Qianlong Emperor Tours Jiangnan

Author: Anonymous Author Country: China
Publisher:
Publishing Time: 2004-05-01
Features: This book was written by an anonymous author in the late Qing Dynasty, based on folk tales about Emperor Qianlong. It follows the theme of the emperor traveling incognito to reward the virtuous and punish the wicked, blending scenes of fierce competition among masters from the Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei martial arts schools, as well as the legendary story of Fang Shiyu and his mother and elder brother, which was widely popular in South China. It paints lively and popular scenes, making it perfect for ordinary people to enjoy and chat about after meals.
Excerpt: Back to Beijing, the (wise minister) governs the realm in Rui Long Town, Zhou Lang encounters the emperor. It is said that after Li Chu caused chaos in the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Shunzhi of the Great Qing Dynasty crossed the Yangtze River to establish the capital in Beijing. He changed the dynasty's name to "Great Qing" and continued to rule from Beijing. With the Manchu, Han, and Mongol Eight Banners troops, he unified the empire from north to south. Since founding the dynasty, ninety-nine years have passed, and it has now reached the fourth generation of benevolent and wise emperors. He is both a literary and martial genius, knowledgeable in astronomy and geography, well-versed in the Three Classics and the Five Classics, and proficient in military strategy and the eighteen martial arts. At that time, the empire was at peace, the people were happy, and tribute came from all directions. It was truly a time when horses were stabled in the south and weapons were stored in the arsenal, with peace and culture flourishing. This is why there is a poem to prove it:
Heaven and earth created a great sage,
With literary and martial prowess unparalleled.
Emperors are rare, but this one is a poet,
His fame spreads across the Jiangnan region.
The story goes that one day at five o'clock in the morning, the emperor held an early court session. The dragon and phoenix drums sounded on the left, and the Jingyang bells rang on the right. Eunuchs and maidservants called out in front, while palace maids and beauties followed behind. With three strokes of the net whip, the civil and military officials lined up on both sides. The wise emperor arrived at the Golden Hall and sat on the dragon throne. The princes, ministers, feudal lords, and high officials, as well as the nine ministries, Hanlin Academy, and all officials both inside and outside the court, greeted him with "Ten Thousand Years of Longevity."
The emperor then ordered them to stand up and said, "I now inherit the legacy of my ancestors and rely on the efforts of all my officials. With the blessings of heaven and favorable weather, the empire is prosperous, the people are at peace, and we enjoy peace. This is indeed a blessing for the people. Yesterday, I thought of a couplet, and I ask all of you to compose a response for me. He who does well will be heavily rewarded." All the ministers replied in unison, "Your Majesty, what is the wonderful couplet you wish to compose? Please write it down with your imperial brush for us to see."
Hearing this, the emperor ordered an attendant to bring the Four Treasures of the Study—ink, brush, paper, and inkstone. He ground the ink, smoothed the gold paper, and wrote the upper couplet with his imperial brush:
"The Jade Emperor leads his army,
Thunder drums and clouds as banners,
Rain arrows and wind blades form the heavens' battle array."
After finishing, he handed the couplet to the ministers for inspection. Seeing it, the ministers looked at each other, as if they were statues, none able to respond. The wise emperor, seeing this, frowned and showed displeasure.
At that moment, a minister stepped forward to report. The emperor looked and saw that he was Chen Hongmu, the Grand Secretary of the Literary Hall. The emperor then asked, "Can you compose a response to this couplet?" Chen Hongmu replied, "Your servant's knowledge is limited, and he cannot respond. However, I have a disciple, Feng Chengxiu, from Panyu, Guangdong, who is now taking the imperial examination in Beijing. He is highly talented and knowledgeable, and he must be able to respond to this couplet. I hope Your Majesty will allow me to request Feng Chengxiu to come and respond."
The emperor asked, "Where is this person now?" Chen Hongmu replied, "He is at my home." The emperor then ordered the Yellow Gate Attendant, "Take an imperial decree and go to Chen Hongmu's house immediately to summon Feng Chengxiu to respond to the couplet."
The Yellow Gate Attendant received the imperial decree and went to Chen's house. After reading it, Feng Chengxiu kowtowed and thanked the emperor for his favor. He followed the attendant straight to the mid-morning gate. The attendant led him to present himself before the golden steps, where he kowtowed three times and said, "Ten Thousand Years of Longevity." After the court session, the emperor ordered them to stand up and asked, "I have heard that you are knowledgeable and talented. I have a couplet, and I ask if you can respond to it. If you do well, you will be heavily rewarded." Feng Chengxiu replied, "Your servant is a humble scholar from the Lingnan region, with limited knowledge. I am grateful for Chen teacher's recommendation. I fear that my response may not be skillful enough to honor your command, and I would be guilty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me and allow me to see the couplet."
The emperor then took the upper couplet from the dragon desk with his imperial hand and handed it to the attendant to give to Feng Chengxiu. The attendant also gave him a set of the Four Treasures of the Study, as if for an imperial examination. Feng Chengxiu took the golden paper, looked at it, and wrote the lower couplet without hesitation. The attendant at the court received it and presented it to the emperor for review. The wise emperor looked and saw that it was written in very neat calligraphy. The lower couplet was:
"The Dragon King holds a night banquet,
Moon candles and star lights as decorations,
Mountain delicacies and sea wine fill the earth's basin."
The emperor laughed and praised, "Your talent surpasses all in China. This is truly delightful." He then looked and saw that Feng Chengxiu was handsome and composed, speaking eloquently and swiftly. The emperor was greatly pleased and ordered an imperial attendant to present three cups of imperial wine and a gold flower and red silk to escort Feng Chengxiu back to Chen Hongmu's mansion. He would be rewarded further after the imperial examination. Feng Chengxiu kowtowed and thanked the emperor for his favor, then returned to Chen's house, as the story goes.
Now, after rewarding Feng Chengxiu, the emperor asked the other ministers, "I wish to travel to the Jiangnan region for some leisure. Who among you can guarantee my safety?" He asked three times, but no one dared to respond. The emperor grew angry and said, "I do not need your protection. I will go alone. What is the harm?" He then ordered the court session to be adjourned. The officials left, and the emperor went to the Ren He Hall, wrote an imperial decree, and gave it to the palace steward Ronglu with the following instructions: "I will travel to the Jiangnan region to enjoy the scenery. I will return in five years at the earliest or ten years at the latest. Tomorrow morning, you may read this decree to the Grand Secretaries Chen Hongmu and Liu Yong."
After speaking, the emperor disguised himself as a merchant and left through the back gate of the palace.
The next day at five o'clock in the morning, the officials gathered at the court, but the emperor did not appear. Instead, the palace steward Ronglu handed an imperial decree left by the emperor to the Grand Secretaries Chen Hongmu and Liu Yong for them to read. The decree read:
"I leave Yanjing and travel to the Jiangnan region. I will return in ten years at the earliest or five at the latest. Matters of state must be handled fairly by Chen Hongmu and Liu Yong in coordination. All officials, when they see Chen Hongmu and Liu Yong, shall treat them as if they see me."
After reading the decree, the officials were all displeased. They returned to their homes, but the story will not go into detail about that. Let us focus on the emperor, who left the back gate of the palace disguised as a merchant and walked slowly. Unaware, he arrived at Rui Long Town, where the streets were bustling with activity. In front of him stood a large tavern called "Qi Nan Tower," with a sign that read: "Qi Nan Tower, Business Hall for Scholars and Merchants." Another sign read: "Full Han and Manchu Banquets, Beijing and Suzhou Cuisine." The emperor walked straight into the tavern and sat down. The waiter, with a smiling face, asked, "Sir, would you like wine and food, or are you dining with others?" The emperor replied, "I am not dining with others. If your tavern has fine wine and food, please bring it all."
The waiter, hearing this, quickly prepared a fine meal and set it on the table, asking the guests to enjoy themselves, while standing aside to pour the wine. The emperor, while drinking, asked, "This Rui Long Town is quite lively." The waiter replied, "Our place is a major thoroughfare connecting the capital, and it is even more crowded because of the upcoming temple fair. Sir, you might want to visit tomorrow." The emperor nodded in agreement and did not mention the night's events.
The next day, after having breakfast, the emperor left his luggage at the tavern and strolled forward. He saw the streets filled with people, and the shops were well-stocked, with fair trade. Seeing this peaceful scene, the emperor was very pleased. After walking for half a day, feeling hungry and thirsty, he saw a tavern ahead called "Ju Sheng Tower," which was built beautifully. From a distance, it was a three-story tavern, several stories high. On the upper floors, there was music and dance, making it extremely lively. The golden sign outside read: "Serving North and South, Han and Manchu Banquets, All Kinds of Stir-fried Dishes Available."
Entering the tavern, he saw that the dining hall was full of people. Going up another floor, there were fewer guests, but the furnishings were even more luxurious. On the third floor, there were numerous famous calligraphy, paintings, and antiques, making it quiet and elegant. However, there were no people drinking there. The emperor chose a good seat and sat down. The waiter came up and stood beside him, saying, "Sir, please point out the wine and dishes you would like." The emperor said, "If your tavern has fine wine and food, please bring it all."
The waiter, hearing this, immediately brought all the meat and vegetable dishes and wine. The emperor drank heartily, gazing at the lively scene downstairs, where the crowds were so dense that it was hard to move. The emperor was delighted and continued drinking until noon. When the temple fair ended, the crowd dispersed, and the emperor, drunk, slowly walked down the stairs.
The waiter, having calculated the bill on the third floor, quickly came downstairs and said to the counter, "This gentleman's bill is eight taels and six fourths of a tael." The emperor, realizing he had not brought any money, said, "I came in a hurry and did not bring any money. Can we settle this later?" The tavern owner replied, "How can that be! One says they don't have it, and the other says the same. After drinking and eating, if everyone says they will pay later, how can our tavern stay open? Even if we have a mountain of capital, it won't be enough. If you don't have money, please leave your clothes."
The emperor, hearing this, roared and kicked over the counter, striking the tavern owner with a palm. The emperor was both a literary and martial genius, and the tavern owner could not withstand his strength. The tavern fell into chaos, and people scattered.
Just as the emperor was unable to calm down, a young boy appeared at the door. He was handsome with red lips and white teeth, clear eyes and eyebrows, and a fine appearance. He rushed forward and said, "Let's talk calmly. Please don't get angry." The emperor, in his rage, suddenly saw the boy stopping him, smiling and pleading for peace. The emperor, pleased by his courage, stopped his anger. He then asked, "Why did you stop me, boy? Is the tavern your relative? What is your name?" The boy replied, "Sir, how could you say that? All under heaven are brothers, and one cannot stand idly by when injustice occurs. I am not related to the tavern owner. I just happened to pass by and saw you so angry. I came to persuade you to calm down. Please forgive him for a little while. As the old saying goes, 'Leave a little humanity, and you will meet again in the future.' My name is Zhou, and my given name is Qing. I am from here, and my home is not far. Would you like to visit my humble abode?"
The emperor, pleased by his eloquence and calm demeanor, told him about the wine and food he had at the tavern and not having money. The boy said, "This is a small matter. I don't know how much you owe. I will pay it for you." He quickly took a ten-tael silver ingot from his side and paid the bill. He took the emperor's hand and said, "I was in a hurry earlier and did not ask for your name." The emperor replied, "My name is Gao Tianxi, and I am from Beijing."
As they talked, they arrived at the boy's home. The emperor asked Zhou Qing, "Does anyone else live with you? I gave ten taels of silver earlier, and I'm afraid your parents will ask about it." Zhou Qing replied, "My father passed away, and I only have a mother. Please sit, and I will go inside and tell my mother to come out and meet you." He went inside and reported the matter to his mother in detail. The Yellow Lady, seeing her son so brave at such a young age, was very pleased and asked Zhou Qing to pour a cup of fragrant tea and present it to the emperor. The emperor accepted the tea and said, "Please tell your mother to greet me." The Yellow Lady, from behind the screen, replied, "I am not worthy." As she watched, she saw the emperor was handsome and composed, and she thought, "He must be an extraordinary person." The emperor asked, "Your son is so handsome. How old is he? Why don't you teach him to read? He will surely advance in the future." The Yellow Lady replied, "My son is fifteen years old this year. He has studied a little and knows a few characters, but he always hangs out with friends and learns martial arts, refusing to study. I hope you, a respected person, can guide him. That would be a great blessing for this mother."
The emperor said, "I have something to say, but I don't know if you will accept it. Your son has such a spirit. In the future, he will not be ordinary. I am currently a disciple under Liu Yong, the Grand Secretary of the Military Affairs Office. I would like to take your son as my foster son and help him find a way to advance in the future. Would you agree?" The Yellow Lady was overjoyed and said, "If you could help him like this, this mother would be eternally grateful." She quickly called Zhou Qing forward to kowtow and meet his foster father. The emperor took a large pearl from the Nine Dragon Waistcoat as a gift for the meeting. Zhou Qing thanked him and gave it to his mother to keep. The Yellow Lady said, "What do you intend to do now? Would you like to take your son with you?" The emperor replied, "I plan to travel to Nanjing. If your son wishes to go, we can take this trip together." The Yellow Lady agreed, and the family prepared wine and food. By noon, they finished dinner. Zhou Qing put his luggage on his back, bid farewell to his mother, and followed his foster father out. They returned to the Qi Nan Tower inn and stayed for the night.
The next day, they paid the inn and left Rui Long Town, heading toward the coastal pass. They traveled day and night and arrived at the coastal pass. That day was still early, so they checked into the Ren He Inn. The waiter cleaned the place and settled their luggage and beds, then brewed a pot of good tea and placed two basins of face-washing water. The emperor washed off the dust from his face and asked the waiter, "Is there any good place to visit here?" The waiter replied, "There are a few places, but they are ordinary. The only good place is the large garden built by Ye Daren's son, Ye Qingchang, next to the Qing Zhen Tavern. The garden has an apricot flower pavilion, which is extremely beautiful and is a great place in the area. Ye Gongzi visits the pavilion every day and does not allow others to enter. If you happen to visit when he is not there, it will be better than visiting other places! However, Ye Gongzi drinks in the pavilion every morning and evening and returns to his mansion in the afternoon. It is past noon now, so you can visit and come back for dinner."
The emperor asked, "What is the name of the innkeeper? Can you watch our luggage while we visit? I will be back soon." The innkeeper replied, "My name is Zhou Hong. The person sitting at the counter is my wife's cousin, Yan Ling. My wife and I have been here for many years. Please rest assured and return early." The emperor then took Zhou Qing and left the inn. He asked the innkeeper, "Which way is the apricot flower pavilion?" The innkeeper said, "Go straight down this east street and turn left. The tallest building on the coastal street is it." Zhou Qing heard this and went forward to lead the way.
It was from this point that they went, and great events unfolded. There is a poem to prove it:
The emperor, with nothing to do, loves to roam,
Willows green and flowers red, everywhere serene.
Evil people have their limits, and soon father and son will meet their end.
This part will not be discussed further. Let us continue with the story of the emperor and Zhou Qing heading east. They turned the corner and saw a high building near the sea. Approaching the building, they found it surrounded by brick walls, with a blue plaque inscribed with golden characters: "Qing Zhen Tavern." The business was very lively, with people pushing and shoving to get in. The emperor and Zhou Qing squeezed through the crowd and entered the main gate. They saw many flower pots and bonsai on both sides. The dining hall was full of guests. Just as they were about to go upstairs, a waiter approached with a smile and said, "Sir, you came too late. Our tavern, both upstairs and downstairs, is already full. The earlier guests have no seats, so..."