Chapter 106: Satisfying Both

"The conditions here are cramped — forgive me, Ruan Xiansheng." Inside a civilian house by Xiangyang Gate, Pang Yu set a cup of plain tea before Ruan Dacheng.

This was a house borrowed from the Village Elder, now serving as Xiangyang Gate's temporary command post. The conditions inside were naturally rough: the outer main room was used for work, the inner room had a bed-frame, and the Fast Squad had moved in a tea table and chairs to serve as Pang Yu's resting quarters.

"A trifling matter, Pang Squad Leader need not mind it." Ruan Dacheng's face was clouded with worry. He casually picked up the teacup, noticed it was a coarse ceramic cup, set it back on the tea table, then, seeing Pang Yu turn around at that moment, hastily raised it to his lips again.

Pang Yu had not noticed Ruan Dacheng's little preoccupation. He had just come down from the city wall. Today was the second day of the Community Soldiers drilling on the wall; problems kept cropping up everywhere, and he had been rushed off his feet the entire day.

When Ruan Dacheng had arrived earlier, he had brought his household's Slaves and his opera troupe, all of which he assigned to Pang Yu for city defense, and he also delivered two carts of grain — still every bit the open-handed patron. Given that, plus his past assistance to the Zhuang Squad, Pang Yu had to make time to receive him no matter how busy he was.

"Why has Ruan Xiansheng still not gone to Nanjing? Today some commoners fleeing from Lujiang have already arrived, confirming that the Roving Bandits are besieging Luzhou Prefecture and may attack Lujiang at any moment. We have no choice but to be trapped here defending, but Ruan Xiansheng has somewhere to go — you need not stand beneath a crumbling wall."

"This old man earlier thought it was a false alarm, so I did not take it to heart." Ruan Dacheng set down the teacup, hesitated a moment, then said, "Ruan has an unworthy request to make."

"Ruan Xiansheng has often lent me a helping hand. Whatever lies within my power, I will certainly do for you."

Ruan Dacheng started to speak several times, then stopped, all the while glancing around uneasily, as if afraid someone might overhear.

This could not help but strike Pang Yu as odd. From what he knew of Ruan Dacheng's style, once he was certain the Roving Bandits were coming, he would surely turn and flee like the wind, traveling through the night if necessary to reach Zongyang, and then slip straight away to Nanjing. Once he reached Zongyang, he would be safe.

For Ruan Dacheng to now open his mouth and ask something of him — Pang Yu guessed it would be no more than helping watch over his house and family property or the like. Otherwise, Pang Yu could not imagine what else it might be.

Ruan Dacheng hesitated, his gaze repeatedly drifting toward the bed in the room. He fiddled with the teacup lid in his hand, and suddenly it clinked to the floor. This room had no stone paving, and the lid rolled in a circle, perfectly intact.

Pang Yu hurriedly moved to pick it up, but Ruan Dacheng had already swiftly crouched down and retrieved the teacup. Pang Yu noticed that in that instant, he had glanced under the bed.

Having confirmed that no one was under the bed, Ruan Dacheng's expression relaxed considerably as he rose.

"Pang Xiaoyou may perhaps have heard something of Ruan's past affairs." Ruan Dacheng finally spoke. "The past is past. To be groundlessly slandered — I no longer care to dwell on it. Yet some regrets remain."

Pang Yu quickly nodded in affirmation, but did not interrupt.

"I shall not hide it from Pang Xiaoyou: Ruan's acquaintances span the realm. There are many upright men at court who have long wished to help restore me to office. Yet there are always those who obstruct it at every turn, using nothing more than the Reverse Case to silence everyone's mouths. Ruan is no seeker of profit or fame; I merely think that this still-useful body might one day relieve His Majesty's cares and secure the people's livelihood. Thus, in my daily life in the countryside, I am zealous for the public good. Wherever I can contribute, I must devote myself wholeheartedly. So long as one walks uprightly, an honest name will eventually reach the heavens above."

"Ruan Xiansheng has indeed contributed greatly — not only aiding the founding of the Zhuang Squad, but this time also donating silver and goods, with his household Slaves and opera troupe all doing their utmost to assist in the defense. No matter who asks, Pang will say the same."

"I hear that County Magistrate Yang has entrusted Pang Squad Leader with full authority over the city's defense. With Pang Squad Leader guarding Tongcheng, this old man can rest easy. The Roving Bandits will surely break their spears and retreat."

Pang Yu naturally knew Ruan Dacheng was speaking falsely. If he were so certain the Roving Bandits would break their spears and retreat, he would not look the way he did now. But as a retired Country Squire, even if he fled, no one could fault him for it. Pang Yu could not fathom why he was going through this charade of rallying reinforcements.

"But a city under siege cannot be without relief. This old man is thinking I could go to Zongyang to raise grain and forage for the county office. Should the Roving Bandits besiege the city, this old man will assuredly gather Local Militia in Zongyang and come to the rescue."

So he was still going to run, and he had already found his excuse. Pang Yu's face still wore a look of deep emotion. "My thanks for Ruan Xiansheng's lofty righteousness."

Ruan Dacheng sighed. "But we gentry, having received the state's grace for generations, also bear the duty of Defending the Territory in our home villages. What this old man worries about is that others will find it hard to appreciate my painstaking intentions. Certain people will afterward fabricate tales that this old man fled at the first sign of danger, ruining my good name in Shi Lin." Ruan Dacheng paused a moment. Perhaps he himself felt this was somewhat hard to justify, but in the end he still spoke: "In defending a city, holding fast within the walls is always more fitting. This old man is pondering how I might both serve as Tongcheng's external support from Zongyang and avoid being censured. I have come especially to consult with Pang Squad Leader, to see if there is a way to satisfy both."

Pang Yu now understood completely. The Roving Bandits were a greater force than the Local Bandits, so the merit of defending the city would certainly be greater than that of quelling Civil Unrest. Thus Ruan Dacheng was once again scheming after Military Merits. If Tongcheng successfully held out, he could claim a share of the battle honors, hoping to expand his reputation both in Shi Lin and at court. Yet he was also afraid to die and dared not stay. This required a perfect solution — and it all rested on Pang Yu.

The trouble with this matter was that neither Yang Erming nor Zhou County Deputy wished to be associated with Ruan Dacheng. No matter how exhaustively Ruan Dacheng schemed, in the end he might still not make it onto the merit report. However, Ruan Dacheng was currently Pang Yu's sole link to the upper officialdom and Shi Lin. Though Pang Yu did not know what use that might be, he instinctively wanted to maintain this connection — not to mention that Ruan Dacheng had consistently provided practical help.

Pang Yu hesitated a moment, then said, "Ruan Xiansheng is zealous for the public good. Today he came to me leading several dozen able-bodied servants, volunteering to hold the City Wall and offering several strategies for defense. Mindful that Ruan Xiansheng is advanced in years, and because the South City is thronged with Community Soldiers and large numbers of refugees are stranded here, making the People's Livelihood difficult, I thought to ask you to take charge of grain supply for certain blocks of the South City. This task is of great importance, but Ruan Xiansheng, in his lofty righteousness, will surely carry out his duty diligently. I imagine that once you have accepted this assignment, you will likely be busy until the Roving Bandits withdraw before you have leisure to meet with me again. I will certainly report the facts faithfully."

Ruan Dacheng tilted his head slightly upward. This assignment was clearly something Pang Yu had invented on the spot. Certainly no one would come to Ruan Dacheng to handle affairs. "Take charge of grain supply for certain blocks of the South City" — and it did not even specify which blocks. It would be difficult to verify afterward. So long as Pang Yu later said he had indeed done it, no one else could question it. There was also little risk for Pang Yu in this matter, because he had said that only after the Roving Bandits withdrew would he have leisure to meet with Ruan Dacheng. Even if Ruan Dacheng were seen going out in the interim, Pang Yu's failure to notice would be entirely forgivable.

At once Ruan Dacheng rose and cupped his hands. "So that is how it is. This old man cannot shirk this duty."

The two had settled their bargain, but how Ruan Dacheng would slip out of the city without everyone noticing remained a major technical problem.

Sure enough, Ruan Dacheng added, "Now that this old man has accepted this assignment, I must also send away one or two of my Family Dependents. I will still have to trouble Pang Squad Leader."

"Then Ruan Xiansheng, please arrange for your Family Dependents to leave the city soon. Before noon, they had already begun sealing Dongzuo Gate and South Fumigate Gate with bricks and stone. This Xiangyang Gate is still open, but the moment reliable warning arrives, all six gates will be sealed. Leaving the city then will not be convenient."

A Carriage arrived before the gate arch. The driver was Ruan Dacheng's Steward. The Carriage frame was covered with a red-patterned cloth — clearly one used by the womenfolk of a wealthy household. But behind the cart, two horses were also tethered, their Reins tied to the Carriage frame, following slowly behind. It looked somewhat odd.

From atop the city wall, Pang Yu was watching the Carriage. He naturally knew that those two horses were left by Ruan Dacheng for riding after he left the city. It seemed he truly intended to travel through the night and slip into some hiding place in Zongyang before daybreak, so that there would be no eyewitnesses at all. If Pang Yu were to choose, the hiding place should be a large Boat — that way absolutely no word would leak, and it would be safer as well.

Inside the city gate, there were not many people heading out, but outside the gate a long line had formed. The county seat was making intense preparations, and many rumors were circulating nearby. The atmosphere around the city was growing tense. Some commoners from the Guanxiang area had begun entering the city in succession. The runners had to verify each person's identity at the gate. Whether or not they had a household registration, their accent had to be checked and they had to be searched before they could enter. Dongzuo Gate and South Fumigate Gate had also been sealed. Despite extra runners being assigned, a long line still quickly formed.

According to the Rule, outgoing carts and horses also had to be searched. Before the Runner guarding the gate could step forward, Pang Ding, who was at the gate, had already walked straight over. "Carts and horses must all be inspected."

The Steward hurriedly replied, "It's all womenfolk. Please, officer, just open one corner and take a look."

The other Runners, seeing Pang Ding step forward, all knew he was the Squad Leader's trusted man. Who would dare compete with him? They all stood aside.

Pang Ding indeed only lifted one corner of the cloth curtain, then swiftly dropped it back down. "It is indeed womenfolk. Let them pass!"

With a wave of his hand, how would those Runners dare to search further? They hurriedly cleared the Road Passage. The red Carriage slowly moved along the deep wheel ruts in the blue stone slabs. Under Pang Yu's gaze, the Carriage creaked and rattled into the distance along the Official Road.

The Silver Note in Pang Yu's bosom was a full one thousand taels — double the five hundred taels Ruan Dacheng had donated to the county office. In this incursion of the Roving Bandits against Tongcheng, Ruan Dacheng had not only donated money but also sent all his household servants to assist in the defense, and even assigned his most treasured opera troupe to Pang Yu's command. He had truly contributed.

Ruan Dacheng's family fortune was substantial; a thousand-odd taels of silver was not much to him. But this time he had changed his approach. During the last Civil Unrest, he had donated one thousand three hundred taels to help the Chizhou Troops mobilize, and in the end he had not even been listed by name in the Tongcheng county office's Detailed Report. So this time he simply donated only five hundred taels, while investing heavily in Pang Yu's side instead.

In the original course of history, Ruan Dacheng had gone to Nanjing early on. Now, however, he had been delayed by a performance of Huangmei opera, and thus ran into the Roving Thieves' invasion.

Pang Yu was entirely unaware of this. Watching the Departing Carriage, he felt an indescribable sensation. As for Ruan Dacheng the man, he did not know whether he was good or not.

Just as he was pondering, a loud shout came from below the City Tower.

"Why aren't you queuing? Don't push... It's Team Leader Jiang! Team Leader Jiang is back! Quickly, call the Squad Leader!"

Inside the temporary command post at Xiangyang Gate, the disheveled and grimy Jiang Fan, wrapped in a blanket, took a sip of sugar water.

"The Roving Bandits have already reached Lujiang County." Jiang Fan looked at Pang Yu. "The Roving Bandits are besieging Luzhou Prefecture and have detached troops toward Chao County and Wuwei Department. I don't know about Shucheng. They're everywhere — the Roving Bandits have come."

Pang Yu softened his tone to reassure him. "No rush. Speak slowly. How did you encounter the Roving Bandits?"

"On the seventh day of the new year, the Roving Bandits split into two columns near Gushi County in Henan and entered Nanzhili. One column attacked cities and forts, broke through Yingzhou, breached Fengyang Prefecture on the fifteenth day of the first month, and reached Luzhou Prefecture on the twenty-first."

"Look up the Water and Land Routes — how far is it from Gushi County to Fengyang?" Pang Yu stretched out a hand toward a clerk beside him.

The clerk went off to check. The Water and Land Routes Pang Yu mentioned — its full title was The Water and Land Routes of the Realm — was a book commonly kept by Hangshang in the Ming dynasty, recording the distances between major trade routes. Pang Yu had found two copies at the Brokerage and kept them on hand in the Fast Squad.

While the clerk was searching, Jiang Fan continued, "That day, your subordinate was scouting outside Hefei County. The Roving Bandits came with extreme speed, marching at night and breaking through Guanxiang. At that moment, your subordinate and Mounted Runner Guo Dong were resting in Guanxiang. Suddenly under attack, we two fought our way through. Regrettably, we were separated in the darkness. Guo Dong was surrounded by a mob of bandits. Your subordinate risked his life to go back and find Guo Dong, but he had already breathed his last. At the time, the Roving Bandits were pressing their pursuit fiercely. Old Guo fought the bandits bravely, but your subordinate was powerless to recover Guo Dong's body. Your subordinate is ashamed before his comrades..."

As he spoke, Jiang Fan began to sob quietly. Pang Yu patted him on the shoulder. "Rest assured, Guo Dong is the first Runner to die in the line of duty. He died for Tongcheng. This Squad Leader will certainly look after his family."

Jiang Fan wiped away his tears and continued, "That night, the Roving Bandits used cavalry to cut off the Ten-Li Post. During the day, their Scout Cavalry were plundering in Every Direction. Your subordinate took small paths the whole way to evade them. Unfamiliar with the roads, I only regained the Official Road at the Lujiang border. Who could have known that a detached force of Roving Bandits was already heading straight for the Lujiang County Seat? Your subordinate had to return to the small paths again, which delayed me considerably. I dared not rest along the way, and in the end I reached Tongcheng ahead of the Roving Bandits."

"Team Leader Jiang has worked hard." Pang Yu's expression was grave. "The Roving Bandits have already reached Lujiang County."

The searching clerk now spoke: "Reporting to Your Excellency, from Gushi County to Fengyang Prefecture is four hundred thirty li."

Pang Yu murmured, "Departed on the seventh, broke through Fengyang on the fifteenth — no more than eight days in between. Over fifty li marched per day, and they still had to attack prefectures, counties, towns, and villages along the way. Then from Lujiang, they can arrive in at most Two Days. If they only march, they could even arrive in a single day."

What worried him more was that the second batch of Mounted Runners sent out by Yang Erming had not yet reported back. They had very likely encountered the Roving Bandits, which was why even the news of the Roving Bandits entering Lujiang had not been relayed back.

Pang Yu abruptly stood up and said, "Send orders to Dongzuo Gate and Nanxun Gate — both gates must be fully sealed today. Begin sealing the West Gate and North Arch Gate ahead of schedule. Dispatch the relay couriers who returned to the city yesterday; have them ride out and scout Lujiang County. Stockpile extra grain at every resettlement point within the city. The refugees will be arriving very soon."

One of the runners immediately took the order and left, but Jiang Fan looked up and asked Pang Yu, "Have all the mounted courier brothers who headed toward Qianshan returned?"

Pang Yu shook his head. "Only three have come back. I have no spare men to search for the others. We have far too few mounted couriers — spreading warnings to the villages, patrolling and scouting, maintaining contact with Anqing Prefecture, all of it depends on them. I truly have no one to send looking for them."

Jiang Fan swayed as he stood up and said, "Then this subordinate will go to Qianshan."

"But the roving bandits could arrive at any moment, and you are so utterly exhausted…"

"This subordinate can do it. For the bond between comrades, none of that matters." Jiang Fan's tone was resolute. "The roving bandits are already close, and they know nothing of it. If they run into them on the road by chance, they will certainly die."

Pang Yu nodded approvingly. "Very well then. But you will rest for at least one day. If the bandits have not arrived by tomorrow, you may set out for the south side."

…

Before noon the next day, Pang Yu saw Jiang Fan off at Xiangyang Gate.

Only after Jiang Fan's figure had vanished down the official road did Pang Yu turn back and ascend Xiangyang Gate.

As far as the eye could see beyond the city tower, refugees surged toward Tongcheng like a tide.