Chapter 371: Alone

A fine rain drifted over Shangxin River Wharf in the late autumn. Pang Yu sat on a long wooden bench by the street, waiting for his mount. The upstream journey against the current took far too long; every time he returned from Nanjing, he still had to travel by horse, taking the overland route through Jiangnan to the opposite shore of Anqing, then crossing the river by ferry.

Shangxin River Wharf bustled with people coming and going, an endless stream of porters carrying grain sacks, bamboo, and timber on their shoulders. Nanjing was as prosperous as ever, showing no trace of the decay that plagued Jiangbei just across the river.

News that the Roving Bandits had left Hezhou had already spread throughout Nanjing. The Qingjiang lockdown had been lifted, and more people than usual were crossing the river. Pang Yu's intelligence was, of course, far more detailed than street rumors. Even he had not expected that the moment the bandits clashed with the Garrison Command's scout cavalry on the Hezhou border, they would immediately turn northwest.

Captured bandit scouts confessed that Ma Shouying and the Western Camp were both preparing to head for Henan and would not be moving toward the Yangzhou area. This year's bandit alert could be considered over. Zhang Guowei had reached the same conclusion. Shi Kefa sent a succession of dispatches and then arranged for Pang Yu's return journey. The two divisions of the Garrison Command remained stationed at Puliu, guarding against the bandits making a feint.

Pang Yu bared his teeth and muttered under his breath, "The Eighth Brigand sees me coming and flees at the mere sight. Heh."

"What were you just saying?"

Pang Yu turned his head, looked at Zhou Yueru standing beside him, and smiled. "I was saying it's still a bit noisy outside the city. The Jiangning County side has already been spoken to. You should go back to work at the Silver Company. The Banknote matter is of great importance. Living in the city is more convenient and safer too."

Zhou Yueru lowered her head and said, "Then back in the city, I won't share the dormitory with the women from the Silver Company's gambling den either. Renting a place outside is quieter."

"That's naturally up to you. The Qinhuai River side is still quieter than this Shangxin River area."

Pang Yu knew that after the incident of being reported as a Westerner, her desire to rent outside was likely a wish to avoid too much contact with colleagues. He patted the long bench, signaling Zhou Yueru to sit and talk, but Zhou Yueru ignored the gesture.

Pang Yu did not get angry. Zhou Yueru was all alone in the world, and her wariness toward people had grown heavier. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I heard you still have a relative in Fengyang?"

"After the bandit chaos, there's been no news. The people in Fengyang that year... even if they survived, they can't be found now."

"Will you still go back to Tongcheng for the ancestral rites at New Year's?"

"If Liu Shopkeeper grants leave, then I'll go. Last time I was gone too long, and some people gossiped." Zhou Yueru slightly raised her head and looked at the flowing river water. "The rites are only a momentary thing. In a few more years, I'll have passed on too, and no one will remember who is buried in that grave mound. Who would even go to pay respects then? As long as you hold them in your heart, that is the rite itself."

At that moment, Guo Fengyou came over leading the horses. Pang Yu stood up and said to Zhou Yueru, "If you truly wish to go back, just send me a letter. I will speak to Liu Ruogu about it."

Zhou Yueru nodded silently. As Guo Fengyou led the horse to his side, Zhou Yueru raised her head and simply stared at Pang Yu, her gaze not avoiding his in the slightest. Pang Yu found it a bit strange. The Zhou Yueru of the past rarely looked at people this way.

Just as he was about to mount the horse, Zhou Yueru said softly, "I haven't yet congratulated you, my lord."

Pang Yu paused for a moment, thinking she meant the promotion to Vice Regional Commander. Then he realized, smiled wryly, and waved a hand at Zhou Yueru. A few men from the guard detachment split off to clear the way ahead. Pang Yu pressed his legs to the horse's flanks and set off on his return journey.

After traveling a stretch, Pang Yu looked back. Zhou Yueru's solitary figure still stood amidst the crowd on the wharf.

……

On the tenth day of the ninth month of Chongzhen Year 10, Pang Yu walked down the gangplank through the rain and mist. The Sheng-Tang ferry crossing was dense with boats, most of them coming to load Rice and Beans destined for the Jiangnan region.

In the original course of history, after the Battle of Fengjiadian, the Jiangnan officers and soldiers were annihilated. Large numbers of Roving Bandits from the Western Camp and other groups occupied Taihu and Qianshan, repeatedly attempting to attack Tongcheng and the Prefectural City, clashing with Government Troops from the Fengyang direction. This left the entire Anqing region's production in ruins. But with Pang Yu's arrival, the crushing defeat at Fengjiadian became the Susong Great Victory, preserving Anqing's prosperous areas. The large numbers of commoners who had earlier fled to the Prefectural City returned to their villages. Key grain-producing regions like Tongcheng were unaffected, ensuring this year's grain harvest. Because the bandits had retreated in defeat, the martial law on the river was also lifted, and logistics quickly recovered.

In the Jiangbei region downstream from Wuhan, Anqing, due to the presence of the Garrison Command, was almost the safest area. Large numbers of wealthy residents from various counties relocated to the Prefectural City. The city's commerce had recovered a measure of prosperity. There were quite a few Refugees and beggars on the streets, mostly those who had fled from other areas and still could not return home, forced to remain stranded. After the river opened, there were more work opportunities in the market, and life for these people improved slightly.

Inside the Garrison Command, everything was as usual. Pang Yu first went to the Advisory Room. The chief official there, Xie Zhaofa, was not present; he was said to have gone to inspect the new recruits' drilling. Pang Yu then went to the Document Receiving Office. Since He County Yamen had gone to Guangdong, the Document Receiving Office was being run by the deputy. Today, he too had gone to the Prefectural Office for a meeting.

The people moving about in the Prefectural Office all saluted and greeted Pang Yu. Hearing the commotion, Mr. Hou appeared in the Main Hall, and then Yang Xueshi followed him out. Pang Yu waved them over and led the two to the Public House in the rear hall, intending to first get an understanding of the situation in Anqing during his absence.

Pang Yu had the guards all withdraw from the Study and arranged for Pang Ding to brew tea. After sitting down, Pang Yu asked Mr. Hou, "The military situation dispatch reports sent by the Adviser Division contained no bandit alerts. Circuit Intendant Shi sent repeated dispatches urging my return. What was the matter?"

Mr. Hou stood respectfully before the desk and replied, "Regional Commander Xiong has sent someone to deliver his red-lettered notice of arrival, confirming he will establish his headquarters in Anqing Prefectural City and assume office in the tenth month. It specifically indicates that Pang Yu, the chief officer of the Garrison Command, must be present for the acknowledgment. Additionally, my lord's Appointment Certificate for promotion to Vice General is about to arrive in Anqing. It would be best to receive the decree and collect it here in Anqing. The Circuit Intendant was worried my lord could not return in time, hence the repeated urgings."

Pang Yu's promotion was finally confirmed as Vice General. Accompanying it was a Scattered Rank, though he was not clear on the exact title. Vice General was merely a post and carried no inherent rank itself. Because Pang Yu was not from a Military Household, he held no original post within the Regional Military Commission system, so his rank could only be based on the Scattered Rank. But Pang Yu did not care about the rank of the Scattered Rank; only the Vice General post was useful. This year, Zuo Liangyu had been impeached repeatedly, and his Scattered Rank had even been stripped, yet in the end, he still held his post while bearing his crimes. No one could touch his position as Regional Commander. Zuo Liangyu was still living perfectly well, even more at ease than Pang Yu.

"Lord Xiong is about to arrive." Pang Yu did a rough calculation. This Lord Xiong had decided to set out in the seventh month, so he should have departed by the beginning of the eighth month at the latest. He was traveling slowly enough; it seemed he was not very enthusiastic about this post. "Has any letter from He County Yamen reached Anqing?"

"One arrived yesterday. It was opened by the Document Receiving Office. I reviewed it together with Clerk Zhou, who is in charge of the Document Receiving Office. Clerk He said that Lord Xiong is traveling from Jiangxi to Anqing with his own troops and does not require an escort along the way."

Pang Yu listened and said nothing. Sending He County Yamen to Guangdong was also a gesture on his part. If he had truly been required to lead troops to Jiangxi to welcome him, it would actually have been quite inconvenient. He County Yamen had sent letters back, delivering them to both Anqing and Nanjing, also taking into account that Pang Yu might have returned—a very thoughtful consideration.

Mr. Hou continued, "The person who delivered the red-lettered notice brought a verbal message. Lord Xiong is traveling with family dependents, Advisors, gatekeepers, a Cook, serving women, and maids—over seventy people in total. Circuit Intendant Shi's view is that the Branch Intendant Office and Branch Inspection Office in the Prefectural City are far too cramped. They are normally only used for brief inspections by superior officials. With Lord Xiong establishing his headquarters here, such a small government office naturally cannot be used. Lord Xiong will arrive in the territory by the tenth month, and there is no time to build a new government office."

Pang Yu frowned and said, "So Circuit Intendant Shi's meaning is that I should vacate the Garrison Command?"

"As it happens, Prefect Pi is about to leave his post. Circuit Intendant Shi is giving the Prefectural Office to Lord Xiong for his work. The Prefectural Office will move to the Huaining County Yamen, and the County Yamen will move to the Branch Intendant Office for its work."

Pang Yu laughed. "It's truly the three lifetimes of misfortune—a County Magistrate attached to a superior's city. Since I don't need to move, why did he urge me to come back?"

Mr. Hou added, "Lord Xiong is also bringing over a thousand Standard Battalion troops recruited from Guangdong, including both a Water Camp and a Land Battalion. They need a station to be quartered. That day when my lord was absent, Circuit Intendant Shi convened a meeting at the Fenshou Circuit. It was I and Yang Sili who attended. Circuit Intendant Shi said Lord Xiong's Standard Battalion... definitely needs a camp ground within the Prefectural City."

Mr. Hou glanced at Yang Xueshi. Yang Xueshi kept his head lowered and did not respond, looking as if he had no intention of getting involved in this matter.

A surge of anger flared in Pang Yu's chest. He closed his eyes, smoothed his breathing, and then asked, "The only camp ground in the city is that small one next to the Defense Officer Department. The meaning is that we are to give it up. Did you agree?"

Mr. Hou steeled himself and said, "Circuit Intendant Shi's meaning is that Lord Xiong is the Five-Province Regional Commander. He must have a Standard Battalion. In Anqing, he will need a station sooner or later. There is no time to build a new one now."

Pang Yu looked at the two men before him. "If we give it up, will there be time for the Garrison Command to build a new camp ground? And for the land, Rations and Pay for this new camp ground—has Circuit Intendant Shi allocated them?"

Mr. Hou hesitated a moment, then shook his head nervously. Pang Yu's expression was calm, but he did not ask any further questions. An awkward silence filled the hall.

Only after a long while did Pang Yu speak. "Regional Commander Xiong establishing his headquarters in Anqing is a good thing. The Standard Battalion he brings naturally needs to be quartered. That is also our duty as subordinates. Mr. Hou, if you have no other urgent matters, you may go attend to your own affairs first. I will ask Yang Sili further about matters within the camp."

Mr. Hou quickly bowed and withdrew. Pang Yu turned to Yang Xueshi. "The Military Office, tell me the important matters."

Yang Xueshi then began to speak. "According to the new organization set by my lord, the infantry and Artillery of each Thousand-Leader Headquarters have completed ninety percent of their replenishment. The two Reserve Troops Thousand-Leader Headquarters, totaling two thousand three hundred men, have been fully recruited. Infantry drill, according to the Drill Manual, is seventy percent complete. What remains incomplete at present is still the Personal Soldiers and cavalry. The Personal Soldiers currently total seven hundred men, and the cavalry six hundred ninety. Since they could not be recruited all at once, drilling can only proceed Company by Company as each Company is filled. The progress of each Company varies, making it impossible to conduct combined training with other Divisions or Thousand-Leader Headquarters. Additionally, the newly appointed Centurions and Company Commander officers of the water and land battalions have not yet had an audience with my lord."

"Leave the roster directly in my Public House. I will arrange times to speak with each one individually." Pang Yu looked up at Yang Xueshi. "Was giving up the camp ground something Circuit Intendant Shi personally demanded?"

"It was Circuit Intendant Shi who said it. Clerk Officer Hou perhaps had no choice but to agree. But in my humble opinion, it was originally something we could have contested. It is like the old relay stations. The officials of the left and right government markets wanted them for private use, the various Rations and Pay offices wanted a share of the profit, and the relatives of officials who should not use the horses wanted to use them. All these could be conceded. But we could not give away the Stable Office itself. In the end, only with the Stable Office is there a relay station, and only with the relay station are there these benefits. The defense and suppression of Anqing rest entirely on the Garrison Command. If even the Barracks are gone, what do we use to train troops? Even if they want us to give it up, they should at least disburse the Rations and Pay for building new Barracks."

Pang Yu smiled. "That is sound reasoning."

"Have all the newly assigned Clerk Officers for the various water and land divisions taken their posts? What is the current feedback from the army?"

Yang Xueshi turned his head slightly to look, then said, "Of the Clerk Officers recruited this time, half come from the civilian sector, mostly Government Student and Licentiate who fled from the counties preparing against the bandits. A smaller portion are Government Students from among the Roving Bandits captured this time. There is much clerical correspondence in the army, and literate men are indeed needed. However, from what I have heard, most of these men have never fought in a war, nor do they participate in military drills. The General Officers naturally do not respect them. They have no say in the army and have become men who merely write and do calculations for the army's chief officers, like Advisors in a yamen."

Pang Yu nodded, asked a few more questions about the Martial Academy, and then dismissed Yang Xueshi.

As Yang Xueshi left, the rain outside grew heavier, a clatter of pounding sounds on the roof tiles. Pang Yu had originally planned to go to the Drill Ground to inspect the training, but now he abandoned that idea. Seeing the large pile of documents on the desk, he did not rest then and there but began to flip through them.

The documents were mostly about the army and Rations and Pay. According to the instructions he had left when departing, each office of the Defense Officer Department handled its own assigned business. Matters involving multiple departments were convened for discussion by the Document Receiving Office. The basic affairs of the army had not been delayed, but some documents still required his review or retroactive signature.

In an hour, Pang Yu retroactively signed several expenditure requests for amounts over ten thousand taels of silver. He then flipped through the roster of newly appointed officers, followed by the structure and curriculum of the Martial Academy. Finally, he picked up a backup register for the settlement of disabled officers and soldiers and began to examine it carefully. Pang Ding was beside him grinding ink, but even after grinding for a long time, he did not see Pang Yu write a single approval or comment.

Pang Yu flipped through the register very quickly. It contained the soldiers' names, their original Military Camp, their official posts, their settlement locations, and housing conditions.

When he reached the last two pages, Pang Yu finally stopped. "Wu Dacai, former Centurion of the Second Division, disabled in the legs, settled as an instructor at Qianshan No. 2 Dun Fort. How did a Centurion get assigned to a Dun Fort? Do the Martial Academy, the Military Office, and the Advisory Room not need officers like this?"

Pang Ding stopped grinding the ink. "It's still because Wu Dacai offended too many people. Young master, think about it. From the time he arrived in Anqing, Wu Dacai reported his superior officer, reported his colleagues, was transferred from the First Division to the Second Division, and berated the training officer. Truly, no superior officer would like him. No one in the army is close to him. I think even Wang Zenglu doesn't necessarily like him. After all, he is someone who reported a superior officer. It's just that because Wu Dacai took the initiative to attach himself to Wang Zenglu, Wang Zenglu had to put on a show for the other officers. If something really happened, he wouldn't help him either."

Pang Yu smiled. Wu Dacai's reporting of his superior could be considered a forced move, but everything after that he brought upon himself. He didn't just offend a few people; he offended most of the group. Now that he had fallen on hard times, naturally no one would speak up for him.

"No one in the army is close to him." Pang Yu's hand gently rubbed the surface of the desk.