Chapter 187: Military Intelligence

"Let me tell you all, today's the first day open after the flood. Guests are already waiting outside. Everything must be ready, not a single thing overlooked. If any spot's lacking, I won't scold you, won't hit you, and won't dock this month's silver either."

Jiang Shuqiong stood by the second-floor railing and slammed the table in front of her, every roll of fat on her body quivering twice. "I'll have you out the door today!"

She glared, her bloodshot narrow eyes sweeping the room. Nearly fifty male and female helpers stood in the main hall below, all looking exhausted, none daring to meet Jiang Shuqiong's fierce gaze.

The main hall was spotless — the silt left by the flood had vanished without a trace. To open before the other gambling dens, Jiang Shuqiong had forced everyone to clean through the night. They'd toiled the whole night to get it clean, and it barely showed signs of the disaster, save for the waterline marks still lingering on the wall panels here and there.

"Everyone worked hard last night, but today we must be even more on our toes. Of Anqing's seven big gambling dens, only our Baishun Tang is opening today. Draw all those gamblers to our Baishun Tang, let them know what's good about our place, and from now on they won't go elsewhere — they'll all come here. Only then will we all have good days ahead."

A female shift leader shouted, "We listen to Shopkeeper Jiang — did everyone hear that? Pull yourselves together!"

The people below, their eyes just as red, managed only a few scattered responses — a thoroughly lifeless scene.

Jiang Shuqiong raised a plump hand and waited until all attention was fixed on it before booming, "Last night everyone was most diligent. I'll make you all a promise here and now: whoever came to work overtime last night, on top of your monthly pay, each person gets three extra days' worth of silver! It'll be handed out when work ends tonight. And if by month's end we match last month's profits, I'll go beg the Dongjia to issue special pay for everyone!"

The crowd below suddenly jolted with energy. Jiang Shuqiong almost thought she saw a semicircular wave of spirit blast outward from the mass of people.

"We all listen to Shopkeeper Jiang."

"Jiang Jiejie is looking out for all of us."

"Then let's hurry and get everything ready — there are guests still waiting."

Jiang Shuqiong clapped her hands. "Each family tend to your own stations. The dice, Heaven Nine, Pai Gow, and roulette — all the gambling gear in the main hall. The White Pigeon Ticket outside the door. The mahjong cards and paper cards on the second floor. The rice-soup tea downstairs. The wine and refreshments upstairs. The tobacco shreds and fruit sold separately. The meals in the rear building. The prostitutes in the side building. Check everything one last time — we're about to open!"

The crowd below was suddenly brimming with vigor, everyone rushing off to their posts, showing not the slightest trace of having worked through the night.

Jiang Shuqiong, her face stern, walked downstairs. When she reached the last step, she crouched down and carefully studied the edge of the stair. She spat twice at it, then pulled out a handkerchief and scrubbed hard — and suddenly let out a shriek.

"Mao Yatou!"

The Mao Yatou who'd followed from Tongcheng came scrambling over in a panic and threw herself beside the step. "Jiang Jiejie, your orders."

Jiang Shuqiong grabbed her by the hair. Mao Yatou yelped as her head was yanked down in front of the step.

"You take a good look for me. What sort of virtue is this huge clump of mud right here? Who swept this?"

Mao Yatou's face scrunched up, but she was used to Jiang Shuqiong grabbing her. She quickly reached up and gripped the roots of her hair to ease the pain a little. "That clump on the edge of the step is stuck on solid — the mop couldn't get it off. I figured once the guests come in, it'll get dirty soon enough anyway."

"After you eat, you'll be hungry again soon enough — so from now on, you just won't eat at all? Guests trampling it dirty is their business; you sweeping it clean is your business. Wipe it up at once, or I'll make you lick it clean."

Jiang Shuqiong shoved her head away and tossed the handkerchief into Mao Yatou's hands. Mao Yatou hurriedly spat on it twice more and set to scrubbing in earnest.

The others, hearing this, all scrambled to check their own stations. The hall was a flurry of activity.

"Hurry it up, all of you. Is the White Pigeon Ticket ready? What are you standing around here for? If it's ready, go out and hand them to the guests first. Once they've taken a ticket, they won't leave. What's going on with the roulette? You've only got this many balls ready? There'll be lots of new guests today — if one flies out, you'll spend half the day hunting for it, and that's fewer rounds played. How much less will the Dongjia earn? If the Dongjia earns less, you think you'll earn more? Use your brains! You — yes, you. That outfit looks nice. Today, go upstairs and be an auxiliary for the private rooms. Do well and next month you'll work the second floor..."

Jiang Shuqiong walked and talked the whole way, and everywhere she went, people scrambled to show their worth. Finally, she reached the pawn counter in the corner.

Zhou Yueru was also there with a rag, scrubbing the countertop with all her might. Seeing Jiang Shuqiong approach, she quickly stopped and prepared to greet her.

Before Zhou Yueru could bow, Jiang Shuqiong hooked an arm around her elbow. The stern, plump face instantly creased into a fawning smile.

"I'm telling you, little sister, why are you doing this rough work? The Account Office is meant to sit inside — how can you do servants' tasks? Outsiders will see and say I, this Shopkeeper, don't know how to behave. I'll find someone to clean. From now on, don't you go letting people gossip about your jiejie."

"I — this..." Zhou Yueru basked somewhat awkwardly in the Shopkeeper's enthusiasm. "How could that be right? Everyone's working. I'm afraid people will talk behind my back, say unpleasant things."

"Pah, I'd like to see who dares." Jiang Shuqiong lowered her voice, a bit mysterious. "There are guests being entertained again today. The kitchen's cooked up good food. I've had them set aside an extra portion. When we rest this evening, I'll have Mao Yatou bring it to your room. You just eat it quietly on your own."

Not giving Zhou Yueru a chance to refuse, Jiang Shuqiong sighed again. "These last two days of flooding, you see — no guests came, and the kitchen hadn't stocked extra ingredients. I've really wronged my little sister. Looking at you, you've gone and starved yourself thin. Your jiejie's heart aches."

Zhou Yueru hurriedly said, "These few days of the flood, Jiang Jiejie let me stay in a room upstairs — that's already helped this humble one tremendously. I really shouldn't eat those high-stove meals too."

"On this, you listen to your jiejie. It's not like I'm taking from Boss Pang's share. Your jiejie used to be a dishwashing hag. Those men who win money and go to the side building for the prostitutes — they're hardly there to eat. Just shifting a little from their meals, they won't know a thing. Don't refuse your jiejie's goodwill. Your jiejie's face is thin, you know."

Jiang Shuqiong put on a look of impending anger, and Zhou Yueru quickly nodded. Only then did the plump face pile on smiles again.

Jiang Shuqiong chuckled dryly to herself for a moment. Spotting a bit of mud on Zhou Yueru's sleeve, her right hand moved at once to pull a handkerchief from her left sleeve — only to remember, as she felt for it, that she'd used it on the mud. Empty-handed, she reached out and wiped at Zhou Yueru's sleeve anyway.

As she wiped, she said, "Yueru, little sister, your jiejie has a favor to ask. You saw it all last night — the whole hall was working overtime. Your jiejie already gave her word... If Boss Pang asks, I hope Yueru, little sister, can put in a few words for me. Otherwise, if everyone can't get last night's overtime pay, your jiejie won't be able to keep being this Shopkeeper."

Zhou Yueru said with certainty, "If Boss Pang asks, this humble one will certainly bear witness for Jiejie. Everyone truly did work through the night. It's just... it's just that this humble one hasn't seen the Dongjia in a long time either. I don't know if I can help Jiejie."

"I just knew Yueru, little sister, was the considerate one. Don't you worry either. The Dongjia hasn't come because he's busy, that's all. The moment he's free, he'll surely come see you." Jiang Shuqiong turned her head and roared, "Mao Yatou!"

Mao Yatou scrambled over in a panic, the filthy handkerchief still in her hand.

Jiang Shuqiong pointed at the counter. "Find a sweeping hag and get this counter area cleaned up. If I ever see someone from the Account Office doing rough work again, I'll twist one of your ears off. Also — the refreshments and fruit for the second floor, prepare a portion for the Account Office too. Those people use their brains; how can they manage without eating a bit more?"

Mao Yatou didn't dare say another word and immediately ran off to find someone. The others in the hall heard it all, but no one dared utter a peep.

"Then Yueru, little sister, you rest for now. Your jiejie's off to get ready to open the doors." Jiang Shuqiong spoke gently, then strode heavily — thud, thud, thud — to the entrance, where all her subordinates were already lined up on both sides.

"Open the doors and welcome the guests!"

The great doors slowly swung open, and the impatient gamblers swarmed in like bees.

Jiang Shuqiong bowed low along with everyone else. "Welcome!"

When Pang Yu walked into the main hall, the floor of Baishun Tang's hall was already a complete mess. Though Jiang Shuqiong had cleaned it spotlessly, the mud in the streets outside still remained, and the gamblers going in and out had carried it in on the soles of their shoes.

The floodwaters had only just receded, and none of the other gambling dens had opened yet. Gamblers from near and far came swarming in — it was even livelier than before the flood.

Xu Lengzi and two other guards followed beside him, all in plain clothes. The attendant greeting guests was new; seeing them, he took them for servants and guessed Pang Yu was from a wealthy household, immediately becoming very enthusiastic.

Once inside the main hall, Pang Yu dismissed the attendant and strolled around casually. The place was a surging sea of heads and a clamor of noise. For the moment, no one noticed the Dongjia had come on an unannounced inspection.

The simplest dice stalls were the liveliest — just betting on big or small. Anyone could figure it out after watching twice, and you could bet on the banker or the player. Every time the cup was lifted, the crowd erupted in an uproar, hysterical whether they won or lost.

Pang Yu tried twice to squeeze in but couldn't. The guards moved to help, but Pang Yu stopped them. Seeing it was the same everywhere else, he turned and headed for the pawn counter — and even there, a dozen or so people had gathered in a circle.

Peering through the gaps between people, he saw Jiang Shuqiong's plump face piled high with smiles as she faced a young man who looked like the scion of a wealthy family.

"Wang, young master, don't be angry. If your silver's all lost, just have dinner here — it's on the house. We'll make sure the young master eats comfortably."

"A dog looking down on people! Who the hell cares about your damn dinner? No credit, is that it? I'll pawn silver right now, then go back and rout them completely." Wang, young master, his face bright red, ripped off his square cap in a fury, pulled a deed from inside it, and hurled it viciously into Jiang Shuqiong's face.

Wang pointed at Jiang Shuqiong and cursed, "I've got plenty of silver. Pawn it for me right now."

"Pawn, pawn, right away." Jiang Shuqiong plucked the deed from her face, the fawning smile still on her face, not the slightest bit angered.

After studying it carefully for a long moment, Jiang Shuqiong's smile faded just a little. She looked up at Wang and said, "This residence outside the city — we're not pawning those for the time being. There's a notice posted right on the door."

"Who the hell made that rule? You drag him out here, and I'll ask him myself, young master to his face. A residence outside the city isn't a residence? A two-courtyard outer mansion — I'm not saying you have to pawn it at market price. You're open for business, so why the hell won't you pawn it?"

Jiang Shuqiong put on a deeply troubled look. "Originally, the Dongjia forbade pawning these. But Wang, young master, is a regular — we're all friends here, aren't we? I'll risk my own face and go beg the Dongjia for an exception. Let's pawn it for twenty-five taels."

The several gamblers watching nearby loudly discussed among themselves, all somewhat surprised by this price.

"This is outrageous!" Young master Wang's hair was disheveled, and spittle sprayed all over Jiang Shuqiong's face. "You damn fat sow, a two-courtyard mansion cost one hundred and thirty taels to buy, and you dare offer only twenty-five taels in pawn."

Jiang Shuqiong twisted her plump body and turned her face slightly aside. "Young master Wang, you do not understand. Ever since the Roving Bandits passed through, everyone knows houses outside the city are unsafe. There's no telling when the bandits might come and burn them down with a single torch. Now, those living outside have all sold their houses to move into the city. Inside the City Wall, house prices have soared. Those buying outside the city are all small, humble households. A two-courtyard residence like yours is neither here nor there — too expensive for small households, and the wealthy only buy inside the city. If we pawn it for you and you do not redeem it, the Dongjia will surely be stuck with it. It can only be sold off as a small dwelling. I beg young master Wang's understanding."

Young master Wang glared fiercely at Jiang Shuqiong before him. Jiang Shuqiong still wore a smiling face to greet him, but showed no intention of making any concession.

Seeing that young master Wang was unwilling to leave, she twisted her body and said, "This slave heard last time that young master Wang's family still has a property at the Sheng-Tang ferry crossing. If it were that one, it could be pawned as if inside the City Wall."

Young master Wang's face flushed red then turned pale. After a moment, he stamped his foot and headed for the main gate.

Those gamblers watching the excitement exchanged a few remarks and dispersed, their faces full of excitement. Every day in the gambling hall there were people pawning things, and some gamblers particularly loved watching the scene of people pawning their belongings.

Jiang Shuqiong looked up and spotted Pang Yu. She cried out in alarm, "The Dongjia has come!"

Pang Yu smiled and waved his hand, signaling her not to make a fuss. Jiang Shuqiong hurried over and said, "I was just about to report to you, my lord. This slave's thinking was this: after the great flood, while the other establishments are unprepared, we should open our doors a step earlier and snatch all the gamblers over. That is why last night I had everyone work through the night — we absolutely had to open today."

Pang Yu took two steps toward the Account Office, then stopped and praised her, "Shopkeeper Jiang has planned this very well."

Jiang Shuqiong saw the direction Pang Yu was walking and immediately stopped her report. "This slave had Sister Zhou of the Zhou Family prepare last month's account books. I was just about to send them for you to review, my lord. It is most fortunate that you have come by. This slave will have Sister Zhou explain them to you in detail at once."

Pang Yu nodded. Jiang Shuqiong, dragging her obese frame, darted ahead and slapped the Account Office door several times. Zhou Yueru pulled open the door window, glanced out, and upon seeing Pang Yu froze for a moment, then opened the door.

Inside were three other Account Office clerks, all extra staff Liu Ruogu had assigned at Pang Yu's request. Two had already been transferred to the Shipping Company earlier. With the silver bank opening, even more Account Office clerks would be needed. At present, Account Office clerks were few and not very mobile. Only after the Roving Bandits had passed through and the economic ecology around Anqing was damaged did some drift to Anqing, which somewhat relieved Pang Yu's urgent need.

Before the Account Office clerks were hired, Pang Yu had to personally meet each one. The moment those three saw it was Pang Yu arriving, they hurriedly rose to greet him. Jiang Shuqiong did not follow into the room. This Account Office was likewise divided into inner and outer rooms. The two who had originally been in the inner room verifying silver taels stood up of their own accord and moved to the front counter.

Zhou Yueru silently followed into the inner room and handed the account books to Pang Yu.

Pang Yu casually flipped through a few pages, then quickly closed the books. After a moment of silence, he looked at Zhou Yueru.

"I killed Jiao Guozha."

Zhou Yueru trembled slightly and lowered her head. "I heard. Yesterday it spread all through the hall."

"What are people saying?"

Zhou Yueru raised her head and glanced at Pang Yu. "They say you run a gambling den, yet you killed a man because a subordinate gambled. Who would dare come to Bai Shun Tang to throw their life away after this?"

Pang Yu could not help but laugh. "So well-reasoned. Who said it? I'll promote him to squad leader."

Zhou Yueru smiled but did not answer. Pang Yu put away his smile and added, "Though I run a gambling den, I have never once gambled since coming to Anqing."

Zhou Yueru let out a heavy sigh and said, "Of course you have not gambled. Before this Account Office counter, every day there are people pawning their family Wealth. I have seen plenty end up with broken homes and ruined lives. You forbid Soldiers and officers from gambling — it is for their own good."

"A gambling den is by Nature like this. Working here must be hard on you. I came today also to tell you that I intend to transfer you to work at the silver bank. It is quieter there than the gambling den."

"The silver bank?" Zhou Yueru said in surprise. "You just transferred two people there. Here in the gambling den, you… who will do the accounts?"

"The gambling den's account books will be sent to the silver bank each month from now on. You will still review them." Pang Yu rubbed his forehead and said offhandedly, "The monthly silver at the silver bank is a bit higher — three taels and five mace per month. I heard you are renting Two Places. This way your expenses will be more comfortable."

"One place is rented for Old Gao. He worked as a Bangyong for my family for half a lifetime. No wife, no children, and getting on in years. After father died, he had nowhere to go. If I don't support him, what is he to do?"

Pang Yu nodded. "He ought to be supported. Having helped for half a lifetime, he is like family."

Zhou Yueru's eyes blinked a few times. She looked at Pang Yu earnestly and said, "I have yet to thank you — for letting me settle in Anqing and even earn a monthly silver wage. It is far more stable than our days in Tongcheng."

"Anqing did not suffer the Bandit Calamity, so the wariness toward Westerners is not so great. Set your mind at ease and work here."

Just then, Jiang Shuqiong's loud voice rang out again from the counter area. Zhou Yueru remembered something Jiang Shuqiong had mentioned and quickly relayed it to Pang Yu.

Pang Yu smiled. "She is the Shopkeeper. She can naturally decide such matters herself. Why did she ask you to tell me?"

Zhou Yueru's face reddened. Just as she was at a loss for how to answer, another knock came at the Account Office door. Zhou Yueru hurried to pull open the door window and saw Guo Fengyou waiting outside.

She quickly opened the door to let him in. Guo Fengyou entered the inner room and said to Pang Yu in a low voice, "My lord, the scouts sent to Shouzhou have sent back word. The Roving Bandits have entered Henan from Tong Pass."

"Which Headmen, and what are their numbers?"

"The names we have learned of include Chuang Wang, Ma Shouying, Injury Tian Lao, Cao Cao, All Over the Sky, and Sweeping King. It is said that the Roving Bandits passing outside Tong Pass continued for days without end."

Pang Yu paused in Strategic Patience. "The major bands have all arrived. Henan likely cannot support them all. Summon the officers for a council."

Guo Fengyou immediately Turned Around and departed.

Pang Yu stood up and walked toward the door. He stopped at the doorway and said to Zhou Yueru, "Tell Jiang Shuqiong I have agreed. Next time, let her tell me herself."