Chapter 369: Error

On the ninth day of the seventh month, ten li west of Qianshan County town along the post road, both sides of the road were lined with tattered, broken-down shacks. People in ragged clothes milled about everywhere — the whole area was utter chaos.

Inside a house with brick walls on the north side, two men sat side by side in silence. On the left was the newly appointed Fort Chief Tan Erlin; on the right, the newly appointed Instructor Wu Dacai. Neither wanted to speak. Tan Laizi's chair had only one armrest left, and he kept pounding it with his fist. Wu Dacai had no seat at all and simply sat on a broken bed. He leaned his crutch against the bedside, turned on his side, and lay down.

Tan Laizi heard the movement but did not look over. He raised his head and sized up this Fort Chief's office. The room had once been part of a landlord's courtyard compound. Only the four brick walls remained; the roof was gone, replaced by a few sheets of rain cloth stretched overhead.

Qianshan had been raided two years ago, and scattered Roving Bandits had harassed it ever since. Apart from Tianning Fortress opposite the county town, which still had some signs of life, the population along the post road had largely drained away, and no one had repaired the infrastructure. This place was already the best available in the vicinity.

"I say, Instructor Wu — I know you used to be a Company Commander and won merit at the Battle of Chemah. Coming here, you feel wronged. Truth is, I, Tan Ye, am no different." Tan Laizi stood up as he spoke. "While you were fighting at Chemah, I was holding Erlang Town. Not only did I have to hold Erlang Town, I also had to watch and control five or six hundred captives — and those captives were fierce as could be. Tan Ye here had a sword in each hand, hacking Roving Bandits on one side and hacking wo… captives on the other. You can't imagine it — all the fiercest bandits under heaven came swarming, a dark seething mass thicker than the rice in the Wanyi Granary. Tan Ye here fought while retreating, and lured every one of those fierce bandits into the river to drown."

At this point, Tan Laizi tilted his head to look. Wu Dacai still showed no reaction whatsoever. Tan Laizi gave a dry cough and said, "But in the end, some people insisted I had fled in disorder, and got me assigned to this fortified stronghold in Qianshan. You think I wanted this? But willing or not, we still have to get the real business done. It's nearly nightfall, and there's still no arrangement for supper."

Just as he finished speaking, the cloth curtain suddenly lifted. An old man edged in cautiously. Seeing the two of them, he dropped to his knees with a thud. Startled, Tan Laizi leaned sharply to the armrest side of his chair and stared at the old man in wary surprise.

"Honored sirs, this humble one is the Third Banner Chief under the fort. Supper for the two esteemed gentlemen has been prepared. May I ask where the gentlemen wish to dine?"

Tan Laizi had not yet adjusted to being addressed as "esteemed gentleman." He paused blankly for a moment, glanced at Wu Dacai, then turned back to the Banner Chief. "Well — what is your name?"

"This humble one is called Jiang Guan. I was taken captive by the Roving Thieves in Macheng and was fortunate enough to be rescued by the honored officers at Susong. The officer previously here had me temporarily manage the fort's affairs. At present, the fort has a total of nine hundred and thirty…"

"We can go over all that slowly later. This official is the newly appointed Fort Chief Tan. First, tell this official — what dishes have been prepared for supper?"

"There is one wild hare offered by the Third Banner, four duck eggs offered by the Fifth Banner, three fresh fish offered by the Nine Banners, and one jin of white rice…"

Tan Laizi slowly sat up, his Adam's apple bobbing. Once Jiang Guan finished, Tan Laizi stretched out a hand and said, "Old Jiang, you handle matters quite capably. You've managed the fort's affairs very well indeed. From now on, you shall serve as Deputy Fort Chief. Supper — we eat now. Set it up outside."

Jiang Guan kowtowed repeatedly. "I thank the esteemed gentleman for his favor. And this officer, sir?"

"This is Instructor Wu." Seeing that Wu Dacai still lay motionless, Tan Laizi waved a hand. "Bring Instructor Wu's meal inside for him."

With that, Tan Laizi hurried out the door. Sure enough, a table had already been set up, laid with several bowls and basins of varying sizes, and in them were exactly the dishes just described. More than ten people stood around, all bobbing and bowing ingratiatingly toward him. He sat himself down directly, and a pair of chopsticks was immediately handed to him from the side. Someone then served him rice. Tan Laizi took it and wolfed the food down ravenously. The taste was nothing special, but at least it was all meat.

"Sir Tan, please take your time. This humble one will report the situation in the fort. When we arrived here in the intercalary fourth month, the total was one thousand and thirty-three souls. Over the month, fifty-three died of illness, twenty-nine died in brawls, and twenty fled and vanished without a trace. Nine hundred and thirty-one remain. The register is here."

Tan Laizi flipped casually through the register and shoveled another mouthful of rice in. Chewing as he spoke, he said, "Set it down, I'll look slowly. These twenty-nine who died in brawls — what kind of brawls?"

"In reply to Your Honor, twenty-six died in feuds between locals and outsiders. The other three were beaten to death fighting over food in the fort — that was when the grain shipments were insufficient right after we first arrived."

Tan Laizi gave an "Oh." "How did so many get beaten to death? And what assignments have been sent down from above?"

"At first they said to open fields and farm. Lately, orders have come down to build fort walls and repair the roads. The rest were assignments sent by the officers — delivering hay to the officers at Tianning Fortress. On ordinary days, when mounted officers need to go into the mountains, rice, beans, and forage must be kept ready at all times, and fresh water for the horses must be set out by the roadside. Tomorrow we are to deliver firewood and forage to Tianning Fortress and bring back ten days' grain. The Household Office sent someone yesterday to say that next month we must send two hundred men to Tianning Fortress to build walls, and also construct a post station here in the fort."

Jiang Guan paused, then continued, "The most critical issue in the fort is still the grain shortage. Building walls, repairing roads, drying and threshing forage — it's all heavy physical labor. Among those who died of illness, many fell sick from exhaustion and hunger…"

Before Tan Laizi could even nod, someone rushed in from outside and shouted, "Banner Chief Jiang! Seven more have run off from the Nine Banners! Chief Banner Hao has taken men to pursue them. He says they've gone into the mountains and may not be found, and asks whether Chief Banner Jiang wants to send more men after them."

Everyone present turned their eyes in unison toward Tan Laizi. Tan Laizi froze for a moment, then pointed toward the house. "Pursuing criminals and hunting down deserters is the Instructor's responsibility. Go ask Instructor Wu."

Jiang Guan felt some fear toward that silent superior officer. He hesitated, not daring to go in. Just then, a hand reached out from the door curtain. Wu Dacai, leaning on his crutch, ducked through the curtain.

He stopped in the doorway and slowly swept his gaze across the crowd before speaking. "Chase them back — for what? All of you were captured by me at Chemah. Tens of thousands of captives. Those who could do artisan work were picked off by the workshops. Those who could read and do sums were picked off by the money house and the Household Office. Those who could raise horses were picked off by the Cavalry Division. Even the murderers and arsonists were picked off by the Canal Gang."

Everyone present stared at him blankly. Wu Dacai paused for a long moment, then suddenly spoke in anger. "You are all useless people. Everyone here is someone the Garrison Battalion didn't want! Dead is dead, fled is fled — what's the point of chasing them back!"

Furious, he finished speaking, turned around, violently flung open the door curtain, and disappeared back into the room.

…

On the City Wall of Pukou county town, Pang Yu was pacing slowly along the top of the wall. Behind him followed Wang Zenglu and the guard squad. The Community Soldiers on both sides parted to make way.

After Zhang Guowei issued his orders, Pang Yu had moved his two divisions to Pukou and Liuhe for defense, managing to get there ahead of the Roving Bandits. Yesterday, Pang Yu had first gone to inspect the Land Combat Division stationed at Liuhe. Compared to Jiangpu, Liuhe had no city wall, only a moat, making defense far more difficult. When deploying, he had allocated two extra Small Cannons from the Personal Guard Division.

Pang Yu walked along the top of the wall, surveying as he went. On one side of the battlements were heaps of stones. Along the Parapet, Grass Depots had been set up at intervals. Pang Yu chose one Grass Depot and entered. Inside were arranged Lime Pots, oil jars, Straw Bundles, heavy clubs, and other implements. On the ground lay a wad of tattered cloth — no telling whose it was.

Wang Zenglu picked up two of the Lime Pots and tested their weight, then nodded to Pang Yu, indicating the weight was sufficient.

Pang Yu stepped out of the Grass Depot and went to the battlements. He braced both hands on the wall and gazed out beyond the town. Across the broad open plain stretching from the county town to the Great River, broken walls and rubble lay everywhere. This once-bustling place that had linked north and south was now almost entirely devoid of human habitation. Occasionally, a stray dog or two flickered into view among the wild grass.

Jiangpu had first come under siege two years ago and already had ample experience in city defense. Pang Yu was not worried about the fortifications themselves. But compared to his first visit, the county town had clearly declined. Jiangpu itself was a major commercial hub in Jiangbei, with the advantage of linking north and south transport. The Roving Bandits' frequent activity in the Jiangbei region had dealt a heavy blow to production, demand, and logistics everywhere, causing a commercial town like Jiangpu to wither rapidly. The population he saw now had shrunk by at least thirty percent, and more than half the shops in the town were shuttered.

This time, the Roving Bandits had emerged from the mountains at Lu'an Prefecture and split into three columns to raid eastward. The northern column consisted of Hun Shiwan and Ziweixing — these two Camp Heads had not taken part in the Battle of Chemah, so their strength was relatively intact. They were currently operating in the direction of Fengyang. The middle column, as far as was known, included Camp Heads like Zhang Pangzi and Passing Sky Star, currently between Luzhou and Dingyuan. The third column consisted of Camp Heads like Old Huihui and Eight Great Kings. They had seized Chao County and Hezhou for the second time and were now heading toward Pukou and Liuhe.

Although Pang Yu had just won the great victory at Chemah, facing dozens of Roving Bandit camps spread across a thousand li, he still felt a sense of helplessness. The terror of the Roving Bandits lay not on the battlefield, but beyond it. Their raiding range was so vast that even if Pang Yu expanded his army to ten thousand men, he would still have no way to pursue and suppress them in every direction. He could only maneuver along the riverine region, relying on water transport for logistics. The moment he advanced north into the deep interior, logistics alone would be enough to break his army.

"Sir, Jiang Ruolai requests an audience."

Pang Yu turned his head and saw the lean, wiry Jiang Ruolai waiting on the western side of the wall top. He smiled and beckoned to him.

Jiang Ruolai came over, knelt, and paid his respects. "I greet Sir Pang."

"General Jiang, please rise." Pang Yu reached out to help him up and looked him over for a moment. "The General returned to Jiangpu and, without even resting, set straight to reorganizing the troops and preparing for battle — this fully demonstrates a heart devoted to the nation. But you must also pay attention to recuperation. The Roving Bandits are coming east; this won't be settled in just a day or two."

"Having been entrusted with heavy responsibility by Military Commander Zhang, a little toil is not worth mentioning." Jiang Ruolai said respectfully. "That this humble officer has been able to clear his grievous injustice is truly due to Sir Pang's forceful testimony. This great kindness I shall engrave upon my heart."

"General Jiang was always a rare fierce commander. This official was merely cherishing talent for the nation's sake. What I told Military Commander Zhang was simply the truth of that day's battle."

Jiang Ruolai was about to speak further, but Pang Yu waved his hand. "That General Jiang has managed Jiangpu's city defenses so solidly is ample proof that this official's recommendation was not mistaken. Whether before Military Commander Zhang or Supreme Commander Xiong, whenever this official has a chance to put in a word, I will certainly continue to recommend you with all my strength."

"For Your Excellency's kindness and virtue, this humble one shall be grateful until my teeth fall out."

Pang Yu smiled faintly. This Jiang Ruolai had vanished from Fengjiadu, then reappeared in the Prefectural City of Anqing with only a few Household Retainers at his side. According to information pieced together afterward from various sources, Jiang Ruolai had likely disguised himself and fled after the defensive line collapsed that night. But in the earlier fighting at Fengjiadu, this man had fought with considerable valor.

However, Pi Yingju and Shi Kefa did not believe him and detained him in Anqing for investigation. Pang Yu could naturally understand the difficulties of these civil officials — if Jiang Ruolai had gone over to the enemy or simply fled in disorder, letting him go would be more than just a matter of misjudging character.

Now, with the Roving Bandits coming east, Cheng Long and Chen Yuwang were still injured and not yet recovered, and Zhang Guowei had no troops to spare. Pang Yu seized the opportunity to recommend Jiang Ruolai, putting him in command of the surviving remnant troops from the reinforcement campaign to return and defend Jiangpu County town. This effectively let the matter of his absconding from Fengjiadu be set aside.

"Such a trifling matter is not worth the General's constant remembrance. In the future, my Garrison Battalion will be stationed at Anqing, and the General will be stationed at Jiangpu. The two places must coordinate with and support each other, exchanging supplies and intelligence across the river. We have a long working relationship ahead of us."

Jiang Ruolai said crisply, "Whatever orders Your Excellency gives, this subordinate will never decline."

Jiangpu here now counted as another node for his subordinates. With Jiang Ruolai providing support, it would be very easy for the Canal Gang to establish a foothold here.

After a few more words of encouragement to Jiang Ruolai, Pang Yu left the City Wall. Once at the foot of the wall, he asked Wang Zenglu, "With Jiang Ruolai sharing the defense of Jiangpu, this official does not worry about the county town. But looking at the whole of Jiangbei, how do you assess the current situation?"

"This humble one believes it remains worrisome." Wang Zenglu glanced left and right, then lowered his voice. "The northern column of Roving Bandits is heading toward Zhongdu and the imperial tombs — neither can be allowed to fall. Commander Zhu will certainly deploy the bulk of his forces to guard against that column. From Dingyuan to Yangzhou, there are no crack troops available. The other two columns of Roving Bandits will be completely uncontained, and it will surely be another bitter fight. This subordinate believes that Hun Shiwan and Ziweixing will most likely make a feint and ultimately head for Henan. Commander Zhu won't be able to strike any of them."

Pang Yu nodded. "Losing Fengyang means losing your head. Fengyang has no city wall, so the strongest troops and fiercest commanders must first fall back to guarantee Fengyang is not lost. Even if the Canal Transport Governor knows perfectly well that Ziweixing is only a feint, he still must first secure Fengyang to secure his own head. The Roving Bandits only need to make a gesture toward Fengyang, and Commander Zhu is forced to abandon defending the other areas. The other two columns can then conveniently head for Yangzhou. So the Roving Bandits are not stupid at all — on the contrary, the ones who survive are all cunning as devils."

"If the Roving Bandits are heading for Yangzhou, then for this defense of Jiangpu, should this subordinate only defend the city wall, or should we go out to meet the Roving Bandits?"

Pang Yu thought for a moment, then said, "Jiangbei is one body. We campaign for the nation and must not draw boundaries around ourselves and stay inside. Meet the Roving Bandits' Vanguard. Make certain the Roving Bandits know it is my Anqing Garrison Battalion stationed here in defense."

Wang Zenglu said no more. He accepted the order and headed for the Camp Ground in the town. Pang Yu called over Guo Fengyou, who was behind him. "Cross the river and inform Ruan Dacheng. Tell him this official accepts Military Commander Zhu's suggestion. The Garrison Battalion will assist in the defense of the Yangzhou direction. If Commander Zhu leads his troops in an encirclement campaign, this official will certainly send troops to coordinate."

Guo Fengyou acknowledged in a low voice, then handed over a rolled-up letter. "An urgent letter from He County Yamen sent to Nanjing. It says Supreme Commander Xiong is about to set out, and his station has been set at… Anqing." (Note 1)

"What? Stationed at Anqing!" Pang Yu snatched the letter. He had never imagined that Xiong Wencan would choose Anqing as his station. Anqing was not even among the Four Main Fronts of the Ten-Sided Net; it was merely classified as one of the Six Corners. If Xiong Wencan took up station here, Pang Yu would effectively have yet another direct superior officer in addition to Shi Kefa — and there was no telling whether that was good or bad.

Pang Yu rapidly scanned the letter. He County Yamen briefly explained the circumstances. He had already paid his respects at the Governor-General's Office. Apart from the stationing at Anqing, Pang Yu quickly discovered news that shocked him even more. Xiong Wencan's departure was earlier than originally planned. The reason was that a new group of Red Barbarians had appeared in Guangzhou and were currently clashing with government troops. Xiong Wencan, worried about complications, had set out ahead of schedule.

Pang Yu's mouth slowly fell open. Only after a long moment did he murmur, "The new barbarians named England have already seized Humen Fort. Humen Fort… am I remembering the time wrong?" (Note 2)

……

Note 1: When Xiong Wencan took up his post as Five-Province Supreme Commander, his first station was Anqing.

Note 2: The Ming–English War of 1637 was in reality a small-scale armed clash. The English side was the Courtin United Association, in which Charles I held shares worth ten thousand pounds. A total of six vessels sailed for China. Fire was exchanged on 12 August 1637, and the English ships seized the Yaniangxie Fort at Humen.