Chapter 208: Reorganization

The Water Camp garrison at the southeastern corner of Anqing was packed with dense crowds inside and outside the official compound, a chaotic din of noise. The Water Camp's garrison was downstream from the Sheng-Tang Ferry and had once belonged to the Anqing Guard. After the Anqing Garrison was established, it became a separate Water Camp. At that time, most personnel came from military households, but by now, the court system had long been swallowed up by society. Over half of the Anqing Water Camp's sailors were volunteers and recruits, and they still shouldered many of the Anqing Guard's duties, such as transporting tribute grain, while their function as a military unit had been almost entirely lost.

The systemic failure of the Ming military structure had turned the Water Camp into a local boat society, and it had been this way for many years — as unstoppable as the decay of the Guard system itself.

Since the vast majority of court military funds had been poured into the Nine Borders, funding for inland forces like the Anqing Water Camp was severely insufficient. The Water Camp men had to make a living, so besides fixed operations like tribute grain, they also ran their own businesses. As for defense duties, as long as the salt smugglers paid their silver according to regulation, everyone left each other in peace. If they ran into small groups of river bandits, they could put up a fight. As for the mine bandits, that was entirely a matter for the Land Troops ashore.

From the time Pan Keda took office, the Anqing Garrison Battalion newly established a Land Battalion, but Pan Keda did not touch the Water Camp's cake. The water and land battalions each did their own thing, and life went on as before. Though the Water Camp was not wealthy, it could support a family. Compared to those chicken-thieving, dog-snatching makeweight soldiers in the Land Battalion, the Water Camp still felt quite superior.

Pan Keda did not hold the post long. When the Roving Bandits invaded, Pan Keda lost a battle and was soon transferred back to Chizhou. After that newly appointed Garrison Commander Pang took office, he visited the Water Camp twice, then asked no more questions. Chen Company Commander continued managing Water Camp affairs. Everyone thought life would not change much in the future, except that the Land Battalion's treatment seemed to be getting better and better, their clothes looking neater and neater. They were no longer seen out stealing chickens and dogs, and they drilled every day on the parade ground.

But after the Beixia Pass Great Victory, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. The new Military Defense Circuit, Shi Kefa, did not favor Chen Company Commander. The Water Camp lost its backing, and that hands-off Garrison Commander Pang was about to make a move against the Water Camp. Chen Company Commander had already informed the Water Camp's soldiers that Garrison Commander Pang wanted to transfer Water Camp troops to fight the Roving Bandits. Those unwilling to go could withdraw from the camp; those who stayed would be redeployed to defend Tongcheng or Susong.

Tongcheng had just won a battle, had a city wall to defend, and had also defeated the Roving Bandits earlier in the year — at least you could keep your life there. But Susong was a death trap. The Water Camp was in a state of panic. Today was the deadline set by Garrison Commander Pang, and the Water Camp soldiers in Anqing had all gathered at the parade ground.

But everyone also knew that Garrison Commander Pang was not easy to deal with. He had been personally promoted by the Yingtian Grand Coordinator Zhang Guowei — his backing was solid — and he had just won a victory at Beixia Pass, with nearly a thousand Land Battalion troops under his command. Everyone who made a living on the docks had heard about what happened at the Sheng-Tang Ferry. The old brokerages had close ties with the Water Camp, and naturally the Water Camp's business had been good. After the Canal Opening Festival, the Water Camp men had gone out on their boats one after another. During that period, the old brokerage boss had been inexplicably killed, and then Garrison Commander Pang took over the Sheng-Tang Ferry. He not only seized the brokerages but also set up something called the Canal Gang.

By the time the Water Camp returned, everything was a done deal. No one at the docks dared to step forward. The Canal Gang controlled the logistics of loading and unloading goods, and the brokerages controlled the clients. The Water Camp's business was somewhat affected — the big bowl they ate from had been swapped for a small one. Everyone could only endure it. They never imagined Garrison Commander Pang would even smash the small bowl.

The Water Camp men stood in a dozen or so clusters. Even though they were all Water Camp, they still divided by closeness, mainly by boat. Some boat captains who were close could form a larger cluster. Today they had come both to get news and to gather a show of force, hoping to make Garrison Commander Pang have second thoughts and rescind his order. Because family livelihoods were at stake, many family dependents had also come into the camp, and for a time adults shouted and children cried.

Chen Company Commander stood outside the camp gate, not speaking with his subordinate soldiers. Several Chief of Ten and Company Commanders surrounded him, discussing things all at once. An old man with graying hair and beard turned around and said loudly to Chen Company Commander, "Sir Chen, we are all old hands of the Water Camp. We've eaten the Water Camp's rice all our lives and followed you all these years. Everyone still looks to you, Sir Chen. Today, no matter what, you must lead us to argue on solid ground. Only then will the Water Camp have a backbone."

A big, bearded, burly man beside him stepped in front of him. "Argue my ass. No matter which superior officer comes, there's no rule about transferring a Water Camp to fight a land war. If he won't give us a way to live, we'll raise hell."

The old man from before hurriedly urged, "Chief Commander Liu, you mustn't do that. We are in the right originally. If we make a ruckus, we become unreasonable. That Circuit Intendant Shi will despise the Water Camp even more and will insist on disciplining us. Not to mention, in our camp, there are bound to be some who aren't of one heart, like that Ren Gundao."

"To hell with his Gundao! Let him come here and try it with me."

The surrounding crowd was seething. Chen Company Commander half-squinted his eyes and said to those Company Commanders and Chiefs of Ten, "Today the Water Camp is one family. Whatever grievances you usually have, set them aside today. Ren Gundao may be disobedient, but he's still an old hand of the Water Camp. There's no reason for him to turn his elbow outward. Don't you go pushing him over to Garrison Commander Pang's side."

As he spoke, he looked up at the sun. Pang Yu had only said he would come today. The relay horse sent in the morning had not made it clear either. It was now past noon, and there was still no sign of him.

The mood in the field was already lower than in the morning. These sailors earned money in summer and autumn; winter business was poor, and they had to stretch that bit of money, so they basically ate two meals a day. Having eaten in the morning, they were mostly hungry now, and their momentum naturally waned.

He was just considering whether to spend a bit of capital and have the food stalls send over some steamed cakes and buns when the sound of hoofbeats came from ahead. The commoners along the road hurriedly made way.

Chen Company Commander said hastily, "They're here. Go gather your own people. Do as we discussed."

Several Chiefs of Ten hurried into the camp gate, returned to their own groups, and gave instructions to their men to prepare.

Chen Company Commander straightened his attire and stood before the camp gate, ready to receive his superior officer. A red column appeared on the road ahead — it was indeed the color of the Land Battalion's red padded jackets. Red filled the riverside street. The column seemed very long, and dense thickets of long spears filled the street.

A command rang out in the street, someone shouting an order. The Land Battalion shifted from route step to marching step. The infantry produced a uniform tread, and the column seemed to become a single entity. The forest of long spears swayed in unison. Commoners along the street were all watching. Shopkeepers and clerks from the stores came out to see the spectacle, whispering to one another.

Chen Company Commander had never seen such a scene, nor could he see where Pang Yu was. For a moment he did not know what to do, feeling utterly at a loss at his own camp gate.

The column soon reached the camp gate. At its head was that leader of Pang Yu's Personal Soldiers. Chen Company Commander had seen him before but did not know his name, so he did not know how to address him. The column showed no sign of stopping and strode toward the camp gate.

Chen Company Commander instinctively dodged aside and watched as an endless stream of infantry filed in, stepping to the commands. The booming tread resounded inside and outside the camp gate. He had no idea how long the column was; he roughly estimated several hundred, and it never broke off. Chen Company Commander wanted to slip into the camp gate during a gap but could not manage it.

That unprecedented uniformity inexplicably filled Chen Company Commander's heart with a sense of dejection. He could not explain it. These Land Battalion troops went every day from their camp inside the city to the Dajiaochang outside the Zongyang Gate, returning through the north gate in the afternoon. Chen Company Commander lived in the city and had encountered them many times. Sometimes he thought they looked orderly, but he had never felt as dispirited as today.

When the infantry finally finished marching past, there followed an unbroken line of cavalry. The column was not short either. Chen Company Commander had little experience with cavalry and could not estimate the number, but there were certainly several dozen. His mood sank further. At that moment, Pang Yu's command flag finally appeared in view, positioned in the middle of the cavalry column.

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Company Commander went against the column to greet him, pushing through the onlookers along the way until he reached the command flag. He saw Pang Yu sitting high on his horse, with a guard on each side.

He hurriedly called out to Pang Yu, "Your subordinate greets the Garrison Commander."

Pang Yu turned his head for a glance, but merely nodded slightly and proceeded straight ahead. Chen Company Commander froze for a moment, then had no choice but to chase after him from behind, looking just like Pang Yu's servant.

He followed again to the camp gate. Chen Company Commander was now parched. Pang Yu had already entered the camp gate, but the cavalry behind were still entering. He, the host, was actually blocked outside the gate, with no idea what the situation inside had become.

Fortunately, not all the cavalry entered — presumably the Water Camp's small parade ground could not hold them, since it was piled with quite a bit of cargo. The remaining cavalry formed up on either side of the camp gate. When the spectators saw the cavalry approaching, they immediately scattered, making room for the cavalry.

There were still infantry behind. Chen Company Commander did not know if Pang Yu had brought the entire Land Battalion. Taking advantage of a gap between infantry and cavalry, he hurriedly entered the camp gate.

The small parade ground inside was indeed packed with people. What met the eye, besides horse rumps, were red columns. Those infantry had already formed ranks around the perimeter, with cavalry in the center. Only where Pang Yu's command flag stood was there an open space. Where could he even see his own Water Camp subordinates?

A loud shout rang out in the field: "Garrison Commander Pang arrives! All hands, attention!"

The Land Battalion troops filling the field shouted "Hoh!" in unison, simultaneously striking the ground with the butts of their long spears. A uniform crash of grounded spears filled the field, followed by dead silence. Every Land Battalion soldier in the field stood erect, chests out, not one moving. Even the Water Camp people fell silent, with only a few infants crying inopportunely.

Chen Company Commander's head was spinning. The plan he had devised earlier was completely forgotten.

"Where is the Water Camp Company Commander?!"

Chen Company Commander suddenly realized he was being called and hurriedly went before Pang Yu's horse. "Your sub-subordinate is here."

"Are all those present here those who volunteered to stay?"

"This… these are all old hands of the Water Camp. Their opinion is to come again and petition you, sir, asking you to…"

Pang Yu coldly cut him off. "This officer's order that day was very clear. The next day, the Document Receiving Office issued a written directive to your unit. Those who remain in the camp are all to be redeployed elsewhere to defend against bandits. Does Chen Company Commander consider a military order to be child's play?"

Chen Company Commander's heart jolted. This was exactly how Jiao Guozha had been killed that day. He hurriedly opened his mouth to explain, but Pang Yu waved a hand behind him. Several Personal Soldiers ran onto the reviewing platform, planted a precisely cut length of incense stick, and lit it.

The Water Camp people murmured in low voices. Common folk often used incense to measure time. Clearly, something would happen when it ended, and with Sir Pang arriving aggressively today with the Land Battalion, everyone could guess it would not be anything good.

Pang Yu did not continue speaking with Chen Company Commander. Sitting on his horse, he looked over the soldiers' heads at the surrounding Water Camp soldiers.

"Battalion soldiers fight. Whether guarding the people and serving the court, whether land battle or water battle, it is the Water Camp's duty. The Water Camp has accumulated abuses for a long time, but as long as this officer holds the post of Anqing Garrison Commander for a single day, he will not permit useless soldiers under his command. The Roving Bandits press close, and Anqing's land defenses are strained. This officer memorialized Grand Coordinator Zhang and Circuit Intendant Shi, and with the approval of those two lords, the Water Camp is called to land defense — this is an imperative. For those who stay, monthly pay will be issued at the same rate as the Land Battalion."

Pang Yu coldly swept his gaze across the entire field. By now, the Land Battalion's presence had completely suppressed the Water Camp men. With Zhang Guowei and Shi Kefa's names invoked, no one yet dared to speak out in defiance.

"This officer reorganizes the Water Camp today. Before this incense stick burns out, those willing to remain in the Water Camp, stand before this officer."

He did not say what would happen to those unwilling. The field buzzed with discussion, but no one stepped into the center.

After waiting a moment, Pang Yu asked loudly, "Among the Water Camp's several hundred men, is there not one who dares to fight the Roving Bandits and protect the people?"

A voice outside the field answered loudly: "Count me, Ren Gundao, as one. I've been wanting to see just what these Roving Bandits look like."

A man walked out from the gap between two infantry Banner Teams. Pang Yu looked over at the sound. This man wore a tattered short jacket. His exposed arms were solid with muscle, and his face was rough and dark, but bore two knife scars. One scar crossed the bridge of his nose, and the nasal bone seemed to have collapsed a section. With someone taking the lead, several more men stepped out, looking tougher than the other Water Camp soldiers. They all stood close to the first man, apparently his close associates.

Pang Yu asked the leader, "What is your name, and what post did you hold before?"

"This humble one is Ren Dalang. In the camp, everyone calls me Ren Gundao. I was a Chief of Ten before, running a boat for tribute grain. This humble one isn't afraid of a fight. Whenever I ran into those river bandits before, I'd go after them. I've taken mine bandits too. Others hide when they meet salt smugglers, but I still go after the bastards. Only the Roving Bandits I haven't seen yet. I want to go meet them."

Pang Yu nodded and smiled slightly. "Then you shall temporarily lead the men who remain in the Water Camp."

An uproar filled the field. Just like that, Ren Dalang was getting a promotion.

"The Water Camp will be reorganized, but this officer is not denying anyone a livelihood. All of you are old hands who run the water. As long as you can handle a boat, this officer has made arrangements with the Great River Boat Society. You can still run boats and earn silver. Those willing to join the Boat Society, stand at the designated spot outside the camp gate. There will be people from the Boat Society to receive you." Pang Yu finished speaking loudly, then pointed at the incense on the platform, now half burned. "But only until this incense stick burns out. When the incense dies, the camp gate closes. I do not care whether you are man, woman, adult, or child — those inside the camp will all be sent to land defense. Those outside may continue running boats for a living."

Chen Company Commander was drenched in sweat. Not a single part of his plan had been executed. He could not even see where his few trusted aides were. Only that Ren Gundao kept grinning at him. His momentum was completely suppressed, and he was even less able to issue orders. Pang Yu had easily divided the Water Camp. Now, by offering a way out, the dispersal of the Water Camp's old hands was already foreseeable.

The Water Camp in the field was in an uproar. Those women holding children squeezed out of the crowd first, fleeing out of the camp gate in panic. They were all timid and truly afraid that Pang Yu would send women and children to Susong.

The incense was almost gone. People filed out of the camp gate one after another, while some also stepped into the designated spot in the field — mostly younger men.

The Water Camp collapsed rapidly. An unending stream of people walked out of the camp gate, waiting outside for the Boat She people to register them. Chen Company Commander stood frozen in the middle of the grounds, watching his own base of support vanish. Only then did those few trusted centurions walk out, watching Chen Company Commander from the camp gate, but by now it was already useless.

"Chen Company Commander!"

He hurriedly raised his head, only to see Pang Yu smiling as he looked at him.

"I never imagined Chen Company Commander would be so loyal and courageous. Do you wish to stay and fight the roving bandits?"

Chen Company Commander lowered his head and said quietly, "This humble officer would be willing, only I fear these old bones would drag down your lordship's elite soldiers and damage your lordship's great prestige. I shall not trouble your lordship."

Having said this, he cupped his hands in salute to Pang Yu and slowly walked toward the camp gate. Passing by those centurions and banner chiefs, he did not greet them, nor did he go to register with Boat She, but simply walked off into the distance.

Only then did Pang Yu dismount, standing in the middle of the Water Camp training ground. After more than half a year in office, he had finally gained control of the Water Camp. Only thirty-some men remained on the grounds. Out of a Water Camp of over five hundred men — though some were still away running boats — roughly four hundred had been present, and only thirty were willing to fight.

"My lord."

Pang Yu turned his head to look at Ren Gundao and nodded. "You handled this matter well."

Ren Gundao grinned, then hurriedly suppressed it and said, "Your lordship is the Garrison Commander. This humble one naturally follows your lordship's orders. So when Jiang Fan spoke to this humble one, this humble one agreed at once."

Pang Yu clasped his hands behind his back. "Tomorrow the Fourth Company will move into the Water Camp training ground. The remaining men of the Water Camp will train with the Fourth Company. You as well."

Ren Gundao froze for a moment. "We really are going to land defense?"

Pang Yu neither confirmed nor denied. He took two steps toward the Water Camp's main hall. Ren Gundao hurriedly followed behind.

"This official has said it: whether land battle or naval battle, wherever there is need, you go. That is the fundamental duty of a soldier. There is no distinction between Water Camp and Land Battalion."

Ren Gundao hurriedly nodded in agreement. Pang Yu was already walking toward the rear of the main hall. "Show this official the Water Camp's administrative offices."

Before Ren Gundao could begin the tour, a personal soldier came chasing after them from behind. He caught up to Pang Yu and spoke a few words in a low voice.

Pang Yu listened carefully, then raised his head to look at Ren Gundao. "Some words must not be spoken. Roving bandits have invaded Susong. You will lead the Water Camp's men tomorrow at the hour of the rabbit to the Dajiaochang, bringing combat and marching gear, and move out with the Land Battalion."

Pang Yu finished speaking and called over the herald. The Land Battalion issued its orders, and following the command flags, they began filing out of camp in succession.

Ren Gundao slapped himself across the face. "I've botched it. Damn it all, we really are going to fight roving bandits."