Chapter 150: Distant Mirror

Fang Zhongjia slammed the table. "What 'dereliction of duty'? As Garrison Commander of Digang, my very charge is to patrol the Great River. I can go anywhere on the river — what business is it of yours, a lowly menial, where I come and go?"

"Is that so?" Pang Yu smiled faintly. "The Garrison Commander of Digang commands six hundred water troops and patrols a jurisdiction of three hundred and twenty li. On the Great River's North Bank, from Six Hundred Zhang to Xiliang Mountain; on the South Bank, from Chikou to Daxin. Daxin Town lies below Tianmen Mountain. I was unaware that Nanjing had been included at some point."

"I…" Fang Zhongjia gaped, speechless. He had never imagined Pang Yu would know even this. Given the state of information at the time, many officials in Wuhu did not even know exactly which river sections the Digang Garrison Commander oversaw — not because it was impossible to find out, but because no one cared. How could a Tongcheng runner know it so clearly?

Fang Kongzhao did not interject, his eyes fixed on the floor as if he had entered a meditative trance, as though none of this concerned him.

Pang Yu paid no heed to Fang Kongzhao either, and continued questioning Fang Zhongjia. "Nanjing is the river section of the Patrol Battalion Commander. The Skirmishers command one thousand two hundred troops stationed at Shangxin River. General Fang, if this is not trespassing into another's jurisdiction, what is it? I wonder what you intended."

Fang Zhongjia's face flushed crimson. Only after a long while did he grind his teeth and say, "I was drifting downstream to Nanjing, entering the harbor to wait for a favorable wind."

"Then General Fang drifted rather far. You must have overslept on the boat — that counts as reckless piloting. I wish the General a smooth journey back with wind and current, and may you not oversleep again."

"This is outrageous." Fang Zhongjia could no longer hold his composure and stood up in a fury.

Pang Yu put on a look of astonishment. "Which word of mine was mistaken?"

"Heavy Armor, steady your qi to calm your mind." Fang Kongzhao raised his gaze toward Pang Yu. "Young friend Pang, a Tongcheng Squad Leader, has also come to Nanjing. Could it be that you too are trespassing into another's jurisdiction, here to arrest someone in Nanjing?"

Pang Yu replied with a beaming smile, "Mr. Fang speaks with such tact — one sentence and you have me cornered. This humble one is indeed not here to arrest anyone. The county yamen sent me to make inquiries about merit reporting, mainly heading to Suzhou. Passing through Nanjing, I could not resist visiting an old friend."

"Who is an old friend of yours?" Fang Zhongjia remained standing, looking ready to lunge and kill. Glaring at Pang Yu with murderous rage, he snarled, "How dare a lowly menial like you claim to be a friend of the Fang family's sons."

"Heavy Armor!" Fang Kongzhao's tone hardened. Fang Zhongjia glared twice at Pang Yu and finally sat back down. Pang Yu, utterly unruffled, kept smiling the whole time.

Fang Kongzhao turned to Pang Yu. "After this bandit calamity, many of Anqing's gentry have come to Jinling. I have heard that Tongcheng was struck quite heavily, but accounts vary. Fang, after all, cannot forget his native soil. That is why I specially invited young friend Pang to this side hall for a chat first, hoping to hear some solid news. It was unavoidably somewhat abrupt — I hope young friend Pang will not take offense."

Hearing Fang Kongzhao's courteous tone, Pang Yu put away his smile and replied respectfully, "To answer Mr. Fang: along the official roads from Tongcheng toward Lujiang and Qianshan, every village lies ruined and desolate. Within twenty li of Guanxiang, several thousand were killed, and the number of those afflicted likely reaches ten thousand. By great fortune, the County Seat was held. Among the four counties of Anqing that the Roving Bandits passed through, Tongcheng's losses count as small. The other three counties — Qianshan, Taihu, Susong — will not recover without several decades."

Fang Kongzhao sighed softly. This time, even Fang Zhongjia said nothing. Tongcheng was their homeland — it felt different from hearing that some county seat in Henan or Huguang had fallen.

After a long pause, Fang Kongzhao spoke again. "I have heard that young friend Pang bore overall responsibility for the city defense, and not only held the city but also led a night sortie beyond the walls, killing countless foes. In this Tongcheng Great Victory, the heads taken numbered in the thousands. I wonder if this is indeed true?"

Fang Zhongjia, upon hearing this, studied Pang Yu closely, his face full of doubt.

Pang Yu replied politely, "It was indeed I who led the Zhuang Squad on a night raid, taking nearly two thousand heads. To say 'thousands' could be considered barely accurate."

Fang Zhongjia said coldly, "Squad Leader Pang, how many Zhuang Squad men did you lead to kill two thousand foes? I fear you merely slaughtered commoners and counted their heads to make up the numbers."

"General Fang seems well practiced in such matters. I have never even heard of such a thing — that one could actually slaughter commoners to pad head counts. It is one thing if the General does not believe me, but this is a verified figure confirmed by both the Grand Coordinator and the Regional Inspector. Could the General be implying that both the Grand Coordinator and the Regional Inspector have falsified military reports?"

Fang Zhongjia was again left speechless. Ignoring Fang Zhongjia's expression, Pang Yu continued to Fang Kongzhao, "This humble one has no need to prove his innocence to anyone. Anyone who thinks about it will understand. Guest armies might do such a thing, but Tongcheng is also my native soil. The Zhuang Squad and Fast Squad I led were all sons of Tongcheng. Even if you ordered them to kill Tongcheng commoners, they would not do it."

Fang Kongzhao nodded, glanced at Pang Yu, and said, "On this point, Fang also trusts young friend Pang. Jizhi was in Tongcheng that day as well. I have heard that he assisted in defending the city and rendered great merit. I wonder if he encountered any peril."

Jizhi was Ruan Dacheng's courtesy name. Fang Kongzhao and Ruan Dacheng were both fellow townsmen, family friends, and examination classmates of the same year — by all rights, the closest of bonds. Yet ever since the last Tongcheng civil unrest, Pang Yu had noticed that Fang Kongzhao deliberately kept his distance from Ruan Dacheng. Today, however, after only a few sentences, he had steered the conversation to Ruan Dacheng. His intent to probe was obvious.

Pang Yu listened and replied without a flicker of emotion, "Mr. Ruan is zealous for public good — he indeed contributed great effort. Defending a city and fighting battles always involves some peril. Otherwise, how could there be talk of great merit?"

"Since Jizhi returned home, he has discoursed on warfare and swordsmanship. It seems he did learn some military strategy after all."

Pang Yu did not know what Fang Kongzhao's intention was in probing about Ruan Dacheng, and did not wish to continue this topic. He looked around and said, "I have walked clear across Nanjing to visit an old friend. Might I trouble Mr. Fang to offer me a cup of tea?"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Fang Kongzhao's face. Pang Yu could not help but laugh inwardly. He had been thirsty from the road earlier, but the moment he entered, he had started bickering with Fang Zhongjia and had forgotten even to think of drinking. Only now, with his mood settled, did the matter of drinking water occur to him again.

Fang Kongzhao had surely been somewhat affected by the two men's quarreling as well, forgetting to offer Pang Yu tea. For an ordinary household, this would be nothing, but for a great family like the Fangs, who passed down poetry and learning through the generations, ritual propriety was held in the highest regard.

Pang Yu's past impression of Fang Kongzhao had always been of a man of profound cunning, never revealing joy or anger on his face. That he could discomfit him this time gave Pang Yu a rather schadenfreude sense of delight.

"That was a discourtesy on Fang's part. Please wait a moment, young friend Pang." Fang Kongzhao summoned a family servant to bring Pang Yu a cup of tea.

Pang Yu lifted the cup, took a sip, and then said, "Today I came to pay a call on Young Master Fang, never expecting to disturb Mr. Fang. If Young Master Fang is not here, this humble one will come another time."

Fang Kongzhao, his momentum now deflated, gave a light cough and said, "My unworthy son is in the study at the rear quarters. Young friend Pang, please go ahead."

Pang Yu, feeling somewhat uncomfortable sitting in this side hall as well, promptly rose and bowed to Fang Kongzhao. Turning, he clasped his hands toward Fang Zhongjia. Fang Zhongjia still turned his head away and paid Pang Yu no heed.

Only after Pang Yu had left the side hall did Fang Zhongjia speak. "Elder Brother, do you truly believe this dog of a runner could kill two thousand Roving Bandits?"

Fang Kongzhao slowly stood. "Ruan Dacheng has been in Nanjing only ten days, yet everywhere he proclaims his masterminding of the Tongcheng Great Victory and declares his imminent restoration to office. Quite a few in Nanjing believe him. I know the man Jizhi — whether he contributed any merit I cannot say, but this great victory is likely genuine. So tell me, do you believe Ruan Dacheng could launch a night raid on the Roving Bandits, or do you believe this little Squad Leader?"

Fang Zhongjia frowned for a moment, then said, "I believe the little Squad Leader. This dog of a runner is greedy, lecherous, and of low character, but his reckless audacity is also real. If you ask whether anyone in Tongcheng would dare to go beyond the walls on a night raid, the first name is this dog runner Pang. Ruan Dacheng doesn't have the guts."

Fang Kongzhao smiled slightly. "Mere reckless audacity is nothing remarkable. Yet he even knows the river sections of every Garrison Commander along the river — he has clearly put thought into this, and it is by no means just to quarrel with you. It seems we still underestimated him. Whether this man is friend or foe to the Fang family remains unclear; we must be cautious and mindful, and consider whether to leave some room for future dealings."

"This dog of a runner — our Fang family still needs to leave him room? If not for being forced to swear that venomous oath that day, I would have taken his life and left it in Nanjing today."

Fang Kongzhao took two steps and stopped. "Let past matters rest. His coming to Nanjing this time is absolutely not just to visit Mizhi. He must have another purpose, and it must be connected to the Great River."

"Then shall I go probe around? That day he ruined my plans. Though I cannot seek revenge against him, ruining his plans is always permissible. This time, I will make sure he returns with broken wings."

Fang Kongzhao shook his head. "In a Nanjing this vast, how would you probe? We will ask Mizhi shortly and glimpse the truth."

…

A family servant led Pang Yu around to the rear courtyard. This was not their living quarters, so there were no womenfolk here. In the garden stood a small pond and a few flowering trees — far more modest in scale than the Fang family's old residence at Fengyi Ward.

The servant went ahead to announce him. Fang Yizhi's figure appeared at the study door. Laughing heartily, he cupped his hands toward Pang Yu from a distance. "Well, well — the Tongcheng Squad Leader who routed the Roving Bandits!"

Pang Yu also cupped his hands. "I dare not accept such praise. Had Young Master Fang been the one defending the city, the Roving Bandits beheaded would surely have been even more numerous."

Fang Yizhi laughed loudly again and invited Pang Yu into the study.

The furnishings in the study were much the same as in Tongcheng — even that screen had been brought along. The Fang family had likely chartered more than one boat.

After sitting down, Pang Yu had no time to examine his surroundings closely. In his mind, he was thinking of how to get Fang Yizhi to take him to pay a visit to He Ruchong.

Before he could even broach the subject, Fang Yizhi said excitedly, "Squad Leader Pang has already gained a modest reputation among the gentry of the Southern Capital. A few days ago, the Guomen Guangye Society held a Society Gathering, and someone spoke of this Tongcheng Great Victory, mentioning the man who led the Corvee Soldiers on the night raid — none other than Tongcheng's Squad Leader Pang. As a son of Tongcheng myself, I felt quite proud when I heard it."

"I have a reputation in the Southern Capital?" Pang Yu asked in surprise.

"The Roving Bandits' incursion into Jiangbei caused even greater shock than the Tongcheng civil unrest. When news came that day of Fengyang being burned, refugees from Chuzhou, Yangzhou, and other places all crossed the river in droves. Nanjing was alarmed several times a day, not knowing whether the Roving Bandits would cross the river. Everyone was concerned with the Roving Bandits' movements. Any news of the Roving Bandits spreads extremely fast, so naturally Squad Leader Pang gained a reputation. Within our Restoration Society, quite a few scholars wish to meet the great Squad Leader who quelled civil unrest alone and then routed the Roving Bandits."

Pang Yu did not feign modesty. Smiling broadly, he said, "Killing bandits and protecting the people — that is precisely the duty of those in public service. It is all thanks to everyone's kind regard."

Fang Yizhi observed Pang Yu for a moment, then continued, "After Mr. Ruan arrived in Nanjing, he has been saying everywhere that it was his masterminding that brought about the Tongcheng Great Victory. He even spreads word that he personally led troops on a night raid against the Sweeping King, and that he will soon be restored to office for his merit. The news spread through the Southern Capital's official circles in just a few days, and quite a few sycophants believe him. Some society friends do not believe it and say they will go to Anqing to verify. Others even want to go to the Grand Coordinator Yamen in Suzhou to inquire. Squad Leader Pang is a firsthand witness — I wonder whether Mr. Ruan's claims are true."

Pang Yu felt a headache coming on. Wherever he went, he could not escape the topic of Ruan Dacheng. From the sound of it, Ruan Dacheng had become even more high-profile since arriving in Nanjing, and it did seem to be a problem — faintly trending toward becoming a kind of risk. Logically, he ought to steer clear. Yet, as it happened, the only person who could help Pang Yu right now was Ruan Dacheng.

He then repeated the same words he had used to fob off Fang Kongzhao. Fang Yizhi listened and understood that Pang Yu was unwilling to say more. "This month, our Guomen Guangye Society is holding a Society Gathering at Taoye Ferry. I would like to invite Squad Leader Pang to attend. I wonder how many days Squad Leader Pang can remain in Nanjing?"

Pang Yu listened, wondering where this Guomen Guangye Society had popped up from — likely another group similar in nature to the Ze Society. Attending would be harmless, but the timing was probably unsuitable. He replied with some difficulty, "I must leave shortly for Suzhou on business, so I fear I cannot stay in Nanjing for many days. But on my return journey, I will pass through Nanjing again. If it happens to coincide, I will certainly go."

"Is Squad Leader Pang going to the Yingtian Patrol Office on business?"

The words had been delivered right to his lips. If he were to bring up the matter of meeting He Ruchong, this would be the perfect moment. Pang Yu hesitated for a moment, recalled the atmosphere in the side hall earlier, and abruptly decided not to mention it.

"It is still about the Roving Bandits. The Grand Coordinator's office has some questions about the Roving Bandits. His Honor said that I could explain things more clearly, so he could only send me to Suzhou."

Fang Yizhi had not the slightest doubt. "Pang Squad Leader will certainly stop in Nanjing for a few days on his return journey. It would be no trouble to arrange a Society Gathering specifically for him. Among my society juniors, quite a few discuss military matters; they could exchange views with Pang Squad Leader."

As he finished speaking, he opened a register on the table, a look of excitement appearing on his face. "Let us set aside the Society Gathering for now. I recall that Pang Squad Leader's miscellaneous studies are quite remarkable. Recently, I have gained some insights and recorded a few doubts here. With no one to discuss them with on ordinary days, they have been pent up in my heart. Today is the perfect opportunity to explore them with Pang Squad Leader."

"Please speak, Young Master Fang."

"The Western nations have recently used the telescope to observe Venus. It is sometimes dark, sometimes fully illuminated, and sometimes in crescent phases. Venus moves following the sun. I believe that Venus must revolve around the sun as a wheel; when above the sun, it is fully illuminated, and when below the sun, it is dark. This is the first point." (Note 1)

Pang Yu felt a bit dizzy listening to this. He did not know which star Venus was, but it sounded like a question about a certain planet's revolution around the sun. On this question, he could give a definite answer.

"What Young Master Fang says is indeed correct. That the Young Master can deduce this star revolves around the sun merely from hearsay shows he is truly a rare talent in astronomy."

Fang Yizhi had been about to continue with the next point, but upon hearing this, he looked up and said, "I am currently attempting to build a telescope."

Pang Yu asked in surprise, "You know how to make one?"

"Tang Ruowang and Li Zubai co-authored a book called the Telescope Treatise. I happen to have a copy and am attempting to build one according to its diagrams, though I have not yet succeeded."

Fang Yizhi stood up and led Pang Yu around the screen. On a wooden stand by the window in the study, a cylinder was mounted, pointing obliquely at the sky.

……

Note 1: See Fang Yizhi's Notes on the Principles of Things — Detailed Analysis of Near and Far Orbiting Wheels, proposing that Venus and Mercury revolve around the sun. In the seventh year of the Chongzhen reign, the Ming dynasty produced its first astronomical telescope, named the Tube.