Chapter - 38 (38) (1/2)

Criss-crossing the field a herd of horses flew across the road, domineering kite streaks across the sky

All smiles Wei Xiaobao returned to the main hall, he saw Wu Yingxiong was chatting with the four generals. Zhao Liangdong and Wang Jinbao were involved in some heated argument on the side; both men were flushed with anger, they talked with raised voice. When they saw Wei Xiaobao, they both stopped. Wei Xiaobao laughed and asked, ”What are the two of you arguing about? Can you tell it to me?”

Zhang Yong replied, ”We are talking about horses. Wang Fujiang [deputy general] has an original insight in horses, the horses that he picked were always good colts. Just now everybody was talking about the beast of burden, Wang Fujiang praised Yunnan horses as very good. Zhao Zongbing [regional commander] did not believe him, he says that Sichuan horses, Yunnan horses have short legs, they can't run fast. But Wang Fujiang says that Sichuan horses, Yunnan horses have enduring power, within ten li, they are not any better than other horses, but after running for twenty, thirty li, the more they run, the more they have vigor.”

”Is that so?” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Xiongdi has several mounts, would Wang Fujiang please take a look?” He ordered his personal guard to go back to his mansion to fetch several good horses from the stable and bring them here.

Wu Yingxiong said, ”Wei Dutong's mount was given by Prince Kang, a famous Ferghana [orig. Dayuan, Central Asia] colt, called Yu Hua Cong [Jade Flower Buckskin Horse]; how can our Yunnan horses match this horse?”

Wang Jinbao said, ”Wei Daren's horse is naturally a very good horse. Dayuan produces good horses, lowly officer has heard about it. When lowly officer was in Gansu and Shaanxi, I have ridden many famous Ferghana colts. In short distance sprint, they can run very fast, no other horses can compare to them.”

”How about long distance race?” Zhao Liangdong asked, ”Are you saying that Ferghana horse cannot beat Yunnan horse?

”Originally, Yunnan horse are not good at all,” Wang Jinbao replied, ”But after surviving hardship and hard work, they have enduring strength. These past few years lowly officer has raised horses in northern Yunnan, I mated Sichuan horses with Yunnan horses, and contrary to expectation, the new species is not bad.”

”Laoxiong,” Zhao Liangdong said, ”You are an amateur. Horses must be purebred; the more pure they are bred, the better the result. I have never heard mixed stallions are better than the purebred.”

Wang Jinbao's face was bulging red, ”Zhao Zongbing,” he said, ”I am not saying that all mixed-bred horse are good. There are different uses of horse; some are use to break through enemy lines, some are use to pull heavy military load. Even battle horses are greatly different from each other, some are hundred-li horses, some are thousand-li horses, some are long distance horse, some short distance; they are completely different.”

”Humph,” Zhao Liangdong said, ”Surprisingly some people think mixed breed are better.”

Wang Jinbao was furious; he suddenly stood up and shouted, ”Who are you calling mixed breed? What a foul-mouthed remark!”

Zhao Liangdong laughed coldly and said, ”I was talking about horses, I am not talking about you. Whose breed is not pure, is a thief lacking in conscience; there is no need to get angry without any reason.”

Wang Jinbao was even more furious. ”This is the Prince Consort Mansion,” he said, ”Otherwise, humph, humph!”

”Humph, humph what?” Zhao Liangdong replied, ”You want to fight with me?”

Zhang Yong intervened, ”Gentlemen, you have just met each other for the first time; why would you fight over beast of burden? Come, come, come, let me toast both of you a cup, everybody must not fight.” He was a Tidu, his official rank was higher than Zhao Liangdong and Wang Jinbao. The two of them did not dare not to give him some face, they did not have any choice but to drink the wine.

The two of them 'I stare at you, you stare at me'; if not for the fact that their superiors were present, these two men with fiery temper would definitely fight on the spot.

Shortly after, Wei Xiaobao's personal guards returned from his mansion, with the stable hand led the horses. Everybody went to the stable at the back of the mansion to look at the horses. Wang Jinbao indeed understood horses, with just a quick look he was able to tell good aspects and weak points of each horse; he was even able to guess each horse's nature and temperament with about seventy, eighty percent accuracy. The Wei Mansion's stable hands were very impressed; they all praised Deputy General Wang's keen insight.

Finally they looked at Wei Xiaobao's mount, the Jade Flower Buckskin. This horse's legs were long and fat, it's appearance was like divine steed, its entire body was snow white with rouge spots everywhere, its coat was smooth and shiny, in short, it was a beautiful horse; everybody cheered incessantly. Wang Jinbao, however, showed neither approval nor disapproval. After looking for a long time, he said, ”This horse's intrinsic quality is superb, it's a pity that it was raised incorrectly.”

”How was it raised incorrectly?” Wei Xiaobao asked, ”Please advise.”

Wang Jinbao said, ”Wei Daren's horse can be counted as a very good colt that is seldom found in the world. This kind of good horse has to be sprinted a dozen li or so, and let it canter several dozen of li every day; the more it is tempered the better. However, Wei Daren treasured it too much, he was unwilling to ride it too much. This beast has passed too many of comfortable days, eaten too much of good refined grain, it is seldom ridden for more than two trips a year. Ay, what a pity, what a pity; just like the children of rich and noble families, it is too spoiled.”

When Wu Yingxiong heard this, his countenance changed slightly; he uttered a soft 'humph'. Wei Xiaobao noticed that, and knew that Wang Jinbao's last few sentences had offended Wu Yingxiong. He thought, ”There is no harm in my seizing this chance to sow dissension, let them, Yunnan's commanders, not get along well with each other.” Thereupon he said, ”I am afraid Wang Fujiang is only half right; children on rich and noble families can also have enormous skill. Take Prince Consort for example, he is your Wangye's Heir Apparent, since childhood he holds golden bowl to eat rice, and jade bowl to drink his soup, yet he is not the least bit spoiled.”

With a bulging red face Wang Jinbao busily said, ”Yes, yes. Wangye's Heir Apparent is naturally not the same. Lowly officer was not talking about Prince Consort.”

With a cold laugh Zhao Liangdong said, ”In your heart, I am afraid there is no difference.”

”Zhao Zongbing,” Wang Jinbao angrily said, ”Why do you always make life difficult for Xiongdi? Xiongdi did not offend you at all.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Alright, don't harm the friendship over a small matter. As military officers, some people often look down on young high-ranking minister of the imperial court; I have seen it.”

Wang Jinbao said, ”Reporting to Dutong Daren: lowly officer does not dare to look down on you.”

”But you look down on the Prince Consort,” Zhao Liangdong said.

”I did not!” Wang Jinbao almost shouted.

”Wang Fujiang,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Too bad that the good horses you raised are all in Yunnan, otherwise you might be able to let us increase our knowledge.”

Wang Jinbao said, ”The horses that I raised … yes, yes, I do not dare.”

Wei Xiaobao felt a bit strange, ”Why did he called out, 'yes, yes, I do not dare'?” he mused.

Zhao Liangdong said, ”In any case, since Wang Fujiang's good horses are in Yunnan, the dead cannot testify. Wei Dutong, ourside the Pass, Xiaojiang has also raised several hundred good horses, each one is capable of running three thousand li during the day, running two thousand li at night. It's a pity that they all far away, I can't have Dutong Daren take a look at them.” Everybody burst into loud laughter; they knew he was intentionally ridiculing Wang Jinbao.

Wang Jinbao was so angry that his face turned pale; pointing to the stable on his left, he said in a loud voice, ”The several dozen of horses over there are precisely the one I brought from Yunnan this time. Zhao Zongbing, you may select ten horses of yours, and randomly pick ten of mine; have the horses compete in leg strength. We'll see who wins who loses.”

Zhao Liangdong saw the Yunnan horses are thin and small, their coat bald, their skin dry, altogether there were fifty, sixty horses; he thought, ”What's so amazing about your beggar horses?” He said, ”Indeed you have a lot of horses, but they are a bit 'five tuberculosis seven wounded'. I guarantee that if I randomly pull several horses from Wei Dutong's Mansion, they will surpass Wang Fujiang's darling treasures that you personally raised.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”We all are arguing in vain. Prince Consort, let us each pick ten horses, we'll have a race. Both sides place a bet.”

Wu Yingxiong said, ”How can our Yunnan's little horse compete against Wei Dutong's Ferghana horse? No need to compete, of course we will lose.”

Wei Xiaobao noticed Wang Jinbao was fuming; his expression shows that he clearly did not accept defeat. Wei Xiaobao said, ”Prince Consort admits defeat, but Wang Fujiang does not concede. How about this: I'll get ten thousand taels of silver, Prince Consort also get ten thousand taels of silver, in a moment we all go outside the city to have a horse race. Whoever wins six races, the rest do not have to race. What do you say?”

Wu Yingxiong was about to decline again, suddenly he had another thought, ”This boy is young and eager to win, let me deliberately lose ten thousand taels to him and let him be happy.” Thereupon he laughed and said, ”Very well, let's do it. Wei Daren, if you lose, you must not be angry.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Winning must be in style, losing must be graceful; where's the logic in getting angry when losing?” As he took a glance, he caught Wang Jinbao's eyes flickered with delight; he thought, ”Aiyo, looking at this Wang Fujiang's expression, he seems to be very sure of victory; could it be that these sickly looking horses really have good endurance? Not good, not good, I must resort to trickery.” In all his life, he loved to cheat at gambling; seeing that in this horse race he might not necessarily win, he immediately cooked up some plan. He thought, ”If we have the race today, there won't be enough time to rig up a scam.” Thereupon he said, ”Since we are going to make a bet, I must carefully select the ten horses; how about if we have the race tomorrow?”

Wu Yingxiong had made up his mind not to go all-out, in ten races, he decided to let Wei Xiaobao win eight or nine. Today or tomorrow did not make any difference to him; thereupon he nodded his approval immediately. Wei Xiaobao continued drinking wine and watching the opera in the Prince Consort Mansion, he no longer said anything about the race. He invited Wu Yingxiong, along with Zhang Yong, Wang Jinbao and Sun Sike, three people to come over to his own mansion to have some drink that evening. Wu Yingxiong happily accepted the invitation. They went to Wei Xiaobao's Count Mansion together.

After they were seated and were offered some light refreshment and tea, Wei Xiaobao excused himself, ”Please sit down and enjoy yourselves, Xiongdi needs to make some arrangement.”

Wu Yingxiong laughed and said, ”We are family, no need to be polite.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Honored guests grace me with their presence, I can't be too shabby and crude in my hospitality.”

Going to the inner hall, he instructed his manager to prepare a feast and theatrical troupe; and then he summoned his mansion's head stable hand, gave him three hundred taels of silver and said, ”My Yu Hua Cong and other horses are still at Prince Consort's Mansion; go and fetch them back. While you are at it, invite the Prince Consort's stable hands for a drink; have them drink the damn wine until they are drunk rotten.” The head stable hand complied.

Wei Xiaobao continued, ”Give the horses something, make them weary and their legs soft that they won't have any strength to run. Just don't poison them dead.”

The head stable hand said, ”Whatever it is that Jueye wants, Xiaoren will strive my hardest to do it.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”I guess it's not a big deal to tell you: Prince Consort has a batch of horses just arrived from Yunnan. They boast that the horses' endurance strength is superb. Tomorrow they are going to have a race with us. We cannot let them win over us, can we?”

The head stable hand understood immediately; he laughed and said, ”Jueye wants Xiaoren to concoct something and have Prince Consort's horses eat it, so that during the horse race tomorrow we will win?”

Wei Xiaobao laughed. ”Correct,” he said, ”You are very smart. In the horse race tomorrow, we have a bet. If we win, I'll divide the gold and you will get your share. Do this quietly, you must never let Prince Consort Mansion's stable hands know. Take this three hundred taels of silver, give a dinner party, take them to a drink, to gamble, to visit prostitute, damn it, just do whatever you need to do, make them fall into dark sky and black earth before you drug the horses.”

The head stable hand said, ”Jueye set your heart at ease, I won't make mistake. Xiaoren will go buy several dozen catties of croton seed

[63], mixed them inside the pea grain, and feed it to Wu Mansion's horses, let those horses defecate all night long. In the race tomorrow, even a turtle will outrun them.”

Wei Xiaobao immediately went out to accompany Wu Yingxiong and the others drinking wine. He was afraid when Wu Yingxiong and the others came back, Wang Jinbao would go see the horses and would be able to see through their scheme; hence he attentively served them and constantly urging them to drink more wine. Zhao Liangdong's drinking capacity was extremely great, all along he had a drinking competition against Wang Jinbao. Very late that night, other than Wei Xiaobao and Wu Yingxiong, the four military commanders were dead drunk.

After the morning audience the next morning, Wei Xiaobao went to the Palace to wait upon the Emperor. Kangxi was smiling from ear to ear, he was in a very good mood. ”Xiao Guizi,” he said, ”I have good news I want to share with you: Shang Kexi and Geng Jingzhong have accepted the imperial decree of border defense removal. In the coming days they are going to leave for the Capital.”

”Congratulations Your Majesty,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Shang and Geng, two border defenses accepted the imperial decree, that old fellow Wu Sangui's one palm cannot clap hand …”

Kangxi laughed, ”It's hard to clap with only one hand,” he corrected.

”Right,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”It's hard to clap with only one hand. We'll beat him that he will be in a sorry state.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”What if he also accepted the imperial decree of border defense removal?”

Wei Xiaobao was taken aback, ”That would be great,” he said, ”If he came to Beijing, Your Majesty wanted to roll him in your palm and make him round, he would not dare to be flat; Your Majesty wanted to knead him flat, no matter what he would not dare to be round.”

Kangxi smiled and said, ”You know this logic too?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”That time, he would be like 'dragon

[64] stranded on the sandy beach', this old fellow would be like 'tiger fell onto level ground …'” Speaking to this point, he stuck out his tongue and knocked his own forehead trying to remember the rest.

Kangxi roared in laughter; he said, ”It is called 'tiger fell onto flat land, you can take unfair advantage of it'. At that time, not only he would not dare to offend me, he would not even dare to offend you.”

”Yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”That will be extremely amusing.”

Kangxi said, ”I have finished the imperial order to build Martyr Shrine in Yangzhou, I had a Hanlin Academy scholar wrote it. Bring it to Yangzhou, and have it engraved on a vertical stone tablet. Pick an auspicious day and make your journey.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”If all three border defenses accepted the imperial order, do we still need to build the Martyr Shrine?”

”We don't know whether Wu Sangui will accept or not,” Kangxi said, ”Besides, commending martyrs is a good deed; even if Wu Sangui did not revolt, we still need to do it.”

Wei Xiaobao complied. When chatting, he mentioned Princess Jianning was asking to have an audience with the Emperor. Kangxi nodded, he ordered the court eunuch serving him to immediately announce to Princess Jianning that her request had been granted.

Kangxi's mood was really good; he asked in details about Luocha Country's natural condition and social customs, as well as about the people there. He also wanted to know how the gunmen revolted, how Princess Sophia suppressed the rebellion, how the Senior and Junior Tsars could co-exist. After talking for a while, the Princess arrived at the Upper Study Room.

As soon as they saw each other, the Princess threw herself to Kangxi's feet, she hugs his legs and bawled. ”Huangdi Gege,” she said, ”From now on I want to accompany you in the Palace, I don't want to go back again.”

Kangxi stroked her hair. ”What is it?” he asked, ”Prince Consort bullies you?”

The Princess cried; she said, ”He won't dare. He … he …” and broke into crying again.

Kangxi said in his heart, ”You castrated him, you made him unable to be your husband. You did it yourself and you suffer the consequence.” He consoled her for a moment, and then said, ”Alright, alright, don't cry. You can accompany me for a meal.”

The Emperor ate his meals not on a fixed schedule; whenever he was in the mood, the meal must be served at any time. At once the eunuchs from the imperial kitchen served the meals, while Wei Xiaobao waited upon him on the side. Although the Emperor extremely doted on him, he simply cannot accompany the Emperor eating and drinking. Kangxi bestowed on him a dozen or more big bowls of dishes, which he ordered the eunuchs to deliver the dishes to his mansion, to be eaten later when he came back home.

After drinking several cups of wine, the Princess' face blushed, her eyes watery as she cast glance after glance toward Wei Xiaobao. In the Emperor's presence Wei Xiaobao did not dare to show the slightest bit of rude behavior, all along he did not meet the Princess' eyes, while his heart was thumping wildly. ”If after drinking the Princess reveal the secret and the Emperor finds out,” he mused, ”This head of mine won't be too secure.” He escorted the Princess on imperial order to Yunnan to complete her marriage, yet on the journey he embezzled the goods by having illicit relationship with the Princess; the criminal charge against him was indeed not small. In his heart he started to regret, he really should not have mentioned to the Emperor that the Princess was seeking for an audience.

The Princess suddenly said, ”Xiao Guizi, get me some rice.” While saying that, she held the empty bowl in front of his face.

Kangxi laughed and said, ”You have a good appetite.”

”To be able to see Huangdi Gege, I can eat my rice,” the Princess replied.

Wei Xiaobao filled the bowl with rice, and then holding it with both hands, he respectfully put the bowl on the table in front of the Princess. Princess' left hand dropped down, she heavily twisted his thigh. It was painful, but Wei Xiaobao did not dare to make any noise, he did not even dare to reduce the smile on his face for half a part; only inevitably his smile became awkward, his overall expression became rather strange. ”Dead wh0re,” he cursed in his heart, ”Why is it that each time you see me you always twist me?”

The cursing in his heart has not finished, his head was suddenly jerked backward; the Princess had reached to his back and forcefully pulled his braid.

This time Kangxi saw it; he smiled and said, ”Princess is married now, yet you are still this naughty.”

The Princess pointed at Wei Xiaobao and said with a laugh, ”It's he, it's he …” Wei Xiaobao was greatly anxious, he wondered what it was that the Princess was about to say. Luckily the Princess only broke into giggles. She said, ”Huangdi Gege, your reputation is getting better and better. I did not know it when I was still in the Palace, but during the round trip to and back from Yunnan, I heard the common people all say that with you as the Emperor, the days of the common people throughout the world are really good. Even this boy,” speaking to here, she cast Wei Xiaobao a malicious look, and then continued, ”His official position was rising higher and higher. Only your little sister is actually getting more and more bad luck.”

Kangxi's mood was very good to begin with, and now Princess Jianning's compliment was just perfect; he laughed and said, ”You are married to a dependable and noble husband. If Wu Yingxiong, father and son, nicely obey the imperial order of border defense removal, the whole world will be at peace. I promise you I will raise his official position.”

The Princess' small mouth pouted; she said, ”You raise Wu Yingxiong, this fellow's official position or not, it has nothing to do with me. I want you to raise my official position.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”And what official position do you want?”

The Princess said, ”Xiao Guizi said that the Luocha Country Princess became some Queen Regent. You can make me a great marshal, send me to fight foreign country.”

Kangxi burst into loud laughter. ”How can women be great marshals?” he said.

The Princess said, ”In the past, Fan Lihua, Yu Taijun, Mu Guiying

[65], which one did not seize the seal of authority and become the great marshal? Why can they be one, but I can't? If you say my martial art skill is inadequate, let's try it.” While saying that, she stood up with a giggle.

Kangxi laughed and said, ”You did not want to study, just like Xiao Guizi, you both do not have the knowledge, you only know the stories from the opera. In the previous dynasties, there were indeed women who became marshals. Tang Taizong Li Shimin's meizi [younger sister] Princess Pingyang, helped Tang Taizong pacifying the world. She was a marshal, commanding a division of army called Niangzi Jun [women's corps]. The mountain pass where her troops were stationed was called Niangzi Guan [women's Pass], it was very formidable.”

The Princess clapped her hands and said, ”That's it then. Huangdi Gege, as an emperor, you surpass Li Shimin; let me be like Princess Pingyang. Xiao Guizi, what do you want to be? Gao Lishi? Or Wei Zhongxian?

[66]”

Kangxi roared in laughter; he shook his head repeatedly and said, ”You are speaking nonsense again. Xiao Guizi was a fake eunuch. Besides, Gao Lishi and Wei Zhongxian were both court eunuchs serving under muddleheaded rulers; by saying that, aren't you scolding me?”

The Princess laughed and said, ”I am sorry Huangdi Gege, you should not be offended; I did not know.”

Thinking about 'Xiao Guizi was a fake eunuch', she could not refrain herself from casting a glance toward Wei Xiaobao; the thoughts of love surged in her heart. She said, ”I should go kowtow to the Empress Dowager.”

Kangxi was startled; he thought, ”The fake Empress Dowager has become the real Empress Dowager; your mother has run away from the Palace.” He has always loved this younger sister dearly, he could not bear to see her be embarrassed. ”These past few days Empress Dowager is not feeling very well,” he said, ”There is no need to tire her, the Senior. Just go to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful and kowtow and pay your respect outside.”

The Princess complied. ”Huangdi Gege,” she said, ”I am going to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, and will be back to talk to you again. Xiao Guizi, you come with me.”

Wei Xiaobao did not dare to comply. Kangxi signaled him with his eyes, telling him to try to stop the Princess, not to let her see the Empress Dowager. Wei Xiaobao understood his intention; he nodded to signal that he received the Emperor's order, and at once went to accompany the Princess toward the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful.

Wei Xiaobao ordered a little eunuch to run ahead to report to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful first. As expected, the Empress Dowager instructed them that she was unwell, hence they did not need to kowtow and pay their respect. The Princess had not seen her mother for quite a long time, she was quite worried. ”Empress Dowager is not feeling very well, I simply must take a look,” she said, while picking up speed, rushing toward the Empress Dowager's personal quarter; how could the numerous court eunuchs and palace maids dare to stop her?

”Your Highness, Your Highness,” Wei Xiaobao anxiously called, ”Empress Dowager, the Senior, catches cold; she must not be blown by the wind.”

The Princess said, ”I will enter slowly, there won't be the slightest wind.” Pushing the bedroom door open, she raised the door curtain, but saw the gauze screen was hanging down, the Empress Dowager was sleeping in the bed, with four palace maids stood by the bed. The Princess said in a low voice, ”Empress Dowager, your daughter is here to kowtow to you.” While saying that, she went down on her knees and kowtowed several times.

She heard several groans from the Empress Dowager inside the gauze screen. The Princess walked toward the bedside; she was about to lift the mosquito net, a palace maid said, ”Your Highness, Empress Dowager instructed us that nobody is to alarm Empress Dowager.”

The Princess nodded. She opened the net a slit and looked inside. She saw the Empress Dowager was facing inside, she seemed to be in a very deep sleep. The Princess called in low voice, ”Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager.” The Empress Dowager did not respond at all. The Princess had no choice but to put the screen down and withdrew quietly. Her heart ached; she could not help but broke into crying.

Seeing she did not discover the truth, it was as if a large rock was removed from Wei Xiaobao's heart; he persuaded her, ”Princess lives in the Capital, you can enter the Palace at any time to pay your respect. Wait until Empress Dowager is well, you can come back to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful.”

The Princess thought his advice was reasonable; she wiped her tears immediately and said, ”I wonder how my former dwelling place is, I want to take a look.” Finished speaking she turned toward her former bedroom. Wei Xiaobao followed behind her.

The Princess's former personal quarter, Jianning Palace was located next to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful; they arrived after only a short walk. After the Princess was married, Jianning Palace was dusted, swept, and looked after by eunuchs and palace maids, just like before.

The Princess stopped at the bedroom door, she saw Wei Xiaobao was standing outside, giggling; he did not follow her inside. The Princess blushed and said, ”Dead eunuch, why aren't you coming in?”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”I was a fake eunuch, I can't come into the Princess' bedroom.”

The Princess reached out to twist his ear; she shouted, ”You don't come in, I'll twist your dog ear off.” She pulled hard, Wei Xiaobao had no choice but to come into the bedroom. The Princess closed the door and bolted it behind her.

Wei Xiaobao was so scared that his heart was thumping madly. ”Princess,” he said in a low voice, ”We must not fool around in the Palace, I … I … I might lose my head!”

The Princess' eyes were watery, as if drops of water were about to fall down; in a seductive voice she said, ”Wei Jueye, I am your servant, let me serve you.” Reaching out with both arms, she hugged him tightly.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”No, we must not!”

The Princess said, ”Alright, I'll go tell Huangdi Gege, you coerced me on the journey, you told me to castrate that fellow Wu Yingxiong, and now you are ignoring me.” Reaching down to his thigh, she pinched and twisted him really hard.

It was quite a long time before the two of them emerged from the Princess' bedroom. The Princess's face was beaming with joy; she said, ”His Majesty ordered you to tell me about the Luocha Country Princess; how come you have not finished telling me yet you already want to leave?”

”Your servant is extremely tired,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”I don't have the strength to tell you a story.”

The Princess laughed and said, ”Next time you have to come again to tell me about how you caught fox-spirit [i.e. enchantress] in Liaodong.”

Wei Xiaobao squinted and cast her a sidelong glance; he said in a low voice, ”If your servant talk much longer, I won't be able to move.”

The Princess giggled; she reached out backhandedly and 'slap!' she made a mark on his face with her palm. The eunuchs and palace maids at the Jianning Palace were old timers, they knew that the Princess was pampered and was rough; seeing her slapping someone, they all thought, ”Princess is married, but her old temperament has not changed a bit. Wei Bojue [Count] is the minister His Majesty most doted on, unexpectedly she still slaps him.”

The two of them returned to the Upper Study Room, she wanted to take her leave. The sky was getting dark. They saw Kangxi was looking at a large map on the desk; he looked deep in thought. The Princess said, ”Huangdi Gege, Empress Dowager is unwell, I could not see her. I will be back in a few days to kowtow and pay my respect.”

Kangxi nodded and said, ”Next time wait for her to summon you before you come here.” With right hand finger pointing to the map, he asked Wei Xiaobao, ”You entered Yunnan from Guizhou, but came out from Guangxi; which route is easier to take?” Turned out he was studying Yunnan's terrain.

Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Yunnan's mountains are very high, it does not matter whether we enter from Guizhou or Guangxi, both are very difficult. The majority of the roads cannot be traveled by marching troops. The Princess had to take sedan chair, your servant rode a horse.”

Kangxi nodded. Suddenly he remembered something; he ordered a eunuch, ”Summon the officer in charge of the carriage of the Ministry of War.” And then he turned toward the Princess and said, ”Go back to your mansion, you have been out the whole day, the Prince Consort is waiting for you.”

The Princess pouted and said, ”He can't possibly wait for me.” She was thinking of leaving the Palace together with Wei Xiaobao; it would be good if she could only talk to him some more along the way. But hearing the Emperor was summoning an official to discuss national affair, she said, ”Huangdi Gege, it is already late, you still worry about national affairs. Even in the past Fu Huang [father emperor] did not work over government affairs as hard as you do.”

Kangxi's heart ached, remembering his father emperor lived in seclusion on Mount Wutai as a monk; he said, ”Fu Huang was bright, wise and farsighted; the matter that he managed to do in one sichen [i.e. two hours], I cannot finish it in three sichen.”

The Princess smiled and said, ”I heard people say that Huangdi Gege has heaven-sent wisdom, which is rarely found since the dawn of time. Nobody dares to say that you surpass Fu Huang; however, they say that you are a good Emperor who is seldom seen in China for the last several thousand years.”

The Princess noticed that as Kangxi spoke, he was staring without blinking at the map on the table; she did not dare to talk too much, hence she cast a glance toward Wei Xiaobao, her arms were hanging down, but her finger pointed toward him, and then she turned her finger around to point to herself; her meaning was that Wei Xiaobao should see her often. Wei Xiaobao understood; he nodded slightly. The Princess paid her respect to Kangxi and withdrew.

A moment later, Kangxi looked up and said, ”In that case, I am afraid the cannon we make are too heavy and too big, not easy to haul over those mountainous roads.”

Wei Xiaobao was startled; he understood immediately that Kangxi was thinking of transporting the cannon to Yunnan to attack Wu Sangui. ”Yes, yes,” he said, ”Your servant is muddleheaded, I had not thought of this. It would be best if we could make small cannon that can be pulled by two horses; entering Yunnan will be a lot more convenient.”

Kangxi said, ”Decisive engagement between opposing army on the mountainous region cannot depend on magnificent army with thousands of men and horses rushing in at the same time; infantry will be even more important than cavalry.”

Shortly afterwards, the Ministry of War's three Manchu officials and one Han official in charge of the horse and carriage arrived together and kowtowed in front of Kangxi. Kangxi asked, ”How's the horse preparation?”

This particular department of the Ministry of War was in charge of relay station and moving vehicle logistics. Immediately the officers reported in details: how many horses they purchased from Western Region and Mongolia, how many horses they transported from outside the Pass, presently they had a total of more than 85,000 good horses, and they were still continuing to buy and raise more horses. Kangxi was very pleased; he uttered some words of praise. The four officials kowtowed to express their gratitude for the compliments.

Suddenly Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty, I heard that Sichuan, Yunnan's horses are not the same as the outside the Pass and Western Region horses; although their body is smaller, they have good endurance and good at traveling on the mountainous road; I wonder if that's true.”

Kangxi asked the four officials, ”Is that true?”

The Han official replied, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: Sichuan horses, Yunnan horses, are able to resist hardship and carry heavy load, their endurance is very good, and their ability to travel over mountainous roads is indeed very good. However, to charge and break through the enemy lines on flat land, they are far inferior to horses from outside the Pass and Western Region. For this reason, in the armed force we do not use Sichuan and Yunnan horses.”

Kangxi cast a glance toward Wei Xiaobao, and then asked the official, ”How many Sichuan horses, Yunnan horses do we have?”

The official replied, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: in the defense forces stationed in Sichuan and Yunnan, Sichuan horses and Yunnan horses are not a few; however, in other places there are very few. In the defense force stationed in Hunan, we have more than 500 horses.”

Kangxi nodded, ”Dismiss,” he said. He did not want to reveal to these officials his intention to attack Yunnan. After the four officials withdrew, he said to Wei Xiaobao, ”Luckily you reminded me. Tomorrow I must issue a decree, ordering Sichuan Zongdu [governor-general] to immediately buy Sichuan horses in large quantity. It would be best if we can keep this matter top secret.”

Wei Xiaobao suddenly giggled with a very complacent look on his face. ”What is it?” Kangxi asked.

”Prince Consort Wu has just had one batch of Yunnan horses shipped here from Yunnan,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”He boasted that these horses have excellent endurance. Your servant did not believe him, so I made an appointment with him to have a race. Whether Yunnan horses really have good endurance, we will find out in a little bit.”

Kangxi smiled and said, ”You should race him well then. How are you going to race?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”We agreed to race ten pairs, he who wins six will win the bet.”

Kangxi said, ”Only race ten, you won't necessarily find out if Yunnan horses indeed have the good quality. Do you know how many Yunnan horses did he ship in?”

Wei Xiaobao replied, ”I looked at his stable, there are at least fifty, sixty horses. All are newly shipped.”

Kangxi said, ”Then you'd better race with him fifty, sixty pairs. Take the long route, it will be best if you go to Xishan [western mountain], run along the mountain roads.” Seeing Wei Xiaobao's expression was bit strange, he said, ”Damn it, you have no prospect! If you lose, I'll pay you back your gold.”

Wei Xiaobao felt it was inappropriate to tell the Emperor honestly that he had played some trick in Wu Yingxiong's stable. In this race his chance of victory was 99%, but when the race finished, the Emperor would think that Yunnan horses were useless; and then when they march to fight the war in the future, perhaps Wei Xiaobao had brought harm to this important matter. He smiled and said, ”It's not about the gold …”

”Uh,” suddenly Kangxi exclaimed, ”Yunnan horses have good endurance, that fellow Wu Yingxiong has a large quantity of Yunnan horses shipped to Beijing; what for?”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”It must be that he wanted to create quite a stir, boasting that his Yunnan horses are good.”

Kangxi frowned. ”Not right!” he said, ”This … this boy wants to escape.”

Wei Xiaobao still has not understood. ”Escape?” he asked in surprise.

”That's right!” Kangxi said, ”Guards!” he called out. When several eunuchs appeared, he ordered them, ”Issue a decree at once, close the Nine Gate, nobody is allowed to get out of the city, summon Prince Consort Wu Yingxiong to the Palace to see Zhen.”

The eunuchs complied and went out to issue the decree. Wei Xiaobao's countenance changed slightly, ”Your Majesty,” he said, ”Are you saying that that fellow Wu Yingxiong is that audacious that unexpectedly he is going to escape?”

Kangxi shook his head, ”I wish that my premonition is incorrect,” he said, ”Otherwise, we will have to resort to arms immediately against Wu Sangui. At this time our preparation is insufficient.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”If we are not prepared, Wu Sangui is not necessarily prepared either.”

There was a concerned look on Kangxi's face as he said, ”You're wrong. Before he even reached Yunnan, Wu Sangui has already recruited soldiers and bought horses, he already has the intention to revolt. He has been prepared for a dozen or so years, while I only started large scale deployment in the last year or two.”

Wei Xiaobao could only speak some comforting words, ”But Your Majesty is brilliant and wise; your one year deployment is equal to Wu Sangui's twenty years.”

Kangxi raised his foot and pretended to kick Wei Xiaobao as he said with a laugh, ”I kick you once, it's equal to Wu Sangui kicking you twenty times. Damn it, Xiao Guizi, you must not take Wu Sangui too lightly. This old fellow is very good at deploying troops and fighting a battle. Li Zicheng was that formidable, yet he was defeated by him. Within the imperial court, not one general is his match.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”We rely on numbers to gain victory. Your Majesty sends ten generals; ten beat damn one.”

”Even so,” Kangxi said, ”Only if we send out capable great marshals will we succeed. If under my command I have Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, or perhaps Mu Ying, then I won't have to worry.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty personally lead your troops into battle, you surpass Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Mu Ying. In the past Ming Taizu defeated Chen Youliang, he also personally led his troops into battle.”

[67], the Emperor believed eunuch Wang Zhen, he personally led the army into battle, several hundred thousand troops suffered total defeat under this eunuch's muddleheaded advice that even the Emperor was captured by the enemy.”

Wei Xiaobao was scared; he busily said, ”Your Majesty, your servant is a fake eunuch.”

Kangxi roared in laughter; he said, ”You don't have to be afraid. Even if you were a real eunuch, I am not a muddleheaded ruler like that previous Ming's Yingzong; how can I let you mess up with me?”

”Right! Right!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty's divine strategy is indeed not a small matter. There is a saying in the opera, it's called … it's called inside something something, something is ten thousand li away.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”That saying is too difficult; I am not going to teach you.”

While they were still talking, a eunuch came to report that Nine Gates' Tidu already received the imperial order to shut the city walls. Kangxi was just feeling slightly relieved when another eunuch came to report, ”The Prince Consort went hunting and has not returned, the city gate is already shut, we cannot go out of town to summon him.”

Kangxi slapped the table; he stood up and called out, ”He has really left.” He asked, ”What about Princess Jianning?”

The eunuch said, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: Her Highness the Princess is still in the Palace.”

”That fellow,” Kangxi hatefully said, ”Unexpectedly he does not have the slightest bit feeling between husband and wife.”

”Your Majesty,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Let your servant pursue this fellow and get him back; he has an agreement with your servant for a horse race today, unexpectedly he went hunting out of town; indeed it's not right for him to do so.”

Kangxi asked the eunuch, ”When did the Prince Consort go out of town?”

The eunuch replied, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: when your servant went to the Prince Consort's Mansion to announce the imperial decree, the Prince Consort's Mansion zongguan [manager] said that Prince Consort left early this morning to go hunting.”

”Humph,” Kangxi said, ”This fellow must have received the news this morning that Shang Kexi and Geng Jingzhong accepted the imperial orders of border defense removal. I am guessing that he knew that his old man is going to revolt immediately, hence he sneaked out at once.” Turning toward Wei Xiaobao he said, ”He has gone for six, seven sichen [i.e. 12 or 14 hours]; you won't be able to catch up with him. He had several dozen of Yunnan horses shipped here from Yunnan, it is precisely so that he could exchange horses all the way to Kunming.”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”The Emperor indeed can prophecy with supernatural accuracy; as soon as he heard that Wu Yingxiong had a large quantity of Yunnan horses shipped here, he could guess that he was planning to run away.” Seeing Kangxi's countenance was not good, he did not dare to flatter randomly; but suddenly he remembered something. ”Your Majesty,” he said, ”Please don't worry, perhaps your servant has a way to catch this fellow and bring him back.”

”How are you going to do that?” Kangxi said, ”Rubbish! If Yunnan horses really have good endurance, and he has left Beijing far away, if he changed his appearance in disguise, you won't be able to overtake him at all.”

Wei Xiaobao was not sure if his head stable hand managed to feed crotons to Wu Yingxiong's Yunnan horses, hence he did not dare to boast extravagantly in front of the Emperor. He said, ”Eating the ruler's good fortune, loyal to the ruler's matter. Let your servant try to pursue him; if I really cannot overtake him, there is nothing we can do anyway.”

Kangxi nodded. ”Very well!” he said. Taking a brush-pen in hand, he quickly wrote an imperial edict, and stamped it with the imperial jade seal, ordering the Nine Gates' Tidu to open the city gate to let Wei Xiaobao out; he said, ”Take more Valiant Cavalry Brigade's sergeants with you; if Wu Yingxiong resists arrest, overcome him with force.” Kangxi also handed over the golden seal to give him the authority to mobilize the troops.

”I obey the order!” Wei Xiaobao replied; he received the imperial edict and dashed out the Palace.

The Princess was waiting at the Imperial Palace gate. Seeing Wei Xiaobao hurrying out in quick steps, she called out, ”Xiao Guizi, what are you doing?”

”It's desperately serious,” Wei Xiaobao called back, ”Your husband ran away.” Unexpectedly he did not stop, but ran even faster instead.

”Dead eunuch,” the Princess cursed, ”You have no manners; quickly halt for me.”

Wei Xiaobao called out, ”I am going to catch the Princess' husband, I will go through water and tread on fire, I will not decline under any circumstances, I will travel through night and day, my horse will not stop to rest …” While babbling nonsense, he had already gone far.