Life in the Imperial Palace 故宫的生活

故宫的生活     Gùgōng de shēnghuó

“The Firmament of the Pleiades” 苍穹之峁 is the name of the Chinese Drama we are talking about today. What a difficult title to roll our tongues? This title is the official translated title from a Chinese / Japanese joint venture drama about the ups and downs of two good friends living in Beijing during the times of the Imperial Palace of Empress Dowager Xi Ci of China, circa 1896.

The word “firmament” means ‘the vault or archway of the sky’. It is the dome that separates the sea from the earth, created by God.

The word “pleiades” means a group of stars in Greek mythology.

On the face of it, the story in this drama series (in Chinese) about two capable men living in that historical age has nothing to do with heaven, the sky and the stars. But one thing is certain - the drama does highlight the fact that in our own lives, we are constantly traveling along the roads of uncertainty. Christians call this journey of life as ‘God’s Will’. The Buddhists call this as ‘the result of the sins (or virtues)’ we have committed or gathered in our previous lives.

从表面上看，这部电视剧讲述了两个生活在那个历史时代的能人的故事，与天堂、天空和星星无关。但有一件事是肯定的——这出戏确实强调了这样一个事实，即在我们自己的生活中，我们一直在不确定的道路上旅行。基督徒将这段人生旅程称为“上帝的旨意”。佛教徒称这是我们在前世所犯或积聚的“罪恶（或美德）的结果”。

I would have picked a simpler title like “The Influencer Mrs. Zhang”. Mrs. Zhang is pictured here in the photograph below, relaxing at her home. She was one of the princesses of the Palace living anonymously in Beijing running a restaurant there. Educated in England, she was the eyes and ears of the Empress Dowager.

The period of this story is between the years 1894 to 1908. The story relates to a poor boy, named Chun Er, who lived by picking up frozen cow and horse dungs from the streets. An astrologer predicts that Chun Er will one day take care of all the treasures of China. At around ten years of age, he voluntarily castrates himself in order to have the money to support his ailing mother. His mother, however, does not survive. He meets up with Mrs. Zhang who manages his training schedules to be a capable imperial eunuch as well as a musician in Beijing operas. Mrs. Zhang then exposes Chun Er to Empress Dowager Ci Xi and the humble Chun Er becomes the Empress’s favourite entertainer.

该剧以甲午战争至戊戌政变这一段时期为大背景，讲述了一个靠捡拾街道上冰冻的牛粪马粪维生的穷小子春儿，遇到了占星师白婆婆，白婆婆说他是天上的昴宿星降生，他的命与乾隆、秦始皇一样，未来将“尽取中国一切财宝纳入囊中”。她的预言，支撑着苦命的春儿活下去，当他兄长死于饥饿后，他自阉入宫，经过一番奋斗与卖命，成为慈禧太后身边的大红人，接替李莲英之位，白婆婆的语言似乎真的应验了，然而他却不经意地被卷入政治的漩涡.

Watch the first episode of this Mandarin Drama series (28 episodes in all) by clicking here: https://youtu.be/Dw-qjjgpOs0. Note that there is no English subtitles in this series but the plot is simple and highlights one of the main facts of life in general. In our lives, we can never predict what can happen to us. As Christians we believe that we are constantly in God’s guidance.

In the story, the other young man by the name of Liang Wenxiu, a good friend (like a brother) to Chun Er, takes part in the Imperial Examinations and becomes one of the youngest person to score the top position. His score in the examinations is a record high and he is immediately invited to enter the Imperial Palace to assist the young Emperor as one of the trusted Imperial Ministers.

故事中，春儿的好朋友（如兄弟）梁文修参加了科举考试，成为最年轻的上榜者之一。他的考试成绩创下历史新高，他立即被邀请进入皇宫，作为值得信赖的大臣之一协助年轻的皇帝。

This is the young Minister in the Imperial Palace, Liang Wenxiu.

这是皇宫里的年轻大臣，梁文秀。

Zhè shì huánggōng lǐ de niánqīng dàchén, liáng wénxiù.

https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/0-2

The Emperor Guangxu (aged 19 at the time of this photograph) is discussing political issues with Empress Dowager Ci Xi 慈禧太后.

Read more about Empress Dowager Ci Xi at Britannica by clicking on the link below: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cixi.

The Emperor Guangxu and the Empress Dowager discuss the future of China with their inner Council of Ministers that includes Liang Wenxiu. They are impressed with the contributions that the young novice Minister makes. But then Imperial politics set in and Liang Wenxiu becomes the target of palace jealousy. How he survives these traps that are set for him are interesting, and of course, he has the assistance of Chun Er, who by now is one of Empress Dowager’s favoured eunuch. He also has the help from the widow, Mrs. Zhang, who is actually one of Empress Dowager’s daughters who has returned from studies in England and runs a restaurant and bar in central Beijing. She reports to Empress Dowager often regarding the opinions of the general public and the movements of foreigners in Beijing. https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/0-3

光绪皇帝和太后与包括梁文秀在内的内阁大臣讨论中国的未来。他们对这位年轻的新手部长所做的贡献印象深刻。可随即皇朝政治介入，梁文秀成为宫廷嫉妒的对象。他是如何从这些为他设置的陷阱中幸存下来的，这很有趣，当然，他得到了纯儿的帮助，纯儿现在是太后最宠爱的太监之一。他还得到了遗孀张太太的帮助，张太太实际上是皇太后的女儿之一，她从英国留学归来，在北京市中心经营一家餐厅和酒吧。她经常向皇太后汇报民众的意见和外国人在北京的动向。

Chun Er is not only a kind-hearted and pleasant eunuch but is also able to act and sing in Beijing operas to the delight of both Empress Dowager, Emperor Guangxu, Chief Eunuch Li Lianying and the Palace Ministers. https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/1-4.
春儿不仅是一个心地善良、讨​​人喜欢的宦官，而且能在京剧中演戏、唱歌，令皇太后、光绪帝、太监李莲英和宫廷大臣都为之高兴。

Mrs. Zhang does not disclose to Li Wenxiu her real identity but gives him sound advice on how to deal with both Empress Dowager and the Emperor. When she sees that Minister Li Wenxiu becomes fond of her, she quietly distances herself from him for the sake of helping him in his career. After all, an Imperial Minister having an affair with a widow is heavily frown upon in Chinese social circles.

张夫人并没有向李文修透露自己的真实身份，而是就如何处理太后和皇帝的问题给了他中肯的建议。当她看到李文秀部长对她有好感时，为了在他的事业上有所帮助，她悄悄地疏远了他。毕竟，一个官员跟寡妇有染，在中国的社交圈里是非常不受欢迎的。https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/1-5

There are five selected ladies in high circles for Emperor Guangxu to choose as his Queen and consorts. When he wants to choose the lady she likes, however, he is stopped by Empress Dowager Ci Xi who reminds him of what she often says regarding selection of a Queen. “You need to choose a Queen that can advance your position as the Heavenly Anointed One,” and by this she has meant for him to choose one of her nieces now present amongst the five. Emperor Guangxu eventually and reluctantly obeys.

光绪帝有五位上流宫女选为皇后和妃子。然而，当他要选择自己喜欢的女人时，却被慈禧太后拦住了，这让他想起了她常说的选皇后的话。 “你需要选择一个可以提升你天上受膏者地位的女王，”她的意思是她从五个侄女中选择一个她现在在场的侄女。光绪帝最终不情愿地服从了。   https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/1-6

In the meanwhile, the ambitious Japanese Government tries to ‘rob’ the wealth of China and is preparing to invade China. At this stage, however, the Japanese officials have infiltrated into Bejing’s society as newspaper reporters, restaurant owners, traders, and business persons.

与此同时，野心勃勃的日本政府企图“掠夺”中国的财富，并准备入侵中国。然而，在这个阶段，日本官员已经以报纸记者、餐馆老板、商人和商人的身份渗透到了北京的社会中。 https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/2-7

The two senior Imperial Ministers who are in disagreement regarding the political future of China. On the left is Emperor Guangxu’s birth father who does not agree to change China’s system into one of universal suffrage. The Emperor Guangxu and the Chief Minister and Scholar on the right favours reform. Liang Wenxiu belongs to this later group but is vetoed by Empress Dowager Ci Xi. “We cannot allow the ruled to be the rulers. There will then be chaos in the country. Everyone has one’s place in the pecking order of society,” she added. https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/2-8

两位在中国政治前途问题上意见不一的帝国高级大臣。左边是光绪帝的生父，他不同意将中国的制度改为普选制。光绪帝和右丞相都赞成改革。梁文秀属于后一派，但被慈禧太后否决。 “我们不能让被统治者成为统治者。然后国家就会陷入混乱。每个人在社会的等级制度中都有自己的位置，” 她补充说。

Chief Eunuch Li Lianying has no knowledge of the fact that Mrs. Zhang, as Prince Ge Ge, is a great influencer of Empress Dowager Ci Xi. https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/2-9

Emperor Guangxu respects Empress Dowager Ci Xi as his mother. He is brought up by Empress Dowager since young as a baby. His birth mother is a younger sister of the Empress. The Empress Dowager has been governing the country from behind a golden screen placed immediately behind the throne.

光绪帝尊慈禧太后为母。从小由皇太后抚养长大。他的生母是皇后的妹妹。皇太后一直从宝座后面的金屏后面治理国家。https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/3-10

There are 108 dishes placed upon a long table for the Empress Dowager every meal time. An eunuch will announce the name of every dish as the dish passes through enunchs lined up in a chain. The enunchs sample every dish before the dish is placed on the table. Empress Dowager Ci Xi has the list of dishes and she calls out the name of a dish for a special favourite eunuch to bring a little of that dish for her to eat. https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/3-11

At times the Empress Dowager will examine a dish in details and asks for the ingredients to that dish. She is known to reward an Imperial chef for creating a nice, tasty, new dish for her, especially in auspicious occasions.

有时，皇太后会仔细检查一道菜，并询问这道菜的配料。众所周知，她会奖励一位为她制作美味可口的新菜的帝国厨师，尤其是在吉祥的场合。https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/3-12

Emperor Guangxu’s birth father is dying. Empress Dowager Ci Xi permits the Emperor to visit and comfort his dying Dad. https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/4-13 光绪帝的生父病逝。慈禧太后允许皇帝探望和安慰他垂死的父亲。 https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/4-14

Sister of Empress Ci Xi (birth mother of Emperor Guangxu): “You took my son when he was just a baby and you made him the Emperor, just that you remained in power behind a child-Emperor. You robbed me of my son. You made my husband, your younger brother-in-law, an obedient servant of yours. Now he is dying and you still maintain that you are right in your decisions.” https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/4-15

慈禧的妹妹（光绪皇帝的生母）：“你把我的儿子当了小皇帝. 抢了我的儿子。我的丈夫是你的一个听话的仆人。现在他快死了，你仍然坚持自己的决定是对的。”  https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/5-16

Empress Ci Xi: “I had to do all these to keep the country safe and stable. I had no intention of breaking up your family, my young Sister. Think again. You have a husband and several other children around you. You have a happy family in spite of loosing one for the Country. I have given you and your family members wealth and fame and a stable family life. By comparison, I am alone and lonely. I need to govern China with a firm hand. You are by far a lot happier than I am. This is Fate. This is what the Heaven demands of us. All of us suffer since birth. You simply has no idea the degree of sufferings I went through on behalf of all citizens of China.” https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/5-17

慈禧太后：“为了国家的安全和稳定，我不得不做这一切。我无意拆散你的家庭。你再想一想。你身边有丈夫和其他几个孩子。你有一个忠于国家的家庭，全家幸福。我给了你和你的家人财富和名声，安定的家庭生活。相比之下，我孤独寂寞。我需要用坚定的双手治理中国。你是靠比我幸福多了。这就是命运。这是上天对我们的要求。我们都是从出生开始受苦的。你根本不知道我代表全体中国人经历了多少苦难。”  https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/5-18

Empress Dowager Ci Xi is impressed the performance of Chun Er. Chun Er has also demonstrated that he is willing to bear pains and to suffer punishments issued by the Empress to his superiors. Episode 19: https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/6-19

慈禧太后对淳儿的表现印象深刻。淳儿也表现出他愿意忍受痛苦，愿意接受皇后对上级的惩罚。 Episode 20: https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/6-20

The senior and chief Eunuch Lee Lianying is jealous of Chun Er and he has an inward fear that he will be replaced by Chun Er. He vows to his friend, a Taoist Sifu, that he will see to it that Chun Er will have a difficult time at the Imperial Palace. Episode 21: https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/6-21

老太监李莲英嫉妒春儿，心里生怕被淳儿取代。他向他的朋友，一位道家司夫发誓，他会确保春儿在未来的日子里会过得很艰难。Episode 22:  https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/7-22

Episode 23: https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/7-23

Episode 24: https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/7-24

Episode 25: https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/8-25

Episode 26: https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/8-26

Episode 27: https://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/8-27

Episode 28: ttps://www.tvmao.com/drama/JjVT/episode/dajieju 28