Chapter - 44 (44) (1/2)

The body becomes like red cloud that always stay close to the sun, the heart follows green jade grass facing the wind.

Kangxi went out from the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. Wei Xiaobao followed him back to Yang Xin Dian [Nurturing Heart Palace Hall], and waited outside to hall to be summoned. After waiting for a long time he saw the Vanguard Battalion Commander Ajichi came out of the Hall. Wei Xiaobao thought, ”His Majesty must be mobilizing the Vanguard Battalion to intensify the guard against the assassins.” And then a eunuch came out to summon Wei Xiaobao.

Kangxi dismissed the Imperial Bodyguards and the eunuchs, and ordered Wei Xiaobao to close the Hall's door. With knitted brows Kangxi paced back and forth in the Hall. It looked as if he had a difficult problem but was not sure how to deal with it. Seeing Kangxi like that, Wei Xiaobao was quite anxious and scared. The young Emperor was growing older, his power and influence was flourishing more and more by the day. For each time Wei Xiaobao saw him, he always felt that their closeness decreased by one part, while the fear toward him increased by one part; they were no longer the same boys who wrestled each other absolutely unrestrained.

After a while, Kangxi said, ”Xiao Guizi, there is one thing, but I don't know what to do.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty is intelligent and wise, even Zhuge Liang would step down gracefully to you. Your idea must be brilliant.”

”This time even Zhuge Liang would be at a loss,” Kangxi said, ”You have rendered three great merits, yet I have rewarded you not a single thing. Capturing Mao Dongzhu is the first merit. Talking to Mongolia and Tibet that the two military forces surrender to us is the second merit. Just now you sent people to kill the rebel thief and saved the Empress Dowager is the third merit. You are very young, yet you are already bestowed the title Bojue [Earl]; I can't grant you the title Wang [King]!” At this point he burst into loud laughter.

Only then did Wei Xiaobao know that the Emperor was joking with him; he said happily, ”These several merits are due to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty's flood of good fortunes, all merits are Your Majesty's own meritorious service. Too bad Your Majesty cannot promote your own official rank; otherwise, Your Majesty should promote yourself three grades at once.”

Kangxi laughed. ”Suffer what loss?” he asked.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”After defeating and pacifying Wu Sangui, Your Majesty will greatly rewarded the ministers who have given outstanding service, the three armies; everybody will be promoted and gain wealth. Not only Your Majesty yourself will not be promoted, you will have to open wide the coffer instead; glistening yellow gold, shining white silver, will have to be carted out and spent; won't that mean you will suffer financial loss?”

Kangxi laughed. ”You are unlearned, and don't have any future prospect,” he said, ”After sweeping away the rebel Wu, the whole world at peace, common people live in harmony and work happily; that will be your lord's promotion and gain.”

”I see,” Wei Xiaobao said.

Kangxi continued, ”However, after the rebel Wu is wiped out, the ministers will definitely want to propose a title. This kind of 'boot-licking the big king' is not something that Zhen wants to waste my time worrying about right now. When the task is successfully accomplished, they will come together to bootlick big time.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty has foresight of everything. When that time comes, we will quietly see which ministers will propose some honorific title for Your Majesty, who will bootlick the big king.”

Kangxi laughed. ”Right!” he said, ”At that time laozi will kick some damn dogs' butt.” Both the lord and his minister burst out in loud laughter.

Indeed it happened as Kangxi had expected; as soon as Wu Sangui was subdued, the ministers immediately proposed honorific title, sang Kangxi's praises, and bootlicked him big time. Kangxi issued an imperial edict: ”Although the traitor has been subdued, the wound has not been healed; the ruler and his ministers should rebuild the country, give relief to the troops and support the people, spreading encouragement, in integrity restoring the affairs to its former condition, together delivering peace and security. If the mission is believed to be satisfied with achievements and virtue, honorific title will be granted; excessive request of grace is very shameful.”

The wording of the edict was very stern, but the ministers still did not understand, they thought Kangxi was only pretending to decline, hence they submit the proposal again. Kangxi issued another decree: ”Since childhood Zhen has read books, and is aware of the ancient rulers' conduct, from the beginning to the end very few have been able to escape from this narrow way of life, and I have always tried to guard against it. For fear that several affairs might be neglected, I exercise restrain to the end, eat late and get up early, in vast coldness and flourishing heat, do not dare to neglect. Occasionally feel unwell, also make an effort to go out and head and decide. In the middle of the night several proper memorials are reported, draping my clothes I go out, always planning on behalf of the people under the heavens. Today the efficacy of cleanliness and quietness is even more rare, the people are without abundant health but with rough lives, the ruler and his ministers are completely without merits and achievements that can be recorded. Supposing honorific title for Zhen is repeated, plus all of you officers get promoted in rank, this vanity is shameful, where is the honor and glory in that?”

The crowd of ministers wanted to 'pat the horse's buttocks' [i.e. bootlick], but they patted the horse's leg instead; after making so much noise their heads and faces were filthy with grime, so now they did not dare to propose anymore. All of these were something that happened later, our book will not show it.

Kangxi laughed and said, ”Emperors who grant themselves honorific titles are indeed too many; it can't be considered rare. The Ming Dynasty has a certain Emperor Zhengde

[10], now that was rare.”

”This Emperor,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your servant has met him several times.”

”You met him several times?” Kangxi asked in surprise, ”In your dream?”

”No,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Your servant saw him on stage. There is a play called 'Plum Dragon Town'; Emperor Zhengde was roaming the Jiangnan, in Plum Dragon Town he saw a young woman selling wine, Li Fengjie, who was very beautiful. He fooled around with her.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”Emperor Zhengde loved to roam around in plain clothes, it is not known whether this Li Fengjie matter really happened or not. This Emperor did not grant himself any honorific title, but he loved to assign himself an official rank. He bestowed himself the title 'Zongdu [governor-general] Junwu [military affairs] Wei Wu [formidable/mighty, usually in military force] Dajiangjun [great general] Zongbing [regional commander] Guan [officer]', coming across something like 'wind blowing grass moving'. He issued an imperial edict: 'to the northern bandit rebel boundary, specially assigned Zongdu Junwu Wei Wu Dajiangjun Zongbing Guan Zhu Shou in command of six armies took the journey.' Zhu Shou was his name. Afterwards he fought a battle, which he actually lost, but he said it was a victory, his meritorious service was great, hence he issued another decree, bestowing himself the title of 'Zhen Guo Gong'

[11], plus an official salary of five thousand dan of rice.” [1 dan is approximately 100 liters or 100 quarts]Wei Xiaobao roared in laughter; he said, ”This man did not want to be the Emperor, but wanted to be 'Zhen Guo Gong' instead; he was really muddleheaded.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”At that time his high-ranking ministers opposed the idea, saying that if he took the title 'Zhen Guo Gong', he must also confer posthumous title to his ancestors to the third generation. The Emperor became 'Zhen Guo Gong' was not a big deal, but the Emperor's three generation ancestors were all Emperors, they would definitely not agree to be demoted. Emperor Zhengde did not care, he was determined to be 'Zhen Guo Gong'. Later on he rendered another meritorious service and conferred himself the title of 'Taishi' [imperial tutor]. Fortunately he died early, otherwise he would grant himself higher and higher title, until in the end he would have usurped his own throne and just be the Emperor.”

Hearing the word 'usurping the throne', two characters [cuan wei], Wei Xiaobao did not dare to talk too much; he only let out some hollow laughs.

Kangxi said, ”Emperor Zhengde had done a lot of stupid things, he had caused the common people so much hardship. While it is true that he himself was not good, but half of those were from the eunuchs and ministers who taught him bad things.”

”Yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Bad emperors loved to employ bad eunuchs and treacherous court officials, good emperors employ good eunuchs and loyal court officials.”

Kangxi shook his head slightly. ”That is not necessarily true,” he said, ”Bad eunuchs and treacherous court officials also exist around a good emperor, it's just that if the emperor is not muddleheaded, even if others deceived him, in the end he would be able to uncover the treacherous official's sinister plot.”

”Yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, his heart could not help thumping madly.

Kangxi asked, ”That s1ut Mao Dongzhu's lover [orig. male adulterer], what's his name?”

”He is called Thin Toutuo,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”His real name, your servant does not know.”

Kangxi said, ”But he is so fat, he looked like a meatball, why was he called Thin Toutuo?”

”I heard that he was originally very tall and very fat,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Afterwards he took Shen Long Jiao Jiaozhu's poison, he curled up and became a short and fat person.”

Kangxi asked further, ”How did you know he and Mao Dongzhu were hiding inside Shen Taifei's [first imperial concubine Shen] sedan chair, and were forcing the Empress Dowager to escort them out of the Palace?”

Wei Xiaobao's mind churned lightning fast, ”First the Emperor said that I sent people to kill the rebel thief and save the Empress Dowager, and that my merit was very big. But now he said that those two people were hiding inside the Taifei's sedan chair and the Empress Dowager was forced to take them out of the Palace. In that case the Emperor still does not know the matter of Gui Family's three people assassination attempt. However, whether by this time the Gui Family trio have escaped, or are caught alive, or are killed, in the end this matter cannot be concealed. What should I say?”

Seeing him hesitating without answering, Kangxi asked, ”What is it? Is there something I shouldn't know?”

”No, no!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your servant is wondering in my heart, how could those two rebel thieves hide inside the Taifei's sedan chair? I really cannot figure it out even after thinking about it until my skull cracks. I was about to ask Your Majesty to enlighten me.”

”Let me ask you first,” Kangxi said, ”How did you know that the one sitting in the sedan chair was not Taifei, and thus you ordered the Imperial Bodyguards to assault the imperial sedan chair?”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”Turns out the Emperor still thinks that it was the Imperial Bodyguards of the Palace who killed Thin Toutuo and Mao Dongzhu. This matter will be exposed sooner or later, I'd better tell him the truth.” Thereupon he said, ”Your servant is guilty and deserves ten thousand deaths. Your Majesty, please forgive me.” While saying that he dropped to his knees.

Kangxi frowned. ”What is it?” he asked.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your servant received Your Majesty's imperial decree to escort the offender to the throne Mao Dongzhu to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. When I walked through the imperial garden, suddenly from behind the rockery 'hua la!' jumped out three people wearing Imperial Bodyguards and court eunuchs uniform. They grabbed your servant, and forced me to take them to see Your Majesty. These three people's martial art was very high; pinched by them, your servant's fingers were nearly broken.” Speaking to this point, he lifted his left hand, and indeed his five fingers were black and swollen.

”Why did they want to see me?” Kangxi asked.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Those three must be the assassins sent by Wu Sangui; even if they pinched your servant to death, I would never agree to take them to violate your holy self. It just so happens that … no, not just so happens, it was by good luck. By good luck the Empress Dowager and the First Concubine's luan-selves [luan is mythical bird related to phoenix] came by. Those three assassins were muddleheaded; they thought inside Taifei's sedan chair was Your Majesty's holy self, right away they dashed out to commit the violent crime. It was due to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty's flood of good fortune that unexpectedly the rebel thieves killed other rebel thieves. I don't know if by this time those three assassins have been killed by the Imperial Bodyguards, or have been captured alive. Your servant will go right away to find out and will come back to present a memorial.”

Kangxi said, ”Those three assassins are not necessarily muddleheaded; most likely it was you who gave them direction, wasn't it? You thought that rather that let the assassins violate my holy self, it would be better to harm Taifei. As soon as they made their move, the Palace would be thrown to confusion, they would not be able to harm me, and your little life would also be preserved; isn't that so?” Having his innermost thought penetrated by Kangxi, Wei Xiaobao knew it was useless to deny, he could only kowtowed repeatedly.

Kangxi said, ”You pointed the assassins to endanger Taifei, you really deserve to have your head chopped, but considering you still have three-part [i.e. to some degree] loyalty and love to me …”

Wei Xiaobao busily said, ”Not three-part, it's ten-part [i.e. completely], a hundred-part, a thousand-part, ten-thousand-part loyalty and love.”

Kangxi smiled and asked, ”Can it be proven?”

”It can be proven, it can be proven,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Totally can be proven!”

Kangxi stretched out his foot to kick lightly on his forehead. ”Damn it,” he said with a laugh, ”Get up.”

Wei Xiaobao was so scared that his head was damp with sweats; he kowtowed several more times before standing up. Kangxi laughed and said, ”You have rendered three great meritorious services; at first I did not know how to reward you, but now I have found a way. You gave directions to the assassins, hence you offended your superior with violent crime; you also do not have a heart to submit yourself to your master, but I am not going to punish you. You atone for your crimes by meritorious acts; we are even.”

”Marvelous, marvelous,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Just like Your Majesty playing Pai Jiu, at first your servant wins, later on Your Majesty win, in the end we are even. Your Majesty did not eat my money, yet you also do not pay me anything.” In his heart he said, ”No promotion is fine. Do you think you are going to bestow me the title 'Wei Wu Dajiangjun' [mighty great general], 'Zhen Guo Gong' [duke of Zhen country]? Even if you bestowed me the title 'Taishi' [imperial tutor], there's nothing amazing about it. In those years Tang Bohu [Ming painter and poet] painted the Imperial Tutor Hua's two sons, Hua Da and Hua Er [first and second son, respectively] as fools. The two sons that I, Wei Taishi, will have, Wei Da and Wei Er, will also be a mess, a really big mess.”

Kangxi said, ”That short and fat thief, his motive was really malicious. After his lover was caught by you, he knew it was hard to seize her back, anticipating that you would eventually deliver her to the Palace to be dealt with by the Empress Dowager, he unexpectedly took a risk out of desperation and broke into the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, rebelling against the Emperor and coercing the Empress Dowager. At this moment the number of active Imperial Bodyguards was increased several times, the Palace is heavily-guarded, he could not like the last time taking us by surprise and jumped over the wall to escape. He was hoping that by sitting in Shen Taifei's sedan chair, with the Empress Dowager personally escorted them to the Palace gate, the two of them could escape together. He had never even dreamed that demons and gods at work, unexpectedly you gave the assassins the direction to attack the First Concubine's luan sedan chair, and killed the two rebel thieves.”

Wei Xiaobao suddenly saw the light, ”So that's what happened,” he said, ”That Empress Dowager and Your Majesty have a flood of good fortune is indeed not the least bit incorrect.” In his heart he mused, ”No wonder when I delivered the old wh0re, the Empress Dowager put on a bad luck face, as if I owed her three million taels of silver and did not pay her back. Turns out at that time Thin Toutuo was already hiding in her bedroom, most likely he was hiding in her bed. Thin Toutuo had lived in the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful for many days, naturally he was familiar with the layout. Perhaps he had also slept in that big bed for many nights. We were really lucky that he was thinking of this scheme. I wonder how many days had he been hiding in the Empress Dowager's bedroom? Perhaps it was several days already. Aiyo, not good! Thin Toutuo and Empress Dowager, one man one woman, hiding in the room for several days in a row, I wonder if they had done some other trick or not? The Buddhist hat on the Old Emperor's head on Mount Wutai, perhaps it will turn somewhat green.” ['wearing green hat' – a cuckold]Naturally Kangxi could not read his dirty mind; he laughed and said, ”Empress Dowager and me have great good fortune, your own good fortune is not small either.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your servant actually does not have any good fortune, it's because I have been with Your Majesty for such a long time that Your Majesty's good fortune has rubbed on me.”

Kangxi burst into loud laughter. He asked, ”That Gui Xinshu's nickname, 'Shen Quan Wu Di' [divine fist without equal], is his martial art really that formidable?”

In the midst of his laughter Kangxi suddenly asked this question, in Wei Xiaobao's ears it was like a thunderclap. His body shook, he felt instead of blood, vinegar was flowing through his legs; they turned limp and painful. ”This … this …” he stammered.

With a cold laugh Kangxi said, ”Heaven is my father, Earth is my mother, Fighting the Qing, Restoring the Ming! Wei Xiangzhu, what a big guts you have!”

Wei Xiaobao felt the sky spun, the earth turned around, his brain crumpled into a ball; the first thought he had was reaching out to pull the dagger in his boot, but he immediately remembered, ”He knows everything! Since he even asked me that, that means his card is better than mine. His martial art skill is higher than mine, I cannot kill him with one stab. Even if I could, I am not sure if I can kill him!” Thereupon without hesitation he kneeled down and called out, ”Xiao Guizi surrenders, I ask Xiao Xuanzi to spare my life!”

As soon as these three words 'Xiao Xuanzi' entered his ears, the memory of when they were playing and having martial art contest surged up in Kangxi's mind. He could not help but heaving a deep sigh and said, ”You … all along you have concealed everything from me well.”

Wei Xiaobao kowtowed and said, ”Although your servant's body in Tian Di Hui, toward Your Majesty I am loyal and devoted; I have not done anything that offend Your Majesty.”

Kangxi sternly said, ”If you have the slightest rebellious thought, how could you live until today?”

Listening to the tone of his voice, Wei Xiaobao could hear the leniency in it; busily he kowtowed again and said, ”Your Majesty is 'raw bird fish soup', you surpass Zhuge that Liang, your servant will be loyal to the end to my master, just like Guan Yun that Chang.”

Kangxi was unable to restrain a smile; in his heart he swore, ”Damn it, what Zhuge that Liang, Guan Yun that Chang?” But it was such a critical junction in their relationship, if he showed a somewhat false expression, this clown would perform some impromptu comedic act [referring to the opera], would crawl up along the stick, and then Kangxi would not be able to subdue him. Thereupon he shouted, ”Tell me everything from head to tail! If you speak half a word of empty words, I'll chop you into dog meat in soy paste instantly!” Yet when speaking the last sentence, he could not refrain a smile from appearing on the corner of his mouth.

Kangxi constantly inquired him of Tian Di Hui situation, Wei Xiaobao told him truthfully. After listening for a while, Kangxi nodded and said, ”Five men share a poem, the Hong Ying in them nobody knows.”

Wei Xiaobao was startled, ”The Emperor knew even the secret code used by my Society's brothers to identify each other,” he mused. He then recited, ”Henceforth it is passed on to the brothers, afterwards knowing each other and have a reunion.”

Kangxi said, ”Entering the Hong Gate for the first time, swearing brotherhood with elder brothers, that same day taking an open oath to show sincerity.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Pine and cypress [fig. chaste and undefiled] two branches on the left and right, in the middle the Hong Hua [flood/great flower] Pavilion to swear brotherhood.”

Kangxi said, ”The brothers in front of Zhong Yi [lit. loyal and righteous] Hall, generals and millions of troops selected inside the city wall.”

Wei Xiaobao recited, ”Taking an oath in front of the Fu De [good fortune and virtue] Ancestral Hall, our Hong Ying desire is to fight the Qing and restore the Ming.”

According to Tian Di Hui rule, once this exchange was finished, the two of them would then announce their names and surnames, and give an account of which Hall they were affiliated with, plus their rank and official duty within the Society. But Kangxi only smiled slightly.

Wei Xiaobao happily said, ”Turns out Your Majesty is also my Society brother. I wonder which Hall do you belong to? And how many incense stick do you burn …” Speaking to here, he realized that he had been thoroughly muddleheaded; Kangxi was the Great Qing Emperor, how could he 'fight the Qing restore the Ming'? ”Beat you this silly kid, beat you this silly kid!” he repeatedly said, while 'slap, slap!' he gently slapped his own mouth.

Kangxi stood up, he paced up and down the hall, and said, ”You are an officer of our Manchu, you eat our Great Qing's good fortune and rice, yet in your heart you harbor the idea of fighting the Qing and restoring the Ming. If I did not remember that you have rendered some tiny merit, even if you have a hundred heads, all would have been chopped down long ago.”

”Yes, yes!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Only because Your Majesty is magnanimous that your servant's head can be preserved until today. Your servant will withdraw from the Society at once, I don't want to be Tian Di Hui Xiangzhu no matter what. From now on I won't fight the Qing restore the Ming at all, I will turn around and fight the Ming restore the Qing.”

In his belly Kangxi was secretly amused; but he cursed, ”My Great Qing has not perished yet, what are you going to restore? A mouthful of nonsense!”

”Yes, yes!” Wei Xiaobao hastily said, ”Your servant will defend and protect my master's rivers and mountains for ten thousand years. Whatever Your Majesty wants me to restore, I will restore that. Whatever you want me to fight, your servant will fight it.”

Kangxi lowered his voice, he spoke slowly, word by word, ”Very well! I want you to fight Tian Di Hui!”

”Yes, yes!” Wei Xiaobao said; but in his heart he was groaning, automatically his face revealed a distressed look.

Kangxi said, ”You have a mouthful of graceful words, flowery speech, saying that no matter what you would be loyal and devoted to me, but I don't know if that's the truth or a lie.”

Wei Xiaobao hastily said, ”A hundred percent pure gold, a hundred percent pure gold! Nothing can be purer.”

Kangxi said, ”I will examine you carefully, whether or not you have not committed any evil conduct in treason or heresy against me. If you obey my order, this time you incite Tian Di Hui, cut the weeds and eliminate the roots, kill all those rebels clean, then you will atone for your crimes by meritorious acts, I will pardon your guilt of deceiving your lord; maybe I will even reward you with something. If you are still craftily cheating me, being two-faced, three knives, humph, humph, do you think I cannot kill Tian Di Hui's Wei Xiangzhu?”

Wei Xiaobao was so scared that his back was drenched in cold sweats. ”Yes, yes,” he repeatedly said, ”Your Majesty want to kill your servant, it will be like pinching an ant. But … but Your Majesty is 'raw bird fish soup', you won't kill a loyal minister.”

”Humph,” Kangxi snorted, ”What loyal minister are you? You are big-white-face treacherous court official.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty please understand: while it's true that there are something that your servant concealed from Your Majesty, in all honesty I am not a big-white-face treacherous court official. Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao

[12], definitely I am not them.”

”Alright!” Kangxi said, ”Even if you are not a big-white-face treacherous court official, you are a white-nose clown.”

The Emperor assigned him different roles of the opera, Wei Xiaobao was relieved instantly; he busily said, ”Being a clown is fine. Just like … just like Shi Qian, Zhu Guangzu, they can also render meritorious service to Your Majesty.”

Kangxi smiled slightly. ”Humph,” he said, ”You always insist on presenting yourself as a good person. Very well, you select troops and horses, go get Tian Di Hui, Mu Palace, Gui Xinshu, and those bunch of rebel thieves' heads and bring them here. If you short one head, I will chop one of your hands, if you leave four, I will chop your pair of hands and two legs. If you leave five, which part of you should I chop?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”This … this … your servant has no choice but to become a real eunuch.”

Kangxi could not help bursting into loud laughter. ”Damn it,” he cursed, ”You really know how to count your chickens before they are hatched.”

With a frown on his face Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty chops my two hands and two legs, most likely your servant won't live. This head above my neck, whether you chop it or not, it would not make much difference.” He thought, ”He even knows about the Mu Palace; he is seriously well-informed.”

Kangxi put his hand into his sleeve and took out a sheet of paper. He read, ”Tian Di Hui Zongduozhu Chen Jinnan, Green Wood Hall Xiangzhu Wei Xiaobao, subordinates Li Lishi, Xu Tianchuan, Priest Xuanzhen, Qian Laoben, Gao Yanchao, Feng Jizhong, and the others; Mu Family's Mu Jiansheng, Liu Dahong, Wu Lishen and the others, the three assassins who entered the Palace were Gui Xinshu, Gui Erniang, Gui Zhong. One, two, three, four, five … altogether there are forty-three rebel thieves. If you are not included, the total is forty-two names.”

Wei Xiaobao dropped on his knees again and knocked his head twice. ”Your Majesty,” he said, ”Although this bunch of people say that they want to fight the Qing and restore the Ming, they have not been able to fight successfully, nor restore successfully. Let me talk to them. Above Your Majesty know astronomy, below you know geography, past and future, you know everything. Your Majesty have said that the Great Qing's rivers and mountains will last ten thousand upon ten thousand years; that is definitely not wrong. Fighting the Qing they cannot fight successfully, it would be better if they disband their groups.”

Kangxi reached out and slapped the table heavily; he said in a stern voice, ”You are stubbornly refusing to accept orders, unwilling to arrest the rebel thieves?”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”Heroes of Jianghu attach most importance to yi qi. If I arrest Shifu and the others, His Majesty will definitely chop their heads. If that happens, Wei Xiaobao is selling his friends, I become Wu Sangui. Ay, at that time why I did not masquerade as other people, but masqueraded as Xiao Guizi instead. Xiao Guizi, Xiao Guizi, isn't that Wu Sangui's son? [same 'gui' character] I don't want to be Bojue Daren anymore, I have to find a way to warn Shifu and the others to run away, to roll out of damn stinking duck egg.”

Seeing he did not answer, Kangxi was even more angry. ”So what is it?” he barked, ”Don't you know that you have committed a great crime? I give you a chance to reform and start afresh, a golden opportunity to atone for your crimes by meritorious acts, you are still haggling with me?”

”Your Majesty,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”They wanted to come and harm you, I staked everything to stop them; your servant upheld yi qi toward you. Your Majesty wanted to arrest them, your servant stood in the middle, it's hard for me to conduct myself, I have no choice but to plead with you; this is also for the sake of yi qi.”

Kangxi angrily said, ”In your heart you are leaning toward the rebel thieves; that is 'undivided obedience toward the rebels, eyes not looking at the lord', yet you are still talking about yi qi?” After a short pause he continued, ”You have saved my life, you have saved Fu Huang, saved the Empress Dowager. If I kill you today, in your heart you won't submit; you will say that I did not have yi qi toward you, will you not?”

At this stage, Wei Xiaobao might as well harden his scalp. ”That's true,” he said, ”Your Majesty has promised that if your servant ever makes mistake, Your Majesty will spare my life. The Lord of Ten Thousand Year's golden mouth, once said you cannot go back on your word.”

”Alright,” Kangxi said, ”You have deep plans and distant thoughts; you have prepared this move early on. Humph, your heart must be put to death.”

Wei Xiaobao did not understand the meaning of the four-word phrase 'your heart must be put to death'

[13], but he presumed it was not a good word. Ever since he knew Kangxi, he had never seen him losing his temper like this; he mused, ”My head has been chopped more than half. With the young Emperor's bad temper, pleading for leniency is useless; I'd better reason with him.” He said, ”Your Majesty, I did obeisance to you as my master, you have agreed to take me as your disciple. That Chen Jinnan is also my Shifu. If I harbor any intention to harm you, that means I 'deceive my master exterminate my ancestor'. If I go to harm that other Shifu, that means I also 'deceive my master exterminate my ancestor'. Besides … besides, an emperor chopping his servant's head is of course perfectly normal. But Shifu chopping his disciple's head, it's a bit out of place.”

Kangxi thought, ”Accepting him as a disciple was just a joke; it was clearly stated then. This kid relies on my favor and his pride, he is undisciplined and out of control, unexpectedly he talked about me and the bandit chief in one breath, he is really creating a lot of trouble …” While he was thinking to this point, suddenly there was faint noise of people shouting and yelling from a distant, and 'bing bing bang bang' noise of weapons clashing.

Wei Xiaobao sprang up and said, ”Seems like there are assassins. Shifu, please sit down and don't move, let disciple block in front of you.”

”Humph,” Kangxi snorted; he thought, ”This kid has committed thousands of inappropriate deeds, but to me he actually has a loyal and loving heart.” He said, ”Later on you must not me Shifu anymore. You did not abide by the law of our school, as the Shifu, I am expelling you.” Speaking those words, he could not help feeling amused.

They heard footsteps, several people were rushing outside the Hall's gate and stopped there. Wei Xiaobao rushed behind the door and immediately lifted up the latch to bolt the door. In a matter of life and death like this, his hands and feet could move very quickly, indeed it was unbelievable. ”Who's there?” he shouted.

Outside someone said in a loud voice, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: Three assassins are breaking into the Palace, the night guards have already surrounded them, very soon they will be captured.”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”In the end the three people of Gui Family are not able to escape.” He shouted, ”His Majesty knew. Quickly get a hundred Imperial Bodyguards around Yang Xin Hall to protect the holy self, also station thirty guards on the roof.” The Imperial Bodyguard Captain outside the Hall acknowledged the order and left.

Kangxi thought, ”He is very thorough. That day when I met with danger on Mount Wutai, that nun in white broke the tile from the roof and jumped down, it was indeed very hard to guard against. Luckily this kid dashed on bravely with no thought of his own safety and blocked the sword in front of me.”

After a while the sound of clamor gradually diminished, but a moment later the noise of clashing weapons arose again. Kangxi frowned and said, ”Only three assassins and they cannot capture them. What if there are three hundred or three thousand assassins?”

”Your Majesty need not be worried,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”People with background like Gui Xinshu are very few in the world, at most there are only four or five.”

Another moment passed, they heard footsteps and the ringing sound of swords and sabers; the deployed night guards arrived outside the Hall. They also heard noise from all around the roof; the night guards had leaped onto the roof of the Hall. The guards knew that the Emperor was inside the Hall, hence they all stood on the eaves and the corners of the roof; nobody dared to walk across the roof, otherwise it would be extremely disrespectful if they stood above the top of the Emperor's head.

Kangxi knew that around the Yang Xin Hall alone there were at least four or five hundred Imperial Guards protecting him, he had absolutely nothing to worry about, thereupon he no longer care about the assassins. ”Look what I have here,” he said. From inside his sleeve he took out a piece of paper and spread it out on the table.

Wei Xiaobao came over to look; it was a drawing. In the middle there was a big building, with a flagpole and stone lions in front of the building; it looked a lot like his own Earl Mansion. There were a dozen or more cannon arranged all around the building, the mouths of the cannon were aimed at the big building. After he looked closer, the building looked more and more like his house. ”Do you recognize the building?” Kangxi asked.

”It looks a bit like your servant's dog house,” Wei Xiaobao replied.

”It's good that you recognize it,” Kangxi said. Pointing to the four characters above the drawing he asked, ”Do you also recognize these four characters 'Zhong Yong Bo Fu' [Loyal and Brave Earl Mansion]?”

Realizing that the building was indeed his house, Wei Xiaobao could not help but breaking into cold sweats. That many cannon were set up around all four sides of his residence, naturally it was not a good thing. He had personally seen the two foreign devils Tang Ruowang and Nan Huairen fired the cannon; when the cannon went off, with a loud bang a blaze rose to the sky, mud and rocks splashed several dozen zhang into the air. Even if he wore a hundred protective treasured vests, he would still be blown into dog meat paste. Thinking about the power of the cannon blast, he could not help but shuddered.

Kangxi slowly said, ”Tonight, your Tian Di Hui, Yunnan's Mu Family, Huashan Pai's surnamed Gui, plus Wang Wu Pai disciples Situ He and their people will convene at your house. Right now my twelve cannon are set up in private houses all around your house, the cannon are already loaded with cannonballs and gunpowder. We only need to open the window, exposing the muzzle, lighted the fuse, and I am afraid not a single rebel thief will be able to escape alive. If they are not dead from the bombardment and escape outside, several squads of Vanguard Battalion troops and horses are stationed in the surrounding area, they won't be able to eat rice no matter what. Did you see Vanguard Battalion Commander Ajichi just now? He has gone to inspect the troops in preparation for the action. The Vanguard Battalion has never had a harmonious relation with the Valiant Cavalry Brigade under your command, they may not necessarily let you go.”

Wei Xiaobao said with a trembling voice, ”Your Majesty has considered everything, but you tell it clearly to your servant only now, it is because you want to spare your servant's life. Whatever little merit your servant previously has, hereby it is used to atone for my crime; it is all used up, not the slightest bit is left.”

Kangxi smiled and said, ”It's good that you understand. Just like the two of us playing Pai Jiu, you won quite a bit of money first, but in one bet you lost everything to me. Your previous wins all at once are lost, from now on you neither win nor lose. If we want to keep playing, we have to start anew.”

Wei Xiaobao let out a gentle sigh, he said, ”I really have to thank Your Majesty's kindness. From now on your servant will concentrate on working for Your Majesty. Forget about Tian Di Hui, even Tian Jiu Hui's [heaven nine society] Xiangzhu your servant will not want to do it.” In his heart he was secretly worried, ”Shifu and the others agreed to meet again at my house tonight, how can I warn them so they won't come?” He said, ”Your Majesty ordered your servant to capture this bunch of rebel thieves, you were simply testing your servant's heart. The fact is that Your Majesty has already had divine foresight and amazing plan, everything else is a thousand-li distant.”

They heard someone outside the Hall said in a loud and clear voice, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: the rebel thieves have been arrested!”

Kangxi's face showed delight. ”Bring them in!” he shouted.

”Yes!” Wei Xiaobao complied. He turned around and lifted the bolt and opened the Hall's gate.

Several dozen Imperial Bodyguards, with the Gui Family three people in the midst of them, came in. They shouted together, ”Kowtow to His Majesty, kneel down!”

The several dozen Imperial Bodyguards kneeled down together. Gui Xinshu, Gui Erniang and Gui Zhong, three people, were covered in blood, their bodies were full of wounds, but they stood upright and unafraid. All three of them were bound with thick ropes, each person had two Imperial Bodyguards standing by their side holding the other end of the ropes. The Imperial Bodyguard captain shouted, ”Kneel down! Kneel down!” But how could the Gui Family trio pay him any attention?

They heard dripping noise in the Hall, the blood from the three Gui Family people and the wounded Imperial Bodyguards was continuously dripping to the floor. Gui Erniang glowered at Wei Xiaobao and shouted, ”Little traitor, you … you are a stinky thief!” Seeing the miserable condition of these three people, Wei Xiaobao could not help feeling grieved; he did not even try to answer the insult.

Kangxi nodded and said, ”Turns out Shen Quan Wu Di Gui Xinshu is such an old man! How many of our men are dead or injured?”

The Imperial Bodyguard captain replied, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: the rebel thieves are extremely vicious, Imperial Bodyguards who died in the line of duty were more than thirty, those who are injured are more than forty.”

”Hey,” Kangxi said, while waving his hand. Inwardly he praised, ”Amazing!”

The Imperial Bodyguard captain ordered his men to bring the three people out. Suddenly Gui Xinshu let out a loud shout and exerted his internal strength, his right shoulder crashed onto the Imperial Bodyguard standing by his side.

”Ah!” the Imperial Bodyguard cried out, while his body flew out, his head crashed onto the wall, sending him to instant death.

Gui Xinshu grabbed the rope binding Gui Zhong. Stretching and pulling, 'Snap!' the rope broke. Gui Xinshu grabbed Gui Zhong's body and shouted, ”Child, quickly go, Mama and I will follow really soon.” He threw Gui Zhong outside, Gui Zhong's body flew out of the Hall's gate.

Right this moment the Gui Family husband and wife leaped together to pounce on Kangxi. Seeing this adverse turn of events, Wei Xiaobao was greatly shocked; he scrambled up to embrace Kangxi and pull him down underneath the table, his back was facing outward, acting as a shield to protect Kangxi.

They heard 'slap, slap!' twice, followed by several Imperial Bodyguards rushed over to protect Kangxi and Wei Xiaobao. When they looked at the Gui Family husband and wife, they saw that they were lying in a pool of blood, with seven or eight sabers and swords sticking out of their backs; looked like they were no longer alive.

After strenuously killing several dozen Imperial Bodyguards, Gui Xinshu suffered serious injury, lastly, he used up his internal energy to break the rope binding his son before pouncing on Kangxi. Gui Erniang understood her husband's intention. On one hand, at the death's door they hoped to take the Tatar Emperor's life with their last strike; on the other hand, they hoped that in the confusion their child would be able to escape. But their hands and feet were firmly tied, they had no strength left to break the ropes; therefore, they both leaped together to attack Kangxi. However, after the fierce battle outside, they were like drying oil lantern. Their bodies were in the air when their mouths spurted blood, they could not endure anymore and fell to the floor; even if the Imperial Bodyguards did not hack and chop, they would have died anyway.

Kangxi calmed down a little bit. He frowned and said, ”Pull them out, pull them out!” The Imperial Bodyguards replied in chorus.

They were just about to lift the two bodies when from the Hall's door a shadow flashed by. Someone was flying in, his movement was extremely fast, he threw himself to the Gui Family husband and wife's bodies and called out loudly, ”Ma, Dad!” It was Gui Zhong.

Several Imperial Bodyguards hacked down with their sabers and swords, unexpectedly Gui Zhong did not evade at all. The blades landed on his body. They only heard him gasping for breath and said, ”Ma, you … you are not coming with me, what should I do? I don't know the way …” He coughed twice, his head drooped down and he died. In all his life he followed his mother closely; his mother took care of everything. This moment as he left his father and mother, he felt completely lost. Although he managed to leave Yang Xin Hall, in the end he came back to be with his father and mother.

The Imperial Bodyguards Zongguan [chief] Dolong rushed into the Hall. He kneeled down and said, ”Reporting to Your Majesty: The assassins in the Palace have been completely … completely purged …” Seeing blood all over the floor of the Hall, he was terrified. He kowtowed and said, ”The assassins have frightened the Holy Self, your servant … your servant deserves to die!”

Just now Kangxi was grabbed and brought down by Wei Xiaobao. Although it was such a sorry situation and was harmful to his dignity, this person was risking his life to protect the holy self; his loyalty toward the master was undoubtedly real. He said to Dolong, ”There are still people outside who want to assassinate Wei Xiaobao. You must protect him well, don't leave him even a cun or a step. You must not let him leave the Palace even more. Tomorrow early in the morning I will give you further instruction.”

”Yes, yes,” Dolong hastily replied, ”Your servant will strive to protect Wei Dutong.”

Wei Xiaobao groaned inwardly, ”The Emperor is going to bombard Tian Di Hui tonight, he is afraid I might tip them off, hence he instructed Dolong to watch over me.”

Kangxi walked to the Hall's gate; he thought, ”Xiao Guizi is cunning and extremely crafty, this old boor Dolong is not his match.” Turning his head around, he said, ”Dolong, get more people, follow Wei Xiaobao closely, don't let him talk to other people, also don't let him send anything out of the Palace. In short, the situation is dangerous, you just have to treat him like an offender to the throne.”

”Yes, yes,” Dolong replied, ”Your Majesty treats your subject with kindness in every possible way.” He thought that the Emperor treasured Wei Xiaobao so much that he did not want to give the assassins any opportunity to harm him.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Majesty's kindness, your servant cannot repay even if my body torn my bones crushed.” In his heart he knew that by saying that, the Emperor was taking Wei Xiaobao's face into consideration; in the future he might still find Wei Xiaobao useful.

Kangxi smiled and said, ”You won another round. Starting from tomorrow, we will play again. That golden rice bowl of yours, you must hold it firmly with both hands, don't let it be broken and rotten!” Finished speaking he went out the Hall's gate.

Naturally only Wei Xiaobao understood what Kangxi was saying. Just now he had protected Kangxi's holy self, hence Kangxi considered him rendering another merit. Tonight, after his Shifu Chen Jinnan and the others were killed, he would not have anything to do with Tian Di Hui anymore, the Emperor could reinstate him into an important position. The golden rice bowl was engraved with these four characters 'gong zhong ti guo' [serving one's country loyally]. The Emperor wanted him to be loyal and devoted to him, and not be two-hearted.

Seeing Wei Xiaobao frowning and worried, with blank expression on his face, Dolong patted his shoulder and said with a laugh, ”Wei Xiongdi, His Majesty dotes on you like this, I wonder for how many previous incarnations you have cultivated good deeds? It doesn't matter which, Princes, Beilei, Generals, Cabinet Ministers, of the imperial court, His Majesty has never sent any Imperial Bodyguards to protect him. Everybody says that before Wei Dutong reaches twenty, he will be bestowed the title Gong and Wang. You don't have to worry, as long as you do not step out the Palace gate for one step, even if the rebel thieves have magnificent army with thousands of men and horses, they won't be able to harm a single strand of your hair.”

Wei Xiaobao could only force a laugh as he said, ”His Majesty's benevolence is as high as the heaven and is deep as the earth, we as the servants can only do our utmost to repay it.” He saw dozens of Imperial Bodyguards stood in front of him, behind him, on his left and right; to send a letter to Tian Di Hui brothers would be extremely difficult. He thought, ”Any Gong or Wang title, Laozi does not want. I would rather the young Emperor kick me in the butt and shout at me: 'Get your Ma's stinky duck egg out of here! From now on I don't want you to see my face.' This kind of protection can't really protect my old life.”

Dolong said, ”Wei Xiongdi, His Majesty instructed you not to move carelessly. Do you want to return to your old residence to rest, or do you want to go to the Imperial Bodyguard office, so that everybody can accompany you several rounds?” He knew throwing dice or playing Pai Jiu would definitely fit Wei Xiaobao's fancy.

Wei Xiaobao had a sudden inspiration, he said, ”Empress Dowager ordered me to do something very important, I have to do it right away. Would Duo Dage ['Dolong' in Chinese is 'Duo Long'] come with me?”

Dolong's face appeared to be reluctant; he said, ”Empress Dowager's order, naturally you must do it immediately. It's just that … it's just that His Majesty's imperial decree was very strict, he said Wei Xiongdi must never ever leave the Palace …”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”This is something that I have to do inside the Palace, Duo Dage needs not be worried.”

Dolong was relieved instantly; he laughed and said, ”As long as you don't go out the Palace gate, all taboos are off.”

Wei Xiaobao ordered the Imperial Bodyguards to bring the First Imperial Concubine Shen's luan sedan chair to the burning ground west of Shen Wu Gate. He said, ”Whoever opens the curtain of the sedan chair, Empress Dowager ordered me to immediately chop his head.”

Dolong and the Imperial Bodyguards were all aware about the assassins attacking the First Imperial Concubine's sedan chair. Although they did not know the details, they all knew that it was the Empress Dowager's secret, and all along they felt queasy about it. When they heard that Wei Xiaobao wanted to bring the sedan chair to be cremated at the burning ground, it meant they were getting rid of a fetus of a gargantuan disaster; everybody felt as if a large rock was taken off their heads.

Right away Dolong came with Wei Xiaobao to get the luan sedan chair and bring it to the burning ground. Along the way, blood was still dripping from the sedan chair, as for who died in the sedan chair, naturally nobody dared to ask even half a question.

Arriving at the burning ground, they had the sula [odd jobs/part-time worker] pile up firewood around the luan sedan chair and burn it. Wei Xiaobao picked up a piece of wood and with a charcoal drew a small sparrow on it. He cupped the piece of wood in hands as he faced the burning sedan and prayed, ”Thin Toutuo, Old Wh0re, in this world you could not be husband and wife, in the underworld you can be husband and wife for a thousand years, ten thousand years. By this time the three Gui people who killed you are also dead. You two left first, they were right at your heels. If you meet each other at the bridge as you gaze toward the edge of the platform, everybody must be friendly with each other.”

Dolong and the others saw him moving his lips, they assumed he was praying for the departed spirit to be reincarnated soon. They saw him moving several pieces of rock and made a small pile, and then he stuck the piece of wood into the rocks, just like an incense stick. How could they know that it was a secret code between him and Tao Hongying when they wanted to communicate with each other?

When the sedan chair and the corpses inside it were burned to ashes, Wei Xiaobao returned to his former dwelling place. Earlier some eunuchs who wanted to fawn on him had already come over and swept the place clean, and delivered food and drink as well as some light refreshments. Wei Xiaobao gave the eunuchs some tips and then he invited Dolong and the Imperial Bodyguards to have some.

”Duo Dage,” he said, ”You and the gentlemen please sit and relax here, Xiongdi has been working all night last night for His Majesty, I am really tired.”

”Xiongdi,” Dolong replied, ”There is no need to stand on ceremonies, please go to bed quickly. Your Gege will protect you.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”That is really one thousand times, ten thousand times, I do not dare to accept. Duo Dage, what is it that you want His Majesty bestow to you? Tell me, Xiongdi will remember it in my heart. Next time I see His Majesty is happy, I will ask him on your behalf, I have 80% confidence that it will be successful.”

Dolong was greatly delighted. ”Wei Xiongdi is willing to ask His Majesty on my behalf, how can it not be successful?” he said.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Duo Dage's business is Xiongdi's own business; why would I not strive to accomplish it?”

Dolong laughed and said, ”Your Gege has been doing errands in the Capital for a while, I am somewhat tired, hence I am thinking of going to outside provinces for a change of pace.”

Wei Xiaobao slapped his thigh and said with a laugh, ”Dage is not wrong at all. Within the city of Beijing, I don't know how many princes, dukes and high-ranking officials whose rank is higher than ours; in all honesty we cannot display our prestige at all. If we are out of the Capital, it will be free and easy. If we want several taels of silver, we only need to cough, other people will immediately deliver it with both hands.” The two of them roared in laughter.

Wei Xiaobao went into the bedroom and lay down in the bed; he mused, ”Duo Dage received the Emperor's decree, he is keeping a very close watch on me. It's impossible for me to go out of the Palace to warn Shifu. I will have to wait for Tao Gugu and ask her to pass on the message. It's just that I am afraid she will come here too late in the evening. If she arrived in the depth of the night to see me, over there the cannon will already be fired, over here what can I do?” A moment later he thought, ”Right now the only plan I have is to send some Imperial Bodyguards out to beat the grass to scare the snake.”

Once his mind was set, he closed his eyes to nap for about two hours. When he woke up, the sun was slightly slanting to the west; it was already passed Wei hour [between 1-3pm]. He walked out of the bedroom to talk to Dolong.

”Duo Dage,” he said, ”Do you know the reason why those bunch of assassins wanted to make their move on me?”

”That, I do not know,” Dolong replied.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”One group is Tian Di Hui, the other is Mu Palace.”

Dolong stuck out his tongue. ”Those two groups of rebel thieves are very formidable,” he said, ”No wonder His Majesty is very anxious.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”I am thinking of hiding in the Palace for one day, but I don't want to hide for life. Today although I have Duo Dage to protect me, but if the rebel thieves are not wiped out, they will cause no end of trouble.”

Dolong said, ”By the time His Majesty summons us for the morning audience tomorrow, he will definitely have a marvelous plan. Wei Xiongdi does not need to worry.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I won't conceal it from Dage, in Xiongdi's home, there are several girls whose appearance is like flower or like jade, whom Xiongdi loves very much. Apparently tonight the rebel thieves will come to my house to assassinate me. When they fail to harm Xiongdi, most probably they will kill these several girls; that … that will be a pity.”

Dolong laughed and nodded his head. He recalled the instant when Wei Xiaobao wanted him to pretend and put on airs to give Zheng Keshuang some trouble, it was precisely for the sake of a beauty. This young brother was loose and lecherous; although he was still young, he must have had a collection of not a few good-looking concubines in his house. Thereupon he said, ”That's easy, I'll send some men to Xiongdi's mansion to protect them.”

Wei Xiaobao was greatly delighted; he cupped his fist to express his gratitude. ”The young girls in Xiongdi's house,” he said, ”There are three that I most dote on, one is Shuang'er, the second is Zeng Rou, and then there is another one called … called Jianping (he thought that if he mentioned the name Mu Jianping, the word 'Mu' might cause suspicion); their appearances are quite not bad. Xiongdi is really worried. I ask Dage to send the men to protect them, tell them that tonight some Tian Di Hui and Mu Family assassins will come over, tell them to hide immediately. It would be best if Dage send a bit more people to guard Xiongdi's house, so that when the assassins arrive, they can capture that his granny bunch. Whichever brothers are working hard, I will heavily thank them with gifts.”

Dolong struck his chest and said with a laugh, ”That's easy. It's Wei Bojue Mansion's matter, who would not want to strive to step forward?” Immediately he ordered the Imperial Bodyguard captain to select several men and send them out.

All Imperial Bodyguards knew that Wei Xiaobao was very generous; usually, even without any problem at all he would often tip them eight hundred or a thousand taels. This time it was to protect his beloved concubines, he would definitely reward them handsomely. Immediately they all happily accept the assignment. Inevitably those who were out of turn and not selected were sighing and moaning inwardly, blaming their own poor luck.

Wei Xiaobao was somewhat relieved; he thought, ”When Shuang'er and the others hear the Imperial Bodyguards' message that the Palace is sending people to protect them, to wait for and arrest Tian Di Hui and Mu Palace's assassins, they will tell my Shifu and the others to flee. But if my Shifu and the others stay out, Shuang'er, Miss Zeng and Xiao Junzhu, three people might die from the bombardment; that would be terrible! But with a large group of Imperial Bodyguards in my house, the gunmen outside will not open fire carelessly.”

He then had a second thought, ”If the gunmen received the Emperor's strict order, it does not matter if three by seven is twenty-one, they absolutely must open fire, and then what would happen?” Xiao Junzhu and Zeng Rou were not a big deal, but Shuang'er's love and loyalty to him was very deep, she was the most important person in his heart, he simply must not let her delivering her life. Only it was such a dilemma for him; if he ordered the Imperial Bodyguards to get Shuang'er and the others out first, there would be nobody left to warn Shifu and the brothers. If he saved Shuang'er but did not save Shifu, he would be paying more attention to a lover than friends, then he would be a turtle Momentarily he paced back and forth in his room in distress for not able to find an ingenious plan.

More than an hour later the captain of the Imperial Bodyguards that was sent to Zhong Yong Earl Mansion returned and reported: they had not reach the Earl Mansion and were already stopped by Vanguard Battalion's officers and men. The Canling [regimental commander] of the Vanguard Battalion said that they were on imperial orders to protect the Earl Mansion, there was no need for the Imperial Bodyguards officers to take the trouble. The Imperial Bodyguards wanted to come in to protect the women, but no matter what the Vanguard Battalion would not allow them, saying that everything had been arranged by His Majesty. Afterwards even the Vanguard Battalion's Commander Ah [from 'Ajichi'] also personally stepped forward to stop them. The Imperial Bodyguards were unable to change their mind, and were obliged to return.

When Wei Xiaobao heard this, he uttered a series of groaning in his heart. Dolong laughed and said, ”Xiongdi, His Majesty is really considerate toward you, unexpectedly he sends the Vanguard Battalion to protect your pretty women. What else are you worried about? Ha ha, ha ha!”

Wei Xiaobao had no choice but to accompany him with some hollow laugh. He thought, ”In everything the young Emperor is a thousand li ahead of me. This time my Shifu and the others really face imminent catastrophe. The Vanguard Battalion must have received strict order to guard around my Earl Mansion; seeing common people, they let them come in, so that tonight they will be blasted to death together. If it is civil or military government officers, they won't let them in.”

More than two hours later, the sky was gradually turning dark. Wei Xiaobao pushed the window to look out, and saw seven or eight Imperial Bodyguards patrolling back and forth outside his room, the security was extremely tight. He looked in all directions, but where was Tao Hongying's shadow? Heaving a very deep sigh he dejectedly collapsed onto his bed; thinking that perhaps by this time quite a few of his friends had already inside the Earl Mansion. For every moment he was delayed, all his brothers were a step closer in their journey to the underworld.

From the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of the big water jar standing at the corner of his building, it was the one Hai Dafu used to use. That day he was totally dependent on this big jar to kill Rui Dong; he thought, ”Why don't I lure Duo Dage to enter the room, and kill him with the secret projectile, and then set the room on fire? Then I can escape in the midst of confusion. Duo Dage's treatment to me is not bad at all, without any reason whatsoever I am harming his life, in all honesty I am doing him too much wrong. But there is big yi qi and then there is small yi qi; the dozens of my Shifu and the others' lives are somewhat more important than his, one person's life.”

His mind was set, he took a fire-knife and a flint to light a candle; he thought, ”The mosquito net will be burned the fastest; after I kill Duo Dage, I'll set the mosquito net on fire.”

Right this moment he suddenly heard Dolong calling out from outside the room, ”Wei Xiongdi, the food and drink is here, come out and drink some wine.”

”Let's the two of us brothers eat inside!” Wei Xiaobao replied.