The Deer and The Cauldron

[crazee]

Croton has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat severe constipation since the seed of the plant can cause diarrhoea to human. Apparently, it has the same effect on horses.

Wow...Ace high, you even know traditional chinese medicinal practice.....

Thanks Fox, RA is restricted artistic for Singapore movie classification. or R, R18, Cat III. and so on...
believe they had modified changed the ratings...being a non movie goer, I'm out of touch heh heh heh..

From Pai Ma pi to pau ma...wow

[Ace High]

Wow...Ace high, you even know traditional chinese medicinal practice.....

I only know tiny bit about TCM practices. Mainly from dramas and movies.

[Anh Nam]

Thanks Foxs

[foxs]

Wandering, Anh, you are welcome. Crazee, Ace is indeed very knowledgable. Thank you both, for the additional info and the movie rating (are Singapore and Malaysia the same?). Here we only have G, PG, PG-13 and R (general, parental-guidance, restricted). Of course, there is also NR (not rated).

---

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[1] 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[2], 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?[3]”

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 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 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.”

---

[1] Orig. ‘jiaolong’ – legendary dragon with the ability to control rain and floods.

[2] All were female warriors. I could not find any useful information on them other than from Hong Kong TV series/movies: Fan Lihua form ‘Lady Fan’ and Yu Taijun from ‘Saving General Yang’, Mu Guiying from ‘Legendary Amazons’ (Yang Saga/Stories of the Yang Clan).

[3] Gao Lishi (684–762), formally the Duke of Qi, was a eunuch official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, becoming particularly powerful during Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's reign. He is believed to have been in charge of many decisions that were supposed to be the emperor's responsibility during Emperor Xuanzong's later years, and was believed to have been richer than many of the nobility of the era.
Wei Zhongxian (1568 – October 19, 1627) is considered by most historians as the most powerful and notorious eunuch in Chinese history. Originally a hoodlum and gambler, he took the step of becoming a eunuch and entering palace service to escape from his creditors. After entering the palace, he got into the service of Madam Ke, the wet-nurse of the future Ming emperor. The couple began manipulating the Tianqi Emperor, who renamed him Wei Zhongxian. The emperor's favor later gave Wei absolute power over the court.
Wikipedia has full article on each man. (Incidentally, Wei Zhongxian was an important character in White Hair Demoness, translated by Faerie Queene and yours truly.)

[Eagle]

Hi Foxs,
Glad to see the translation going strong here

Quite interesting the interchanges between Kangxi and Wei Xiaobao. It seems to me that Kangxi's intelligence is not below Wei Xiaobao. And on top of it, Kangxi's personal discipline makes some difference.

Thank you for the translation efforts, Much much appreciated.

[Anh Nam]

Thanks foxs

[Ace High]

[1] Fan Li Hua is the wife of Tang Dynasty General Xue Ding Shan. She was a woman warrior from a minority tribe. As a capable and independent fighter who insists on being accepted as her husband’s partner and not his subordinate, the mutually strong-willed and unyielding couple argue constantly. At last, she moves back to her old home, and the hurt and angry husband decides to divorce her. Three times General Xue writes her a letter of divorcement, but each time he cannot bring himself to send it. Meanwhile, their old enemy has regrouped, and attacks. Xue Ding Shan resists, but soon realizes that victory is impossible without the aid of his estranged wife. Swallowing his pride, the General calls on her to seek her help. After arguing out their mutual grievances, the couple reunite and together force the enemy into retreat.


[2] She (Yu) Tai Jun was the widow of General Yang Ye of the Yang Family Generals. At the age of 100, widow She Tai Jun, persuaded the Emperor to allow her to lead the troops with her granddaughter-in-law, Mu Gui Ying. Under She Tai Jun and Mu Gui Ying’s leadership, the Northern Song army successfully defeated the enemy.


[3] Mu Gui Ying was the daughter of Mu Ke, an official of the Song court who had been wrongfully sent into exile. Mu Gui Ying grew up in his fortress on Mount Mu which was where young people who distrusted the Emperor came. She practised martial skills from young and mastered many esoteric aspects of it. The special skills she developed proved useful in helping her break the famous Heavenly-Gate Formation of the Liaos. But hers is a story of turning her back on her father and joining the side of her husband’s illustrious family of generals. Her life greatly changed when she met Yang Zong Bao, scion of the illustrious Yang family of generals. He was the only male heir of this illustrious family. Rash and hot-headed, he provoked an argument with Mui Gui Ying which escalated into a full-blown duel. In the process, the two fell in love and Yang demanded the Dragon-Subduing Wood which the Song forces direly needed to counter the Heavenly-Gate Formation. Mu Gui Ying helped her husband get the Wood and chose to cast her lot with the Yang family. She thus left Mount Mu to serve the court her father despised. She was the second woman, after her grandmother-in-law, Yu Tai Jun, to hold the seal of Supreme Commander, and with it she led the Imperial Song troops to crack the Heavenly-Gate Formation.

[owlHoot]

Thanks Foxs! I wonder if Kangxi suspects the relationship between WXB and his sister...

Wow, Ace, thanks for the info. I heard about Yang family but did not know so much also it. Amazing that She Tai Jun was still able to led an army at the age of 100..I thought there were a few more ladies, didn't expect it to be 2 only...

[crazee]

Phew.... The princess and XB are really looney, really playing with their heads.
I suppose the more dangerous it is the more kick...heh heh heh.

Thanks Foxs.

In Malaysia there are only 2 ratings..... approved or banned and banned for many reasons mainly religious grounds.
We have a very conservative censorship board...nobody bothers much anyway with the internet, all sorts of movies and ratings are readily available.... I've actually not been to a movie...as in a theater for years....something like more than 10 years...

The last I saw was in Singapore.... RA show during working hrs when I was waiting for my pass to be approved..4 hrs wait so I went to a theater and the only other patron was an old man heh heh heh.

[Drak17]

Thanks foxs for the new chapter!

@Ace High. Nice info!

[Ace High]

Wow, Ace, thanks for the info. I heard about Yang family but did not know so much also it. Amazing that She Tai Jun was still able to led an army at the age of 100..I thought there were a few more ladies, didn't expect it to be 2 only...

There were more ladies, the widows of the Yang Family Generals. The widows were capable fighters and competent commanders themselves. However, only She Tai Jun and Mui Gui Ying hold the seal of Grand Marshal of the Song Army.

[Ace High]

In Malaysia there are only 2 ratings..... approved or banned and banned for many reasons mainly religious grounds.
We have a very conservative censorship board...nobody bothers much anyway with the internet, all sorts of movies and ratings are readily available.... I've actually not been to a movie...as in a theater for years....something like more than 10 years..

The censorship board, or Lembaga Penapisan Filem (LPF) has a very weird standard. Sometimes, films that should have been no problem what so ever get the scissors and heavily mutilated, while at some other time the films that should be censored was given the pass.

There are only three classifications now

U (Umum) for general viewing
PG13 & PG18.

[smurf120]

Thanks Foxs for your hard work!

WXB has the skills to avoid the Princess, I think he loves it all secretly.

Thanks Ace for your summary of the Yang female warriors and the dispute of Fan Li Hua. I don't think any movie or tv show has been able to capture the spirit and strength of these women. They all end up being girly and given the reason that they fight is romance. I've watched Fan Li Hua portrayal where she bounces around the mountain picking flowers when she is fighting with her husband and while there is war raging. Also there was portrayal of the Yang women generals complaining about salt bloat and lack of fresh water for showers during a siege.

[crazee]

Thanks Foxs for your hard work!

Thanks Ace for your summary of the Yang female warriors and the dispute of Fan Li Hua. I don't think any movie or tv show has been able to capture the spirit and strength of these women. They all end up being girly and given the reason that they fight is romance. I've watched Fan Li Hua portrayal where she bounces around the mountain picking flowers when she is fighting with her husband and while there is war raging. Also there was portrayal of the Yang women generals complaining about salt bloat and lack of fresh water for showers during a siege.

Watched a couple of serials on Yang Family... remember a tragic and sad one. The Yang Family had 7 sons if I'm not mistaken most of them sacrificed their life for the country at times due to the stupidity of the emperor. In the final episode, the whole family moved to an isolated mountain because the emperor listen to some jealous minister who framed that the Yang generals were trying to upsurp the throne....and they were then only left with the youngest son...or something like that. ... well something like 30+ yrs ago is a long long time to recall....err for a short memory span guy....

[ToastedRossi]

Thanks Foxs for the translation. I wonder though if "fiefdom" might be a better tranlation than "border defense". While fiefs in the fuedal sense are uncommon in Chinese history, Guangdong, Fujian and Yunnan were given a lot of extra automony than regular provinces.

Quite interesting the interchanges between Kangxi and Wei Xiaobao. It seems to me that Kangxi's intelligence is not below Wei Xiaobao. And on top of it, Kangxi's personal discipline makes some difference.

Kangxi is arguably one of the most insightful character in Jin Yong's novels. Of course, the historical version is pretty darned impressive as well.

Thanks Foxs! I wonder if Kangxi suspects the relationship between WXB and his sister...:confused

Probably not. If he did, he would have behaved very differently. Note though that Xiaobao doesn't flirt with Jianning the way he does with other girls.

Thanks Ace for your summary of the Yang female warriors and the dispute of Fan Li Hua. I don't think any movie or tv show has been able to capture the spirit and strength of these women. They all end up being girly and given the reason that they fight is romance. I've watched Fan Li Hua portrayal where she bounces around the mountain picking flowers when she is fighting with her husband and while there is war raging. Also there was portrayal of the Yang women generals complaining about salt bloat and lack of fresh water for showers during a siege.

These stories are much more commonly found in Chinese Opera than in other media. The other versions are more likely to make changes to spice things up.

[Ace High]

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.

The reason KX said this were because Fan Li Hua and Xue Ding Shan are fictional characters from opera. The legend of Xue Ding Shan and Fan Li Hua takes place between the Tang and the fictional Turkic kingdom of Western Liang. The only Western Liang kingdom in history was the one ruled by the Li family from 400-421, and the Tang emperors themselves claimed to be descended from the rulers of that Western Liang state. By the time of Tang Taizong, the Western Liang had been gone for 200 years. So there is no possibility of the Tang dynasty fighting a war with a Western Liang state.

[unclefunkypants]

Hey I'm new to this site. I see that these massive books are posted piecemeal to your threads. Is there a way I can get the entire books in one file? Thanks!

[foxs]

Eagle, thanks for your support. Anh, you are welcome. Ace, I agree with Drak, nice info. I did not edit the post, too long ... but I do have your info copied onto my source file, it will be a permanent addition to the project. Owl, Crazee, Smurf, I don't remember anything about the Yang Saga. I guess I was too young then. I remember watching a movie about women army, but don't remember if they were the Yangs. On Kangxi, I think he was more intelligent than WXB. He never left the Palace, yet he was able to deduce what happened from bits and pieces of information; kind of remind me of Sherlock Holmes. Toasted, from dictionary.com: fiefdom: the estate or domain of a feudal lord. Perhaps 'border defense' is not the most correct translation, but the original was 'Fan' - a fence (for defense)/a border/vassal state/feudatory. If you remember from previous parts, they were talking about guarding the borders against the barbarian, etc. IMHO, Fiefdom will lose the 'border' aspect. Funkypants, welcome to the forum. In case you haven't notice, this project is still ongoing; ergo, the 'entire books in one file' is nonexistent; not in this version anyway. However, you may want to check the official translation by John Minford. It is complete and widely available.

---

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 slap 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. 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 dare 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.”

Kangxi smiled. “Good Emperors in China are actually a lot,” he said, “Forget about Yao Shun Yu Tang [See Note 12, Chapter 14] who were adept in both pen and sword, the three generations after them, Han Wendi, Han Guangwu, Tang Taizong, they were all enlightened rulers who were greatly admired by the people.”

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 [i.e. ‘me’, imperial use].”

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.”

“It’s easy for you to bootlick,” Kangxi said, “You can say raw bird fish soup [niao sheng yu tang, see also Note 12, Chapter 14], brilliant and wise, et cetera. But to be brilliant, first you must know yourself. Marching troops into battle is no small matter. I have never been to battle; how can I be Wu Sangui’s match? Several hundred thousand soldiers and horses, if the command is improper, inevitable everything will fail and wiped over the floor. In the previous Ming’s Crisis of Tumu Fortress[5], 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.

---

[5] Tumu Rebellion or Battle of Tumu Fortress http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumu_Crisis.

[muliono]

Awesome!! Thank you Foxs!!

[efflix]

Haha. This part is hilarious and made me crack up - would love if WXB's tricks to win at gambling turn out to do a great service for the country. Am loving this part foxs - we appreciate your work!