Chapter 144: Transaction

Outside the Zhou Family paper shop inside Dongzuo Gate, a scattering of neighbors had gathered, chatting idly while sizing up the shop. Someone had splashed a basin of some kind of blood onto the shop's door panels; the stain was not yet dry, and passersby were crossing to the opposite side of the street to avoid it.

A cluster of aunties and older women stood in a circle, pointing at the paper shop from time to time.

"Aunt Zhou saw it just now. She said it was a few young fellows who threw it. They didn't look like they were from the East Quarter — never seen them before."

"Aiyah, what's to be done then? And who knows what kind of blood it is. If it's something filthy and ruins the Stick God's divine power, what will become of us?"

"They definitely aren't from the East Quarter. Everyone in our neighborhood knows the Stick God is inside. A few Green-Skin Ruffians, dog-spawn bastards. We'd still better set out an incense burner and offerings of fruit, and beg the Stick God not to blame it on our neighborhood."

"What did I say? Ever since the Zhou Family came, there's been no peace. The sooner they're driven off, the sooner we'll be clean."

"Who dares go drive them off? I hear that Pang Squad Leader wants to take this Zhou Family Daughter as a concubine. Maybe back when she was a Female Aide, she'd already quietly entered his outer chamber. You go drive them off, and when the time comes Pang Squad Leader singles you out to deal with, let's see which neighbor dares help you."

"Pei, that's all nonsense. That Zhou Family Daughter just worked at Bai Shun Tang, and Pang Squad Leader was her Dongjia. With looks like hers, could she even catch Pang Squad Leader's eye?"

As they were talking, a few of them suddenly saw Pang Squad Leader arrive in front of the paper shop with several attendants, a horse-drawn cart following behind. The aunties instantly shut their mouths, ceaselessly exchanging meaningful glances.

Pang Yu briefly inspected the bloodstain, then swept his gaze around the surroundings.

The scattered neighbors watching the excitement took one look at this display and turned to leave in droves, terrified that the great Pang Squad Leader might think they were the ones who did it. Seeing this, the aunties no longer dared to look either and immediately dispersed on their own. The area in front of the paper shop fell quiet at once.

Pang Yu shook his head, walked to the side door, and knocked.

He waited for quite a while before Zhou Yueru's weary voice came from inside.

"Who is it?"

Pang Yu answered offhandedly, "Dongjia."

The wooden door creaked open. Zhou Yueru appeared in the doorway, hair disheveled. She did not look at Pang Yu; after opening the door, she turned and went back into the shop, sat down on a chair, and said nothing.

Pang Yu gave Guo Fengyou a word of instruction and walked in alone.

The shop was piled with paper, brushes, ink, and such items, already covered with a thin layer of dust. Zhou Yueru had likely not cleaned the shopfront since returning.

The outer door panels were tightly shut. A little blood had seeped in through the gaps between them. The shop interior was somewhat dim; light streamed in through the cracks in the door panels, one beam falling squarely on Zhou Yueru's face, tracing a bright dividing line down the center of her features. Whenever someone passed by outside, it caused the light on Zhou Yueru's face to flicker and shift.

"Have you come to drive me away?" Zhou Yueru said softly. "The Village Elder came before noon today and said the county office is about to expel the Westerners."

Pang Yu did not answer her question directly. Softening his tone as much as he could, he said, "When I came just now, I saw the situation around here. It would be best if you left sooner. I have to go out for some days today. Once I'm gone, certain people may come and make trouble."

"Why would they need to drive me? In all these days since Father died, aside from that old servant, not a single person has come to pay respects. This is the desolation of leaving one's home and living among strangers. What is there worth staying for here? Only, my father is buried in this place. No matter how they try to drive me away, I will not leave until the Seven-Seventh rites are complete." Zhou Yueru raised her eyes to look at Pang Yu. "Pang Ding comes to look after things every day. I know it was you who told him to. I thank you, Dongjia. Once the seven weeks are done, I will leave Tongcheng at once. After that, I will only return to pay respects at the grave — who knows how many years from now. Since you must leave today, Dongjia, I will not be able to bid you farewell then. I can only ask that you take good care of yourself from now on."

Pang Yu glanced at Zhou Yueru. "Have you thought of a destination?"

Zhou Yueru lowered her head. "Originally I was going to Luzhou to seek refuge with relatives and friends, but I sent someone with a letter and there has been no reply."

"It's best you don't go to Luzhou." Pang Yu gently brushed the dust off a stack of Petition Paper. "I've received reports back. Luzhou Prefecture City, Taihe County, and other places have all posted similar notices telling Westerners to leave on their own. It's likely even harsher than Tongcheng. You absolutely must not go north right now."

Zhou Yueru bit her lip. "I will find a destination on my own. I dare not trouble you with further concern, Dongjia."

Pang Yu withdrew his hand, clasped both hands behind his back, and looked down at the top of Zhou Yueru's head. "You need not search. Since you call me Dongjia, you will follow my arrangements. I have already arranged a position and lodgings for you in Anqing. Once you have completed the seven weeks' rites, you will go to Anqing Prefectural City to take up your duties."

Zhou Yueru lifted her head just in time to see Pang Yu turning to leave. She hurriedly said, "Dongjia, there's no need, I…"

"On the day the rites are complete, Pang Ding will come to fetch you. Have your things packed by then."

By the time the words were finished, Pang Yu had already vanished out the door, leaving Zhou Yueru still sitting dazed inside the shop.

……

"Ten thousand blessings upon you, Lord Chen."

In the side hall of Susong Guansheng Temple, Chen Ten Prefectures, his eyes completely bloodshot, lifted his head from the desk to see a young man in a long blue robe standing in the center of the hall.

"Who the devil are you, and what are you doing here? Get out! Do you know what place this is? Do you know who this official is, that you dare come and go as you please!"

The young man looked around with an indifferent expression. "As it happens, I do know that this place is the Susong County Office, and I also know that you are Chen Ten Prefectures. I further know that a few days ago, someone went missing from this office — a man by the name of Wang Chonghuai."

Chen Ten Prefectures froze, then his face showed a mixture of terror and fury. "You have gall, daring to speak this official's name! Are you not afraid I will have my men seize you!"

Without waiting for him to continue, Pang Yu went on, "I can tell Lord Chen that there are only five people in this temple right now, all of them utterly helpless weaklings. I, however, have brought three capable fighters. Who seizes whom is not yet certain. It would be best if Your Lordship did not call for anyone. If I were to recite, one by one, the things Wang Chonghuai has disclosed, it would not be good with so many ears around."

"I… I… You dare threaten this official." Chen Ten Prefectures stood up, the muscles in his face twitching uncontrollably. He put on a fierce and stern front, but kept his voice very low. "Even if Wang Chonghuai disclosed anything, it was all his own doing. This is slander, defamation, and a frame-up! This official's conduct is upright and beyond reproach. I am absolutely not afraid of your false accusations. This official is not afraid — not afraid of you!"

"Lord Chen ought to be afraid." Pang Yu shook out the long blue robe. He truly found this garment inconvenient to wear, but since this trip was for the donation for National University, not wearing a Green Robe would be rather improper.

He did not wait for Chen Ten Prefectures to offer him a seat, but walked directly to the guest chair on the left and sat down. After adjusting his clothes, he looked at him and said, "Because every night, the vengeful souls that fill this city all ask one question: Why was there clearly one person who received warning two days in advance, yet did not tell them — letting them become corpses that could only be buried in a mass pit, letting them become ghosts who died with grievances unredressed? I wonder, can that person sleep peacefully in this city at night?"

Chen Ten Prefectures was breathing rapidly. "Don't you spout nonsense…"

"What they want to ask even more is: once the Court learns of the person who committed such monstrous evil, will he be hauled to the Capital and executed by slow slicing — his flesh cut off strip by strip, screaming for two days and two nights before he dies?"

"You have gall! A mere whelp like you dares to threaten a Court-Appointed Official! You dare… Are you that Ma…" Chen Ten Prefectures glared with bloodshot eyes, a possibility suddenly striking him. Before he could finish the sentence, his whole body went limp and he collapsed back into his chair.

Pang Yu did not try to console him. He took a piece of Shayong out from his bosom and began eating it in small bites. A chilling silence filled the hall. Chen Ten Prefectures's face was ashen, his eyes utterly devoid of any light. He could only lie in his chair, emitting coarse, heavy breaths. Even when drool dripped down and clung to his beard, he was completely oblivious. Were it not for the rise and fall of his chest, he would have been indistinguishable from a corpse.

After a long while, Pang Yu had still not finished the Shayong in his hand. He had been watching Chen Ten Prefectures's condition from the corner of his eye. Chen Ten Prefectures was still slumped in his chair, his face the picture of utter despair.

Pang Yu leaned forward and studied him carefully for a moment, confirming that Chen Ten Prefectures had not been frightened to death. Only then did he smile and say, "Lord Chen had such great courage that day, daring to kill the messenger right inside the office. Now that it's your own turn, how is it you look like this? Lord Chen, do not be alarmed just yet. You asked me earlier what I came here for. I will tell you now: I have come to show Lord Chen a path to survival."

Chen Ten Prefectures still did not react, except that his eyeballs moved slightly. Then they rolled several times in succession. With a whoosh, he sat bolt upright, his eyes fixed intently on Pang Yu.

"Who exactly are you?" Chen Ten Prefectures's eyes were red, and he was breathing violently, staring at Pang Yu like a wild beast. "Since you have come to find this official today, you do not intend to report me to the Court. What is it you want to obtain from this official?"

"If Lord Chen had thought this way earlier, it would have been for the best. Why torment yourself half to death with fright?" Pang Yu glanced at the small piece of Shayong left in his hand for a moment, then stuffed it all into his mouth. Smiling, he turned to Chen Ten Prefectures. "But for Lord Chen to say 'obtain something from you' is not quite appropriate. I prefer the word 'transaction.' Originally, out of righteous indignation, I intended to seek justice for the common people of Susong and was preparing to go to Suzhou to file a complaint before the Grand Coordinator and the Provincial Judge. But then I recalled that perhaps I could reach a mutually beneficial transaction with Lord Chen. The most important thing in a transaction is fairness. What I hold in my hands is worth a life to Lord Chen. Lord Chen must produce bargaining chips of equal value. You and I each take what we need — that would be the best outcome."

Chen Ten Prefectures's breathing calmed somewhat. He studied Pang Yu's face carefully. Pang Yu was completely composed, without the slightest hint of unease.

Chen Ten Prefectures could draw no conclusions from the man's appearance. He looked very young, yet possessed a steadiness beyond his years. His movements and manner were nothing like a youth's. One could see something of that temperament in the young scions of official families, but those aristocratic sons, steady as they were, had never been tempered in the streets and marketplaces. This sort of hostage-taking and blackmail was something they could absolutely never carry out. For the moment, he truly could not guess the man's background.

Chen Ten Prefectures slowly sat back down, only now remembering to wipe away his drool. "This… I still do not know this young gentleman's honorable surname. What do you wish to obtain from… What do you wish to transact with this official?"

The young man said in a low voice, "Lord Chen is the Tongpan of Anqing. You naturally have in your hands what I want. Lord Chen might first give it some thought."

Chen Ten Prefectures's expression flickered as he pondered. "You mention my official post. It is true that this official is the Tongpan, but matters such as grain transport, River Defense, and agricultural encouragement are mostly handled by the various counties. The Prefectural Office does not manage such routine affairs."

"Then if Lord Chen has no bargaining chips, this transaction is canceled. Lord Chen may wait for the Embroidered Uniform Guard from Nanjing to come and take you into custody. I take my leave." Pang Yu stood up and strode toward the door.

Chen Ten Prefectures shouted from behind him, "Young sir, stay! I beg you, please stay!"

Pang Yu ignored him entirely and had already reached the doorway.

"This official remembers now! I have the Wanyi Granary in my hands — the Wanyi Granary! A great granary of twenty-eight bays, and several smaller granaries within the city, all of which can be put to use." Chen Ten Prefectures lunged out from behind his official desk, chasing after him in desperate urgency. But his heart was too frantic, and his legs had gone weak from fright earlier; he lost his footing and fell to the ground.

Caring nothing for his dignity, driven by the will to survive, he scrambled up hastily and grabbed hold of Pang Yu's sleeve. In a rapid, urgent voice, he said, "The gallery houses at Sheng-Tang Ferry, the gallery houses outside the various city granaries — all are under this official's management. And the Grain Transport Ships on the river — this official can arrange their sailings. Also the Inspection Offices along the river, and the fields in various places around Huaining — whichever plot catches the young gentleman's eye, tell this official, and I can find a way."

Pang Yu looked at him seriously. "What else?"

Chen Ten Prefectures froze for a moment. In his desperation he could think of nothing else, so he had to hurry on, "There's — there's also the two outer residences in Huaining, each with a concubine. If the young master wants them, I'll give them all to you together. As for silver, let this official think of a way — it will be no less than a thousand taels, no, no less than three thousand taels. Young master, don't be impatient. I still have more there. Whether you want land or silver, in the end the young master will be satisfied."

Chen Ten Prefectures was drenched in sweat, staring urgently at Pang Yu. Pang Yu had stopped at the doorway but still had not turned around, looking as if he might leave at any moment.

"The concubines are Your Excellency's concubines. Your Excellency should keep them for yourself. Think again whether there is anything else."

"Th-this — those matters of catching bandits and patrolling the river, the young master surely would not look twice at them."

"Catching bandits and patrolling the river — that is precisely what I like most." Pang Yu slowly turned around, looked at Chen Ten Prefectures for a moment, then smiled. "Your Excellency Chen, this is the correct way to do business. Among the several items Your Excellency just mentioned, a few are exactly what I want. Your Excellency barely qualifies to trade."

Chen Ten Prefectures let out a breath of relief. "Then can the young master guarantee this official will come to no harm?"

"I can guarantee Your Excellency Chen this: so long as Your Excellency cooperates with me without reservation, the matter of concealing and failing to report will never be known to anyone, ever."

"Then Wang Chonghuai…"

"Could it be that Your Excellency Chen wants to silence him?"

"This official said nothing. This official absolutely said nothing." Chen Ten Prefectures waved his hands repeatedly. "It was merely a casual question."

Pang Yu smiled faintly. "That is my bargaining chip, so he will live. However, I can guarantee Your Excellency Chen that I will certainly help Your Excellency keep this man under watch and control, and will not let him escape."

Chen Ten Prefectures now understood that Pang Yu had not come to denounce him. Ever since Wang Chonghuai had suddenly vanished, Chen Ten Prefectures had not slept a single full night. He spent every day in terror. The moment he closed his eyes, he began imagining where on earth Wang Chonghuai had gone. Now that he had definite news, although the other party had come to extort him, it was still far better than the total unknown he had faced before.

He barely steadied his nerves. He was already drenched in sweat and was just about to wipe it with his sleeve when he saw Pang Yu raise his right hand again. He hurriedly listened closely.

"Furthermore, I can also tell Your Excellency Chen this: that messenger you gave silver to and let escape is currently hiding in Zongyang. Wang Chonghuai told you the messenger went to Chizhou — that was a lie. Wang Chonghuai kept a trick up his sleeve against Your Excellency. He was also afraid you would silence him. That messenger is his strategy for self-preservation."

"That dog of a wretch." Chen Ten Prefectures cursed viciously. "And this official trusted him so much."

"To demonstrate to Your Excellency Chen my sincerity in this transaction," Pang Yu said, his eyes narrowing in a smile, "I have already sent men to seize that messenger. So long as Your Excellency cooperates with me in full sincerity, not only will the previous matter leave no future troubles, but you will also earn even more silver than before, take even more concubines, or become an even higher official. Your Excellency will turn in the blink of an eye from confiscation and death to climbing even higher. That is the benefit of trading."

Chen Ten Prefectures stared at the youth's handsome, refined face. After a long daze, he finally forced out a smile.