Chapter 122: The Pond

West of Bean Family Bridge there is a pond, the largest one inside Tongcheng, though in truth it isn't all that big — because two rivers run through Tongcheng, no part of the city lacks water, so there was never much need for ponds.

At this moment the pond's edge was packed with women, many of them wailing loudly. Ever since the horrific reports arrived from Chao County, most women had already decided what their end would be if the city fell; besides this pond, people waited by wells all across the city, ready beside them.

Just now, when word spread that the Roving Bandits had broken through, many women came here. The streets were in a panic at the time, and two women, unable to bear the terror, jumped into the pond. One was pulled out alive; the other was already gone by the time they got her up.

A cluster of women surrounded that corpse, shouting in panic, while the other women waited around the pond in tears — the moment a Roving Bandit appeared, they would all jump in.

Among the crowd was the enormous figure of Jiang Shuqiong.

"It's so cruel — the Roving Bandits have broken the city, what are we to do? The people who came from Chao County say that any woman with a bit of looks won't escape." Jiang Shuqiong wiped her tears. "And as it happens, I do have looks. Nothing to be done about it. I'd rather die than let them defile me."

A woman beside her wept, "Jiang Jiejie, surely you don't need to worry."

Jiang Shuqiong blew her nose, tilted her head with a face full of hopelessness, and said, "Today I'll be gone, so let me speak a few words from the heart to you, little sister. I was married off in my teens. That husband of mine never did an honest day's work. Following him, I never lived a single good day. Back then, I couldn't get one full meal — I was thin as a yellow flower."

The woman, still weeping, glanced at Jiang Shuqiong, then turned her head back and wiped her tears. "Jiejie, you were never like a yellow flower."

"Who says I wasn't? Who hasn't been a maiden once?" Jiang Shuqiong unconsciously smoothed her hair, her eyes misty as she went on. "My husband was useless, so I had to rely on myself, didn't I? I worked seven years as a dishwasher in that pleasure house. Those customers weren't there for the food — whole dishes untouched, some barely picked at, plenty of leftovers. Only after that did I stop going hungry. But being ordered around all day long, that wasn't pleasant either. And people outside pointed fingers, saying I did shameful things in there."

The woman, still sniffling, said, "No one said that. Anyone could see you weren't capable of doing shameful things."

Jiang Shuqiong did not argue. Her eyes a little vacant, she kept talking to herself. "I didn't want people pointing at my back, so I switched to a proper trade at Bai Shun Tang. The moment I got there, I was put in charge of the main hall with dozens of people. Nothing to be done — the Dongjia said no one else could handle it. What could I do? I took it on reluctantly. Busy every day, so busy. Everyone at Bai Shun Tang truly admired me."

The woman turned her head. "Jiang Jiejie, were you happy doing it?"

"None of that matters anymore." Jiang Shuqiong covered her face and burst into loud sobs. It was a long while before she stopped, a single glistening string of mucus hanging from beneath her nose.

She raised her red, swollen eyes. "Tell me, those heaven-cursed Roving Bandits — what are you doing coming to Tongcheng for no good reason? Isn't Henan big enough for you to wreak havoc in? This old lady had just gotten to Bai Shun Tang, life was comfortable in every way, and it's only been a few months... wuwu... I haven't had it easy either. Ordered around my whole life, and just when I finally got to order others around — for how long?"

"Jiejie, you certainly never stopped ordering people around." The woman wept. "In the half month I've been at Bai Shun Tang, you've ordered me around plenty. I had to flatter you every day, too. Now that I'm going to die today, I've figured it out. In my next life, no matter what, I won't let anyone order me around. I won't even care about the Dongjia."

Jiang Shuqiong slapped the willow tree beside her. "Exactly! If fate lets us live, from now on I'll flatter no one. So what if they're yamen runners? So what if he's the County Magistrate? So what if he's the emperor? Even if the Dongjia himself shows up — so what?"

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats came rapidly from South Street.

A voice shouted, "The Roving Bandits have retreated! A great victory for Tongcheng!"

A hush fell over the pond. Several riders soon reached the water's edge. One man rode ahead beating a gong, and after his shout, he continued onward.

The riders behind him stopped. The one at their head was none other than Pang Squad Leader.

Pang Yu looked at the crowd of women and said loudly, "The Roving Bandits on the city wall are all dead. The bandits have been beaten back. Tongcheng is held!"

At once, shrieks and wails erupted around the pond. Many women collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Of course, none of them had truly wanted to throw themselves into that pond. Their nerves had been stretched far too tight, and now that they slackened, many could not even stand steady.

"Ah? Held?" Jiang Shuqiong froze for a moment, then suddenly let out a furious cry. "Dongjia! You are the savior of our Tongcheng! This slave has been worried about you all day!"

Dragging her heavy frame, Jiang Shuqiong darted like lightning to the front of Pang Yu's horse, startling the mount so badly it shied sideways.

"Dongjia, are you injured? This slave has been telling them all along — as long as the Dongjia is here, the city will surely hold. What did those Roving Bandits come for? They came blind, just delivering their heads."

Pang Yu waved his hand at her, signaling her to be quiet for now. He raised his head and scolded the crowd of women. "What are you women doing? The men of your families fought in blood on the wall to keep you alive. You don't need to huddle around this pond. Tongcheng is full of men — they won't let the Roving Bandits break the city. If you want to jump into the pond, wait until the Tongcheng Zhuang Squad is dead to the last man, then come."

The women kept their heads down and only wept. Some stole glances at Pang Yu. Not one of them answered.

Jiang Shuqiong turned around to face the women and shrieked, "Did you all hear that? I tried to persuade you just now and you wouldn't listen. Now my Dongjia has spoken. All of you, go carry stones and equipment. Don't stand around this pond making trouble for my Dongjia."

The women slowly rose and dispersed. Pang Yu now noticed the cluster of women gathered around something. He dismounted and walked among them. Inside, he saw a soaking-wet woman on the ground, around thirty-some years old, lying there without a trace of life. Pang Yu crouched beside her and felt the artery in her neck.

"Everyone stand back!" Pang Yu unbuckled his Waist Saber. Jiang Shuqiong hurried over and took it from him.

The women around quickly backed away — and then they saw Pang Squad Leader suddenly bend down and press his mouth to that woman's.

The crowd of women turned to stone in an instant. Even Jiang Shuqiong's hand, mid-wipe of her nose, froze in the air.

Pang Yu breathed for a while, then placed both hands on the woman's chest and pressed down repeatedly. The women looked at each other in bewilderment. If this man were not Pang Squad Leader, they would have long since started shouting to seize the scoundrel.

After a long while, the woman suddenly let out a choked cough and spat up water.

Another round of shrieks broke out around them. They had clearly checked — the woman had not the slightest breath left.

The woman coughed repeatedly, bringing up more water. Her eyes, dazed and unfocused, opened. She had come back.

Pang Yu took off his Constable Uniform, folded it into a small pillow and tucked it under her head, then stood up.

The women around stared at him as if he were a monster. Even Jiang Shuqiong, for a moment, could not think of how to flatter him for this.

"Get her into some dry clothes." Pang Yu shook the water from his hands. "Call her family to come take her home and look after her well."

"This... yes!" Jiang Shuqiong suddenly snapped to her senses and hurriedly extended her sleeve for Pang Yu to wipe his hands on, saying obsequiously, "This slave will change her clothes at once. You there..."

Jiang Shuqiong turned and beckoned. The woman from earlier was right behind her. She hurried over and said, "Jiang Jiejie, your orders."

"Come here and change her clothes."

The woman came over but did not lower her head. Instead, she faced Pang Yu and said, "Greetings, Boss Pang. This slave also works at Bai Shun Tang — just arrived not long ago. The Dongjia is truly a hero of Tongcheng, and so rare in how he treats people, so... aiya!"

Jiang Shuqiong grabbed her by the hair and dragged her away. "I told you to change her clothes. The Dongjia used divine power to save her life, and you dare leave her lying on the ground? If anything happens to her, this old lady will have your life for it."

The woman had no choice but to hurry and tend to the woman. Pang Yu stepped out of the crowd and said to He Xianya, who was waiting outside, "Send Runners to notify every Team Leader at every gate: if the Roving Bandits do not attack the city by nightfall, each Squadron is to pull out half its men. The Fast Squad will assign ten men familiar with the South Suburb and have them stand by at the West Gate."

He Xianya said in a low voice, "Second Brother, are you going to..."

"The Roving Bandits have been pounding me all day. We know the terrain. Tonight we go return the favor."

He Xianya froze for a moment, then hastily bowed and withdrew. Several Runners soon galloped off with the orders.

Pang Yu mounted his horse. Jiang Shuqiong stayed beside him and said ingratiatingly, "The Dongjia must be tired from killing the enemy. Have you eaten? This slave will send someone to prepare a meal at once, made in the private kitchen at the hall."

"No need, Squad Leader Jiang. Go attend to your own duties. If you have spare time, lead some people to help deliver supplies up to the city wall. The South City and East City have taken heavy expenditure. I have urgent business — I must go to the county yamen at once."

As he spoke, Pang Yu urged his horse forward. Jiang Shuqiong gave the horse a light slap on the rump, and it galloped away.

"Dongjia, set your mind at ease. This slave will see it done."