They unleash an elaborate plan to kidnap the emperor in exchange for their comrade, and hope to persuade the emperor to join their cause. When the exchange takes place, Qianlong must ultimately continue impersonating a Manchu in order to remain in power as ruler of the Qing Empire. Qianlong's chief lieutenant, Zhang Zhaozhong, is bound and determined to wipe out Chen Jialuo and the Red Flower Society.
They devise a complex scheme to abduct the emperor in exchange for their comrade, and they expect to convince the emperor to join their movement. During the exchange, Qianlong must continue pretending to be a Manchu in order to maintain his position as ruler of the Qing Empire. His chief subordinate, Zhang Zhaozhong, is determined to eliminate Chen Jialuo and the Red Flower Society.