Episode 21
Scene 1: Taiwan, North Garden Mansion, Dong Taifei’s chamber
Dong Taifei asks Liu Guoxuan to take Zhu Lin who has been accused of treason by Feng Xifan and is currently under Dong Taifei’s protection, under his military command to assist him in the defense efforts. Dong Taifei asks Liu Guoxuan to continue to be a defender of Taiwan as he was in the past. She tells him that everyone has to remember his own roots. Taiwanese originally are from Fujian and they don’t have to forget about that. She agrees that it may be the best decision for Taiwan to carry on peace negotiations with the mainland. Liu Guoxuan assures her that he will never forget her words and will not do anything stupid which dishonours the ancestors and the people. Dong Taifei reminds him that Feng Xifan’s and Tang Fei’s intention is to use Zheng Keshuang to take over the political power and build up their own dynasty. Now the future of Taiwan depends on Liu Guoxuan, he is the one who must decide Taiwan’s fate. If Taiwan can’t win the war, then Taiwan needs to enter peace negotiations. Liu Guoxuan is the only person she can rely on.
Scene 2: Beijing, Imperial palace, Yingtai Pavillon in the Nanhai Garden
The Kangxi emperor receives his ministers and offers them to take a cup of tea for their suggestions and
opinions on the future Taiwan war. He lets them know that he has a new and peculiar suggestion. By his
order the Hydrographic Map of Taiwan and Penghu
is brought out. Most of the ministers do not know what it is, and are devided in their opinions about the
issue of unification with Taiwan. Some think that now that the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories has been
defeated, the country is financially strong, and Taiwan is at its weakest position, so it is the best time
to solve the problem. Others think that such a small island like Taiwan is of little importancec for
mainland China. As long as the Qing continues the sea ban policy, Taiwan will continuously decline
so it is unwise to spend a lot of money and send out troops. Shi Lang takes the initiative and,
using weighty arguments, proves that this is not true. He starts with a history of the foreign
invaders of Taiwan: from the Ming dynasty Taiwan was under the Dutch and the Spaniards. Taiwan
was for 38 years in Dutch possession. Zheng Chenggong succeeded in liberating the island from
the Dutch occupation. He emphasizes that Taiwan belongs to China. It can’t be giving up to
foreigners again. Kangxi agrees with his words, he adds that foreigners on Taiwan would threaten security of mainland China.
Shi Lang goes to the map to give further explanations of geography around Taiwan. Fast ships can sail to the island within five days
in good weather. Taiwan’s area is 30% of the territory of Fujian province. Ist population is over 300 thousand people,
mostly migrants from Fujian and Guangdong. It has around 300 thousand mu [1/6 acre] of arable land with up to three
harvests per year. Despite the rich natural resources, Taiwanese people struggled with famine due to three typhoons
last year. Shi Lang then explains the locations of important cities and navy bases. The core of the Taiwanese
navy is stationed on the Penghu archipelago which has only some 300 local residents. Shi Lang is familiar with
the natural geography around Penghu because he traveled there himself over a decade ago. So even though Taiwan‘s
troop deployments have changed, the national geography hasn’t changed. Then he explains that Taiwan‘s army and
navy have lost people and equipment due to their engagement in the Three Feudatories‘ Rebellions and their
adventures on the mainland. Now there are only over sixty thousand soldiers and navy only around 200 battle
ships left. It is the most difficult time in Taiwan navy history. Therefore, the best strategy to retrieve
Taiwan is to initiate a war in order to utilize massive military power to scare the Taiwanese. It is not
necessary to enforce it by brutal force if it is possible to solve the problem through peace negotiations.
Shi Lang believes that if Taiwanese see the powerful Chinese army and navy they will refuse to engage and
will choose a peaceful solution of the conflict. Kangxi is pleased to hear this and starts to applaud
Shi Lang’s speech. He appoints Shi Lang as the commander-in-chief to conquer Taiwan and adds a number
of honorific titles including that of the Protector of the Heir Apparant. He orders the other minister
to help him, and hands Shi Lang the Qing national flag, which he has to raise on Taiwan when he takes
possession of the island. Shi Lang gives his promise. The Qing national flag will fly over Taiwan.
Shi Shilun tries to persuade his father to let him join the battle. If not allowed to fight, he is ready to do any other job in the military. Shi Lang, who is studying his scale model of the Taiwan defenses, tells his son that his place is not on the battle field but in the examination hall. Moreover, his family needs him at home. Shi Shilun expresses his worries about his father’s new assignment. He beliefs that Kangxi doesn’t really trust Shi Lang, because he created two more positions of power, the supreme commander-in-chief of all Fujian troops Lahada, and governor-general of Fujian province Yao Qisheng. Both are not subordinated to Shi Lang. This means that Kangxi uses a Manchu to control a Han official and uses a civil official to curb a general. In the case of taking strategic decisions Shi Lang has to receive consent from both of them, otherwise his commands won’t be carried out. Shi Lang is well aware of these problems which are part of the political system of the Qing. However, he thinks that the emperor has made the right decision by trying to bring about a harmonious co-operation between the three officials. The servant reports, that Li Guangdi has arrived to meet Shi Lang. Shi Lang is glad to welcome Li Guangdi. With a great interest Li looks at the scale model of Taiwan. Shi Lang offers to continue the conversation over a cup of tea.
Feng Xifan is studying a defense map of Taiwan at night when the veiled Tang Fei arrives. He is dissatisfied by her carelessness to make this inappropriate visit. Tang Fei says that she has very important news: Dong Taifei passed away and she wanted to inform Feng Xifan immediately. She asks him about their further actions. Feng is glad that Dong Taifei has died and said Tang Fei will now take Dong Taifei’s position. However, Tang Fei is afraid of Liu Guoxuan. She fears that she won’t be able to control him and the other ministers. Feng tells Tang Fei that there’s nothing to be afraid of because Feng will assist her to control these ministers. Feng is going to convoke the ministers in the next day.
Li Guangdi talks to Shi Lang about Yao Qisheng. According to his opinion Yao is a charismatic person and a lot of people respect him. Li tells seven amazing things about Yao. For instance, Yao went to see the rebellious warlord Geng Jingzhong all by himself and convinced Geng to surrender. Two years later, Yao also bought two generals of Wu Sangui into capitulation. Shi Lang worries if Yao Qisheng will cooperate with him. He is concerned that nobody will follow his commands when he arrives in Fujian. When Shi Lang asks Li for an advice, Li only utters a name – Wu Qijue – and leaves the baffled Shi behind.
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