Chapter 359: Aftermath

"This one is from the Household Office. Grain prices at the Sheng-Tang ferry have reached one tael and one mace per shi, and bean prices have also risen by thirty percent. The Wanyi Granary lent out some, but with the tribute transport about to open, they cannot lend much more. The Prefectural Office's Revenue Section believes that because the Garrison Battalion has been purchasing excessively, to prevent public resentment in the city from boiling over, the Water Army should intercept more Jiangxi grain boats. Grain prices must be stabilized before the sixth month."

In the study of the Rear Office at the Anqing Defense Officer Department, Pang Yu sat before a mountain of documents. Shi Kefa had dragged him through arranging defenses and post-disaster recovery across three counties. After seven or eight frantic days, they had barely managed to settle things and finally returned to Anqing. He had intended to rest for a few days, but He County Yamen was also pressing him urgently — the Document Receiving Office had piled up quite a backlog, so by the second day he had no choice but to resume handling official business.

Pang Yu took the document He County Yamen handed him, glanced at it hastily, and closed it. "What 'Garrison Battalion purchasing excessively' — that's just resettling refugees. I'm the one paying the rations and pay, while those civil officials get all the credit. Forward this to Ren Dalang. The Water Army can handle this matter. Tell the brokerages and the Canal Gang that shortchanging traveling merchants on weight is forbidden. From now on, the Sheng-Tang ferry will serve as a settlement point — don't ruin our reputation. Have Jiang Guoyong dispatch Garrison Inspector soldiers to watch over the Wharf."

He County Yamen hastily scribbled a few notes. "Noted. This one is from the Circuit Intendant Yamen. This year's grain tax commutation rate for the Anqing Guard has been changed to six mace per shi."

"What? Since when did the price go up?" Pang Yu's face was full of confusion. He snatched the document and read as he spoke. "I remember last year it was still three mace. Qianshan, Taihu, and Susong are all tax-exempt, yet my Anqing Guard, which does the fighting, gets a price hike. How can matters of rations and pay be raised on a whim? On what basis?"

"It was set by a directive from Lord Zhang at the Grand Coordinator Yamen. I hear the other three Guards are also being raised."

Pang Yu frowned and thought for a moment. The Anqing Guard was now under his control as well. Though called Guard rations and pay, in reality it was all his own. But the annual tax revenue was not much, mostly commuted taxes. The inherited custom had always been one shi commuted at three mace, which still left considerable profit margin. Now it was doubling in one stroke. After a long pause, he waved his hand and said, "What the Grand Coordinator Yamen allocates hasn't gone up, but what we must pay has gone up first. If Circuit Intendant Shi does not come in person to explain, then ignore it."

"So we stall," He County Yamen said, switching to another document. "This is a letter Deputy Regional Commander Cheng sent via Xu Regional Commander. It mainly concerns the horses at Fengjiadu."

"What about the horses?"

"All the horses of the various Reinforcement and Suppression camps were at Fengjiadu. During the nighttime escape, riding was inconvenient, and many were abandoned there. After the siege was lifted that day, because the troops were mostly wounded, the majority of the horses could not be taken away. Deputy Regional Commander Cheng likely believes they are in the Garrison Battalion's hands. A few days ago, he sent a Company Commander to the Second Division to inquire. Wang Zenglu said he hadn't seen them, and the two sides got into an argument."

"How many horses could they possibly have?" Pang Yu waved his hand. "Have the Cavalry Division investigate. See how many bear the official horse brand of Jiangnan... Select only those from the Zhenjiang Land Camp and Chen Yuwang's. First see how many there are, and report back to the Military Office within five days. Ignore the other horses. Within three days, arrange a time for me to visit Cheng Long and Chen Yuwang. Are their injuries serious?"

"For your awareness, my lord: outside Jixian Gate, both men have many wounds but none are severe. These past days they have been able to walk. It's just that Anqing has been damp and hot lately. Circuit Intendant Shi's suggestion is to wait a few more days, then send them to Baizi Mountain to recuperate."

"Mm. Have the dead and wounded among the Reinforcement and Suppression troops been tallied?"

"Circuit Intendant Shi's Advisor privately relayed this: of the over four thousand Reinforcement and Suppression troops, after gathering the routed soldiers, only eight hundred remain."

"Did the rest all die in battle?"

"From Fengjiadu to Old County, only a little over a thousand official soldier bodies have been confirmed. The brokerages report that recently, many people with Jiangnan accents have been looking for boats at the Sheng-Tang ferry — likely all routed soldiers. Also, that Jiang Ruolai has been found. Somehow he escaped to Anqing... practically uninjured, with only five or six men accompanying him. Circuit Intendant Shi has him temporarily staying at the Huaining Branch Division. It's estimated they want to investigate exactly how he escaped, and whether he colluded with the bandits."

"Colluded with the bandits?" Pang Yu pondered for a moment, recalling Jiang Ruolai. The man was quite shrewd and capable, and had fought well when defending Jiangpu. "Arrange a time. I will also go see him. Say it is for writing the Detailed Report, to inquire about the details of that day at Fengjiadu."

"This one just arrived from the Second Division at Qianshan. During the resettlement of captives at Tianning Fortress, seventeen people were beaten to death by local natives."

Pang Yu rubbed his forehead. "How did another seventeen get beaten to death? Where were these heroes when we were fighting the battle? Still, ask Magistrate Zhu to handle it according to the law."

He County Yamen lowered his voice. "I'm afraid Magistrate Zhu will not handle this matter seriously. The number of assailants exceeds three hundred, including several dozen Local Militia. As the saying goes, the law cannot punish the multitude, and those beaten to death were Roving Bandits."

"That is his affair." Pang Yu thought for a moment, then said, "But pass a verbal message to Magistrate Zhu. Those resettled at the fortified villages have all been screened — they are all innocent commoners, living human lives. If conflicts between natives and outsiders always end in deaths, this enmity will only deepen. It is always better to resolve it early."

"Understood. This one is from the Military Office. Among the captives, there are one thousand three hundred who have worked as various kinds of craftsmen. Of these, one hundred thirty-some are copper- and blacksmiths, thirty-nine are lacquerers, one hundred sixty are carpenters, and ninety-five are tailors. These several workshops have been proposed together, but two additional factory buildings will need to be constructed. Bao Yu submitted this one. The cannon orders given by the army amount to only three pieces — just enough to replenish the losses from the Susong battle. The same goes for the rest of the swords, spears, and military equipment. He says the workshops cannot use so many people."

"What do you mean they can't use them? The Roving Bandits only treated them as servants. In my eyes, craftsmen are all talents. Tell Bao Yu to recruit them without hesitation. All kinds of military equipment will be needed immediately. He shouldn't just fixate on military equipment — what about the trial-produced fire lances? Tell him to report back to me tomorrow."

"Among the captives, there are one thousand five hundred who have raised horses and mules or can harness carts. Chen Rulie says that over seven thousand horses and mules were captured this time and these people are needed to tend them. But the Cavalry Division's existing horse-raising funds cannot cover the extra rations and pay. Also, two days ago, three captive grooms transporting grain to Qianshan ran away; the escorting cavalry failed to catch them. Additionally, there are a total of two hundred thirty-nine former Account Office workers, money house clerks, and apprentices. Liu Ruogu's last reply said he would take as many as there are — shall we give them all to him?"

"What use is Chen Rulie's yelping? Captives escaping is dereliction of duty by the escorts. Handle it according to Military Law and report to the Garrison Inspector Dui. If rations and pay are insufficient, calculate it quickly — otherwise how can the Household Office allocate him funds? Isn't that exactly what those accountants are for? All screened accountants and apprentices who committed no crimes and have families are to be assigned to Liu Ruogu. Their family dependents will be placed together at Shipai, where a separate area will be built for them. Those without families, send into the army. Few of those Clerk Officers know how to keep accounts or calculate. In the future, as the Military Camp grow, the flow of rations, pay, weapons, and equipment will increase. Each division will need to do its own accounting — these people will be just the thing."

"Gou Tianqi has separately sent an Official Dispatch. Erlang Town and Chemah River, two locations, are permitted to resettle refugees. However, the Susong County Office lacks the capacity to oversee them, so all planning is requested from the Defense Officer Department. His implication is that if any trouble arises in the future, it will all be your responsibility, my lord."

"He's still on about this? Do I owe him or something?" Pang Yu suppressed the urge to pound the table. "What else did he say?"

"The dispatch wrote nothing else, but the messenger said he wants to withdraw twenty thousand taels of city-building silver from the money house to continue constructing Susong County Town, saying work will start before the seventh month."

"I sent him troops to guard Erlang Town, and he still wants to build city walls? Go tell him: if he wants to build the county town, then I will build a town wall at Erlang Town. If there's any issue, we'll take it before Circuit Intendant Shi."

He County Yamen stopped his brush and looked at the fuming Pang Yu. "This Gou County Magistrate usually says little, but when it comes to negotiating terms, he is utterly unambiguous."

Pang Yu caught his breath and shook his head. "We want to establish the Great River Settlement. The most critical settlement point is Anqing. If Anqing is not secure, there is no credibility whatsoever. Therefore, the first priority is that Anqing must be stable — this is our foundation. If the Roving Bandits can come and cause alarm every few days, how can others feel at ease doing business? Perhaps I was too impatient, and Gou Tianlin saw my true intentions. He probably figured it out — he's not afraid I won't station troops, so he wrote this Official Dispatch to leave a record, precisely to shirk responsibility later. Fine, he's clever. I'll build the fortified villages first and not waste time wrangling with him. If there's quarreling, do it at the Circuit Intendant Yamen. Have the Document Receiving Office submit a statement to the Circuit Intendant Yamen, clearly explaining the responsibilities of the locality and the Garrison Battalion. We'll leave a record too."

"This one is from the Military Office again. In the Susong battle, the entire battalion suffered five hundred seventy-three killed in action, of which two hundred forty-five died of wounds after being injured. Before and after the engagement, one hundred fourteen non-combat deaths occurred, of which ninety-seven died of illness. Additionally, nine are missing. Seven hundred eighty were wounded. Five hundred ninety-two can return to duty after recovery. The remaining one hundred eighty-eight mostly suffered torn sinews and broken bones. The Medical Officer says it will be three months before we know how many can return to duty. Yang Xueshi wishes to ask how these wounded soldiers and officers should be resettled."

"By convention, wounded soldiers whose injuries cannot be accommodated will receive one tael per month. The others will wait for the fortified villages and workshops to expand. The Local Militia also needs some. List the circumstances of the wounded General Officers in detail. I want to understand each one personally."

"Understood, subordinate. This is your schedule, my lord. This evening, Chen Ten Prefectures is hosting a banquet for you to discuss patrolling the river with the Water Camp. I have already informed Ren Dalang to accompany you."

"Go ahead. River patrols are a major matter. You will also attend these banquets. What is scheduled for tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow before noon, you are to visit the residence of Liu Ruozai with Circuit Intendant Shi. The main purpose is to brief the Liu family on the course of the Susong battle. Circuit Intendant Shi's thinking is that Liu Ruozai can see the Emperor once every two or three days. Having the Liu family convey this through a side channel is better than a memorial. At noon, you are hosting a banquet for the various officials of the Huaining County Yamen, mainly to discuss matters requiring their assistance regarding the tax levies at the Sheng-Tang ferry. In the afternoon, you will review and drill the new troops and inspect the wounded."

"If Circuit Intendant Shi has said so, then we shall go. Tomorrow evening, notify the money house, the Shipping Company, the Household Office, and the Military Office for a meeting. Pang Ding and you will also attend. We need to handle death and injury compensations, captured silver, Household Office balances, combat rewards, and also the budget for newly recruited soldiers and supplementary weapons and equipment. Rations and pay are critical matters. A single battle — the killing and burning takes only a few days, but the aftermath and cleaning up can't be finished in months."

"Then tomorrow evening can only be scheduled for later. My lord, you have forgotten: Circuit Intendant Shi is hosting a banquet for the gentry of the three counties who contributed to this battle. The reason was not stated. I inquired with his Advisor — it will likely discuss the drilling of Local Militia in each county." He County Yamen flipped through his papers and produced a roster. "These are the participants. Quite a few among them are Provincial Graduate. Presumably, Circuit Intendant Shi wants to establish connections with them first. If they pass the Presented Scholar examination in the future, they will be ready-made contacts."

"The gentry contributed..." Pang Yu hesitated, took the roster, and glanced at it. "Fine. The Taihu and Qianshan Local Militia did contribute by scouting. We will also have to manage the Local Militia in the future and deal with the localities... Why so many gentry? Susong Provincial Graduate Sun Guofang, Yang Blades. Taihu Provincial Graduate Lei Yinzuo — that name is also odd, similar to Guang Shixiang."

"The day after tomorrow, Prefect Pi is hosting a banquet for the Prefect of Chizhou, and requests your attendance, my lord."

Pang Yu set down the roster. "How far out are these banquets scheduled?"

"A total of seven days have been arranged. You mentioned you might need to go to Nanjing, so nothing was accepted beyond that."

Pang Yu rubbed his head. He had been delayed quite a while at Erlang Town. By the time he returned to Anqing, news of the great victory at Susong had already spread along the river. The Anqing Garrison Battalion had single-handedly routed virtually all the Giant Bandits of the Central Plains region. It was entirely different from merely participating at Chuzhou. Once the Jiangnan Times and the Court Gazette published their reports, the Anqing Garrison Battalion would gain the reputation of the strongest army in the interior.

The first thing now evident was the attitude of the local Anqing yamens and gentry, which was clearly more respectful than before. It was easy to imagine that handling affairs along the river would go much more smoothly in the future.

Pang Yu leaned back in his chair for a moment, then sat up straight. "Second Brother, let me tell you about the Bronze Standard Battalion matter. I originally thought of sending you to serve as Mobile Corps Commander of the Bronze Standard Battalion. However, since you have not previously held a military post, Mr. Ma said the Ministry of War would not approve it. I then planned to transfer you to the Document Office. But upon further reflection, during this round of merit reporting, I will promote you to Company Commander. If we secure a location along the river, I will then send you out to take up a post there. I cannot rest easy sending anyone else. So for now, you must endure a bit longer and continue managing the Document Receiving Office."

"Thank you, Second Brother, for your concern." He County Yamen was slightly agitated. Now that Pang Yu had given his promise, the day He County Yamen would become an official was not far off. Back in his days at the county office, He County Yamen's dream had been to secure a position as a clerk; reaching Section Clerk would have been perfection. He never imagined that in three years, from an Auxiliary in a county office, he was now on the verge of becoming a Military Officer guarding a region — naturally far better than Section Clerk.

"Then who does Second Brother intend to send to the Bronze Standard Battalion?"

Pang Yu's hand tapped lightly on the table. After a moment, he said, "Send Zhuang Chaozheng."