Episode 35

Scene 1: Bazhao Island, Shi Lang’s battle ship

In front of his officers, Shi Lang summarizes the experiences from the last sea battle. He excuses himself for underestimating the strength of the enemy because he did not accomplish his objectives and the course of the battle was not as he had anticipated. The shortage of drinking water is also being discussed. Wu Ying, who is responsible for digging a new well, reports that ground water has not yet been reached. In their discussion on tactics, the officers quote the saying: “Thunder in the sixth month [of the traditional calender] will stop nine typhoons.” Because everybody present knows that there has been a thunder [episode 34] they expect no more typhoons. This means that Shi Lang is now in the position to attack Liu Guoxuan’s stronghold at Niangmagong. Shi Lang gives orders to the officers about the places where they shall attack and about the tactics. They have decided that the decisive battle shall take place on the 22nd day of the 6th month. In the end, a lower-ranking officer reports that water is flowing from the new well. This is seen as an auspicious omen for the battle.

Scene 2: Bazhao Island, Shi Lang’s stronghold

A well has been dug on the island and now there is enough drinking water. Shi Lang personally drinks the water with his officers and declared it to be good water. He decides to name the well the “Military Well”. There is a small ceremony for showing gratitude to the goddess where Shi Lang vows to build a temple for the Princess of Heaven (Mazu) after their victory.

Haikui and Aman have arrived on the island in the evening. They are captured by soldiers and brought to Liu Guoxuan.

Haikui and Aman appear in front of Liu Guoxuan. Aman’s arrival surprises Liu Guoxuan. She tells him that evil forces in Taiwan try to enforce an independent state, which the Qing troops will prevent on all account, and wants to convince Liu Guoxuan to surrender to Shi Lang, but are not successful. Aman is arrested by Liu Guoxuan. After Aman is lead away, Liu Guoxuan tells Haikui that Shi Shizong and Yao Yun are still alive emphasizing that their lives were saved by his argument that they might be used as a pawn for possible negotiations. Haikui wants to return to Taiwan immediately. Liu Guoxuan tells her that he has arrested Aman only in order not to be considered as traitor by his staff. Between the lines, his words convene the message to Haikui that he intends to let her go. Haikui says that Aman is only Shi Lang’s adopted daughter and not his real daughter. Her real father’s name is Chen Gongfei.

Haikui arrives at the house which serves as “prison” for Aman. She has arranged for a boat for her to return, but Haikui herself wants to return to Taiwan.

Scene 6: On the sea

On the 22nd of the 6th month of the 22nd year of emperor Kangxi’s reign [July 16, 1683] the decisive battle takes place. Shi Lang orders his soldiers to attack the Penghu Archipelago from three sides. The battle is hard, many fights are shown and a lot of casualties occur on both sides.

Scene 7: On Shi Lang’s battle ship

Shi Lang gives the order to surround Liu Guoxuan’s battle ship so that he cannot flee.

Scene 8: Battle scenes on sea

The naval battle is going on and is very severe. The flames of the war can bee seen and many ships are hit by artillery.

Scene 9: On Shi Lang’s battle ship

Shi Lang gives order to Wu Qijue to attack Liu Guoxuan’s headquarter Niangmagong. He shall seize it as fast as possible. Zhu Tiangui is told to close in on Liu Guoxuan’s battle ship.

Liu Guoxuan gives the order to his soldiers to strike back against Shi Lang’s armada.

Scene 11: Battle scenes on sea

The naval battle continues with heavy fighting.

Scene 12: Battle scenes on sea

Zhu Tiangui sees that his relatives Lin Ying and Jiang Sheng fight on the opposite side as high officers of Liu Guoxuan. Zhu Tiangui calls on them to surrender. His argument is that the only right and orthodox way for an official is to serve the Qing government. He cannot convince them and they attack each other at the same time. Zhu Tiangui kills Lin Ying but he is immediately killed by Jiang Sheng. Shi Lang who observed this with his telescope gives order to attack Jiang Sheng who is then killed by an artillery bullet.

The naval battle continues with heavy fighting. At the same time, Qing troops start their landing on Penghu Island.

Liu Guoxuan asks his soldiers why the artillery doesn’t fire any more. They reply that they have exhausted all ammunition.

Shi Lang tells Lan Li that he is convinced that even now that Liu Guoxuan is going to be defeated he will not surrender. But nevertheless he doesn’t want to kill Liu Guoxuan and gives secret orders to Lan Li.

Scene 16: Battle scenes on sea

The battle continues with heavy fighting. Qing troops enter the Niangmagong headquarters.

Scene 17: On the sea

Liu Guoxuan’s and Shi Lang’s battle ships encounter and start to attack each other.

Scene 18: Battle scenes on sea

The naval battle continues with heavy fighting. The two leaders Liu Guoxuan and Shi Lang are now in the center of events.

Scene 19: On Liu Guoxuan’s battle ship

Liu Guoxuan plans to ram Shi Lang’s battle ship. But his troops are slowly driven back by Shi Lang and loose ground on the sea as well as ashore where the Niangmagong headquarters are taken by Wu Qijue’s troops. Zhu Lin asks Liu Guoxuan’s soldiers to stop fighting and then boards a boat to cross over to Liu Guoxuan’s ship.

Shi Lang gives the order that Lan Li shall capture Liu Guoxuan alive and that the soldiers of the enemy who surrender shall stay alive.

Scene 21: On Liu Guoxuan’s battle ship

Liu Guoxuan decides to surrender and orders Zhu Lin to fly a white flag. Seeing the white flag with his telescope, Shi Lang orders to save the lives of all surrendering troops. At the same time, Lan Li jumps on Liu Guoxuan’s ship and, fighting with the crew, reaches Liu Guoxuan before he can commit suicide. Lan Li and prevents him from doing so. Afterwards many destroyed ships and injured soldiers can be seen.

Scene 22: On Shi Lang’s battle ship

Shi Lang gives his soldiers the order to salvage the surviving Taiwanese soldiers as well as the dead from the sea. The survivors shall be saved and the dead buried with honors. His soldiers are reluctant to do so, but Shi Lang tells them that even though these people were enemies they are all Chinese compatriots and deserve good treatment. Moreover, the soldiers were never to blame for the war and should be treated humanely anyway. The fleet is ordered to return to Bazhao Island.

Scene 23: On Bazhao Island, Shi Lang’s stronghold

At the evening after the battle Shi Lang receives captured Taiwanese soldiers. He says that these captives are not guilty but Feng Xifan and those of the Taiwanese who want to become independent. He tells the captives that they are allowed to return to their homes.

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