Episode 31

Scene 1: Fuzhou, Yao Qisheng’s residence

Yao Qisheng is lying on his sick bed discussing with his wife a message he has just received from Taiwan which says that Fu Weilin has been killed. Now Yao Qisheng understands why the envoys the Taiwan party sent this time were of such a low rank. Then he calls for Zhu Tiangui who is always well informed about Taiwan because he has friends and family on the island and asks him, whether the information about Fu Weilin’s death is reliable. After Zhu Tiangui’s confirmation that he was killed because he tried to smuggle a map of Taiwan’s defense system drawn by Yao Yun out of the country they decide to take care of Fu Weilin’s old mother.

Scene 2: Taiwan, “White House”

Shi Shizong reproaches Haikui for having betrayed Yao Yun because she is her political enemy and rival. Haikui asserts that she had never thought of informing on them but that he and Yao Yun were being observed for some time by Hong Xu and Jin Hanchen. She admits having been furious because the map of the Penghu defense system had been stolen out of her chest. Shi Shizong tells Haikui that due to his mistrust of her he had replaced the original map by a superficially drawn copy which must have been stolen by Jin Hanchen. Being asked for the status of the recent negotiations between Taiwan and Qing China, Haikui reveals to him that Fu Weilin has been killed for trying to smuggle the defense map to the mainland which had been drawn by Yao Yun from memory.

Lahada pays a visit to governor-general Yao Qisheng who receives him in plain clothes. He informs Yao Qisheng that there was a heated debate during the pre-war audience in the Qianqing Gate throne hall [episode 30], but in the end the emperor’s trust in Shi Lang’s was not shattered. He also tells Yao Qisheng that Sun Hui’s bribery was exposed, but that the emperor, instead of having Sun Hui beheaded, exiled him to Ningguta to atone for his crime. Moreover, in order to avoid the exposure of other persons involved in the affair, the emperor had forbidden further investigations. Yao Qisheng is visibly relieved.

Feng Xifan submits a proposal how Tang Taifei could win Haikui’s love and help Haikui’s relationship to Shi Shizong to a happy end at the same time. Since Shi Shizong is indifferent towards Haikui because of his love for Yao Yun they should think about eliminating Yao Yun thus clearing the way for an eventual marriage between Shi Shizong and Haikui.

Shi Lang has come to see Yao Qisheng. Yao Qisheng’s wife, Zhu Tiangui and Fu Weilin’s mother are also present. Shi Lang informs the latter that Yao Qisheng had written a memorial to the throne and that her son was posthumously bestowed a title and other honours. After the ladies have left the room, Yao Qisheng tells Shi Lang that he envies him because he can go to war. Zhu Tiangui abruptly reproaches Shi Lang for having outmaneuvered Yao Qisheng in order to get the sole command. Although Zhu Tiangui does not stop showing his dislike of Shi Lang, Yao Qisheng wants to put him under Shi Lang’s command. Shi Lang at first hesitates but finally agrees considering Zhu Tiangui a wild horse he would like to tame.

Scene 6: Taiwan, prison

Soldiers come to Yao Yun’s prison to take her to the execution grounds.

Scene 7: Taiwan, Royal Palace

Haikui implores Tang Taifei to save Yao Yun, since killing her would mean destroying Shi Shizong’s and her own life, too. When her mother objects that the execution was a decision of the court and it is too late to stop it anyhow Haikui offers to marry Shi Shizong in exchange for Yao Yun’s life. Tang Taifei can hardly believe this complete change of Haikui’s and Shizong’s attitude concerning their marriage but moved by Haikui’s despair she finally contacts Feng Xifan and asks him to stop the execution. Feng Xifan gets angry.

Scene 8: Fujian, navy base

Shi Lang, Wu Qijue and Aman are discussing the military situation. Since Yao Qisheng’s envoy Huang Chaoyong has just returned from his mission to Liu Guoxuan at Penghu, Wu Qijue appreciates Yao Qisheng’s efforts using the pressure of more than two hundred warships and more than twenty thousand soldiers assembled in Fujian for negating Taiwan into submission in order to save human lives and financial resources. Shi Lang, however, is determined to enforce peace by war. A messenger arrives to invite him to meet Liu Guoxian’s envoy at Yao Qisheng’s residence. Shi Lang refuses to go because he thinks Yao Qisheng is pursuing a dream whereas he has to obey the imperial decree to defeat Taiwan.

Scene 9: Taiwan, “White House”

Haikui returns to the “White House” on horseback being observed by hidden guards. While she sadly sits down at the door, a window opens and Yao Yun smiles at her.

Liu Guoxian and two of his generals are inspecting a bastion on Penghu. Having approved of the quality of the Dutch canons Liu Guoxuan complains that Captain Cook is doing business with Shi Lang, too. The Dutch do not sincerely stand by their side as they pretend to but are also selling canons and gunpowder to the enemy. One of the generals is concerned about Shi Shizong’s having ferreted out the Penghu defense system. Liu Guoxian reassures him that all attempts to smuggle the defense map out of Taiwan have failed. As long as Shi Shizong and Yao Yun are prevented from leaving Taiwan there will be no danger.

Shi Shizong and Yao Yun are talking with Haikui about them feeling like prisoners and the forthcoming wedding. Haikui says that nobody is interested in this wedding at the moment since war is reckoned to break out in the near future.

Shi Lang and his retinue arrive at the Fujian shore to watch Zhu Tiangui training his crew. From afar they hear Zhu Tiangui loudly rebuking his men for their incompetence saying that he will not fight for Shi Lang but only for the emperor. Shi Lang’s generals ask him to punish Zhu Tiangui for his insolence and send him back to Yao Qisheng. Shi Lang, however, thinks that even if Zhu Tiangui’s words are unpleasant for him he is speaking the truth. He appreciates that Zhu Tiangui has served for many years with utter devotion under Yao Qisheng’s command in the Fujian army and admires his strong character and absolute loyalty to Yao Qisheng. His heroic potential might be useful for his war.

Scene 13: Taiwan, Royal Palace

Haikui comes to ask her mother for a ship to take Yao Yun to Fujian. Tang Taifei reminds her that she is a member of the royal family and has to identify herself with the Taiwan cause. Releasing Yao Yun would mean providing the enemy with all information about the Penghu coastal defense system. Haikui pretends to be convinced by Tang Taifei’s arguments and promises not to care for Yao Yun any longer.

Scene 14: Fujian, navy base

Since Shi Lang will be leaving for Taiwan soon, local fishermen hold a solemn farewell ceremony for him based on an old custom. Self-produced lucky wine arranged on three hundred small altars will give strength and courage to his men and guarantee a successful war. Shi Lang is deeply moved.

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