The Deer and the Cauldron 鹿鼎记 Episode 41

The emperor received the six hundred li rush, knowing that Shi Lang had transferred the warship to Taiwan, and was happy that Wei Xiaobao and Shi Lang went there.

Shi Lang went to Wei Xiaobao to report to him in private. The ministers from the capital advised the emperor not to abandon Taiwan, because Taiwan's terrain is lonely and it is easy to become a thief. Wei Xiaobao was curious about the emperor's attitude. Shi Lang said that the letter did not say that there are hundreds of thousands of people in Taiwan. If the Qing Dynasty abandons Taiwan, foreigners will definitely get the advantage. Wei Xiaobao believed that the emperor was sympathetic to the people, and the situation was not irreversible. He asked him to return to Beijing immediately, believing that the rumors would be broken without attack.

When Shi Lang set off to return to Beijing, Wei Xiaobao asked him to send a letter to the emperor. Wei Xiaobao was in Taiwan affairs, so he was relieved.

In the court hall, the emperor discussed Shi Langshang's zhezi. The ministers usually discussed and ordered, but today they are silent. The emperor asked Suo Etu to comment. Suo Etu said that Zheng Chenggong was the enemy of the Qing Dynasty and injured countless soldiers. Wei Xiaobao didn't know who Zheng Chenggong was, so he got on the thief ship by mistake, so he sent someone to reprimand him. The emperor told them that they were still interceding for Wei Xiaobao. Mingzhu thought that Wei Xiaobao seemed to be rebellious, but actually did what she wanted to do. When the emperor saw the Martyrs’ Shrine in Yangzhou, it was actually to gather people’s hearts. Wei Xiaobao understood the emperor’s thoughts. , Win people's hearts in Taiwan.

The emperor asked the ministers to look at the Wanmin Umbrella and let everyone learn how Wei Xiaobao governed Taiwan.

Wei Xiaobao received the emperor's verbal instruction and asked him to go to the South Study Room to see him after disembarking. Zhao Qixian and other guards hugged him and wept bitterly, and asked him to rush to see the emperor. It is very difficult for a courtier to be spoiled by the emperor. Wei Xiaobao asked them to go back, change their clothes and go again. When the guards left, Wei Xiaobao was about to drive away, but they saw it through and intercepted the scene.

Wei Xiaobao wore a beggar's clothes and waited for the emperor's summons. Duke Wen helped him to see him. The door of the South Study was closed. Duke Wen told him that the emperor was tired and just fell asleep. Wei Xiaobao quietly walked to the emperor and shook his fan. The emperor was awakened by the smell and kicked him away. Wei Xiaobao was about to leave the southern study.

When the emperor saw Wei Xiaobao, he immediately called him back. Wei Xiaobao told his hard work over the years, and it was normal for him to have a stench. The emperor talked about looking for him all these years, taking him to see the Wanmin umbrella. Wei Xiaobao knew that he wouldn't be able to return without the Wanmin Umbrella, so he would also like to thank Wanmin in Taiwan. The emperor believed that governance would not disturb the people. Fortunately, the affairs of Taiwan offered advice and suggestions for Wei Xiaobao and Shi Lang. This time the emperor promised not to let him fight the world meeting, saying that loyalty is a virtue. Wei Xiaobao was grateful to Dade and promised to remember the praise of the emperor for a lifetime.

Wei Xiaobao walked out of the South Study Room and met Duo Long. It turned out that Duo Long survived the last time. Duolong deliberately frightened Wei Xiaobao. Wei Xiaobao mistakenly thought that the big gift the emperor gave him was Duolong. Who knew Duolong took him to see Suo Etu and other ministers, and they took him to the Sir Alex's mansion. It turned out that the emperor helped him repair the mansion. Wei Xiaobao was very moved when he saw it. Although the place was unfamiliar, there was a sense of familiarity. It turned out that there were pink lanterns from Yangzhou's hometown in the mansion.

Wei Xiaobao not only thanked the emperor for his kindness, but also thanked Suo Etu and others for remembering him. Everyone went to the front hall to drink together, and Wei Xiaobao realized that the days are just good. Suddenly, he asked everyone about Zheng Keyuan's situation in the capital. Suo Etu mentioned that Zheng Keyuan was a first-class duke, and Wei Xiaobao mentioned that Zheng Keyuan owed himself three or four million taels of silver.