Traditional Wuxia: The Northeastern Bandits

Synopsis of Gu Long’s traditional wuxia novel The Northeastern Bandits: In the first month of spring in the fourth year of the Jiaqing reign, the Retired Emperor dies in the Hall of Mental Cultivation! Censor Guang Xing, Ministry of Personnel Secretary Wang Niansun, and others jointly impeach Heshen, accusing him of ten grave crimes of treason and sixteen capital offenses, each character a blade! Jiaqing orders Prince Cheng and Prince Yi to lead the Imperial Guards in arresting Heshen. Fearing an ambush along the way, he also dispatches the imperial bodyguard warrior Alanbao to protect them. After being interrogated in the Ministry of Justice, Heshen is thrown into prison! Jiaqing orders the Eleventh Prince to search Heshen’s residence and sends the Second Prince, Mianning, to search his villa. The searches last five days and five nights! The Eleventh Prince reports: “A hall in Heshen’s home was built of nanmu in the style of the imperial palace, complete with dragon pillars and phoenix roof ornaments. A treasure pavilion was modeled after the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, and the garden after the Old Summer Palace. Liu Quan, a servant of Heshen, possessed more than seven million in family wealth.” The Seventh Prince’s son-in-law reports that a string of genuine pearl court beads and imperial garments and hats were hidden in Heshen’s secret chamber.