Immediately after seeing the Empress Dowager out ofthe Martial Hero Pavilion, Qian Long called for hisbodyguards. Bai Zhen came forward to report.

　　"Master Chen has escorted the lady back to the palace,and she is now awaiting Your Highness in the PreciousMoon Pavilion," he said.

　　Qian Long was delighted with the news and walkedbriskly to the door of the Martial Hero Pavilion. Thenhe stopped and turned. "Was there any trouble on theroad?" he asked.

　　"Your slaves came across a large number of Red FlowerSociety fighters at one point, but luckily, MasterChen intervened and prevented an incident."When Qian Long arrived at the Precious Moon Pavilion,he found Princess Fragrance seated as before, facingthe wall.

　　"Did you have fun at the Great Wall?" he askedhappily. She ignored him. Qian Long decided to dealwith more pressing matters first before questioningher further. He went into the adjoining room and gaveorders for his favourite, Fu Kangan, to be summoned.

　　Before too long, Fu rushed in and Qian Long orderedhim to lead a troop of Imperial Guardsmen and lay anambush around the Lama Temple. After he had departed,Qian Long ordered Bai Zhen to also hide near thetemple.

　　"I intend to hold a great feast in the Lama Templetomorrow evening," he added. "Tell Master Chen and allof the senior Red Flower Society people to attend."Bai Zhen immediately guessed the Emperor intended todeal with all the Red Flower Society leaders at onestroke and shuddered at the thought of the slaughterthat would take place.

　　"Also," Qian Long added, "summon the Head Lama of thetemple immediately."As the old Lama kowtowed his way into the Imperialpresence, Qian Long asked: "How many years is it sinceyou came to the capital?""Your vassal has served the Emperor for twenty-oneyears.""Do you want to go back to Tibet?"The Lama kowtowed again but said nothing.

　　"There are two Living Buddhas in Tibet, the Dalai Lamaand the Panchen Lama," Qian Long continued. "Why isn'tthere a third?""Your Highness, that has always been the way, eversince..."Qian Long silenced him with a wave of his hand. "If Imade you the third Living Buddha and gave you an areato govern, no-one would dare to defy the order, wouldthey?"The Lama's joy soared to the skies, and he kowtowedfuriously, unable to believe his luck. "YourReverence's benevolence will be difficult to repay,"he said.

　　"I want you now to do something for me. Go back to thetemple and gather together all your trusted lamas andprepare gunpowder, firewood and other inflammablematerials." He pointed at Bai Zhen. "When he gives youthe signal, you will put the temple to the torch."The Head Lama began frantically kowtowing again, thistime in fright. "But it is the former residence of thelate Emperor," he protested. Many of his possessionsare there, I wouldn't dare...""Do you dare to disobey my command?" Qian Long roared,sending the old Lama into a cold sweat.

　　"I...I will do as Your Highness commands," he repliedin a quavering voice.

　　"If half a breath of this matter leaks out, I willhave you and every single one of your eight hundredlamas executed." After a moment, he added in a morefriendly tone: "There will be Banner troops guardingthe Suicheng Pavilion in your temple, so you must becareful. When the time comes, I want those troopstrapped inside and burned to death. When things havebeen successfully completed, you will be the thirdLiving Buddha of Tibet. Now go!" He waved his hand andthe Lama left with Bai Zhen, thanking the Emperor forhis benevolence as he went.

　　His preparations completed, Qian Long considered howhis plan would enable him to kill two birds with onestone, both the Red Flower Society and the Dowager'sforces. After tomorrow evening, his position securedand stable, he could continue his reign in peace.

　　He felt very satisfied. Looking round, he noticed alute sitting on a tabletop and went over to play it.

　　After a few phrases, his playing became increasinglystrident and aggressive, and with a twang, the seventhstring broke. He started in surprise and laughedloudly. Then, pushing the lute aside, he stood up andwalked back to the other room.

　　Princess Fragrance was sitting at the window staringup at the moon. As she heard his footsteps, there wasa glint of light as she pulled the dagger out again.

　　Qian Long frowned and sat down at a distance.

　　"When you and Master Chen were at the Great Wall, didhe tell you to kill me?""He told me to do as you said.""Are you going to disobey him?""I would never do that."Qian Long was both delighted and jealous. "Then whyare you still carrying the dagger? Give it to me!""No, I'll wait for you to become a good emperorfirst."Aha, thought Qian Long, so that's how he hopes tocontrol me. Anger, jealousy, lust and hatred rosewithin him all at once, and he laughed harshly. "I amalready a good emperor," he replied.

　　"Huh! I heard you playing the lute just now. You'regoing to kill people, you're going to kill many, manypeople. You're...you are evil."Qian Long realised that his thoughts had indeedrevealed themselves through his playing. "Yes," hereplied. "I am going to kill people. I have alreadycaught your Master Chen, but if you do as I say, I canrelease him. If you don't do as I say..." He laughedagain. "Then you know I will kill many people."Princess Fragrance was shocked. "You would kill yourown blood brother?" she asked in a quavering voice.

　　Qian Long's face went white. "So he told youeverything?""I don't believe you've caught him. He's much clevererthan you.""Cleverer? Huh! And even if I haven't got him today,what about tomorrow?" She did not answer. "I adviseyou to forget this idea," he went on. "Whether I'm agood emperor or a bad emperor, you are never going tosee him again.""But you promised him that you would be a goodemperor," Princess Fragrance protested. "How can yourenege on your promise?""I will do whatever I want," he roared. "No-one cantell me what to............