Episode 20
Scene 1: Taiwan, North-Garden-Mansion (Dong Taifei’s residence)
Dong Taifei sits in front of the altar piece of her deceased husband Zheng Chenggong and complains about the current situation in Taiwan. She says that Feng Xifan is taking over all the power and that Prince of Yanping is merely his tool. Then, Dong Taifei suddenly collapses. Zhu Lin who is dressed as a servant and sweeps the ground outside the hall hurries to the scene. Dong Taifei instructs him to contact Liu Guoxuan on the Penghu islands and to call him to a meeting with Dong Taifei.
Scene 2: Beijing: Imperial palace, Kangxi’s study
Wu Qijue asks the emperor for an answer to the memorial of the commander-in-chief of the Fujian navy Wan Zhengse. Kangxi is enraged by Wan’s opinion that it would be too difficult to attack Taiwan. He also lets Wu read out aloud a memorial of Lahada. Lahada writes that it is unnecessary to conquer Taiwan and that it would be of no use. Kangxi is infuriated by the fact that none of his officials seems to be willing to follow his commands. After that, Kangxi has an informal conversation with Wu Qijie. He asks him, if he thinks that the Zheng clan might actually enter into negotiations about their capitulation with the Qing-Government. Wu answers that this would be quite difficult by pursuing the current tactic of attaining pacification. But Shi Lang’s tactic of war as a means to enforce further negotiations might actually be able to achieve that. Wu Qijue explains that it’s not the responsibility of the ministers to decide what is to be done concerning Taiwan. They want to make their lives as easy as possible and they cannot gain any profit from conquering Taiwan. No matter how things go in the end, no one will blame them – because it is the emperor’s concern to rule about this matter. Wu Qijue tells Kangxi that they have to make use of all resources they have in order to execute Shi Lang’s plan successfully. Kangxi now realizes that he really is the one who has to take matters into his hands and make the tough decisions. He is prepared to do so, but he just isn’t sure if Shi Lang’s plan really has the potential to be successful. And what personal motives does Shi Lang have? Besides, except for Li Guangdi and Yao Qisheng, all the other officials have lots of criticism for Shi Lang. Wu Qijue explains that the reason for this is simply that only few people really understand Shi Lang.
Dong Taifei is fatally ill and wants to hide this fact from the Prince of Yanping and Feng Xifan, because she doesn’t want to disturb them in handling the government affairs. After she has dismissed her physician and her servants, she tells Zhu Lin that she fears that Liu Guoxuan might not be able to reach Taiwan, because of the heavy fog. A servant interrupts their conversation and notifies Dong Taifei, that Feng Xifan has come to the North-Garden-Mansion and is asking for an audience, since there are important political decisions to be made. Thereupon, Dong Taifei sends Zhu Lin to wait for Liu Guoxuan and prevent him from entering the North-Garden-Mansion, where they were supposed to meet, in order to avoid meeting Feng Xifan.
Kangxi asks Yao Qisheng who he would recommend for Wan Zhengse’s post as Fujian navy general. Yao answers that he has recommended Shi Lang several times, already. Not only do the people of Fujian speak highly of him, but even at Taiwan’s rebel camps they fear him. Kangxi wants to know if it’s true that Shi Lang has a son in Taiwan, and if this wouldn’t make Shi Lang open for criticism, and thus not trustworthy. Yao answers that Shi Lang has six other sons in the capital, who he never would risk to endanger. Besides, Yao guarantees for Shi Shizong, who will surely render outstanding services in the future. When Kangxi asks Yao if he would put his position on the line to guarantee for Shi Lang, Yao hands over a name register of his family. He asks Kangxi to extinguish his whole family and the name Yao, if Shi Lang will put shame on the imperial government. Kangxi is moved by Yao’s readiness to make sacrifices and reveals that he already made up his mind to hire Shi Lang in order to attack Taiwan.
Feng Xifan and Hong Xu talk on their way to visit Dong Taifei. Feng Xifan knows that Dong Taifei is fataly ill and will die soon. He decides to visit her in order to talk. He is anxious about the fact that Dong Taifei has handed control over the army to Liu Guoxuan. Hong Xu tells him that the illness of Dong Taifei would be a good opportunity to stir up a revolt. Feng Xifan replies that it is all depend on this morning so he decides to check Dong Taifei’s intentions. When they arrive at Dong Taifei’s quarters, Feng Xifan is asked to enter her room alone.
Feng enters Dong Taifei’s room and is on his knees before her. He greets Dong Taifei expressing his hope that she quickly recovers from her illness. Dong Taifei tells Feng not to be too polite and asks him to stand up asking him for the progress of the Prince of Yanping’s studies in the last days. Feng Xifan tells her that despite of the Prince of Yanping’s youth he is very wise. He studies well, is well informed about the current political situation in the country and familiar with political affairs. He assembles his officials in the palace at 5:00 o’clock everyday. He works hard and makes correct political decisions. The officials admire him a lot. Feng said, the Prince of Yanping often thinks of what Dong Taifei has told him. He also wishes Dong Taifei to recover soon from her illness and go to Dongningfu to give him more lessons. His words flatter Dong Taifei. Suddenly she becomes short of breath and starts coughing. Then they continue their conversation about Zheng Keshuang. Dong Taifei feels herself too ill to give the Prince of Yanping more lessons although she wants to. Keshuang is Dong Taifei’s grandson and Feng’s son in law so Dong Taifei thinks that Feng is also concerns his well-being. From now on, Feng shall take more responsibility to take care of the Prince of Yanping. Feng Xifan has to tell Dong Taifei very confidential informations. He has been informed that there is a spy in the royal palace, who is secretly planning to rise in revolt. The name of this person is Fu Weilin. Dong Taifei thinks Fu Weilin is a bookworm and not able to do such things. However, Feng replies that Fu Weilin was Taiwan’s representative in the negotiations with the Qing a few years ago. He is familiar with the governor-general of Fujian Yao Qisheng and conspires with several military generals. Feng lists several names. Dong Taifei does not belief in the charges brought forward by Feng and demands to see evidence. Even after long arguments Dong Taifei doesn’t change her mind. She points out that Feng had also charged Zhu Lin with treason, but in fact only wanted to get rid of people whose opinion differed from his. Tei Fei doesn’t want to see her people killing each other. Feng leaves the room.
All the ministers are gathering in the Taihedian hall. The ministers are kneeling and listening to a new order how to initiate a war to recover Taiwan. Cabinet and Six Boards must be fully prepared and coordinate each other in order to achieve victory. The Board of War needs to train the Navy. The Board of Appointments needs to evaluate officials’ performance properly according to their contribution to the war. The Board of Finance need to sufficiently prepare and transport food and other supplies to the military. Ministers are arguing who is the best person to be the general to lead this war. Finally they conclude that Shi Lang is the most appropriate person because he is familiar with the naval conditions around Taiwan Strait over a decade.
Liu Guoxuan comes to see Dong Taifei. Dong Taifei stays in the bed during their conversation on account of poor health. Liu Guoxuan reports the situation in the army. The actual state of affairs is unsatisfactory. There is no unity within the army. Dong Taifei inquires about Fu Weilin. She finds out that he is a positive person who is loyal to his regent. Dong Taifei wants to know if Shi Lang can rise again. If the Qing are going to invade Taiwan, Liu Guoxuan believes Shi Lang will definitely rise again.
Although Kangxi has decided to appoint Shi Lang as the general to conquer Taiwan, there are still many ministers opposing Shi Lang. Kangxi und Li Guangdi discuss the situation on Taiwan. Li Guangdi speaks about Shi Lang and his deep-seated faith concerning the victory on Taiwan. There is no such thing as a hundred percent guarantee of victory. Li Guangdy shows Kangxi the Hydrographic Map of Taiwan and Penghu which he had received from Shi Lang. Kangxi examins it with a keen interest. It is a detailed map of parts of the mainland, the Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan. Li Guangdi retells the words of Shi Lang, whose final intention is to retrieve Taiwan through peaceful negotiations and there is no necessity to start a massacre. Shi Lang thinks the strategy of this war is to utilize war as a means to force Taiwan into a peaceful capitulation. Kangxi believes that Shi Lang is the right man for this war. Kangxi thinks about Shi Lang’s words and agrees with them. His conclusion is that Shi Lang knows exactly what he wants and how to fight this war.
| previous next | back up |