Chapter 185: A Chance to Live

"My lord, how should the charge against Jiao Guozha be framed?"

In a dim duty room inside the Garrison Inspector Prison to the left of the Garrison Command's main gate, Hou Shuban cautiously addressed Pang Yu, whose back was turned to him.

Pang Yu turned his head to survey the room. This military prison of the Garrison Command had long fallen into disrepair and normally held no one. Several places in the room leaked rain, but because the floor had a slight slope, no water had pooled inside — making it the room in the best condition.

In ordinary times, the Garrison Command was packed full of Canal Gang members; even the inner offices had been given over to their womenfolk and children. Pang Yu himself had moved into the military barracks, and with the detention rooms insufficient, they had no choice but to use this dilapidated military prison.

Besides Hou Shuban, Jiang Guoyong, Pang Ding, and Guo Fengyou were also present.

Pang Yu said evenly, "The four of you — what crime do you think Jiao Guozha deserves? Hou Shuban, you speak first."

All four were taken aback. They had not expected Pang Yu to ask them. This was especially true for Hou Shuban, Guo Fengyou, and Jiang Guoyong — all three had come out of government offices, where the Clerks of each section habitually had the final say and never solicited their opinions, let alone on a matter of this magnitude.

Hou Shuban was caught off guard. He had anticipated coming here to take Pang Yu's instructions and then draft a notice to be issued to the troops — writing whatever Lord Pang dictated. He had never imagined Pang Yu would ask for his opinion.

"This… this… this old man — no, no, this humble one believes that in all military matters, the law should be followed."

Having spoken, Hou Shuban lowered his head, signaling he had finished, hoping Pang Yu would let him off at that.

The three behind him all shot glances his way. Had it been any other matter, it would have been simpler — they were not familiar with the soldiers in the camp anyway, so execution or flogging would have made no difference to them. But Jiao Guozha's status was special, and none of the three knew Pang Yu's true intent, which made the situation rather delicate.

When Pang Yu had ordered the arrests, he had given no indication of what punishment he would impose. The Military Law contained two vastly different degrees of severity — the difference between life and death. Even Pang Ding could not be sure of Pang Yu's thinking. By the Military Law, the penalty should be beheading. If Pang Yu truly intended to take Jiao Guozha's head, then so be it. But if Pang Yu only meant to give Jiao Guozha a warning, then speaking harshly would leave a bad impression on Pang Yu, and afterward Jiao Guozha would remain in the army as a Bazong — still Pang Yu's sworn elder brother. With five people in the room, there was no guarantee such words would not reach Jiao Guozha's ears, and from then on he would be a mortal enemy. It would be tantamount to handing someone else a handle against oneself.

If one proposed flogging but Pang Yu intended beheading, that would create an obstacle to Lord Pang's intent and earn the criticism of showing disrespect for the Military Law — inevitably another bad impression. Each approach carried its own misgivings, so for the moment, keeping silent was best. Yet Pang Yu insisted on making them speak.

Hou Shuban was as slippery as could be. His single phrase "follow the law" was tantamount to saying nothing at all, yet it stole the words the other three had wanted to say. They watched as Pang Yu's eyes shifted toward Guo Fengyou.

Guo Fengyou gave a cough and turned to Hou Shuban. "I wonder which specific article of the Military Law Master Hou is referring to."

Hou Shuban's body gave a jolt. He looked up at Guo Fengyou. This Guo Fengyou was Lord Pang's trusted confidant — not someone he could afford to offend. His heart seized with tension, and the beard on his chin could not help but quiver twice.

Pang Yu did not stop Guo Fengyou but stood quietly. For a moment, the room fell rather silent, everyone watching to see how Hou Shuban would answer.

Hou Shuban was silent for a moment, then bowed toward Guo Fengyou. "Reporting to Team Leader Guo, this humble one… this humble one has forgotten."

Guo Fengyou was stunned. He had not expected Hou Shuban to resort to such shameless evasion. The army required everyone to memorize the Military Law by heart. He was about to rebuke Hou Shuban when it suddenly struck him that Hou Shuban was neither a soldier nor an officer. The status of a Shuban was still rather ambiguous — in a sense, he was more like someone who worked in a government office.

For the moment, Guo Fengyou found it hard to pin a label on him. The room fell silent again. Pang Yu's eyes swept left and right. Skipping Guo Fengyou for now, he turned impassively to Pang Ding. "Hou Shuban's opinion is to follow the law. Pang Ding, what do you think?"

Pang Ding, head lowered, let his eyes dart about. He was the person closest to Pang Yu. Although he shared some of the others' worries, he did not particularly fear Jiao Guozha. What worried him was that if he spoke too harshly, Pang Yu might think him lacking in loyalty and personal feeling.

"I feel that by law, Bazong Jiao deserves severe punishment. But over the years, for you, my lord… for the garrison battalion, he has also put in considerable effort. It might also be possible to, well, take that into due consideration."

Pang Yu listened in silence, his face almost expressionless, making not the slightest movement. The three could not read his intent at all.

"Fengyou, your turn."

"Yes, my lord." Guo Fengyou paused, his mind going completely blank. The line he had originally prepared was "deal with it according to the law," but Hou Shuban had already said it, and now he could not think of anything else. In the end, he could only say, "This subordinate will follow my lord's decision."

Pang Yu gave an "mm" and finally let his gaze settle on Jiang Guoyong.

"Guoyong, how do you think this should be handled?"

Jiang Guoyong stood where he was, raised his head to glance at the others in the room, and frowned in thought for a long moment. Then he said, "This subordinate believes that by law, the penalty is beheading! There is no room for personal sentiment."

The other three turned their heads to look at Jiang Guoyong. Pang Yu's expression remained exactly the same. He looked at Jiang Guoyong and said, "Then state your reasons."

Jiang Guoyong drew a deep breath. "The Military Law was drafted by this subordinate together with my lord. What is called law is that which cannot be transgressed; if transgressed, punishment is inevitable, with no personal sentiment admissible. Han Feizi said that punishment does not bypass the high official. Jiao Guozha, as a Bazong, took the lead in organizing gambling within the camp. He must be beheaded to satisfy public opinion. Only thus can the three armies be commanded to give their lives."

A silence fell over the room. Streams of water leaking through the roof tiles dripped onto the floor, producing a steady plink-plink-plink.

Pang Yu looked at Jiang Guoyong. "And how should the rest of those involved be dealt with?"

"When this subordinate drafted the Military Law, my thinking was not thorough enough. I only wrote that gambling outside camp is punished by fifty strokes of the military rod, and that organizing gambling within camp is punished by beheading — I did not specify the penalty for participating in gambling within camp. The others did not set up the gambling operation. If judged as participants, they should be punished with fifty strokes of the military rod. Only that Wu Dacai — this subordinate has not yet decided."

Pang Yu asked, "Why is that?"

"This man helped Jiao Guozha transport gambling equipment, served tea and water, and personally took part in the gambling. His actions fall somewhere between organizing gambling and participating in it. It seems he could be considered an accomplice in organizing the gambling, and thus should also be beheaded."

The others had no concern for this common soldier whose name they barely knew. Only Hou Shuban's body gave a faint shudder.

At this, Pang Yu nodded — the first physical movement he had made since he began questioning. The other three all took note of it, silently deducing Pang Yu's intent.

Pang Yu said flatly, "To your knowledge, are there any other violations of the law within the army?"

"I have heard soldiers rumor that some Banner Commanders and Centurions have collected the Monthly Levy from the soldiers. This subordinate has also investigated but found no solid evidence, and no soldier has come forward to report it. There are also other matters, such as visiting brothels on rest days, which likewise could not be verified."

"Could not be verified…" Pang Yu thought for a moment, then said, "Tonight, Guo Fengyou will lead the Personal Guard Unit to stand guard at the Sixth Bureau. Every room must have one man. Pang Ding, deliver the order to Yao Dongshan: have the First Bureau stand ready under arms in the barracks. Jiang Guoyong will stand guard at the Central Army. Master Hou will stand guard at the military prison and complete the statements of the several men. Execute this immediately. Tomorrow at exactly the hour of Mao, the entire army will assemble on the drill ground."

With that, he turned and left. The four in the room exchanged glances. Even now, they still did not know Pang Yu's true intent. The only clue was that final nod of his.

Not daring to discuss it, and finding no answer in each other's eyes, they left the prison one after another a moment later.

In the end, only Hou Shuban, assigned to guard the military prison, remained standing in the room. The rain dripped and plinked before him. He thought for a moment, then walked into the corridor, turned a corner, and entered the inner prison's courtyard.

At the entrance to the inner prison, several Personal Soldiers in rain capes stood sentry. Inside was another corridor, its walls hung with a few dim, yellowed lanterns. This was where tonight's gamblers were being held, and from time to time, sounds of wailing and weeping drifted out.

The rain had now lessened. Hou Shuban entered the courtyard, making no effort to shelter from the rain. He walked to the mouth of the inner prison corridor and halted. After hesitating a moment, he turned around and walked back into the courtyard.

Above the courtyard stretched the pitch-black night. Fine, swirling raindrops fell from the void, as if they would never end.

Hou Shuban tilted his head back and gazed for a moment. He let out a long sigh, then turned abruptly and walked toward the inner prison entrance. The soldiers on guard hurriedly stepped aside.

Reaching the outermost cell, Hou Shuban came to the wooden bars. By the lantern light from the corridor, he could make out a human figure inside.

The figure was sobbing quietly within. The moment he saw Hou Shuban, he rushed to the bars. The lantern light illuminated Wu Dacai's face, streaked with tears.

Wu Dacai reached through the gaps in the bars and clutched Hou Shuban's sleeve, choking out, "Master Hou, save me."

Hou Shuban gestured for him to keep his voice down. Once Wu Dacai had quieted somewhat, he lowered his voice and sighed. "You child…"

"Master Hou, save me. I have a wife and children at home. If I am beheaded, the whole family will have no way to live."

Tears streamed down Wu Dacai's face, but he dared not wail aloud. He bared his teeth in a rasping, choked sob.

Hou Shuban's aged face was full of pity. "You child, how could you not see clearly? What did Lord Pang have people write those Jiezhuang for? The day you spoke to me, when you delivered the Jiezhuang, you were even asked specifically whether Bazong Jiao had pressed his own thumbprint. It's true that Bazong Jiao is Lord Pang's sworn elder brother — but that's all he is, sworn. If Lord Pang truly meant to rely heavily on Bazong Jiao, why would he let him wander about idly? What is that Military Law for? Have you seen few men beaten half to death on the drill ground?"

"Bazong Jiao insisted I go. How could I dare refuse?"

Hou Shuban tilted his head to glance at the neighboring cells. Seeing no one was paying attention, he turned back to Wu Dacai and said in a low voice, "Lord Pang may well carry out military law tomorrow. What they have decided for you… I fear it is 'aiding in organizing gambling within the army.'"

"I beg you, sir, you must explain to Lord Pang — this humble soldier was coerced by Jiao Guozha."

Hou Shuban shook his head. "At this time and place, who cares whether you were coerced or not?"

Wu Dacai slid to his knees on the ground, his face a mess of tears and mucus. His eyes were hollow, his expression one of utter despair. From a cell deeper within, someone else began wailing, the sound echoing through the corridor.

Hou Shuban crouched down as well, drew Wu Dacai's head close, and said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, "If you want to grasp at a sliver of hope to stay alive, then listen to this old man."

Wu Dacai stared blankly at Hou Shuban, then suddenly seized Hou Shuban's hands in return. "Whatever you instruct, sir, this lowly one will carry out to the letter. From now on, Mr. Hou is this lowly one's reborn parent."

Hou Shuban's hands ached faintly from the grip. He glanced once more toward the cell on the Side Path before speaking. "Lord Pang means to make an example of someone, to warn against those in the army who break the law. Your crime falls between gambling and running the game. Jiao Guozha cannot escape death. If you want even a sliver of a chance to live, you must give Lord Pang what he wants."

Wu Dacai panted heavily, his mouth hanging open as he stared at Hou Shuban. "What thing?"