Episode 3

Scene 1: Beijing, public execution ground

Aman testifies that her journey to the capital had been motivated entirely by her task to deliver the letter to Shi Lang. She explains that she went to Shi Lang’s residence but was not able to meet him personally. Her connection to Shi Lang is based on their shared belief in unifying Taiwan with the Imperial mainland. Laita nervously asks about the current location of the letter she was to deliver but he fails to get any answers. Both Zhu Lin and Aman are sentenced to immediate death. But just a second before the executions are to be carried out, Shi Lang, followed by a black coffin, appears on the scene to rescue Aman and Zhu Lin. The crowd of ordinary citizens warmly welcomes his arrival. Shi Lang pleads for amnesty for the two prisoners and is willing to render his son Shi Shibiao in exchange for their freedom. Laita, however, takes this offer as proof of Shi Lang’s complicity in Aman and Zhu Lin’s treachery. At that moment, Giyesu also appears at the execution ground and takes control over the proceedings. He immediately postpones the executions and arrests Shi Lang.

Scene 2: Jinmen, coastal defence position of the Zheng regime

Escorted by their troops, Feng Xifan and Tang Fei ride along the coast, stopping to watch the sea and debate whether Shi Lang could pose a danger to them. During their conversation Feng Xifan mentions that he has not received any response from Hong Xu, whom he sent to Beijing with orders to assassinate Aman and Zhu Lin. Suddenly a messenger arrives, bringing a report on the very matter they were pondering upon. The letter tells of how the executions had been interrupted and then postponed including Shi Lang’s appearance at the execution ground. Hong Xu awaits new orders. Feng Xifan is certain that Aman and Zhu Lin must be killed.

Laita and Giyesu have an audience with the emperor at night and report upon the delayed executions of Aman and Zhu Lin and Shi Lang’s dramatic intervention. According to Laita, Shi Lang acted against the norms of society and has become part of a treacherous network of spies. Moreover, they tell emperor Kangxi that it had been Liu Guoxuan who had sent the spy, Zhu Lin, to Beijing. Aman is the daughter of an officer in Liu’s army and Shi Lang had been Liu’s superior officer [before he defected to the Qing government in 1646]. The officials go on in detailed description of what Aman and Zhu Lin had done after they arrival in Beijing, revealing that they went to see Shi Lang with the intention of bringing him a letter. They go on to show the emperor a silk painting of Aman, which was found with Zhu Lin at the time of his capture. Finally, they talk about Shi Lang, and explain to the emperor that Shi Shizong is cooperating with the Zheng regime. They stress on the need of executing Shi Lang but the emperor is not willing to decide upon the fate of Shi Lang as yet.

Wu Qijue and Li Fuquan keep guard in front of Kangxi’s private chambers during the night, wherein the emperor paces up and down, lost in thoughts. Wu Qijue notes that this night seems similar to the eve of the day when Kangxi arrested the regent Oboi [in 1669 when the fourteen year old Kangxi took over the power himself] or the eve of the day when Kangxi announced the rescission of the privileges of the Three Feudatories [1673, this was the beginning of the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories]. This night, too, could be a night of very important decisions. A little later, Wu Qijue serves tea to Kangxi. The emperor tells him to stay for he needs someone to hear his rambling thoughts as he is very confused and has come to doubt Shi Lang’s honesty. He does not believe in Laita’s allegations and is concerned that there must be more behind Shi Lang’s connection to Aman than just a spy network. Therefore, he decides to carefully investigate the case.

Kangxi tells Laita and Giyesu of his decision. Shi Lang shall be brought to stand trial tomorrow with Laita and Giyesu as judges. Laita and Giyesu are very pleased with this resolution and can hardly hide their pleasure at this fortunate turn of events. As a sign of their judicial authority, Kangxi presents them with a symbolic sword and advises both to be fair in their duty as judges.

Laita and Giyesu make their entry into the courtroom. Next, Shi Lang enters the room and notices that the emperor is not attending his trial. Laita then presents Shi Lang with the allegation against him of being a spy. Shi Lang claims his innocence and his continuing loyalty to the Qing emperor. He demands to report to the emperor in person. Meanwhile, behind a curtain, emperor Kangxi secretly observes the scene. An official presents the emperor’s sword to Laita, symbolizing the power and authority conferred upon Laita in this trial. Based upon this authority, Laita denies Shi Lang the right to report directly to the emperor. He demands that Shi Lang confesses his crimes, and, after Shi refuses, makes him kneel down and has him stripped off his official rank insignia.
Laita orders to bring Zhu Lin and Aman into the courtroom. Once the two have been brought in, the indictments accusing them of acts of espionage is read to them once more, particularly their intention to deliver a secret letter to Shi Lang. In accordance with that, Shi Lang is accused of conspiring with enemy spies. It is now when Shi Lang plays the last ace up his sleeve and displays the letter that he had concealed in his clothes. This letter bears proof of his innocence and of Laita’s own guilty conduct. The contents of the letter clearly imply Laita’s cooperation with the Zheng regime in hope of helping to establish an independent state. In desperation at being discovered in his treachery, Laita quickly wields the ceremonial sword ordering Shi Lang to be silent. At that moment, emperor Kangxi appears from behind the curtain; everybody quickly kneels down. Kangxi tells Wu Qijue to take the sword back from Laita’s hands and demands more information about the letter that Shi Lang had disclosed. As the letter leaves no place for doubt Laita has no choice other than to admit to his disloyalty.

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