Episode 19 recap: Ding Bao Zhen rose and fell in ranks and became the Governor of Sichuan.
Yan Daren used Ding Bao Zhen as a pastime and asked him whether he should first go to pay respects to the emperor or go to the Prince Gong's residence. He wanted to know who should be seen first as it carried significant meaning. Ding Bao Zhen wanted to first see his benefactor, Prince Gong, as he owed him gratitude and believed in repaying kindness. Yan Daren told him that it was unlikely that Prince Gong would see him, and if Ding Bao Zhen obtained a higher position, he would become a rival to Prince Gong as a member of the imperial cabinet. If he was not accepted, it would offend the Empress Dowager.
That evening, Ding Bao Zhen arrived at Prince Gong's mansion, where the steward had been waiting for a day and conveyed the prince's polite refusal. Ding Bao Zhen looked sadly at the entrance of the mansion and left, knowing that the prince was protecting him. Ding Bao Zhen returned to his residence, and shortly after leaving, he received numerous cards of invitation, including from En Cheng.
The next day, as agreed, Ding Bao Zhen went to a teahouse to meet En Cheng. After exchanging pleasantries, En Cheng mentioned that Ding Bao Zhen had come to meet him without forgetting their friendship from the past. Ding Bao Zhen asked Qi Songru to meet En Cheng and mentioned that En Cheng was favored by the Empress Dowager. Qi Songru flattered En Cheng, but at that moment, Ding Bao Zhen's face did not show joy, while En Cheng praised Qi Songru in front of Ding Bao Zhen, saying that he could surpass him, at least in terms of being smooth in handling matters and speaking.
During this visit to the palace, En Cheng candidly told Ding Bao Zhen that the Empress Dowager intended to keep him in the capital city. Ding Bao Zhen's original aspiration was also to enter the capital and serve as an official, to do more for the Qing Dynasty. If he finished paying respects and then went to see the Empress Dowager, it would be even better to stay in the Grand Council. Ding Bao Zhen understood his meaning and said that he would remember all of En Cheng's actions and deeds.
Afterwards, En Cheng communicated privately with Qi Songru, saying that Ding Bao Zhen was a formidable young man, and handed him a purse, falsely claiming that it was the expenses given to Ding Bao Zhen by the court. Qi Songru reluctantly accepted it, but later promptly handed it over to Ding Bao Zhen and apologized, stating that he should not have said what he did and should not have accepted any gift.
Ding Bao Zhen did not blame him but instead taught him to rectify his mistakes in the future. Ding Bao Zhen looked at the silver ticket and guessed that it was given by the Empress Dowager, but he had to accept it because everything in the world belonged to the emperor. The next day, Ding Bao Zhen went to the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager praised Ding Bao Zhen, and she was most pleased that the Shandong Machinery Bureau had brought honor to the Qing Dynasty. Ding Bao Zhen expressed his desire not to be controlled by foreigners and ultimately not to disappoint the imperial favor.
En Cheng asked Ding Bao Zhen for his current views on Westernization. Ding Bao Zhen said that his achievements were not comparable to Zhang Yinhuang and Xu Jianyin. When the Empress Dowager asked about the shortcomings of the Northern and Southern Fleets, Ding Bao Zhen honestly stated them. He emphasized the importance of development but suggested standardizing specifications and proposed sending people to the West to learn and then return to China for specialized training. Finally, he raised the issue of corruption, stating that a prosperous people would lead to a strong nation.
The Empress Dowager did not show much interest in the points raised by Ding Bao Zhen and asked if he was confident in handling these matters if they were entrusted to him. Ding Bao Zhen promised that if given five years, he could reform the governance of the Qing Dynasty.
The Empress Dowager intended to promote Ding Bao Zhen, and En Cheng mentioned that there was a vacant position in the Grand Council. He asked Ding Bao Zhen if he was confident in competing with Prince Gong. Ding Bao Zhen said that there was no need for a competition between him and Prince Gong, as they should work together to alleviate the burdens of the Qing Dynasty. The Empress Dowager was known for her clear rewards and punishments, and Ding Bao Zhen expected to be rewarded as well. Afterward, Ding Bao Zhen left, and the Empress Dowager, feeling that he was being disrespectful, was advised by Li Gonggong to calm down and suggested that Ding Bao Zhen was already old and should enjoy his remaining years.
Ding Bao Zhen wanted to return to Jinan, but Qi Songru did not want him to give up his original ideals. However, Ding Bao Zhen believed that becoming an official in the Grand Council was his initial dream. Yet, the court was full of deceit, and he thought it would be better to return home and serve the people. He urged Qi Songru, if he stayed in the capital, to distinguish right from wrong and reminded him not to forget his own ideals. He advised him to work for the people in everything he did and not to take shortcuts.
The next day, before attending court, other officials flattered Ding Bao Zhen, and he thanked them on behalf of Qi Songru. At that moment, Ding Bao Zhen received an imperial decree, ordering him to serve as acting governor in Sichuan and other places. Sichuan had many bandit troubles, and this appointment was considered a lateral transfer. Other officials discussed and speculated that he must have offended someone.
That evening, Ding Bao Zhen sought an audience with Prince Gong once again, wanting to discuss matters related to industrialization and the Machinery Bureau. He couldn't put his mind at ease regarding the situation in Shandong. However, he was politely refused by Prince Gong. Ding Bao Zhen and Yan Daren met at a teahouse, and Yan Daren comforted Ding Bao Zhen, mentioning that Sichuan had beautiful scenery and that having a true friend in life was enough.
Before leaving, Ding Bao Zhen arranged for Qi Songru to send a letter to Li Pei Rong and to mail the travel expenses. He also gave Qi Songru a sum of money as his living expenses in the capital. At that moment, En Cheng came to bid farewell to Ding Bao Zhen and reproached him for not knowing what was good for him. He also said that Ding Bao Zhen's stubbornness would likely hinder his son from becoming an official. However, Ding Bao Zhen believed that as long as he served the people, it didn't matter where he held office.
En Cheng specially sent a precious horse, symbolizing the hope that Ding Bao Zhen would arrive in Sichuan as soon as possible. After Ding Bao Zhen left, En Cheng immediately gave Qi Songru a silver ticket, indicating that he would observe how Qi Songru would fare as an official in the capital.
Comments(Episode 19)