Chapter 380: Old Friends

The Upper River lapped against the shore at Sheng-Tang Ferry, sending gentle spray against the steps before turning back toward midstream in layered ripples; the grain transport ships moored at the dock swayed faintly with the current.

Wu Changshi stood with one hand clasped behind his back, waiting at a grain ship's gangplank for Ruan Dacheng up on the dock, showing not the slightest sign of impatience.

He and Ruan Dacheng had not lingered long; after spending two or three days in Anqing they took their leave to return to Nanjing. Traveling downstream allowed them to go by boat, making the journey far easier than the trip here. Pang Yu had specially arranged a grain transport ship to carry only the two of them and their attendants, and now came in person to see them off — a gesture that could be called giving full face. Wu Changshi was tactful enough to know that Ruan Dacheng and Pang Yu were old friends, so he went down to the dock ahead of them, leaving the two to say their farewells in private.

Up on the dock, Ruan Dacheng lifted his head to gaze at Zhongjiang Tower. Pang Yu did not disturb him; only after a long while did Ruan Dacheng withdraw his gaze.

He sighed, then looked at Pang Yu and said, "My grand-uncle was known as the Romantic Grand Administrator, and it was he who founded the Ruan Family Troupe. Even past seventy, Grand-Uncle still took the stage to perform. This small fondness of mine I inherited from him. I often recall it now — the singing style in that 'Female Prince Consort' of yours, Pang Xiaoyou, bears quite a resemblance to the melodies Grand-Uncle arranged when he retired to Huangmei Mountain."

"Both come from the Anqing region, so a resemblance is only natural." The moment Pang Yu heard the words Huangmei Mountain, he dared not delve deeper into this topic, though he understood that Ruan Dacheng bringing up his grand-uncle now was likely because he was leaving home once more, and feeling some measure of parting melancholy.

Sure enough, Ruan Dacheng did not continue. He turned his head and saw Wu Changshi waiting, then lowered his voice and said to Pang Yu, "This Wu Changshi is a key operative under Zhang Pu. He was the one who earlier rushed about for Zhou Zhikui's petition submitted at the palace gate, traveling back and forth between Jiangnan and the Capital. Boheng also holds him in high regard."

Pang Yu paused, finally recalling that Boheng was the courtesy name of Feng Quan. This member of the Eunuch Faction had once entered the Grand Secretariat and also had deep connections with the eunuch officials in the palace; though not an official himself, his influence was no less than one. He had always been a lofty branch Pang Yu hoped to climb — he had never imagined Wu Changshi had already climbed it.

"After the New Year, I intend to arrange for Liu Ruogu to make a trip to the Capital. I wonder if Ruan Xiansheng might be interested in traveling north to visit old friends? That way Liu Ruogu could look after you along the journey."

The meaning behind Pang Yu's words was that he hoped Ruan Dacheng would go to the Capital and help manage the matter of opening a money house.

"A trip would do me good; otherwise some old ties grow distant." Ruan Dacheng agreed readily. "Old Mr. Feng has already given his assent. If you want to open a silver house in the Capital, you need someone to provide cover. The gentlemen inside the Directorate of Ceremonial have that ability, but eunuchs — well, they care for nothing else; they are simply greedy for wealth. If you seek cover from them, it becomes a bottomless pit. Going through Old Mr. Feng's route is the most secure."

"I have heard that Wen Tiren's recent return to his hometown was thanks to Old Mr. Feng's efforts. Since the court situation is shifting, perhaps Old Mr. Feng's restoration to office may also be in sight."

Pang Yu did not directly ask about Ruan Dacheng's own restoration to office. He knew Ruan Dacheng's craving for officialdom was considerable; touching a sore spot would only make things awkward. So he asked about Feng Quan first — as long as one member of the Eunuch Faction was restored, Ruan Dacheng's hope would have a foundation.

"Even for Old Mr. Feng, it may not be so easy. Someone from the Capital mentioned that when the Emperor summoned the Minister of Personnel for an audience, he still firmly maintained..." Ruan Dacheng trailed off, his mood suddenly sinking. Pang Yu understood at once that the matter of restoration had stalled again.

Ruan Dacheng waved a hand. "So long as one has a heart for the people, restoration or not is of little consequence."

"Ruan Xiansheng's lofty integrity will one day be known to all under heaven."

Ruan Dacheng cast another look at Zhongjiang Tower, his eyes rather complicated. Pang Yu could not tell whether he was missing his grand-uncle or missing someone else from the Ruan family. After a moment, Ruan Dacheng finally turned back and said in a low voice to Pang Yu, "There is one matter I nearly forgot to mention to Pang Xiaoyou. Fang Kongzhao has been restored to office, appointed as Shangbao Company Minister in Nanjing — a proper rank-five official. His many years of toil have not been in vain."

Pang Yu understood at once. This news had likely stung Ruan Dacheng. Fang Kongzhao and Ruan Dacheng were from the same hometown and of the same generation, yet Fang Kongzhao's restoration had clearly been far easier, while Ruan Dacheng's own restoration remained a distant prospect.

Ruan Dacheng offered no further explanation. He clasped hands with Pang Yu in farewell. Wu Changshi waited until Ruan Dacheng reached the gangplank, first helped him onto it, and only then boarded the ship himself. The boatmen pushed off with their poles, easing the grain ship slowly away from the shore, then raised the sail. Following the river current, the ship gradually receded into the distance.

"Second Brother, if Ruan Dacheng is truly willing to work for us, then that share in Bai Shun Tang is no loss at all."

"When it comes to judging people, you must still trust my eye." Pang Yu turned his head to look at He County Yamen, paused a moment, then said, "Third Brother, I had originally intended to send you out to an external post as an official, but the situation in Anqing has shifted somewhat. I must accompany Xiong on the bandit-suppression campaign. Anqing is our foundation — without one of our own watching over it, I cannot rest easy. I wanted to hear Third Brother's opinion first."

He County Yamen quickly straightened up. "I await your instructions."

"Xiong handles matters swiftly. The Ministry of War has already approved the establishment of a Garrison Commander post at Wuhu. Local military officers are to be recommended by the Yingtian Grand Coordinator. Zhang Guowei will likely give the post to someone from our garrison battalion. Wuhu is a place of great importance to me; by rights, Third Brother should be the one to go and establish a presence there. But then Anqing would have no one trustworthy. I would like Third Brother to help look after Anqing — it means imposing on you a while longer."

"What words are these, Second Brother? I was originally nothing but an auxiliary. Everything I have now was given by Second Brother. Wherever I can be of use, it is all the same. So long as Second Brother rises steadily through the ranks, I, your Third Brother, will naturally rise with the tide. In the end, Second Brother is the root of it all."

Pang Yu laughed heartily twice, nodded at He County Yamen, and said, "Then I must ask Third Brother to remain in Anqing and help me keep a good watch over these family assets."

"Second Brother, rest assured. I understand."

Pang Yu studied He County Yamen once more. Two years ago, though literate and sharp-minded, He County Yamen could not afford to buy a post and could only work as an auxiliary. If not for that one stroke, he would surely still be following Jiao Guozha, beating his brains out over a tax-grain-comparison assignment. Had anyone said he could become the Section Clerk of the Document Receiving Office in a Vice General's yamen, half the yamen would have laughed their teeth out.

Yet in reality, aside from being somewhat perfunctory at the Times News Agency, He County Yamen had performed excellently at every post — even the present Document Receiving Office had been reorganized until it looked brand new.

"Does Third Brother know how our old acquaintances over in Tongcheng have been faring lately?"

He County Yamen hesitated. Many people from the Tongcheng county yamen who wished to attach themselves to Pang Yu had all sought him out as a go-between. Pang Yu's question seemed to carry multiple layers of meaning — it might be a form of indirect compensation for him, or perhaps a warning, or maybe both.

He studied Pang Yu's expression and said, "Tang Weimin and Ruan Jin have both come to Anqing, after the Susong Great Victory. They harbor a desire to join your service and sought through me an opportunity to meet you in person. I told them to wait and see whether you might have some free time when you return to Tongcheng."

Pang Yu gave an assenting grunt and said, "So-called old acquaintances are people we already understand. Some can be used; some can wait a while longer. Based on your understanding of Ruan Jin, what sort of work do you think he is suited for?"

He County Yamen kept his head lowered and considered for a moment. "Jiang Fan oversees the Dark Sentinel Division, but all its operations are in Jiangnan. Here in Anqing itself, there is no one in charge. This time, when you go to Huguang to suppress the bandits, the campaign may drag on. Anqing still needs someone to manage the Dark Sentinel Division. Ruan Jin is well-versed in both yamen affairs and the marketplace; it seems he could take a post in the Dark Sentinel Division. This is my humble opinion."

Pang Yu smiled faintly. "Since we must watch over Anqing, the Dark Sentinel Division is naturally indispensable. What you just said is quite fitting. Since Ruan Jin wishes to join us, let him work in the Dark Sentinel Division. He knows the lay of the land in Anqing. Start him at the Centurion rank, responsible for the Counter-Espionage Company."

"On Ruan Jin's behalf, I thank you for the promotion."

He County Yamen lifted his head and glanced at Pang Yu. Seeing that Pang Yu had no intention of continuing and had already passed over Tang Weimin, He County Yamen did not understand the reason but dared not press further.

Pang Yu was still gazing at the grain ship, now a tiny dot in the distance. "Has there been any change in Xiong's departure date?"

"Still set for the seventh. The Guangdong troops are packing their gear. They also want to ask us for some horses, claiming they need to train cavalry. In my view, they simply want draft animals."

"Good horses would be wasted on them. We can give them some nags. After all, Xiong can still get things done." Pang Yu drew a breath of icy air. "Xiangyang is over a thousand li from here. This is the garrison battalion's first external deployment for combat — our preparations must be even more thorough."

"I have learned from the two advisors that Xiong has already found a Licentiate. This man was once abducted into the Eight Bandits Camp and later released. Now, under Xiong's orders, he has gone back into the Eight Bandits Camp to negotiate a feigned surrender."

"You are saying he escaped from the Eight Bandits Camp, yet now he can still enter the Eight Bandits Camp to negotiate a feigned surrender? This Licentiate must be different from the other abductees. I would wager he has had dealings with the Eight Bandits all along — perhaps even business dealings." Pang Yu pondered this. "Go and find out this Licentiate's name."

He County Yamen quickly acknowledged the order, then added, "If they truly accept a feigned surrender, won't we have traveled a thousand li only to find nothing?"

"Even if we find nothing, marching a thousand li is not without its gains. Do not pass this information to the various offices and departments. Continue preparations according to the original plan." Pang Yu rubbed his chin. "The Eight Bandits owe Anqing a blood debt. I will not let him succeed in recruiting them to surrender. Summon the Advisory Office, the Military Office, the Household Office, and Chen Rulie to the Second Hall at noon for a council of war. The Cavalry Division should be ready to depart in advance. Personnel drawn from each office must also be prepared to move out at any moment."

"It is that Document Team. They say Wu Dacai has gone off to conduct field drills with the troops. The Garrison Inspector Dui's evaluations came out these past two days — seventy percent failed to meet standards. Wu Dacai submitted a petition to replace all of them. There is some turmoil within the team, and even the chief officer to accompany the army on the bandit-suppression campaign has not yet been decided. Originally, the Document Team was also supposed to dispatch Clerk Officers to the various offices, workshops, and fortified villages. As it stands, even the military units have barely half the clerks they need. Everywhere is short of personnel. Once the bandit-suppression campaign draws off more men, there will be no one left in Anqing. We must arrange for people to fill these posts as quickly as possible."

"Those who fail to meet standards should naturally be replaced. We would rather go without than make do with inferior quality."

He County Yamen said in a low voice, "Then which chief officer will the Document Team assign to accompany you on the bandit-suppression campaign?"

Having asked, he waited quietly for the answer. Wu Dacai was like a monkey wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Palace; Mr. Hou was like the Jade Emperor struggling to preserve the old order. The Document Team had lately been thrown into utter chaos, and every office could watch the spectacle daily. Pang Yu was right there in the Rear Office and naturally knew of it, yet he had never once stepped in to intervene.

With the start of the personnel purge, all affairs in the Document Team had to be torn down and rebuilt from scratch, and this was a critical moment of large-scale personnel change. Taking one chief officer away now could quiet the Document Team down. The chief officer who accompanied the army would be able to stay close to Pang Yu — that was an advantage — but the one who remained in Anqing would hold control over personnel decisions. He County Yamen could roughly guess Pang Yu's inclination but dared not rashly suggest a candidate.

He heard only Pang Yu's voice say, "Let Mr. Hou accompany the army. All Document Team matters in Anqing will be managed by Wu Dacai. Tell him to fill the personnel roster as quickly as possible, in this order: the military, the yamen, the workshops, and the fortified villages."