If the Emperor and Jesus were both in danger, whom would you save first?
The largest room in the Imperial Observatory had been cleared of all unnecessary tables, chairs, and stools, transformed into a temporary interrogation chamber.
Everyone was ordered to sit on the floor and listen to the proceedings.
Jiang Qingyun tapped the massive telescope in the room and then turned sharply, raising his voice to ask:
“Tang Ruowang, who do you think is greater, Confucius or Jesus?”
“They are both great, but they should not be compared directly, as they belong to different realms.”
...
“Tang Ruowang, if the Emperor and Jesus were both in danger and you could only save one, whom would you save?”
“I would save the Emperor without hesitation!”
...
“Tang Ruowang, you are a foreigner who has traveled thousands of miles eastward, first serving the Ming and then the Qing, dedicating your entire life to this land. What secret purpose do you have?”
“I only hope to enhance the connection between East and West, to spread advanced technology and the gospel.”
“Your sole purpose is evangelism, isn’t it?”
“No, evangelism is only a minor part of my reasons.”
“Very well. I will petition the court to ban all churches starting tomorrow and arrest all believers. Do you have any objections?”
“I—I object.”
...
“Tang Ruowang, you don’t truly care whether it’s Ming or Qing rule; you just want to preach, correct?”
“No, you are slandering me.”
“In other words, you don’t even mind who is Emperor, right?”
“No, no.”
“How does the Imperial Father Regent treat you?”
“The Regent treats me well. No, no, that’s not what I mean.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“No, no, I swear to the Lord, I will always, always support Emperor Shunzhi!”
...
“Tang Ruowang, someone has accused you of concealing unusual celestial phenomena. Do you confess?”
“No, this is slander.”
“I will interrogate everyone in the Observatory repeatedly until the truth is uncovered. If you confess now, the court may show leniency.”
...
“I suspect there is a secret conspiratorial faction within the capital’s core, and you hold a leadership role in this group?”
“No, no, my loyalty to the Qing is as clear as the sun and moon.”
...
Jiang Qingyun pressed relentlessly, and Tang Ruowang began to unravel.
The clerk recording the interrogation was sweating profusely, wishing he could block out the noise.
Suddenly—
Jiang Qingyun approached the interrogation chair and asked solemnly:
“Tang Ruowang, do you have ‘faith’?”
“W-what?”
“Faith means something you firmly believe in, willing to fight for, willing to sacrifice everything for, even your life.”
Despair filled Tang Ruowang’s eyes. He stared intently at the young man before him, desperate to peer into his soul.
...
At that moment, Deputy Supervisor Li Zubai spoke up:
“Lord Jiang, allow me to answer that question.”
“Very well. So, do you have faith?”
“I do!”
“Deputy Supervisor Li, I’ve long heard that you are a devout believer. Tell me, who is greater, Jesus or Confucius?”
“Jesus!”
Tang Ruowang closed his eyes in anguish.
Jiang Qingyun nodded slowly and then looked at the two clerks recording the session.
“Record it!”
“Do you think the spirit promoted by Christian doctrine conflicts with the governing spirit of the Great Qing?”
“Yes.”
“Can the conflict between the two be reconciled?”
“No, it cannot.”
The room fell into a deathly silence. Everyone in the Observatory looked ashen—this was over. Li Deputy Supervisor, you’ve damned us all.
...
Tang Ruowang sank into a strange mental state, humming a folk tune from his homeland, repeatedly rubbing the silver cross he had carried for decades, tears streaming down his face.
Li Zubai stood like a martyr, head held high and chest out.
Jiang Qingyun sat back in his armchair, a friendly calico cat had hopped onto his lap. This stray cat was cared for by everyone at the Observatory.
At this moment,
Timekeeper Doctor Yang Guangxian suddenly rose from a corner.
“Sir, I wish to report!”
“Tang Ruowang is a conspirator hidden within the core of Great Qing, plotting to overthrow it. He has deceived everyone.”
Jiang Qingyun was not surprised in the slightest.
He gently covered the cat’s ears to shield it from the conspirators’ nonsense.
...
Late at night, the lights in the palace still burned brightly.
The interrogation record was sent directly to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Emperor Shunzhi reviewed it first, followed by his ministers.
Shunzhi, who had some fondness for the old man Tang Ruowang, felt deeply betrayed, his hands trembling with anger.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang remained calm but sighed quietly.
Minister of War Hong Chengchou said, “I request that Tang Ruowang and the others involved in the Observatory be sentenced to death.”
All present echoed the call.
Shunzhi looked to Xiaozhuang, who said nothing.
She was waiting—
The Forbidden City was not far from the Observatory; traveling by horse was swift.
Soon—
Imperial guards and eunuchs rushed back hastily.
“Master, we have verified—no one in the Observatory was tortured. The clerks recording the interrogation are not from the Military Affairs Office; the records are credible.”
...
Xiaozhuang rose.
“The Observatory has collectively fallen, lost loyalty and basic principles. Tell Jiang Qingyun to execute according to the records without review by the Three Judicial Offices. The executions are to take place tomorrow.”
“Your Majesty, what do you say?”
“The Empress Dowager speaks wisely.”
All the ministers immediately knelt:
“The Empress Dowager is wise, the Emperor is wise.”
Outside the Palace of Heavenly Purity, a lightning bolt struck the ground, followed by a low rumble of thunder.
For some reason, many felt a strange thought arise in their hearts—the man named Jiang was deliberately stirring trouble!
Another galloping horse approached the palace.
A messenger, reeking of rain and earth, burst into the hall.
“Report—”
“The city of Datong is well fortified, Ming General Jiang Xiang holds firm. Our forces have launched three assaults and suffered over five thousand casualties. The Imperial Father Regent has stripped Prince Ajige of his title before the battle, demoting him to a duke.”
“Understood, you may leave.”
Shunzhi stared at the puddle left by the messenger on the golden floor, lost in thought.
...
At dawn the next day—
Jiang Qingyun, who had not slept all night, drank a bowl of ginseng tea, compiled and sealed the interrogation transcript and the “Celestial Phenomena Observation Record,” and had it sent to the Forbidden City.
Timekeeper Doctor Yang Guangxian, rewarded for his whistleblowing, was not only pardoned but also promoted in an unprecedented manner to Acting Supervisor of the Observatory on Jiang’s recommendation.
At that moment,
He was bowing and groveling, quietly pledging loyalty to Jiang Qingyun.
“Lord Jiang, I am ignorant and unlearned. I fear I cannot bear the responsibility.”
“Go pick a few capable men. Remember, no more than four.”
“I understand.”
Though the rank of Supervisor was higher than the Military Affairs Office commander, there was a rule in officialdom—whoever promotes you, you belong to.
...
By mid-morning!
Jiang Qingyun was ready to execute.
Officials from the Censorate, Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review all sent representatives to witness.
“Release me, I am a bannerman!”
“I’m a bannerman too! I don’t understand celestial phenomena, I’m illiterate!”
Though the Observatory was a highly specialized institution, many positions were held jointly by Manchu and Han officials, supervising each other.
Faced with their protests, Jiang Qingyun had no intention of releasing anyone. Bannerman or Han, all would be punished.
To overthrow the Qing, it begins with the Imperial Observatory!