Deer and the Cauldron - Chapter 12 (Part 6)

Wu Yingxiong was overjoyed. “This plan of yours, eunuch, is excellent,” he said hastily. “I know very little of the martial arts myself, but I shall ask one of my men. Please wait a moment, eunuch. I shall return at once.” He gave a formal bow and hurried inside.

After a short while he returned with a man. It was Yang Yizhi,¹ the chief of his retinue, whom Wei Xiaobao had helped win seven hundred liang² the previous evening. Yang Yizhi stepped forward and bowed to Wei Xiaobao. His face was deeply troubled. Wu Yingxiong explained the situation to him.

Wei Xiaobao said, “Brother Yang, you need not worry. Last night you were practising martial arts at Prince Kang’s Mansion. Many civil and military officials saw you with their own eyes. No one can claim you entered the palace to commit assassination. I can bear witness too.”

Yang Yizhi said, “Yes, yes! Many thanks, eunuch. But I fear that traitors may frame us, claiming the Prince of the Heir Apparent brought us to Prince Kang’s mansion so that the officials could serve as witnesses, while secretly sending other men to commit that treasonous act.”

Wei Xiaobao nodded. “That is indeed something to guard against.”

Yang Yizhi said, “The Prince of the Heir Apparent says that if you, eunuch, would uphold justice and speak on our behalf before the Emperor, it would be our great benefactor. The Prince Who Pacifies the West has many enemies. Their martial arts are of many different schools, but only the Mu Family’s martial arts form a school of their own, easily recognised.”

Wei Xiaobao said, “Hmm. Unfortunately I cannot find any men from the Mu Family just now, otherwise I could have them perform a few moves for us to see.”

Yang Yizhi said, “The Mu Family Fist and Mu Family Sword have long been known in Yunnan. I myself remember some of them. Let me perform a few sets for you to instruct me, eunuch. The assassins who entered the palace carried blades. Shall I perform a set of the Mu Family’s Returning Wind Sword for you to see?”

Wei Xiaobao was pleased. “You know the Mu Family martial arts? That is excellent. As for sword techniques, I know nothing at all, and I could not learn them in a short time. You had better teach me a few moves of Mu Family Fist instead.”

Yang Yizhi said, “I would not presume. You, eunuch, captured Oboi³ single-handedly, and your fame has spread throughout the four seas. Your fist techniques and footwork must be of the highest order. If I make any mistakes, I beg you to correct me.” He stepped into the centre of the hall, assumed the opening stance, and slowly began to perform the forms, one by one.

This school of Mu Family Fist had been handed down from Mu Ying⁴ himself, and now more than three hundred years had passed. Through the generations there had been many masters among its heirs, and it could be called the work of a thousand hammerings and a hundred refinings. In Yunnan it was known to many. Though Yang Yizhi was not himself a specialist in this fist set, his own martial arts were of a high order and his knowledge broad. As he performed each move, his bearing was grave and weighty, his forms precise and subtle.

When Wei Xiaobao saw the move called Sweeping Thousand Armies,[^saod thousand armies] he praised, “That move is excellent!” Later, when he saw High Mountain, Flowing Water,[^gaoshan liushui] he praised again, “That move too is remarkable!” When Yang Yizhi had finished the entire set, Wei Xiaobao said, “Very good, very good! Brother Yang, your martial arts are truly impressive. The martial instructors at Prince Kang’s Mansion, even ten of them against one, would be no match for you. I cannot learn much in a short time, but I can pick up one or two moves to perform before the Emperor. The Emperor will summon the palace’s finest martial artists to identify the style. Do you think they will recognise its origin?” As he spoke, he gestured and mimicked, performing Sweeping Thousand Armies and High Mountain, Flowing Water exactly as he had seen them.

Yang Yizhi was delighted. “You perform those two moves, Sweeping Thousand Armies and High Mountain, Flowing Water, with a deep grasp of their essence. Anyone who knows the art will recognise them at once as Mu Family Fist. You, eunuch, possess a wisdom beyond the ordinary. You learned them at first sight. Now the Wu family may be saved.”

Wu Yingxiong bowed repeatedly. “The entire Wu household, a hundred souls, relies upon your aid, eunuch.”

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, The Wu family has mountains of gold and mountains of silver. I need not bargain with them. He returned the bow and said, “We are all good friends. Young Prince, if you speak any more of favour or salvation, you will be too formal. Moreover, I shall do my best, but I do not know if it will be of any use.”

Wu Yingxiong said repeatedly, “Yes, yes!” Wei Xiaobao wrapped the bundle and tucked it under his arm, thinking, There is no hurry to give this to him yet. Suddenly he remembered something and said, “Young Prince, the Emperor asked me to enquire about a matter. You have an official from Yunnan who came to the capital, a certain Lu Yifeng.⁵ Is there such a man?”

Wu Yingxiong was startled. He thought, Lu Yifeng is but a petty official, a green bean or sesame seed. He came to the capital for an audience but has not yet seen the Emperor. How does the Emperor already know of him? He said, “Lu Yifeng is the newly appointed magistrate of Qujing County in Yunnan. He is at present in the capital, awaiting an audience with the Emperor.”

Wei Xiaobao said, “The Emperor asked me to ask you: the other day at a wineshop, this Lu Yifeng oppressed decent folk and allowed his wicked servants to beat people. Has his temper improved of late?”

The reason Lu Yifeng had been appointed magistrate of Qujing County by Wu Sangui was that he had bribed his way with more than forty thousand liang of silver, of which Wu Yingxiong had taken a cut of over three thousand. Now, hearing Wei Xiaobao’s words, he was greatly alarmed and said hastily, “I shall certainly give him a thorough lesson.” He turned to Yang Yizhi. “Go at once and fetch that Lu Yifeng. Give him fifty heavy blows first, then we shall see.” He bowed to Wei Xiaobao and said, “Eunuch, please memorialise the Emperor: your subject Wu Sangui failed in his judgement of men and erred in his recommendation. He begs the Emperor to punish him. Let Lu Yifeng be stripped of office at once, never to be employed again. Please ask the Ministry of Personnel to appoint a worthy and capable replacement.”

Wei Xiaobao said, “Need you punish him so severely?”

Wu Yingxiong said, “That wretch Lu Yifeng has dared to act so recklessly that his offences have reached Heaven’s ears. His crimes are beyond forgiveness. Yizhi, beat him soundly for me.”

Yang Yizhi answered, “Yes!”

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, That official Lu will likely lose his life. He said aloud, “I must return to the palace now to see the Emperor. These two moves, Sweeping Thousand Armies and High Mountain, Flowing Water, I must perform them convincingly.” With that he took his leave and departed.

Wu Yingxiong drew a large sealed envelope from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. “Eunuch Gui, your great kindness and great virtue are not easily repaid. However, before Chief Eunuch Duo, Lord Suo, and all the imperial bodyguards, some small token of respect must be offered. This modest sum, I beg you, eunuch Gui, will distribute on my behalf. If the Emperor enquires, may all speak a few words in our favour, and the injustice done to my father and myself shall be washed clean.”

Wei Xiaobao took it and laughed. “You want me to play the favour-giver for you? That is an easy enough errand!” He had been in the palace for over a year now, and had thoroughly absorbed the eunuchs’ manner of speech. His Beijing dialect, glib and sharp, no longer held the slightest trace of his Yangzhou accent. Had he begun impersonating Xiao Guizi at this moment, even the blind eunuch Hai might not have detected the impostor.

Wu Yingxiong and Yang Yizhi escorted him respectfully to the mansion gate. In his sedan chair, Wei Xiaobao opened the envelope and found, to his astonishment, a hundred thousand liang in silver notes. He thought, His granny! I shall split it down the middle, one for me, one for him. He tucked fifty thousand liang into his bosom and put the remaining fifty thousand back into the envelope.

Wei Xiaobao first went to the Upper Study to see Kangxi.⁶ He reported that the matter had been handled, saying that Wu Yingxiong, upon learning of the Emperor’s wisdom in distinguishing his father’s and his own innocence, had been struck with a gratitude beyond words.

Kangxi laughed. “That must have given him a fine fright.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed. “It frightened the piss and shit right out of him. I gave him a thorough warning, telling him that such things are likely to happen again, and that he should instruct Wu Sangui to be loyal and true in the Emperor’s service.” Kangxi nodded continually. Wei Xiaobao went on, “When I had frightened him enough, I told him that the Emperor’s wisdom reaches ten thousand li. At the first examination of the assassins’ martial arts, you had already suspected the rebel Mu family of Yunnan. Wu Yingxiong was both alarmed and delighted. He was smiling from both ears, and he could not praise Your Majesty’s wisdom enough.”

Kangxi smiled faintly.

Wei Xiaobao drew the envelope from his bosom and said, “He was so grateful that he brought out many silver notes, a total of fifty thousand liang. He said to give me ten thousand, and the other forty thousand to be divided among the bodyguards who served last night. Emperor, look, we have grown rich.” The notes were each worth five hundred liang, and a hundred of them made a thick stack.

Kangxi laughed. “You are but a child. You could not spend ten thousand liang in a lifetime. As for the rest, you may distribute it among the bodyguards.”

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, The Emperor is wise, but he does not know that I, Wei Xiaobao, already possess a fortune of several hundred thousand liang. He said, “Emperor, I follow you. What do I lack? What use have I for silver? I shall serve you faithfully all my life, and you will look after me. Give these fifty thousand liang to the bodyguards. I shall say it is Your Majesty’s bounty. Why let Wu Yingxiong buy men’s hearts?”

Kangxi had not intended to distribute rewards in another’s name, but at the words “buy men’s hearts” he was stirred.

Wei Xiaobao, seeing Kangxi silent and thoughtful, said further, “Emperor, Wu Sangui has sent his son to the capital with no small quantity of gold and silver. He gives money to everyone he meets. He likely harbours no good intention. All the land and treasure of the empire belongs to you, Emperor. Yet that old rascal Wu Sangui is arrogant, as if Yunnan were his family’s own.”

Kangxi nodded. “You speak well. Let these silver notes be said to be my bounty.”

Wei Xiaobao went to the bodyguards’ quarters outside the Upper Study and said to Duolong,⁷ Chief of the Imperial Bodyguards, “Chief Duo, the Emperor commands: last night the bodyguards protected the throne with merit. He bestows fifty thousand liang in silver.”

Duolong was overjoyed and at once knelt to give thanks. Wei Xiaobao laughed. “The Emperor is in a fine humour. You had better go in and thank him yourself.” He handed over the fifty thousand liang in notes.

Duolong followed Wei Xiaobao into the study and knelt before Kangxi. “The Emperor bestows silver. Your subject Duolong and the bodyguards give thanks.” Kangxi nodded with a smile. Wei Xiaobao said, “The Emperor commands: as for these fifty thousand liang, you shall distribute them as you see fit. Those who slew the rebels and distinguished themselves shall receive more. Those who fought bravely and were wounded shall receive yet more.”

Duolong said, “Yes, yes. Your subject obeys the decree.”

Kangxi thought to himself, Xiao Guizi is both loyal and ungreedy. That is most rare. He has truly given all fifty thousand liang to the bodyguards, not keeping a single coin for himself.

Wei Xiaobao and Duolong withdrew together. Duolong counted out a stack of ten thousand liang and said, laughing, “Eunuch Gui, this is a token of our bodyguards’ respect. Please accept it, eunuch, to reward the younger eunuchs.”

Wei Xiaobao said, “Ah ha! Chief Duo, you speak thus, and that is not friendly of me. I, Xiao Guizi, respect nothing more than a friend of high martial skill. If the Emperor had bestowed these fifty thousand liang on civil officials, I, Xiao Guizi, would not take less than ten thousand, or at least eight thousand. But this is bestowed on you, Chief Duo. Even a single liang I could not accept. I treat you as a good friend, and you must treat me as a good friend in return.”

Duolong laughed. “The bodyguard brothers all say that among the many eunuchs of the palace with offices and duties, you, eunuch Gui, are the youngest, yet the most loyal to your friends. Your reputation is well earned.”

Footnotes

1. 杨溢之 – Yáng Yìzhī. Chief retainer of Wu Yingxiong. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

2. 两 – liǎng. A unit of weight and currency. One liang was approximately one-sixteenth of a jin, and the standard unit in which silver was reckoned. ↩

3. 鳌拜 – Áobài. A powerful Manchu noble and regent, deposed and imprisoned by the young Kangxi Emperor. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

4. 沐英 – Mù Yīng. A founding general of the Ming dynasty, hereditary governor of Yunnan. The Mu family ruled Yunnan for generations. See Wuxia Wiki. [^saod thousand armies]: 横扫千军 – Héngsǎo Qiānjūn. Lit. “Sweeping Thousand Armies.” A move from Mu Family Fist. [^gaoshan liushui]: 高山流水 – Gāoshān Liúshuǐ. Lit. “High Mountain, Flowing Water.” A move from Mu Family Fist, named after the famous melody. ↩

5. 卢一峰 – Lú Yīfēng. A minor official appointed magistrate of Qujing County in Yunnan through bribery. ↩

6. 康熙 – Kāngxī. The Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722), the fourth emperor of the Qing dynasty. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

7. 多隆 – Duōlóng. Chief of the Imperial Bodyguards. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩