Emperor’s Paranoia, Traps, and Struggles in the Fengyang Tomb Drama

The Emperor endures relentless nightmares about his father’s death during a great drought when he was sixteen. Only the Empress can calm him, and she shares the story of an old lady whose two sons sell umbrellas and flour, reminding him that perspective shapes reality. The Emperor repeats, “You create your own reality,” as he seeks fleeting peace.

The Construction of the Imperial Tomb

Plans for the Fengyang tomb dominate the court. The massive budget, measured in several million taels of silver, becomes a lure for corruption. The Emperor describes the project as a “trap” baited with “grass and mutton,” warning officials that a simple pit is insufficient to test loyalty.

The “Deaf” Painter Incident

A painter named Zhang Xiaowu from Jinhua is caught eavesdropping on a private conversation. The Emperor tests his claimed deafness by striking a gong and threatening to break the painter’s arm. When Zhang fails the test, the Emperor orders him away but keeps him under guard, turning the artist into a pawn for surveillance.

Political Appointments and Rivalries

Hu Weiyong receives a promotion to the Central Secretariat, a move that unsettles Liu Bowen. Liu Bowen, the imperial censor known for foresight, watches the appointment closely as Li Shanchang, the left prime minister, oversees the tomb’s construction. The Emperor likens persistent, harmless officials to mosquitoes: “It keeps flying around you. Though it won’t kill you, it still annoys you.”

The Emperor’s Traps

Beyond the tomb, the Emperor deploys secret monitoring devices, including an imperial seal that functions as an edict. He uses the “mosquito” strategy to swat minor threats while setting elaborate traps—poisonous wine and money—to catch officials who chase temptation. The Emperor’s surveillance network turns the palace into a maze of hidden tests.

Liu Bowen’s Retirement

Approaching his sixtieth birthday, Liu Bowen petitions to retire to his hometown for writing. The Emperor grants seven months of retirement but binds Liu to a final mission: monitor Li Shanchang’s work on the tomb and wield the imperial seal as a symbol of authority. Liu departs with the weight of both freedom and continued duty.

Mechanisms at Play

• Trap Mechanism: A pit becomes a trap only when baited with tempting rewards, drawing officials into corruption.
• Mosquito Strategy: Annoying but non‑lethal threats receive swift, decisive action rather than neglect.
• Deafness Test: A sudden loud gong and a physical threat expose false claims of deafness, ensuring loyalty through fear.