Chapter 161: Old Acquaintance

"Big Brother, sit here." Pang Yu politely gestured toward the left side.

Jiao Guozha hurriedly bowed and said, "Second Brother, this… Sir Pang should sit first."

"Big Brother, don't call me that. We've known each other since we were children, sworn brothers for many years — using those official titles just makes us strangers." Pang Yu took Jiao Guozha by the shoulder, made him sit down properly, and only then took his own seat.

The household's only maidservant came in to check the lantern and then prepared to serve tea. This was the residence Tang Weimin had given him. Pang Yu was rarely at home and did not even know this maidservant's name. He had asked once during supper and only learned that his frugal old mother had bought her at the city gate.

The maidservant was only fifteen or sixteen, a bit clumsy, and had very rarely seen Pang Yu, the head of the household. She was probably somewhat nervous, which made her even slower. While waiting for her to brew the tea, Pang Yu sat calmly and composedly in the seat of honor, while Jiao Guozha was somewhat tense, his hands constantly rubbing lightly against his thighs. The atmosphere in the room was slightly awkward.

This clumsy maidservant finally managed to prepare Jiao Guozha's tea, but when she left she even forgot to put the lid on, and most importantly, she forgot to brew any for Pang Yu.

Pang Yu froze for a moment. Seeing that the maidservant had already hurried out the door, Pang Yu shook his head, too lazy to call her back — he was not thirsty anyway. Noticing Guo Fengyou still standing at the doorway, he nodded at him. Guo Fengyou then withdrew and pulled the door to, leaving it slightly ajar.

Pang Yu turned to Jiao Guozha and said courteously, "I've only been back two days. I've long wanted to invite Big Brother over to drink and talk cheerfully, but with so many matters to attend to I haven't had the chance yet. I hope Big Brother won't take offense."

"Sec…ond Brother, don't worry about it. Between us brothers we don't stand on empty ceremony. If there's drinking to be done, it should be Big Brother welcoming you back. Just glad you returned safely, that's all that matters." Jiao Guozha rubbed his hands together and squeezed out a slight smile. "I heard people say Second Brother has been promoted to Anqing Garrison Commander, that you've even received the Flag of Authority, and the official document has reached the Anqing Prefectural Office. I wonder if that's true?"

Pang Yu tapped the table lightly. "Who did Big Brother hear that from? Could it be Guo Fengyou?"

Jiao Guozha hurriedly waved his hands. "Not him. That Zha Fu dismissing Pan Keda from Garrison Commander arrived in Anqing long ago. Word from the Anqing Prefectural Office says the squad leader from Tongcheng is going to guard the Prefectural City. The people in the Prefectural City are all celebrating. This news all came from Anqing — Guo Fengyou never said a word."

Pang Yu gave an "oh." He actually already knew the news had come from Anqing. When he had returned to Tongcheng, he had originally planned to keep it secret for a while, until his formal status from the Ministry of War came through. But the very day he arrived back at the County Office, Tang Weimin and the others had already gotten word. It seemed the postal relay was much faster after all; most likely, by the time Pang Yu had started his return journey from Nanjing, the Zha Fu had already reached Anqing.

"I thought it wasn't Guo Fengyou who said it either." Pang Yu looked calmly at Jiao Guozha and said, "Guo Fengyou still knows what he should say and what he shouldn't."

Jiao Guozha froze for a moment, hurriedly lowered his head, and broke into a slight sweat on his forehead. He changed the subject and said, "I wonder why Third Brother still hasn't come back. Could there be some mishap?"

"Third Brother may have started out as an Auxiliary, but those years as an Auxiliary have tempered some real ability in him. I, your brother, intend to put him to great use in the future." Pang Yu said as he sized up Jiao Guozha. "As for this Anqing Garrison Commander matter, I originally planned to tell Big Brother together with Third Brother once he returned. But since Big Brother already knows, I'll just go ahead and tell you now: it was the Yingtian Grand Coordinator, His Excellency Zhang, who saw something in me and summoned me to Suzhou for an audience. By sheer luck, His Excellency Zhang granted me this tremendous promotion."

"His Excellency Zhang…" Jiao Guozha gulped, unable to get the rest of the sentence out for a moment. At the level of a grassroots runner, a high-ranking regional official like Zhang Guowei was a figure out of legend — and Pang Yu had actually met him face to face.

"His Excellency Zhang wants a reliable and capable man to guard Anqing. I cannot fail his regard, and the men I use must also be reliable and capable." Pang Yu continued his words. "Pan Keda's rabble — I won't be using them. One always feels at ease with one's own people. Those in the Zhuang Squad willing to go will all be taken along. From the Fast Squad, those who are useful will also be brought."

Jiao Guozha was from the Fast Squad. He quickly raised his eyes, observed Pang Yu for a moment, and then said, "Then, well, Second Brother, might there be some vacancies in the two squads here in Tongcheng? Could you put in a word for Big Brother with the His Honor?"

Pang Yu silently stood up and took two steps. Jiao Guozha hurriedly stood up as well, looking at Pang Yu expectantly.

"The His Honor is rather displeased about my leaving Tongcheng. A recommendation now might backfire. Big Brother, you also need to adjust your perspective. Tongcheng is not on any river, and it lies directly in the path of the Roving Bandits. Staying here may not be a future worth having. After the devastation of war, every trade here is in decline — it's not as easy a place to operate as before. Looking at the situation in the city these past two days, many outside merchants are already planning to close their shops. The wealthy have all gone to Nanjing or Anqing. Anyone with the slightest means has gone to Zongyang. The surrounding villages are all in ruins. Tell me, what future is there here?"

Jiao Guozha hesitated and said, "But… then if I go to Anqing, could Second Brother help Big Brother find a place there?"

Pang Yu walked over, clapped Jiao Guozha on the shoulder with a smile, and said, "Do we brothers even need to ask? Whatever fortune your younger brother has today, it was all built with the help Big Brother and Third Brother gave me before. Could I really turn my back on people the moment things start looking up?"

"Well, that's wonderful." Jiao Guozha's expression relaxed, and he laughed heartily. "I always said our Pang Second Brother wasn't that kind of man. Since things are a bit unsettled here in Tongcheng anyway, I'll just follow Second Brother to Anqing and seek a new start."

Pang Yu laughed. "Now that's the right attitude. Once Big Brother comes, you'll first take a post in my army. The military stipend silver isn't much, but Big Brother, trust your little brother on this — I'll always find a way to get more silver. Pi Daren is also an old acquaintance. The Anqing Prefectural City is a flourishing place; in every way it's more comfortable than this Tongcheng."

"Then what post will this old Jiao hold in Second Brother's army? Let me think — Second Brother is a Garrison Commander, so I should at least be a Central Army officer or a Chiliarch or something."

"In the army there are Centurions and Bazong. Chiliarch is a rank that only exists in the Anqing Guard — it's not the same as our Battalion Commanders. But if Big Brother absolutely must have it, your younger brother can just go and say the word when the time comes. The Anqing Guard is also under the Garrison Commander's jurisdiction."

Jiao Guozha burst into loud laughter. "Even the Anqing Guard is under little brother's jurisdiction! With Prefect Pi looking after things, and the gentry all gone to Nanjing, won't this Anqing Prefectural City just belong to us three brothers? No one will dare cause trouble."

"Exactly. We'll open a new Bai Shun Tang in Anqing, and the silver will certainly be more than in Tongcheng."

Jiao Guozha cupped his hands. "I'll go back right away and tell the family. We'll pack up and set off for Anqing together with Second Brother."

Pang Yu saw him to the door and noticed Pang Ding waiting there. Seeing Jiao Guozha, Pang Ding nodded with a smile, which counted as a greeting.

Jiao Guozha excitedly clapped Pang Ding on the shoulder. "Little Brother Pang, we'll still be eating from the same pot from now on."

Without waiting for Pang Ding to respond, he strode out the door and left.

Pang Yu put away his smile and returned to the room. Pang Ding hurriedly followed him in, and Guo Fengyou pulled the door shut again from outside.

"Young Master, are you really going to bring Jiao Guozha into the army? After the way he's treated us, why would Young Master still give him a way out?"

The flame in the room's lantern had dimmed somewhat. Pang Yu did not answer. Instead, he stared at the shadows on the floor and was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Pang Ding. "How goes the intelligence gathering?"

"We've been probing around Ruan Jin for two days. Word is that Jiao Guozha has already mortgaged his house to a Government Student surnamed Tang, who is pressuring him to move out of that large residence. As for the Yunji Temple matter, it was Liu Xiucai who stepped in to let him keep living in the house, on the condition that he spill everything about the Civil Unrest. Jiao Guozha is still borrowing silver from Bai Shun Tang for Gambling. He had a hundred taels outstanding from before, so the Shopkeeper won't lend him any more. Recently he went to Liu Xiucai to borrow another Several Hundred taels. Liu Xiucai has just started pressing him for repayment — he can't wait to leave Tongcheng as soon as possible."

After Pang Ding finished, he said worriedly, "This Yunji Temple matter is still circulating among the common folk in Tongcheng. If it spreads to the Prefectural City, or reaches someone like Wang Gongbi, it will draw envy and hatred. After all, we took that silver right under the noses of the Chizhou Troops, and Young Master is now under the jurisdiction of the Anchi Military Defense Circuit. I'm afraid he might target Young Master."

Pang Yu shook his head and said, "A few rumors are nothing to worry too much about. Have Ruan Jin send men to spread word in the city — say that the Fire-Exemption Silver was taken down the mountain that day by Huang Wending, and that it was Liu Xiucai and Fang Yingqian who hired the Da Hang to rob it. Also, fabricate another story about the Chizhou Troops seizing it — say that the next day, someone in Liantan saw several carts heading toward Anqing."

Pang Ding asked, puzzled, "Why fabricate another story about the Chizhou Troops?"

"The Chizhou Troops were already the prime suspects. Spreading that further, having a few more versions to muddy the waters — then people won't know whom to believe. After a few days, no one will pay attention anymore. Send someone to tell Liu Ruogu to spread the same stories in Anqing Prefecture." Pang Yu pondered for a moment, then added, "How many of the Fast Squad men are willing to follow me?"

"Most of the Fast Squad are locals from the Tongcheng County Seat, with parents and families here. I'm afraid not many can follow. None of the Team Leaders have decided yet either. Jiang Fan is still in the Prefectural City and hasn't been asked. Ruan Jin says he needs to discuss it with his family. He Xianya hasn't come back. That just leaves Jiao Guozha, who came just now." Pang Ding bit his lip. "That kind of man is useless even if he comes. The day Young Master gave him six thousand taels, Jiao Guozha nearly gambled it all away in half a year. If that silver had been given to Young Master, think how much could have been accomplished."

Pang Yu fixed his eyes on Pang Ding and said, "What was given to him is his. How Jiao Guozha uses it is his own affair — if he wants to throw it into the Great River, that's up to him. Only the talk about Yunji Temple — that is our affair."

Pang Ding lowered his head and said, "If this man is unreliable, why does Young Master still take him to Anqing?"

"He will be useful." Pang Yu narrowed his eyes. "What are the intentions of the Zhuang Squad's various leaders?"

Pang Ding glanced back, saw that the door was still ajar, and lowered his voice. "Of the six Team Leaders, five agreed on the spot that they are willing to follow Young Master and enlist. Only Wang Zenglu said he needs to think it over and hasn't given an answer yet. Among the Squad Leaders, at least eighty percent have already agreed. The Guards haven't been asked yet, but most of them are recent recruits. They all hate the Roving Bandits. If Young Master says he's taking them to kill Roving Bandits, they'll surely follow."

"Are they currently being paid at half rate?"

"All at half pay, just as Young Master instructed."

Pang Yu nodded and let out a long breath. "Go now and notify the Zhuang Squad to cancel tomorrow morning's drill. Tomorrow morning I will set up the Flag of Authority at the East Garden. Those willing to enlist are to come and await inspection."

Pang Ding acknowledged and hurried out the door toward the Ye Family Old Residence.

The lantern's flame was about to go out. The room was dim and silent. Pang Yu shifted his gaze to the left. The faint light reflected the shifting look in Pang Yu's eyes. Jiao Guozha's untouched teacup still sat there.

The flame flickered twice and finally went out. The only light in the room vanished, and Pang Yu's figure was swallowed by the darkness.