At nine o'clock, Chen and 'Buddha' Zhao started outfor the Commander-in-chief's Yamen. Using LightnessKung Fu, they soon found themselves near the wall ofthe Yamen. They spotted two figures patrolling on arooftop close by and crouched down to watch for awhile. Zhao waited for them both to turn their backs,then sent a pellet shooting off towards a tree a fewdozen yards away. Hearing a noise in the branches, theguards quickly went over to investigate, giving Chenand Zhao an opportunity to slip silently over the wallinto the Yamen.

　　They hid in the shadows and looked out over theYamen's main courtyard. To their surprise, they foundit brightly lit with torches and several hundredtroops standing guard. Another strange thing was thatso many soldiers could be so quiet. When they moved,they walked lightly on tip-toe, and the only soundsthat could be heard were the call of a cicada and anoccasional crackle from the burning torches.

　　Chen could see there was no way of getting in. Hegestured towards Zhao and the two retreated, avoidingthe rooftop guards. They stopped behind a wall todiscuss what to do.

　　"We don't want to alert them," Chen whispered. "We'llhave to go back and think of some other plan."Just then, a side gate of the Yamen creaked open andan officer emerged followed by four soldiers. The fivemarched down the street a few hundred yards and thenturned back, obviously on patrol.

　　"Get them," Chen whispered. Zhao slipped out of theshadows and threw three darts, and three of thesoldiers immediately dropped to the ground. Chenfollowed with two of his chess pieces, hitting theofficer and the remaining soldier. They quicklydragged the five into the shadows, stripped theuniforms from two of the men and put them onthemselves.

　　They waited once more for the rooftop guards to turnaway, then jumped over the Yamen wall and strodenonchalently into the torch-lit courtyard. They passedthrough into an inner courtyard which was beingpatrolled exclusively by senior military officials,commanders and generals. Waiting for the right moment,they leapt up under the eaves of one of the buildings,then hung onto the rafters not daring to breathe. Onceit was clear they had not been discovered. Chen hookedhis legs over a beam and hung down over a window. Hemoistened the window paper and looked inside, as Zhaokept guard beside him.

　　Chen found himself looking in at a large hall. Five orsix men wearing the gowns of high officials stood inthe centre facing another man who was seated with hisback to Chen. Another official walked in and kowtowednine times towards the seated man.

　　Chen was surprised. "That is the ceremonial form usedwhen entering the presence of the Emperor," hethought. "Could it be Qian Long himself is inHangzhou?""Zhejiang Province Civil Administrator Yin to see yourHighness the Emperor," the officer said.

　　So it was the Emperor, Chen thought. No wondersecurity was so tight.

　　"I have sent troops to quell the Muslim regions," theEmperor said. "I hear you object to this idea."Chen frowned: he found the Emperor's voice strangelyfamiliar.

　　"I deserve to die, I would not dare," Yin said,continuing to kowtow.

　　"I asked Zhejiang Province to supply six thousand tonsof grain to meet the needs of the army. Why did youdisobey my orders?""I truly would not dare, your Highness," Yin said.

　　"But the harvest in Zhejiang this year has been verypoor. The common people are in great hardship, and itis temporarily impossible to supply such an amount.""So the common people are in great hardship, are they?

　　The army is in urgent need of food supplies. Shall Itell them to starve out there?""I wouldn't dare to say," Yin quavered, continuing tokowtow.

　　"No, I want you to tell me," replied the Emperor.

　　"Your Highness's ability to spread enlightenment andcivilisation is far-reaching. The Muslim barbariansare in fact not worth such a long trek by YourHighness's armies. As the Ancients said: 'Soldiers areinstruments of violence which a man of virtue shoulduse only as a last resort.' Your Highness could cancelthe campaign, and the whole world would be thankfulfor your benevolence.""The people are discontented because I have decided towage this campaign, is that correct?" Qian Longreplied coldly.

　　Yin kowtowed even more energetically. His forehead wasby now covered in blood.

　　Qian Long laughed shortly. "You have a hard skull," hesaid. "If you hadn't, you wouldn't dare to contradictme."He turned round and Chen started violently: theEmperor was the Master Dongfang he had met earlierthat day.

　　"Get out!" he heard Qian Long shout. "And leave yourcap here!" Yin kowtowed a few more times and thenretired.

　　"There must certainly be some irregularities in Yin'saffairs," Qian Long said to the remaining officials.

　　"I want the Commander-in-chief to conduct a thoroughinvestigation and inform me of the results. He mustnot be protected for personal reasons. His crimes mustbe exposed." The officials assented in chorus.

　　"Now leave me. And arrange for six thousand tons ofgrain to be collected and dispatched immediately." Theofficials kowtowed and retired.

　　"Tell Kang to come," the Emperor added, and anattendant left and returned a moment later with Chen'slook-alike. He stood close to Qian Long with an air offamiliarity very different from the cringing manner ofthe officials.

　　"Call for Li Keshou," Qian Long ordered, and amilitary officer quickly appeared, kowtowing his wayinto the Emperor's presence.

　　"Li Keshou, commander-in-chief of Zhejiang Province,pays his respect to Your Highness," he said.

　　"How is that Red Flower Society bandit chief, WenTailai?" asked Qian Long.

　　"He was arrested after a savage battle and he is veryseriously wounded," Li replied. "I have assigneddoctors to treat him. We will have to wait until hismind is clear before we can question him.""You must be careful," Qian Long said.

　　"Your servant would not dare to be the slightest bitneglectful," replied Li.

　　"Go now," said the Emperor, and Li retired.

　　"Let's follow him," Chen whispered, but as theydropped quietly to the ground, someone inside the hallshouted: "Intruders!"Chen and Zhao ran into the outer courtyard and mingledwith the troops. Bamboo clappers sounded loudly andthe old man Chen had seen earlier that day with theEmperor began directing a search.

　　Chen and Zhao walked slowly towards the gate.

　　"Who are you?" the old man shouted at them, andgrabbed for Zhao. Zhao deflected his hand, and theymade a run for it with the old man chasing. As theyreached the gate, the old man lunged at Zhao. Chenripped off the uniform he was wearing and flung itover the old man's head, then they raced out of theYamen gate. The old man cast the uniform off to oneside and chased after them. But the slight delay hadmade all the difference.

　　Two or three thousand troops swarmed out behind theold man like bees from a hive.

　　"All of you get back!" he shouted. "Protecting theEmperor is more important! You five, come with me." Heran off down the street with the five guards,following the two black shapes flying over therooftops ahead.

　　The old man gradually closed the distance betweenhimself and the intruders. Suddenly, the two figuresleapt down and stood stock-still in the middle of thestreet. The old man lunged at Chen.

　　"I am your master's good friend." Chen laughed, notbothering to retreat or defend himself. "You are anaudacious old fellow!"The old man looked at his face under the moonlight andstarted in surprise.

　　"So it's you," he said, retracting his hand, "Comealong with me.""Do you dare to follow me?" Chen asked with a smile.

　　The old man hesitated, and as the five guards ran upfrom behind, Chen and Zhao raced off westwards towardsthe West Lake.

　　"After them!" shouted the old man. The guards reachedthe lake in time to see Chen and Zhao jump into a boatand push off from the shore. The boatman punted thecraft out several yards from the bank.

　　"My friends," the old man shouted. "Please tell me whoyou are before you go.""I am Zhao Banshan from Wenzhou," Zhao roared. "You, Itake it, are a member of the Songyang martial artsschool?""Ah, so you are the one they call the Thousand ArmBuddha?""That's just a nickname. I don't really deserve it.

　　And your name, sir?""My surname is Bai, my name Zhen."Zhao and Chen gasped in surprise. Bai Zhen was afamous kung fu master, but he had not been seen orheard of for years. Obviously, he had become thepersonal bodyguard of the Emperor.

　　"So it's you, Master Bai. No wonder your kung fu is sosuperb," said Zhao.

　　"I hear you are a leading member of the Red FlowerSociety, Master Zhao. Who is your companion?"Suddenly, he realized the answer without having to betold. "Oh, of course, it must be Master Chen, theGreat Helmsman of the society, is that right?"Chen opened his fan. "The moon is clear and the windis fresh," he said. "Why not come and drink a cup ofwine with us, Master Bai?""You have intruded into the Commander-in-chief'sYamen, and disturbed the official household. You mustaccompany me to see my master. He is well-disposedtowards you, and would not do you any harm.""Go back and ask your master to come and have a chatwith me," Chen replied. "We can have a drink togetherif he wishes. I will wait for him here."Bai had seen the concern with which the Emperor hadtreated Chen earlier, and he dared not offend Chen.

　　But after such an intrusion into the quarters of theEmperor, he was also loath to return without them.

　　There were, however, no other boats nearby, and withno way of chasing after them across the lake, he wasforced to return to report to Qian Long.

　　"It would be quite nice to go to the lake and enjoythe moonlight," Qian Long said after a pause. "Go andtell him I will come immediately.""These are dangerous bandits," replied Bai. "In myhumble opinion, you should not risk such danger.""Go," said Qian Long.

　　Bai did not dare to press the matter further, and rodeswiftly back to the lake. 'Crocodile' Jiang wassitting at the stern of a boat with his arms round hisknees, waiting for him.

　　"Tell your master that my master will be here soon,"Bai shouted.

　　"Heaven knows what the Emperor sees in this fellow,"he thought as he hurried back to resume his guard ofthe Emperor's person.

　　Qian Long was in high spirits, and talked and laughedas Commander Li Keshou waited on him. He had changedinto an ordinary gown, while his bodyguards had alsoput on civilian clothes. Once at the lakeside, he gavehis orders.

　　"He probably already knows who I am, but I wanteveryone still to pretend to be common people."Imperial guard units had been hidden all around thelake with troops hand-picked by Commander Li behindthem. Beyond the flickering lantern light, they sawfive boats gliding towards them across the water.

　　'Leopard' Wei stood on the bow of the middle boat.

　　"I have been sent by Master Lu to invite MasterDongfang onto the lake to enjoy the moon," heannounced, and jumped onto the bank and bowed beforeQian Long.

　　Qian Long nodded slightly. "Excellent," he said, andstepped onto the boat. Commander Li, Bai and thirty orforty bodyguards boarded the boats with him. More thana dozen of the bodyguards were expert swimmers, andBai ordered them to keep their wits about them.

　　They started out across the lake, which was afairyland of lights. Pleasure boats were everywhere,bedecked with lanterns that filled the darkness likestars in the night sky and the sound of music floatedacross towards them. A small sampan darted into viewthen turned and led the boats to a flotilla of othercraft. Despite the huge number of troops they hadstationed around the shore, Bai and the otherbodyguards were uneasy at the sight of such a powerfulforce, and all covertly felt for the weapons they hadhidden around their persons.

　　"So you decided to come, Master Dongfang," Chen calledfrom a nearby boat. "Please come aboard!"The two boats drew alongside each and Qian Long,Commander Li, Bai, and several other bodyguards jumpedacross. Bai and the others relaxed as they saw thatChen and his attendant, Xin Yan, were the only otherpeople on the boat. The cabin was spacious, withexquisite murals on the walls. The table in the centrewas set with wine cups, bowls and chopsticks and wascovered with dishes of fruit, wine and all manner ofdelicacies.

　　Chen and his guest shook hands and smiled broadly,then sat down facing each other. Commander Li, Bai andthe others stood behind Qian Long.

　　Chen smiled briefly at Bai and noticed ahandsome-faced youth standing behind Commander Li whomhe recognised as Lu Feiqing's pupil. Surprised, hewondered what the youth was doing accompanying courtofficials.

　　Xin Yan poured some wine, and Chen, afraid that QianLong would be suspicious, drained his own cup first,then began eating. Qian Long picked at a few of thedishes that Chen had already tried, then put down hischopsticks. He heard a flute on a neighbouring boatplaying the tune 'Welcome the Honoured Guest.'

　　"You are truly a man of culture," he said to Chen. "Itis amazing that you managed to arrange things so wellat such short notice."Chen dismissed the praise. "One cannot drink winewithout music," he said. "I understand Beautiful Jadehas the best voice in all Zhejiang Province. Shall Iask her to sing for us?"Qian Long clapped his hands in approval. "Who is thisBeautiful Jade?" he asked, turning to Commander Li.

　　"She is one of Hangzhou's most famous courtezans," hereplied. "I have heard that she is very haughty bynature and if it does not please her, she won't evenshow herself let alone sing, no matter how much she isoffered.""Have you ever seen her?" Qian Long asked.

　　"I...no I haven't," Li replied, extremely embarrassed.

　　'Leopard' Wei escorted Beautiful Jade out. Qian Longlooked admiringly at the perfect whiteness of her skinand her petite figure, but decided her face was notparticularly attractive. Her eyes, however, were fullof life, and her glance around the cabin contained anintimate greeting for every person there.

　　Chen stretched out his hand towards Qian Long. "Thisis Master Dongfang," he said. Beautiful Jade greetedhim, then sat down next to Chen and cuddled up to him.

　　"I hear you sing very well," Chen said. "I wonder ifyou would allow us the pleasure of enjoying yourtalent?""If you want to hear me sing, Master Lu, I will singfor three days and three nights continuously. But I amafraid you would tire of me." An attendant handed hera pipa, and with a light strum, she began to sing:

　　"Outside the window all is quietYou kneel before the bed eager for some kissingI scold you, call you heartless, and turn away,But despite my words I am still half willing."Chen applauded enthusiastically. Qian Long, hearingher smooth, clear voice, felt a warm feeling rising inhis chest. Beautiful Jade smiled, then strummed thepipa and turned to Qian Long:

　　"I want to beat you,Don't think I'm joking," she sang.

　　"I clench my teethThis time I really willBut you won't fear meIf I hit you softly,And I cannot bearTo hit you hard.

　　Oh, my loverI won't hit you after all."The Emperor was completely carried away by the song.

　　"If you want to hit me, then hit me," he said.

　　Qian Long, born and raised in the depths of theImperial Palace had seen many girl singers, but all ofthem had been dignified and monotonous, nothing likethis southern Chinese courtesan. He was entranced byher eyes and her seductiveness, and the song, theperfumed lake, the moon's reflection, all conspired tomake the scene dreamlike, so that gradually he forgotthat he was with renowned bandits.

　　Beautiful Jade poured some wine for Chen and Qian Longand the two drank three cups in succession whileBeautiful Jade drank one to keep them company. QianLong took a jade ring off his finger and gave it toher.

　　"Sing another song," he said. Beautiful Jade lookeddown and giggled, revealing two little dimples. QianLong's heart melted.

　　"All right," she said. She batted her eyelids at himthen struck up a tune on the pipa. This time, therhythm was fast and light with a complex melody, andQian Long shouted out his approval.

　　She sang of a poor man with ambitions who graduallyclimbs his way up, first obtaining clothes, then ahouse, a wife and concubines, and then power. Finally,he begins to covet the throne of the emperor himself.

　　Chen laughed heartily, but as the song progressed,Qian Long's expression became increasingly dour.

　　"Could this girl know who I really am and be singingthis song to make fun of me?" he wondered.

　　Beautiful Jade finished the song and slowly put downher pipa.

　　"The song makes fun of poor men," she said with asmile. "Both of you, Master Dongfang and Master Chen,are wealthy gentlemen with large mansions, lovelywives and beautiful concubines. You would not think ofsuch things."Qian Long laughed, and his eyes travelled over her,taking in her softness, her fun-loving spirit. Hewondered how he should go about telling Commander Lito have her brought to the Yamen, and how to make surethe affair remained secret.

　　"The Emperor Xuanzong had a great interest inbeautiful women," he suddenly heard Chen say. "That initself is not important, but he should not have puthis weakness for women above the interests of thenation.""The Xuanzong Emperor was at first a wise ruler, buthe became muddle-headed in his later years. He was farinferior to his ancestor, Emperor Taizhong," Qian Longreplied.

　　"Taizong was certainly a very capable ruler," saidChen.

　　The two men Qian Long most venerated in all the worldwere Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty and Emperor Taizongof the Tang dynasty. Both had greatly expanded theempire, and their reputations had carried far beyondtheir borders. Ever since he had ascended the throne,Qian Long had worked single-mindedly to............