Chapter 172: The Tribute Transport Opening

Outside Anqing's Kangji Gate, gongs and drums thundered to the heavens, and the river surface blazed with dawn clouds. From Kangji Gate to Sheng-Tang Gate, every mooring was packed with grain transport ships of all kinds. The shore was a sea of people; countless commoners gathered around the wharf.

The shopfronts along the river all hung red lanterns. On the main road from the wharf to Kangji Gate, a temporary ceremonial arch had been erected, bound with red silk ribbons that fluttered and snapped in the river wind. Inside the arch stood a spirit altar, flanked on both sides by several big drums.

A burst of gongs sounded from the direction of Kangji Gate. A troop of yamen runners emerged, holding placards aloft to clear the way. The commoners along the road parted, opening a passage.

A string of sedan chairs followed behind the runners and arrived beneath the arch. After they stopped in sequence, the bearers at the rear slowly raised the carrying poles. The dihou attendants outside pulled back the sedan curtains, and the officials of Anqing Prefecture, great and small, ducked their heads and stepped out.

Pang Yu emerged from the very last sedan chair. The civil officials ahead of him held ranks no higher than the sixth grade — none as high as Pang Yu's — yet not one of them let him, a military officer, walk in front. The Tribute Transport Opening involved the Anqing Guard and fell under the Anqing Garrison Commander's purview; otherwise, these local officials might not have invited Pang Yu at all.

Chen Ten Prefectures also walked behind Pi Yingju. He glanced back, and when he spotted Pang Yu, his gaze lingered only a moment. The two had not met since that encounter in Susong, but Jiang Fan had soon come calling. After Pang Yu received his appointment certificate, Chen Ten Prefectures had also learned of Pang Yu's identity.

Following Pi Yingju and the others to the arch, the surrounding gentry and commoners all knelt before the assembled officials. After everyone had risen, Pi Yingju stepped forward two paces.

"Every grain of rice, every kernel of millet, is the fat and blood of the people. Only the blood and fat of a million commoners yield this tribute grain. You caoding, brokers, and supervising officials shall revere Heaven, obey the law, restrain yourselves, and serve the public good. Engrave this in memory: 'The lowly folk are easy to abuse; High Heaven is hard to deceive'..."

As Pang Yu listened, he studied the civil officials ahead. The prefectural city was also Huaining County, so both prefectural and county levels were present today. The prefectural office had sent many officials, and the county yamen had sent four. Anqing's civil officials were essentially all here, which showed that the Tribute Transport Opening was indeed a matter of great importance to the local yamens.

Pi Yingju did not drone on; he quickly finished his address. A burst of gongs and drums sounded nearby, and several people with faces painted in gaudy floral patterns entered the arena, greeted by cheers all around. Pang Yu craned his neck for a look — they seemed to be playing some sort of deity.

After those performers had acted for a moment, Pi Yingju took up incense and candles and approached the spirit altar. Servants laid out the three sacrificial animals and platters of fruit. Pi Yingju declared in a loud voice, "River God above, the officials and people of Anqing revere and worship the River God. We pray you protect the officials and people escorting the grain transport on this journey, that neither wind nor wave may hinder them..."

Pi Yingju was composed and unhurried, carrying a certain air of leadership. Once the sacrificial text was read, the officials and the surrounding commoners all prostrated themselves in worship of the River God — even more reverently than they had before the officials. Pang Yu had no choice but to kneel along with everyone else.

When the crowd rose, servants lit firecrackers in the arena. Smoke and paper shreds flew everywhere with a crackling roar. Pang Yu strained his ears wide open, but he had no idea how many tens of thousands of pops it was — the noise went on and on without stopping.

When it was finally over, the big drums on both sides boomed, and a unified cheer erupted outside Kangji Gate. Gangs of porters and caoding, shouldering grain sacks stamped with the Anqing Tribute Rice mark, began shuttling in an endless stream between the wharf and the Wanyi Granary.

Pang Yu rubbed his ears; they were still ringing. He surveyed the surrounding commoners. Transporting tribute grain was, by all accounts, corvée labor, yet many faces shone with excitement, as if they had long been waiting for this day.

The Huaining yamen runners came forward and cleared the street into a passage once more, so the officials could withdraw.

Seizing this brief moment, Pang Yu stepped forward two paces and came before Pi Yingju. "Your subordinate pays his respects to Lord Pi."

At the sight of Pang Yu, Pi Yingju put on a warm, genial smile. "So it is Garrison Commander Pang. This year's Tribute Transport Opening is later than usual. It is only thanks to the full cooperation of the Anqing Guard and the Water Camp that we could open it even today."

"For that, one can only blame those roving bandits. That Lord Pi could pacify the populace after the bandits' rampage and still deliver the full quota of tribute grain is a talent rarely seen in all the realm."

Pi Yingju laughed twice and glanced around. The nearby officials tactfully withdrew a few steps, giving the two men space to talk.

Lowering his voice, Pi Yingju said, "Some days ago, when Young Friend Pang wounded several dozen former soldiers outside his residence, this old man suppressed the matter. However, there has been considerable grumbling about it within the yamen. If there are future entanglements with civilians, it would be best to handle them through the Huaining County Yamen."

Pang Yu replied respectfully, "I thank Your Lordship for your protection. Those at my gate that day were all discharged former soldiers. These men fraudulently occupied military rolls and possessed not the slightest combat ability. Letting them fill the ranks as deadwood was to treat the lives of Anqing's officials and people as a joke — that is why your subordinate strictly discharged them. Before that day, they had already come several times. Your subordinate sought help from the Huaining County Yamen; had that been effective, I would not have resorted to such a desperate measure. I will certainly settle this matter and ensure it disturbs Your Lordship no further."

"Young Friend Pang's ability is something this official trusts." Pi Yingju nodded. "But in local governance, tranquility is paramount. No incident is a good incident."

"Your subordinate understands Your Lordship's meaning. However, there is indeed an urgent matter today. I have just obtained some leads and wished to report to Your Lordship first."

Pi Yingju grunted an acknowledgment.

Pang Yu looked up to check their surroundings, then said, "Your subordinate's informants report that within the Canal Gang at Sheng-Tang Wharf, Luo Sect followers are conspiring to revolt, and there are even White Lotus Sect members involved. The situation is rather urgent."

Pi Yingju's brow twitched slightly. He turned his head toward Pang Yu. "Among those who make their living on the river, Luo Sect believers are many. I have yet to hear of any uprising anywhere. Is Young Friend Pang's information truly reliable?"

Pang Yu heard Pi Yingju's tone — there was not the slightest alarm. Clearly, he did not believe it.

"Your subordinate has only just obtained some leads. But Sheng-Tang Wharf is a vital point for Huaining. I was thinking, every year, tens of thousands of ships pass through or moor at our Anqing. The wharf and its shores are a gathering place for goods and merchants — the very source of food and clothing for countless commoners. This place is fundamentally a money-generating ground. It absolutely cannot be thrown into chaos by a gang of Luo Sect followers, ruining this precious ground and, in time, harming the people's livelihood. That is why, the moment I received word, I hurried to report to Your Lordship."

At the words "money-generating ground," Pi Yingju grunted again. He closed his eyes briefly in thought, then said, "Is it truly a money-generating ground?"

"Your Lordship sees clearly. This place was originally a fine port. But in the past, certain gentry colluded with the Canal Gang and the brokerages to control the wharf business, caring only for their own profit. Countless merchants were deterred, and the commoners' benefits were all lost in the shadows. Even that might be tolerated. But now, with rogue marauders spreading, if the Canal Gang and brokerages seek to control the wharf trade for themselves, or even rebel and cause chaos, it cannot be treated lightly. Not all in the Canal Gang and brokerages are bad, however. If we simply seize the ambitious schemers among them and properly manage the wharf, this precious ground of Anqing can bring the commoners double the benefits of previous years, truly enriching the people."

Having finished, Pang Yu looked at Pi Yingju with deference. In the past, the profits from this wharf had flowed through the brokerages and shops into the yamen and the great gentry clans. No single party could ever take it all for themselves; Pi Yingju certainly had his share. Now, with the gentry's power waning, the interests had to be redistributed. The benefit Pang Yu offered Pi Yingju was double the previous amount — in exchange for Pi Yingju's support.

The Anqing wharf was, after all, territory under the yamen's jurisdiction. For Pang Yu, a military officer, to control the wharf, cooperation with the civil authorities was the only path.

Pi Yingju's expression shifted subtly. After a moment of strategic patience, he said, "Every port along the river has Luo Sect followers. That Anqing alone should see a revolt is rather abrupt. This official recalls that before the new year, there were already roving bandits infiltrating Tongcheng to lie in wait. Could it be that some within the Canal Gang and brokerages intend to collude with the bandits as inner responders?"

Pang Yu's eyes flickered. Pi Yingju was the chief local official. If someone attempted a revolt here, the chaos would erupt in his territory, making him look incompetent. Reporting it up the chain would plant a subconscious suspicion in his superiors that Anqing itself was the problem. But if he caught bandit spies, it would be a major merit, making Pi Yingju appear adept at defending the territory.

"Lord Pi's single sentence has awakened your subordinate." Pang Yu said respectfully. "Thinking it over carefully now, there were indeed such clues within the leads. Fortunately, Your Lordship discerned it. Your subordinate will immediately pursue the investigation further. By the time the tribute grain is dispatched, we should be able to catch them all in one net."

"This is Garrison Commander Pang's first operation in Anqing. You must have a justifiable cause, and both the beginning and the end must be handled cleanly." Pi Yingju gave Pang Yu a deeply meaningful look. Pang Yu naturally understood his implication. This was their first direct collaboration; if it was done well, they would have a foundation of mutual trust in Anqing going forward.

"Your Lordship can rest assured. Your subordinate will certainly arrange everything meticulously."

Pang Yu felt relieved. In times without open turmoil, deploying the military locally was an extremely sensitive matter; one misstep and you would be impeached.

To mobilize the garrison battalion against local forces, official endorsement from the civil authorities was essential. Now, with Pi Yingju's support, the channel at the chief official level was open. The remaining channel at the assistant official level would be covered by Chen Ten Prefectures, who oversaw river defense. This would give him considerable room to maneuver.

By now, the road passage had been cleared. Pi Yingju glanced up and stepped toward his sedan chair. Pang Yu hurried to follow.

They had taken only two steps when they saw Chen Ten Prefectures standing ahead. He politely cupped his hands toward Pi Yingju and said, "Could this be the young and promising new Garrison Commander, General Pang?"

Seeing Chen Ten Prefectures, Pi Yingju recalled the matter just discussed and that this assistant official could not be bypassed. He stopped and said to Pang Yu, "This is Prefectural Judge Chen. In the future, regarding grain transport and river defense, you two must work together in harmony."

Pi Yingju shot Pang Yu a meaningful glance, hinting that he needed to properly connect with Chen Ten Prefectures.

Pang Yu promptly saluted and said to Chen Ten Prefectures with courtesy, "Your subordinate, Anqing Garrison Commander Pang Yu, pays his respects to Lord Chen. Please rest assured, Lord Pang — I will certainly work together in harmony with Lord Chen."