The flotilla glided slowly off, and soon reached the lakeside. Commander Li jumped ashore and helped Qian Long across onto land as the bodyguards formed a protective semi-circle. Li pulled out a pipe and blew three sharp notes on it, and several hundred Imperial troops appeared.
"You insolent wretches!" Li shouted at the Red Flower Society fighters. "You are in the sight of the Emperor and still you don"t kowtow?"
Xu gestured with his hand, and Master Ma and his son fired flares up into the air above the lake. A moment later, a huge roar went up from all sides, and men rushed out from the trees, from behind buildings and from under bridges, each one with a red flower on his lapel and a sword in his hand.
"Brothers!" Xu shouted. "The Great Helmsman has arrived!" The society men roared their approval and surged forward.
The Imperial Bodyguards and troops drew their swords, fixed arrows to bows, and the two sides confronted each other, each determined not to yield. Commander Li mounted a horse and waited for Qian Long"s order to seize the Red Flower Society fighters.
Chen walked calmly over to an officer of the Imperial Bodyguard and pointed at the horsewhip he was holding. Hypnotised by Chen"s gaze, the officer meekly dismounted and handed the whip over. Chen then leapt onto his horse and pulled a red flower from his pocket which he fixed to his gown. The flower was made from the finest silk stitched with gold thread and the green leaves around it were studded with jewels which glittered and sparkled in the torchlight. It was the badge of the Great Helmsman and the Red Flower Socety heroes bowed before him in respect.
Suddenly, a large number of the soldiers broke from the Manchu ranks and swarmed forward despite shouts from their officers. They raced over to Chen, bowed, then ran back to their ranks as another batch ran out to pay their respects. The Red Flower Society"s power was so great in the south that many soldiers in the Manchu armies, especially those in units under Chinese command, were members.
Qian Long was flabbergasted at the sight of so many of his own troops breaking ranks to bow before Chen. The Imperial Guard units he had brought with him from Beijing were clearly the only ones he could trust, and considering the danger of his position, he decided a fight had to be avoided at all costs.
He turned to Commander Li.
"So these are your trusted soldiers," he said coldly. "Tell them to retire."
"Yes sir," replied Li, stunned with fear. He ordered the troops back to camp.
"Brothers!" "Mastermind" Xu shouted when he saw the Manchu troops were retreating. "Thank you all for your trouble. Please go now."
An answering roar went up from the mass of the Society followers: "Great Helmsman, goodbye!" The thunderous cry echoed out over the lake.
Qian Long raised his hands towards Chen. "Thank you for a very pleasant outing on the lake," he said. "We will meet again."
** 3 **
Chen and the heroes returned to the boats and ate and drank to their hearts" content. They had handed out a crushing defeat to the Imperial Bodyguard, and were in good spirits.
"Brother Ma," Xu said to the society"s Hangzhou Helmsman. "After such a setback, the Emperor certainly won"t let matters rest. Advise all the brothers in Hangzhou to be very careful, especially those in the Manchu ranks."
Ma nodded, finished off his cup of wine and departed with his son.
Chen also drained his wine cup and sighed as he watched the broken reflection of the moon floating on the lake between the lotus lily leaves.
"What date is it today?"