Chapter 209: The Western Frontier

Two days later, the official road to Susong was a surging mass of people. The red-clad ranks marched in neat order. Behind the vanguard Battalion Commanders came a crowd of several hundred dressed in commoners' clothes, and further back, over fifty ox-carts and horses.

Ren Dalang spat in the direction of the Wan River channel. Behind him were the fifty-odd men left behind by the Water Camp, all with clothes open and chests bared, short axes and fighting swords tucked into their sashes. These men had previously been led by different boat bosses and were not on good terms; they used to brawl among themselves when competing for business. Now that they had switched docks, they had grown closer instead, walking and chatting as they went, most of it grumbling. The Water Camp men walked abreast, filling the main road, forcing refugees fleeing from the west to step off onto the verge.

Ren Dalang unhooked the gourd from his waist and took a swig, his mouth feeling somewhat better. He had always traveled by boat before — how could he endure this? He had originally thought that by throwing in his lot with Pang Yu, he could squeeze out Chen Company Commander and become Company Commander himself. Who knew this was the treatment he would get. Just as he was about to curse, a shout of abuse suddenly rang out beside him first.

"Damn it, march in three columns! Don't you understand?!"

A Garrison Battalion soldier in red coat and white cap raised a bamboo cane and laid into the Water Camp men, who scrambled toward the roadside. Ren Dalang did not interfere — after all, having just arrived at a new dock, when you understood nothing, it was not the time to stick your neck out.

Those Water Camp men did not dare resist either. Though the ranks were still ragged, they at least contracted to a width of three columns.

"We told you to leave half the road clear — it's for the relay horses and scout horses. You think this is the river? A relay horse comes through and it'll trample you to death."

Having finished his scolding, the Garrison Inspector soldier mounted his horse and rode off toward the rear.

"Damn shore grunts, what are you swaggering for? Get on the water and I'll drown you."

Ren Dalang wiped his mouth and then gazed ahead. The Water Camp was marching behind the red-coated War Soldiers. On the road further back, those dressed in commoners' clothes were the Army's Reserve Camp. They indeed had not filled the entire road but had left a portion of the road passage clear.

That Lord Pang recruited soldiers by the several hundred at a time, and he apparently did not practice Chi Vacancy Salary. The red-coated troops alone numbered over nine hundred. The Reserve Camp behind were all newly recruited this time. He had heard that the War Soldiers were assessed every month, and every season thirty men were eliminated, with the thirty best from the Reserve Camp assessments promoted to replace them. Lord Pang's military pay was not easy to earn.

But now he was riding a tiger and could not dismount. Although he had made an agreement with Pang Yu yesterday, he had also been badly intimidated by the Land Battalion. The Army having many men was one thing, but what he feared most was cavalry. He had never imagined the Garrison Battalion already had so many cavalry — where they had found the horses, he had no idea. This Lord Pang was very different from the old Pan Keda, and far harder to deal with.

Thinking this, he glanced toward the front. The Central Army was not far ahead. On the official road, each Company had one banner. On the march, the Central Army had four banners. Ren Dalang only recognized the Garrison Commander's Recognition Banner, which was certainly with the Central Army; the other three he did not know.

Beneath the Recognition Banner were over twenty cavalry. Pang Yu happened to be looking back as well, and Ren Dalang hurriedly lowered his head.

Pang Yu was habitually inspecting the marching column. At present, training was basically complete, but the only units still capable of deploying into battle formation were the original six Companies. The Second Company had been mauled, with over half its men being replacements. The replacements came from the Reserve Camp. The three hundred reserve soldiers who had followed to Beixia Pass had battlefield experience but still lacked combat capability. After replenishment, they had conducted brief combined drills in Tongcheng and Anqing, but the time had been short. Pang Yu now had a large number of men, but their combat strength might not yet surpass what it had been before the Battle of Beixia Pass. Shi Kefa, perhaps overly trusting of Pang Yu's combat strength, had this time left Pan Keda to guard the Prefectural City, while Xu Strengthening had already crossed the river. The Garrison Battalion was now campaigning alone. Though he no longer had to worry about pig teammates snatching the spoils, he lacked the imposing strength of numbers. Therefore, Pang Yu was conducting this march with extreme caution.

Pang Yu did not have much experience arranging marches. With his current numbers not large, they still moved as a single body, using one official road to transport the troops. The west and east of Anqing were both shielded by mountain ranges, and the Wan River system flowed through here to join the Yangtze River. The present official road to Susong ran parallel to the Wan River channel. The threat of ambush on either flank of the column was very small, and the rear faced toward Anqing, making pursuit by the Roving Bandits even less likely. Still, Pang Yu kept the Fourth Company at the very rear, behind the Reserve Camp and the baggage train, to bring up the rear — cautious in every respect.

Behind him, Ren Dalang's Water Camp crew marched in chaos, an eyesore in the column, but at least the Water Camp could be counted as having set out on campaign.

Jiang Fan was riding alongside Pang Yu. He did not entirely understand Pang Yu's purpose in bringing him along. He had just been talking about Canal Gang matters. Now, seeing Pang Yu sizing up the Water Camp, he could not help but murmur, "My lord, do you truly intend to make Ren Gundao the Water Camp Company Commander?"

Pang Yu smiled and turned his head back. "For the Water Camp, this step is accomplished as long as Chen Company Commander is driven out. As for Ren Dalang, he is only temporarily put in charge. In the Water Camp, one boat is one Team, but once they are out on the river, there is no one to supervise them. To manage them the same way as the Land Battalion is somewhat difficult at present. This official's requirement for the Water Camp is, at the very least, that they must dare to fight."

"As for this Ren Dalang, if you want to speak of being bold and fierce, he has some of that. In past years, the silver in the Water Camp mostly went to Chen Company Commander's clique. The rank-and-file soldiers could not earn any silver. When men are poor, they will do anything, and their schemes turned to the river. Ren Dalang was the ringleader, bringing along a band of desperadoes. Those so-called River Bandits around Anqing — he himself is a River Bandit. Chen Company Commander, since it did not concern him, imposed no discipline. If you speak of past ferocity, this Water Camp crew is fiercer than the Land Battalion."

Pang Yu laughed. "No wonder that crew who came with him don't look like decent folk either. Turns out they're all River Bandits. The Anqing Garrison Battalion is supposed to guard against River Bandits and Mine Bandits, yet it's turned itself into River Bandits."

Jiang Fan said quietly, "When they rob on the river, the bulk goods they seize they used to sell at the docks. What they took from passenger boats, they sold at the Black Market West of the City. Now, for both, they have to deal with the Canal Gang and the brokerages. He can't afford not to heed you, my lord."

"Can the Canal Gang now get a hand into that Black Market west of the city?"

"We've just begun to get a hint of it. As my lord knows, the goods at that Black Market cannot be shown in the light of day and are all sold at night. When this humble one used to come to the Prefectural City on official business, I sometimes went to the west of the city to buy things — cheaper than outside, but you had to know your goods. I was always taken there by brothers from the Fast Squad here. It is precisely because of that connection between the Black Market and the yamen that this humble one has some hesitation about whether to move against the Black Market, and wished to ask my lord to decide."

Pang Yu nodded. It was only after arriving in Anqing that he had learned that all large cities in the Ming dynasty had black markets. There had been none in Tongcheng before, because Tongcheng's market was small. In a large city along the river like Anqing, a black market was indispensable. The goods in the black market were mostly of dubious origin, mainly trading in stolen and looted items, usually transacted at night, and entangled in many ways with the Three Squads of the local yamen. For this reason, Pang Yu had never set his sights on that place, to avoid conflict with the prefectural and county yamen.

Jiang Fan glanced back and continued, "Ren Dalang initially wanted to have a go at the Canal Gang, but later, when he heard of the connection to my lord, he came to find this humble one himself. His idea is to jointly control the Black Market with the Canal Gang."

Pang Yu sighed softly. None of these Water Camp men acted the least bit like soldiers. Ren Dalang was less a military ruffian and more like a gangster with Battalion Commander status.

"First draft a set of regulations. The direction of the Canal Gang's expansion is correct — you can't just fixate on that little patch of the docks. But moving into the city will inevitably lead to friction with the yamen. You must grasp the proper measure. We all came out of the yamen ourselves. There is one thing you must remember: you can snatch from the Green-Skin Ruffians, but the yamen's benefits must not be shorted. Beyond the Prefectural City, in other advantageous places within Anqing territory, the Canal Gang should also develop where it can. This official knows far too little about the situation in Anqing. Tongcheng is still manageable, but in this western direction, information is scarce. Going out to fight without the slightest confidence is no good. Therefore, apart from Wangjiang, in the three counties including Susong that are not on the river, the Canal Gang must establish a foothold and provide this official with information."

Only upon hearing this did Jiang Fan understand the purpose of this journey. It seemed somewhat different from the Canal Gang's original objective, but since Pang Yu had given the order, he could only find a way. However, those three counties including Susong all lacked City Walls. Once the Roving Bandits came, it would be easy to lose one's life. Who to assign was a problem.

"The danger in the northwest is indeed greater than at Tongcheng. The three counties of Susong have no city walls. The area, stricken by disaster, is too impoverished to station troops. The western gateway stands wide open, allowing the Roving Bandits to come through unimpeded — a major flaw in Anqing's land defense." Pang Yu sat on his horse, his eyes gazing at the flowing water of the Wan River beside him, and said somewhat abstractedly, "But I am the Garrison Commander. If it is hard to defend, then I must find a way to defend it. I cannot simply sit and wait for the Roving Bandits to come knocking. Otherwise, I would be failing the people of Anqing."

At these words, Jiang Fan could only bow his head and say, "My lord, rest assured, I will certainly accomplish it."

Pang Yu withdrew his gaze, looked at Jiang Fan, and smiled. "When this official gives the Canal Gang tasks, he will naturally also give you support. The three counties of Susong cannot station troops, but there is one even more critical place that can. This official has already submitted a request to Circuit Intendant Shi, and am only waiting for Lord Zhang to nod. Station a single detachment there, and the entire situation west of Anqing will be greatly transformed. Can you guess where it is?"

Jiang Fan's mind immediately raced, hoping to think of the place Pang Yu meant. From what he knew of Pang Yu, this young superior was somewhat different from ordinary officials. He particularly hoped his subordinates were capable and could grasp his intentions and plans. Sometimes, when a subordinate's opinion was correct, Pang Yu would abandon his own original plan. So Jiang Fan strained to guess that place, to gain further regard from Pang Yu.

But he was not familiar with the west. Just as he was growing anxious, several scout cavalry horses ahead came galloping swiftly back. Pang Yu's attention shifted entirely toward them. Jiang Fan stole a glance — the one in the lead was Yang Xueshi.

Yang Xueshi reined in his horse and, still mounted, loudly reported to Pang Yu, "Reporting for my lord's Awareness: no trace of Roving Bandits within twenty li ahead. Today's campsite reconnaissance is complete, water and forage marked. Additionally, Forward Scouts have been dispatched along five roads from the pre-designated Camp Ground, five men per team. By noon tomorrow, they can report back on enemy movements within fifty li."

Pang Yu nodded. The cavalry unit had improved since last time — not only in familiarity of movement, but also in confidence. Ever since the muddled victory at the Battle of Beixia Pass, the Scout Cavalry now dared to push reconnaissance fifty li forward, greatly enhancing Pang Yu's battlefield vision. Yet it was still far from what he hoped for.

The news of this Roving Bandit incursion had come from the Susong County Office, but there had been no further information since. The refugees fleeing along the official road gave conflicting accounts, with all manner of rumors. Pang Yu could only rely on battlefield reconnaissance, and so far the Scout Cavalry had not detected the Roving Bandits' exact whereabouts, much less ascertained their scale.

Pang Yu spurred his horse onward, motioning for Yang Xueshi to ride with him. Once Yang Xueshi caught up, he said, "From now on, you will focus solely on managing the cavalry unit. The primary objective is not to strike at the Mounted Bandits, but to strengthen battlefield reconnaissance capability. This official does not wish to be, as at Beixia Pass, completely ignorant of the Roving Bandits' situation even just three li away."

"This subordinate understands." Yang Xueshi bowed his head in acknowledgment. He could also see that Pang Yu was dissatisfied with the Central Army's cavalry unit. Before, he could excuse it by saying the horses were poor, but after Beixia Pass they had captured one hundred and seventy, most of which were assigned to the Central Army cavalry. If there were no significant results, it would be hard to explain.

Pang Yu seemed to know what he was thinking and spoke calmly, "Things must be done step by step. This official is not unreasonable. But in war, every battle costs lives. The clearer your cavalry unit's reconnaissance, the fewer lives the infantry units lose. What needs to be pressed must be pressed. How goes the training of the new Scout Cavalry?"

"In reply to my lord, the horses are all allocated, but we are still short of riders. Early this year we recruited many of the nearby Relay Couriers, but now there are not that many men skilled in riding."

Pang Yu frowned. Nanzhili's military tradition had long been abandoned. In any area involving the military, there were basic shortages. Building a professional army in the short term was truly not easy.

"Those who work in the Head of Livestock trade — they also ride horses daily. Can they be recruited for use?"

"My lord is perceptive. Those in the Head of Livestock business mostly use Packhorses, and at most they ride at a slow walk. Their method of using horses is very different from that of Postal Runners and Relay Couriers."

At that moment, Guo Fengyou came to request instructions: they had covered ten li and should halt for dry rations. After Pang Yu agreed, the Central Army fired the Convenience Cannon. Each Company responded with banner signals, and the entire army rested on the spot.

Pang Yu took the opportunity to dismount and beckoned to Yang Xueshi. "Come, tell this official about horses."

Yang Xueshi hurriedly dismounted and came over, standing before Pang Yu's horse. "My lord, please observe your mount. Looking from the head and face, the build is lean and tall, the body short and the hooves long. A Packhorse, by contrast, has a broad, large build, a long body, and short hooves."

After Pang Yu had looked, Yang Xueshi moved to the side. "My lord, please observe the side profile. Viewed from the side, a Warhorse's belly is stout near the forelegs, with the rear belly tucked in. Now, my lord, look at those horses pulling the cannon up ahead — their rear bellies are thick and fleshy, their build stocky and solid. They cannot run fast."

Pang Yu examined both sides. It was indeed as Yang Xueshi described, quite different from the inferior horses he had seen before. Overall, the Warhorse had a lean, tall build with a higher center of gravity, theoretically indeed faster at a run, and also more elegant in appearance. The four horses pulling Bao Yu's Bronze Cannon, on the other hand, had a lower center of gravity that was clearly set further back — just by their external form, they looked unable to run fast.

"Does this type of build guarantee it can run?"

"One must also check the horse's Mouth to determine its age. This humble one learned at the postal relay station that a horse's fastest running years in its lifetime are only two or three. If my lord means to use the very best horses as Warhorses, then they must be rotated every three or four years. Additionally, one must observe the spacing between the front and rear hoof prints when the horse runs. If the rear hoof print can land ahead of the front hoof print, then it is a Mounting Horse. My lord, your mount — when it runs, its rear print lands two or three inches ahead of the front. This is a fine horse rarely seen in the south."

Pang Yu grunted in acknowledgment and glanced back at his own horse. It had been selected from the Beixia Pass captures and was basically the best of that batch. After this batch of horses came back, Yang Xueshi had inspected them one by one. Not all were good horses, but all had been cared for quite well. Yang Xueshi said the care was more attentive than at the county yamen and postal stations. Pang Yu was somewhat surprised by this — that the Roving Bandits, while on the move, could still devote so much effort to caring for their horses. Those Grooms at the county yamen really ought to learn some of that professional dedication.

"Then tell me further how to use horses — for instance, how you Postal Runners traveled, and how our cavalry unit should march."

Yang Xueshi had been a Postal Runner before, so he was quite clear on this and immediately replied, "Postal relay stations mostly handle three-hundred-li express deliveries. This humble one generally ran fifty li, handed over the mail and got the seal stamped at the next station, received the return log, and then headed back — a round trip of a hundred li. For fifty li, one could theoretically spare no horse strength, but the fodder silver for the horses used to come out of the Postal Runner's own pocket. We had to conserve the horse's strength. Generally, we covered thirty to thirty-five li per hour, depending on the weather, usually at a slow walk for seventy to eighty percent of the way and a fast trot for twenty to thirty percent. As for our cavalry unit... it's different from the postal relay. A courier only runs one leg; a cavalry unit does not know how long it will travel. So we certainly cannot run like Postal Runners. For now, everyone still goes at their own pace, roughly twenty-some li per hour."

Pang Yu silently noted this. A Postal Runner traveled alone, prioritized speed, and had a fixed distance, so naturally he was faster than a cavalry unit. If a large body of cavalry moved, the speed might be even slower. But Pang Yu had ridden horses himself for so long now that he could confirm one point: whether long-distance or short, cavalry's mobility far surpassed that of infantry.

So no matter how difficult, the cavalry had to be expanded. At that moment, the time for dry rations ended, and the entire army resumed its advance. The next ten li ahead was today's campsite. Yang Xueshi needed to hurry there first. Pang Yu dispatched several cavalrymen from the Central Army to accompany him and arrange the encampment. The few men soon disappeared down the official road.

Jiang Fan rode up again, keeping to Pang Yu's rear flank.

Pang Yu glanced back and smiled. "Have you figured out where the future garrison site in the west will be?"

Jiang Fan inclined his head and said quietly, "This subordinate has figured it out."