Episode 17
Scene 1: Taiwan, Royal Palace, Tang Fei’s reception hall
Tang Fei, talking to Feng Xifan, wonders about Zheng Jing’s outburst of fury. Feng wonders why Jin Hanchen’s testimony did not have the expected effect. Tang Fei replies that she believes that her daughter Haikui has told her father about their failed attempt to dispose of Zheng Kezang. Tang Fei is disappointed about Haikui’s ungratefulness: Didn’t she and Feng Xifan conceal from Zheng Jing that Haikui was behind the assassination attempts? Feng Xifan believes that it makes no sense to speculate. They should prepare for the worst case. Once the Prince of Yanping had died they will have to strike their enemies with strength.
Scene 2: Taiwan, Royal Palace, Zheng Kezang’s study
Haikui furiously enters Zheng Kezang’s chambers. She is angry that she had repeatedly tried to see him but he always refused to grant her an audience. Zheng Kezang answers that his father, the Prince of Yanping, is seriously ill and that now it is his duty to take care of his country. He believes that Haikui is only making things more complicated and adds that he himself only sleeps about four hours a night. Haikui sarcastically answers that he will only have time for her when his head falls on the ground. She tells him, that people inside and outside the palace believe that he has hired a murderer to kill Feng Xifan. People also hold him responsible for the incident on the ship when Tang Fei was pushed into the water. Zheng Kezang declines that accusation. Haikui wonders how the young man could keep so calm while there were so many rumours about his person. Kezang replies that he suspects that it was Haikui herself who tried to assassinate Tang Fei and Feng Xifan. Without hesitating Haikui admits that he is right about that, but blames him for not having done anything against Tang Fei when she (Haikui) asked him to do so. In the present situation people will more than ever take notice of his activities as the prospective Prince of Yanping. No one would believe Haikui to plot against Tang Fei and Feng Xifan. Haikui: “In the past I have borne bad things for you, now it’s your turn.” Zheng Kezang wonders why the public opinion concerning him as the heir to the throne is so fierce at the moment. Haikui exposes the truth: He is obstructing too many people’s ways who do not want him to become the new Prince of Yanping. It is Haikui’s opinion that he should find a new strategy as soon as possible. Otherwise he may regret it. Zheng Kezang waves her apprehensions aside. “My father is still alive; all of the ministers are in the palace. So what can happen?“
Zheng Kezang and Dong Taifei meet at Zheng Jing’s sickbed. Zheng Jing asks if Liu Guoxuan has already arrived. Zheng Kezang appeases his father and tells him, that Liu hasn’t arrived yet, but one can count on his arrival any day. He points out that Penghu is an important gate to Taiwan and Liu Guoxuan is indispensable for its protection. Zheng Jing agrees: “He is an honest man. We have to believe in him and delegate him important assignments. Taiwan must not fall into chaos, especially there should be no internal strife. If we are united, no one can harm us. By the time I’ve died, Zheng Kezang shall be enthroned immediately.” He asks his mother Dong Taifei to take care of Zheng Kezang, because he is still very young. He also tells her that anyone who should try to illegally usurp the throne has to be executed. The Prince of Yanping has fought his whole life to return to Fujian, but heaven has not supported him. Facing death, he asks Dong Taifei and Zheng Kezang not to let the family’s name be dishonoured.
Dong Taifei, Zhu Lin and Zheng Kezang talk about defense strategies. They are worried because Zheng Jing will soon die and rumors about possible attempts to usurp the throne seem to be true. To ensure the security of the heir apparent Zhu Lin is sent to bring Liu Guoxuan back with a number of soldiers as soon as possible.
Liu Guoxuan is receiving Zhu Lin and another official. Zhu conveys the message that Zheng Jing’s death is imminent and that Feng Xifan is planning to usurp the throne. They agree that the Prince of Yanping’s throne must not to be kept empty. Zheng Kezang has to be crowned immediately after his father’s death. Zhu Lin conveys Dong Taifei’s order for Liu Guoxuan’s return to Taiwan in order to protect the throne. Liu Guoxuan doesn’t hesitate and decides to return with 3000 soldiers.
Tang Fei, Feng Xifan, Hong Xu and Qiu Hui talk about the return of Liu Guoxuan. The three are plotting to eliminate Zheng Kezang to place Tang Fei’s son on the throne after Zheng Jing’s death. Tang Fei reminds them that Liu Guoxuan’s return to Taiwan might endanger their plans, because of his good reputation. Feng Xifan calms them down saying that he already has sent a fake edict to Liu Guoxuan ordering him to stay on Penghu. Tang Fei proves her naivité by saying that after Zheng Keshuang’s ascendance to the throne Zheng Kezang should be exiled to a lone island, but Feng Xifan corrects her emphasizing that Zheng Kezang has to be killed.
Liu Guoxuan and Zhu Lin arrive at Penghu harbour. Liu Guoxuan assigns Zhu Lin to hold the fort during his absence. Meanwhile a messenger arrives. He brings an order from the Prince of Yanping, in which the king commands Liu Guoxuan to stay on Penghu and to provide for security there instead of returning. Liu Guoxuan instructs Zhu Lin to take 500 soldiers with him and return to Taiwan. If there is any trouble Liu Guoxuan will follow immediately.
A doctor is checking the Prince of Yanping. Dong Taifei and Tang Fei are at his bedside. When Tang Fei leaves she runs into a thunderstorm outside the palace, which makes her fear.
Zheng Kezang and Zhu Lin meet after his return to Taiwan. Zhu Lin tells Zheng Kezang that Liu Guoxuan received the Prince of Yanping’s handwritten order to stay on Penghu. Zheng Kezang is confused and answers that his father is very ill und thus not able to compose such a letter.
Feng Xifan and Hong Xu meet secretly. Hong has hired a murderer to kill Zheng Kezang but Dong Taifei has hidden her grandson. Since they are not able to find him, they can’t kill him treacherously but have to do it at an official event such as the coronation ceremony. Both men debate that they have to finalize the usurpation before Liu Guoxuan arrives at Taiwan.
The death of the Prince of Yanping. A downpour: a flash of lightening brightens the sky; thunder shakes the palace, when the Prince of Yanping dies in the presence of his relatives Dong Taifei, Tang Fei, Zheng Kezang, Zheng Keshuang and numerous officials.
Dong Taifei officially announces the death of Zheng Jing and orders to call the highest officials for a meeting. Her orders are overheard by Tang Fei who, together with Feng Xifan and Hong Xu, is standing in front of the door. As Tang Fei and Feng Xifan want to speak privately, they send Hong Xu away. Dong Taifei leaves her room and tells Tang Fei that the heir apparent must immediately be crowned to be king to in order to avoid chaos in the country.
Dong Taifei asks Haikui if Liu Guoxuan has already reached Taiwan. Haikui answers that he hasn’t arrived yet. She assigns her the task to look for Liu Guoxuan and request help for Zheng Kezang as the new ruler of Taiwan. Meanwhile Zheng Kezang tries on his new yellow robe, which in Dong Taifei’s opinion doesn’t fit him well. The grandmother asks him if he has already prepared the important enthronization documents: amnesty for all delinquents, awards for those who have supported him.
Feng Xifan’s soldiers, under the leadership of Qiu Hui, arrive at the palace at night, while Dong Taifei is honouring her dead son in front of his altar piece.
The coronation ceremony begins. Chinese music can be heard, some women perform traditional dances. Suddenly Dong Taifei interrupts the scene and says that Taiwan needs to have a new ruler NOW. According to the tradition it will be Zheng Kezang. He should now emerge and receive the yellow robe and the official stamp. However, shortly before the ceremony reaches its climax, Tang Fei and Feng Xifan are exchanging conspiratorial gazes. Then, all of a sudden, Tang Fei rises to speak. She accuses Zheng Kezang not to be entitled to be the new ruler of Taiwan. Angry about this accusation, Dong Taifei assumes her daughter-in-law to bring disorder to the ceremony. Tang Fei is nearly being arrested. But Feng Xifan intercedes: “The people who are sitting here in front of us are all good officials. If we all together are able to find someone else to sit on the throne, someone better than Zheng Kezang, this is for the collective good and a good alternative.” Zhu Lin and a number of court officials kneel down in front of Dong Taifei and ask her to decide at once for the benefit of Zheng Kezang. However, Tang Fei says that the Prince of Yanping – before he died – was forced to nominate Zheng Kezang as heir to the throne. And that it was Zheng Kezang himself who did so. She also claims that Taiwan has now its own government, which has no relations to the mainland and accuses Zhu Lin to collaborate with the Qing government aiming at making Taiwan part of the Qing empire. She further alleges that it was Zheng Kezang (and not Zheng Jing) who sent Zhu Lin to meet the emperor Kangxi for negotiations. Even though Zheng Kezang replies that it was his father who sent Zhu Lin to Beijing, Dong Taifei and some of the officials present start to doubt his integrity. Dong Taifei asks Zheng Kezang if he really has a handwritten letter of the Kangxi emperor as Tang Fei alleges. He hands her the silk scroll with the portrait and the “Song about the Princess of Heaven” which bears the answering poem written by Kangxi [see chapter 4]. Feng Xifan alleges that the poem in fact celebrates Zhu Lin’s and Aman’s capitulation and accuses Zhu Lin to be a traitor. Dong Taifei almost believes him, but Zheng Kezang stands up in his defense and urges her to believe that Zhu Lin is not a traitor. Moreover, he makes a passionate speech in favor of peace negotiations with the Qing government. He gives three reasons why Taiwan should discuss peace with the Qing government. The Taiwanese people are missing their relatives on the mainland. If there is any confrontation, Taiwan is far too small to fight (and win) against the mainland. Holland is also planning to get into possession of Taiwan. Taiwan should fight together with the mainland not against it in order to strike Holland back. Most of the present officials agree with his thoughts. They beg Dong Taifei to free Zhu Lin and that is what she finally does. The plans of Tang Fei and Feng Xifan are spoiled. But just for a short time.
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