Empress dowager cixi

[xlwoo]

“At home.” So the mayor ordered Cabbage to be put back in the cell and sent one of his men to her home. The shop was closed down and the door was locked with a padlock from the outside by the police. The man found a policeman to open the door for him. He went in and searched the place and found the prescription on the table in the bedroom.
At the second interrogation, the mayor asked, “The arsenic is not on the prescription. Why did you say he poisoned your husband?” Cabbage answered, “How could he write the arsenic on the prescription? He got the medicine for me from the drugstore.” She remembered that the son had told her that if she framed Esquire Yang he would not be executed because he had an honorary title, which sounded like an amulet from death. So she did it against her consciousness. Many human beings are selfish. He or she will save his or her own skin by exposing the skin of others. Esquire Yang didn't even dream of it when the police came to his house for the apprehension. Yang thought that it must be a mistake and he would be back home after some explanation. When Yang was taken into the yamen, the mayor didn't ask him any questions. He just wanted Yang to write a statement of confession to what Cabbage had said. Of course Yang wouldn't comply. So the mayor told jailers to bring Cabbage into his presence as a kind of witness. He let her repeat what she had said, not one word more, not one word less. Yang shouted to Cabbage, “Why you frame me?” But Cabbage was taken back to her cell as soon as she finished her task. Yang was tortured since he wouldn't own that he was guilty of the crime. He was tormented more than once till his knees were broken. He had to write and sign the statement of confession in the hope that when he appealed to the higher government, this wrong would be righted. The verdict given by the mayor was the penalty of death for both Cabbage and Yang. The reason stated in the report, which the mayor had to send to the Judicial Ministry for their approval, was that they poisoned the husband because the husband found out their adultery. Accordingly Yang appealed to the higher government. (That level of government is equivalent to the county government here, above the town and below the state. A state here is equivalent to the province there.) The higher government maintained the original verdict because the mayor had bribed them from time to time. Yang then appealed to the governor, who did the same for the same reason.

[xlwoo]

“At home.” So the mayor ordered Cabbage to be put back in the cell and sent one of his men to her home. The shop was closed down and the door was locked with a padlock from the outside by the police. The man found a policeman to open the door for him. He went in and searched the place and found the prescription on the table in the bedroom.
At the second interrogation, the mayor asked, “The arsenic is not on the prescription. Why did you say he poisoned your husband?” Cabbage answered, “How could he write the arsenic on the prescription? He got the medicine for me from the drugstore.” She remembered that the son had told her that if she framed Esquire Yang he would not be executed because he had an honorary title, which sounded like an amulet from death. So she did it against her consciousness. Many human beings are selfish. He or she will save his or her own skin by exposing the skin of others. Esquire Yang didn't even dream of it when the police came to his house for the apprehension. Yang thought that it must be a mistake and he would be back home after some explanation. When Yang was taken into the yamen, the mayor didn't ask him any questions. He just wanted Yang to write a statement of confession to what Cabbage had said. Of course Yang wouldn't comply. So the mayor told jailers to bring Cabbage into his presence as a kind of witness. He let her repeat what she had said, not one word more, not one word less. Yang shouted to Cabbage, “Why you frame me?” But Cabbage was taken back to her cell as soon as she finished her task. Yang was tortured since he wouldn't own that he was guilty of the crime. He was tormented more than once till his knees were broken. He had to write and sign the statement of confession in the hope that when he appealed to the higher government, this wrong would be righted. The verdict given by the mayor was the penalty of death for both Cabbage and Yang. The reason stated in the report, which the mayor had to send to the Judicial Ministry for their approval, was that they poisoned the husband because the husband found out their adultery. Accordingly Yang appealed to the higher government. (That level of government is equivalent to the county government here, above the town and below the state. A state here is equivalent to the province there.) The higher government maintained the original verdict because the mayor had bribed them from time to time. Yang then appealed to the governor, who did the same for the same reason.

[xlwoo]

Yang had a sister, older than he. The sister had been a wet nurse in the household of a prince. When the bad news reached her, she went to beg her former mistress, the wife of the prince, to save the life of his brother. The wife spoke to the prince about it. The prince told the elder sister to file in an appeal to the Judicial Ministry and in the meantime he would talk to the minister. So the sister asked someone to write an appealing statement for her since she could not read or write. (In old China many women could not read and write. It was thought that the moral principles for a woman included illiteracy.) She hid the written statement in the innermost pocket of her clothes and went to the Judicial Ministry yamen. The rule was that she should throw herself on a piece of wood with nails attached on it, the sharp ends upward. The elder sister put on a lot of thick clothes for her own protection. When she reached the yamen, she beat a drum there. Just outside the gate of every yamen, including local ones, there placed a drum for people to beat it whenever they wanted to sue or to appeal. When the drum-beating was finished, one of the policemen guarding the yamen put out a wooden piece at the gate, which was supposed for the sister to fling herself on. So the sister shut her eyes and cast herself on the sharp nails. She held her head high so that her face would not be injured. The sharp ends of the nails penetrated her thick clothes and scratched a little on her skin. Some blood oozed out, but other than that, she was fine. Two policemen helped her up on her feet and the wooden piece was removed. Then she took out the appealing statement from her inner pocket and gave it to a policeman, who took it to the minister. After a while, the minister summoned the sister in. It meant that the minister accepted her appeal. The sister knelt before the minister and said, “My brother is a scholar. He can't kill anyone, not even a chicken.” The minister didn't say anything because he didn't know the case yet. He dismissed the sister and ordered all the individuals involved in the case to be fetched from the town to the capital, to the Judicial Ministry yamen.

[xlwoo]

Yang had a sister, older than he. The sister had been a wet nurse in the household of a prince. When the bad news reached her, she went to beg her former mistress, the wife of the prince, to save the life of his brother. The wife spoke to the prince about it. The prince told the elder sister to file in an appeal to the Judicial Ministry and in the meantime he would talk to the minister. So the sister asked someone to write an appealing statement for her since she could not read or write. (In old China many women could not read and write. It was thought that the moral principles for a woman included illiteracy.) She hid the written statement in the innermost pocket of her clothes and went to the Judicial Ministry yamen. The rule was that she should throw herself on a piece of wood with nails attached on it, the sharp ends upward. The elder sister put on a lot of thick clothes for her own protection. When she reached the yamen, she beat a drum there. Just outside the gate of every yamen, including local ones, there placed a drum for people to beat it whenever they wanted to sue or to appeal. When the drum-beating was finished, one of the policemen guarding the yamen put out a wooden piece at the gate, which was supposed for the sister to fling herself on. So the sister shut her eyes and cast herself on the sharp nails. She held her head high so that her face would not be injured. The sharp ends of the nails penetrated her thick clothes and scratched a little on her skin. Some blood oozed out, but other than that, she was fine. Two policemen helped her up on her feet and the wooden piece was removed. Then she took out the appealing statement from her inner pocket and gave it to a policeman, who took it to the minister. After a while, the minister summoned the sister in. It meant that the minister accepted her appeal. The sister knelt before the minister and said, “My brother is a scholar. He can't kill anyone, not even a chicken.” The minister didn't say anything because he didn't know the case yet. He dismissed the sister and ordered all the individuals involved in the case to be fetched from the town to the capital, to the Judicial Ministry yamen.

[xlwoo]

The town was in a far southern province. It took more than a month for the concerned parties to travel the long distance to the capital. When the minister questioned Cabbage, she was consistent with what she had said. The son of the mayor had warned her that if she changed anything in her statement of confession the consequence would be very serious. But he hadn't explained how serious it would have been and Cabbage hadn't doubted it. She really liked him and wanted him to live. The minister had a meeting with his consultants. They all knew that if Cabbage insisted on what she had confessed, they couldn't change the verdict. They had no reason to do so. They should find a way out of it. Everyone in the room put on the thinking cap. All of a sudden, one of the consultants said that he was struck with a wonderful idea.
In a small room of the Judicial Ministry building, a square table stood in the center with two people seated at it opposite each other. One was Cabbage and the other was Yang. They were brought together in this room by the jailers, who told them that the minister gave them the dinner because they would be executed next day. They were supposed to bid eternal adieu to each other at their last dinner party. There were four dishes on the table and even wine was provided. Yang was in total despair and felt that it was unfair to him because he didn't murder anybody. Cabbage hung her head low, ashamed of herself for framing Yang. At first both of them kept silent. No one cared to speak. To break the awkwardness, Yang began, “Cabbage, let's drink farewell. We may meet in next life.” Cabbage could think of nothing to say. So she remained in silence. She realized now that she had been taken in by the son. Perhaps, he had never loved her from the beginning, but why had he wanted her husband out of the way by poisoning him? “Cabbage,” Yang went on, “We will die tomorrow. Can you tell me the truth so that I won't die ignorant?” Cabbage thought what was the use now even if she told the truth. They would be executed next day all the same. So she made no answer, still bending her head low. Yang was a couple of years older than she. They grew up together in the same neighborhood. When in childhood, they played together. Then Yang reached the age to be tutored, he transferred his new knowledge to her by teaching her how to read and write. As her family was not rich, Yang's father didn't consent to their marriage. Then she was married to the late husband. “Did you still remember we read the story West Chamber together?” How could she forget? She recalled many scenes in their childhood and when they had grown up. She almost buried her chin in her chest. “Cabbage, speak to me, please. Let me hear your voice once more before I die.” Yang sounded like begging her. Her tears dripped on her lap. “Don't cry, Cabbage. Talk to me. We have only tonight to live.” Yang said softly. Cabbage sobbed out the words, “I'm sorry.”

[xlwoo]

The town was in a far southern province. It took more than a month for the concerned parties to travel the long distance to the capital. When the minister questioned Cabbage, she was consistent with what she had said. The son of the mayor had warned her that if she changed anything in her statement of confession the consequence would be very serious. But he hadn't explained how serious it would have been and Cabbage hadn't doubted it. She really liked him and wanted him to live. The minister had a meeting with his consultants. They all knew that if Cabbage insisted on what she had confessed, they couldn't change the verdict. They had no reason to do so. They should find a way out of it. Everyone in the room put on the thinking cap. All of a sudden, one of the consultants said that he was struck with a wonderful idea.
In a small room of the Judicial Ministry building, a square table stood in the center with two people seated at it opposite each other. One was Cabbage and the other was Yang. They were brought together in this room by the jailers, who told them that the minister gave them the dinner because they would be executed next day. They were supposed to bid eternal adieu to each other at their last dinner party. There were four dishes on the table and even wine was provided. Yang was in total despair and felt that it was unfair to him because he didn't murder anybody. Cabbage hung her head low, ashamed of herself for framing Yang. At first both of them kept silent. No one cared to speak. To break the awkwardness, Yang began, “Cabbage, let's drink farewell. We may meet in next life.” Cabbage could think of nothing to say. So she remained in silence. She realized now that she had been taken in by the son. Perhaps, he had never loved her from the beginning, but why had he wanted her husband out of the way by poisoning him? “Cabbage,” Yang went on, “We will die tomorrow. Can you tell me the truth so that I won't die ignorant?” Cabbage thought what was the use now even if she told the truth. They would be executed next day all the same. So she made no answer, still bending her head low. Yang was a couple of years older than she. They grew up together in the same neighborhood. When in childhood, they played together. Then Yang reached the age to be tutored, he transferred his new knowledge to her by teaching her how to read and write. As her family was not rich, Yang's father didn't consent to their marriage. Then she was married to the late husband. “Did you still remember we read the story West Chamber together?” How could she forget? She recalled many scenes in their childhood and when they had grown up. She almost buried her chin in her chest. “Cabbage, speak to me, please. Let me hear your voice once more before I die.” Yang sounded like begging her. Her tears dripped on her lap. “Don't cry, Cabbage. Talk to me. We have only tonight to live.” Yang said softly. Cabbage sobbed out the words, “I'm sorry.”

[xlwoo]

“No need to say sorry.” Yang sighed. After a while. “Do you hate me?” Cabbage asked bashfully.
“No. Why should I hate you? Everyone will die sooner or later.” Yang said philosophically.
“Because I framed you.” At last she said that.
“So, you did frame me?” Yang said without any surprise. Cabbage nodded.
“Now tell me the truth, please.”
“What's the use now?”
“At least I know the truth before I die.”
After a lot of importunity from Yang, Cabbage told him the truth. Yang sighed and laughed and began to eat and drink. A jailer came into their room, holding a stack of paper in his hand. He told Cabbage to sign on the bottom of the last page. Cabbage didn't know what that meant, but she signed anyway. Why should she care what papers she signed? She would soon die. She cared for nothing any more.
Next day, both of them were brought before the minister. They thought the minister would send them to the execution ground. But the minister asked Cabbage, “Why didn't you tell the truth in the local government? I mean, at least you could do it in the governor's yamen.” Cabbage was confused. She was at a loss to understand what the minister had just asked. This was the ruse they had used to draw the truth out of Cabbage. The minister had hidden himself in the next room with some of his consultants. They had been eavesdropping to what Yang and Cabbage would have said. A consultant had written down all the facts Cabbage had confessed to Yang. The minister issued an order to fetch the mayor, the son of the mayor and the owner of the drugstore, who had sold the arsenic to the son. When the drugstore owner pointed out that it was the son of the mayor, not Yang, who had come to him to buy the arsenic, the son could no longer deny his crime. So the original verdict was invalid. The son was executed. The mayor was removed from his office and exiled to a remote province. Cabbage and Yang were proved not guilty and released. Yang went back to his home in the southern province. He was handicapped on the knees for life.
The case was closed. Many officials in that southern province were either dismissed from their posts or demoted, because they had misjudged a case that had involved two innocent lives. The minister wrote a report to West Empress Dowager. She was interested in the case and curious to see what Cabbage looked like and so summoned Cabbage to her presence. In ordinary circumstances, only courtiers above a certain rank could be present before an empress dowager. Cabbage was a special case. After the interview, Cabbage became a nun.

[xlwoo]

“No need to say sorry.” Yang sighed. After a while. “Do you hate me?” Cabbage asked bashfully.
“No. Why should I hate you? Everyone will die sooner or later.” Yang said philosophically.
“Because I framed you.” At last she said that.
“So, you did frame me?” Yang said without any surprise. Cabbage nodded.
“Now tell me the truth, please.”
“What's the use now?”
“At least I know the truth before I die.”
After a lot of importunity from Yang, Cabbage told him the truth. Yang sighed and laughed and began to eat and drink. A jailer came into their room, holding a stack of paper in his hand. He told Cabbage to sign on the bottom of the last page. Cabbage didn't know what that meant, but she signed anyway. Why should she care what papers she signed? She would soon die. She cared for nothing any more.
Next day, both of them were brought before the minister. They thought the minister would send them to the execution ground. But the minister asked Cabbage, “Why didn't you tell the truth in the local government? I mean, at least you could do it in the governor's yamen.” Cabbage was confused. She was at a loss to understand what the minister had just asked. This was the ruse they had used to draw the truth out of Cabbage. The minister had hidden himself in the next room with some of his consultants. They had been eavesdropping to what Yang and Cabbage would have said. A consultant had written down all the facts Cabbage had confessed to Yang. The minister issued an order to fetch the mayor, the son of the mayor and the owner of the drugstore, who had sold the arsenic to the son. When the drugstore owner pointed out that it was the son of the mayor, not Yang, who had come to him to buy the arsenic, the son could no longer deny his crime. So the original verdict was invalid. The son was executed. The mayor was removed from his office and exiled to a remote province. Cabbage and Yang were proved not guilty and released. Yang went back to his home in the southern province. He was handicapped on the knees for life.
The case was closed. Many officials in that southern province were either dismissed from their posts or demoted, because they had misjudged a case that had involved two innocent lives. The minister wrote a report to West Empress Dowager. She was interested in the case and curious to see what Cabbage looked like and so summoned Cabbage to her presence. In ordinary circumstances, only courtiers above a certain rank could be present before an empress dowager. Cabbage was a special case. After the interview, Cabbage became a nun.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 36

General Governor Zuo finished his task in the northwestern provinces and was summoned to the capital. First, he was given the title of a prime minister. Then he was appointed to be a secretary. Everyday he went on duty in the office of the Secretarial Bureau. Other secretaries held him in certain esteem due to his fame. But he was not a modest man. He boasted a lot about his fighting merits in the northwestern provinces. So by degrees he lost the deference of his colleagues. Everyone wished that he would soon retire since he was already seventy, though still in a comparatively good health.
The division of the garrison of the Forbidden City had an infamy for bad discipline and inability to fight. Zuo arrived in the capital, bringing a division of his own troops. He offered to Prince Yihuan, who was in charge of the garrison division, that he could send his trainers to drill the garrison division. Yihuan took his offer as a disdain to his garrison division. He declined of course. Then Secretary Zuo proposed to fix the dikes of the Yongding River near the capital, using his division. So the Secretarial Bureau consented to his proposal.
After the decease of East Empress Dowager, West Empress Dowager began to establish her sole and total authority. Since Governor Li of Zhidi Province had been the Two River General Governor and still had some influence in the Yangtze River area, she wanted to erase his roots there. The best way was to make Zuo the Two River General Governor, because Zuo always opposed what Governor Li did. So Zuo left the capital for the south of Yangtze River. The head of the Two River Army Supplies General Bureau was the brother-in-law of Governor Li. Li had appointed his marital relative as the head when he had been the Two River General Governor there. His brother-in-law was a power-maniac. He didn't know anything about war, but he always bragged that he would be a good general if he could command armies in any war. He neglected his duties. He let all the defensive devices along the Yangtze River go into a state of uselessness. When the officers in charge reported the situation, he ignored the report and didn't have them fixed. As West Empress Dowager got a report about it, she removed him from his office.
Governor Zuo's guards were all generals, who were faithful to him. Once Zuo sent one of his generals to the Financial Official, whose position was the second in rank under the governor. So he thought that his rank should be above a guard from the governor's yamen. When the guard didn't show due respect to him, he went to complain to Zuo, who told the guard to apologize to the Financial Official. The Financial Official was jocund because the governor saved his face. When he took his leave, the guards were standing in a row to give him a farewell salute. They were all dressed in the uniform of a general, whose rank was higher than that of the Financial Official. The Financial Official was embarrassed. This was a frequently-told joke about Zuo.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 36

General Governor Zuo finished his task in the northwestern provinces and was summoned to the capital. First, he was given the title of a prime minister. Then he was appointed to be a secretary. Everyday he went on duty in the office of the Secretarial Bureau. Other secretaries held him in certain esteem due to his fame. But he was not a modest man. He boasted a lot about his fighting merits in the northwestern provinces. So by degrees he lost the deference of his colleagues. Everyone wished that he would soon retire since he was already seventy, though still in a comparatively good health.
The division of the garrison of the Forbidden City had an infamy for bad discipline and inability to fight. Zuo arrived in the capital, bringing a division of his own troops. He offered to Prince Yihuan, who was in charge of the garrison division, that he could send his trainers to drill the garrison division. Yihuan took his offer as a disdain to his garrison division. He declined of course. Then Secretary Zuo proposed to fix the dikes of the Yongding River near the capital, using his division. So the Secretarial Bureau consented to his proposal.
After the decease of East Empress Dowager, West Empress Dowager began to establish her sole and total authority. Since Governor Li of Zhidi Province had been the Two River General Governor and still had some influence in the Yangtze River area, she wanted to erase his roots there. The best way was to make Zuo the Two River General Governor, because Zuo always opposed what Governor Li did. So Zuo left the capital for the south of Yangtze River. The head of the Two River Army Supplies General Bureau was the brother-in-law of Governor Li. Li had appointed his marital relative as the head when he had been the Two River General Governor there. His brother-in-law was a power-maniac. He didn't know anything about war, but he always bragged that he would be a good general if he could command armies in any war. He neglected his duties. He let all the defensive devices along the Yangtze River go into a state of uselessness. When the officers in charge reported the situation, he ignored the report and didn't have them fixed. As West Empress Dowager got a report about it, she removed him from his office.
Governor Zuo's guards were all generals, who were faithful to him. Once Zuo sent one of his generals to the Financial Official, whose position was the second in rank under the governor. So he thought that his rank should be above a guard from the governor's yamen. When the guard didn't show due respect to him, he went to complain to Zuo, who told the guard to apologize to the Financial Official. The Financial Official was jocund because the governor saved his face. When he took his leave, the guards were standing in a row to give him a farewell salute. They were all dressed in the uniform of a general, whose rank was higher than that of the Financial Official. The Financial Official was embarrassed. This was a frequently-told joke about Zuo.

[xlwoo]

Governor Yan was summoned to the capital. He was a man of moral integrity, never taking briberies. He did everything by the book, seldom cutting the slacks. There was a lot of malpractice and abuse of law in Internal Revenue Ministry. So West Empress Dowager put Yan there as the minister in the hope that he would make some reforms. On the day of the interview, West Empress dowager told Minister Yan that if he had any problems, he could directly report to her and she would always support him in his performance of his duties. Minister Yan was grateful for the trust and vowed to do his best up to her expectation.
The eldest son of Yan was an official in the capital. Yan stayed with his son to save money for the government, because otherwise the government should find him a residence. Minister Yan was well-known for his strictness. All the officials in the Internal Revenue Ministry warned each other to be extra careful. The very next day he went to his yamen and on the very first day he wanted to check all the general ledgers. Usually a new minister would rest a few days at home after his appointment. When he did go to his yamen he would take time to get familiar with everything in the yamen before he really started on his routine obligations. But that was not the way with Minister Yan. He used a Chinese abacus to confirm that all the entries, the revenue and the expenditure, were correct.
There were two offices in the Internal Revenue Ministry. The South Office dealt only with the finance of the Mandarin Clan, which was not so significant. The North Office managed all the fiscal business throughout the country. As this was an important branch, all the officials working there were from the Mandarin Clan. But it was known that officials of the Mandarin Clan were not so versed in math and calculation as officials of the Han Clan. So things there were really done by clerks, who could be from the Han Clan. What was the use to have officials there? Minster Yan suggested to West Empress Dowager that officials of the Han Clan should be appointed in that office.

[xlwoo]

Governor Yan was summoned to the capital. He was a man of moral integrity, never taking briberies. He did everything by the book, seldom cutting the slacks. There was a lot of malpractice and abuse of law in Internal Revenue Ministry. So West Empress Dowager put Yan there as the minister in the hope that he would make some reforms. On the day of the interview, West Empress dowager told Minister Yan that if he had any problems, he could directly report to her and she would always support him in his performance of his duties. Minister Yan was grateful for the trust and vowed to do his best up to her expectation.
The eldest son of Yan was an official in the capital. Yan stayed with his son to save money for the government, because otherwise the government should find him a residence. Minister Yan was well-known for his strictness. All the officials in the Internal Revenue Ministry warned each other to be extra careful. The very next day he went to his yamen and on the very first day he wanted to check all the general ledgers. Usually a new minister would rest a few days at home after his appointment. When he did go to his yamen he would take time to get familiar with everything in the yamen before he really started on his routine obligations. But that was not the way with Minister Yan. He used a Chinese abacus to confirm that all the entries, the revenue and the expenditure, were correct.
There were two offices in the Internal Revenue Ministry. The South Office dealt only with the finance of the Mandarin Clan, which was not so significant. The North Office managed all the fiscal business throughout the country. As this was an important branch, all the officials working there were from the Mandarin Clan. But it was known that officials of the Mandarin Clan were not so versed in math and calculation as officials of the Han Clan. So things there were really done by clerks, who could be from the Han Clan. What was the use to have officials there? Minster Yan suggested to West Empress Dowager that officials of the Han Clan should be appointed in that office.

[xlwoo]

When Minister Yan sent for the head of the North Office and asked him how many taels of silver were in the silver warehouse to that date, he replied that they hadn't counted yet. It was a wrong answer. Actually, no one would count the taels of silver everyday. There was a logbook there to write down the numbers of silver taels coming in and going out, and the totals each day. It showed that he knew nothing about his duties. Minister Yan decided to send for the clerk doing the logging, but he was on the sick leave. So Yan called in an aide of the head official. The aide took care of internal revenue. When Minister Yan questioned him how much he had gotten by then, he put down a stack of revenue books that he had brought in before Yan, stating that all were here that Yan wanted to know. He meant that Minister Yan should look into these books himself to get the answer he wanted. So far so ridiculous. Patiently, Yan said, “Just tell me.” The aide said that since he didn't know how to use an abacus he couldn't add up. Yan suppressed his wrath and told him coldly that he was fired. The aide left nearly in tears.
The Internal Revenue Ministry had also three warehouses to store silver taels and other stuffs. Stationary Warehouse held paper, ink bars, brushes and minerals using as coloring in paintings, and other things, such as sandalwood, yellow wax, vermilion and small green stones to be ground into powder as coloring material. Satin Warehouse had scrolls of satin, silk and brocade stocked there as rewards to courtiers. Silver coming from all the provinces was kept in the Silver Warehouse, a piece of silver worth ten taels. Although there were sentinels guarding the warehouses, things were often stolen, especially from the silver warehouse. Who could get into the silver warehouse as there were more guards than at other two warehouses? It was rumored that whenever silver transported from any province reached the warehouse, some carriers were hired to carry the silver pieces into it. The carriers were young and strong. They were stripped naked every time they went in or came out so that they could not hide silver pieces in their clothes. But they developed a skill to stuff the silver pieces into their anuses the last time they came out of the silver warehouse. They had been practicing the skill at home by stuffing pebbles of the similar size into their anuses. It was said that the most skillful would hold eight pieces of silver at a time. That was eighty taels. One tael of silver was worth one thousand coins of bronze and a piece of bean curd cost only a couple of coins at that time.

[xlwoo]

Minister Yan wanted to have a look into these warehouses, which were situated at three different locations. He went to the Stationary Warehouse first. When he got there, the official in charge accompanied him to go around. He had intended to match entries in the logbook with the storage, but when he stepped beyond the gate of the warehouse, he was stunned to find the place in a real mess. The floor was covered with a thick layer of all sorts of colorful things. Those recognizable were specks of minerals and fragments of paper mixed with dust. When he was hesitating to tread on the carpet of sundries, the official went in first, crunching noises heard under his feet. Yan followed suit. Some stacks of paper were yellowed, being stored there for a long time. Yan asked, “Did anyone come to inspect before?” The official answered, “Yes. But the routine is that they only check if the windows are secured or the roof doesn't leak.” Suddenly a mouse ran across before them. The official shrugged. Yan turned about and left the place. He didn't have the slightest notion how to clean the place and still save all the useful things. Next place was the Satin Warehouse, inside which there were rows after rows of racks holding scrolls with dust on them, too. At least it looked better than the inside of the Stationary Warehouse. Yan contemplated to send a clerk over to count the scrolls to see they matched the numbers in the logbook. The Silver Warehouse was the last location he visited. He wanted to check the scales there, because it was said that the weights used on the scales were not all standard, some lighter and some heavier. When the silver pieces came in, they would put on heavier weights so that more taels were needed. Say, if one hundred taels were required to log in, but when the weights were heavier than the standard ones, one hundred taels might only weigh ninety taels and so ten extra taels must be put on the scales to make them look exactly one hundred taels. When the silver pieces were given out, they used lighter weights so that when only ninety taels were put on the scales, the reading would be one hundred. Yan had the weights measured and they were not standard. He had the non-standard weights confiscated and the officials in charge arrested and put into jail of the Judicial Ministry. All in all many incompetent officials were removed from the Internal Revenue Ministry.

[xlwoo]

Minister Yan wanted to have a look into these warehouses, which were situated at three different locations. He went to the Stationary Warehouse first. When he got there, the official in charge accompanied him to go around. He had intended to match entries in the logbook with the storage, but when he stepped beyond the gate of the warehouse, he was stunned to find the place in a real mess. The floor was covered with a thick layer of all sorts of colorful things. Those recognizable were specks of minerals and fragments of paper mixed with dust. When he was hesitating to tread on the carpet of sundries, the official went in first, crunching noises heard under his feet. Yan followed suit. Some stacks of paper were yellowed, being stored there for a long time. Yan asked, “Did anyone come to inspect before?” The official answered, “Yes. But the routine is that they only check if the windows are secured or the roof doesn't leak.” Suddenly a mouse ran across before them. The official shrugged. Yan turned about and left the place. He didn't have the slightest notion how to clean the place and still save all the useful things. Next place was the Satin Warehouse, inside which there were rows after rows of racks holding scrolls with dust on them, too. At least it looked better than the inside of the Stationary Warehouse. Yan contemplated to send a clerk over to count the scrolls to see they matched the numbers in the logbook. The Silver Warehouse was the last location he visited. He wanted to check the scales there, because it was said that the weights used on the scales were not all standard, some lighter and some heavier. When the silver pieces came in, they would put on heavier weights so that more taels were needed. Say, if one hundred taels were required to log in, but when the weights were heavier than the standard ones, one hundred taels might only weigh ninety taels and so ten extra taels must be put on the scales to make them look exactly one hundred taels. When the silver pieces were given out, they used lighter weights so that when only ninety taels were put on the scales, the reading would be one hundred. Yan had the weights measured and they were not standard. He had the non-standard weights confiscated and the officials in charge arrested and put into jail of the Judicial Ministry. All in all many incompetent officials were removed from the Internal Revenue Ministry.


(check the following link to see my new book published:
http://www.allbook-books.com/html/romances_in_long_poems.htm )

[xlwoo]

Being scholars, the critique officials set their hearts on beautiful wording in their reports, but most admired among the average courtiers was the humorous style. A Mandarin Clan nobleman opened a casino. In the collection of the gambling debts owed to him, he had a gambler beaten to death. The corpse was left there for three days without anyone daring to bury it. So a critique official sent in a report, saying, “It is totally reasonable and rightful for a nobleman to kill a common gambler. This Critique Official can't have the audacity to protest it. But thinking of our kind-hearted ancestors who always showed mercy even to birds and animals, this Critique Official can't help feeling that a body exposed on the death spot for days and pecked by the famished vultures is not what our ancestors would expect of us. So this Critique Official beg to have the local government to inter the body in a proper manner so that people will think that Empress Dowager are kind even to the dead.” He didn't complain about the killing, but about the exposure of the corpse. As a result, the nobleman was deprived of his title and was no more a nobleman, just a man.
There was another report to accuse two courtiers, stating that the first one had no other merits than took no briberies and the other courtier had no other merits than took briberies It meant that one courtier was useless, though free from corruption and the other courtier was useless and greedy. So the result was that the first courtier was demoted and the second courtier was removed.

[xlwoo]

Being scholars, the critique officials set their hearts on beautiful wording in their reports, but most admired among the average courtiers was the humorous style. A Mandarin Clan nobleman opened a casino. In the collection of the gambling debts owed to him, he had a gambler beaten to death. The corpse was left there for three days without anyone daring to bury it. So a critique official sent in a report, saying, “It is totally reasonable and rightful for a nobleman to kill a common gambler. This Critique Official can't have the audacity to protest it. But thinking of our kind-hearted ancestors who always showed mercy even to birds and animals, this Critique Official can't help feeling that a body exposed on the death spot for days and pecked by the famished vultures is not what our ancestors would expect of us. So this Critique Official beg to have the local government to inter the body in a proper manner so that people will think that Empress Dowager are kind even to the dead.” He didn't complain about the killing, but about the exposure of the corpse. As a result, the nobleman was deprived of his title and was no more a nobleman, just a man.
There was another report to accuse two courtiers, stating that the first one had no other merits than took no briberies and the other courtier had no other merits than took briberies It meant that one courtier was useless, though free from corruption and the other courtier was useless and greedy. So the result was that the first courtier was demoted and the second courtier was removed.

[xlwoo]

Another funny report was a self-criticism from a deputy minister. This deputy minister was known as a man of gallantry. He had been twice sent to the southern provinces as an examiner to supervise the local government test. The first time he was in Zhejiang Province. When the test was over, the examiners were permitted to relax for a few days before they should report back in the capital. The deputy minister rented a pleasure boat on the Fuchun River for sightseeing. There was always a girl or two on that sort of boat to wait on the patrons. People on the boat usually wore no shoes. The girl was also bare-footed. Her feet were of a natural size. Many foreigners know that in old China women had small deformed feet by binding their feet very tight when really young. As the body grew up, the growth of the feet were encumbered, thus deformed into a triangular shape. In reality, the small deformed feet on a woman were only prevalent in Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. It might be originated a little earlier. Only girls of the Han Clan in the middle class families and above the middle class had kept the bad habit to deform their feet. The girls of the Mandarin Clan or of other minorities never did that. Even girls of the Han Clan in poor families didn't do that, either, because they must help their families with work. How could they work with small deformed feet? Some ancient scholars described the women standing on their small deformed feet as the twigs of the weeping willows swaying in the breeze. This deputy minister was a man of the Mandarin Clan and loved natural feet of a woman. Besides, girls in the southern provinces were known to be gentle and delicate while girls in the north to be buxom and robust. Many men in the north liked girls in the south, for a change. So the deputy minister liked the boat girl very much and wanted to buy her as his concubine. But he could not take the girl with him to the capital, because the purchase of a girl to be his concubine would paint a dark color on his character and reputation. So he paid the family beforehand and told them to bring the girl to his residence in the capital a month later. But the girl was never delivered. He didn't know why and he couldn't report to any yamen. He felt like a fool being cheated out of his money.

[xlwoo]

The second time he went to Fujian Province as an examiner. After the test was over, he detoured to the Fuchun River on his way back to the capital in hopes that he might come across the girl he had paid for, but no such luck. Anyway, he met another girl on another pleasure boat. She was tall and fair-skinned, with only a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. He fell in love with her at the first sight. He bought her as his concubine. But this time he took her along, afraid to lose her like the last time. However, he knew that any critique official could write a report to criticize him for it when they learned it. He didn't want to hide his beloved like stolen merchandise. So he thought that it would be better to criticize himself before anyone else did. His self-criticism report went like this, “This deputy minister had five brothers who were all deceased and had no sons to last their lineage. This deputy minister has only two sons and two sons are not enough to be adopted by five brothers' families for the lineage purpose. Therefore, this deputy minister bought a girl of eighteen on the way back. As this deputy minister is known as honest and upright, it is not fair if when other courtiers have faults this deputy minister reports and when this deputy minister has faults himself, he doesn't report. This deputy minister beg to be punished for that.”
West Empress Dowager had never read such a report before during the twenty years she had stayed in power. She gave it to the secretaries for a discussion. One of the secretaries never liked the deputy minister and proposed to remove him from the post and others never specifically liked him and agreed. So West Empress Dowager approved their proposal. The deputy minister lost his title and post. He didn't care and moved out of the capital to live in a secluded place with his girl. Happy ever after?

[xlwoo]

The second time he went to Fujian Province as an examiner. After the test was over, he detoured to the Fuchun River on his way back to the capital in hopes that he might come across the girl he had paid for, but no such luck. Anyway, he met another girl on another pleasure boat. She was tall and fair-skinned, with only a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. He fell in love with her at the first sight. He bought her as his concubine. But this time he took her along, afraid to lose her like the last time. However, he knew that any critique official could write a report to criticize him for it when they learned it. He didn't want to hide his beloved like stolen merchandise. So he thought that it would be better to criticize himself before anyone else did. His self-criticism report went like this, “This deputy minister had five brothers who were all deceased and had no sons to last their lineage. This deputy minister has only two sons and two sons are not enough to be adopted by five brothers' families for the lineage purpose. Therefore, this deputy minister bought a girl of eighteen on the way back. As this deputy minister is known as honest and upright, it is not fair if when other courtiers have faults this deputy minister reports and when this deputy minister has faults himself, he doesn't report. This deputy minister beg to be punished for that.”
West Empress Dowager had never read such a report before during the twenty years she had stayed in power. She gave it to the secretaries for a discussion. One of the secretaries never liked the deputy minister and proposed to remove him from the post and others never specifically liked him and agreed. So West Empress Dowager approved their proposal. The deputy minister lost his title and post. He didn't care and moved out of the capital to live in a secluded place with his girl. Happy ever after?

[xlwoo]

Governor Ding of Sichuan Province had a reputation of being never corrupt. He never accepted any gifts or money except his salary, which was eleven thousand taels of silver annually, less than one thousand taels a month. All the governors and mayors and other chief officials employed their private advisers to help with their handling of all the affairs. They paid them out of their own pockets. So less than one thousand taels monthly was really not sufficient for a governor. He had to throw some old clothes into a trunk and seal it with the mark of the governor. The trunk went to a pawnshop for two hundred taels of silver. Regularly the owner or the manager would look at the things to see if they were worth the amount of money the pawnee asked. The pawner and pawnee could bargain for how much each of them would be willing to give and take. But the trunk was sealed and the owner could not check to evaluate. Anyway, he must trust the governor. When the trunk came to the pawnshop toward the end of every month, the money was always repaid at the beginning of every month and the trunk would be taken back. Year in and year out, the monthly recycle went on as a routine until the governor was promoted to some other place.
Once Governor Ding went back to his home land on a visit. When he traveled through another province, the governor of that province gave him three thousand taels in silver note, saying that if he didn't deign to take it, it meant an affront to the governor of that province. Governor Ding had to accept it. But on his journey back he went through that province again and returned the three thousand taels to the governor of that province.
It was not easy to be a good governor or a good mayor or whatever. If his policy was beneficial to the common people, it would certainly be unfavorable to rich citizens. While he was welcomed by most people, he offended the local landlords and wealthy merchants. They wrote something about him, called “Your Heaven and Earth.” It went like that “The name of Your Excellency shocks Heaven and Earth. The arrival of Your Excellency gladdens Heaven and Earth. The policy of Your Excellency darkens Heaven and Earth. At the departure of Your Excellency we thank Heaven and Earth.”

[xlwoo]

Governor Ding of Sichuan Province had a reputation of being never corrupt. He never accepted any gifts or money except his salary, which was eleven thousand taels of silver annually, less than one thousand taels a month. All the governors and mayors and other chief officials employed their private advisers to help with their handling of all the affairs. They paid them out of their own pockets. So less than one thousand taels monthly was really not sufficient for a governor. He had to throw some old clothes into a trunk and seal it with the mark of the governor. The trunk went to a pawnshop for two hundred taels of silver. Regularly the owner or the manager would look at the things to see if they were worth the amount of money the pawnee asked. The pawner and pawnee could bargain for how much each of them would be willing to give and take. But the trunk was sealed and the owner could not check to evaluate. Anyway, he must trust the governor. When the trunk came to the pawnshop toward the end of every month, the money was always repaid at the beginning of every month and the trunk would be taken back. Year in and year out, the monthly recycle went on as a routine until the governor was promoted to some other place.
Once Governor Ding went back to his home land on a visit. When he traveled through another province, the governor of that province gave him three thousand taels in silver note, saying that if he didn't deign to take it, it meant an affront to the governor of that province. Governor Ding had to accept it. But on his journey back he went through that province again and returned the three thousand taels to the governor of that province.
It was not easy to be a good governor or a good mayor or whatever. If his policy was beneficial to the common people, it would certainly be unfavorable to rich citizens. While he was welcomed by most people, he offended the local landlords and wealthy merchants. They wrote something about him, called “Your Heaven and Earth.” It went like that “The name of Your Excellency shocks Heaven and Earth. The arrival of Your Excellency gladdens Heaven and Earth. The policy of Your Excellency darkens Heaven and Earth. At the departure of Your Excellency we thank Heaven and Earth.”

[xlwoo]

Chapter 37

France and China were then at war about the Vietnam issue. Vietnam was always under China's protection. In the summer of 1862, Vietnam was forced to sign a treaty with France that Vietnam was under French protection. During next five years the French navy landed on the south of Vietnam and gradually occupied the southern part. In 1873, France invaded the northern part. The Vietnamese government sent General Liu to resist the French army. General Liu was a Chinese and had joined the Peaceful Army. After the Peaceful Army had failed, he had escaped into Vietnam. He brought his troops there, which were called Back Banner Army because the banners he used were black. The Black Banner Army went to fight the French army and killed its general. So next year France and Vietnam signed a new treaty in Saigon. Qing government kept neutral at that time because they were busy dealing with Japan about the Taiwan issue.
When France encroached on the north of Vietnam again, China was duly involved. Many courtiers favored to wage war against France in Vietnam. Prince Yihuan leaned to that opinion, but Prince Yixin had his own view that China could not cope with France in Vietnam and it was better to have a peace talk. Since the opinions were not unanimous, the policy could not be decisive as to whether to declare war or to have a peace talk. When West Empress Dowager finally made the decision to prepare for war while seeking a peace talk, the chance for some military actions were missed. A great number of French army already set foot on Vietnam and began to attach the Black Banner Army. If Qing government could have sent its army into Vietnam to reinforce the Black Banner Army and occupied all the strategically important places before the French army had done, the final victory might have belonged to China.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 37

France and China were then at war about the Vietnam issue. Vietnam was always under China's protection. In the summer of 1862, Vietnam was forced to sign a treaty with France that Vietnam was under French protection. During next five years the French navy landed on the south of Vietnam and gradually occupied the southern part. In 1873, France invaded the northern part. The Vietnamese government sent General Liu to resist the French army. General Liu was a Chinese and had joined the Peaceful Army. After the Peaceful Army had failed, he had escaped into Vietnam. He brought his troops there, which were called Back Banner Army because the banners he used were black. The Black Banner Army went to fight the French army and killed its general. So next year France and Vietnam signed a new treaty in Saigon. Qing government kept neutral at that time because they were busy dealing with Japan about the Taiwan issue.
When France encroached on the north of Vietnam again, China was duly involved. Many courtiers favored to wage war against France in Vietnam. Prince Yihuan leaned to that opinion, but Prince Yixin had his own view that China could not cope with France in Vietnam and it was better to have a peace talk. Since the opinions were not unanimous, the policy could not be decisive as to whether to declare war or to have a peace talk. When West Empress Dowager finally made the decision to prepare for war while seeking a peace talk, the chance for some military actions were missed. A great number of French army already set foot on Vietnam and began to attach the Black Banner Army. If Qing government could have sent its army into Vietnam to reinforce the Black Banner Army and occupied all the strategically important places before the French army had done, the final victory might have belonged to China.

[xlwoo]

Qing government promised to provide the Black Banner Army with ammunition and provisions through Guangxi Province, but the governor of Guangxi Province gave the black Banner Army only a little of the promised stuffs. How could they resist the attack of the French army? The Black Banner Army was beaten this time. Then Qing government did launch some detachments into Vietnam for reinforcement, but among those detachments, they could not strategically support each other when required by the situation. The result was that they were also overpowered by the French army. News about the loss of some occupied towns in Vietnam came to the capital, the courtiers made angry comments and one of the critique official wrote a report that the secretaries should be blamed. So West Empress Dowager blamed Yixin for it and removed him from all his offices. She then changed all members of the Secretarial Bureau and put Yihuan, her brother-in-law and the biological father of the present emperor, in charge. But Yihuan was not a bit as talented as Yixin. Therefore, things didn't get any better, even though the Qing government army and the Black Banner Army did win some battles later in Vietnam.
Some French warships came to cruise near the coast of Fujian Province with the intention to land there. Someone suggested that the Chinese southern sea navy could take the initiative to sink the French warships, but those who wanted a peace talk, including Governor Li of Zhidi Province, opposed to it. They held the opinion that China should not initiate the war. Then the French warships began to attack the small Chinese navy and sank four Chinese warships. West Empress Dowager was really enraged and declared war against France. Since China could not fight France on the sea, the strategy was to let the French soldiers come on the land and to ambush them. But French soldiers didn't come on the shore.
The French navy went to attack Taiwan. China didn't have any warships at Taiwan. The general who guarded Taiwan sank some boats to block the entry into the Fresh-Water Harbor. The one thousand French soldiers landed on Taiwan and had a fight with the Chinese soldiers, who outnumbered them. The French soldiers were driven back onto the sea, to their warships. So China won battles on land and France on the sea. However, no war can go on forever. It must end one way or the other, either in entire conquest or in a truce. A treaty was signed between Qing government and France.

[xlwoo]

Qing government promised to provide the Black Banner Army with ammunition and provisions through Guangxi Province, but the governor of Guangxi Province gave the black Banner Army only a little of the promised stuffs. How could they resist the attack of the French army? The Black Banner Army was beaten this time. Then Qing government did launch some detachments into Vietnam for reinforcement, but among those detachments, they could not strategically support each other when required by the situation. The result was that they were also overpowered by the French army. News about the loss of some occupied towns in Vietnam came to the capital, the courtiers made angry comments and one of the critique official wrote a report that the secretaries should be blamed. So West Empress Dowager blamed Yixin for it and removed him from all his offices. She then changed all members of the Secretarial Bureau and put Yihuan, her brother-in-law and the biological father of the present emperor, in charge. But Yihuan was not a bit as talented as Yixin. Therefore, things didn't get any better, even though the Qing government army and the Black Banner Army did win some battles later in Vietnam.
Some French warships came to cruise near the coast of Fujian Province with the intention to land there. Someone suggested that the Chinese southern sea navy could take the initiative to sink the French warships, but those who wanted a peace talk, including Governor Li of Zhidi Province, opposed to it. They held the opinion that China should not initiate the war. Then the French warships began to attack the small Chinese navy and sank four Chinese warships. West Empress Dowager was really enraged and declared war against France. Since China could not fight France on the sea, the strategy was to let the French soldiers come on the land and to ambush them. But French soldiers didn't come on the shore.
The French navy went to attack Taiwan. China didn't have any warships at Taiwan. The general who guarded Taiwan sank some boats to block the entry into the Fresh-Water Harbor. The one thousand French soldiers landed on Taiwan and had a fight with the Chinese soldiers, who outnumbered them. The French soldiers were driven back onto the sea, to their warships. So China won battles on land and France on the sea. However, no war can go on forever. It must end one way or the other, either in entire conquest or in a truce. A treaty was signed between Qing government and France.

[xlwoo]

After Sushun had been executed, Yihuan had been appointed as the head of the royal bodyguards, the special division, with Ronglu as his assistant. Yihuan had all the ambition, but lacked the abilities. When Yixin had been in charge, Yihuan had envied him. Now as Yihuan took over the charge of the state affairs, Yixin said to a friend, “There is a Chinese saying. It goes like that: when you see someone shouldering a burden, you don't know how heavy it is.” After only a few months, Yihuan came to feel the heavy burden on his shoulders, but none he could shift it to.
One day Yihuan went to see Yixin and said, “I really envy you of your leisure, no responsibilities.”
“How can that be?” Yixin smiled at him.
“Could you help me?” Yihuan really needed someone who could share his burden. But what could Yixin say? He had been forced to retire when the empire needed him. So he just sighed. Yihuan knew that it depended on West Empress Dowager, not on Yixin himself. So later, at an earliest chance, he hinted to West Empress Dowager that she should let Yixin resume some of the responsibilities, but West Empress Dowager was adamant about her earlier decision, because many things she wanted to do and Yixin would say NO.
West Empress Dowager could never forget that when she had wanted to rebuild the Round-Bright Garden, many courtiers, headed by Yixin, strongly opposed to it. Her plan had failed. Now Yixin was out of the way and so were many of his supporters. If she wanted to rebuild the garden now, no one would say NO to her. But where was the money for it? The cost was too much, she knew it herself. Finally she decided to repair the buildings at the Three Lakes and made it a royal garden. She named it the Garden of Good health & Harmony. But there was still the question: where was the money?

[xlwoo]

Someone suggested to her head eunuch Li that they could use part of the money that was supposed to build a strong navy. After the Sino-French war, which was resulted in a treaty that Vietnam became under the French protection after a lot of bargaining, West Empress Dowager and the Secretarial Bureau had had a meeting and had decided to build a strong navy. The money needed came from customs duties and salt tax collections, and also from the contributions of all the provinces. West Empress Dowager thought that since the war already ended there was no urgency to build a strong navy immediately. That was why the small Chinese fleet was defeated on the sea by Japan in 1894.
West Empress Dowager ordered to set up the Navy Yamen and made Yihuan the head of it. All the expenses in the construction of the garden came from the Navy Yamen and Yihuan could never say NO. Why didn't West Empress Dowager order the Internal Revenue Ministry pay the expenses? That ministry should be a reasonable place to pay for the expenditure. It was because Minister Yan would refuse to pay unless he was removed. And West Empress Dowager didn't want to remove him for no reason at all, or for that reason. She still wanted to keep a good image in the eye of people. So the repair work was under way secretly.
Her head eunuch Li thought of another way to get fund for the building. The emperor would soon reach the age to get married. They needed to prepare for the wedding. So West Empress Dowager ordered the Internal Revenue Ministry to collect money for that purpose. Though it was a bit early, Minister Yan could not refuse that. And West Empress Dowager transferred the money to the reconstruction.

[xlwoo]

Someone suggested to her head eunuch Li that they could use part of the money that was supposed to build a strong navy. After the Sino-French war, which was resulted in a treaty that Vietnam became under the French protection after a lot of bargaining, West Empress Dowager and the Secretarial Bureau had had a meeting and had decided to build a strong navy. The money needed came from customs duties and salt tax collections, and also from the contributions of all the provinces. West Empress Dowager thought that since the war already ended there was no urgency to build a strong navy immediately. That was why the small Chinese fleet was defeated on the sea by Japan in 1894.
West Empress Dowager ordered to set up the Navy Yamen and made Yihuan the head of it. All the expenses in the construction of the garden came from the Navy Yamen and Yihuan could never say NO. Why didn't West Empress Dowager order the Internal Revenue Ministry pay the expenses? That ministry should be a reasonable place to pay for the expenditure. It was because Minister Yan would refuse to pay unless he was removed. And West Empress Dowager didn't want to remove him for no reason at all, or for that reason. She still wanted to keep a good image in the eye of people. So the repair work was under way secretly.
Her head eunuch Li thought of another way to get fund for the building. The emperor would soon reach the age to get married. They needed to prepare for the wedding. So West Empress Dowager ordered the Internal Revenue Ministry to collect money for that purpose. Though it was a bit early, Minister Yan could not refuse that. And West Empress Dowager transferred the money to the reconstruction.

[xlwoo]

The Royal Family Affairs Management was put in charge of the reconstruction. They were also building a stage right close to where West Empress Dowager lived. It was supposed to finish before her birthday. Three days before her birthday, West Empress Dowager thought that the stage should have been completed by then. So she went there to have a look, but it was not completely done yet. Some officials in charge of the job pleaded that they would accomplish it before her birthday. But West Empress Dowager was petulant and fined them each for three thousand taels of silver. The silver taels should be handed in before a certain date. When an official did not possess such an amount of taels, West Empress Dowager sent a eunuch to scold him. It was a custom in Qing Dynasty. If a courtier did something wrong, or really did something not to the liking of the emperor, the emperor would send a eunuch to his residence to scold him. The courtier must prostrate before the eunuch listening to whatever he would say. The eunuch went there to represent the emperor; so the courtier should receive the eunuch on his knees. At first the eunuch just pointed out what mistakes the courtier had made and expressed in the name of the emperor that the courtier should not make the same mistakes again. But eunuchs were often abnormal due to their lack of hormone. Therefore the reproach developed into calling of names, even foul names. It was deemed an insult to courtiers because eunuchs were not thought as complete human beings, that is, human beings lacking something very important. If a courtier didn't want to hear the name calling, he should bribe the eunuch. It also depended on the mood of the eunuch. If the eunuch just got reprimanded he would take out on the courtier whom the emperor sent the eunuch to chide. That day, the eunuch was not in a happy state of mind and the courtier had no money to bribe him. He called the courtier all kinds of dirty names he could think of. The courtier blushed and tears trickled down his cheeks. At the end of the rebuking rite the courtier mush thank West Empress Dowager for sending the eunuch to scold him.

[xlwoo]

The Garden of Good Health & Harmony (also called Summer Palace though it is not the Summer Palace in Rehe. Any place where the emperor went like on a vacation in the summer could be called the Summer Palace.) is the best-kept existing royal garden in the present capital now. It has a concentration of the best ancient buildings as well as styles of gardening. The total area is two hundred and ninety hectares.
The Garden of Good Health & Harmony was first named the Garden of Clear Ripples, which was burnt down by allied forces of Great Britain and France in 1860. Reconstruction started twenty-five years later and was completed in 1895, and the name was changed to the Garden of Good Health & Harmony. The design gives prominence to the Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. Many spots of scenery were built in imitation of those on the West Lake in Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province. It is really a miniature West Lake.
Eastern Palace Gate is the main entrance to the Garden of Good Health & Harmony. The opening in the center was for the emperor and empress exclusively. The two side openings were for the use of princes and courtiers. Eunuchs and soldiers used side gates to the south and north. The name plaque “The Garden of Good Health & Harmony” in Chinese characters in front of the gate was written by Emperor Guangxu. The stone slab in front of the gate bears a carving in relief of two dragons playing with a pearl, a symbol of imperial authority.
Benevolence & Longevity Hall was originally named the Diligent in Administration Hall. The present name came into being during the reign of Emperor Guangxu. It was used by West Empress Dowager and Emperor Guangxu to receive courtiers.

[xlwoo]

The Garden of Good Health & Harmony (also called Summer Palace though it is not the Summer Palace in Rehe. Any place where the emperor went like on a vacation in the summer could be called the Summer Palace.) is the best-kept existing royal garden in the present capital now. It has a concentration of the best ancient buildings as well as styles of gardening. The total area is two hundred and ninety hectares.
The Garden of Good Health & Harmony was first named the Garden of Clear Ripples, which was burnt down by allied forces of Great Britain and France in 1860. Reconstruction started twenty-five years later and was completed in 1895, and the name was changed to the Garden of Good Health & Harmony. The design gives prominence to the Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. Many spots of scenery were built in imitation of those on the West Lake in Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province. It is really a miniature West Lake.
Eastern Palace Gate is the main entrance to the Garden of Good Health & Harmony. The opening in the center was for the emperor and empress exclusively. The two side openings were for the use of princes and courtiers. Eunuchs and soldiers used side gates to the south and north. The name plaque “The Garden of Good Health & Harmony” in Chinese characters in front of the gate was written by Emperor Guangxu. The stone slab in front of the gate bears a carving in relief of two dragons playing with a pearl, a symbol of imperial authority.
Benevolence & Longevity Hall was originally named the Diligent in Administration Hall. The present name came into being during the reign of Emperor Guangxu. It was used by West Empress Dowager and Emperor Guangxu to receive courtiers.

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The corridor runs seven hundred and twenty-eight meters long, from a moon gate in the east to Shizhang Pavilion in the west. All the two hundred and seventy-three sections are decorated with more than eight thousand paintings of landscapes, flowers and human figures. It is the longest and most famous corridor in the world.
Dispersing Clouds Hall is one of the main buildings on the Longevity Hill. It was specially built for West Empress Dowager to receive her birthday greetings. Corridors link the main hall to side houses on both sides. Pillars in crimson color and the roof with golden glazed tiles dazzle brightly in sunshine.
Buddha Fragrance Pavilion stands on a stone terrace of twenty-one meters high on the sheer front side of the Longevity Hill. It overlooks the Kunming Lake in front and Zhihuihai Buddha Hall in the back. Other buildings stretch on either side of it in a neat symmetrical pattern.
The Marble Boat was made with huge stone blocks in 1755. The immovable boat of thirty-six meters long has two tiers. It was placed in the Kunming Lake to symbolize the steadfast rule of the Qing Dynasty. If looking south from the Longevity Hill, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and the Nanhu Island seem floating on the Kunming Lake and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, looking like a rainbow, is eight meters wide and one hundred and fifty meters long and links the East Causeway with the Nanhu Island on the Kunming Lake.
There was a phony business street, called Suzhou Street, laid out along the Rear Lake in The Garden of Good Health & Harmony in the style of a market place along a river in South China. Whenever West Empress Dowager and the emperor went there, the eunuchs and palace maids would amuse them by acting like shop assistants, hawkers or customers. West Empress Dowager was delighted and enjoyed the place very much.

[xlwoo]

The corridor runs seven hundred and twenty-eight meters long, from a moon gate in the east to Shizhang Pavilion in the west. All the two hundred and seventy-three sections are decorated with more than eight thousand paintings of landscapes, flowers and human figures. It is the longest and most famous corridor in the world.
Dispersing Clouds Hall is one of the main buildings on the Longevity Hill. It was specially built for West Empress Dowager to receive her birthday greetings. Corridors link the main hall to side houses on both sides. Pillars in crimson color and the roof with golden glazed tiles dazzle brightly in sunshine.
Buddha Fragrance Pavilion stands on a stone terrace of twenty-one meters high on the sheer front side of the Longevity Hill. It overlooks the Kunming Lake in front and Zhihuihai Buddha Hall in the back. Other buildings stretch on either side of it in a neat symmetrical pattern.
The Marble Boat was made with huge stone blocks in 1755. The immovable boat of thirty-six meters long has two tiers. It was placed in the Kunming Lake to symbolize the steadfast rule of the Qing Dynasty. If looking south from the Longevity Hill, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and the Nanhu Island seem floating on the Kunming Lake and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, looking like a rainbow, is eight meters wide and one hundred and fifty meters long and links the East Causeway with the Nanhu Island on the Kunming Lake.
There was a phony business street, called Suzhou Street, laid out along the Rear Lake in The Garden of Good Health & Harmony in the style of a market place along a river in South China. Whenever West Empress Dowager and the emperor went there, the eunuchs and palace maids would amuse them by acting like shop assistants, hawkers or customers. West Empress Dowager was delighted and enjoyed the place very much.

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Governor Li of Zhidi Province had a maxim that Learn from foreigners to conquer foreigners West Empress Dowager liked his maxim. Once he suggested that Qing government should print and issue banknotes. The advantage was, as he reasoned, that one tael of silver could be used as two taels. It sounded just wonderful, but how could that be? For example, he said, if there were five million taels of silver in circulation, and based on that, the government could release banknotes worth five million taels. So the five million taels of banknotes, plus five million taels of silver already in circulation, made ten million taels. The currency was doubled. The property of the government was doubled, too, in their opinion. It was better than to borrow money. When one borrows money one must pay the interest. The suggestion came into the hands of Prince Yihuan, who supported the idea fervently. For that purpose, they must open banks first. For fear that people wouldn't like a foreign name, they called banks as silver shops. No argument here so far. Considering that West Empress Dowager would look upon the silver shops as her personal safes, Governor Li insisted that the general manager to run those silver shops must be a foreigner, because he thought that a foreign manager could resist any unreasonable demand from West Empress Dowager. But the internal revenue minister of the Mandarin Clan, who was the father-in-law of the late Emperor Tongzhi, was against the idea to use a foreigner as the general manager. He argued that a foreign manager would take all the silver in the silver shops to his own country. It would be like to hire a thief to guard the treasury house or put a wolf on the task to look after the sheep. He went to see Prince Yihuan, voicing his opposition and threatening with his resignation from the post. Prince Yihuan had to solace him. As a result, the plan aborted.

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The second suggestion of Governor Li was to build a railroad in Shandong Province along the river. But many conservative courtiers opposed it. Their reasons were: (1) If the dike broke, the river would flood over the railroad. (2) Though transportation by train was faster than by ship, when the train was used instead of the ship, many people working on the ship would be out of job and became outlaws. (3) Although the train was convenient to convey the soldiers here and there during a war, if a meter of the rail was demolished, the whole line went dead. What was the use then? And it was impossible to guard the line from end to end. (4) If the designed railroad line must cut through some grave fields, the corpses would surely be dug up, which would damage the fengshui (something like geomancy. The theory is that the location of the grave and to which direction the grave faces will affect the fortune of the family.) and brought calamity to the families. The last one was the main point they wanted to make.
Prince Yihuan could still remember that in 1865 the first railroad had been built in China. It had been outside the capital, built by a British merchant as a sample, only half a kilometer long. When it had begun to whistle and rumble, the crowds who had come to look had got in a panic, crying “Monster! Monster!” Qing government had ordered the whole thing taken apart and removed. The second railroad had been built by a British company in 1877, which ran from Shanghai to the outlet of the Wangpu River with freight carriages and passenger cars mixed. The business had been good, though there still were some conservative people calling it monster. Unfortunately it had run over a pedestrian who had died on the spot. It had duly occasioned a lot of protests and demonstrations. The Foreign Affairs Yamen had had to interfere and had purchased the railroad from the British company for two hundred eighty-five thousands taels of silver. Then the government had taken apart the trains and rails and sunk them in the sea. The third railroad had been constructed in 1881 near Tangshan Town for the coal mine. It lasted for nine kilometers to convey coal from the mine. Only the freight train was not drawn by a locomotive, but by horses and donkeys. A laughing stock among the foreigners.

[xlwoo]

The second suggestion of Governor Li was to build a railroad in Shandong Province along the river. But many conservative courtiers opposed it. Their reasons were: (1) If the dike broke, the river would flood over the railroad. (2) Though transportation by train was faster than by ship, when the train was used instead of the ship, many people working on the ship would be out of job and became outlaws. (3) Although the train was convenient to convey the soldiers here and there during a war, if a meter of the rail was demolished, the whole line went dead. What was the use then? And it was impossible to guard the line from end to end. (4) If the designed railroad line must cut through some grave fields, the corpses would surely be dug up, which would damage the fengshui (something like geomancy. The theory is that the location of the grave and to which direction the grave faces will affect the fortune of the family.) and brought calamity to the families. The last one was the main point they wanted to make.
Prince Yihuan could still remember that in 1865 the first railroad had been built in China. It had been outside the capital, built by a British merchant as a sample, only half a kilometer long. When it had begun to whistle and rumble, the crowds who had come to look had got in a panic, crying “Monster! Monster!” Qing government had ordered the whole thing taken apart and removed. The second railroad had been built by a British company in 1877, which ran from Shanghai to the outlet of the Wangpu River with freight carriages and passenger cars mixed. The business had been good, though there still were some conservative people calling it monster. Unfortunately it had run over a pedestrian who had died on the spot. It had duly occasioned a lot of protests and demonstrations. The Foreign Affairs Yamen had had to interfere and had purchased the railroad from the British company for two hundred eighty-five thousands taels of silver. Then the government had taken apart the trains and rails and sunk them in the sea. The third railroad had been constructed in 1881 near Tangshan Town for the coal mine. It lasted for nine kilometers to convey coal from the mine. Only the freight train was not drawn by a locomotive, but by horses and donkeys. A laughing stock among the foreigners.

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Chapter 38

In 1886, the emperor was sixteen. It was the time that the empress dowager should let him handle the state affairs alone, though she was never willing to do so. But she had to, at least in name. When she made the declaration to the courtiers that she would return the power to the emperor, Yihuan, the emperor's biological father, begged her on his knees to postpone the return of power till the emperor was twenty years old and more mature. By tradition, when the adopted emperor reached the age to take over the power, the natural father couldn't occupy any office and must retire utterly from the political stage lest he should become an over-emperor and interfere with the administration of the state affairs of his biological son, the emperor.
The other courtiers also implored West Empress Dowager to postpone it for a couple of years. But West Empress Dowager persisted in her decision. Yihuan and some courtiers sent in a written petition that when the emperor came into power, he must still ask for the opinions of West Empress Dowager before he made any decisions or appointed any officials and officers. West Empress Dowager was glad to accept it, because she would then return the power only in name, not in reality. The emperor was not happy, but he could say nothing.
On February 15, 1887, the power-returning ceremony was held. The emperor got up very early. At four o'clock in the morning, accompanied by some officials, he went to the place where the portraits of the ancestors were hung and he kowtowed to the portraits. At half past eight o'clock, he went to see West Empress Dowager and kowtowed before her. At nine o'clock, he sat on the throne and all the courtiers kowtowed to him. His natural father was not present, of course. Then a statement was issued to the whole empire to that effect and a feast of celebration was given in the Forbidden City.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 38

In 1886, the emperor was sixteen. It was the time that the empress dowager should let him handle the state affairs alone, though she was never willing to do so. But she had to, at least in name. When she made the declaration to the courtiers that she would return the power to the emperor, Yihuan, the emperor's biological father, begged her on his knees to postpone the return of power till the emperor was twenty years old and more mature. By tradition, when the adopted emperor reached the age to take over the power, the natural father couldn't occupy any office and must retire utterly from the political stage lest he should become an over-emperor and interfere with the administration of the state affairs of his biological son, the emperor.
The other courtiers also implored West Empress Dowager to postpone it for a couple of years. But West Empress Dowager persisted in her decision. Yihuan and some courtiers sent in a written petition that when the emperor came into power, he must still ask for the opinions of West Empress Dowager before he made any decisions or appointed any officials and officers. West Empress Dowager was glad to accept it, because she would then return the power only in name, not in reality. The emperor was not happy, but he could say nothing.
On February 15, 1887, the power-returning ceremony was held. The emperor got up very early. At four o'clock in the morning, accompanied by some officials, he went to the place where the portraits of the ancestors were hung and he kowtowed to the portraits. At half past eight o'clock, he went to see West Empress Dowager and kowtowed before her. At nine o'clock, he sat on the throne and all the courtiers kowtowed to him. His natural father was not present, of course. Then a statement was issued to the whole empire to that effect and a feast of celebration was given in the Forbidden City.

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The emperor was seventeen now. It was high time for him to get married. West Empress Dowager would take care of it as the emperor's adopted mother. On January 20, 1888, she issued an order that all the preparations should begin for the emperor's marriage. On February 28, she gave another order that the Internal Revenue Ministry of the government should get ready five million taels of silver. On June 17, she announced her decision that the emperor's wedding would take place in February next year and after that she would let the emperor have full power, making decisions all by himself. On July 27, 1888, a formal statement was made to that effect. On September 3, she decided that the wedding day would be on February 26, 1889. So the selection of girls began in late September, 1888. At first there were ninety-six girls, but even before West Empress Dowager could look at all of them, the names of sixty-five girls were crossed out owing to some reason or the other, among whom three would get into marriage by the order of West Empress Dowager. On September 24, thirty-one girls gathered before West Empress Dowager and the emperor. Among them two girls were her nieces, which was against tradition. But West Empress Dowager didn't care about tradition and no one dared to stand up against her. It was the evening on that day because West Empress Dowager wanted to look at the girls under candlelight. And there were other two pairs of sisters. The process started from late in the evening and lasted till early in the next morning. As a result, sixteen girls were left after the first sifting. On September 28, four days later, only eight girls out of the remaining sixteen were chosen. These eight girls were told to live in the Forbidden City for close observation of their behavior. Then three girls out of the eight were sent home. One of the three was a niece of West Empress Dowager. The other niece remained. The emperor would choose the queen and two concubines from the five leftover girls.

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Among the five girls, besides the other niece, who was twenty-one years old, well over the traditional age between thirteen and seventeen, the two pairs of sisters remained. One pair was the daughters of the governor of Jiangxi Province. The other pair was the daughters of a courtier in the capital. They were the only girls that had learned to write poetry. The eldest daughter of the governor of Jiangxi Province had been the royal concubine of the late Emperor Tongzhi, now a royal widow, the one that West Empress Dowager had liked best and had wanted her natural son to choose as his queen, but his natural son had chosen another girl. So this time West Empress Dowager selected the other two daughters. But her goal was to let her niece to be the queen, not one of the sisters. This pair of the sisters stayed for the night with their eldest sister, the royal widow. The eldest sister complained how she had lived alone even when Emperor Tongzhi had been alive. Any concubine in this status was called a widow with husband alive in the Forbidden City. So the sisters wished that they would not be selected. The eldest sister smiled, “it is easier not to be selected than you want to be selected.” She told her sisters that they should wear blue clothes, because West Empress Dowager didn't like the color blue, and they should act a little listlessly, but not too much. West Empress Dowager liked girls to look alive.

[xlwoo]

Among the five girls, besides the other niece, who was twenty-one years old, well over the traditional age between thirteen and seventeen, the two pairs of sisters remained. One pair was the daughters of the governor of Jiangxi Province. The other pair was the daughters of a courtier in the capital. They were the only girls that had learned to write poetry. The eldest daughter of the governor of Jiangxi Province had been the royal concubine of the late Emperor Tongzhi, now a royal widow, the one that West Empress Dowager had liked best and had wanted her natural son to choose as his queen, but his natural son had chosen another girl. So this time West Empress Dowager selected the other two daughters. But her goal was to let her niece to be the queen, not one of the sisters. This pair of the sisters stayed for the night with their eldest sister, the royal widow. The eldest sister complained how she had lived alone even when Emperor Tongzhi had been alive. Any concubine in this status was called a widow with husband alive in the Forbidden City. So the sisters wished that they would not be selected. The eldest sister smiled, “it is easier not to be selected than you want to be selected.” She told her sisters that they should wear blue clothes, because West Empress Dowager didn't like the color blue, and they should act a little listlessly, but not too much. West Empress Dowager liked girls to look alive.

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On November 8, the five girls were lined before West Empress Dowager and the emperor. The niece stood foremost, who should stand behind others by tradition. The younger ones should stand in the front. The daughters of the governor were stationed near the emperor, a little behind the niece. They were beautiful girls while the niece was just ordinary. West Empress Dowager had often ordered that niece to come and live for a few days in the Forbidden City to play with the emperor when they were both children. She had thought that their relationship would have become from playmates to lifemates, but the emperor had never liked his cousin.
When the emperor was told to give the symbol, a ruyi, to whichever girl he wanted to be his queen, he walked towards one of the governor's daughters, the beautiful pair, but not intended by West Empress Dowager as the queen. So she called, “Emperor.” Her voice a little too loud for the occasion and not without some irritation. The emperor was startled and turned his head aside to look at West Empress Dowager, who pointed to her niece with her mouth. The emperor was unhappy, but had to obey. He walked past the beautiful couple and handed the ruyi to the niece, who went down on her knees to take it.
West Empress Dowager didn't let the emperor choose the concubines. She chose for him the daughters of the courtier. The elder girl was fifteen and the younger thirteen, named Concubine Jin and Concubine Zhen. The other two girls were returned to their parents. West empress Dowager was afraid that if she let the two beautiful girls stay in the Forbidden City also as concubines, the emperor would always go to their place and ignore her niece entirely.

[xlwoo]

On November 8, the five girls were lined before West Empress Dowager and the emperor. The niece stood foremost, who should stand behind others by tradition. The younger ones should stand in the front. The daughters of the governor were stationed near the emperor, a little behind the niece. They were beautiful girls while the niece was just ordinary. West Empress Dowager had often ordered that niece to come and live for a few days in the Forbidden City to play with the emperor when they were both children. She had thought that their relationship would have become from playmates to lifemates, but the emperor had never liked his cousin.
When the emperor was told to give the symbol, a ruyi, to whichever girl he wanted to be his queen, he walked towards one of the governor's daughters, the beautiful pair, but not intended by West Empress Dowager as the queen. So she called, “Emperor.” Her voice a little too loud for the occasion and not without some irritation. The emperor was startled and turned his head aside to look at West Empress Dowager, who pointed to her niece with her mouth. The emperor was unhappy, but had to obey. He walked past the beautiful couple and handed the ruyi to the niece, who went down on her knees to take it.
West Empress Dowager didn't let the emperor choose the concubines. She chose for him the daughters of the courtier. The elder girl was fifteen and the younger thirteen, named Concubine Jin and Concubine Zhen. The other two girls were returned to their parents. West empress Dowager was afraid that if she let the two beautiful girls stay in the Forbidden City also as concubines, the emperor would always go to their place and ignore her niece entirely.

[xlwoo]

After the selection, Big Princess said to West Empress Dowager that if she had desired her niece to be the queen, why she hadn't told the emperor directly so that he could choose as she had wished. Such awkward situation would not have happened. West Empress Dowager confessed that it had partly been her fault.
On December 4, 1888, the emperor sent wedding things to the queen's family. The father of the selected queen was the brother of West Empress Dowager and had a title of duke. He was a useless man, smoking opium all the time. He wanted to hold a banquet at home and invited all the princes and courtiers, but was afraid that many invitees would not come, because they really looked down upon him. So he requested West Empress Dowager to order all of them come to the feast. But West Empress Dowager advised him to invite the courtiers only, not the princes, because princes were higher in rank than a duke. And West Empress Dowager said that it was not suitable to issue such an order. Her brother had to go along with what West Empress Dowager had suggested.
On February 24, 1889, Concubines Jin and Zhen were carried into the Forbidden City, but could not see the emperor yet. February 26 was the long-fixed wedding date. The queen was carried into the Forbidden City in a magnificently-decorated royal palanquin. The royal couple went through a series of rituals. So when they were escorted into their bedroom, the emperor was so exhausted that he just fell asleep. Next day, the emperor should give a feast for the celebration of the wedding, but the emperor suddenly fell sick. Then a eunuch was sent to announce that the feast was called off. All the courtiers sensed that this was a bad omen. West Empress Dowager was unhappy because it made the queen's family look bad. She went to see the emperor to check if he was really sick. When she saw that the emperor looked sick, she could say nothing and just told him to take care. But celebration in general still went on and lasted till March 9.

[xlwoo]

After the selection, Big Princess said to West Empress Dowager that if she had desired her niece to be the queen, why she hadn't told the emperor directly so that he could choose as she had wished. Such awkward situation would not have happened. West Empress Dowager confessed that it had partly been her fault.
On December 4, 1888, the emperor sent wedding things to the queen's family. The father of the selected queen was the brother of West Empress Dowager and had a title of duke. He was a useless man, smoking opium all the time. He wanted to hold a banquet at home and invited all the princes and courtiers, but was afraid that many invitees would not come, because they really looked down upon him. So he requested West Empress Dowager to order all of them come to the feast. But West Empress Dowager advised him to invite the courtiers only, not the princes, because princes were higher in rank than a duke. And West Empress Dowager said that it was not suitable to issue such an order. Her brother had to go along with what West Empress Dowager had suggested.
On February 24, 1889, Concubines Jin and Zhen were carried into the Forbidden City, but could not see the emperor yet. February 26 was the long-fixed wedding date. The queen was carried into the Forbidden City in a magnificently-decorated royal palanquin. The royal couple went through a series of rituals. So when they were escorted into their bedroom, the emperor was so exhausted that he just fell asleep. Next day, the emperor should give a feast for the celebration of the wedding, but the emperor suddenly fell sick. Then a eunuch was sent to announce that the feast was called off. All the courtiers sensed that this was a bad omen. West Empress Dowager was unhappy because it made the queen's family look bad. She went to see the emperor to check if he was really sick. When she saw that the emperor looked sick, she could say nothing and just told him to take care. But celebration in general still went on and lasted till March 9.

[xlwoo]

Celebrations in the Forbidden City always involved opera performances. There was a royal cast for all the occasions, but after the death of East Empress Dowager, West Empress Dowager often got actors from outside the Forbidden City for a change. This time there was a new actor, just coming to the capital from Shanghai. West Empress Dowager was so fascinated by his performance that she decided to interview him after the performance. The actor had liked the operas as a child and learned it since very young. Then he had joined the army to fight the Peaceful Army and had been promoted to be a high-rank officer. When war had ended, he had returned to live in Shanghai, but sometimes he acted as a guest performer in some theater. As a rule an officer should not act in public and he was criticized for that. He then gave up his title as the officer and began to be an actor by profession. He became a famous actor. When he was told that West Empress Dowager would interview him, he was very excited, but he sighed, saying sarcastically, “When I risked my life to fight the Peaceful Army, no one treated me like that, but when I am only an actor, Empress Dowager wants to interview me.” Eunuch Li said to him, “You should know that there are so many officers like you, but there is only one actor like you. You should be satisfied.” So he assumed a happy attitude and went to see West Empress Dowager. She wanted to give back his title, but he refused, saying that it was unsuitable for an actor to have an official title. So West Empress Dowager gave him other things as a memento.

[xlwoo]

Celebrations in the Forbidden City always involved opera performances. There was a royal cast for all the occasions, but after the death of East Empress Dowager, West Empress Dowager often got actors from outside the Forbidden City for a change. This time there was a new actor, just coming to the capital from Shanghai. West Empress Dowager was so fascinated by his performance that she decided to interview him after the performance. The actor had liked the operas as a child and learned it since very young. Then he had joined the army to fight the Peaceful Army and had been promoted to be a high-rank officer. When war had ended, he had returned to live in Shanghai, but sometimes he acted as a guest performer in some theater. As a rule an officer should not act in public and he was criticized for that. He then gave up his title as the officer and began to be an actor by profession. He became a famous actor. When he was told that West Empress Dowager would interview him, he was very excited, but he sighed, saying sarcastically, “When I risked my life to fight the Peaceful Army, no one treated me like that, but when I am only an actor, Empress Dowager wants to interview me.” Eunuch Li said to him, “You should know that there are so many officers like you, but there is only one actor like you. You should be satisfied.” So he assumed a happy attitude and went to see West Empress Dowager. She wanted to give back his title, but he refused, saying that it was unsuitable for an actor to have an official title. So West Empress Dowager gave him other things as a memento.

[xlwoo]

The imperial nuptial cost more than four thousand taels of gold and more than four million eight hundred thousand taels of silver. It was the most expensive royal wedding in Qing Dynasty.
Since the emperor didn't love the queen, who had been forced upon him against his will, he treated her only with due respect. He liked Concubine Zhen best, because she was so young and so naive that she often did or said funny things, which made the emperor delighted, but funny things often went against the palace rules.
The emperor and Concubine Zhen had a lot of things to talk for mutual amusement. The emperor told Concubine Zhen something that had happened in the Forbidden City. The natural father of the emperor, Yihuan, was the seventh son of the late Emperor Xianfeng. Prince Cun was the fifth son, the uncle of the emperor, but now deceased. “He was a funny man.” said the emperor, “Once Empress Dowager was listening to some girls summoned from outside the Forbidden City, singing some folk tunes. This was against the tradition. Fifth Uncle went to see Empress Dowager, singing the same tunes all the way while entering the room. Empress Dowager became aware of the roundabout criticism and sent the singing girls away. Another time when Fifth Uncle wanted to present a special fish to Empress Dowager, a eunuch refused to report to Empress Dowager unless Fifth Uncle gave him some money. It is an old custom, but Fifth Uncle never liked it. So next time when Empress Dowager wanted to see Fifth Uncle, Fifth Uncle brought a fish himself and offered it to Empress Dowager in person. When Empress Dowager asked why Fifth Uncle didn't let a eunuch do it, Fifth Uncle told the story and the eunuch got a beating.”
Concubine Zhen could write poetry. She had read many books, especially history books. She told the emperor a story from Song Dynasty. An emperor had had no son of his own and wanted to select his successor and heir from the sons of his imperial relatives. They should be good boys and under seven years old. Ten boys had been selected, but after sifting only two left, one lean and the other fat. He would have chosen one out of the two. When the boys had been standing before the emperor, the emperor had wanted to choose the fat one, because in the conception of the Chinese people, fat people meant they were fortunate ones. But just then a cat had wandered by. The fat boy had been always naughty and kicked the cat unconsciously out of habit while the lean boy had stood there quietly. Therefore, the emperor had decided on the lean boy. The emperor had explained later that the cat had walked by and hadn't done anything to deserve the kick. If the fat boy could have kicked an innocent cat, he would have killed innocent people when he had become the emperor. Historians said that the fat boy kicked away his throne, not just the cat.

[xlwoo]

The imperial nuptial cost more than four thousand taels of gold and more than four million eight hundred thousand taels of silver. It was the most expensive royal wedding in Qing Dynasty.
Since the emperor didn't love the queen, who had been forced upon him against his will, he treated her only with due respect. He liked Concubine Zhen best, because she was so young and so naive that she often did or said funny things, which made the emperor delighted, but funny things often went against the palace rules.
The emperor and Concubine Zhen had a lot of things to talk for mutual amusement. The emperor told Concubine Zhen something that had happened in the Forbidden City. The natural father of the emperor, Yihuan, was the seventh son of the late Emperor Xianfeng. Prince Cun was the fifth son, the uncle of the emperor, but now deceased. “He was a funny man.” said the emperor, “Once Empress Dowager was listening to some girls summoned from outside the Forbidden City, singing some folk tunes. This was against the tradition. Fifth Uncle went to see Empress Dowager, singing the same tunes all the way while entering the room. Empress Dowager became aware of the roundabout criticism and sent the singing girls away. Another time when Fifth Uncle wanted to present a special fish to Empress Dowager, a eunuch refused to report to Empress Dowager unless Fifth Uncle gave him some money. It is an old custom, but Fifth Uncle never liked it. So next time when Empress Dowager wanted to see Fifth Uncle, Fifth Uncle brought a fish himself and offered it to Empress Dowager in person. When Empress Dowager asked why Fifth Uncle didn't let a eunuch do it, Fifth Uncle told the story and the eunuch got a beating.”
Concubine Zhen could write poetry. She had read many books, especially history books. She told the emperor a story from Song Dynasty. An emperor had had no son of his own and wanted to select his successor and heir from the sons of his imperial relatives. They should be good boys and under seven years old. Ten boys had been selected, but after sifting only two left, one lean and the other fat. He would have chosen one out of the two. When the boys had been standing before the emperor, the emperor had wanted to choose the fat one, because in the conception of the Chinese people, fat people meant they were fortunate ones. But just then a cat had wandered by. The fat boy had been always naughty and kicked the cat unconsciously out of habit while the lean boy had stood there quietly. Therefore, the emperor had decided on the lean boy. The emperor had explained later that the cat had walked by and hadn't done anything to deserve the kick. If the fat boy could have kicked an innocent cat, he would have killed innocent people when he had become the emperor. Historians said that the fat boy kicked away his throne, not just the cat.

[xlwoo]

Governor Li of Zhidi Province had established a fleet of twenty-five ships. West Empress Dowager didn't want him to have more power and set up the Navy Yamen and put Prince Yihuan as the head. The fleet was naturally under the command of the Navy Yamen. West Empress Dowager wished to have a clear idea about the fleet. She sent Yihuan to inspect it with her head eunuch Li as his attendant. It was against the rule set up by the ancestors that eunuchs were not permitted to go outside the capital. But since the demise of East Empress Dowager and the removal of Prince Yixin, no one had been bold enough to oppose her decision. Someone blamed Yihuan when he didn't say anything about it. Yihuan could not say that he was afraid of West Empress Dowager and so he said, “That's my fault. I asked Eunuch Li to accompany me there.” He didn't want to think that West Empress Dowager didn't trust him. Then Ronglu came to visit him. Ronglu was not in a good health recently and didn't have a post. Ronglu consoled Yihuan, “Since we have spent so much money on the navy, Empress Dowager wants to know how the navy is now and how well it can combat. That's why Empress Dowager sends Li with Your Highness.” But he could not explain why it was Eunuch Li who was supposed to report to West Empress Dowager about the navy while it should be Yihuan who should report to her. Ronglu didn't want to hint anything negative about West Empress Dowager. He was always faithful to her. There was even a rumor that sometimes when Ronglu was summoned into the Forbidden City, he had sex with West Empress Dowager. But that was only a rumor.

[xlwoo]

Governor Li of Zhidi Province had established a fleet of twenty-five ships. West Empress Dowager didn't want him to have more power and set up the Navy Yamen and put Prince Yihuan as the head. The fleet was naturally under the command of the Navy Yamen. West Empress Dowager wished to have a clear idea about the fleet. She sent Yihuan to inspect it with her head eunuch Li as his attendant. It was against the rule set up by the ancestors that eunuchs were not permitted to go outside the capital. But since the demise of East Empress Dowager and the removal of Prince Yixin, no one had been bold enough to oppose her decision. Someone blamed Yihuan when he didn't say anything about it. Yihuan could not say that he was afraid of West Empress Dowager and so he said, “That's my fault. I asked Eunuch Li to accompany me there.” He didn't want to think that West Empress Dowager didn't trust him. Then Ronglu came to visit him. Ronglu was not in a good health recently and didn't have a post. Ronglu consoled Yihuan, “Since we have spent so much money on the navy, Empress Dowager wants to know how the navy is now and how well it can combat. That's why Empress Dowager sends Li with Your Highness.” But he could not explain why it was Eunuch Li who was supposed to report to West Empress Dowager about the navy while it should be Yihuan who should report to her. Ronglu didn't want to hint anything negative about West Empress Dowager. He was always faithful to her. There was even a rumor that sometimes when Ronglu was summoned into the Forbidden City, he had sex with West Empress Dowager. But that was only a rumor.

[xlwoo]

Head Eunuch Li was cleverer than Little An. He played down his role just to be the attendant of Yihuan. Yihuan reached the place where the fleet was at anchor. He went on board the flagship with his entourage. Yihuan stayed in the captain's cabin when the fleet was pulled out onto the sea to operate a sham battle. When cruising on the vast expanse of billowy salty water, the fleet formed a line forward, then changed into a file and then fell into a shape of a vise. There were some old junk ships in the distance as targets. At a signal from the flagship, the cannons aiming at the targets boomed and some torpedoes darted forth. In a flash of fire and thunder, the old junk ships exploded into a rain of fragments. Then something floated and dotted on the distant blue water surface. Prince Yihuan slowly clapped his hands a few times as if he was watching an opera. All the navy officers around him were exhilarated at his approbation.
At the dinner party for celebration, head eunuch Li sat with the navy officers. He told them a story about how champagne was treated in the Forbidden City. The French envoy had presented some bottles of champagne to West Empress Dowager as gifts. On a festival day, West Empress Dowager ordered a eunuch to open a bottle of champagne. When bottle was being opened the noise the bottle startled West Empress Dowager, and the champagne gushed out, wetting the clothes of Big Princess, who was just standing at the side to have a look. So the eunuch got a beating. It was not really his fault. One of the officers asked if West Empress Dowager drank champagne any more after that. Eunuch Li said that someone got an idea that before opening the bottle, a hole was punched on the cork stopper to let out the gas.

[xlwoo]

Head Eunuch Li was cleverer than Little An. He played down his role just to be the attendant of Yihuan. Yihuan reached the place where the fleet was at anchor. He went on board the flagship with his entourage. Yihuan stayed in the captain's cabin when the fleet was pulled out onto the sea to operate a sham battle. When cruising on the vast expanse of billowy salty water, the fleet formed a line forward, then changed into a file and then fell into a shape of a vise. There were some old junk ships in the distance as targets. At a signal from the flagship, the cannons aiming at the targets boomed and some torpedoes darted forth. In a flash of fire and thunder, the old junk ships exploded into a rain of fragments. Then something floated and dotted on the distant blue water surface. Prince Yihuan slowly clapped his hands a few times as if he was watching an opera. All the navy officers around him were exhilarated at his approbation.
At the dinner party for celebration, head eunuch Li sat with the navy officers. He told them a story about how champagne was treated in the Forbidden City. The French envoy had presented some bottles of champagne to West Empress Dowager as gifts. On a festival day, West Empress Dowager ordered a eunuch to open a bottle of champagne. When bottle was being opened the noise the bottle startled West Empress Dowager, and the champagne gushed out, wetting the clothes of Big Princess, who was just standing at the side to have a look. So the eunuch got a beating. It was not really his fault. One of the officers asked if West Empress Dowager drank champagne any more after that. Eunuch Li said that someone got an idea that before opening the bottle, a hole was punched on the cork stopper to let out the gas.

[xlwoo]

Ex-Governor Tang had been in the jail of Judicial Ministry for two years. The reason for his imprisonment was that he had withdrawn from Vietnam during Sino-French war without first asking for the approval of the central government. The verdict was death penalty, but not immediate death, something like suspended till a later time, like waiting in the line on the death list. In the feudal China, the prisoners of death sentence were executed once a year in Autumn. For the prisoners as former courtiers, their treatment was different from other prisoners of death sentence. On the execution day, though all the prisoners of death verdict should be taken to the execution ground, only those whose names were crossed out with red marks on the death list were actually executed. Others were taken back to the jail to try their luck next year. The emperor, now West Empress Dowager, would decide whose names would be crossed out. Sometimes a pardon order would be issued for a certain person. The pardoned ones were usually exiled to some remote provinces. This was the fate awaiting Tang. Tang was a man of ability. Many courtiers had thrown quite a few good words for him in their reports to West Empress Dowager, saying that it was a pity to execute such a talented man for such a petty crime. So his name had remained on the death list for two years. Tang had two sons. Through some channel, his eldest son got in contact with head eunuch Li and begged him for his father's life. Taking the bribery, Li promised to try.
Since the miscarriage of the banknote issue, other suggestions had been put up. One of them was to mint more bronze coins, which could also increase the currency. West Empress Dowager accepted the suggestion. But they should first have copper. Copper mines were mostly in Yunnan Province and Tang had been the governor of that province and knew everything of copper mining. So on the execution day, he was pardoned and sent to Yunnan Province to take care of the copper mining.

[xlwoo]

Ex-Governor Tang had been in the jail of Judicial Ministry for two years. The reason for his imprisonment was that he had withdrawn from Vietnam during Sino-French war without first asking for the approval of the central government. The verdict was death penalty, but not immediate death, something like suspended till a later time, like waiting in the line on the death list. In the feudal China, the prisoners of death sentence were executed once a year in Autumn. For the prisoners as former courtiers, their treatment was different from other prisoners of death sentence. On the execution day, though all the prisoners of death verdict should be taken to the execution ground, only those whose names were crossed out with red marks on the death list were actually executed. Others were taken back to the jail to try their luck next year. The emperor, now West Empress Dowager, would decide whose names would be crossed out. Sometimes a pardon order would be issued for a certain person. The pardoned ones were usually exiled to some remote provinces. This was the fate awaiting Tang. Tang was a man of ability. Many courtiers had thrown quite a few good words for him in their reports to West Empress Dowager, saying that it was a pity to execute such a talented man for such a petty crime. So his name had remained on the death list for two years. Tang had two sons. Through some channel, his eldest son got in contact with head eunuch Li and begged him for his father's life. Taking the bribery, Li promised to try.
Since the miscarriage of the banknote issue, other suggestions had been put up. One of them was to mint more bronze coins, which could also increase the currency. West Empress Dowager accepted the suggestion. But they should first have copper. Copper mines were mostly in Yunnan Province and Tang had been the governor of that province and knew everything of copper mining. So on the execution day, he was pardoned and sent to Yunnan Province to take care of the copper mining.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 39

Now let us have a look at how the everyday life of West Empress Dowager was like. West Empress Dowager had some hobbies if they could be called hobbies, or better to say, things she liked to do.
Generally she lived a comparatively routine but busy life. She got up early. After her hair done and apparel changed from sleeping garb into everyday formal dress, she had her breakfast. After that (really after every meal), she strolled along the wrap-around porch for half an hour. “Help to digest.” She would say. Then she went to see courtiers. If no urgent affairs needed her attention she would retire to her living quarters.
Everyday she would read reports except on holidays, but sometimes when the reports were for emergencies, she had to read them on holidays and make decisions accordingly or hold special court to discuss the problems with courtiers.
Everyday she had a nap after lunch. Then she would sometimes play mahjong. Big Princess was often her playmate. Other two playmates she chose from the wives of her high-rank courtiers. The wives of courtiers were often invited into the Forbidden City on any festival days. Whoever could flatter her best would get her preference and became her playmates of mahjong. Of course, everyone who was playing mahjong with her would intentionally lose since she liked to win, but they should lose tactfully so that it would not look like they lost on purpose, but like they were not so clever or skilful as she. Such pretence was not easily carried to a perfect end at first. It might need practice or genius. But their husbands would get quick promotions.
It was said that she played a sort of Chinese chess a little. This kind of chess is somewhat like the western chess. It has two chessmen like knights, but called horse in the Chinese chess. It has two chessmen like rook, but called chariot. It has two cannons for each side. It has a general for the blue side and a marshal for the red side. The capture of either one means the loss of the game on that side. There are five pawns and two scholars, and two prime ministers for the red side and two elephants for the blue side with the same function. When the chessmen of the western chess are placed in spaces, the chessmen of the Chinese chess are put on the dots where the lines cross each other.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 39

Now let us have a look at how the everyday life of West Empress Dowager was like. West Empress Dowager had some hobbies if they could be called hobbies, or better to say, things she liked to do.
Generally she lived a comparatively routine but busy life. She got up early. After her hair done and apparel changed from sleeping garb into everyday formal dress, she had her breakfast. After that (really after every meal), she strolled along the wrap-around porch for half an hour. “Help to digest.” She would say. Then she went to see courtiers. If no urgent affairs needed her attention she would retire to her living quarters.
Everyday she would read reports except on holidays, but sometimes when the reports were for emergencies, she had to read them on holidays and make decisions accordingly or hold special court to discuss the problems with courtiers.
Everyday she had a nap after lunch. Then she would sometimes play mahjong. Big Princess was often her playmate. Other two playmates she chose from the wives of her high-rank courtiers. The wives of courtiers were often invited into the Forbidden City on any festival days. Whoever could flatter her best would get her preference and became her playmates of mahjong. Of course, everyone who was playing mahjong with her would intentionally lose since she liked to win, but they should lose tactfully so that it would not look like they lost on purpose, but like they were not so clever or skilful as she. Such pretence was not easily carried to a perfect end at first. It might need practice or genius. But their husbands would get quick promotions.
It was said that she played a sort of Chinese chess a little. This kind of chess is somewhat like the western chess. It has two chessmen like knights, but called horse in the Chinese chess. It has two chessmen like rook, but called chariot. It has two cannons for each side. It has a general for the blue side and a marshal for the red side. The capture of either one means the loss of the game on that side. There are five pawns and two scholars, and two prime ministers for the red side and two elephants for the blue side with the same function. When the chessmen of the western chess are placed in spaces, the chessmen of the Chinese chess are put on the dots where the lines cross each other.

[xlwoo]

Anyone, who played chess with her, would pretend to lose the game, because she hated to lose. To win meant that she was wiser than her antagonist. There was a story, probably a rumor, that once when she was playing chess with a eunuch, the eunuch warned lest she should lose a chessman, “Your slave will kill Old Buddha's Horse.” She suddenly flared up and said, “I will kill your family.” And the eunuch and his family were all killed. It meant that her behavior could never be predicted.
She also liked reading. She read many Chinese classical novels, such as Three Kingdoms, The Beach, The Red Chamber Dream, The Journey To West, etc. She read history books, too, by which she learned experiences of the ancient people how to rule the country. But she didn't learn how to benefit people. She only learned how to keep herself in power. She often let some old eunuchs tell her stories from the history.
She practiced Chinese calligraphy. She liked to write with a long brush the big Chinese characters like blessing and longevity It was amazing for a woman to write such big characters. She had the characters she had written made into scrolls and gave to her favorite courtiers, who would treasure them as gifts of honor from her. She learned how to paint, but she never did a complete painting. She would paint something like an outline and the palace painters would fill in the details and colors and write her name on the painting.

[xlwoo]

Anyone, who played chess with her, would pretend to lose the game, because she hated to lose. To win meant that she was wiser than her antagonist. There was a story, probably a rumor, that once when she was playing chess with a eunuch, the eunuch warned lest she should lose a chessman, “Your slave will kill Old Buddha's Horse.” She suddenly flared up and said, “I will kill your family.” And the eunuch and his family were all killed. It meant that her behavior could never be predicted.
She also liked reading. She read many Chinese classical novels, such as Three Kingdoms, The Beach, The Red Chamber Dream, The Journey To West, etc. She read history books, too, by which she learned experiences of the ancient people how to rule the country. But she didn't learn how to benefit people. She only learned how to keep herself in power. She often let some old eunuchs tell her stories from the history.
She practiced Chinese calligraphy. She liked to write with a long brush the big Chinese characters like blessing and longevity It was amazing for a woman to write such big characters. She had the characters she had written made into scrolls and gave to her favorite courtiers, who would treasure them as gifts of honor from her. She learned how to paint, but she never did a complete painting. She would paint something like an outline and the palace painters would fill in the details and colors and write her name on the painting.

[xlwoo]

To watch Peking operas was the thing she loved best. She organized some young eunuchs into an opera cast and loved to write stage scripts for them with the help of another courtier's wife who was versed in writing and poetry. She would look at the scripts when the actors were singing so that she could follow the words they sang. Operas were performed regularly on her birthdays or the birthdays of the emperor and the queen, and on festivals, and on the first day and fifteenth day of every month of the lunar calendar. She had several stages built at the places she frequented so that she could watch operas whenever she felt like it. The biggest stage called the Imperial Theater had three stories and is the largest of its kind in China today. It is twenty-one meters high. The ground floor had a few dry wells dug for special effects, like an actor in a ghost costume could come out of a well as if he emerged from the ground. An opening is in the ceiling of the first floor, in which a winch could lower performers and props down onto the first floor. Performers could appear on the three floors at the same time.
The next thing she liked was to have her photographs taken. It was said that she had hated the photography at first, because she had thought that since a person's image had been on the photograph, the photograph must have taken the person's spirit on it and it was not good to the person. But later, as gradually so many foreign things came and as she got used to them, especially when she saw that nothing happened to the person whose pictures had been taken, she began to have her photographs taken, too. She even enjoyed looking at her own image on the photographs. The photographs she liked best were those on which she was attired in a Buddha's costume, hence she was called Old Buddha And she liked it.

[xlwoo]

To watch Peking operas was the thing she loved best. She organized some young eunuchs into an opera cast and loved to write stage scripts for them with the help of another courtier's wife who was versed in writing and poetry. She would look at the scripts when the actors were singing so that she could follow the words they sang. Operas were performed regularly on her birthdays or the birthdays of the emperor and the queen, and on festivals, and on the first day and fifteenth day of every month of the lunar calendar. She had several stages built at the places she frequented so that she could watch operas whenever she felt like it. The biggest stage called the Imperial Theater had three stories and is the largest of its kind in China today. It is twenty-one meters high. The ground floor had a few dry wells dug for special effects, like an actor in a ghost costume could come out of a well as if he emerged from the ground. An opening is in the ceiling of the first floor, in which a winch could lower performers and props down onto the first floor. Performers could appear on the three floors at the same time.
The next thing she liked was to have her photographs taken. It was said that she had hated the photography at first, because she had thought that since a person's image had been on the photograph, the photograph must have taken the person's spirit on it and it was not good to the person. But later, as gradually so many foreign things came and as she got used to them, especially when she saw that nothing happened to the person whose pictures had been taken, she began to have her photographs taken, too. She even enjoyed looking at her own image on the photographs. The photographs she liked best were those on which she was attired in a Buddha's costume, hence she was called Old Buddha And she liked it.

[xlwoo]

It was said that during fifties of nineteen century, a Japanese came to China and asked to see her. When he got admittance, he took a photograph of her. It was said that later this photograph was bought at an auction by a British museum in London at the surprisingly high price of thirteen thousand British pounds. On this picture, she was wearing a gown of satin embroidered with peonies, a lot of jewelry on her hair, a shawl wrapped on her shoulders looking like a fishing net, but made of thirty-five thousand pearls, some as big as a bird's eggs. She had jade bangles on her wrists, with nail-protecting cases made of gold on her right hand and of jade on her left hand. Her shoes were decorated with large pearls round the sides.
After she returned from escape to XiAn City in 1900, she must receive the wives and daughters of foreign envoys to enhance the relationship with foreign governments. The Foreign Affairs Ministry wrote down for her some English sentences that she could say to them, but since she could not speak the language correctly, she commenced to learn English from the wives and daughters of some courtiers who had been envoys living in foreign countries for several years. All these kept her busy, but she loved a busy life.
She liked to take bath, but not really sitting in the bathtub, which was made of silver and in the shape of a kidney. When the bath was ready with warm water in the tub, she sat on a low chair close to the tub. Four maids waited on her with another four maids as their assistants. They washed her upper torso first. First step: they dipped towels in the warm water and wrung them till no water came out. Then they rubbed everywhere on her upper torso softly. When the towels were no more warm, they changed towels. They did it for several times. The assistants would take the used towels away and keep pouring warm water into the tub to keep the water always warm. Second step: they put soap on clean wet towels and rubbed her upper torso again. The maid who rubbed her chest must hold breath. If the maid exhaled on her face, she would be punished. The maid might be trained for that. Third step: they used wet towels to wipe the soap clean off her skin, making sure no trace of soap left. Then they used some cotton pads to tap some perfume on her. Then they put some kind of sleeping blouse on her. The wash of the upper torso finished.

[xlwoo]

It was said that during fifties of nineteen century, a Japanese came to China and asked to see her. When he got admittance, he took a photograph of her. It was said that later this photograph was bought at an auction by a British museum in London at the surprisingly high price of thirteen thousand British pounds. On this picture, she was wearing a gown of satin embroidered with peonies, a lot of jewelry on her hair, a shawl wrapped on her shoulders looking like a fishing net, but made of thirty-five thousand pearls, some as big as a bird's eggs. She had jade bangles on her wrists, with nail-protecting cases made of gold on her right hand and of jade on her left hand. Her shoes were decorated with large pearls round the sides.
After she returned from escape to XiAn City in 1900, she must receive the wives and daughters of foreign envoys to enhance the relationship with foreign governments. The Foreign Affairs Ministry wrote down for her some English sentences that she could say to them, but since she could not speak the language correctly, she commenced to learn English from the wives and daughters of some courtiers who had been envoys living in foreign countries for several years. All these kept her busy, but she loved a busy life.
She liked to take bath, but not really sitting in the bathtub, which was made of silver and in the shape of a kidney. When the bath was ready with warm water in the tub, she sat on a low chair close to the tub. Four maids waited on her with another four maids as their assistants. They washed her upper torso first. First step: they dipped towels in the warm water and wrung them till no water came out. Then they rubbed everywhere on her upper torso softly. When the towels were no more warm, they changed towels. They did it for several times. The assistants would take the used towels away and keep pouring warm water into the tub to keep the water always warm. Second step: they put soap on clean wet towels and rubbed her upper torso again. The maid who rubbed her chest must hold breath. If the maid exhaled on her face, she would be punished. The maid might be trained for that. Third step: they used wet towels to wipe the soap clean off her skin, making sure no trace of soap left. Then they used some cotton pads to tap some perfume on her. Then they put some kind of sleeping blouse on her. The wash of the upper torso finished.

[xlwoo]

The maids removed the tub for the upper torso and put another tub for the lower torso before her. She didn't want to use the same tub for her whole body since she could afford two. Her thought was that the upper torso was like the master and the lower torso was like the servant. How could the master and the servant share the same thing? The maids washed her lower torso just in the same way. The sole difference was that she must stand up to let the maids wash her buttocks.
When the bath was over, two maids remained to wash her face and hands, especially do her nails. They used the warm wet towels and then rolled a short round stick of jade to massage the skin on her face, to iron the wrinkles as they would call it. Then they did her nails. She only grew her long nails on thumbs, ring fingers and little fingers. They steeped her nails in warm water in jade bowls. They brushed the nails clean, straightened the long nails because long nails were apt to curve. They filed the nails where needed. After applying some nail polish, they put case made of yellow brocade on the long nails to protect them. That was the last thing before she went to bed. It was said that she always had white soft smooth skin and looked much younger than her real age.
She paid particular attention to her long black bright-oily hair. Before Li Lianying came, other eunuchs had never done her hair to her gratification. She had often tried a new eunuch to do her hair, but the new eunuch could never have stayed long on the job. Many eunuchs had been scolded or even beaten for not doing their job satisfactorily. If a few pieces of her hair fell when combing, the eunuch would be beaten on the buttocks with a stick. She preferred to have a new hairdo as often as possible, but the eunuchs didn't have experience enough to invent new hairstyles until Li Lianying came to try on the job. Before Li asked her permission to do her hair, he had visited some whorehouses in the capital and learned from whores the skills and how to do hair beautifully and how to design new hairdo. Since he did her hair to her heart's content he was made the general head eunuch in the Forbidden City.

[xlwoo]

The maids removed the tub for the upper torso and put another tub for the lower torso before her. She didn't want to use the same tub for her whole body since she could afford two. Her thought was that the upper torso was like the master and the lower torso was like the servant. How could the master and the servant share the same thing? The maids washed her lower torso just in the same way. The sole difference was that she must stand up to let the maids wash her buttocks.
When the bath was over, two maids remained to wash her face and hands, especially do her nails. They used the warm wet towels and then rolled a short round stick of jade to massage the skin on her face, to iron the wrinkles as they would call it. Then they did her nails. She only grew her long nails on thumbs, ring fingers and little fingers. They steeped her nails in warm water in jade bowls. They brushed the nails clean, straightened the long nails because long nails were apt to curve. They filed the nails where needed. After applying some nail polish, they put case made of yellow brocade on the long nails to protect them. That was the last thing before she went to bed. It was said that she always had white soft smooth skin and looked much younger than her real age.
She paid particular attention to her long black bright-oily hair. Before Li Lianying came, other eunuchs had never done her hair to her gratification. She had often tried a new eunuch to do her hair, but the new eunuch could never have stayed long on the job. Many eunuchs had been scolded or even beaten for not doing their job satisfactorily. If a few pieces of her hair fell when combing, the eunuch would be beaten on the buttocks with a stick. She preferred to have a new hairdo as often as possible, but the eunuchs didn't have experience enough to invent new hairstyles until Li Lianying came to try on the job. Before Li asked her permission to do her hair, he had visited some whorehouses in the capital and learned from whores the skills and how to do hair beautifully and how to design new hairdo. Since he did her hair to her heart's content he was made the general head eunuch in the Forbidden City.

[xlwoo]

She was very fastidious about food. Besides the royal kitchen that provided for all the royal household in the Forbidden City, she had her own private kitchen, called West Kitchen. Every cook had the sole charge of certain sorts of food, like some only cooking vegetables, some making pastries, some supplying snacks of various kinds and some cooking only meat of dainties including shark's fins, sea cucumbers and abalones. West Kitchen could provide more than four hundred kinds of snacks and more than four thousand kinds of dishes.
Breakfast was generally at six in the morning, lunch at noon, twelve o'lock, and dinner at six in the evening. And snacks at any time when she felt like to eat some. Food was carried from kitchen to her dining place in warm boxes, which had pewter containers at the bottom to hold hot water to keep the food warm. The lid of the box was very tight so that the warmth could stay inside for a long time. It was said that there were always one hundred dishes when she had main meals. When a main meal, say, dinner, was served, one young eunuch carried one food box on his right shoulder, all the eunuchs coming in a file. Some other eunuchs, a bit older, took out the dishes from the boxes and laid them one by one on the big oblong table. When she looked at a dish, a eunuch got the dish and put in front of her. But before she tasted it, the head eunuch Li would dip a pair of silver chopsticks into the dish. If the silver chopsticks turned black, they believed that there was poison in the dish. Of course, she could not eat so many dishes. She often ordered such and such dishes sent to a certain favorite courtier or given to head eunuch Li, which was considered an honor. It was said that the cost of one meal for her could feed a family of four for one year.

[xlwoo]

She was very fastidious about food. Besides the royal kitchen that provided for all the royal household in the Forbidden City, she had her own private kitchen, called West Kitchen. Every cook had the sole charge of certain sorts of food, like some only cooking vegetables, some making pastries, some supplying snacks of various kinds and some cooking only meat of dainties including shark's fins, sea cucumbers and abalones. West Kitchen could provide more than four hundred kinds of snacks and more than four thousand kinds of dishes.
Breakfast was generally at six in the morning, lunch at noon, twelve o'lock, and dinner at six in the evening. And snacks at any time when she felt like to eat some. Food was carried from kitchen to her dining place in warm boxes, which had pewter containers at the bottom to hold hot water to keep the food warm. The lid of the box was very tight so that the warmth could stay inside for a long time. It was said that there were always one hundred dishes when she had main meals. When a main meal, say, dinner, was served, one young eunuch carried one food box on his right shoulder, all the eunuchs coming in a file. Some other eunuchs, a bit older, took out the dishes from the boxes and laid them one by one on the big oblong table. When she looked at a dish, a eunuch got the dish and put in front of her. But before she tasted it, the head eunuch Li would dip a pair of silver chopsticks into the dish. If the silver chopsticks turned black, they believed that there was poison in the dish. Of course, she could not eat so many dishes. She often ordered such and such dishes sent to a certain favorite courtier or given to head eunuch Li, which was considered an honor. It was said that the cost of one meal for her could feed a family of four for one year.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 40

Every dynasty in Chinese history had corruption in the government, which always led to the crumble of the old dynasty and the rise of a new one. Corruption mostly included embezzlement, bribery and selling of government official positions. In late Qing Dynasty the positions sold had fixed prices, which were open secrets.
Before power was returned to the emperor, all the courtiers were appointed by West Empress Dowager. These courtiers were still loyal to her even after the emperor took over the power. They were called the Empress Dowager's Party. When the emperor came into power, he wanted to fight the corruption. There were quite a few upright courtiers, who hated corruption and supported the emperor, hence called the Emperor's Party. The former comprised all the governors and those courtiers, who were experienced in government administration. All of them had great power. The latter consisted of those courtiers, who were mostly young and inexperienced and didn't have much power. The two parties held hostility against each other because of their different political concepts.
While the emperor was doing his utmost to battle the national corruption, his beloved Concubine Zhen was planning how to get more income. By tradition, the queen got a thousand taels of silver every year from the government and a concubine only three hundred annually.
Concubine Zhen was in her teens and had no experience to the outside world. It was all her head eunuch's idea to ask the emperor to appoint a certain person as an official of a certain rank, then got a certain amount of money for it. But her head eunuch got the idea from head eunuch Li of West Empress Dowager. Li had been accepting huge briberies for the sales of official positions. He didn't dare to ask West Empress Dowager to make the appointments. He just asked certain members of the Secretarial Bureau to suggest to West Empress Dowager who was suitable to fill such and such a position. In return Li would throw in a few good words for them when he had chances to speak to West Empress Dowager, because she used him as her spy to detect anything she wanted to know.
After West Empress Dowager had dinner and before she went to bed, she would summon her head eunuch Li to her presence and commanded him to tell her whatever he had learned during the day. It was the story time, as Li would say. He got everything just from hearsay. He could not make investigations to check how much truth was in gossip. If she really wanted to know the truth, Li would send some eunuch to pry into it and then told her. That was how Concubine Zhen's doings came into her ears.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 40

Every dynasty in Chinese history had corruption in the government, which always led to the crumble of the old dynasty and the rise of a new one. Corruption mostly included embezzlement, bribery and selling of government official positions. In late Qing Dynasty the positions sold had fixed prices, which were open secrets.
Before power was returned to the emperor, all the courtiers were appointed by West Empress Dowager. These courtiers were still loyal to her even after the emperor took over the power. They were called the Empress Dowager's Party. When the emperor came into power, he wanted to fight the corruption. There were quite a few upright courtiers, who hated corruption and supported the emperor, hence called the Emperor's Party. The former comprised all the governors and those courtiers, who were experienced in government administration. All of them had great power. The latter consisted of those courtiers, who were mostly young and inexperienced and didn't have much power. The two parties held hostility against each other because of their different political concepts.
While the emperor was doing his utmost to battle the national corruption, his beloved Concubine Zhen was planning how to get more income. By tradition, the queen got a thousand taels of silver every year from the government and a concubine only three hundred annually.
Concubine Zhen was in her teens and had no experience to the outside world. It was all her head eunuch's idea to ask the emperor to appoint a certain person as an official of a certain rank, then got a certain amount of money for it. But her head eunuch got the idea from head eunuch Li of West Empress Dowager. Li had been accepting huge briberies for the sales of official positions. He didn't dare to ask West Empress Dowager to make the appointments. He just asked certain members of the Secretarial Bureau to suggest to West Empress Dowager who was suitable to fill such and such a position. In return Li would throw in a few good words for them when he had chances to speak to West Empress Dowager, because she used him as her spy to detect anything she wanted to know.
After West Empress Dowager had dinner and before she went to bed, she would summon her head eunuch Li to her presence and commanded him to tell her whatever he had learned during the day. It was the story time, as Li would say. He got everything just from hearsay. He could not make investigations to check how much truth was in gossip. If she really wanted to know the truth, Li would send some eunuch to pry into it and then told her. That was how Concubine Zhen's doings came into her ears.

[xlwoo]

Although West Empress Dowager returned power to Emperor Guangxu, she still controlled him. The power was returned only in name. West Empress Dowager developed a hobby to accumulate wealth. So she began to sell the official titles and posts on a large scale. Her head eunuch Li could also get some briberies through the transactions. He acted as a go-between, but he didn't dare to let West Empress Dowager know that he had gains in the deals. The emperor could not refuse whomever West Empress Dowager wanted to appoint to any vacant positions. The emperor could only notice that some of the officials were not fit for the position he got. The emperor knew that head eunuch Li was a go-between, but there should be another go-between to get clients, because Li could not always go out of the Forbidden City for that and he could not put up an advertisement. It would be too obvious. Gradually the emperor learned that a Taoist Gao often came to see head eunuch Li.
There was a Taoist temple, called White Cloud Temple, in the western suburb of the capital, where the Taoists worshiped a statue of Taoist Qiu, who had lived in Ming Dynasty and had castrated himself for the purpose of exercising some special kind of kungfu. As Toaist Qiu had emasculated himself, the eunuchs thought him as their protective god and came to worship him. Taoist Gao was the head Taoist of that temple.
Gao had been born in Shandong Province and had been an apprentice in a shop. Once he had embezzled some money that had passed through his hands. The owner of the shop had wanted to beat him and he had fled to a Taoist temple there to become a Taoist. Somehow the owner had learned that he had been hiding in the Taoist temple and had sent someone there to catch him. He had escaped to the capital, into the White Cloud Temple. Through years of flattery and other efforts, he had slowly clambered the ladder to the top rung as the head Taoist. Since head eunuch Li often came to the temple, they began to know each other and then became sworn brothers. Whenever Taoist Gao came into the capital, he always lodged in a certain inn. He had a room reserved there.

[xlwoo]

Although West Empress Dowager returned power to Emperor Guangxu, she still controlled him. The power was returned only in name. West Empress Dowager developed a hobby to accumulate wealth. So she began to sell the official titles and posts on a large scale. Her head eunuch Li could also get some briberies through the transactions. He acted as a go-between, but he didn't dare to let West Empress Dowager know that he had gains in the deals. The emperor could not refuse whomever West Empress Dowager wanted to appoint to any vacant positions. The emperor could only notice that some of the officials were not fit for the position he got. The emperor knew that head eunuch Li was a go-between, but there should be another go-between to get clients, because Li could not always go out of the Forbidden City for that and he could not put up an advertisement. It would be too obvious. Gradually the emperor learned that a Taoist Gao often came to see head eunuch Li.
There was a Taoist temple, called White Cloud Temple, in the western suburb of the capital, where the Taoists worshiped a statue of Taoist Qiu, who had lived in Ming Dynasty and had castrated himself for the purpose of exercising some special kind of kungfu. As Toaist Qiu had emasculated himself, the eunuchs thought him as their protective god and came to worship him. Taoist Gao was the head Taoist of that temple.
Gao had been born in Shandong Province and had been an apprentice in a shop. Once he had embezzled some money that had passed through his hands. The owner of the shop had wanted to beat him and he had fled to a Taoist temple there to become a Taoist. Somehow the owner had learned that he had been hiding in the Taoist temple and had sent someone there to catch him. He had escaped to the capital, into the White Cloud Temple. Through years of flattery and other efforts, he had slowly clambered the ladder to the top rung as the head Taoist. Since head eunuch Li often came to the temple, they began to know each other and then became sworn brothers. Whenever Taoist Gao came into the capital, he always lodged in a certain inn. He had a room reserved there.

[xlwoo]

Once when Taoist Gao stayed in the inn a man came to see him. The man was a wood merchant by the name of Yuming, recommended by someone working in the Royal Family Affairs Management. Merchant Yuming supplied wood to the Management whenever there were repairs or constructions in the Forbidden City. He was very rich and recently earned thousands and thousands of taels of silver from the repair work in the Garden of Good Health & Harmony. Someone had hinted to him that the head of the Department of Salt & Tea Tax Collection in Sichuan Province had been accused of corruption and the position would soon be vacant. That was a fat position, involving lots and lots of money, because Sichuan Province yields tea and halite (rock salt), which were sold to Tibet, Yunnan Province, Guizhou Province, Hunan Province and Hubei Province for huge profit. He desired to acquire the post. He offered one hundred thousand taels of silver for the post. Taoist Gao promised to get the post for him, but he must contact head eunuch Li first. Anyway, the merchant Yuming gave him the silver note of one hundred thousand taels. But eunuch Li was busy these days and Taoist Gao could not find him.
The merchant was anxious and afraid that the vacancy would be given to someone else. He also knew that Concubine Zhen was now the favorite concubine of the emperor. If Concubine Zhen could ask the emperor to give the vacancy to a certain person as a favor, the emperor wouldn't reject. And it was more direct, because any order of appointment was issued by the emperor. So through another clerk in the Royal Family Affairs Management, he got in touch with the head eunuch Wang of Concubine Zhen. Eunuch Wang always envied Eunuch Li for getting easy money. Now this was the chance for him to show how he could make easy money, too. One hundred thousand taels was considerably a big amount of money. Only if he could persuade Concubine Zhen. Eunuch Wang knew that Concubine Zhen needed money to give to her parents. Her father, though a high-rank government official, was not rich, but as a high-rank official the expenditure was enormous. If her father went to visit some superiors or princes as etiquette demanded, he must first give money to the doorkeepers there, or they wouldn't report to their masters that he was there waiting to be received. How could his superiors or princes know that he came to pay respects, but their doorkeepers wouldn't report? They would even think that he neglected what the etiquette required and began to dislike him. Thus he could never get a promotion. Of course he could mention to the masters that their doorkeepers wanted money, or they wouldn't let him in. But this was a long-established custom and no one could change it.

[xlwoo]

Once when Taoist Gao stayed in the inn a man came to see him. The man was a wood merchant by the name of Yuming, recommended by someone working in the Royal Family Affairs Management. Merchant Yuming supplied wood to the Management whenever there were repairs or constructions in the Forbidden City. He was very rich and recently earned thousands and thousands of taels of silver from the repair work in the Garden of Good Health & Harmony. Someone had hinted to him that the head of the Department of Salt & Tea Tax Collection in Sichuan Province had been accused of corruption and the position would soon be vacant. That was a fat position, involving lots and lots of money, because Sichuan Province yields tea and halite (rock salt), which were sold to Tibet, Yunnan Province, Guizhou Province, Hunan Province and Hubei Province for huge profit. He desired to acquire the post. He offered one hundred thousand taels of silver for the post. Taoist Gao promised to get the post for him, but he must contact head eunuch Li first. Anyway, the merchant Yuming gave him the silver note of one hundred thousand taels. But eunuch Li was busy these days and Taoist Gao could not find him.
The merchant was anxious and afraid that the vacancy would be given to someone else. He also knew that Concubine Zhen was now the favorite concubine of the emperor. If Concubine Zhen could ask the emperor to give the vacancy to a certain person as a favor, the emperor wouldn't reject. And it was more direct, because any order of appointment was issued by the emperor. So through another clerk in the Royal Family Affairs Management, he got in touch with the head eunuch Wang of Concubine Zhen. Eunuch Wang always envied Eunuch Li for getting easy money. Now this was the chance for him to show how he could make easy money, too. One hundred thousand taels was considerably a big amount of money. Only if he could persuade Concubine Zhen. Eunuch Wang knew that Concubine Zhen needed money to give to her parents. Her father, though a high-rank government official, was not rich, but as a high-rank official the expenditure was enormous. If her father went to visit some superiors or princes as etiquette demanded, he must first give money to the doorkeepers there, or they wouldn't report to their masters that he was there waiting to be received. How could his superiors or princes know that he came to pay respects, but their doorkeepers wouldn't report? They would even think that he neglected what the etiquette required and began to dislike him. Thus he could never get a promotion. Of course he could mention to the masters that their doorkeepers wanted money, or they wouldn't let him in. But this was a long-established custom and no one could change it.

[xlwoo]

Eunuch Wang and the merchant struck up a bargain that the eunuch would get him the post within twenty-five days and the merchant would pay him one hundred thousand taels of silver. If the eunuch couldn't get him the post within that period of time, the deal would be off. Then at the earliest chance Eunuch Wang mentioned to Concubine Zhen that if she could say one word to the emperor she would get one hundred thousand taels. Concubine Zhen looked doubtful. She was only thirteen then and had no experience whatever in life. Although she needed money, she knew that was the interference with the handling of the state affairs and West Empress Dowager would be mad at her if she came to know it. But eunuch Wang assuaged her fear, saying that West Empress Dowager sold posts for money herself. This message gave Concubine Zhen a little encouragement. “Who wants the position?” She asked timidly. Eunuch Wang presented her with a slip of paper with a name on it. Concubine Zhen glanced at the name. Of course she didn't know it. She bade eunuch Wang to leave the paper on the table. “Is the post worth so much money?” She was curious. “Yes. It is one of the fattest positions in the country.” Eunuch Wang said respectfully. “I'll consider about it.” She dismissed him.
The emperor finished his routine and came to see Concubine Zhen as usual. After some pleasant chat, the emperor noticed the paper on the table and asked what it was. Concubine Zhen replied nonchalantly that this man wanted to have this position and begged her to say a few good words for him to the emperor, but she knew that she should not interfere with the appointment of the government officials and so she didn't promise him anything. Though young, Concubine Zhen was a clever girl. She adopted the ruse: Retreat before advance The emperor loved Concubine Zhen so much and always wanted to do her a favor. So he picked up the paper and put it into his pocket.

[xlwoo]

Eunuch Wang and the merchant struck up a bargain that the eunuch would get him the post within twenty-five days and the merchant would pay him one hundred thousand taels of silver. If the eunuch couldn't get him the post within that period of time, the deal would be off. Then at the earliest chance Eunuch Wang mentioned to Concubine Zhen that if she could say one word to the emperor she would get one hundred thousand taels. Concubine Zhen looked doubtful. She was only thirteen then and had no experience whatever in life. Although she needed money, she knew that was the interference with the handling of the state affairs and West Empress Dowager would be mad at her if she came to know it. But eunuch Wang assuaged her fear, saying that West Empress Dowager sold posts for money herself. This message gave Concubine Zhen a little encouragement. “Who wants the position?” She asked timidly. Eunuch Wang presented her with a slip of paper with a name on it. Concubine Zhen glanced at the name. Of course she didn't know it. She bade eunuch Wang to leave the paper on the table. “Is the post worth so much money?” She was curious. “Yes. It is one of the fattest positions in the country.” Eunuch Wang said respectfully. “I'll consider about it.” She dismissed him.
The emperor finished his routine and came to see Concubine Zhen as usual. After some pleasant chat, the emperor noticed the paper on the table and asked what it was. Concubine Zhen replied nonchalantly that this man wanted to have this position and begged her to say a few good words for him to the emperor, but she knew that she should not interfere with the appointment of the government officials and so she didn't promise him anything. Though young, Concubine Zhen was a clever girl. She adopted the ruse: Retreat before advance The emperor loved Concubine Zhen so much and always wanted to do her a favor. So he picked up the paper and put it into his pocket.

[xlwoo]

Taoist Gao learned it through his grapevine and resented it. He reported it to head eunuch Li, who was infuriated with Concubine Zhen for her cutting in and snatching what it should belong to him. Since West Empress Dowager took eunuch Li as her eye and ear, she always consulted him about things she was not quite sure. When she read the report from Personnel Ministry that the former head of the Department of Salt & Tea Tax Collection in Sichuan Province had embezzled four hundred thousand taels of silver within two years, she said to eunuch Li, “I never know this position's worth so much money.” Eunuch Li remarked casually that was why he was told that someone was willing to pay one hundred thousand taels of silver to get the post. When West Empress Dowager wanted to know who it was, eunuch Li answered evasively that he didn't know the name and suggested that Old Buddha should watch out for the name. Therefore, when the emperor sent in the appointment order for that position for the approval of West Empress Dowager, she put it aside by Li's advice.
When the appointment was stranded, eunuch Wang knew that it was eunuch Li's doing. After twenty-five days, the deal was off accordingly. Then eunuch Li reported to West Empress Dowager that the man offered one hundred thousand taels of silver for the post. West Empress Dowager was in great ecstasy to hear it and granted the appointment of the emperor. According to the ceremony requirements, there should be an interview with an official who got an appointment to a high position outside the capital. The date for the interview was fixed. When eunuch Wang reported the truth to Concubine Zhen she was outraged with eunuch Li. So she decided to make the whole business a failure. She implied to the emperor that this man was only a merchant, even illiterate, not fit for the post. The emperor was surprised to hear it, but he didn't have the heart to blame Concubine Zhen, because she hadn't really asked him to give the man the position. It was he who wanted to do her a favor. During the interview the emperor wanted the merchant to write his bio before him. But the merchant could not even write his own name. So the post was given to someone else. The merchant lost one hundred thousand taels to Taoist Gao, but he didn't dare to demand the return of the money, since Taoist Gao was the sworn brother of eunuch Li and eunuch Li was the favorite eunuch of West Empress Dowager.

[xlwoo]

Taoist Gao learned it through his grapevine and resented it. He reported it to head eunuch Li, who was infuriated with Concubine Zhen for her cutting in and snatching what it should belong to him. Since West Empress Dowager took eunuch Li as her eye and ear, she always consulted him about things she was not quite sure. When she read the report from Personnel Ministry that the former head of the Department of Salt & Tea Tax Collection in Sichuan Province had embezzled four hundred thousand taels of silver within two years, she said to eunuch Li, “I never know this position's worth so much money.” Eunuch Li remarked casually that was why he was told that someone was willing to pay one hundred thousand taels of silver to get the post. When West Empress Dowager wanted to know who it was, eunuch Li answered evasively that he didn't know the name and suggested that Old Buddha should watch out for the name. Therefore, when the emperor sent in the appointment order for that position for the approval of West Empress Dowager, she put it aside by Li's advice.
When the appointment was stranded, eunuch Wang knew that it was eunuch Li's doing. After twenty-five days, the deal was off accordingly. Then eunuch Li reported to West Empress Dowager that the man offered one hundred thousand taels of silver for the post. West Empress Dowager was in great ecstasy to hear it and granted the appointment of the emperor. According to the ceremony requirements, there should be an interview with an official who got an appointment to a high position outside the capital. The date for the interview was fixed. When eunuch Wang reported the truth to Concubine Zhen she was outraged with eunuch Li. So she decided to make the whole business a failure. She implied to the emperor that this man was only a merchant, even illiterate, not fit for the post. The emperor was surprised to hear it, but he didn't have the heart to blame Concubine Zhen, because she hadn't really asked him to give the man the position. It was he who wanted to do her a favor. During the interview the emperor wanted the merchant to write his bio before him. But the merchant could not even write his own name. So the post was given to someone else. The merchant lost one hundred thousand taels to Taoist Gao, but he didn't dare to demand the return of the money, since Taoist Gao was the sworn brother of eunuch Li and eunuch Li was the favorite eunuch of West Empress Dowager.

[xlwoo]

At first when Imperial Concubine Zhen had come into the Forbidden City, West Empress Dowager had treated her just as she did to other royal family members. She hadn't liked her specially, but hadn't disliked her, either. Later when Concubine Zhen had done something against the palace rules, she had begun to dislike her.
Concubine Zhen was young, bold and careless. Once she had asked the emperor to allow her to ride on a sedan-chair carried by eight eunuchs, which certainly offended the rules, because by tradition only the empress dowager, the emperor and the queen could sit on such a sedan-chair. When West Empress Dowager had been told about it, she hadn't believed it. One day, she had come across Concubine Zhen riding on one, she had been angry and ordered the sedan-chair to be broken into pieces. Concubine Zhen had been scolded, of course.
Concubine Zhen liked her photos taken. Her cousin got a camera for her. Once she was photographed, dressed in the emperor's formal clothes with pictures of dragons embroidered on them. This was also against the rules. When the queen got a photo like that, she showed it to West Empress Dowager, who, in her rage, wanted to punish Concubine Zhen for all the offenses in addition to the acceptance of briberies. Concubine Zhen was thereby confined in a deserted building. It was toward the end of the year of 1894. The Sino-Japanese war had broken out that year in Korea, which was then under Chinese protection.
Vying for power happens everywhere. It happened in Korea then. Qing government sent troops to maintain law and order there. Japan always wanted to devour Korea. Now this provided Japan with an excuse. So on July 23, 1894, Japan sent their army into Korea and occupied the Korean palace, seizing the king. The conflict between the troops of Qing government and the Japanese army began. At first the glory on the battlefield favored the troops of Qing government, but when Japan reinforced their army, the troops of Qing government were vanquished on July 28. On August 1, under the pressure of public opinion and media, West Empress Dowager declared war against Japan. But Chinese armies in Korea was finally put to rout after only one battle. It was because the commanders of the Chinese armies were all fools, historians said.

[xlwoo]

At first when Imperial Concubine Zhen had come into the Forbidden City, West Empress Dowager had treated her just as she did to other royal family members. She hadn't liked her specially, but hadn't disliked her, either. Later when Concubine Zhen had done something against the palace rules, she had begun to dislike her.
Concubine Zhen was young, bold and careless. Once she had asked the emperor to allow her to ride on a sedan-chair carried by eight eunuchs, which certainly offended the rules, because by tradition only the empress dowager, the emperor and the queen could sit on such a sedan-chair. When West Empress Dowager had been told about it, she hadn't believed it. One day, she had come across Concubine Zhen riding on one, she had been angry and ordered the sedan-chair to be broken into pieces. Concubine Zhen had been scolded, of course.
Concubine Zhen liked her photos taken. Her cousin got a camera for her. Once she was photographed, dressed in the emperor's formal clothes with pictures of dragons embroidered on them. This was also against the rules. When the queen got a photo like that, she showed it to West Empress Dowager, who, in her rage, wanted to punish Concubine Zhen for all the offenses in addition to the acceptance of briberies. Concubine Zhen was thereby confined in a deserted building. It was toward the end of the year of 1894. The Sino-Japanese war had broken out that year in Korea, which was then under Chinese protection.
Vying for power happens everywhere. It happened in Korea then. Qing government sent troops to maintain law and order there. Japan always wanted to devour Korea. Now this provided Japan with an excuse. So on July 23, 1894, Japan sent their army into Korea and occupied the Korean palace, seizing the king. The conflict between the troops of Qing government and the Japanese army began. At first the glory on the battlefield favored the troops of Qing government, but when Japan reinforced their army, the troops of Qing government were vanquished on July 28. On August 1, under the pressure of public opinion and media, West Empress Dowager declared war against Japan. But Chinese armies in Korea was finally put to rout after only one battle. It was because the commanders of the Chinese armies were all fools, historians said.

[xlwoo]

Now the whole nation turned their attention to the navy. In 1885 when Sino-French war ended, everyone felt that China needed a strong navy. On June 21, West Empress Dowager had a meeting with the courtiers and decided to build a fleet. Lots of silver taels were spent to buy warships from the foreign countries. The navy was at last formed in 1888 with twenty-five ships of different sorts and sizes. On September 17, 1894, when the Chinese fleet was on the way back to Luda harbor, Japanese fleet came suddenly to attack the fleet of Qing government. The unprepared small Chinese fleet shot out like arrows to meet the Japanese fleet. A maritime campaign took place on the Yellow Sea near the coast of China. Most of the small newly-built fleet was destroyed by Japanese navy. Japanese army crossed the Korean boundary into the Chinese territory. On October 24, another Japanese detachment landed on Liaodong Peninsular and on November 22, they occupied Luda. On December 29, Japanese army set foot on Shandong Peninsular. On December 31, thirty-four thousand Japanese soldiers finished their landing and detoured to the back of Weihaiwei Town. On February 2, 1895, they took the town and captured the remaining ten ships. In early March of 1895 Japanese army occupied the Liaodong Peninsular. Qing government had no hope to even recover their lost territory and so they had to start a negotiation. On April 17, 1895, a treaty was signed in Japan.
After the defeat in Sino-Japanese war in 1895, all the courtiers who didn't dare to blame West Empress Dowager blamed Governor Li for it. It was Governor Li who had built the fleet. It was he who had controlled the fleet. He had always been against war. And now his long-boasted fleet had been sunk to the bottom of the ocean. This time West Empress Dowager was shocked at the bad news and resented Governor Li for so much money he had spent on his fleet, but what now? She also needed a scapegoat. So she removed Governor Li from all his duties. But people all over the country blamed West Empress Dowager for using the funds, which had originally been planned to strengthen the navy, to build her Garden of Good Health & Harmony, causing the navy to be defeated.

[xlwoo]

Now the whole nation turned their attention to the navy. In 1885 when Sino-French war ended, everyone felt that China needed a strong navy. On June 21, West Empress Dowager had a meeting with the courtiers and decided to build a fleet. Lots of silver taels were spent to buy warships from the foreign countries. The navy was at last formed in 1888 with twenty-five ships of different sorts and sizes. On September 17, 1894, when the Chinese fleet was on the way back to Luda harbor, Japanese fleet came suddenly to attack the fleet of Qing government. The unprepared small Chinese fleet shot out like arrows to meet the Japanese fleet. A maritime campaign took place on the Yellow Sea near the coast of China. Most of the small newly-built fleet was destroyed by Japanese navy. Japanese army crossed the Korean boundary into the Chinese territory. On October 24, another Japanese detachment landed on Liaodong Peninsular and on November 22, they occupied Luda. On December 29, Japanese army set foot on Shandong Peninsular. On December 31, thirty-four thousand Japanese soldiers finished their landing and detoured to the back of Weihaiwei Town. On February 2, 1895, they took the town and captured the remaining ten ships. In early March of 1895 Japanese army occupied the Liaodong Peninsular. Qing government had no hope to even recover their lost territory and so they had to start a negotiation. On April 17, 1895, a treaty was signed in Japan.
After the defeat in Sino-Japanese war in 1895, all the courtiers who didn't dare to blame West Empress Dowager blamed Governor Li for it. It was Governor Li who had built the fleet. It was he who had controlled the fleet. He had always been against war. And now his long-boasted fleet had been sunk to the bottom of the ocean. This time West Empress Dowager was shocked at the bad news and resented Governor Li for so much money he had spent on his fleet, but what now? She also needed a scapegoat. So she removed Governor Li from all his duties. But people all over the country blamed West Empress Dowager for using the funds, which had originally been planned to strengthen the navy, to build her Garden of Good Health & Harmony, causing the navy to be defeated.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 41

The defeat in Sino-Japanese war put a big question mark before the Chinese people as well as the government: how could China become strong both financially and militarily like Japan, which was only a small country, far too much smaller than China? Discussions in that field erupted on newspapers. A sole conclusion was drawn: “We need reform like Japan.”
The emperor wanted reform. West Empress dowager wanted reform, too, because she always wished to conquer the foreign invaders for vengeance. So she agreed to the emperor's reform notion in general, though all the conservative courtiers opposed it. Prince Yihuan, the emperor's biological father had died. Now Yixin, the emperor's uncle, who had been removed from office long ago by West Empress Dowager, was appointed to be in charge again, but he also died before long. On his deathbed, he advised the emperor to carry out the reform step by step and do nothing against tradition.
The emperor appointed a group of officials to design for him a detailed plan for reform. His former tutor Weng, now a secretary, gave the emperor his full support. Official Kang drafted all the reform decrees for the emperor. Kang's disciple, Official Liang, helped a lot and another official Tan was an active participant. On June 11, 1898, the emperor issued a statement to declare the beginning of reform. Then he gave a series of orders, one hundred and eighty or so altogether, during one hundred days.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 41

The defeat in Sino-Japanese war put a big question mark before the Chinese people as well as the government: how could China become strong both financially and militarily like Japan, which was only a small country, far too much smaller than China? Discussions in that field erupted on newspapers. A sole conclusion was drawn: “We need reform like Japan.”
The emperor wanted reform. West Empress dowager wanted reform, too, because she always wished to conquer the foreign invaders for vengeance. So she agreed to the emperor's reform notion in general, though all the conservative courtiers opposed it. Prince Yihuan, the emperor's biological father had died. Now Yixin, the emperor's uncle, who had been removed from office long ago by West Empress Dowager, was appointed to be in charge again, but he also died before long. On his deathbed, he advised the emperor to carry out the reform step by step and do nothing against tradition.
The emperor appointed a group of officials to design for him a detailed plan for reform. His former tutor Weng, now a secretary, gave the emperor his full support. Official Kang drafted all the reform decrees for the emperor. Kang's disciple, Official Liang, helped a lot and another official Tan was an active participant. On June 11, 1898, the emperor issued a statement to declare the beginning of reform. Then he gave a series of orders, one hundred and eighty or so altogether, during one hundred days.

[svejorange]

psihoterapevt (https://markomani.com/media/психотерапевт/)

[xlwoo]

The orders involved (1) the selection of supporters of reform as government officials; (2) the decision to abandon the old examination system for the selection of officials and to develop a modern education system; (3) the change of government administration system and the elimination of the national corruption; (4) the permission of the open expression of opinions for people at large; (5) the reward to the inventions and the encouragement to the development of trade, agriculture and industry; (6) the rebuilding of a navy.
However, most governors hesitated. They waited to see whether West Empress Dowager was really a prop to the reform. So most of emperor's orders were not carried out. Only one thing was successful: a university was established in the capital.
On June 16, West Empress Dowager forced the emperor to give some orders of appointments and removals. An important one was to appoint Ronglu as the Governor of Zhidi Province in charge of the new-trained armies (the capital was in this province). (For a long time Ronglu had been idle without a position because of bad health. His snail-crawling promotion was due to the reason that West Empress Dowager didn't want her relationship with Ronglu to be known among the courtiers. So she could not give him rocketingly fast promotion. Now when time came, Ronglu's fate turned for the better. When Prince Yihuan was taken seriously ill and stayed in bed, as he was partly paralyzed, West Empress Dowager had to use Prince Yixin again. Prince Yixin knew that Ronglu was talented and prudent. He suggested to West Empress Dowager to appoint Ronglu as the commander of the garrison division to guard the capital. West Empress Dowager had no objection, of course. Next year Ronglu was made the minister of Military Ministry. Then he was given the title of a prime minister. When Emperor Guangxu, influenced by new concepts, wanted to reform like in Japan, West Empress Dowager trusted the military forces to Ronglu, hence the above appointment. It was an essential move on the chessboard of West Empress Dowager, who was now a mature politician.)

[xlwoo]

The orders involved (1) the selection of supporters of reform as government officials; (2) the decision to abandon the old examination system for the selection of officials and to develop a modern education system; (3) the change of government administration system and the elimination of the national corruption; (4) the permission of the open expression of opinions for people at large; (5) the reward to the inventions and the encouragement to the development of trade, agriculture and industry; (6) the rebuilding of a navy.
However, most governors hesitated. They waited to see whether West Empress Dowager was really a prop to the reform. So most of emperor's orders were not carried out. Only one thing was successful: a university was established in the capital.
On June 16, West Empress Dowager forced the emperor to give some orders of appointments and removals. An important one was to appoint Ronglu as the Governor of Zhidi Province in charge of the new-trained armies (the capital was in this province). (For a long time Ronglu had been idle without a position because of bad health. His snail-crawling promotion was due to the reason that West Empress Dowager didn't want her relationship with Ronglu to be known among the courtiers. So she could not give him rocketingly fast promotion. Now when time came, Ronglu's fate turned for the better. When Prince Yihuan was taken seriously ill and stayed in bed, as he was partly paralyzed, West Empress Dowager had to use Prince Yixin again. Prince Yixin knew that Ronglu was talented and prudent. He suggested to West Empress Dowager to appoint Ronglu as the commander of the garrison division to guard the capital. West Empress Dowager had no objection, of course. Next year Ronglu was made the minister of Military Ministry. Then he was given the title of a prime minister. When Emperor Guangxu, influenced by new concepts, wanted to reform like in Japan, West Empress Dowager trusted the military forces to Ronglu, hence the above appointment. It was an essential move on the chessboard of West Empress Dowager, who was now a mature politician.)

[xlwoo]

The other order was to remove the courtier Weng, who had been the emperor's tutor, from his office of the secretary of state and expel him back to his hometown, which made the emperor lose his most important supporter. Then a statement was issued that West Empress Dowager and the emperor would go to Tianjin City to watch the military parade. A rumor was prevalent that West Empress Dowager would force the emperor to abdicate when they were there.
On August 30, the emperor made a public decision to merge six useless government bureaus, because their responsibilities were functioned by corresponding ministries, but the merging would put a lot of officials out of job. Many old courtiers implored West Empress Dowager to stop the reform, but she didn't agree. She wanted to wait a while longer to see how far the emperor would carry his reform.
The emperor became impatient and angry because most officials refused to carry out his orders. On September 4, the emperor decided to banish six high-rank courtiers in Etiquette Ministry from office and appointed his own officials next day, which seemed to organize another administration.
On September 7, the emperor removed two courtiers in charge from the Foreign Affairs Yamen dealing with foreign countries. Furthermore, the emperor wanted to appoint two foreigners to be his advisers, one an English priest and the other a Japanese, an ex-prime-minister in the cabinet of Japan. All the conservative courtiers were in a panic that the foreigners would control Qing government and therefore reported it to West Empress dowager, who, though mad about it, still decided to wait a bit longer.
On September 14, when the emperor went to see West Empress Dowager she reprimanded him for it. The rupture in their relationship became open. The emperor's supporters knew that if the emperor didn't have any military forces under control the reform would eventually fail. They suggested that the emperor should send for Yuan Shikai, who was a general training his army in a western style somewhere near Tianjin City. His army was called New Army.

[xlwoo]

The other order was to remove the courtier Weng, who had been the emperor's tutor, from his office of the secretary of state and expel him back to his hometown, which made the emperor lose his most important supporter. Then a statement was issued that West Empress Dowager and the emperor would go to Tianjin City to watch the military parade. A rumor was prevalent that West Empress Dowager would force the emperor to abdicate when they were there.
On August 30, the emperor made a public decision to merge six useless government bureaus, because their responsibilities were functioned by corresponding ministries, but the merging would put a lot of officials out of job. Many old courtiers implored West Empress Dowager to stop the reform, but she didn't agree. She wanted to wait a while longer to see how far the emperor would carry his reform.
The emperor became impatient and angry because most officials refused to carry out his orders. On September 4, the emperor decided to banish six high-rank courtiers in Etiquette Ministry from office and appointed his own officials next day, which seemed to organize another administration.
On September 7, the emperor removed two courtiers in charge from the Foreign Affairs Yamen dealing with foreign countries. Furthermore, the emperor wanted to appoint two foreigners to be his advisers, one an English priest and the other a Japanese, an ex-prime-minister in the cabinet of Japan. All the conservative courtiers were in a panic that the foreigners would control Qing government and therefore reported it to West Empress dowager, who, though mad about it, still decided to wait a bit longer.
On September 14, when the emperor went to see West Empress Dowager she reprimanded him for it. The rupture in their relationship became open. The emperor's supporters knew that if the emperor didn't have any military forces under control the reform would eventually fail. They suggested that the emperor should send for Yuan Shikai, who was a general training his army in a western style somewhere near Tianjin City. His army was called New Army.

[xlwoo]

When Yuan came to the capital, the emperor received him and gave him a secret written order, urging him to bring his New Army to Peking, to surround the Garden of Good Health & Harmony and confine West Empress Dowager. Yuan knew that most courtiers and all the governors supported West Empress Dowager. If he wanted to keep his position, or better to get a promotion, he must take the side of West Empress Dowager and betray the emperor, the inexperienced, over-ambitious, stupid political novice.
When he returned to Tianjin City, he revealed the secret to Ronglu, who immediately took the night train back to Peking and asked to see West Empress Dowager. He showed her the secret written order of the emperor, which Yuan had given him.
On September 19, Wet Empress Dowager confined the emperor on an island in the middle of a lake in the Forbidden City. The island was connected to the other parts of the Forbidden City only by a small foot bridge. He was treated very badly, no fire in the room and just enough food to keep him from starving. He was declared to be seriously sick. The prescriptions of the royal doctors were proclaimed everyday to show that the emperor was really sick. But people thought differently. The newspapers said that the proclamation of the prescriptions was only a preliminary step towards the deposal of the emperor.
Other new officials whom the emperor had appointed were all dismissed from their posts. Official Kang, who had been the most active and enthusiastic in the reform, had escaped on board a British ship to Japan. Official Liang, Kang's disciple, fled into the Japanese legation and then was escorted to Japan, too. Another new official Tan decided to stay, because if he ran away, the government would get his father instead. So he had to stay and face whatever would befall him. Tan had a sworn brother Wang, who had kungfu and liked to help people. His job was like a bodyguard or property guard, or both. If a rich man or a rich family wanted to travel a long way with valuable luggage, he or the family would hire Wang to protect him or the family all the way to the destination against any potential robbers.

[xlwoo]

When Yuan came to the capital, the emperor received him and gave him a secret written order, urging him to bring his New Army to Peking, to surround the Garden of Good Health & Harmony and confine West Empress Dowager. Yuan knew that most courtiers and all the governors supported West Empress Dowager. If he wanted to keep his position, or better to get a promotion, he must take the side of West Empress Dowager and betray the emperor, the inexperienced, over-ambitious, stupid political novice.
When he returned to Tianjin City, he revealed the secret to Ronglu, who immediately took the night train back to Peking and asked to see West Empress Dowager. He showed her the secret written order of the emperor, which Yuan had given him.
On September 19, Wet Empress Dowager confined the emperor on an island in the middle of a lake in the Forbidden City. The island was connected to the other parts of the Forbidden City only by a small foot bridge. He was treated very badly, no fire in the room and just enough food to keep him from starving. He was declared to be seriously sick. The prescriptions of the royal doctors were proclaimed everyday to show that the emperor was really sick. But people thought differently. The newspapers said that the proclamation of the prescriptions was only a preliminary step towards the deposal of the emperor.
Other new officials whom the emperor had appointed were all dismissed from their posts. Official Kang, who had been the most active and enthusiastic in the reform, had escaped on board a British ship to Japan. Official Liang, Kang's disciple, fled into the Japanese legation and then was escorted to Japan, too. Another new official Tan decided to stay, because if he ran away, the government would get his father instead. So he had to stay and face whatever would befall him. Tan had a sworn brother Wang, who had kungfu and liked to help people. His job was like a bodyguard or property guard, or both. If a rich man or a rich family wanted to travel a long way with valuable luggage, he or the family would hire Wang to protect him or the family all the way to the destination against any potential robbers.

[xlwoo]

When Wang knew that Official Tan was in trouble, he went to see him at night. He didn't want to be seen entering Tan's house. He jumped over the wall from a side street and went to his study. They discussed how they could deliver the emperor out of the confinement to transfer the emperor to the southern provinces. Once the emperor was out of the control of West Empress Dowager, everything would be fine. By their plan, as soon as the emperor was out of the Forbidden City, they would hide him either in some foreign legations or smuggled him into any of the foreign colonies in Tianjin City. Then they would escort him on a foreign ship to the southern provinces, their destination. They thought where there was the emperor there was the power center. The emperor could issue orders from anywhere he was. Any courtiers and governors should carry out his orders. That was their theory.
Wang took the matter into his hands. He knew some eunuchs in the Forbidden City. He found a eunuch and invited him to a restaurant. While eating and drinking they were engaged in a conversation. Eunuchs liked to brag about the life and things in the Forbidden City. Wang showed great interest in what the eunuch was telling. Wine makes people talk, plus a good listener. The eunuch even drew a sketchy map of the Forbidden City at Wang's request. Next night, Wang went to the Forbidden City. He slung up a hook, which held fast on a battlement. He climbed up nimbly like a monkey and jumped over the city wall in a jiffy. His black clothes made him melt into the dark night. But either the map was not very accurate or Wang didn't remember the details, he didn't find the place where the emperor was confined. He had to beat a retreat before dawn and would try again another night.

[xlwoo]

When Wang knew that Official Tan was in trouble, he went to see him at night. He didn't want to be seen entering Tan's house. He jumped over the wall from a side street and went to his study. They discussed how they could deliver the emperor out of the confinement to transfer the emperor to the southern provinces. Once the emperor was out of the control of West Empress Dowager, everything would be fine. By their plan, as soon as the emperor was out of the Forbidden City, they would hide him either in some foreign legations or smuggled him into any of the foreign colonies in Tianjin City. Then they would escort him on a foreign ship to the southern provinces, their destination. They thought where there was the emperor there was the power center. The emperor could issue orders from anywhere he was. Any courtiers and governors should carry out his orders. That was their theory.
Wang took the matter into his hands. He knew some eunuchs in the Forbidden City. He found a eunuch and invited him to a restaurant. While eating and drinking they were engaged in a conversation. Eunuchs liked to brag about the life and things in the Forbidden City. Wang showed great interest in what the eunuch was telling. Wine makes people talk, plus a good listener. The eunuch even drew a sketchy map of the Forbidden City at Wang's request. Next night, Wang went to the Forbidden City. He slung up a hook, which held fast on a battlement. He climbed up nimbly like a monkey and jumped over the city wall in a jiffy. His black clothes made him melt into the dark night. But either the map was not very accurate or Wang didn't remember the details, he didn't find the place where the emperor was confined. He had to beat a retreat before dawn and would try again another night.

[xlwoo]

On September 23, a ceremony was held for West Empress Dowager to take back the power. Then she issued orders to annul all the emperor's decisions and restored almost everything that had been changed by the emperor, but she said that she would carry on the reform, only step by step.
Then an order was given to arrest all the emperor's supporters. Two of them had escaped abroad. Seven were imprisoned. Six of them were beheaded publicly on September 28, including Official Tan and the last one was exiled to Xinjiang Province, the farthest of all the provinces. This was called the One Hundred Day Reform in the history of China.
West Empress Dowager summoned all the high-rank courtiers to her presence. The emperor was there, too. West Empress Dowager blamed the emperor before the courtiers, saying that she had agreed to the reform, but the bottom line was not to change traditional things and now the emperor had gone over the brim. Then she asked the emperor what he would have done if Yuan had brought in his New Army. “Did you want to kill me?” Her voice was loud and stern. The emperor could only hang his head low. What could he answer? The conquered has no say whatsoever. But she hated Kang most, because he had drafted all the decrees. When she asked if Kang had been under arrest yet, she got the answer “Escaped.” One of the courtiers said, “If we know who leaked to him for the escape, we should arrest that person.” West Empress Dowager glanced at the emperor and said, “It's Emperor who wrote to advise him to do so.” No one said anything any more.
Kang's place had been ransacked and all the documents found there were presented to West Empress Dowager. Among them was a letter from the emperor to order him to go to Shanghai to publish a newspaper. It was a code sentence. So Kang took to his heels.
It was said that if the emperor could have done one thing at a time and waited to see the reactions and had not bombarded the country with his reform orders so radically and carelessly, the history of China might have changed.

[xlwoo]

On September 23, a ceremony was held for West Empress Dowager to take back the power. Then she issued orders to annul all the emperor's decisions and restored almost everything that had been changed by the emperor, but she said that she would carry on the reform, only step by step.
Then an order was given to arrest all the emperor's supporters. Two of them had escaped abroad. Seven were imprisoned. Six of them were beheaded publicly on September 28, including Official Tan and the last one was exiled to Xinjiang Province, the farthest of all the provinces. This was called the One Hundred Day Reform in the history of China.
West Empress Dowager summoned all the high-rank courtiers to her presence. The emperor was there, too. West Empress Dowager blamed the emperor before the courtiers, saying that she had agreed to the reform, but the bottom line was not to change traditional things and now the emperor had gone over the brim. Then she asked the emperor what he would have done if Yuan had brought in his New Army. “Did you want to kill me?” Her voice was loud and stern. The emperor could only hang his head low. What could he answer? The conquered has no say whatsoever. But she hated Kang most, because he had drafted all the decrees. When she asked if Kang had been under arrest yet, she got the answer “Escaped.” One of the courtiers said, “If we know who leaked to him for the escape, we should arrest that person.” West Empress Dowager glanced at the emperor and said, “It's Emperor who wrote to advise him to do so.” No one said anything any more.
Kang's place had been ransacked and all the documents found there were presented to West Empress Dowager. Among them was a letter from the emperor to order him to go to Shanghai to publish a newspaper. It was a code sentence. So Kang took to his heels.
It was said that if the emperor could have done one thing at a time and waited to see the reactions and had not bombarded the country with his reform orders so radically and carelessly, the history of China might have changed.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 42

When West Empress Dowager was meditating the deposal of Emperor Guangxu, all kinds of surmises appeared on the newspapers in Shanghai. An official, who was taking care of the Telegram Bureau in Shanghai, sensed it and drafted a petition to the effect. He gathered one thousand two hundred and thirty-one signatures on it, including many famous scholars and telegraphed it to the Foreign Affairs Yamen. The officials in that yamen could not conceal it and sent it to the Secretarial Bureau. Ronglu, now the head secretary of the Bureau, took it to West Empress Dowager, who asked Ronglu how to deal with it. Ronglu said that the best way to quench a rumor was to let them know the emperor was still the emperor. So they made a public statement in the name of West Empress Dowager that next year it was the thirtieth birthday of the emperor and a celebration would be held. But they didn't have more money for the ceremony as West Empress Dowager had used up all the possible funds to build her garden. Next day the emperor made another public declaration that since the government was tight with finance, he didn't want the celebration, thanks to his adopted mother. It showed that he was still the emperor. Mother wanted to celebrate the son's birthday and the son refused it owing to the financial difficulties. It painted a picture of a harmonious family.
But before long another rumor prevailed among people in most provinces that the emperor had escaped from the Forbidden City and was traveling south in disguise.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 42

When West Empress Dowager was meditating the deposal of Emperor Guangxu, all kinds of surmises appeared on the newspapers in Shanghai. An official, who was taking care of the Telegram Bureau in Shanghai, sensed it and drafted a petition to the effect. He gathered one thousand two hundred and thirty-one signatures on it, including many famous scholars and telegraphed it to the Foreign Affairs Yamen. The officials in that yamen could not conceal it and sent it to the Secretarial Bureau. Ronglu, now the head secretary of the Bureau, took it to West Empress Dowager, who asked Ronglu how to deal with it. Ronglu said that the best way to quench a rumor was to let them know the emperor was still the emperor. So they made a public statement in the name of West Empress Dowager that next year it was the thirtieth birthday of the emperor and a celebration would be held. But they didn't have more money for the ceremony as West Empress Dowager had used up all the possible funds to build her garden. Next day the emperor made another public declaration that since the government was tight with finance, he didn't want the celebration, thanks to his adopted mother. It showed that he was still the emperor. Mother wanted to celebrate the son's birthday and the son refused it owing to the financial difficulties. It painted a picture of a harmonious family.
But before long another rumor prevailed among people in most provinces that the emperor had escaped from the Forbidden City and was traveling south in disguise.

[xlwoo]

A small group of seven men came to lodge in a temple just outside Qizhen Town in Hubei Province. One looked like the master, a nobleman, dressed in elegance. Another looked like the butler. Four men looked like the servants or bodyguards without uniforms and the last one looked like a cook, shouldering some utensils. They rented an independent housing unit in the backyard with fifty taels of silver as the deposit. The master kept to himself, staying in his room most of the time. The butler was busy, in and out, in and out. The four servants were waiting on the master. The cook went out every morning shopping for food, then came back and did the cooking. The monk, whose duty was to receive visitors, thought that these people were suspicious and reported to the local yamen. Some policemen were sent in plain clothes to watch over them. The policemen even followed the butler and the cook everywhere, but nothing unusual happened. Only this group of people seemed mysterious. So the mayor discussed the matter with his aide. The aide suggested that he should pay a visit to the master to feel the pulse first. The mayor consented. The aide went to the temple and found the monk, who told him that they spoke the Peking dialect and seemed to come from the capital. The butler and the servants acted like serving a prince. The aide asked how the master looked. The answer was lean, pale, about thirty.

[xlwoo]

The aide gave the monk a name card and told him to go and announce his visit to the master. He followed the monk into the backyard. The butler received the monk. When he looked at the name card, he said to the monk, “I don't know him.” The monk said, “His Esquire is an official of this town.” The butler made a gesture like Okay. “I'll see him.” So the aide stepped forward and introduced himself. The butler said, “What can I do for you, Your Esquire?” The aide said, “Let's talk in the room.” He wanted to see the master. As he was about to enter the master's room, the butler blocked his way, saying, “We'd better talk here.” The butler clapped his hands twice. A servant came carrying two chairs. He put the chairs under the eaves outside the windows. “What's your master's name?” The aide inquired. “Tang.” The butler replied curtly.
“Is he an official? Where did he come from? Where will he go?”
“Sorry, I can't tell you.”
“Then, your master must be an imperial envoy in disguise.”
“Whatever you want to guess.”
“If your master is an imperial envoy, we local officials must have the responsibility to protect him.”
“This is not necessary. It would be better if the local officials just pretend to know nothing about us. They will be rewarded later for their silence. We won't stay here long.”

[xlwoo]

The aide gave the monk a name card and told him to go and announce his visit to the master. He followed the monk into the backyard. The butler received the monk. When he looked at the name card, he said to the monk, “I don't know him.” The monk said, “His Esquire is an official of this town.” The butler made a gesture like Okay. “I'll see him.” So the aide stepped forward and introduced himself. The butler said, “What can I do for you, Your Esquire?” The aide said, “Let's talk in the room.” He wanted to see the master. As he was about to enter the master's room, the butler blocked his way, saying, “We'd better talk here.” The butler clapped his hands twice. A servant came carrying two chairs. He put the chairs under the eaves outside the windows. “What's your master's name?” The aide inquired. “Tang.” The butler replied curtly.
“Is he an official? Where did he come from? Where will he go?”
“Sorry, I can't tell you.”
“Then, your master must be an imperial envoy in disguise.”
“Whatever you want to guess.”
“If your master is an imperial envoy, we local officials must have the responsibility to protect him.”
“This is not necessary. It would be better if the local officials just pretend to know nothing about us. They will be rewarded later for their silence. We won't stay here long.”

[xlwoo]

The aide had to leave. He reported to the mayor. The mayor sent for one of his advisers. This adviser was known to be informative and knowledgeable. He analyzed that before any imperial envoy left the capital, the message would appear on the official newsletter from the capital. Since there was not such a message on the most recent newsletter, the master could not be an imperial envoy. Besides, in general, an imperial envoy would be much older. Then he consulted himself in a stage whisper, If the rumor is true, could he be the emperor escaped south?” The mayor was shocked to hear it. He asked, “What did you say?” The adviser said that the matter was very subtle, very delicate, must be handled very carefully. If the rumor was true, what should they do? If the rumor was false, they would surely arrest him. But how could they know if it was true or false? The mayor decided to visit the master himself. But the adviser got a better idea.
One day when the cook went to buy some meat in a market place, someone caused a fight with him and he was taken to the local yamen. The mayor didn't ask him anything about the fight.
“Who is your master?” The mayor queried.
“I don't know.” The cook said in a quivering voice. He was nervous and frightened.
“It's impossible you don't know for whom you work.” The mayor didn't believe him.
“I really don't know. The butler arranges everything and gives orders.”
“Have you seen your master? Don't say you're never seen him.”
“Yes. He's thin, pale, early thirties, quiet. He's never spoken to me.”
“Is there anything unusual about your master? You can take time to think.”
The cook considered for a while. “He gets up very early, has lunch at noon and dinner at six in the evening.” That was just like the schedule in the Forbidden City.
“Anything else special?” The mayor asked hopefully.
“My master is afraid of thunder. During a thunderstorm, the butler and the servants are always with him.” All the courtiers knew that the emperor was afraid of thunderclaps because the eunuchs talked a lot about it. Since nothing more could be squeezed out of the cook, he was let go with a warning that he shouldn't speak to anyone about the event of today.
Still they were not sure who the master was. So the mayor went to see him with some policemen, all in plain clothes. Their strategy was that if he was an impostor, they would take him into custody right away. If he was really the escaped emperor, they would pretend that they didn't know anything about the emperor escaped and went back for a discussion what they should do next. If they couldn't make sure, that was the problem.
This time since the mayor came himself, the master received him. “Where do you come from?” The mayor inquired like a routine patrol policeman asking a lodger in an inn.
“The capital.” His voice was low like having a sore throat.
“In which yamen do you work?”
“The Royal Family Affairs Management.”
“You have any official business down here?”
“Sure.” The butler stood beside the master all the time.
“What's your business?”
“Can't tell.” He cast a glimpse at the butler.
“Will you go further south?”
“Sure.”
“Do you have any official traveling documents?”
“Can't let you see.”
So what else could the mayor say? He returned to his yamen for consultation. The mayor said, “I think he is an impostor.”

[xlwoo]

“An impostor for what?The aide wanted to know.
“He didn't say he's the emperor. How could he be an impostor?” said the adviser.
“I'll take full responsibilities if anything happens to show I am wrong.” The mayor persisted. The aide and the adviser had to obey him. They laid out the ploy in details. They would invite him to stay in the yamen, even by force if necessary. He must be under their control first. Then the mayor would report to the governor. If it turned out that he was really the emperor, they could say that they wanted to protect him. If he was not, he would go to jail, which was very close, just in the yamen.
Next day the mayor sent some policemen to escort the master, the butler, the servants and even the cook into the yamen and confined them. Then at the command from the governor, they escorted the group to Wuchang City where the governor had his yamen and the group was confined there. The mayor thought that as the governor had had an interview with West Empress Dowager and the emperor, he should recognize the emperor. But the problem was that even the governor could not tell if he was the emperor or not, because during the interview the governor had prostrated before West Empress Dowager and the emperor and didn't dare to look up. Their last resort was to send someone to the capital to glean the information about the emperor. The man the governor had sent was smart. He went to some tea houses where the eunuchs would gather after their duties. He got acquainted with some of the eunuchs and treated them with food and drink. He learned at length that the emperor was still confined in the Forbidden City.
When the man brought back the message, the governor accused Yang, the master, of the impersonation of the emperor. The master pleaded that he had never said that he was the emperor. Only the mayor had thought him to be the emperor. The master was really innocent. But no, he was guilty of what the mayor had originally mistaken him to be. The governor knew that such a case would please West Empress Dowager. That was what really mattered to him. So all the seven people were executed. They would eventually die even if they could live up to the age of one hundred years. Therefore, why not let them die earlier to please West Empress Dowager?

[xlwoo]

“An impostor for what?The aide wanted to know.
“He didn't say he's the emperor. How could he be an impostor?” said the adviser.
“I'll take full responsibilities if anything happens to show I am wrong.” The mayor persisted. The aide and the adviser had to obey him. They laid out the ploy in details. They would invite him to stay in the yamen, even by force if necessary. He must be under their control first. Then the mayor would report to the governor. If it turned out that he was really the emperor, they could say that they wanted to protect him. If he was not, he would go to jail, which was very close, just in the yamen.
Next day the mayor sent some policemen to escort the master, the butler, the servants and even the cook into the yamen and confined them. Then at the command from the governor, they escorted the group to Wuchang City where the governor had his yamen and the group was confined there. The mayor thought that as the governor had had an interview with West Empress Dowager and the emperor, he should recognize the emperor. But the problem was that even the governor could not tell if he was the emperor or not, because during the interview the governor had prostrated before West Empress Dowager and the emperor and didn't dare to look up. Their last resort was to send someone to the capital to glean the information about the emperor. The man the governor had sent was smart. He went to some tea houses where the eunuchs would gather after their duties. He got acquainted with some of the eunuchs and treated them with food and drink. He learned at length that the emperor was still confined in the Forbidden City.
When the man brought back the message, the governor accused Yang, the master, of the impersonation of the emperor. The master pleaded that he had never said that he was the emperor. Only the mayor had thought him to be the emperor. The master was really innocent. But no, he was guilty of what the mayor had originally mistaken him to be. The governor knew that such a case would please West Empress Dowager. That was what really mattered to him. So all the seven people were executed. They would eventually die even if they could live up to the age of one hundred years. Therefore, why not let them die earlier to please West Empress Dowager?

[xlwoo]

Chapter 43

Since the emperor was confined on the island in the Forbidden City, West Empress Dowager had often wanted to depose him. A statement was issued that the emperor was sick and doctors should be recommended. So it was deemed a sign that the emperor would soon be forced to abdicate. The French envoy came to the Foreign Affairs Yamen to recommend a French doctor, but an official in charge there said that they were not entitled to make such a decision, either in affirmative or in negative. They must report to West Empress Dowager and the answer would be given after three days. Three days later the French envoy came once more. He got a negative reply. The reason was that the emperor was accustomed to Chinese herbal medicine. The British envoy came, too. They confessed that their governments were worried about the emperor's health and must send someone to see how the emperor was. (implied if the emperor was still alive.) So West Empress Dowager had a meeting with the courtiers. A courtier remarked that it was not polite to refuse the visit of a French doctor. It was just like a neighbor was concerned with the health of another neighbor and came to visit. But West Empress Dowager didn't want the foreign neighbors to be concerned with the health of the emperor. At last she was persuaded to yield that a French doctor could come to see the emperor, accompanied by two princes.
But West Empress Dowager was still contemplating how to depose the emperor. But who could succeed the throne? She did not want any adult to be the successor, because she should return power to him as soon as he was crowned. She would choose a small boy, but none suitable at the time. Besides, many courtiers disagreed to her idea. Even foreign countries interfered in that matter. She had to give in, but hated the foreigners all the more.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 43

Since the emperor was confined on the island in the Forbidden City, West Empress Dowager had often wanted to depose him. A statement was issued that the emperor was sick and doctors should be recommended. So it was deemed a sign that the emperor would soon be forced to abdicate. The French envoy came to the Foreign Affairs Yamen to recommend a French doctor, but an official in charge there said that they were not entitled to make such a decision, either in affirmative or in negative. They must report to West Empress Dowager and the answer would be given after three days. Three days later the French envoy came once more. He got a negative reply. The reason was that the emperor was accustomed to Chinese herbal medicine. The British envoy came, too. They confessed that their governments were worried about the emperor's health and must send someone to see how the emperor was. (implied if the emperor was still alive.) So West Empress Dowager had a meeting with the courtiers. A courtier remarked that it was not polite to refuse the visit of a French doctor. It was just like a neighbor was concerned with the health of another neighbor and came to visit. But West Empress Dowager didn't want the foreign neighbors to be concerned with the health of the emperor. At last she was persuaded to yield that a French doctor could come to see the emperor, accompanied by two princes.
But West Empress Dowager was still contemplating how to depose the emperor. But who could succeed the throne? She did not want any adult to be the successor, because she should return power to him as soon as he was crowned. She would choose a small boy, but none suitable at the time. Besides, many courtiers disagreed to her idea. Even foreign countries interfered in that matter. She had to give in, but hated the foreigners all the more.

[xlwoo]

Ronglu didn't like the idea to change the emperorship, because it might occasion a lot of troubles like foreign intervention and opposition from the governors and from the people throughout the nation. But he could not disobey West Empress Dowager and didn't want to directly show his disagreement with her. Two prime ministers had submitted a report to West Empress Dowager to propose the deposal of the emperor. West Empress Dowager told them to show the report to Ronglu for his opinion. When they came to see Ronglu and handed it to Ronglu for him to read, Ronglu pretended that he didn't hold the report tight enough and let it fall into the brazier. It was burned to aches immediately. The two prime ministers were furious and went back to West Empress Dowager to accuse Ronglu of disrespect to West Empress Dowager. They hoped that West Empress Dowager would punish Ronglu for it. But of course they were disappointed. Ronglu consulted with his advisers and got a notion that it was better at present to choose someone to be the successor to the emperor.
Since West Empress Dowager could not remove the present emperor from the throne, she accepted the idea and chose the son of Prince Zaiyi as the future successor when the emperor died. Ronglu had persuaded West Empress Dowager, saying that the foreign governments declared that they would disown any new emperor and that it would be better if West Empress Dowager could choose some boy as the adopted son of the late Emperor Tongzhi, a potential successor. West Empress Dowager thought it feasible. The boy was fifteen then. He didn't like to read, which was a bad omen to be a successor. He loved to play and fight. But West Empress Dowager didn't know it at first. Almost all the eunuchs and royal maids took a dislike to him on the first day he moved into the Forbidden City. He didn't look likable, with thick lips and the upper lip curving upward, almost touching the nose. It was a face that anyone would say that it was not a face for an emperor. But he was the relative of West Empress Dowager. His mother was the niece of West Empress Dowager.

[xlwoo]

Ronglu didn't like the idea to change the emperorship, because it might occasion a lot of troubles like foreign intervention and opposition from the governors and from the people throughout the nation. But he could not disobey West Empress Dowager and didn't want to directly show his disagreement with her. Two prime ministers had submitted a report to West Empress Dowager to propose the deposal of the emperor. West Empress Dowager told them to show the report to Ronglu for his opinion. When they came to see Ronglu and handed it to Ronglu for him to read, Ronglu pretended that he didn't hold the report tight enough and let it fall into the brazier. It was burned to aches immediately. The two prime ministers were furious and went back to West Empress Dowager to accuse Ronglu of disrespect to West Empress Dowager. They hoped that West Empress Dowager would punish Ronglu for it. But of course they were disappointed. Ronglu consulted with his advisers and got a notion that it was better at present to choose someone to be the successor to the emperor.
Since West Empress Dowager could not remove the present emperor from the throne, she accepted the idea and chose the son of Prince Zaiyi as the future successor when the emperor died. Ronglu had persuaded West Empress Dowager, saying that the foreign governments declared that they would disown any new emperor and that it would be better if West Empress Dowager could choose some boy as the adopted son of the late Emperor Tongzhi, a potential successor. West Empress Dowager thought it feasible. The boy was fifteen then. He didn't like to read, which was a bad omen to be a successor. He loved to play and fight. But West Empress Dowager didn't know it at first. Almost all the eunuchs and royal maids took a dislike to him on the first day he moved into the Forbidden City. He didn't look likable, with thick lips and the upper lip curving upward, almost touching the nose. It was a face that anyone would say that it was not a face for an emperor. But he was the relative of West Empress Dowager. His mother was the niece of West Empress Dowager.

[xlwoo]

As his son (Now everyone called him Big Brother.) was selected as the potential successor, Prince Zaiyi became powerful. If the emperor was deposed, his son would be the emperor and he would be the father of the emperor, more powerful. But the meddling of the foreigners crushed his sweet dream. He hated the foreigners. He wanted to drive all of them out of China. He waited for a chance.
Since in the Opium War the foreign fleets had broken open the golden gate to China, many priests had come to build churches and preached to Chinese people. Quite a few Chinese people began to believe in God. But the traditional religions in China were Taoism and Buddhism, in which much more people believed. Different religions always have conflicts, which even develop to killing. At that time, those who believed in God were looked upon as heathens. Many God-believing people, including priests, were killed and churches burned to ashes. This often occasioned diplomatic problems.
There were always some kind of organizations among the Chinese people. One was called Yihetuan in Shandong Province. They declared that they had magic power. The bullet could not injure them. They hated the foreigners and those God-believing Chinese people. Accordingly they killed those people and foreign priests and burned churches. Wherever such things happened, the foreign envoys protested to the Chinese government. So the local government began to arrest and even execute the members of that organization, which enlarged very fast. Under the pressure of foreign governments, West Empress Dowager had to appoint Yuan Shikai as the governor of Shandong Province. He arrived there on December 25, 1899. Yuan used guns to deal with Yihetuan, who had only swords and spears, even hoes as weapons. Yuan captured some of them and gunned them down in public to show that it was a lie that they had magic power as the bullets penetrated through their bodies. They had to flee in Spring, 1900, from Shandong Province into Zhidi Province, closer to the capital.
Then someone in that organization got a wonderful idea. They put up a banner bearing these words, Help Qing Dynasty To Wipe Out Foreigners. The slogan struck home.

[xlwoo]

As his son (Now everyone called him Big Brother.) was selected as the potential successor, Prince Zaiyi became powerful. If the emperor was deposed, his son would be the emperor and he would be the father of the emperor, more powerful. But the meddling of the foreigners crushed his sweet dream. He hated the foreigners. He wanted to drive all of them out of China. He waited for a chance.
Since in the Opium War the foreign fleets had broken open the golden gate to China, many priests had come to build churches and preached to Chinese people. Quite a few Chinese people began to believe in God. But the traditional religions in China were Taoism and Buddhism, in which much more people believed. Different religions always have conflicts, which even develop to killing. At that time, those who believed in God were looked upon as heathens. Many God-believing people, including priests, were killed and churches burned to ashes. This often occasioned diplomatic problems.
There were always some kind of organizations among the Chinese people. One was called Yihetuan in Shandong Province. They declared that they had magic power. The bullet could not injure them. They hated the foreigners and those God-believing Chinese people. Accordingly they killed those people and foreign priests and burned churches. Wherever such things happened, the foreign envoys protested to the Chinese government. So the local government began to arrest and even execute the members of that organization, which enlarged very fast. Under the pressure of foreign governments, West Empress Dowager had to appoint Yuan Shikai as the governor of Shandong Province. He arrived there on December 25, 1899. Yuan used guns to deal with Yihetuan, who had only swords and spears, even hoes as weapons. Yuan captured some of them and gunned them down in public to show that it was a lie that they had magic power as the bullets penetrated through their bodies. They had to flee in Spring, 1900, from Shandong Province into Zhidi Province, closer to the capital.
Then someone in that organization got a wonderful idea. They put up a banner bearing these words, Help Qing Dynasty To Wipe Out Foreigners. The slogan struck home.

[xlwoo]

Quite a few courtiers tended to pacify Yihetuan. Prince Zaiyi wanted to utilize them to drive out the foreigners so that West Empress Dowager could force the emperor to abdicate and his son could be on the throne. And West Empress Dowager wanted to use Yihetuan to expel the foreigners, too, so that she could do everything at will without any fear to be interfered.
Since Prince Zaiyi and some courtiers supported Yihetuan, they were crazier in behavior. As a revenge for the killing by Yuan, they began to ambush some small groups of the government army. They pulled down the telegram cables and chopped down the posts. They dug up some rails to make the train derail. All these were reported to West Empress Dowager, who ordered Ronglu to send troops to protect the railroad and the telegram posts. Ronglu had already been made a secretary, but still controlled the army in the capital area. Usually a secretary could not command any armies, but Ronglu did. No one had had more power than Ronglu since the beginning of Qing Dynasty. West Empress Dowager did not want to give any other courtiers much power. But she could trust in Ronglu. Ronglu could never betray her.
Yihetuan assailed the division that was guarding the railroad. The division killed some and dispersed the rest. In Tianjin City anyone who dared to criticize Yihetuan was killed. When they were walking in the streets, even the mayor must stand aside and let them pass. The whole city was in disorder and in a mess.
The governor of Zhidi Province believed in their magic power and treated them as his noble guests. He even let their leader ride in his own official palanquin. Therefore, policemen didn't dare to interfere with whatever they were doing. Then Yihetuan was let into the capital and their leaders took lodging in the residence of Prince Zaiyi. The situation got worse and the capital was in a great chaos.

[xlwoo]

Quite a few courtiers tended to pacify Yihetuan. Prince Zaiyi wanted to utilize them to drive out the foreigners so that West Empress Dowager could force the emperor to abdicate and his son could be on the throne. And West Empress Dowager wanted to use Yihetuan to expel the foreigners, too, so that she could do everything at will without any fear to be interfered.
Since Prince Zaiyi and some courtiers supported Yihetuan, they were crazier in behavior. As a revenge for the killing by Yuan, they began to ambush some small groups of the government army. They pulled down the telegram cables and chopped down the posts. They dug up some rails to make the train derail. All these were reported to West Empress Dowager, who ordered Ronglu to send troops to protect the railroad and the telegram posts. Ronglu had already been made a secretary, but still controlled the army in the capital area. Usually a secretary could not command any armies, but Ronglu did. No one had had more power than Ronglu since the beginning of Qing Dynasty. West Empress Dowager did not want to give any other courtiers much power. But she could trust in Ronglu. Ronglu could never betray her.
Yihetuan assailed the division that was guarding the railroad. The division killed some and dispersed the rest. In Tianjin City anyone who dared to criticize Yihetuan was killed. When they were walking in the streets, even the mayor must stand aside and let them pass. The whole city was in disorder and in a mess.
The governor of Zhidi Province believed in their magic power and treated them as his noble guests. He even let their leader ride in his own official palanquin. Therefore, policemen didn't dare to interfere with whatever they were doing. Then Yihetuan was let into the capital and their leaders took lodging in the residence of Prince Zaiyi. The situation got worse and the capital was in a great chaos.

[xlwoo]

Gradually West Empress Dowager began to find that she didn't like the boy, because he was naughty and didn't want to study. He had two dogs brought in and always played with them. Once when she met the emperor and saw his upper lip a little swollen, she asked about it. The emperor said that Big Brother had knocked him down and he had fallen on his face and got his upper lip swollen. Prince Zaiyi always cursed the emperor behind his back, wishing him to die. The boy had heard his father say it so many times and developed a hatred toward the emperor, who should be his uncle in the relationship. He had gone to see the emperor and provoked him that day. When the emperor had told him to leave him alone, he had rushed to the emperor when he turned his back to him and knocked him over. West Empress Dowager was irate with the boy for his misbehavior and summoned him to her presence. She told her eunuchs to give the boy a good whipping on the butts. When Prince Zaiyi, the father, heard it, he feared that West Empress Dowager might deprive his son of the status of the successor. Someone advised him that he should take steps to assure his son's future. The decisive step was to kill the emperor so that his son could take over the throne immediately. It was an alluring idea. One day Prince Zaiyi took some members of Yihetuan into the Forbidden City. The guards there didn't dare to stop them and let them in. Prince Zaiyi led them to where West Empress Dowager generally received the courtiers. He didn't know the way to the place where the emperor lived. He asked to see West Empress Dowager, who came out to see him. The members of Yihetuan threatened and wanted West Empress Dowager to give up the emperor to them. But Ronglu had many bodyguards stationed there to protect West Empress Dowager and they dashed out to seize all the members of Yihetuan and executed them as robbers. Prince Zaiyi had to leave the Forbidden City without his goal fulfilled.

[xlwoo]

On May 20, 1900, all the foreign envoys in Peking had a meeting and next day they sent a notice to Qing government, requesting that the leaders of Yihetuan and their accomplices be executed and the officials who refused to arrest the members of Yihetuan be punished, adding that if nothing was accomplished within five days, they would send more soldiers into the capital to protect their legations. But at that time the Qing government lost control of Yihetuan. Many Chinese soldiers sympathized with Yihetuan and even joined it.
On May 31, more foreign soldiers came into the capital to safeguard their legations. Members of Yihetuan went to siege the largest cathedral in the capital, The North Cathedral. But they met with strong resistance. The clergyman and his assistants, helped by many Chinese people who believed in God, defended their holy building. Someone suggested to the leader of Yihetuan to use magic power, but the leader said that he had had sex last night, which had weakened his magic power. He could not use it today, maybe, the next day. But he didn't come next day, letting others to continue the attack.
When West Empress Dowager was told about it, she gave a written order to Prince Zaiyi to oppress the behavior of Yihetuan. As he received the order, he just rumpled the piece of paper, stuffing it into his pocket. Another prince was at his residence at the time, and seeing this, he returned home and told his servants to shut the door. No one should go out and no visitors would be received. They had enough of everything in store to live on for several months. Many courtiers followed the example.

[xlwoo]

On May 20, 1900, all the foreign envoys in Peking had a meeting and next day they sent a notice to Qing government, requesting that the leaders of Yihetuan and their accomplices be executed and the officials who refused to arrest the members of Yihetuan be punished, adding that if nothing was accomplished within five days, they would send more soldiers into the capital to protect their legations. But at that time the Qing government lost control of Yihetuan. Many Chinese soldiers sympathized with Yihetuan and even joined it.
On May 31, more foreign soldiers came into the capital to safeguard their legations. Members of Yihetuan went to siege the largest cathedral in the capital, The North Cathedral. But they met with strong resistance. The clergyman and his assistants, helped by many Chinese people who believed in God, defended their holy building. Someone suggested to the leader of Yihetuan to use magic power, but the leader said that he had had sex last night, which had weakened his magic power. He could not use it today, maybe, the next day. But he didn't come next day, letting others to continue the attack.
When West Empress Dowager was told about it, she gave a written order to Prince Zaiyi to oppress the behavior of Yihetuan. As he received the order, he just rumpled the piece of paper, stuffing it into his pocket. Another prince was at his residence at the time, and seeing this, he returned home and told his servants to shut the door. No one should go out and no visitors would be received. They had enough of everything in store to live on for several months. Many courtiers followed the example.

[xlwoo]

thx.

On June 2, more foreign troops got on land from their warships and gathered along the coast. They began to assault Tianjin City. The general whose duties were to defend the city told the mayor to send Yihetuan to drive the foreign troops back onto their warships. A leader of Yihetuan came to see the general and said to him that he should fire his cannons at the foreign troops. “What if they return the fire?” The general asked. “I will use my magic power to make their cannons dysfunctional for six hours.” When he left, it was nightfall. So the general prepared to attack the foreign troops next day. But at dawn a member of Yihetuan came to ask if the general had fired his cannons at night. It meant that during the whole night, the cannons of the foreigners had been dysfunctional by the magic power of the Yihetuan leader. That was like a joke.
On June 10 the foreign troops began to march toward Peking. But as the rails were dug up by Yihetuan, they couldn't take the train. They had to walk and on June 12 they marched into the ambush and had to withdraw. The foreign fleets were attacking Dagukou, a fortress on the harbor, at the same time.
From June 16 through 19, West Empress Dowager had meetings with her courtiers to discuss whether to ask for a negotiation or to fight against the foreign aggressors. Ronglu held the view to sustain peace, but Prince Zaiyi insisted in waging the war. West Empress Dowager could not yet be decisive, because she set her heart on driving foreigners out of China, but no one could assure her of her success.
At this critical moment, Prince Zaiyi and his followers decided that they must put something on the scales that would tip to their side. Prince Zaiyi sent an adviser of his to see a telegram decoder. The adviser gave him ten thousand taels of silver for exchange of a false telegram supposed coming from foreign governments. The usual procedure was that when a telegram came in, the operator received it and gave it to the decoder, who rendered it into regular text and dispatched it to wherever it should go. If he made a false telegram supposed to come from the foreign governments and handed it in to the Secretarial Bureau, it was very easy. So when the false telegram was delivered, the decoder vanished with the money.

[xlwoo]

On June 2, more foreign troops got on land from their warships and gathered along the coast. They began to assault Tianjin City. The general whose duties were to defend the city told the mayor to send Yihetuan to drive the foreign troops back onto their warships. A leader of Yihetuan came to see the general and said to him that he should fire his cannons at the foreign troops. “What if they return the fire?” The general asked. “I will use my magic power to make their cannons dysfunctional for six hours.” When he left, it was nightfall. So the general prepared to attack the foreign troops next day. But at dawn a member of Yihetuan came to ask if the general had fired his cannons at night. It meant that during the whole night, the cannons of the foreigners had been dysfunctional by the magic power of the Yihetuan leader. That was like a joke.
On June 10 the foreign troops began to march toward Peking. But as the rails were dug up by Yihetuan, they couldn't take the train. They had to walk and on June 12 they marched into the ambush and had to withdraw. The foreign fleets were attacking Dagukou, a fortress on the harbor, at the same time.
From June 16 through 19, West Empress Dowager had meetings with her courtiers to discuss whether to ask for a negotiation or to fight against the foreign aggressors. Ronglu held the view to sustain peace, but Prince Zaiyi insisted in waging the war. West Empress Dowager could not yet be decisive, because she set her heart on driving foreigners out of China, but no one could assure her of her success.
At this critical moment, Prince Zaiyi and his followers decided that they must put something on the scales that would tip to their side. Prince Zaiyi sent an adviser of his to see a telegram decoder. The adviser gave him ten thousand taels of silver for exchange of a false telegram supposed coming from foreign governments. The usual procedure was that when a telegram came in, the operator received it and gave it to the decoder, who rendered it into regular text and dispatched it to wherever it should go. If he made a false telegram supposed to come from the foreign governments and handed it in to the Secretarial Bureau, it was very easy. So when the false telegram was delivered, the decoder vanished with the money.

[xlwoo]

When West Empress Dowager read the telegram, she was stunned into silence, because the telegram listed the following demands: (1) to free the emperor and return the power to the emperor; (2) to disperse Yihetuan and if Qing government can't do it alone, all the foreign governments are willing to send their armies to help; (3) Qing government should get the agreement from the foreign governments as to how many troops Qing government would train and keep standing. Qing government must ask foreign officers to drill its army; (4) foreign governments must supervise and control the collection of all the taxes and the use of them.
Those conditions were just what West Empress Dowager could not bear with. So on June 19, when Dagukou fell to the foreign hands, West Empress Dowager decided to declare war and the foreign envoys were notified to leave Peking in 24 hours.
On June 20, the German envoy wanted to go to the Foreign Affairs Yamen to see the courtier in charge, but on the way he met a squad of Chinese patrolling soldiers and was killed by the leader of the squad. The situation went from worse to worst. At four o'lock in the afternoon that same day, instigated by Prince Zaiyi Yihetuan started to assault the foreign legations in Peking. A division under the command of Ronglu turned over to Prince Zaiyi and joined the besiegement. The general of the division had been a rebel in the northwestern provinces. He had turned over to Qing government and had been promoted to be a general. Prince Zaiyi had promised him that if his son would succeed to the throne, he would be made a governor. So he took orders from Prince Zaiyi instead from Ronglu. This was not deemed as betrayal since Prince Zaiyi and Ronglu both served West Empress Dowager. Ronglu could not even report this inside turnover to West Empress Dowager for fear that she would blame him for his inability. But what could he do as this was not betrayal?

[xlwoo]

When West Empress Dowager read the telegram, she was stunned into silence, because the telegram listed the following demands: (1) to free the emperor and return the power to the emperor; (2) to disperse Yihetuan and if Qing government can't do it alone, all the foreign governments are willing to send their armies to help; (3) Qing government should get the agreement from the foreign governments as to how many troops Qing government would train and keep standing. Qing government must ask foreign officers to drill its army; (4) foreign governments must supervise and control the collection of all the taxes and the use of them.
Those conditions were just what West Empress Dowager could not bear with. So on June 19, when Dagukou fell to the foreign hands, West Empress Dowager decided to declare war and the foreign envoys were notified to leave Peking in 24 hours.
On June 20, the German envoy wanted to go to the Foreign Affairs Yamen to see the courtier in charge, but on the way he met a squad of Chinese patrolling soldiers and was killed by the leader of the squad. The situation went from worse to worst. At four o'lock in the afternoon that same day, instigated by Prince Zaiyi Yihetuan started to assault the foreign legations in Peking. A division under the command of Ronglu turned over to Prince Zaiyi and joined the besiegement. The general of the division had been a rebel in the northwestern provinces. He had turned over to Qing government and had been promoted to be a general. Prince Zaiyi had promised him that if his son would succeed to the throne, he would be made a governor. So he took orders from Prince Zaiyi instead from Ronglu. This was not deemed as betrayal since Prince Zaiyi and Ronglu both served West Empress Dowager. Ronglu could not even report this inside turnover to West Empress Dowager for fear that she would blame him for his inability. But what could he do as this was not betrayal?

[xlwoo]

Yihetuan and the division could not do much damage even to the buildings of the legations because their weapons were not advanced enough. They had only rifles. So the general went to see Ronglu to borrow cannons that was under Ronglu's control. Of course Ronglu gave him a flat refusal. He complained to Prince Zaiyi.
When West Empress Dowager was told that Prince Zaiyi wanted to use Yihetuan to assault the foreign legations, West Empress Dowager didn't say anything. It meant that she acquiesced. Prince Zaiyi had promised to seize all the legations and capture all the foreigners within a short period of time. But it was now three days. So he went to complain to West Empress Dowager that Ronglu rejected to lend him cannons and without cannons how could he take the legations in a short time? He meant that it was Ronglu's fault, not his fault, that he had failed in his task. West Empress Dowager told Ronglu to lend his cannons to Prince Zaiyi, but Ronglu said that he could not lend his cannons to Prince Zaiyi, because they might hit the Temple of General Deng, which was very close to the foreign legations.
General Deng had been a general of Ming Dynasty. His troops had been camped north of the Great Wall. The first emperor of Qing Dynasty had liked to travel alone to check geographical conditions for his military purposes. He had been taken captive by the soldiers of Ming Dynasty and sent to General Deng. The first impression the emperor had made on General Deng had been favorable and Deng had secretly released him. He had been always grateful. Later when Japan had invaded Korea, General Deng had been sent to fight the Japanese army in Korea and died there. As the first emperor of Qing Dynasty had learned the death of General Deng, he had built a temple in his memory, called the Temple of General Deng. When Qing Dynasty had been founded within the entire territory of China, the emperor had built another temple in Peking, also called the Temple of General Deng. Every subsequent emperor would go there to worship. If the temple was hit by the cannons, it would be a crime done to the ancestors. Ronglu used it as a pretext to reject the demand of Prince Zaiyi. West Empress Dowager agreed, but she wanted Ronglu to use his cannons to support the attack to the foreign legations. Ronglu went back to tell the officer in charge of the cannon regiment to open fire. He didn't say towards the foreign legations He hinted to the officer that he should make the sound of the cannons reach the inside of the Forbidden City. So the officer turned his cannons in the opposite direction and kept firing. Ronglu always opposed to Yihetuan and their actions. Only he didn't want to sing a different tune to displease West Empress Dowager.
So many people were killed on both sides from June 20 through 24. But Prince Zaiyi and his followers hadn't seized the legations yet. West Empress Dowager blamed him, saying, “If you can't take a few buildings in our own land, how can you drive out the foreigners?” On June 25, West Empress Dowager ordered to stop the attack, but the Chinese soldiers and Yihetuan still surrounded the foreign legations and the attack didn't really cease until August 14.

[xlwoo]

Yihetuan and the division could not do much damage even to the buildings of the legations because their weapons were not advanced enough. They had only rifles. So the general went to see Ronglu to borrow cannons that was under Ronglu's control. Of course Ronglu gave him a flat refusal. He complained to Prince Zaiyi.
When West Empress Dowager was told that Prince Zaiyi wanted to use Yihetuan to assault the foreign legations, West Empress Dowager didn't say anything. It meant that she acquiesced. Prince Zaiyi had promised to seize all the legations and capture all the foreigners within a short period of time. But it was now three days. So he went to complain to West Empress Dowager that Ronglu rejected to lend him cannons and without cannons how could he take the legations in a short time? He meant that it was Ronglu's fault, not his fault, that he had failed in his task. West Empress Dowager told Ronglu to lend his cannons to Prince Zaiyi, but Ronglu said that he could not lend his cannons to Prince Zaiyi, because they might hit the Temple of General Deng, which was very close to the foreign legations.
General Deng had been a general of Ming Dynasty. His troops had been camped north of the Great Wall. The first emperor of Qing Dynasty had liked to travel alone to check geographical conditions for his military purposes. He had been taken captive by the soldiers of Ming Dynasty and sent to General Deng. The first impression the emperor had made on General Deng had been favorable and Deng had secretly released him. He had been always grateful. Later when Japan had invaded Korea, General Deng had been sent to fight the Japanese army in Korea and died there. As the first emperor of Qing Dynasty had learned the death of General Deng, he had built a temple in his memory, called the Temple of General Deng. When Qing Dynasty had been founded within the entire territory of China, the emperor had built another temple in Peking, also called the Temple of General Deng. Every subsequent emperor would go there to worship. If the temple was hit by the cannons, it would be a crime done to the ancestors. Ronglu used it as a pretext to reject the demand of Prince Zaiyi. West Empress Dowager agreed, but she wanted Ronglu to use his cannons to support the attack to the foreign legations. Ronglu went back to tell the officer in charge of the cannon regiment to open fire. He didn't say towards the foreign legations He hinted to the officer that he should make the sound of the cannons reach the inside of the Forbidden City. So the officer turned his cannons in the opposite direction and kept firing. Ronglu always opposed to Yihetuan and their actions. Only he didn't want to sing a different tune to displease West Empress Dowager.
So many people were killed on both sides from June 20 through 24. But Prince Zaiyi and his followers hadn't seized the legations yet. West Empress Dowager blamed him, saying, “If you can't take a few buildings in our own land, how can you drive out the foreigners?” On June 25, West Empress Dowager ordered to stop the attack, but the Chinese soldiers and Yihetuan still surrounded the foreign legations and the attack didn't really cease until August 14.

[xlwoo]

On July 14, the foreign united troops seized Tianjin City. No one wanted to be the bearer of the bad news to West Empress Dowager, but it was Prince Zaiyi's responsibility. He couldn't avoid it and had to report it to West Empress Dowager, who chided him, “You said that Yihetuan has magic power and can resist the foreigners. How could that be that Tianjin City was lost?” Prince Zaiyi trembled while answering, “I was told that traitors were hiding among Yihetuan and made their magic malfunction.” West Empress Dowager flared up at such childish excuse. She slapped hard on the table before her, which startled Zaiyi prostrating in front of the table. “I don't care about their magic functioning or not. If the foreigners come to the capital, I will put you before the muzzles of their cannons.” She dismissed him in frustration.
Next day Ronglu went to see West Empress Dowager to report that after the investigation, the telegram supposed to come from the foreign governments was proved to be a fake. No such a telegram had really come through the cable. There was no record about such a telegram at the stations on both ends. It must have been written by the order of Prince Zaiyi, who had always urged West Empress Dowager to declare war against the foreigners. So West Empress Dowager summoned Zaiyi. “Do you know what is deception?” She hit the side table with her fist. Zaiyi quivered with fear, but he pleaded weakly, “I never dare to cheat Old Buddha.
“Then who created a phony telegram?” She accused indignantly. Zaiyi could have nothing to say for himself. He only knocked his forehead on the floor, imploring to be pardoned. “You think I don't know the things you did. I know what you want. You want to be the over-emperor when your son inherits the crown. I can tell you now, don't even think about it.”

[xlwoo]

On July 14, the foreign united troops seized Tianjin City. No one wanted to be the bearer of the bad news to West Empress Dowager, but it was Prince Zaiyi's responsibility. He couldn't avoid it and had to report it to West Empress Dowager, who chided him, “You said that Yihetuan has magic power and can resist the foreigners. How could that be that Tianjin City was lost?” Prince Zaiyi trembled while answering, “I was told that traitors were hiding among Yihetuan and made their magic malfunction.” West Empress Dowager flared up at such childish excuse. She slapped hard on the table before her, which startled Zaiyi prostrating in front of the table. “I don't care about their magic functioning or not. If the foreigners come to the capital, I will put you before the muzzles of their cannons.” She dismissed him in frustration.
Next day Ronglu went to see West Empress Dowager to report that after the investigation, the telegram supposed to come from the foreign governments was proved to be a fake. No such a telegram had really come through the cable. There was no record about such a telegram at the stations on both ends. It must have been written by the order of Prince Zaiyi, who had always urged West Empress Dowager to declare war against the foreigners. So West Empress Dowager summoned Zaiyi. “Do you know what is deception?” She hit the side table with her fist. Zaiyi quivered with fear, but he pleaded weakly, “I never dare to cheat Old Buddha.
“Then who created a phony telegram?” She accused indignantly. Zaiyi could have nothing to say for himself. He only knocked his forehead on the floor, imploring to be pardoned. “You think I don't know the things you did. I know what you want. You want to be the over-emperor when your son inherits the crown. I can tell you now, don't even think about it.”

[xlwoo]

When Prince Zaiyi got home, he was told that his favorite assistant general and his family had been killed by Yihetuan. They had accused him of insufficient provisions to them. Zaiyi sent for their leader, who said that there were traitors among them who had done it. Zaiyi knew that the mention of the traitors were just a pretense they made to elude the criticisms from other courtiers. That the leader would say it to him was really beyond his belief and imagination. He was like to invite wolves into the fold of his sheep.
He was more afraid of the courtiers to oppose him than Yihetuan to betray him. First he accused three courtiers of treason and put them into jail. Then two courtiers wrote a report to West Empress Dowager that Prince Zaiyi should be responsible for all the occurrences. But Zaiyi said that they were guilty of treachery and begged West Empress Dowager to execute them. And West Empress Dowager did order these two courtiers to be executed. Then Prince Zaiyi insisted that the three already imprisoned courtiers should also be executed and likewise West Empress Dowager did issue an order to execute them.
On August 4, the foreign troops left Tianjin City and marched towards Peking. Outside Peking, there were Chinese troops camping there to defend the capital led by ex-governor Li Binheng, but when the united foreign troops approached, the Chinese soldiers were all scattered at the sound of cannons and guns. Ex-governor Li had originally opposed to war against the foreigners, but when the foreign troops had been attacking Tianjin City, he had recruited a division and marched the division to rescue the capital. West Empress Dowager was excited at the action and interviewed him and gave him a royal sword. A royal sword had some authority of itself. Anyone who had the royal sword could execute everyone who disobeyed his order without the need to get the approval from the emperor first. It was as if he represented the emperor to execute people. It was a specially given power as well as an honor and an encouragement. When his newly-recruited soldiers dispersed, he cut his own throat with the royal sword. Now the foreign troops marched forth without any resistance like they were on a parade. On August 14, the allied troops entered Peking without a hitch and then they strutted into the Forbidden City, from which West Empress Dowager had already escaped.

[xlwoo]

When Prince Zaiyi got home, he was told that his favorite assistant general and his family had been killed by Yihetuan. They had accused him of insufficient provisions to them. Zaiyi sent for their leader, who said that there were traitors among them who had done it. Zaiyi knew that the mention of the traitors were just a pretense they made to elude the criticisms from other courtiers. That the leader would say it to him was really beyond his belief and imagination. He was like to invite wolves into the fold of his sheep.
He was more afraid of the courtiers to oppose him than Yihetuan to betray him. First he accused three courtiers of treason and put them into jail. Then two courtiers wrote a report to West Empress Dowager that Prince Zaiyi should be responsible for all the occurrences. But Zaiyi said that they were guilty of treachery and begged West Empress Dowager to execute them. And West Empress Dowager did order these two courtiers to be executed. Then Prince Zaiyi insisted that the three already imprisoned courtiers should also be executed and likewise West Empress Dowager did issue an order to execute them.
On August 4, the foreign troops left Tianjin City and marched towards Peking. Outside Peking, there were Chinese troops camping there to defend the capital led by ex-governor Li Binheng, but when the united foreign troops approached, the Chinese soldiers were all scattered at the sound of cannons and guns. Ex-governor Li had originally opposed to war against the foreigners, but when the foreign troops had been attacking Tianjin City, he had recruited a division and marched the division to rescue the capital. West Empress Dowager was excited at the action and interviewed him and gave him a royal sword. A royal sword had some authority of itself. Anyone who had the royal sword could execute everyone who disobeyed his order without the need to get the approval from the emperor first. It was as if he represented the emperor to execute people. It was a specially given power as well as an honor and an encouragement. When his newly-recruited soldiers dispersed, he cut his own throat with the royal sword. Now the foreign troops marched forth without any resistance like they were on a parade. On August 14, the allied troops entered Peking without a hitch and then they strutted into the Forbidden City, from which West Empress Dowager had already escaped.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 44

Concubine Zhen had been confined in an empty room of an old deserted building. As she was always kind to eunuchs and maids, they often came to see her and talked a little. Her sister, Concubine Jin, often sent her maid to bring her sister some delicious food. While Concubine Zhen was eating, the maid told her all kinds of news through the barred window so that Concubine Zhen could follow up with the situation. One day she wanted the maid to take a note she had written to her sister. The maid could not refuse and hid the note in her pocket. But on her way to Concubine Jin's chamber, she lost the note somewhere. She was not even aware of it. When she reached the chamber of Concubine Jin, she could not find the note. So she was in a panic and Concubine Jin was terrified, too, because they didn't even know what was on the note. If anything written on it was against the rules and if West Empress Dowager should know it, both of them, Concubine Jin and the maid, would die. So the maid traced back the way she had come, but found nothing remotely like a piece of paper.
The note was picked up by a eunuch, who handed it in to West Empress Dowager. She read it and was angry, because the note read like that: “Make the emperor stay for the negotiation. But it was not the time to mind such a trifling thing.”
Late in the evening on August 12, the bad news came at last that the joint troops would soon enter the capital. West Empress Dowager decided to leave Peking.
“Old Buddha, the foreigners will soon come into Peking.” Prince Zaiyi came running to report in a frightened quavering voice, “What should we do?”
“You said that Yihetuan could resist the foreign invasion. They have special magic and are bulletproof. Now you go to defend Peking. If you let the foreign armies enter the capital, I will skin you.” West Empress Dowager was really in a great fume.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 44

Concubine Zhen had been confined in an empty room of an old deserted building. As she was always kind to eunuchs and maids, they often came to see her and talked a little. Her sister, Concubine Jin, often sent her maid to bring her sister some delicious food. While Concubine Zhen was eating, the maid told her all kinds of news through the barred window so that Concubine Zhen could follow up with the situation. One day she wanted the maid to take a note she had written to her sister. The maid could not refuse and hid the note in her pocket. But on her way to Concubine Jin's chamber, she lost the note somewhere. She was not even aware of it. When she reached the chamber of Concubine Jin, she could not find the note. So she was in a panic and Concubine Jin was terrified, too, because they didn't even know what was on the note. If anything written on it was against the rules and if West Empress Dowager should know it, both of them, Concubine Jin and the maid, would die. So the maid traced back the way she had come, but found nothing remotely like a piece of paper.
The note was picked up by a eunuch, who handed it in to West Empress Dowager. She read it and was angry, because the note read like that: “Make the emperor stay for the negotiation. But it was not the time to mind such a trifling thing.”
Late in the evening on August 12, the bad news came at last that the joint troops would soon enter the capital. West Empress Dowager decided to leave Peking.
“Old Buddha, the foreigners will soon come into Peking.” Prince Zaiyi came running to report in a frightened quavering voice, “What should we do?”
“You said that Yihetuan could resist the foreign invasion. They have special magic and are bulletproof. Now you go to defend Peking. If you let the foreign armies enter the capital, I will skin you.” West Empress Dowager was really in a great fume.

[xlwoo]

But the Chinese army and Yihetuan scattered before the foreign guns. And early next morning West Empress Dowager sent for the emperor, the queen and Concubine Jin. She told them her decision and ordered the queen to take eunuchs to bury her treasures in the backyard.
Then she was attired in a dress like a peasant's wife and so were others as suitably dressed. But before her departure she ordered Concubine Zhen to be brought to her presence. “The foreign troops will soon come into Peking. I can't bring you along with me since there are already so many people I am taking. They will certainly rape you, which will be a great insult to the royal family, to the emperor. So I advise you to end your life before such things happen to you.” West Empress Dowager said to Concubine Zhen in a calm serious voice.
“I am not afraid of death, but I beg Old Buddha to let the emperor stay to deal with the foreigners.” Her aim was that if the emperor could stay out of the control of West Empress Dowager, he would have the opportunity to actually seize the power. But West Empress Dowager had sufficient experience to see through such a farce and she just ordered the eunuchs to push Concubine Zhen into a deep well. The emperor implored West Empress Dowager on his knees to spare her life, but she just waved to the eunuchs to execute her order. Concubine Zhen, still young (born on February 27, 1876 and died on August 13, 1900), fell into the well with a long loud shriek trailing behind her in the air.
While Concubine Zhen died in the Forbidden City, an old prime minister Xu hanged himself at home. He was the most conservative courtier, always opposing to anything made in foreign countries. When other courtiers used kerosene lamps, he still used candles. He was short-sighted, but refused to use glasses. Now the foreigners would soon reach the Forbidden City. He didn't want to see West Empress Dowager and the emperor taken captives or insulted. He decided to die for the nation. He called in his son and wanted him to be a martyr, too. His son promised to die with him. They prepared two pieces of rope and two stools. When the father put his head into the noose, the son stood aside and comforted his father, “Father, you go first. I will follow.” He took away the stool under his father's feet and watched his father hanging from the ceiling. Then he escaped by climbing over the back wall, but as destiny had it, he was captured by Japanese soldiers and kept as a captive till a peace treaty was signed. He was transferred to Qing government and was executed by the order of West Empress Dowager.

[xlwoo]

But the Chinese army and Yihetuan scattered before the foreign guns. And early next morning West Empress Dowager sent for the emperor, the queen and Concubine Jin. She told them her decision and ordered the queen to take eunuchs to bury her treasures in the backyard.
Then she was attired in a dress like a peasant's wife and so were others as suitably dressed. But before her departure she ordered Concubine Zhen to be brought to her presence. “The foreign troops will soon come into Peking. I can't bring you along with me since there are already so many people I am taking. They will certainly rape you, which will be a great insult to the royal family, to the emperor. So I advise you to end your life before such things happen to you.” West Empress Dowager said to Concubine Zhen in a calm serious voice.
“I am not afraid of death, but I beg Old Buddha to let the emperor stay to deal with the foreigners.” Her aim was that if the emperor could stay out of the control of West Empress Dowager, he would have the opportunity to actually seize the power. But West Empress Dowager had sufficient experience to see through such a farce and she just ordered the eunuchs to push Concubine Zhen into a deep well. The emperor implored West Empress Dowager on his knees to spare her life, but she just waved to the eunuchs to execute her order. Concubine Zhen, still young (born on February 27, 1876 and died on August 13, 1900), fell into the well with a long loud shriek trailing behind her in the air.
While Concubine Zhen died in the Forbidden City, an old prime minister Xu hanged himself at home. He was the most conservative courtier, always opposing to anything made in foreign countries. When other courtiers used kerosene lamps, he still used candles. He was short-sighted, but refused to use glasses. Now the foreigners would soon reach the Forbidden City. He didn't want to see West Empress Dowager and the emperor taken captives or insulted. He decided to die for the nation. He called in his son and wanted him to be a martyr, too. His son promised to die with him. They prepared two pieces of rope and two stools. When the father put his head into the noose, the son stood aside and comforted his father, “Father, you go first. I will follow.” He took away the stool under his father's feet and watched his father hanging from the ceiling. Then he escaped by climbing over the back wall, but as destiny had it, he was captured by Japanese soldiers and kept as a captive till a peace treaty was signed. He was transferred to Qing government and was executed by the order of West Empress Dowager.

[xlwoo]

West Empress Dowager and the emperor rode on a wagon, and the queen and Concubine Jin on another wagon, followed by some courtiers on horseback. Prince Zaiyi and other princes followed up, too. At noon, they reached a small village. Head eunuch Li found an old man and brought him to the presence of West Empress Dowager, who didn't force the old man to kowtow before her because of her disguise as a peasant's wife.
“Do you have any food?” She asked him.
“All food taken by soldiers. They just gone.” The old man replied.
What could West Empress Dowager say? Soldiers wanted to eat, too. Lucky, they didn't kill the old man and eat him. “Do you have tea? We are thirsty.” Eunuch Li asked.
“This a poor place.” Said the old man, “Never taste tea my whole life. Always use dried date flowers.” So saying, he went to boil water and poured hot water into a crude bowl with some dried date flowers.
West Empress Dowager looked at the dirty bowl, dent at the brim, frowning, but thirst forced her to drink it. A few hours later, they arrived in a small town. The mayor received and provided them with decent food, though not like dainties in the palace. At least their hunger was cured.

[xlwoo]

West Empress Dowager and the emperor rode on a wagon, and the queen and Concubine Jin on another wagon, followed by some courtiers on horseback. Prince Zaiyi and other princes followed up, too. At noon, they reached a small village. Head eunuch Li found an old man and brought him to the presence of West Empress Dowager, who didn't force the old man to kowtow before her because of her disguise as a peasant's wife.
“Do you have any food?” She asked him.
“All food taken by soldiers. They just gone.” The old man replied.
What could West Empress Dowager say? Soldiers wanted to eat, too. Lucky, they didn't kill the old man and eat him. “Do you have tea? We are thirsty.” Eunuch Li asked.
“This a poor place.” Said the old man, “Never taste tea my whole life. Always use dried date flowers.” So saying, he went to boil water and poured hot water into a crude bowl with some dried date flowers.
West Empress Dowager looked at the dirty bowl, dent at the brim, frowning, but thirst forced her to drink it. A few hours later, they arrived in a small town. The mayor received and provided them with decent food, though not like dainties in the palace. At least their hunger was cured.

[xlwoo]

Now they wanted to issue several urgent orders, but they didn't bring any seals in a hurry. In general, a written order should have a seal on it, like the seal of West Empress Dowager, the seal of the emperor, the seal of the Secretarial Bureau or that of the cabinet, for the highest authority. Every yamen had its own seal. But they couldn't use the seal of the yamen of this town. Just as they were in such a perplexity, another secretary arrived, bringing the seal of the Secretarial Bureau. They issued some orders to move the troops to blockade the routes the foreigners were supposed to take if they wanted to pursue. Next they discussed where to go to set up their temporary palace. They could not stay in this small town. The nearest city big enough to have decent place for the royal family was Taiyuan City. So to Taiyuan City they made their way.
The mayor of this small town was Wu Yong. West Empress Dowager was satisfied with his service and appointed him as the royal harbinger to prepare lodging and food for them. He went ahead and came into another town smaller than his. It was deserted. Even the mayor was not there. Then some eunuchs, some bodyguards and some soldiers arrived. They asked Mayor Wu for food and fodder, but he couldn't find anything in this deserted town. An officer glared at him, drawing out his sword. It looked as if he would kill Mayor Wu if he couldn't give him what he demanded. Wu got fumed and said to him aloud, “You fled before the foreign armies and you want to kill me. Are you ashamed of yourself?” He recalled all the bad things happened recently and started to cry bitter tears. When he dried his tears and opened his eyes, no one was there except himself. Later people said that they had been driven away by his tears. Perhaps he could try to weep before the foreigners and drive them out of China.

[xlwoo]

Now they wanted to issue several urgent orders, but they didn't bring any seals in a hurry. In general, a written order should have a seal on it, like the seal of West Empress Dowager, the seal of the emperor, the seal of the Secretarial Bureau or that of the cabinet, for the highest authority. Every yamen had its own seal. But they couldn't use the seal of the yamen of this town. Just as they were in such a perplexity, another secretary arrived, bringing the seal of the Secretarial Bureau. They issued some orders to move the troops to blockade the routes the foreigners were supposed to take if they wanted to pursue. Next they discussed where to go to set up their temporary palace. They could not stay in this small town. The nearest city big enough to have decent place for the royal family was Taiyuan City. So to Taiyuan City they made their way.
The mayor of this small town was Wu Yong. West Empress Dowager was satisfied with his service and appointed him as the royal harbinger to prepare lodging and food for them. He went ahead and came into another town smaller than his. It was deserted. Even the mayor was not there. Then some eunuchs, some bodyguards and some soldiers arrived. They asked Mayor Wu for food and fodder, but he couldn't find anything in this deserted town. An officer glared at him, drawing out his sword. It looked as if he would kill Mayor Wu if he couldn't give him what he demanded. Wu got fumed and said to him aloud, “You fled before the foreign armies and you want to kill me. Are you ashamed of yourself?” He recalled all the bad things happened recently and started to cry bitter tears. When he dried his tears and opened his eyes, no one was there except himself. Later people said that they had been driven away by his tears. Perhaps he could try to weep before the foreigners and drive them out of China.

[xlwoo]

When they arrived in Taiyuan City, some pieces of news came. Ronglu was in Baoding City, preparing for any emergency. The foreign armies were keeping the capital in order and waiting for Qing government to send someone there to negotiate. The peace negotiation between Qing government and foreign envoys began even when West Empress Dowager had still been on the way to Taiyuan City. One of the conditions persisted on by the foreign governments was to execute all the courtiers who had stubbornly used Yihetuan against foreigners and hence caused the war. The Qing government representatives pleaded that by Chinese law princes were never executed. The joint foreign troops marched towards Baoding City and took it. West Empress Dowager was afraid that they would come after her in Taiyuan City. So she escaped to XiAn City with the emperor and other royal family members, leaving those princes and other courtiers in Taiyuan City, because those were the ones on the list that the foreigners wanted Qing government to punish.
At last they reached XiAn City, their final destination. It had been the capital for many dynasties back in the Chinese history. It was inland far enough from Peking. So West Empress Dowager thought that the invading armies could not march so far to it. Once she was safe, she restored to her former luxurious life despite the capital being still in the hands of the foreigners. Ronglu came to XiAn City directly from Baoding City from which he had fled.
On September 7, 1901, a treaty was signed and peace was restored. The members of Yihetuan were either killed or arrested or scattered in escape. Through bargaining, all the courtiers belligerent to foreigners and responsible for the war were executed except Prince Zaiyi, who was banished for life to Mongolian district.

[xlwoo]

When they arrived in Taiyuan City, some pieces of news came. Ronglu was in Baoding City, preparing for any emergency. The foreign armies were keeping the capital in order and waiting for Qing government to send someone there to negotiate. The peace negotiation between Qing government and foreign envoys began even when West Empress Dowager had still been on the way to Taiyuan City. One of the conditions persisted on by the foreign governments was to execute all the courtiers who had stubbornly used Yihetuan against foreigners and hence caused the war. The Qing government representatives pleaded that by Chinese law princes were never executed. The joint foreign troops marched towards Baoding City and took it. West Empress Dowager was afraid that they would come after her in Taiyuan City. So she escaped to XiAn City with the emperor and other royal family members, leaving those princes and other courtiers in Taiyuan City, because those were the ones on the list that the foreigners wanted Qing government to punish.
At last they reached XiAn City, their final destination. It had been the capital for many dynasties back in the Chinese history. It was inland far enough from Peking. So West Empress Dowager thought that the invading armies could not march so far to it. Once she was safe, she restored to her former luxurious life despite the capital being still in the hands of the foreigners. Ronglu came to XiAn City directly from Baoding City from which he had fled.
On September 7, 1901, a treaty was signed and peace was restored. The members of Yihetuan were either killed or arrested or scattered in escape. Through bargaining, all the courtiers belligerent to foreigners and responsible for the war were executed except Prince Zaiyi, who was banished for life to Mongolian district.

[xlwoo]

There were two theaters in XiAn City. Since West Empress Dowager set up her temporary palace there, Big Brother went to watch operas everyday, escorted by a group of eunuchs. Big Brother liked to accompany the singing by beating the drum. So the owner of the theater and the leader of the troupe had to let him do it. There were often some soldiers there, who were under the command of Ronglu. One day, Big Brother didn't beat the drum correctly and the opera singer faltered in his singing. So some soldiers who didn't know who Big Brother was laughed at him. Big Brother thought it was contempt to him. He began the fight with the soldiers and the eunuchs joined to protect Big Brother. They had to even if they didn't like the boy, because if anything serious happened to Bit Brother, they would be executed first.

[xlwoo]

The general of the division these soldiers belonged came to see Ronglu to beg pardon, but Ronglu told him that it was the fault of Big Brother. The general shouldn't worry about it. Ronglu said that he would take care of it. In the war time to pacify soldiers was very important. That was what Ronglu did. So when Big Brother complained to Ronglu about the fight, Ronglu criticized his behavior. Big Brother took it out on the owner of the theater. He went to complain to the mayor of XiAn City, who ordered the theater to be closed. Furthermore, he declared that in the war time all the entertainment places and restaurants should be closed.
So many courtiers and other rich people came to the city. It was a good chance for business. All the owners of the theaters and restaurants sent in a petition to open these places again. After briberies these places were opened once more, but fighting was prohibited.
West Empress Dowager had sent Mayor Wu Yong to other provinces on business. Mayor Wu came back to report that his assignments were accomplished. West Empress Dowager was happy with him. When he had passed Canton City and met Governor Zhang, Zhang had said to him that he should advise West Empress Dowager to expel Big Brother because it was for him that his father, Prince Zaiyi, had brought such catastrophe to the country. He was really the cause of it. When Mayor Wu saw that West Empress Dowager was happy, he conveyed the opinion of Governor Zhang to her. West Empress Dowager already disliked the boy and Some other courtiers informed West Empress Dowager that the boy should be removed from the position of the future successor since his father was responsible for the disaster and on exile. Besides, the boy was really an unsuitable candidate for an emperorship as he hated to study. So the boy was deprived of the title and sent to live with his father in Mongolian district.

[xlwoo]

The general of the division these soldiers belonged came to see Ronglu to beg pardon, but Ronglu told him that it was the fault of Big Brother. The general shouldn't worry about it. Ronglu said that he would take care of it. In the war time to pacify soldiers was very important. That was what Ronglu did. So when Big Brother complained to Ronglu about the fight, Ronglu criticized his behavior. Big Brother took it out on the owner of the theater. He went to complain to the mayor of XiAn City, who ordered the theater to be closed. Furthermore, he declared that in the war time all the entertainment places and restaurants should be closed.
So many courtiers and other rich people came to the city. It was a good chance for business. All the owners of the theaters and restaurants sent in a petition to open these places again. After briberies these places were opened once more, but fighting was prohibited.
West Empress Dowager had sent Mayor Wu Yong to other provinces on business. Mayor Wu came back to report that his assignments were accomplished. West Empress Dowager was happy with him. When he had passed Canton City and met Governor Zhang, Zhang had said to him that he should advise West Empress Dowager to expel Big Brother because it was for him that his father, Prince Zaiyi, had brought such catastrophe to the country. He was really the cause of it. When Mayor Wu saw that West Empress Dowager was happy, he conveyed the opinion of Governor Zhang to her. West Empress Dowager already disliked the boy and Some other courtiers informed West Empress Dowager that the boy should be removed from the position of the future successor since his father was responsible for the disaster and on exile. Besides, the boy was really an unsuitable candidate for an emperorship as he hated to study. So the boy was deprived of the title and sent to live with his father in Mongolian district.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 45

West Empress Dowager and the emperor left XiAn City on a return journey to the capital. The routine was that all the roads should be repaired, no pits allowed. Yellow sands must be strewn on the road surface. At such a time the routine was still kept. The local government had to organize people for the toil. And on the return trip West Empress Dowager, the emperor, the queen and Concubine Jin all rode in palanquins, not on wagons any more. They came to Kaifeng City, which had been the capital of Song Dynasty. West Empress Dowager was reported that the foreign troops had withdrawn from the capital after the treaty had been signed. The foreign envoys would come to meet her when she arrived in the capital. She felt at rest that the foreign envoys were still so polite to her. She had been afraid of their attitude toward her ever since the war broke out.
From the Kaifeng City they took a ship to ferry across the Yellow River to the north side. Then they hit a small town, called Yellow Millet Town. There was a story about this town. In Tang Dynasty there lived a young man who had desired to be a high-rank official. Once he went to the capital for the government test and passed this small town. He stayed in someone's house there for the night. An old man gave him a clay pillow to rest his head on. He himself went to cook millet for supper. The young man was tired from the journey and lay down on the bed. When his head touched the pillow, he found himself in the capital. He was the first in the test and was appointed a high position. He did everything so good that he was promoted fast till he was a prime minister and was then conferred a title of duke. Now only the emperor was above him in rank. He could be promoted no more. He had a huge family, sons and daughters, grandsons and grand daughters. He was very happy with his life and lived to a very old age. But at that time he woke up. It was but a dream. And the millet was still being cooked. The story was called the Yellow Millet Dream that meant life is short at best. Why should everyone hustle and bustle to run after wealth and fame?

[xlwoo]

Chapter 45

West Empress Dowager and the emperor left XiAn City on a return journey to the capital. The routine was that all the roads should be repaired, no pits allowed. Yellow sands must be strewn on the road surface. At such a time the routine was still kept. The local government had to organize people for the toil. And on the return trip West Empress Dowager, the emperor, the queen and Concubine Jin all rode in palanquins, not on wagons any more. They came to Kaifeng City, which had been the capital of Song Dynasty. West Empress Dowager was reported that the foreign troops had withdrawn from the capital after the treaty had been signed. The foreign envoys would come to meet her when she arrived in the capital. She felt at rest that the foreign envoys were still so polite to her. She had been afraid of their attitude toward her ever since the war broke out.
From the Kaifeng City they took a ship to ferry across the Yellow River to the north side. Then they hit a small town, called Yellow Millet Town. There was a story about this town. In Tang Dynasty there lived a young man who had desired to be a high-rank official. Once he went to the capital for the government test and passed this small town. He stayed in someone's house there for the night. An old man gave him a clay pillow to rest his head on. He himself went to cook millet for supper. The young man was tired from the journey and lay down on the bed. When his head touched the pillow, he found himself in the capital. He was the first in the test and was appointed a high position. He did everything so good that he was promoted fast till he was a prime minister and was then conferred a title of duke. Now only the emperor was above him in rank. He could be promoted no more. He had a huge family, sons and daughters, grandsons and grand daughters. He was very happy with his life and lived to a very old age. But at that time he woke up. It was but a dream. And the millet was still being cooked. The story was called the Yellow Millet Dream that meant life is short at best. Why should everyone hustle and bustle to run after wealth and fame?

[xlwoo]

When they entered Hebei Province, they were transferred to a special train at a small town and reached the capital in the train. It was the second time for West Empress Dowager to ride in the train. The first time the train she had ridden was a sample train in the imperial West Garden before the Purple-Light Pavilion. A foreign businessman wanted to build railroads in China. Many Chinese people opposed it, including some conservative courtiers. To gain support from West Empress dowager, the foreign businessman offered a sample mini-train as a gift to West Empress Dowager. The rails only covered a short distance with a couple of train cars on them. For safety, West Empress Dowager wouldn't allow the locomotive to draw the mini-train. Instead she ordered eunuchs to push and pull the carriage she sat in. The experience was told as a joke among the foreigners.
When West Empress Dowager got off the train, she saw the foreign envoys coming to welcome her. She waved to them. Then she was carried in a palanquin into the Forbidden City. When West Empress Dowager returned to her chamber, those remaining in the Forbidden City, the royal household, the maids and eunuchs, all came to pay their respects to her. Except one. Royal Concubine Yu who was the concubine of the late emperor Tongzhi, the biological son of West Empress Dowager, not of the present emperor Guangxu. In the absence of West Empress Dowager, she took charge of all the things in the Forbidden City.
The buried treasures are still there. She informed when she was summoned to see West Empress Dowager later, alone. “Now I must return these to the rightful persons.” She continued, pointing to a tray carried by a eunuch kneeling a little behind her. On the tray stood three imperial seals wrapped in yellow brocade. One belonged to West Empress Dowager, which was made of white jade. One was the emperor's, which was carved from an emerald of the best quality. The third was the queen's, which was cast in gold. What if these seals were stolen? No one could answer this question. Concubine Yu really deserved a reward, which was only a praise of words. “I always know you are a good thoughtful lady.” said West Empress Dowager, who very seldom praised people like that.

[xlwoo]

When they entered Hebei Province, they were transferred to a special train at a small town and reached the capital in the train. It was the second time for West Empress Dowager to ride in the train. The first time the train she had ridden was a sample train in the imperial West Garden before the Purple-Light Pavilion. A foreign businessman wanted to build railroads in China. Many Chinese people opposed it, including some conservative courtiers. To gain support from West Empress dowager, the foreign businessman offered a sample mini-train as a gift to West Empress Dowager. The rails only covered a short distance with a couple of train cars on them. For safety, West Empress Dowager wouldn't allow the locomotive to draw the mini-train. Instead she ordered eunuchs to push and pull the carriage she sat in. The experience was told as a joke among the foreigners.
When West Empress Dowager got off the train, she saw the foreign envoys coming to welcome her. She waved to them. Then she was carried in a palanquin into the Forbidden City. When West Empress Dowager returned to her chamber, those remaining in the Forbidden City, the royal household, the maids and eunuchs, all came to pay their respects to her. Except one. Royal Concubine Yu who was the concubine of the late emperor Tongzhi, the biological son of West Empress Dowager, not of the present emperor Guangxu. In the absence of West Empress Dowager, she took charge of all the things in the Forbidden City.
The buried treasures are still there. She informed when she was summoned to see West Empress Dowager later, alone. “Now I must return these to the rightful persons.” She continued, pointing to a tray carried by a eunuch kneeling a little behind her. On the tray stood three imperial seals wrapped in yellow brocade. One belonged to West Empress Dowager, which was made of white jade. One was the emperor's, which was carved from an emerald of the best quality. The third was the queen's, which was cast in gold. What if these seals were stolen? No one could answer this question. Concubine Yu really deserved a reward, which was only a praise of words. “I always know you are a good thoughtful lady.” said West Empress Dowager, who very seldom praised people like that.

[xlwoo]

It was said that West Empress Dowager had often dreamed of Concubine Zhen after she had ordered her drowned in the well. The image of Concubine Zhen in her dream was ghastly. It was said that maids and eunuchs often encountered something like a shadow floating and moving in the air around where Concubine Zhen had lived when alive.
“I don't know how to report to Old Buddha . . .” Concubine Yu didn't finish the sentence.
“You can say whatever you want. I won't be offended.” West Empress Dowager promised.
“I often dreamed Concubine Zhen. She asked to be buried somewhere. She doesn't like to lie in the well. It's too cold there.”
“That's what I am always thinking.” West Empress Dowager gave an order that Concubine Zhen's corpse should be lifted from the well and buried with a proper ceremony as befitting her status as a royal concubine.
“Your slave have something else to report to Old Buddha.” Royal Concubine Yu went on, “Your slave dreamt Concubine Zhen many times. Concubine Zhen said to your slave in the dream that Concubine Zhen need a memorial tablet (a small wooden tablet on which the name of the deceased was engraved. The tablet was often put on a table with incense and candles before it for people to pay their respects to the deceased.) so that her ghost can sit behind it, won't float in the air.”
“Where did she say that she wants to keep her memorial tablet?” West Empress Dowager asked.
“In the empty room just beside the well Concubine Zhen died in.” West Empress Dowager agreed to the arrangement. West Empress Dowager knew that she must be nice to the emperor now as the circumstances had changed, though she still wanted to control the emperor. When the emperor had been confined on the island, he had been treated like a prisoner. Just enough food, enough clothes. Sometimes even no fire to warm the room. Now he was treated as an emperor, just like before the reform. It was because the emperor would interview the foreign envoys according to the international practice. If the emperor said something about his maltreatment, it would give the foreign governments an excuse to request the return of power to the emperor. This was the least West Empress Dowager wanted.

[xlwoo]

It was said that West Empress Dowager had often dreamed of Concubine Zhen after she had ordered her drowned in the well. The image of Concubine Zhen in her dream was ghastly. It was said that maids and eunuchs often encountered something like a shadow floating and moving in the air around where Concubine Zhen had lived when alive.
“I don't know how to report to Old Buddha . . .” Concubine Yu didn't finish the sentence.
“You can say whatever you want. I won't be offended.” West Empress Dowager promised.
“I often dreamed Concubine Zhen. She asked to be buried somewhere. She doesn't like to lie in the well. It's too cold there.”
“That's what I am always thinking.” West Empress Dowager gave an order that Concubine Zhen's corpse should be lifted from the well and buried with a proper ceremony as befitting her status as a royal concubine.
“Your slave have something else to report to Old Buddha.” Royal Concubine Yu went on, “Your slave dreamt Concubine Zhen many times. Concubine Zhen said to your slave in the dream that Concubine Zhen need a memorial tablet (a small wooden tablet on which the name of the deceased was engraved. The tablet was often put on a table with incense and candles before it for people to pay their respects to the deceased.) so that her ghost can sit behind it, won't float in the air.”
“Where did she say that she wants to keep her memorial tablet?” West Empress Dowager asked.
“In the empty room just beside the well Concubine Zhen died in.” West Empress Dowager agreed to the arrangement. West Empress Dowager knew that she must be nice to the emperor now as the circumstances had changed, though she still wanted to control the emperor. When the emperor had been confined on the island, he had been treated like a prisoner. Just enough food, enough clothes. Sometimes even no fire to warm the room. Now he was treated as an emperor, just like before the reform. It was because the emperor would interview the foreign envoys according to the international practice. If the emperor said something about his maltreatment, it would give the foreign governments an excuse to request the return of power to the emperor. This was the least West Empress Dowager wanted.

[xlwoo]

The reform launched by the emperor had impressed the foreign governments. They had sympathized with him when it had failed. They had been concerned for his safety when the emperor had been confined. If the emperor complained to any of the envoys, it would bring her international troubles.
“You'd better go to Concubine Zhen's funeral.” West Empress Dowager advised the emperor to show that she had never disapproved them to love each other. “She will be buried as a royal concubine.”
Her head eunuch Li was sent to see the emperor when he returned to his study. West Empress Dowager didn't really want the emperor to see the misshaped corpse of Concubine Zhen. It would certainly remind him of how she had died.
But head eunuch Li didn't know how to dissuade the emperor from attending the funeral.
“Can you get something for me?” the emperor asked eunuch Li, “Something Concubine Zhen had used or worn, by which I can remember her.”
“Your slave will do the best and see what can be got.” Eunuch Li replied. But he was not sure where he could turn to look for the something the emperor so wistfully desired.
Suddenly an idea occurred to him. Very probably, Concubine Jin kept something of her sister's as a memento. He went to see Concubine Jin and conveyed the emperor's wish. She rummaged in a trunk and finally produced a small gold box, which she gave to him, which he presented to the emperor, adding, “Concubine Jin said that it's better Emperor won't go to the funeral. It's so cold outside. If Emperor falls sick, Concubine Zhen will be uneasy in her afterlife.”
“I will take her advice.” Said the emperor, caressing the box as if it were a pet. “You can leave now.” Head eunuch Li went back to report to West Empress Dowager.

[xlwoo]

The reform launched by the emperor had impressed the foreign governments. They had sympathized with him when it had failed. They had been concerned for his safety when the emperor had been confined. If the emperor complained to any of the envoys, it would bring her international troubles.
“You'd better go to Concubine Zhen's funeral.” West Empress Dowager advised the emperor to show that she had never disapproved them to love each other. “She will be buried as a royal concubine.”
Her head eunuch Li was sent to see the emperor when he returned to his study. West Empress Dowager didn't really want the emperor to see the misshaped corpse of Concubine Zhen. It would certainly remind him of how she had died.
But head eunuch Li didn't know how to dissuade the emperor from attending the funeral.
“Can you get something for me?” the emperor asked eunuch Li, “Something Concubine Zhen had used or worn, by which I can remember her.”
“Your slave will do the best and see what can be got.” Eunuch Li replied. But he was not sure where he could turn to look for the something the emperor so wistfully desired.
Suddenly an idea occurred to him. Very probably, Concubine Jin kept something of her sister's as a memento. He went to see Concubine Jin and conveyed the emperor's wish. She rummaged in a trunk and finally produced a small gold box, which she gave to him, which he presented to the emperor, adding, “Concubine Jin said that it's better Emperor won't go to the funeral. It's so cold outside. If Emperor falls sick, Concubine Zhen will be uneasy in her afterlife.”
“I will take her advice.” Said the emperor, caressing the box as if it were a pet. “You can leave now.” Head eunuch Li went back to report to West Empress Dowager.

[xlwoo]

Since the German envoy had been killed in the riot of Yihetuan, the German king insisted that Qing government should send a prince to Germany to apologize. West Empress Dowager sent Prince Zaifeng, the step-brother of the present emperor, to Germany. As the emperor had made a good impression on the foreign governments, the German king received his step-brother in a cordial manner and encouraged him to take part in more political activities. When Prince Zaifeng returned and reported to West Empress Dowager, she suspected that the foreign governments might support Prince Zaifeng to be the emperor if anything happened to the present emperor. She knew that Prince Zaifeng was not a man of ability and had no ambition whatsoever. But what if he was goaded towards that direction?
In old China, when the son of a family might go astray, the parents always found him a wife who could lead him on the right path in life, given that the wife was demure and decent in moral and behavior, and had the talent to turn the husband round her little finger. So West Empress Dowager began to look for such a girl to be the wife of Prince Zaifeng.
Ronglu had a son and a daughter. The son had died young from some kind of disease. The daughter was about the same age as Prince Zaifeng, but was known very shrewd and eloquent. Head eunuch Li suggested that she was the right girl for Prince Zaifeng. However, Prince Zaifeng had already been engaged to another girl from a Mongolian family. West Empress Dowager ordered the engagement to be broken. Normally, if the boy's family wanted to break the engagement, it would be deemed that they had found some demerits or misconduct with the girl and it was a disgrace to the girl. Although it was different in this case, the girl still thought it as a disgrace to her. She thereby made her suicide by drinking some poison.

[xlwoo]

Since the German envoy had been killed in the riot of Yihetuan, the German king insisted that Qing government should send a prince to Germany to apologize. West Empress Dowager sent Prince Zaifeng, the step-brother of the present emperor, to Germany. As the emperor had made a good impression on the foreign governments, the German king received his step-brother in a cordial manner and encouraged him to take part in more political activities. When Prince Zaifeng returned and reported to West Empress Dowager, she suspected that the foreign governments might support Prince Zaifeng to be the emperor if anything happened to the present emperor. She knew that Prince Zaifeng was not a man of ability and had no ambition whatsoever. But what if he was goaded towards that direction?
In old China, when the son of a family might go astray, the parents always found him a wife who could lead him on the right path in life, given that the wife was demure and decent in moral and behavior, and had the talent to turn the husband round her little finger. So West Empress Dowager began to look for such a girl to be the wife of Prince Zaifeng.
Ronglu had a son and a daughter. The son had died young from some kind of disease. The daughter was about the same age as Prince Zaifeng, but was known very shrewd and eloquent. Head eunuch Li suggested that she was the right girl for Prince Zaifeng. However, Prince Zaifeng had already been engaged to another girl from a Mongolian family. West Empress Dowager ordered the engagement to be broken. Normally, if the boy's family wanted to break the engagement, it would be deemed that they had found some demerits or misconduct with the girl and it was a disgrace to the girl. Although it was different in this case, the girl still thought it as a disgrace to her. She thereby made her suicide by drinking some poison.

[xlwoo]

Prince Zaifeng and Ronglu's daughter, Funiu, were soon engaged to be married. West Empress Dowager often summoned the daughter Funiu into the Forbidden City. She was a clever girl and knew how to talk sweet. Before the wedding day when she was in the Forbidden City, West Empress Dowager said to her, “I think you have everything. I don't know what you could lack. But I still want to give you something as a wedding gift.” She gesticulated to her head eunuch Li to take out her jewelry box, which was in her bedroom. Eunuch Li got two eunuchs to carry out the jewelry box. When the box was opened, glistening colorful gems and gold met the eye of the peepers. West Empress Dowager beckoned Funiu forward and told her to pick six items, whatever she loved. This really was a special favor. She would soon be her niece-in-law.
There were four compartments in the box. All sorts of pearls were in the first compartment, some as big as a playing marble. The second compartment contained colorful precious stones. Jade of all the different shapes and sizes were stored in the third compartment and miscellaneous pieces were put in the fourth compartment. “You can choose from the miscellaneous compartment first.” West Empress Dowager advised her. There was a diamond ring. The diamond was as big as the core of an apricot. She was about to pick the ring when she heard someone coughed. She looked up at Big Princess, who was moving her head a bit from left to right. So she took up a diamond bracelet instead. “It is a nice piece. You can try it on.” West Empress Dowager instructed. She put it on her wrist and showed it to West Empress Dowager. “It looks pretty on you.” West Empress Dowager commented. So Big princess said, “You can keep it on.” Then she was told to select six pieces. It meant that the bracelet was the extra gift. She got six more.
Ronglu was seriously sick at the time, but the wedding was still held. Superstitious people at that time thought that a big event like a wedding would drive away the demons of sickness. But demons of sickness didn't fear such things like a wedding and took Ronglu away with them not long after the wedding. The news of the death of Ronglu hit West Empress Dowager really hard and she wept sincere tears.

[xlwoo]

Prince Zaifeng and Ronglu's daughter, Funiu, were soon engaged to be married. West Empress Dowager often summoned the daughter Funiu into the Forbidden City. She was a clever girl and knew how to talk sweet. Before the wedding day when she was in the Forbidden City, West Empress Dowager said to her, “I think you have everything. I don't know what you could lack. But I still want to give you something as a wedding gift.” She gesticulated to her head eunuch Li to take out her jewelry box, which was in her bedroom. Eunuch Li got two eunuchs to carry out the jewelry box. When the box was opened, glistening colorful gems and gold met the eye of the peepers. West Empress Dowager beckoned Funiu forward and told her to pick six items, whatever she loved. This really was a special favor. She would soon be her niece-in-law.
There were four compartments in the box. All sorts of pearls were in the first compartment, some as big as a playing marble. The second compartment contained colorful precious stones. Jade of all the different shapes and sizes were stored in the third compartment and miscellaneous pieces were put in the fourth compartment. “You can choose from the miscellaneous compartment first.” West Empress Dowager advised her. There was a diamond ring. The diamond was as big as the core of an apricot. She was about to pick the ring when she heard someone coughed. She looked up at Big Princess, who was moving her head a bit from left to right. So she took up a diamond bracelet instead. “It is a nice piece. You can try it on.” West Empress Dowager instructed. She put it on her wrist and showed it to West Empress Dowager. “It looks pretty on you.” West Empress Dowager commented. So Big princess said, “You can keep it on.” Then she was told to select six pieces. It meant that the bracelet was the extra gift. She got six more.
Ronglu was seriously sick at the time, but the wedding was still held. Superstitious people at that time thought that a big event like a wedding would drive away the demons of sickness. But demons of sickness didn't fear such things like a wedding and took Ronglu away with them not long after the wedding. The news of the death of Ronglu hit West Empress Dowager really hard and she wept sincere tears.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 46

Although the reform started by the emperor had failed, people all over the country still required it. They blamed West Empress Dowager for the failure. It was all on the newspapers.
West Empress Dowager hereby made a public declaration that she wanted reform, too, but step by step. First, she wanted to denounce the examination system for the selection of government officials and to establish new western-style schools. But some conservative courtiers argued, “If this system was denounced, how can the government officials be chosen when needed?” Other courtiers supporting the reform refuted, “We can choose from the students at schools.”
West Empress Dowager also agreed to send a group of young students overseas to study in America. China needed a lot of people with special skills and knowledge of special technology like people who knew foreign languages to deal with the foreign countries, like people who could set up and operate telegram system and build railroads and steamboats, particularly warships, and could dig up ores for the newly developed industries.
But many students having been sent to study in America picked up western life-style and habits, which was considered to betray the Chinese traditions. Some courtiers suggested that all the students should return to China or their minds would be further contaminated. After plenty of debates, West Empress Dowager consented to let the students return. The newspapers called it a waste of money, but some of the students had really learned something and became earliest engineers in the building of railroads and ships, etc.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 46

Although the reform started by the emperor had failed, people all over the country still required it. They blamed West Empress Dowager for the failure. It was all on the newspapers.
West Empress Dowager hereby made a public declaration that she wanted reform, too, but step by step. First, she wanted to denounce the examination system for the selection of government officials and to establish new western-style schools. But some conservative courtiers argued, “If this system was denounced, how can the government officials be chosen when needed?” Other courtiers supporting the reform refuted, “We can choose from the students at schools.”
West Empress Dowager also agreed to send a group of young students overseas to study in America. China needed a lot of people with special skills and knowledge of special technology like people who knew foreign languages to deal with the foreign countries, like people who could set up and operate telegram system and build railroads and steamboats, particularly warships, and could dig up ores for the newly developed industries.
But many students having been sent to study in America picked up western life-style and habits, which was considered to betray the Chinese traditions. Some courtiers suggested that all the students should return to China or their minds would be further contaminated. After plenty of debates, West Empress Dowager consented to let the students return. The newspapers called it a waste of money, but some of the students had really learned something and became earliest engineers in the building of railroads and ships, etc.

[xlwoo]

In order to make political reform like Japan, West Empress Dowager sent five courtiers abroad to learn from Japan and other foreign countries. On the day they were to leave, the five courtiers arrived at the railway station one by one. Just before the train started, a middle-aged man dressed like a servant wanted to board the carriage in which the courtiers were seated. The guards at the carriage door stopped him, but the next moment, Bang! a bomb exploded. The man and the guards died. Two courtiers were injured, though not seriously, and the carriage was destroyed. One of the courtiers was so dreadful that he resigned from this assignment, of which everyone envied.
It was said that the man carrying the bomb was a member of the revolutionary party in Canton City, whose aim was to overthrow the reign of the Mandarin Clan. They declared that Qing government was cheating people by sending some courtiers to learn from the foreign countries how to organize the election of the house representatives to form the congress of China. Whether it was cheating or not, West Empress Dowager promised to realize it after nine years. A few months later some other courtiers got aboard a ship in Shanghai and sailed to Japan. Some of the Chinese scholars had escaped to live in Japan after the reform of the emperor had failed. They were studying how the reform had been made in Japan. One of the courtiers that came to Japan knew one of the scholars there. He told other courtiers to have a good time and fun. He would take care of the report, which must send in to West Empress Dowager when they returned to China. He let the scholar write a report for them about the reform in Japan and paid him one thousand taels of silver. Therefore, when the five courtiers returned from Japan, they handed in a report, stating how to organize a cabinet and to form a congress, etc.
The part of the reform that met with the strongest challenge was the change of the system of officialdom, because many officials were afraid to lose jobs. But this time, since West Empress Dowager supported the reform, all oppositions were futile. No one was really out of job. Some old ministries changed names only. Some new ministries were set up. And many officials were only moved from this ministry to another ministry. For those who didn't have new assignments yet, they still got paid with the same salary and were put on a waiting list. The newly established ministries were those: Foreign Affairs Ministry to replace Foreign Affairs Yamen, Civil Ministry, Military Ministry, Agriculture & Industry & Commerce Ministry, Communications & Transportation Ministry. The old ministries had two ministers in equal charge, one was from the Mandarin Clan and the other from the Han Clan, while the new ministries had only one minister, who was either from the Mandarin Clan or from the Han Clan. But the fact was that more ministers came from the Mandarin Clan. The courtiers of the Han Clan complained about it on the sly.

[xlwoo]

In order to make political reform like Japan, West Empress Dowager sent five courtiers abroad to learn from Japan and other foreign countries. On the day they were to leave, the five courtiers arrived at the railway station one by one. Just before the train started, a middle-aged man dressed like a servant wanted to board the carriage in which the courtiers were seated. The guards at the carriage door stopped him, but the next moment, Bang! a bomb exploded. The man and the guards died. Two courtiers were injured, though not seriously, and the carriage was destroyed. One of the courtiers was so dreadful that he resigned from this assignment, of which everyone envied.
It was said that the man carrying the bomb was a member of the revolutionary party in Canton City, whose aim was to overthrow the reign of the Mandarin Clan. They declared that Qing government was cheating people by sending some courtiers to learn from the foreign countries how to organize the election of the house representatives to form the congress of China. Whether it was cheating or not, West Empress Dowager promised to realize it after nine years. A few months later some other courtiers got aboard a ship in Shanghai and sailed to Japan. Some of the Chinese scholars had escaped to live in Japan after the reform of the emperor had failed. They were studying how the reform had been made in Japan. One of the courtiers that came to Japan knew one of the scholars there. He told other courtiers to have a good time and fun. He would take care of the report, which must send in to West Empress Dowager when they returned to China. He let the scholar write a report for them about the reform in Japan and paid him one thousand taels of silver. Therefore, when the five courtiers returned from Japan, they handed in a report, stating how to organize a cabinet and to form a congress, etc.
The part of the reform that met with the strongest challenge was the change of the system of officialdom, because many officials were afraid to lose jobs. But this time, since West Empress Dowager supported the reform, all oppositions were futile. No one was really out of job. Some old ministries changed names only. Some new ministries were set up. And many officials were only moved from this ministry to another ministry. For those who didn't have new assignments yet, they still got paid with the same salary and were put on a waiting list. The newly established ministries were those: Foreign Affairs Ministry to replace Foreign Affairs Yamen, Civil Ministry, Military Ministry, Agriculture & Industry & Commerce Ministry, Communications & Transportation Ministry. The old ministries had two ministers in equal charge, one was from the Mandarin Clan and the other from the Han Clan, while the new ministries had only one minister, who was either from the Mandarin Clan or from the Han Clan. But the fact was that more ministers came from the Mandarin Clan. The courtiers of the Han Clan complained about it on the sly.

[xlwoo]

After the death of Ronglu, Prince Yikuang was the head of the Secretarial Bureau. He was an avaricious man. He had six hundred thousand taels of silver that he wanted to deposit in a foreign bank. His son knew the manager of a British bank and they deposited the money in that bank. The manager and the son were both fond of women and often went to the brothels. The manager was generous with money and so was more welcomed by the whores than the son. The son was jealous of the manager and once he told his bodyguards to beat the manager.
The manager wanted to avenge. He went to see a friend, whose title was a critique official. Next day, a report showed up before West Empress Dowager, stating that Prince Yikuang had six hundred thousand taels of silver deposited in a British bank and then asking why Prince Yikuang didn't deposit it in one of the money shops run by the government. West Empress Dowager thought that it was right and asked Prince Yikuang the reason why he didn't put the money in the money shops. Prince Yikuang had to disown that he had such an amount of money in a British bank, because it was all ill-gotten money that he didn't dare to let West Empress Dowager know. He begged West Empress Dowager to send someone to investigate, adding that if the investigation proved that he had the money, he was willing to donate it to the government. Of course West Empress Dowager sent a secretary of state to do the job. But the secretary could not surmount the obstacle of the private policy of the bank and he had to report the outcome to West Empress Dowager.
Prince Yikuang wanted to withdraw the money out of the British bank and deposit it into another foreign bank lest the secret should be uncovered by West Empress Dowager. He sent for the manager, who said that he didn't need to transfer the money and a change of the name for the account was the right thing to do. So Prince Yikuang gave the manager the account book and his personal seal. Next day, the manager came bringing him a new account book and another seal with a new name on it. After six months when he needed some money and sent his butler to make a withdrawal, he was told that all his money was gone and the manager disappeared.
The manager had used the account book and his personal seal to withdraw all his money and put into his own account and then he had given Prince Yikuang a new account book with no money in it. He had given the critique official one-third of the money he had promised. He had fled to Shanghai. When the son was told the bad news, he knew that it was the revenge for the beating he had given him. The beating cost six hundred thousand taels of silver, very expensive.

[xlwoo]

After the death of Ronglu, Prince Yikuang was the head of the Secretarial Bureau. He was an avaricious man. He had six hundred thousand taels of silver that he wanted to deposit in a foreign bank. His son knew the manager of a British bank and they deposited the money in that bank. The manager and the son were both fond of women and often went to the brothels. The manager was generous with money and so was more welcomed by the whores than the son. The son was jealous of the manager and once he told his bodyguards to beat the manager.
The manager wanted to avenge. He went to see a friend, whose title was a critique official. Next day, a report showed up before West Empress Dowager, stating that Prince Yikuang had six hundred thousand taels of silver deposited in a British bank and then asking why Prince Yikuang didn't deposit it in one of the money shops run by the government. West Empress Dowager thought that it was right and asked Prince Yikuang the reason why he didn't put the money in the money shops. Prince Yikuang had to disown that he had such an amount of money in a British bank, because it was all ill-gotten money that he didn't dare to let West Empress Dowager know. He begged West Empress Dowager to send someone to investigate, adding that if the investigation proved that he had the money, he was willing to donate it to the government. Of course West Empress Dowager sent a secretary of state to do the job. But the secretary could not surmount the obstacle of the private policy of the bank and he had to report the outcome to West Empress Dowager.
Prince Yikuang wanted to withdraw the money out of the British bank and deposit it into another foreign bank lest the secret should be uncovered by West Empress Dowager. He sent for the manager, who said that he didn't need to transfer the money and a change of the name for the account was the right thing to do. So Prince Yikuang gave the manager the account book and his personal seal. Next day, the manager came bringing him a new account book and another seal with a new name on it. After six months when he needed some money and sent his butler to make a withdrawal, he was told that all his money was gone and the manager disappeared.
The manager had used the account book and his personal seal to withdraw all his money and put into his own account and then he had given Prince Yikuang a new account book with no money in it. He had given the critique official one-third of the money he had promised. He had fled to Shanghai. When the son was told the bad news, he knew that it was the revenge for the beating he had given him. The beating cost six hundred thousand taels of silver, very expensive.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 47

After the Sino-Japanese war, the Japanese army didn't retreat from the Chinese territory. They stayed in the northeastern part of China. There were three provinces in that part. Russia also had its army there. Russian army had entered that part during the riot of Yihetuan and had stayed there ever since. A war between Russia and Japan seemed inevitable.
When at last Russia and Japan both declared war against each other, all other countries that had troops in China proclaimed that they would keep neutral. Japan notified Qing government that China should also keep neutral. It sounded ridiculous that they would fight on the land of China and wanted China to remain neutral. It was like two intruders fought in someone's house and the owner shouldn't say anything about it. But Qing government was too weak then to do anything to prevent the war that happened in its own territory. But strict neutralness was impossible. Japan had bribed Prince Yikuang and so the attitude of Qing government favored Japan. They allowed Japan to recruit the horse robbers there to fight Russia. Under the secret help of Qing government Japan defeated Russia in Liaodong Peninsular.
Russia had a fleet in the harbor of Luda. Japan sank some ships at the mouth to block the escape of Russian fleet. There was a low hill at the other side of the harbor. If Japan could occupy the low hill Japan was able to wipe out the Russian fleet. So the combat was focused on the low hill. At last Japanese army took over the hill and controlled the situation. The Russian fleet had to surrender.
The next battle centered around Liaoyang City. Russia gathered four hundred thousand strong and Japan had three hundred thousand. Their combat front line lasted hundreds of kilometers. A Japanese detachment went a roundabout way to the back of the Russian troops. When the Russian commander found it out, his troops were already surrounded. But to surround four hundred thousand strong with only three hundred thousand soldiers was not easy. So the Russian troops broke out of the encirclement. Both sides were weakened in that battle and they had to have an unproclaimed truce.

[xlwoo]

Chapter 47

After the Sino-Japanese war, the Japanese army didn't retreat from the Chinese territory. They stayed in the northeastern part of China. There were three provinces in that part. Russia also had its army there. Russian army had entered that part during the riot of Yihetuan and had stayed there ever since. A war between Russia and Japan seemed inevitable.
When at last Russia and Japan both declared war against each other, all other countries that had troops in China proclaimed that they would keep neutral. Japan notified Qing government that China should also keep neutral. It sounded ridiculous that they would fight on the land of China and wanted China to remain neutral. It was like two intruders fought in someone's house and the owner shouldn't say anything about it. But Qing government was too weak then to do anything to prevent the war that happened in its own territory. But strict neutralness was impossible. Japan had bribed Prince Yikuang and so the attitude of Qing government favored Japan. They allowed Japan to recruit the horse robbers there to fight Russia. Under the secret help of Qing government Japan defeated Russia in Liaodong Peninsular.
Russia had a fleet in the harbor of Luda. Japan sank some ships at the mouth to block the escape of Russian fleet. There was a low hill at the other side of the harbor. If Japan could occupy the low hill Japan was able to wipe out the Russian fleet. So the combat was focused on the low hill. At last Japanese army took over the hill and controlled the situation. The Russian fleet had to surrender.
The next battle centered around Liaoyang City. Russia gathered four hundred thousand strong and Japan had three hundred thousand. Their combat front line lasted hundreds of kilometers. A Japanese detachment went a roundabout way to the back of the Russian troops. When the Russian commander found it out, his troops were already surrounded. But to surround four hundred thousand strong with only three hundred thousand soldiers was not easy. So the Russian troops broke out of the encirclement. Both sides were weakened in that battle and they had to have an unproclaimed truce.

[xlwoo]

Two Russian fleets came to the east from the Black Sea round the Cape of Good Hope. When they reached the Yellow Sea, they were ambushed by Japanese fleets and all their warships were destroyed. But Russian army got reinforcement. It seemed that no one could win the war. Through the mediation of America, Russia and Japan signed a peace treaty.
The war between Russia and Japan was over, but their armies still remained in China. Other foreign countries insisted that both Russian and Japanese armies should be withdrawn from the domain of China. When the three provinces were returned to Qing government, there should be three governors for these provinces. Official Duan Zhigui liked to govern Heilongjiang Province. He wished to bribe Prince Yikuang, the head secretary of state, but someone advised him that it should be better to bribe the son of Prince Yikuang. It was easy because the son was a sucker for beautiful girls. To get a beautiful girl didn't need a lot of money.
Some troupes began to train actresses. Yang Cuixi was a celebrated actress. Official Duan invited the son to watch an opera starring the actress Yang. From his look, Official Duan could conclude that he fell in love with the actress Yang at the first sight, like a fly fell unconsciously into the web of a spider. The actress Yang had been sold to the troupe by her poor parents. Official Duan found the troupe owner and paid him the double price and freed the girl from the troupe. The owner looked upon the actress Yang, a celebrity now, as the goose that lays the golden eggs, but he didn't dare to refuse the offer of an official. He had to part with the goose.
Official Duan bought a house and let the actress Yang live there. Then he invited the son to dinner in the house. When the son arrived and settled down at the table, Official Duan excused himself that he must go to wash his hands. Actually he left the house, leaving the son and the actress Yang together. The son waited for Official Duan to return, but to his surprise he saw the actress Yang come into the room instead. She went to sit on his lap, smiling at him. He was young and good-looking, plus a nobleman. He embraced her and kissed her on the cheek. She offered a cup of wine (no glass yet at that time. A china cup was used for the wine) to him, but he said, “I like to drink wine from the fleshy cup, sweetie.” Her supple body writhed a bit on his lap, which meant that she was too shy to do it. At his persistence, she sucked the wine from the cup into her mouth and pressed her lips tightly against his lips. Then she fed the wine from her mouth into his mouth. Her mouth served as the cup made of human flesh. He swallowed the wine and sighed with satisfaction. “How sweet, honey.” He whispered into her ear. He carried her into the bedroom, which was just in the back. They stripped naked and fell on the bed in a tangled human knot, the bed groaning under their combined weight.
Official Duan got the position of the governor of Heilongjiang Province, but the Japanese army was not withdrawn yet. He had to wait patiently.

[xlwoo]

Two Russian fleets came to the east from the Black Sea round the Cape of Good Hope. When they reached the Yellow Sea, they were ambushed by Japanese fleets and all their warships were destroyed. But Russian army got reinforcement. It seemed that no one could win the war. Through the mediation of America, Russia and Japan signed a peace treaty.
The war between Russia and Japan was over, but their armies still remained in China. Other foreign countries insisted that both Russian and Japanese armies should be withdrawn from the domain of China. When the three provinces were returned to Qing government, there should be three governors for these provinces. Official Duan Zhigui liked to govern Heilongjiang Province. He wished to bribe Prince Yikuang, the head secretary of state, but someone advised him that it should be better to bribe the son of Prince Yikuang. It was easy because the son was a sucker for beautiful girls. To get a beautiful girl didn't need a lot of money.
Some troupes began to train actresses. Yang Cuixi was a celebrated actress. Official Duan invited the son to watch an opera starring the actress Yang. From his look, Official Duan could conclude that he fell in love with the actress Yang at the first sight, like a fly fell unconsciously into the web of a spider. The actress Yang had been sold to the troupe by her poor parents. Official Duan found the troupe owner and paid him the double price and freed the girl from the troupe. The owner looked upon the actress Yang, a celebrity now, as the goose that lays the golden eggs, but he didn't dare to refuse the offer of an official. He had to part with the goose.
Official Duan bought a house and let the actress Yang live there. Then he invited the son to dinner in the house. When the son arrived and settled down at the table, Official Duan excused himself that he must go to wash his hands. Actually he left the house, leaving the son and the actress Yang together. The son waited for Official Duan to return, but to his surprise he saw the actress Yang come into the room instead. She went to sit on his lap, smiling at him. He was young and good-looking, plus a nobleman. He embraced her and kissed her on the cheek. She offered a cup of wine (no glass yet at that time. A china cup was used for the wine) to him, but he said, “I like to drink wine from the fleshy cup, sweetie.” Her supple body writhed a bit on his lap, which meant that she was too shy to do it. At his persistence, she sucked the wine from the cup into her mouth and pressed her lips tightly against his lips. Then she fed the wine from her mouth into his mouth. Her mouth served as the cup made of human flesh. He swallowed the wine and sighed with satisfaction. “How sweet, honey.” He whispered into her ear. He carried her into the bedroom, which was just in the back. They stripped naked and fell on the bed in a tangled human knot, the bed groaning under their combined weight.
Official Duan got the position of the governor of Heilongjiang Province, but the Japanese army was not withdrawn yet. He had to wait patiently.

[xlwoo]

The tradition for the celebration of the birthdays of the emperor or the empress dowager was that every year they celebrated their birthdays on a regular basis, but every ten years, especially on fiftieth birthday, they liked to have it on a larger scale. West Empress Dowager was unhappy about her birthday for every ten years. She wished to make her fiftieth birthday the happiest and most exciting day, but that year the Sino-French war had broken out. She had to stop the celebration. For her sixtieth birthday, it had been the Sino-Japanese war that had interrupted the celebration ceremony. Now it was the Russian-Japanese war in China that made her unable to celebrate her seventieth birthday. She didn't know if she could do anything for her eightieth birthday.
West Empress Dowager was now too old, seventy-four, and the emperor was too sick, though only thirty-eight. But words leaked out secretly that the royal doctors didn't think the emperor was suffering from any serious illness. However, in 1908, West Empress Dowager was really sick. Doctors diagnosed that it was dysentery, which was not a terminal disease. But considering the medicine at that time, plus her old age of seventy-four, her case was thought hopeless.
Some courtiers hoped that when West Empress Dowager died the emperor could literally get back the power. But some were afraid that once the emperor got the power, he would kill those he always had hated. One of those people was Yuan Shikai, who had betrayed the emperor when the emperor had given him a secret written order to kill Ronglu and bring his New Army to Peking to confine West Empress Dowager. It was said that the emperor often drew a turtle on a piece of paper, wrote Yuan's name on the back of the turtle and then tore it in bits to vent his anger. So if the emperor got back the power, the first one he wanted to kill was Yuan. But Yuan could do nothing to prevent the inevitable from happening. He lived in fear and self-pity those days. Another of those the emperor hated was Head Eunuch Li, who was West Empress Dowager's running dog, as the emperor called it. And he could do everything to prevent the inevitable.
On November 14, 1908, the emperor suddenly died at the age of thirty-eight. Rumors had it that the emperor was poisoned by eunuch Li, or Li executed the order of West Empress Dowager, who didn't want the emperor to outlive her. However, the palace was always teemed with secrets and mysteries about the death of important individuals.
Although lying on sick bed, West Empress Dowager decided to make Fuyi the heir and successor to the throne. Fuyi was the son of her nephew Zaifeng, who was appointed Prince Regent to help his son, because the son was only three years old when he was crowned.
On November 15, 1908, West Empress Dowager died at the age of seventy-four.
The son Fuyi was Emperor Xiantong, the last emperor of Qing Dynasty, and also the last emperor of China. He was the emperor only for three years. In 1911, all the new trained armies, which consisted entirely of the Han Clan and many soldiers of which were revolutionaries, rose in arms in mutiny and forced the emperor to abdicate. Qing Dynasty was at last overthrown.

The end

(I will post another book titled TWO REPUBLICS IN CHINA next., which is the continuance of this book. The book has a lot of generally unseen old pictures, but I can't post them online. Interested ones can get a copy on amazon.com)

[xlwoo]

The tradition for the celebration of the birthdays of the emperor or the empress dowager was that every year they celebrated their birthdays on a regular basis, but every ten years, especially on fiftieth birthday, they liked to have it on a larger scale. West Empress Dowager was unhappy about her birthday for every ten years. She wished to make her fiftieth birthday the happiest and most exciting day, but that year the Sino-French war had broken out. She had to stop the celebration. For her sixtieth birthday, it had been the Sino-Japanese war that had interrupted the celebration ceremony. Now it was the Russian-Japanese war in China that made her unable to celebrate her seventieth birthday. She didn't know if she could do anything for her eightieth birthday.
West Empress Dowager was now too old, seventy-four, and the emperor was too sick, though only thirty-eight. But words leaked out secretly that the royal doctors didn't think the emperor was suffering from any serious illness. However, in 1908, West Empress Dowager was really sick. Doctors diagnosed that it was dysentery, which was not a terminal disease. But considering the medicine at that time, plus her old age of seventy-four, her case was thought hopeless.
Some courtiers hoped that when West Empress Dowager died the emperor could literally get back the power. But some were afraid that once the emperor got the power, he would kill those he always had hated. One of those people was Yuan Shikai, who had betrayed the emperor when the emperor had given him a secret written order to kill Ronglu and bring his New Army to Peking to confine West Empress Dowager. It was said that the emperor often drew a turtle on a piece of paper, wrote Yuan's name on the back of the turtle and then tore it in bits to vent his anger. So if the emperor got back the power, the first one he wanted to kill was Yuan. But Yuan could do nothing to prevent the inevitable from happening. He lived in fear and self-pity those days. Another of those the emperor hated was Head Eunuch Li, who was West Empress Dowager's running dog, as the emperor called it. And he could do everything to prevent the inevitable.
On November 14, 1908, the emperor suddenly died at the age of thirty-eight. Rumors had it that the emperor was poisoned by eunuch Li, or Li executed the order of West Empress Dowager, who didn't want the emperor to outlive her. However, the palace was always teemed with secrets and mysteries about the death of important individuals.
Although lying on sick bed, West Empress Dowager decided to make Fuyi the heir and successor to the throne. Fuyi was the son of her nephew Zaifeng, who was appointed Prince Regent to help his son, because the son was only three years old when he was crowned.
On November 15, 1908, West Empress Dowager died at the age of seventy-four.
The son Fuyi was Emperor Xiantong, the last emperor of Qing Dynasty, and also the last emperor of China. He was the emperor only for three years. In 1911, all the new trained armies, which consisted entirely of the Han Clan and many soldiers of which were revolutionaries, rose in arms in mutiny and forced the emperor to abdicate. Qing Dynasty was at last overthrown.

The end

(I will post another book titled TWO REPUBLICS IN CHINA next., which is the continuance of this book. The book has a lot of generally unseen old pictures, but I can't post them online. Interested ones can get a copy on amazon.com)