Chapter 286: Chief Steward

"Sir, please look — this is the prime location for the new workshop. Its greatest advantage is the abundant water power here; once diverted, the water can drive trip-hammers for forging blades and armor plates."

Pang Yu followed the direction of Bao Yu's pointing finger. This place was Stone Gate Ferry, roughly twenty li northwest of Anqing City. Before them, fishing boats dotted Shimen Lake, and cormorants raised by the fishermen surfaced and dove, sending out ripples in layered rings.

Thanks to the proximity of the current, villages were scattered along the riverbank, with cultivated fields lining the river. The crops were growing splendidly — a scene of perfect peace, as if the chaos of the outside world had nothing to do with this place.

"If there's flooding like last year, wouldn't the riverside workshops be submerged?"

The weather was sweltering, and Bao Yu couldn't help wiping the sweat from his forehead. "To answer Your Excellency, even if flooding occurs, this location is still more advantageous than the Wan River or the Great River. The Wan and the Great River are both confluences; once a rainstorm hits, the waters surge like ten thousand stampeding horses. Any water-powered machinery along the banks that cannot be moved in time will inevitably be destroyed by the force of the current. Shimen Lake does have a channel leading to the Wan Estuary, but the flooding here is milder. After the waters recede, the machinery might still be usable."

Pang Yu's face twitched slightly. So what Bao Yu meant was that even after a flood, whether the machinery would still work was uncertain. These water-powered machines cost silver and time to build, and they also required specially constructed diversion channels. If a flood struck, the channels would have to be dredged all over again — the risk was rather high.

Sensing Pang Yu's hesitation, Bao Yu spoke again. "If we're talking about places to set up a workshop, the areas around Matang Lake and Xi Zi Lake might be more suitable, but they are both too isolated. Near Anqing, this is the only place that is truly fitting."

Pang Yu nodded. The place Bao Yu had chosen was close to Stone Gate Ferry. Like most ferry crossings and bridges, it had naturally formed a harbor and market, which could supply the workshop with buildings, materials, and daily necessities. It also had the convenience of water transport — the weapons produced could be shipped directly from Shimen Lake by boat, entering the river via the Wan Estuary and delivered to Anqing and Zongyang.

With the newly obtained troop quota, Pang Yu planned to expand the Land Battalion to 2,500 men, and temporarily organize the Water Army's Marine Corps into one division. Although most still used cold weapons, under the Garrison Battalion's current training intensity, wear and tear was substantial, and a more efficient military industry system was needed.

Previously, Bao Yu had only manufactured cannons and telescopes. Cold weapons and armor were mainly outsourced to the forges in Anqing and Tongcheng. This decentralized production method made it difficult to guarantee speed and quality. The next step was to manufacture light armor and firearms, and perhaps even build boats. Establishing their own workshop was imperative.

In Pang Yu's mind, the best location was Zongyang, where water transport was highly developed but land transport was extremely inconvenient. A small land force could defend it, and it would not be harassed by roving bandits. The only drawback was the distance from Anqing. At present, the Garrison Battalion's troops were already spread throughout Anqing. According to Shi Kefa's requirements, at least one division was stationed in Tongcheng. Pang Yu himself had dispatched the Cavalry Division and one Infantry Division to Shipai, while the Water Camp was split between Wangjiang, Anqing, and Zongyang. That already made five encampments, plus a contingent in Nanjing. Pang Yu already felt it was difficult to manage; he did not want the workshop, still in its fledgling stage, to be far from Anqing as well. There was no suitable space within Anqing City, especially since future cannon and firearm production would require extensive testing. So for now, Shimen Lake was the most suitable.

"Mr. Bao, look — it is already the fifth month. If we start construction now, just as things begin to take shape in the sixth or seventh month, we will run straight into the rainy season, and still be unable to use it. My suggestion is to build the machinery first, and wait until autumn to undertake the water conservancy works. Once the channels are dug, we can simply install the machinery and put it to use. Before that, move the forge and the cannon workshop here first. Post notices in Anqing City to recruit workers — blacksmiths, carpenters, and the like; the more the better."

"This subordinate only fears we cannot recruit that many at once. When I went back to Suzhou to recruit, though the monthly pay offered was quite generous, only thirty artisans came with me to Anqing. Recruiting here in Anqing now — most blacksmiths and such already have their own livelihoods. There are only the apprentices in the various forges, many of whom have even sold themselves into servitude. The forges used to do business with us; now if we tell them we are taking away their business and also want to recruit away their apprentices, I fear those smiths will not permit it..."

"Sir, you need not worry. Others will handle the recruitment. The initial establishment of the workshop involves a multitude of tedious tasks; asking you alone, Mr. Bao, to manage it all is truly an unreasonable demand. I will naturally assign additional stewards to assist."

Bao Yu did not think too much of it. Although Pang Yu had given him a share, his desire to control the workshop was not strong. Previously, the main tasks had been cannon-making and mirror-crafting, both of which he did by personally leading apprentices. The management work had no division of functions, which also made him feel it was quite tedious. Hearing that he would not have to manage these matters, he actually breathed a sigh of relief.

"I was just about to report to Your Excellency regarding the establishment of the firearm shop. Among the artisans I recruited this time in Suzhou, most are cannon-makers and mirror-makers. Only three have previously made bird guns. Since arriving in Anqing, each has produced three. As per Your Excellency's requirements, they weigh between five jin eight liang and six jin, with a bullet weight of four Mace and a powder charge of four Mace. Tomorrow I will deliver three to the government office for Your Excellency's inspection."

Pang Yu thought for a moment. "Tomorrow I am going to Leigang, so I will not look at them for now. Have them first make fifty for trial use. The bird guns must be tested just like the cannons — ramrods, bullet pouches, powder flasks, gun covers, powder tubes, fire ropes, and tin priming flasks all complete. Let the soldiers drill and march with them to confirm they are truly usable; then present them to me. The firearm shop is newly established; fire lances are naturally important, but the most critical matter remains the cannons. Three bronze cannons were made earlier, but they are not suitable for the Land Battalion. Based on the feedback from the Jiangnan relief operation, the small cannon you trial-produced before the new year still needs improvement. At present, all units are recruiting new soldiers. I have set up a separate Artillery Company, staffed with men who are clever and teachable. The packhorses for pulling the cannons have also been incorporated. Mr. Bao, you must produce six small cannons by the seventh month. Otherwise, the entire battalion cannot conduct combined training, and once on the battlefield, many men will die. The safety of the people of Anqing rests on the Garrison Battalion; whether the Garrison Battalion can achieve victory rests on you, Mr. Bao. Might I ask, sir, can you let me put new cannons to use in the seventh month?"

Bao Yu nodded repeatedly, his face flushing slightly. This young Mobile Corps Commander was not old, his spending was very generous, and his words sounded polite, but every time he applied pressure through veiled hints, striking an exceedingly high tone.

Pang Yu's requirements were also constantly changing. Originally, there were already two trial-produced small cannons, weighing about six or seven hundred jin, which were being tested in Anqing. The newly established Artillery Company was using these two cannons for drill. But after returning from Jiangnan, Pang Yu's requirements had changed again. The new small cannon must not exceed five hundred jin, be pulled by four horses, be capable of marching on the official road for ten consecutive days averaging sixty li per day, with a shot weight of two to four jin. The range requirement was not high — only three hundred paces — but the barrel had to withstand firing over six hundred times.

Bao Yu's previous knowledge of cannon-making came from those Society of Jesus missionaries. When it came to actually doing the work, he had entirely followed his own ideas. He had never imagined that requirements could be set like this. Making cannons to specification meant testing was mandatory, and Pang Yu once again astonished him — there was even a plan for the testing. Originally, the structure of a cannon was not complicated, but the number of problems that emerged during testing far exceeded his expectations. The material for the wheels alone had been changed no fewer than five times.

Seeing Bao Yu's face full of hesitation, Pang Yu smiled and said, "Mr. Bao, do you find this difficult to accomplish?"

"To be honest with Your Excellency, since arriving in Anqing, when Your Excellency wanted me to take the cannons along on army marches, I thought it was an unnecessary complication. It was only after the march drills and the relief of Tongcheng, bombarding the roving thieves at Beixia Pass, that I realized my previous cannon-making was indeed impractical theorizing. Take the matter of test-firing alone: in Suzhou, it was merely double-charging to test the strength of the cannon body. Here, Your Excellency has dozens of items. Just the firing tables for different cannon positions alone include firing downward from a city wall, upward on a slope, downward on a slope, from a mountaintop, in a valley, and so on. Previously, I thought it was useless, believing that as long as one had a cannon sight and telescope to measure, it would suffice. But when I reached the walls of Beixia Pass and saw the roving bandits, I realized that even if I were the one firing, in the rush there would be no time to calculate accurately, let alone the cannon battalion's soldiers. All these things are indeed necessary for the military. However, testing then improving, testing again and improving again — it is quite time-consuming. Add to that the inevitable waste and defective products... delivering all six cannons by the seventh month is probably..."

Bao Yu stopped here. Behind him, two artisan foremen kept stealing glances at Pang Yu. Delivering six cannons by the seventh month — this timeline was very tight for the workshop. Pang Yu had mentioned this deadline many times, and the plan had been personally reviewed by the Mobile Corps Commander, broken down in detail to every ten-day period. Every ten days, someone was sent to inspect the progress. This put them under considerable pressure. They wondered if Commander Pang would grant them some leeway.

"What Mr. Bao says is all true. The deadline is indeed very tight, but cannon improvement is not achieved in one go. We will produce and improve simultaneously. These six cannons need not all be fully tested, nor must their designs be entirely identical. As long as they are usable, that will suffice. Produce one, and let the Artillery Company receive one. The workshop will assign a few cannon-making artisans to follow the Artillery Company, testing as they train. Now, war is brutal and perilous. The roving thieves may come next year, or they may come tomorrow, in swarms of a hundred thousand. Anqing cannot endure another military disaster. For the sake of the people, I believe every gentleman in the workshop will certainly accomplish this."

The workshop men looked at each other. Lord Pang had tossed them this high hat, but granted no leeway whatsoever.

"This... I will do my utmost..." Bao Yu's voice was somewhat low. He raised his head and glanced at Pang Yu, saw the earnest expectation on his face, gritted his teeth, and changed his words. "As long as silver and manpower are sufficient, I will personally deliver the small cannons to Your Excellency's camp in the seventh month."

"Mr. Bao has always been as good as his word. Then I shall make a firm agreement with you, sir — silver and manpower will be provided in full; delivery on the first day of the seventh month." Pang Yu added with a beaming smile.

Bao Yu was left speechless. The deadline had now become the first day of the seventh month — it seemed even tighter.

Pang Yu gave him no further chance to drag things out, and headed straight for Stone Gate Ferry, his retinue following behind.

Pang Ding caught up from behind and whispered in Pang Yu's ear, "Your Excellency, a relay horse just arrived from the government office. A letter has come from Nanjing; they say it is an urgent matter."

"I will read it when I return to the office."

"Mm. Zhou Yueru brought it back."

"This humble woman greets Lord Pang." In front of Bai Shun Tang, Jiang Shuqiong's plump face wore an ingratiating smile, her nose and eyes nearly scrunched into a ball.

Pang Yu nodded and, with Guo Fengyou and the others, slowly strolled into Bai Shun Tang. The main hall on the ground floor was noisy with voices, and every so often, a burst of clamor erupted from one of the gambling tables. To date, the Anqing Baitong Hall remained Pang Yu's most profitable business, and a source of steady, sustained income. Although the asset itself had been mortgaged, the operating revenue was still under Pang Yu's control.

With the lifting of the river blockade, the Sheng-Tang ferry in Anqing had regained its vitality. With goods coming and going, the movement of people had also increased. Bai Shun Tang's reputation on the river grew ever larger; there were even gamblers from Jiangxi and Chizhou who crossed the river specifically to come here.

Since returning from Nanjing, Pang Yu had been swamped with affairs. Today was his first visit to Bai Shun Tang. After a brief inspection of the various parts of the hall, he headed toward the rear courtyard. Jiang Shuqiong diligently led the way. "Speaking of the business in this hall, it has never been as good as it is today. This humble woman found it strange too, but now that I see the master, I realize it is the master who has brought the fortune."

She covered her mouth and laughed exaggeratedly. Pang Yu said nothing, maintaining a gentle smile as he followed Jiang Shuqiong toward the rear courtyard. The rear courtyard, with its pavilions and terraces, was quite elegant. But unlike ordinary residences, besides the south gate they had entered through, there was an additional gate each to the northeast and east. The one to the north led to the brothel operated by Bai Shun Tang itself; the one to the east led to the hired help's quarters.

Pushing open the eastern courtyard gate, the elegance vanished. There was a faint odor of sweat in the air. The courtyard was full of puddles, and clotheslines were strung under the covered walkway — though not a single piece of clothing hung on them.

Pang Yu casually glanced around. It was a bright, sunny day; it was impossible no one had hung laundry. He knew that while he had been inspecting the hall earlier, Jiang Shuqiong had ordered someone to hastily take it all down.

"master, look at this place. Though it is a bit crude, this humble woman keeps those servants in line and everything is tidied up clean. For the Zhou family's young miss to stay a few days, it is also..."

Just as she said this, a splash of water sounded nearby. Everyone turned to look and saw a woman standing frozen under the covered walkway, holding a wooden basin. Jiang Shuqiong froze for a moment, then suddenly let out a shriek. Dragging her massive frame, she darted over with surprising agility, grabbed the woman by her braid, and when the woman did not dare resist, Jiang Shuqiong flung her to the ground with one forceful motion.

"You blind, brainless thing! What has your old mother told you lot every day? Pour the water into the drain! What kind of place is our Bai Shun Tang? It's a place where the rich and noble come. The master said everywhere must be spotless. Are those ears on your head just for show?"

Jiang Shuqiong screamed curses while incessantly pinching the woman's arms and thighs with her other hand, making the woman shriek in pain.

"Your old mother will make you scream, you shameless wretch." As she cursed, Jiang Shuqiong watched Pang Yu's reaction from the corner of her eye. But Pang Yu showed no expression. Jiang Shuqiong raised her plump palm high, poised to slap the woman across the face.

"Chief Steward Jiang, punish her according to the hall's rules. Let her go."

Hearing Pang Yu speak, Jiang Shuqiong hastily lowered her hand and acknowledged the order. She kicked the woman on the ground once more. "The master spares you this once. Scram back inside now! No dinner for you tonight."

The woman, beaten severely just for pouring out water, fled back into the house in panic. Jiang Shuqiong hurried back to Pang Yu's side, somewhat embarrassed. "The servants are ignorant. This... it is also my failure to manage them properly. As I was saying, the Zhou family's young miss said she was returning to Tongcheng to sweep the ancestral graves. This humble woman asked her to stay at my home, but she was unwilling. She said she was merely passing through Anqing, and that it was more convenient here. You see this..."

Pang Yu waved his hand dismissively. "Since it was her own choice, Chief Steward Jiang need not concern herself with such trifles. I have reviewed last month's accounts. Revenue has increased by ten percent, and the monthly wage expenditure for the hired help has dropped by forty percent compared to the end of last year. It is clear that Chief Steward Jiang is putting her heart into the work."

"It is all the master's teaching. I always keep an eye out for where I can save a bit for the hall. Those roving thieves, though they are all heaven-cursed, the moment they came, Anqing was full of refugees fleeing disaster — from Luzhou Prefecture, from Henan, from Huguang, from everywhere. These people, as long as you give them a mouthful of food, they'll do whatever you tell them, take any beating or scolding. So this humble woman took them on as apprentices and gave them no monthly wages. master, listen to me — once these people came, your old mother sacked thirty percent of the original hired help in one go. The ones who stayed became all the more obedient, not daring to haggle over this and that when doing a bit of work. These people, I tell you, are just cheap..."

Jiang Shuqiong's plump face was flushed crimson. Once she started talking about recruitment, she could not contain her excitement, even calling herself 'your old mother' right in front of Pang Yu. Pang Yu listened with amused interest. Behind him, Guo Fengyou and the others all stared at Jiang Shuqiong, but she remained utterly oblivious, her spittle nearly spraying onto Pang Yu's face.

"Jiang Jiejie, has General Pang arrived?"

Zhou Yueru's familiar voice came from upstairs. Jiang Shuqiong started and hastily covered her mouth.

Pang Yu smiled at Jiang Shuqiong. "The hall has many affairs; I won't keep Chief Steward Jiang any longer. I can go up by myself. You go attend to your business."

Jiang Shuqiong swallowed hard and hurriedly curtsied before fleeing the scene.