…means of cruelty…Those may be called properly used, if of evil it is lawful to speak well, that are applied at one blow and are necessary to one's security, and that are not persisted in afterwards unless they can be turned to the advantage of the subjects.

Excerpt from Chp VIII "Concerning Those Who Have Obtained A Principality By Wickedness"

--Nicolo Machiavelli The Prince

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After defeating Mr.Xia three times in a row, Qian Long decided to retire for the night. The poor man was clearly scared out of his wits and performing well below par. He thought about asking Yu Her but decided against it. She wouldn’t fare any better than her father had now that she knew his true identity. Quite a pity as she was a very good player. Damn Ke Sun and his big mouth!

Ke Sun, Ke Sun. That name was giving him a headache and stomach ulcer. What had possessed him to bring this wet-behind-the-ears, incompetent, gullible seventeen-year old toffee-nose along on this critical undercover mission to Shan Dong? For Heaven’s sake, an undercover mission was not just a vacation. Huang Ye Ye had drilled that into him. It was an opportunity to observe the lives of the little people who made up the backbone of the Qing empire, to weed out "minor" problems before they became catastrophes, to check the accuracy of the reports sent to Beijing by prefects and district governors…the list went on and on.

Seven days before the trip, the Empress Dowager summoned him to dinner at the Ci Ning Gong. Then she had deliberately, and with great care, let slip that she believed Ke Sun needed "experience with affairs concerning the Great Qing Empire". And the "best way" was to go on an undercover mission to Shan Dong. She had completely caught Qian Long off guard.

Of course, Qian Long had politely declined his mother’s "wise suggestion", stating that this mission was of an "extremely delicate and complex matter". In the end, the old lady had practically blackmailed him into accepting Ke Sun.

The undercover trip was supposed to be a secret. Yes, the Empress Dowager would eventually know about the trip, but only *after * they had left the Forbidden City. There definitely had been a leak. A leak meant a spy. Where to start looking? Yang Xing Dian? Qian Qing Gong? Jun Ji Chu? Too bad the Empress Dowager refused to reveal her source.

Needed experience with affairs concerning the Qing Empire? Qian Long snorted disdainfully. What Ke Sun desperately needed was a good hard boot up his backside.

Qian Long returned to the guestroom. He had declined Mr.Xia’s offer of his own master bedroom. The guestroom was large and could accommodate five men. Also it was in a relatively isolated part of the house and therefore less chance of unwanted listeners. Not that he didn’t trust the Xia family but one could never be too sure. First he had to deal with Ke Sun.

The youth had been waiting in the guestroom since the incident. He was now sober, and absolutely terrified. When Qian Long returned, Ke Sun threw himself at Qian Long’s feet, whimpering, "Your Majesty, your humble servant deserves to die..."

Qian Long’s eyes narrowed and icy cold rage crept into this voice. "You put the mission at risk. You put your colleagues at risk. You put ME at risk. And you have the gall to ask me to forgive you?"

Ke Sun cowered before Qian Long, banging his head on the floor. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty…"

"If you were just a mere sub-ordinate, I would already have you beheaded on the spot. Fortunately for you, your mother happens to be the Empress Dowager’s favourite niece." Fortunately for me, you’re not her favourite grandnephew, Qian Long thought slyly, nor are you my favourite nephew. He said grimly, "You’re spared a death sentence but don’t think that you’re getting away with it. I will deal with you after we return to Beijing."

"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty. May Your Majesty Live Ten Thousand Years."

Qian Long said icily," I am Si Ye, not Your Majesty. Quit your head banging and blabbering. You’re creating enough ruckus to wake the whole neighborhood. Now get out and stand guard. I have some things to discuss with my *men *. "

This was a direct snub and Ke Sun did not miss it. By rights, it should be Long Do who stood watch as he was merely an Imperial Guard, of the third Grade. He staggered out of the room.

"Why did I ever get stuck with him?" Qian Long complained. Fu Heng and Long Do shrugged noncommitally. They had other pressing matters to deal with now. First there was the matter of the Xia family, now that Ke Sun had blown their cover. Next but not least important was their Shan Dong trip.

"Fu Heng, can Xia family can be trusted to keep quiet? And what do you make of them?" Qian Long asked. Fu Heng was only a fifth grade military officer, just a few years older than Ke Sun. Qian Long had chose him for this trip, not because he was the Empress’s brother but he sensed that the young man had potential. The man had more brains in his great toe than Ke Sun had in his head.

Fu Heng thought for a moment then said, "The girl I trust. She wouldn’t do anything to endanger her father. It’s clear she’s devoted to him, no matter how much she argues with him. "

Qian Long and Long Do chuckled at this observation.

Fu Heng continued, "Madam Xia comes across as timid and retiring. Not the kind of person you’ll expect to participate in revolutionist activities. She may be eager to protect her family and so will keep quiet.

"As for Mr.Xia, he looks more comfortable pottering around with a calligraphy brush. Still, looks can be deceiving. I suggest tonight that Long Do, Ke Sun and me take turns watching this place. Not just for our protection but also for * their * protection." He added, "They could get hurt if someone tried to…contact them."

"Your suggestion will work for tonight. How about the next few days?" Qian Long said thoughtfully. "We are going to be in Shan Dong for some more time. How do we make sure they keep their mouths clamped until we’re safely in Beijing?" He looked at them. "I’m open to ideas."

Fu Heng finally offered. "I have a suggestion, sir. But I am not sure if you will like the sound of it."

Qian Long looked at him, indicating he was ready to hear him out.

"One of us will have to camp here, I mean in this house, to keep an eye on them, whilst the rest of us continue the tour of Shan Dong. After completing the tour, we all rendezvous here, and then return to Beijing. As to who will stay here, well, Mr.Xia is a man of many scholarly pursuits and one who enjoys intellectually stimulating conversation. As they all say, like father, like daughter. Miss Xia takes after her father in those areas..." Fu Heng said, vaguely aware he was getting evasive.

Qian Long had a clue where Fu Heng was heading but said nothing. He wanted to hear it for himself.

Fu Heng tried another approach. "The Xias’ new houseguest is getting ready for next year’s imperial examinations. He has come far from the hustle and bustle of Beijing to this quiet part of Ji Nan, where the atmosphere for learning is conductive and there are few distractions in this house…." He trailed off, realising it was not a very wise choice of words.

The edges of Qian Long’s mouth curled up slightly, indicating that he had noticed Fu Heng’s slip. He already knew whom Fu Heng had in mind to stay behind. "To cut a long story short, I am the most suitable person because I share the same interests as Mr.Xia." then looking Fu Heng in the eye added, " and Miss Xia of course."

Fu Heng coloured. He had not been blind to the interaction between Qian Long and Miss Xia. The girl had some sort of crush on Qian Long; she had cast furtive looks at him and flushed when Qian Long spoke to her. He wasn’t sure what Qian Long’s feelings for Yu Her now but he was well aware his brother-in-law had a weakness for women. True, Yu Her was no ravishing beauty, she certainly made up for it with other abilities-cookery, calligraphy, poetry, Wei Qi and didn’t she mention that she played the Qin? Qian Long himself happened to be a patron of the arts.

"Si Ye, in my humble opinion, it is not safe for you to stay here. Ke Sun is a better choice." Long Do disagreed. As he and Fu Heng were devoted soldiers with little "scholarly pursuits", someone would see through the smokescreen if they tried to pose as candidates preparing for the imperial exams. At least Ke Sun had some "scholarly interests" and rudimentary classical Chinese education.

"I know the idea of leaving Ke Sun behind is appealing [there was laughter] and there is a risk to me if I stay. However, Fu Heng is right. I am the best one to stay behind. If Ke Sun stayed, well we would soon be getting loads of unwanted attention. Besides, I wonder if Ke Sun can have some semblance of an intelligent conversation with Mr.Xia."

"If Si Ye wants to remain behind, at least let me or Fu Heng stay behind." Long Do looked worried.

"Ke Sun will stay with me. I know he is a hopeless bodyguard. However, if he were to accompany either one of you on the trip, it would take much longer. You will be juggling the chores of collecting information and taking care of him. The longer the trip, the greater the risk of my exposure. The two of you will be able to finish the trip in a shorter time."

The three men continued discussing details and contingency plans before finally retiring at the Hour of the Rat. Of course, the hapless Ke Sun was brought in and briefed on the change in plans. He wasn’t given details, only told that he had take the first watch tonight and that he was to remain in Ji Nan with Si Ye, until Fu Heng and Long Do completed their tour of Shan Dong.

**********

Breakfast was five-course feast but Qian Long and his companions found it a tortuous affair. Throughout breakfast, Mr.Xia barely spoke two words. Yu Her’s answers were barely audible. Madam Xia constantly ran in and out of the kitchen every now and then, refilling their bowls, filling their cups with tea and piling more food on the table. The tension in the room was so thick one could cut it with a knife.

Qian Long sighed inwardly. If he were going to get this reaction from the Xias everyday he was here, he would go mad. He had to make them relax a little around him so that he could have someone to talk to. He did not relish the prospect of having only Ke Sun to talk to as the man only had two favourite topics-cricket fighting and gambling. First, he had a request to make of the Xia family.

After breakfast, Si Ye outlined his "request". After hearing the request, Mr.Xia felt very ill but he gave the outward of appearance of being "honoured and delighted", that Si Ye, a distinguished guest from Beijing, would be staying in his humble home.

This was Si Ye’s first time in Ji Nan and he would like to see more of the place. Also Si Ye had found Mr.Xia an intelligent sophist and would like discussing literature and the arts with him in more detail. Oh, yes Si Ye happened to be a private person. A very private person who did not like too much disturbance.

Meanwhile, Fu Heng and Long Do would continue their Shan Dong tour without him. Ke Sun had gladly offered to do all the family errands, including doing their shopping. Hence, they *need not * go into town so often. Of course all expenses incurred would be borne by Si Ye. They did not want to be a burden to the Xias, did they?

In essence, the Xia family was practically under house arrest, with two live-in guards until Fu Heng and Long Do returned from the Shan Dong round. Mr.Xia prayed fervently that Fu Heng and Long Do would be quick and efficient.