Episode 37
Scene 1: Taiwan, Royal Palace
Tang Taifei reproaches Feng Xifan for having sent Yao Yun’s and Shi Shizong’s heads to Shi Lang, thus making peace negotiations impossible. Feng Xifan still suspects Liu Guoxuan of purposely causing the defeat at Penghu and insists that Taiwan should not surrender. While he is assuring Tang Taifei of his absolute loyalty to the throne and his determination to hold out till the end, Haikui is creeping up from behind stabbing him to death. She tells her mother that she did so in revenge for Shi Shizong and Yao Yun and will be leaving her for good.
Scene 2: Taiwan, Royal Palace
Since Tang Taifei has come to the conclusion that surrender is the only solution, she summons Liu Guoxuan to take charge of the procedure. In a monologue she apologizes to her forefathers and to the common people for not having been able to hold Taiwan.
At the Taiwan coast Shi Lang is welcomed by a delegation of officials under the leadership of Liu Guoxuan. Shi Lang treats Liu Guoxuan with great respect appreciating his energy and the sense of responsibility he showed for the benefit of the nation after his defeat. Both agree that Shi Lang’s victory at Penghu was a decision of heaven and Liu Guoxuan was right not to revolt against it. They walk towards an altar erected beneath a decorated archway inscribed “Chiqian 赤嵌.” The ceremony of surrender starts with lion dances and acrobatics. After Zheng Keshuang and his retinue have arrived a red dragon flag is hoisted and Taiwan’s state seals are handed over. When Shi Lang begins to read out the imperial amnesty decree the Zheng and his officials kowtow and shout ‘long live the Emperor’. Kangxi promises to forgive all those who sincerely regret having done wrong. Finally Zheng Keshuang receives an official Manchu robe and headgear with the order to wear it from now on.
Shi Lang visits Zheng Chenggong’s temple to offer sacrifices. In his official speech written for the ceremony, Shi Lang emphasizes Zheng Chenggong’s achievements in making Taiwan part of the imperial mainland. Now that he has led his troops, on behalf of the Qing emperor, to conquer Taiwan, Shi Lang recounts his own past as a follower of Zheng Chenggong and asserts the latter’s soul that, even though evil men had caused a rift between them, in his heart Shi Lang still harbors the feeling of a being loyal servant to him.
Shi Lang, Aman, Wu Qijue and their retinue are riding on horseback to Yao Yun’s and Shi Shizong’s tomb on the Taiwan seashore. On the way, Wu Qijue says he is amazed that Shi Lang succeeded in conquering Taiwan without any bloodshed and that he paid a visit to the ancestral temple of the princely family. He thought that this move was more efficient than sending another ten thousand soldiers. Shi Lang replies that human hearts cannot be conquered by arms but by human hearts only. Without respect for the principles of humanity there will be no lasting peace either.
Scene 6: Penghu, Tomb of Yao Yun and Shi Shizong
When they arrive at the tomb, Shi Lang compares his fate with that of Wu Zixu, a hero of the Spring and Autumn Period whose father and sons were killed by the King of Chu and who took terrible revenge but finally came to a bad end himself. Although Shi Lang does not want to be like Wu Zixu he still feels guilty for not having been able to take revenge for the death of his son. Wu Qijue succeeds in consoling him with the words ‘great virtue overcomes the love of one’s kin’. By not taking revenge, he says, Shi Lang actually by far surpasses Wu Zixu in humanity and generosity. This will win him the hearts of the people. In the meantime, Haikui overhears their dialogue hiding behind a rock. Aman seems to sense her presence and, without actually tracing her, calls out that the Shi family will never forget her support for Yao Yun and Shi Shizong.
Scene 7: Penghu, Shi Lang’s headquarter [former governor’s residence]
Shi Lang finally meets his family. As he enters the room they present him with precious gifts sent by Emperor Kangxi, a yellow golden cloak, a letter from Kangxi and two tablets with inscriptions honoring his merits at the eastern border and praising his brave and loyal character. Shi Lang is deeply moved and almost verging on tears. But there’s also bad news, Wu Qijue hands Shi Lang a letter saying that Yao Qisheng’s health is in a very bad condition. Moreover, in his distress, he has broken a taboo and bombarded the emperor with memorials. Shi Lang fears that this will incite the wrath of Kangxi against Yao Qisheng. Shi Lang immediately wants to set off for Fuzhou.
Scene 8: Fuzhou, Yao Qisheng’s residence
Shi Lang and Aman arrive at Yao Qisheng’s residence in Fuzhou. A servant informs Yao Qisheng that Shi Lang has arrived, but Yao Qisheng doesn’t feel well enough to receive visitors. Only after Shi Lang’s assurance to spend the night in front of his residence until Yao Qisheng is willing to meet him, he gives in. The reunion is amicable and Shi Lang presents his old friend with one of the tablets he received from the emperor. Yao Qisheng, too, is moved to tears but there is more to come. Shi Lang has also brought something else. Haikui enters the room and the two clasp in one’s arms and start crying. After loosing his daughter Yao Yun, Shi Lang has brought Yao Qisheng a new daughter.
Scene 9: Beijing, Imperial Palace
Aman and Emperor Kangxi have a conversation about the recent events. Kangxi, looking at the defense map of Penghu, expresses the feeling that the incorporation of Taiwan into the map of China was the greatest achievement of his reign. Aman confesses to the emperor about the tablet that has been given away to Yao Qisheng without permission but Kangxi holds no grudge against them and questions Aman about the beauty of Taiwan.
Shi Lang is given an audience at the Imperial Palace. While Shi Lang reverently steps up the stairs of the Taihe Hall of the Forbidden City, a giant map of China is unfolded from the roof of the hall. As he steps before the emperor, who is standing in front of the map, Kangxi thanks him for conquering Taiwan and achieving final unification. Shi Lang thanks the emperor for his grace, but at the same time urges him to quickly establish the Qing system of administration on Taiwan in order to stabilize the Qing rule. The Series ends with a look ahead. In the 11th month of the 22nd year of emperor Kangxi’s reign (late 1683), after the unification with Taiwan, Shi Lang and his men return with glory to Xiamen. Zheng Keshuang receives a title of nobility and Liu Guoxuan becomes the major general of Tianjin. In the 23rd year of Kangxi’s reign (1684), Qing administration was established in Taiwan. In 1696 (35th year of emperor Kangxi’s reign), at the age of 76 Shi Lang succumbed to an illness.
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