Chapter 22: A Bright Pearl Covered in Dust

The hall suddenly fell silent for a moment. Everyone's mind had yet to react to what was happening when they saw Pang Yu turn to face the County Vice-Magistrate and bow. "Eleven gatekeepers, each at six taels of labor-and-rations silver, subtotal sixty-six taels; twenty-seven runner-servants, each at six taels and one mace of labor-and-rations silver, subtotal one hundred sixty-four taels and seven mace; eleven mounted runners, each at sixteen taels and eight mace of labor-and-rations plus forage silver, subtotal one hundred eighty-four taels and eight mace; seventeen foot runners, each at six taels and two mace of labor-and-rations silver, subtotal one hundred five taels and four mace; nineteen men of the Zhuang Squad, each at six taels and three mace of labor-and-rations silver, subtotal one hundred nineteen taels and seven mace; six lantern bearers, each at five taels of labor-and-rations silver, subtotal thirty taels; nine sedan-chair bearers, each at five taels and three mace of labor-and-rations silver, subtotal forty-seven taels and seven mace. The above-listed items total seven hundred eighteen taels and three mace."

Pang Yu's mouth fired as fast as a machine gun; those listening could not even keep up to verify the numbers he rattled off. The Vice-Magistrate, the clerks, and even the runners and laborers below the hall all stared blankly at Pang Yu standing in the hall, as if looking at a monster.

No one knew whether the calculated figures were correct, but Pang Yu had repeated Wang Dazhuang's original problem almost verbatim, demonstrating a superhuman memory — something truly unimaginable to people who had never trained their memory.

Everyone waited for the result from the Household Office. The hall was like a frozen frame, all awaiting the referee's conclusion.

The Household Office clerk working the abacus had sweat beading on his forehead. Prompted by a colleague beside him, he continued clicking away a few more times, then finally let out a long breath and, meeting the Vice-Magistrate's inquiring gaze, said, "Reporting to Your Honor, the total is seven hundred eighteen taels and three mace."

A roar finally erupted below the hall, as clamorous as a marketplace opening for business. The Vice-Magistrate unconsciously leaned back against his chair. Wang Dazhuang's jaw hung open, unable to close for a long while; he did not even register the Vice-Magistrate saying "Well done" three times from above.

The Vice-Magistrate straightened up again and turned to look at Wang Dazhuang. "Squad Leader Wang, was there any error in the mounted runner item that Pang Yu calculated?"

The mounted runner item was the most complex to calculate. Wang Dazhuang had only cared about posing the problem at first; how could he have imagined he would need to do the mental math himself? Now, in his fluster, there was no way he could work it out. Stammering, he said, "This… your subordinate has not yet calculated it."

The Vice-Magistrate had expected as much. His expression changed to anger. "You set this math problem yourself. Someone else solved the entire thing, and you still haven't worked out a single item? Then why set such a problem for someone else to do? Pang Yu is a man in your Runner Squad — how could there be any reason to deliberately make things difficult for a subordinate?"

"Your subordinate…"

The Vice-Magistrate cut Wang Dazhuang off. "Pang Yu has already answered correctly. What more do you have to say!"

Wang Dazhuang's face flushed crimson. He had been dazed by Pang Yu's unexpected heavy blow. The Vice-Magistrate's words just now had clearly been very severe, yet in his fury Wang Dazhuang failed to grasp this and still mounted a final resistance. "Everyone in the yamen is Your Honor's subordinate; naturally all assignments are at Your Honor's discretion. It is only that this Pang Yu, though skilled in calculation, is illiterate and unlettered, and will cause Your Honor's important affairs to go awry."

The Vice-Magistrate's face darkened. He could see the two men had old grievances, but under today's circumstances, this was no longer merely a matter between Wang Dazhuang and Pang Yu.

Pang Yu's flattery had been both reasoned and measured. The Vice-Magistrate had intended to use this favorable situation to, first, reinforce the righteousness of his own punishment, and second, to win hearts by paying a thousand gold for horse bones, drawing the broad ranks of clerks and runners to his side.

Yet Wang Dazhuang, ignoring the Vice-Magistrate's hints, persisted relentlessly in his determination to make Pang Yu lose face. If he were allowed to prove that Pang Yu was still a fool, then the grand reasoning Pang Yu had laid out at the start would lose much of its effect, even becoming a laughingstock, and all the follow-up moves the Vice-Magistrate had planned would turn into empty maneuvers.

In the past, Wang Dazhuang had been quite respectful toward the Vice-Magistrate and was also part of the faction of Household Office Head Clerk Zhao, so the Vice-Magistrate had never made things difficult for him.

But today, Wang Dazhuang had repeatedly treated the Vice-Magistrate's hints as wind past his ears, which had already left the Vice-Magistrate displeased and greatly diminished his impression of the man. Now, with Wang Dazhuang still obstructing him, the Vice-Magistrate burned with fury inwardly and mentally tagged him as someone who disregarded the bigger picture. Were it not for Head Clerk Zhao's sake, he would have long since had Wang Dazhuang dragged onto the platform and given several dozen heavy strokes of the board.

He himself was an Assistant Official — since when did transferring a man from the Runner Squad require the opposition of a mere squad leader? He asked coldly, "There is no small number of people in this yamen who are illiterate and unlettered. Does Squad Leader Wang mean to say that all these years they have been causing this official's affairs to go awry?"

There were indeed no small number of crude and illiterate people in the yamen; how would Wang Dazhuang dare offend so many at once?

"No, your subordinate did not mean that. Your subordinate meant to say, meant to say…"

Pang Yu gave Wang Dazhuang no chance to explain and quickly added a finishing stab. "Squad Leader, this is not right. Two days before I was injured, I wrote several dozen characters right in front of you. You clearly know this humble one can write. I may have offended you before, and where I was in the wrong, I was in the wrong — but before the County Vice-Magistrate, you cannot lie!"

"There was no such thing! You dare spew blood from your mouth and slander me! You clearly cannot even write your own name!" Wang Dazhuang's eyes bulged wide, frantic fury attacking his heart.

"Then would the Squad Leader care to test right now whether I am literate or not?"

"What do I have to…" Wang Dazhuang was about to agree when he suddenly recalled what had just happened. He had never before heard that Pang Yu could keep accounts and had been caught completely off guard; what was meant to make Pang Yu lose face had instead made him lose face. There was no guarantee that Pang Yu did not truly know how to write.

And what Pang Yu had just said was, in fact, a pit dug for him. If a test were conducted and Pang Yu indeed proved able to write, the Vice-Magistrate would inevitably conclude that he had deliberately lied to obstruct — and the nature of the matter would be entirely different. It would no longer be a personal grudge between Wang Dazhuang and Pang Yu, but Wang Dazhuang using public office to settle a private score, deliberately attempting to deceive his superior.

At this thought, Wang Dazhuang jolted to alertness. Facing the grim-faced Vice-Magistrate, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Honor sees clearly. Pang Yu has indeed exerted himself and learned a great deal. It is precisely because Your Honor presides over this hall that Tongcheng's spiritual energy has converged to bring this about. It is only right to ask Your Honor to assign him a more suitable post, lest talent be wasted."

Pang Yu sighed inwardly. His one remark had failed to land the finishing blow and had instead alerted Wang Dazhuang. It would have been better to let Wang Dazhuang tie himself in his own knots.

It seemed Wang Dazhuang was no fool after all — to still know when to advance and retreat even in a fit of rage. But in today's clash before the Vice-Magistrate, Wang Dazhuang had already made quite a few missteps, forming a poor impression in the Vice-Magistrate's mind and losing prestige before the yamen crowd. If he continued to reinforce that impression going forward, it would be twice the result with half the effort.

The Vice-Magistrate gave Wang Dazhuang no pleasant looks. Turning to Pang Yu, he softened his tone. "In employing men, one should use each to the fullest of his ability. It is pitiable that a talent like Pang Yu — able to write, calculate, understand reason, and possessing ability — has spent years in the Runner Squad without a single person recognizing him. Fortunately, gold will shine wherever it goes. Today, at last, Heaven has opened its eyes. Since this official now knows Pang Yu possesses such talent, I naturally cannot let a bright pearl be covered in dust."

Seizing this power vacuum, he needed to pay a thousand gold for horse bones and develop his own network. The Vice-Magistrate inclined his head toward his Advisor. The two conversed in low voices. Mr. Yu respectfully bowed as he replied, casting an inadvertent glance at Pang Yu.

The conversation ended quickly. The Vice-Magistrate stroked his beard hesitantly. Mr. Yu leaned in again and whispered a few more words by his ear. The Vice-Magistrate seemed persuaded. Nodding slightly, he then said, "In a few more days it will be the eighth month. The autumn grain will soon be harvested. Every granary and storehouse must be inspected for stored grain reserves. This is an urgent county matter. Head Clerk Zhao, what is your view? This has always been managed by the Household Office. Whom should we assign to handle it this year?"

Head Clerk Zhao was the Seal-Holding Head Clerk of the Household Office — in other words, Tongcheng's Director of Finance and Taxation. He had held the post for several years, and his level was naturally far higher than Wang Dazhuang's. Even though Wang Dazhuang had aligned himself with him, under the current circumstances, Head Clerk Zhao would absolutely not stick his neck out over this and offend the Vice-Magistrate.

Reading the context of the moment, Head Clerk Zhao quickly arrived at an answer. "Inspecting the stores requires both a heart devoted to the public good and the talent to read characters and recognize figures. Only one possessing both ability and virtue can be suitable; ordinary persons can by no means be competent. Fortunately, Your Honor's discerning eye recognizes pearls and has discovered a talent like Pang Yu from the Runner Squad. Your subordinate requests Your Honor permit the Household Office to temporarily transfer Pang Yu to undertake this heavy responsibility. Additionally, each granary has its circumstances accumulated over the years and requires someone thoroughly familiar with granary storage to manage. Household Office Clerk Tang Weimin can be put to use."

A stir rippled through the crowd below the hall. Their envy of Er Shazi Pang's dog-shit luck reached its peak. Granary inspection had always been a post with perks. In the county yamen, the Household Office generally managed it, but the Hall Officer or Assistant Officials would always place some of their own people in to share in the perks. Now Head Clerk Zhao had given the Vice-Magistrate face while conveniently placing one of his own people as well. The Vice-Magistrate would naturally not deny him face in return.

The Vice-Magistrate nodded as expected. "Head Clerk Zhao's arrangement is most appropriate. This official approves handling it thus. Pang Yu, you are to conduct the inspection impartially. You must, in the end, be worthy of the regard Head Clerk Zhao has shown you."

……

Clang! Clatter! A chaotic racket rang out as the runners outside the Runner Squad Duty Room hurriedly dodged away from the door. Wang Dazhuang was in a foul mood and, for the moment, had no way to vent his anger on Pang Yu, so he could only take it out on the stools inside the room. No one wanted to court that bad luck.

The entire Runner Squad knew Wang Dazhuang could not stand Pang Yu. The county magistrate is not as immediate as the one who directly oversees you, so most were still prepared to keep watching from the sidelines. Still, their expressions toward Pang Yu had all softened considerably. The person in question, however — Er Shazi Pang — did not care in the slightest and was in the next room, absorbed in doing push-ups on his own.

Outside the door, the crowd watched the bizarrely behaving Pang Yu with envy. An idiot like this, yet in just two short days, relying on nothing but his mouth, he had become the Vice-Magistrate's favorite and landed such a fine assignment as granary inspection. Anyone would be envious.

Pang Yu had won a complete victory today. With the Vice-Magistrate backing him, he need not worry about Wang Dazhuang's petty retaliation in the short term. Finishing his push-ups put him in an even better mood. He had originally planned to go find Tang Weimin later to see how he planned to handle the granary inspection, but just as he reached the doorway, he saw Tang Weimin, dressed in a long blue robe, coming over first through the side gate.

Tang Weimin was about thirty-seven or thirty-eight, fair-skinned and of fine bearing. His beard was not long but was kept very neatly groomed, and his face always wore an amiable expression. He was a Clerk in the Household Office — in other words, the Deputy Director of the Finance Bureau.

The county yamen differed somewhat from the imperial court. At court, the Six Ministries were headed by the Ministry of Personnel, but in the county yamen, the Household Office took precedence. The Household Office managed both finances and taxation, and every other office had to seek favors from it. Within the yamen, it could be said to hold high rank and heavy authority. In Tongcheng's Household Office, besides Head Clerk Zhao as the top man, there were three Clerks serving as deputies. Tang Weimin, as the Household Office's number two or three man, was also a person of standing and face, his status fully equal to the Head Clerks of other offices.

Someone went in to inform Wang Dazhuang. Wang Dazhuang hurried out to pay his respects. Tang Weimin dealt with him amiably, then left Wang Dazhuang behind and headed straight for Pang Yu, drawing another wave of jealous stares from the Runner Squad crowd.

"How could I trouble Tang to come here."

After Pang Yu had paid his respects, Tang Weimin replied in an easygoing manner, "Inspecting the granaries is a matter of importance for the entire county, and one personally assigned by the County Vice-Magistrate and Head Clerk Zhao. I wished to discuss it with Little Brother Pang first. I wonder if Little Brother Pang has any thoughts."

Seeing a superior officer being so courteous caught Pang Yu a bit off guard. He knew Tang Weimin was doing it for the Vice-Magistrate's sake, so he naturally could not put on airs.

He hurriedly replied with deference, "How could I dare presume upon the word 'discuss' from Your Honor? This humble one has never handled such an important matter before; what thoughts could I possibly have? I imagine it is precisely because both the County Vice-Magistrate and Head Clerk Zhao are clear on this point that they specially arranged for Tang to take charge. So this humble one has but a single thought: to do the job well while following Tang to learn and listen more. Whatever the arrangement, I will heed Tang's instructions. This humble one will comply in all things."

Tang Weimin had come to ask Pang Yu's opinion only because Pang Yu had suddenly become the Vice-Magistrate's favorite, not because he thought highly of Pang Yu himself. But seeing Pang Yu so sensible now, he said genially, "This so-called 'taking charge' is merely a matter of having a few more years of experience, that is all. In that case, I shall first explain the situation of the county's various granaries so that Little Brother Pang may be somewhat prepared."

Tang Weimin being so amiable and courteous, Pang Yu had no choice but to reply with equal courtesy. "Please speak, Your Honor."

"There are in total over ten granaries in the county. Within the county seat, the Reserve Granary and the Fengyu Granary are the most important. Among the village granaries, Zongyang is the most important. The granaries at Upper Zongyang and Lower Zongyang still hold Tax Grain in Kind. Tang's plan is to begin with the county seat, then Zongyang second, proceeding from near to far — starting the inspection with the Reserve Granary and the Fengyu Granary, then Upper and Lower Zongyang. This way, if the County Vice-Magistrate inquires midway, we will have already inspected the critical locations and will have something to report back. The County Vice-Magistrate will then not fault us for being slow."

"Tang's arrangement is most appropriate. This humble one will heed Tang in all things."

"Then Tang will go first to draft the official dispatch. The time is tentatively set to begin the day after tomorrow. This afternoon I will ask the Document Receiving Office to send it out to each granary first, so they may have time to prepare."

In truth, the Reserve Granary was right next to the county yamen. For Tang to still send an official document made it seem more formal, but Pang Yu privately guessed it was also to give the granary keepers a little time to check for gaps and make up for deficiencies.

Pang Yu bowed politely. "At Your Honor's sole discretion."