Chapter 381: Replacement

"Yang Zhujie, Document Officer of the First Division, Second Company, attached to the Thousandth Headquarters — during the drill examination and evaluation, he was arrogant and insolent, disobeyed the explicit orders of the Examination Garrison Inspector Officer, and even openly contradicted the Deputy Chief Clerk. In accordance with military law, he is hereby sentenced to eighty strokes of the cane!"

In the Document Office of the Defense Officer Department, Wu Dacai and Jiang Guoyong sat side by side in the seats of honor. Nearly twenty people knelt below; because the room was small, another seven or eight were kneeling outside the door. The clerk finished reading aloud in a loud voice, and two sturdy Garrison Inspector soldiers came over, lifted Yang Zhujie from the ground, dragged him to the Main Hall outside, and immediately began beating him with the planks.

In the Document Team's collective training that had just ended, seventy percent of the Document Officers were completely unqualified. In the simplest march assessment, sixty percent could barely walk and still failed to meet the minimum standard. The replacement process was underway. Today should have been the First Division's turn, but because the military expedition was imminent and time was tight, some additional people had been temporarily included. Whether qualified or not, they all waited below in the hall.

In the two years since Pang Yu took office as Anqing Garrison Commander, canings at the drill ground had been many, but canings at the government office had only happened two or three times, all related to military supplies audits. Today's caning of a Document Officer was a first. In the past, twenty or thirty strokes at the county office were already considered severe, but today the punishment was carried out according to Defense Officer Ying military law. Disobeying a military order and contradicting a superior officer were both grave offenses — even in peacetime, the sentence was eighty strokes.

People from every office surrounding the Main Hall had come outside to stand, most of them watching the spectacle. The dull thud of the caning echoed through the hall. Yang Zhujie, who had contradicted his superior, began loudly begging for mercy after ten strokes; after twenty, it turned to wretched howls of agony.

Flesh and blood flew beneath the wooden staves. The howls gradually faded as the strokes increased, then fell utterly silent. Yang Zhujie's body jerked with each blow. Most of the onlookers around the Main Hall were clerks and copyists; they rarely witnessed military law punishments from the drill ground. Every face was pale, yet the planks continued to strike in their mechanical rhythm, showing no sign of stopping.

The Document Team had always been stationed within the government office, and nearly all of them had studied books. Most held military posts, yet every other office treated them as civilian clerks. Today, having military law openly enforced against them right in the government office caught everyone in every office completely unprepared.

Inside the Document Team's Direct Office, none of the dozen or so kneeling Document Officers dared raise their heads. Some were trembling like chaff in a sieve. Wu Dacai sat with his head slightly raised, looking down upon the people on the floor. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest in time with the rhythm of the caning, and his mouth muttered something.

Jiang Guoyong beside him showed no expression. He was in charge of the Garrison Inspector Dui, and one of his main tasks was administering canings. He had seen too many gruesome scenes; this no longer stirred him.

After a long while, the sound of the caning finally stopped. Jiang Guoyong was about to give an order to the Garrison Inspector soldiers in the room when Wu Dacai suddenly spoke first. "Two strokes short."

Jiang Guoyong looked over in astonishment. Wu Dacai hurriedly lowered his head a little and said, "I counted them myself. We should go by the Zong Garrison Inspector Guan's count."

The Garrison Inspector Dui administered canings every day, and there were men specially assigned to count the strokes during punishment. As Zong Garrison Inspector Guan, Jiang Guoyong had no such idle interest in counting such things, nor had he imagined that Wu Dacai's tapping fingers were keeping count.

Jiang Guoyong's expression shifted slightly. He hesitated a moment, then said, "Since the Deputy Chief Clerk made a point of counting, it must be correct."

He looked up at his deputy by the doorway and said, "Add two more strokes."

Two more sounds rang out from outside. A low murmur rippled through the hall — no one had expected the beating to continue.

The deputy quickly returned and whispered a few words into Jiang Guoyong's ear. Jiang Guoyong nodded to show he understood. He turned to Wu Dacai beside him and said, "Yang Zhujie's injuries from the punishment are severe. He should be sent to the Medical Officer for treatment. I do not know whether this Document Officer Yang has family dependents. I must ask the Deputy Chief Clerk to send someone to inform his family so they can care for him."

Wu Dacai said dismissively, "Sir Pang said that Document Officers are soldiers. In the army, when you're caned, you endure it yourself. Let him lie there for a while. I will make arrangements myself."

Jiang Guoyong's brow furrowed. He stared at Wu Dacai for a moment, then said, "The Garrison Inspector Dui also has rules for carrying out punishment. The cane is used to punish past deeds and warn others. Everything is done according to the rules. As long as it is not a capital offense, after the beating, those who need treatment should be treated, and those who need recovery should recover. If a man dies without cause, it is the Garrison Inspector Dui's responsibility. A detailed report must be filed with Sir Pang. Today, Yang Zhujie received eighty strokes. One moment of negligence and his life may be lost. He absolutely cannot be left lying on the ground like this without attention. If the Document Team is too busy, the Garrison Inspector Dui can send him to the Medical Officer first. The Deputy Chief Clerk need only inform us of his home address, and I will send someone to notify his family dependents."

Wu Dacai froze for a moment, then without the slightest hesitation said, "In that case, we shall follow Sir Jiang's opinion. I will send someone immediately to notify his family dependents. Xu Youyuan! Ask around and find out who knows the Yang Family residence. Send someone to inform them. First, take Yang Zhujie to the Medical Officer."

Jiang Guoyong nodded, turned back, and looked out at the hall. Wu Dacai signaled to the copyist beside him. The copyist switched to another document and continued reading aloud, "Thousandth Headquarters, Headquarters Document Officer Li Yangming; First Division, First Company, Company Document Officer Xu Guozhu..."

Each time he read a name, one of the people kneeling below would tremble slightly, and Wu Dacai's toe would twitch in response. The list was very long this time. Wu Dacai's foot twitched over a dozen times before the copyist finished reading.

"... First Division, Second Company, Third Company Document Officer Tang Juedao. The above persons, having failed the Document General Team's collective training examination and evaluation, are hereby submitted for Sir Pang's approval to be expelled from the Document Team."

Among the kneeling people, some let out sighs of relief, others wept quietly. Wu Dacai's gaze slowly swept left and right, observing each person's state. Only after a long while did he speak.

"Most of you present are old hands in the Document Team, officers who have reached the rank of Thousand-Leader Headquarters Document Officer. Over a thousand soldiers and officers regard you as their superior. But what do you regard yourselves as? Are you officials, officers, clerks, or soldiers?" Wu Dacai's voice was very loud. The door of the Direct Office was not closed, and the windows were wide open. His voice carried clearly outside to the Main Hall.

"Document Officers can read, but you are soldiers who can read! Soldiers are meant to go into battle and kill. In the examination and evaluation, you couldn't even keep up with a march — are you waiting for the soldiers to carry you in a sedan chair?" Wu Dacai pushed himself up by the armrest and stood, his face flushing slightly red. "I can read too, so what of it? I've killed no fewer men at the Cart Horse River than anyone else. You draw a General Officer's monthly pay, you receive the courtesies due a superior officer, yet aside from being able to write a few characters, in the end you can't lift a sword or kill a man. Or worse, by the time others have finished the killing, you haven't even reached the battlefield. What use does the army have for you? Do you think Sir Pang's monthly pay falls from the sky? Expulsion is letting you off lightly."

Wu Dacai didn't even take his crutch. He limped a step forward, his shoes nearly touching the faces of those kneeling in the front row. He panted heavily and roared through gritted teeth, "Today's punishment is military law. It is to tell you that Document Officers are soldiers! Sir Pang's soldiers! Military law states clearly: a soldier's bounden duty is to obey orders — that means obeying Sir Pang's commands. When Sir Pang speaks, you should listen. Otherwise, military law is no mere decoration. If we were on the battlefield, I would personally cut you down with one stroke of my sword and wouldn't even leave your corpse intact."

The Document Officers in the room knelt and groveled on the floor. Two of them trembled even more violently. Ordinarily, the Document Team were all educated men; even when they made mistakes, they were only reprimanded. The chief officers of each division were not even in the same chain of command and had to show some courtesy. They had never seen such shouting about killing and cutting down.

Jiang Guoyong stared expressionlessly at the floor, occasionally glancing sidelong at Wu Dacai ahead of him.

After finishing his tirade, Wu Dacai paused for a moment. He let out a breath, then suddenly softened his tone. "However, Sir Pang is benevolent and virtuous. He said that Document Officers spent their youth studying books and had less time to build up their strength. He is willing to give you all one more chance. But only if you want it yourselves. Anyone who wishes to leave the Document Team may leave right now, and from this moment on, you will have no further ties to the Defense Officer Ying."

No one in the room moved. Wu Dacai swept his gaze around. "Then you all wish to remain in the Document Team. Say it with your own mouths."

Still no one moved or spoke. Wu Dacai was in no hurry. Finally, Li Yangming in front of him said in a trembling voice, "Th-this humble one wishes to remain in the Document Team. I beg the Deputy Chief Clerk to permit a re-examination. This humble one will certainly train diligently."

"Train diligently like a soldier, obey only Sir Pang's military orders. Everyone after him, say it the same way. Next."

"This humble one, Xu Guozhu, also wishes to remain in the Document Team, to train diligently like a soldier, and obey only Sir Pang's military orders."

"This humble one, Lü Danchen..."

After everyone had spoken, Wu Dacai nodded with satisfaction. "Sir Pang has specially shown mercy and is willing to grant you all one more examination and evaluation. You will first go to the Martial Academy to train for one month. I believe that if you truly train diligently, you will certainly pass the examination and evaluation, and at that time you can be reassigned."

The room erupted in chaotic shouts. "We thank Sir Pang for his benevolence! We thank the Deputy Chief Clerk!"

"Then all of you are to report to the Martial Academy immediately. I said immediately — you are not permitted to return to your camp, not permitted to go home. Follow the men I assign and report to the Martial Academy immediately. Examination and evaluation in one month."

The Document Officers on the floor practically scrambled and crawled away, immediately leaving this Direct Office. They hastily assembled outside and then followed the men to the Martial Academy.

Wu Dacai turned back, full of swagger, but the moment he saw Jiang Guoyong also standing, he immediately lowered his head a little and said, "We have troubled the Zong Garrison Inspector Guan for half the day. However, the examination and evaluation is not yet complete, and I fear I must impose upon you further, sir."

"Examination and evaluation is the Garrison Inspector Dui's duty. The Deputy Chief Clerk has also taken great pains. After being put in order like this, the Document Team will surely be completely transformed. Sir Pang has said that the Garrison Inspector Dui must also be assigned Document Officers. When the time comes for the Deputy Chief Clerk to select men, please be sure to choose capable ones."

"Certainly, certainly. But Sir Pang has also said that the Garrison Inspector Dui must also assign Garrison Inspector Officers to the Document Team. In the future, matters of examination and evaluation will still require the Zong Garrison Inspector Guan's attention."

Jiang Guoyong said no more. He cupped his hands toward Wu Dacai and left. Wu Dacai, leaning on his crutch, escorted him all the way to the main gate. Some people still lingered in the hall watching. When Wu Dacai looked over, these people averted their gazes one after another and retreated back into their own rooms. Wu Dacai gave a smug snort and, supported by Xu Youyuan, returned. The moment he stepped into his own Direct Office, however, he saw a person standing inside. All the other copyists were nowhere to be seen.

Wu Dacai paused at the doorway and nodded to Xu Youyuan. Xu Youyuan released his supporting hand and, once Wu Dacai had entered the room, closed the door.

"Greetings, Chief Clerk Hou."

Mr. Hou in the room slowly turned around. He looked Wu Dacai's leg up and down, then said with an amiable expression, "Today the Document Receiving Office informed me that this old man is to accompany the Sir to Huguang for bandit suppression. Before departing, I wished to discuss some team affairs with you, Dacai."

"The Chief Clerk may go without worry. I will handle matters in the team."

Mr. Hou gave a dry cough and said, "This Document Team — in ordinary times, there would be no issue, but it happens that this replacement process has just begun. This old man still has a few words to say."

This time, Wu Dacai said nothing, merely looking at Mr. Hou.

Mr. Hou paused for a moment, then said, "The matter of replacement was entrusted to you by Sir Pang. Originally, it is no business of this old man's. But these Document Officers were not easy to assemble. Those who are literate and willing to enter the army — it is only these people. We even recruited some Licentiate and Government Student from among the Susong captives, and only then were we able to fill all the headquarters, divisions, and companies. Now we must also assign men to every office and every team. If we proceed in the manner of today, there will only be elimination, with no one to replace them."

"Sir Pang said it is better to leave a post vacant than to fill it with an unsuitable person. I listen to Sir Pang."

"What Dacai has implied many times is that this old man does not listen to Sir Pang. I wonder if that is indeed the case."

"Whether the Chief Clerk listens to Sir Pang or not is a question you should ask yourself. I only know that I should listen to the county magistrate."

Mr. Hou gave a short laugh. "In that case, I am the Chief Clerk, and you are the deputy. I am your county magistrate. Then you should listen to me."

Wu Dacai tilted his head and looked at Mr. Hou. "In my heart, the only county magistrate is Sir Pang. I simply do not know who the Chief Clerk's county magistrate truly is."

"Sir Pang is our county magistrate. But who is Sir Pang's county magistrate? When the county magistrate's county magistrate speaks, should you listen or not?" Mr. Hou looked at Wu Dacai. "Since you listen to Sir Pang, have you ever heard Sir Pang speak of the Yin-Yang Theory?"

Wu Dacai froze for a moment, then said warily, "I have not."

"The Defense Officer Ying is an army of the imperial court. Our dynasty's civil-dominated military control is an ancestral institution. Even Sir Pang must obey the orders of civil officials. If you insist on contradicting your superior's superior, in the end, not only will you come to no good, but you will also cause Sir Pang to incur the suspicion and cold-shouldering of his superiors. Ultimately, the county magistrate will not be pleased, and the one who takes the blame will still be you. The way of serving those below requires both looking after the good of your superior and not offending your superior's superior. This protects yourself, and in the end, it also looks after the county magistrate."

Wu Dacai's eyes darted around a few times. "What the Chief Clerk means — the meaning of yin and yang — is to listen to the county magistrate at one moment, and listen to the county magistrate's county magistrate at another. Listen to this one at times, listen to that one at times. In this way, yin and yang are harmonized, and both above and below are satisfied."

"Though your understanding is not exact, it is not far off."

"Then let me ask the Chief Clerk this: since yin and yang are harmonized, why did Sir Pang newly establish the post of Deputy Chief Clerk and have me fill it?"

Mr. Hou clearly hadn't expected Wu Dacai to ask such a question, and for a moment he was at a loss for words.

Wu Dacai took half a step forward. "Then it must be that Lord Pang doesn't think the Yin-Yang Office is in harmony — there's always something missing. I've finally seen it clearly: the Document Team has too much yin and lacks yang. I, Wu Dacai, am here to supply the yang."

Mr. Hou's face flushed red. After a long pause, he let out a sharp huff, pulled open the door, flicked his sleeves, and strode out.