Chapter 181: Routine Meeting

"Save your mother's savings — a few taels of silver a month and you still want to save. You two dog-turds, are you itching to save so you can rake in interest off my second brother!"

Inside the duty room of the Staff Officer of the Central Army at the Garrison Command, Jiao Guozha pointed at Wu Dacai and Hou Shuban and cursed.

Hou Shuban bowed nervously. "This humble one wouldn't dare. This humble one feels silver is still more solid in the hand."

Jiao Guozha curled his lip. He didn't bother asking Wu Dacai. He tapped a finger at Hou Shuban. "Write up this damnable notice. Every day it's these useless things. Other people make profit off soldiers — he lets soldiers make profit off him. This Stick God's divine powers have all been taken back. Let him be!"

With that, he stormed out the door in a huff. Wu Dacai didn't dare follow.

The two men let out a breath. Jiao Guozha only came on duty once every two or three days. Each time he would go see Pang Yu, then sit a while in the duty room and leave. Every time he came, both men were on edge.

The two sat down and collected themselves. Wu Dacai looked at Hou Shuban, astonished. "Every tael can earn one mace in interest?"

"Exactly one mace. Lord Pang said the soldiers toil bitterly, so he's giving each soldier a bit of extra income." Hou Shuban began grinding ink at the desk. "Take you, for instance — your monthly pay is two taels. If you take it and deposit it in the Big River Bank, you'll receive one of these… sticker tickets for two taels and two mace, marked for redemption in the same month next year."

Wu Dacai's mouth hung open. He stood dazed for a moment. Back when he was in the countryside, every year when the old grain was gone and the new not yet in, his family never had enough to eat. He could only borrow from those pawnbrokers, then repay after the harvest. The interest was high, and when converting silver, the pawnshop and the grain shop both fleeced him. Back then, all he wished was never to need a loan again. Never in his life had he imagined there'd come a day when he himself could lend money out.

Wu Dacai calculated in his head. He had joined the Tongcheng Zhuang Squad in the third month and had only drawn three months' military stipend. He had a wife and a son at home. Family dependents couldn't live in the barracks, so he'd rented a small place outside the Zongyang Gate — one tael and five mace a year. His own meals cost nothing. His wife and child's living expenses came to a bit over three mace; if they scrimped, maybe two mace would do. He could save over a tael of silver every month.

In one year he could save over ten taels. In two or three years he could buy a house inside Anqing City. That was why Wu Dacai valued this Battalion Commander's military stipend so highly. His only worry was that he'd heard house prices were starting to rise, especially for ordinary dwellings inside the city wall.

Seeing Hou Shuban still grinding his own ink, he hurried over and took over the grinding. "If you deposit it every month, what do you do when there's not enough to eat?"

"Any month you don't want to deposit, just go to the Great River Silver Bank and draw that month's pay. This sticker ticket is deposited month by month. No one said you have to deposit every month."

"Deposit the military stipend for a year and it comes out to two extra taels of silver." Wu Dacai calculated a while longer. "But sir, you said it's only redeemable this month next year. What if you need the silver midway — you just can't withdraw it?"

"Actually, you can withdraw it. But they say the interest is forfeit." Hou Shuban wrote as he spoke. "Lord Pang told me to write this thing. This old man has never worked as an accountant. Why not have Liu Shopkeeper and his people over there write it?"

"Liu Shopkeeper and his people are businessmen. How could we let them write our camp's affairs?"

Wu Dacai finished speaking, then bowed his head and brooded for a long while. The extra two mace of silver every month was quite tempting. If he just deposited for one year, then next year when he used it, he'd have an extra two mace in meal money every month. The family could eat better, and it wouldn't hold up his earnings. But that meant handing his silver over to someone else's hands, and that always made him a little uneasy.

"All right, that's enough. No need to grind more."

Hou Shuban had to call twice before Wu Dacai came back to his senses. He watched Hou Shuban begin to write, then got up and refilled Hou Shuban's cup with water. After sitting back down, he fanned Hou Shuban, asking attentively, "Then, sir, will you be depositing or not?"

Hou Shuban didn't look up. "This old man just said it plainly. Silver in the hand is solid."

Wu Dacai gave an "oh." Two trains of thought kept swapping back and forth in his head. For the moment, he couldn't make up his mind.

His hand never stopped fanning. Hou Shuban cooled off considerably. Once he finished writing the notice, he glanced sidelong at Wu Dacai.

"Since it's you asking, I'll tell you the truth. This old man is going to deposit. Privately, I'd advise you: whether you deposit or not, if people outside ask you, you must say you're depositing. Especially those former colleagues of yours in the camp — absolutely must not say anything about silver being more solid in the hand."

Wu Dacai stared, stunned. "Why, sir?"

Hou Shuban leaned in a little and lowered his voice. "Before, it was always just silver paid out. Lord Pang is posting this notice in the camp — do you think he wants things to stay the same as before? Then why would he go to this extra trouble?"

Wu Dacai nodded hurriedly.

"So Lord Pang's intention is to get people to deposit. This Great River Silver Bank that takes in the deposits — it's the one Lord Pang and Liu Ruogu just opened. In truth, it's Lord Pang's enterprise. He wouldn't issue an official document for no reason. The surface wording of every official document is one thing; you have to fathom the intention behind it."

Wu Dacai said, as if suddenly seeing the light, "The document says it's for the soldiers' benefit. So if we deposit our silver, what benefit does Lord Pang get out of it? Next year he still has to give us extra interest money."

"This old man can't figure out the accounting side of it. But that Lord Pang wants people to deposit silver — that much is beyond doubt. If we deposit, we still get interest to take. Why wouldn't this old man deposit?"

"Could Lord Pang possibly… could Liu Ruogu possibly not honor the redemption next year?"

"Then wouldn't the soldiers riot over their pay? Lord Pang will naturally find a way. Besides, that's not your concern. Working in the Central Army is just like being in a yamen. Whose yamen is it? It's the Zuotang Guan's. Some say a yamen is hard to understand, but really, just remember one rule: understand the Zuotang Guan, and you understand the yamen. If you want to rise above the rest in this yamen, you must follow the direction of the Zuotang Guan's intent. Nothing else matters."

Hou Shuban finished speaking, leaned back in his chair, and sighed. "This old man spent over ten years in the yamen, working up from an Auxiliary to a clerk, and only grasped this one bit of truth."

Wu Dacai had always felt things were a bit more relaxed inside the Garrison Command, but those people never seemed to be busy with anything in particular, and he himself never knew what he ought to be doing. Now, after hearing this, the direction of his life suddenly felt clear. When he looked at Hou Shuban, even the old, weathered wrinkles on his face seemed to glint with the light of wisdom.

"Thank you, sir, for the guidance. Then I'll deposit!"

Just then, a drum roll sounded inside the Garrison Command. Wu Dacai turned his head and looked toward the Central Army's Main Hall. It stood empty, but he knew that in the Second Hall behind it, the daily officers' meeting was about to begin. After each day's training ended, Lord Pang would always assemble the officers for a meeting. In the evenings, he would personally inspect the barracks. He was busy all day long, and now he was even giving everyone interest money.

Wu Dacai couldn't help shaking his head. "Lord Pang truly is a good man."

……

"The soldiers' monthly pay has been issued for these past few months. How have they been using it?"

Pang Ding, across the long table, replied, "Those with families have all used it for household expenses. Those with no attachments spend it on wine and meat. On the half-month rest days, the wineshops near the barracks are all our camp soldiers pooling money to drink."

Pang Yu nodded. "In your view, are soldiers with families and dependents more able to save money, or are the bachelors?"

"Of course those with families can save. Bachelors are uncertain. Some bachelors, though they have no dependents, still have parents and brothers — they'll save a bit. Other bachelors just want to spend it all. Broadly speaking, bachelors from the countryside will save; those recruited at the docks are more inclined to spend." Pang Ding looked left and right. The Second Hall council chamber was empty of others; the officers had not yet arrived.

"Young master, you want them to deposit money in the silver bank. Those with families might deposit a bit more, but if they die in battle, the silver you, young master, have to pay out will be greater."

Pang Yu gave an "mm." "Starting the seventh month, recruit another six hundred men. Reject anyone with more than two dependents. If the applicant pool is sufficient, recruit more bachelors."

"Young master, aren't you afraid the bachelors won't deposit their silver?"

Pang Yu shook his head and smiled. "As long as they're in the camp, I'm not afraid I can't change their thinking. If it can't be changed, that only means the degree of enclosure isn't enough."

Pang Ding raised his eyebrows and was about to speak when a report came from the doorway. Pang Ding knew the officers had arrived and immediately shut his mouth.

The six Centurions filed into the council chamber one after another, along with Jiang Guoyong, Yang Xueshi, Guo Fengyou, and other officers of the Central Army establishment. The men stood at their respective seats.

Pang Yu straightened up. "All of you, be seated."

Once the officers were seated, Pang Yu got straight to the point. "Report on today's training situation."

Jiang Guoyong stood up. He was now responsible for compiling the daily training summaries and, by custom, spoke first.

"Today's training turnout by unit: First Bureau, one hundred and seven men; one on sick leave, one dismissed soldier awaiting replacement…"

Yao Dongshan sat diagonally opposite. The corners of his mouth twitched a few times. Pang Yu did not look at him. The man eliminated from the First Bureau had lost in a confrontation against the Second Bureau's Banner Team and been eliminated as punishment. He was only temporarily transferred to the newly established Auxiliary Troops, not directly expelled from camp as before. But this still infuriated Yao Dongshan, because it was not the routine Elimination of the Last Rank — it was the result of a defeat in a major contest.

"Second Bureau, full strength one hundred and nine men. Third Bureau, one hundred and eight men; one man resting due to injury…" Jiang Guoyong read from his register.

Pang Yu listened while taking notes in his own register. Over these past months, he had grown fairly satisfied with Jiang Guoyong's ability, especially that he could read and write and could also endure hardship on the training ground. The pity was that such men were too few. He had several former clerks in his Central Army, but none could handle military affairs. Pang Yu also didn't want the army dealing with them, so he assigned them only to handle official document exchanges with the military defense circuit and the local yamen. Men of learning who could do military work — Pang Yu was, in truth, sorely lacking them.

"…All bureaus completed routine training as prescribed. Morning and evening parade-ground runs, two circuits. Banner Team–level formation drill, once each morning and evening. Long-spear soldiers' thrusting drill, eight sets, totaling four hundred repetitions. Sword and Shield completed blocking and slashing, four sets each, totaling two hundred repetitions. Inter-bureau Squad confrontations, fifteen bouts. The unit with the most wins was the Second Bureau."

Two of the other unit leaders adjusted their sitting postures. The corners of their eyes flicked, consciously or not, toward Wang Zenglu. This Second Bureau faintly had the momentum to steamroll the entire camp. The larger the scale of the confrontation, the more the Second Bureau won.

"Central Army Archery Squad fired light and heavy arrows, one hundred times each. Flag Signal Squad drilled camp pitching and camp striking, ten times each. Light Cavalry Squad drilled ascending slopes, descending slopes, and oral Herald transmission northwest of the city, two times each. This evening, the Light Cavalry Squad has additional horse care and inspection. In the full day's training, there were a total of thirteen injury incidents: eleven minor injuries, two moderate injuries. These two men must suspend training tomorrow to rest and recover — one from the First Bureau, one from the Fifth Bureau. Additionally, four cases of heatstroke; after being sent back to the barracks to rest, they are now without issue. It is recommended that tomorrow's training be halved. Names have been recorded. Training damaged a total of seven Long Spear spearheads; three spear shafts broken or split; one Rattan Shield damaged; one Waist Saber with a chipped blade rendered unusable, one snapped; one bowstring broken; one bow body with loosened glue; three Light Arrows broken; seven heavy arrows broken. End."

Pang Yu set down his brush. He did not offer any commentary on the training results. The daily post-withdrawal meeting and its reports were themselves a method of applying pressure on the officers. Even without speaking, it had that effect.

As for matters like damaged weapons, he had grown accustomed to hearing about them every day and no longer minded. With this volume of training, equipment damage was unavoidable. Compared to other expenditures, equipment consumption was not that great.

"Let me inform everyone about the special training for the seventh month."

Jiang Guoyong answered with a word of assent, then stood up again and said, "According to the monthly plan set by Lord Pang, there is a long-distance march in July, with the destination being Wangjiang County, scheduled for the third day of the seventh month. Your subordinate has already reported the marching route and itinerary to the Document Receiving Office and will immediately notify all bureaus. I hope every Centurion will memorize it thoroughly and make the corresponding march preparations."

Pang Yu waved a hand for Jiang Guoyong to sit, looked around the room, and then said, "During the last march drill to Tongcheng, the errors and omissions along the way have been compiled by the Central Army and will be issued to everyone tomorrow. Those who cannot read, go find someone who can to read it to you. If the same mistakes are made again on this trip to Wangjiang, this official will not speak of face and sentiment. The first ones held accountable under the Mutual Responsibility System will be you Centurions. And do not feel wronged. All of you are men who manage soldiers. Before, you managed ten men or thirty men; now you manage a hundred. Soon we will be expanding the army. If you do not put in more care, so many soldiers cannot be managed well."

The group of officers listened in silence, not daring to move a muscle.

Pang Yu waited for them to digest this for a moment, then continued, "For this Wangjiang drill, we will also detach one bureau to test the water route for transporting troops, boarding at Taihu Thunder Port and disembarking at Sheng-Tang Wharf. This drill, to put it simply, is riding a boat, the same principle as passengers boarding and disembarking at a wharf on ordinary days. But no matter how simple a matter, once there are many people, it ceases to be simple. Is there any Centurion willing to volunteer?"

The six Centurions looked at one another; none stepped forward to volunteer.

"All of you may go and think it over carefully. Once you have decided, you may come to see this official at any time." Pang Yu put away the register. "Inspect the barracks."

The officers all stood up simultaneously and followed Pang Yu out of the Second Hall. Pang Yu retrieved his identity badge at the main hall, and the group arrived at the newly opened side gate. After the sentries checked the identity badges, they entered the encampment.

Following the usual daily procedure, they first visited those with moderate injuries and illnesses, exchanged a few polite words, and then inspected the barracks of each bureau. Pang Yu did his best to let every soldier see him and exchanged a few casual words with them.

Only after checking the sentry posts was the full round considered complete. He set the night password with the night-duty officer Zhuang Chaozheng. The watchman's clappers sounded in every direction throughout the encampment, and all the lamps inside every barracks were extinguished. Only then did Pang Yu return to the Garrison Command, where he continued to inspect the various encampments and duty rooms directly subordinate to the Central Army.

The daily routine work was finally over. Pang Yu intended to return to the Rear Office to rest for a while and still needed to review the silver bank regulations sent by Liu Ruogu. When he reached the Second Hall, he saw a figure standing beneath a lantern, accompanied by a Personal Soldier beside him.

Pang Yu looked closely; it was actually Wang Zenglu.

The Personal Soldier came over to report, but Pang Yu waved his hand and said, "You may go first."

The Personal Soldier saluted and left. When someone visited at night, no matter who it was, they had to be accompanied by a Personal Soldier; this was also a Military Law set by Pang Yu.

Pang Yu knew Wang Zenglu had something to say. After Wang Zenglu saluted, Pang Yu left Guo Fengyou and Pang Ding where they were and brought Wang Zenglu under the eaves of the Second Hall.

"Zenglu, you came in the evening; is there an important matter?"

Wang Zenglu said in a low voice, "My lord, regarding the Wangjiang water route troop transport you mentioned just now, your subordinate is willing to volunteer."