to do it myself, I am not sure if I would not be able to piece everything together in three years and six months.”

Shuang'er said, ”How many important matters you have to manage? How can you find the time to do this kind of stupid effort?”

”Aiyo,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Did you call this a stupid effort? This is the most brilliant effort in the world.”

Hearing his praise, Shuang'er was very happy.

Wei Xiaobao pointed to the map and said, ”This must be a mountain, and this is the river.” He pointed at a bend of a big river, where eight small circles with different colors gathered together, and said, ”The entire map is drawn in writing brush, but these eight small circles are red, white, yellow, blue, and there's yellow circle with red border. Ah, I know, these are Manchu people's eight banners. The location of these eight small circles must be very special. I wonder what mountain this is, and what river this is.”

Shuang'er took out a pack of thin cotton paper, there were more than thirty sheets altogether, each sheet had some curvy Manchurian characters. She gave the papers to Wei Xiaobao. ”What is it?” Wei Xiaobao asked, ”Who wrote it?”

”I did,” Shuang'er replied.

Wei Xiaobao was pleasantly surprised. ”Turns out you know Manchurian characters,” he said, ”You were deceiving me a few days ago.” While saying that, he stretched out his arms to hug her.

Shuang'er hastily moved aside to evade. ”I didn't deceive you,” she said with a laugh, ”I don't know Manchurian characters. I only put these thin sheets on the map and traced every stroke every line.”

Shuang'er smiled and said, ”Good Xianggong, smart Xianggong, as soon as you saw it you have guessed my intention correctly.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”It's a great success, you deserve a kiss.” As soon as Shuang'er heard him, she turned around and leaped, fleeing outside the room.

When Wei Xiaobao went out to the hall, he ordered one of his personal guards to summon the Valiant Cavalry Brigade's Manchurian clerk. He took out a sheet from his pocket and asked him the meaning of the Manchurian characters written on it. The clerk replied, ”Reporting to Dutong [commander] Daren: these are 'Argun River', 'Jing Qili River', Huma Erwoji Mountain', they all are our Manchuria place name outside the Pass.”

”What 'Jili Gulu' [lit. gibberish] River, 'Huni Made' [lit. shouting at your mother] Mountain? Those are so vulgar,” Wei Xiaobao said.