Chapter 391: Nothing Can Be Done

In the vast and desolate Forbidden City, ministers walked alone outside the empty great halls. The tense Imperial Summons had ended; even those present who had not been singled out for a scolding had suffered some degree of psychological trauma. One by one, they cautiously kept their distance from Yang Sichang. Only Grand Secretary Liu Yuliang, who came from the Ministry of War, came over to offer a few words of consolation before heading east toward Wenyuan Pavilion with the other two Grand Secretaries.

Yang Sichang walked at the very back with heavy steps, accompanied only by Zhao Guangbian, Director of the Company of Operations from the Ministry of War. Zhao Guangbian wiped the sweat from his forehead, still visibly shaken.

Yang Sichang had originally brought Zhao Guangbian along to hold a secret discussion with the Emperor after the audience, using Lu Xiangsheng's secret memorial to push forward the matter of opening markets with the Tartars. But the method the Emperor adopted had dashed all of Yang Sichang's preparations, and naturally, both men were in low spirits.

"Sir, do not take it to heart. The Emperor still values our Ministry of War, and especially still relies heavily on you, Sir."

Yang Sichang sighed. "Yanqing, tomorrow you will see that the memorials impeaching this official could stack up to a man's height. That is one thing — too many lice and they stop biting. What this official truly worries about is the matter of suppressing the bandits. If they are not decisively wiped out before winter sets in, I fear it will be another catastrophe like Mianchi or Chexiang."

Just then, the two men passed a eunuch who was on the ground cleaning the gaps between the bricks. Only after they had walked some distance away did Zhao Guangbian lower his voice and say, "This humble one also believes that the bandit Zhang will certainly revolt once winter comes."

Yang Sichang turned his head and used his peripheral vision to check behind him. Seeing that there was truly no one around, he said, "The revolt of the bandit Zhang does not lie with the bandit Zhang himself."

Zhao Guangbian responded, "What worries you, Sir, is a Tartar incursion."

"In the second year of Chongzhen, the Tartars entered the Ji Garrison; in the fifth year, they entered Xuan-Da; in the seventh year, they entered Xuan-Da again; in the ninth year, they entered the Ji Garrison once more. Yanqing, can you discern the pattern?"

"Except for the fifth year of Chongzhen at Xuan-Da, the Tartar incursions have generally occurred at two-year intervals."

Yang Sichang nodded. "Precisely a two-year cycle. The fifth year of Chongzhen was only delayed by a year because of the Battle of the Beating the Bell River. Last year, Joseon submitted and Dongjiang collapsed; all surrounding checks and restraints are gone. This year's Tartar incursion will surely be unprecedented. When the time comes, all available troops will be summoned for rally to the king. Seven or eight out of ten from the Ten-Sided Net will be pulled away. How could bandits like Zhang and Liu not revolt again?"

"This subordinate believes the Tartars will certainly come this year. The Emperor understands this too; he simply cannot bring himself to say those words."

Yang Sichang looked at the five Golden Water Bridges ahead. "The lesson of Shen Qi's precedent is known throughout the court. If those words are not spoken, opening this border market will be useless even if it happens. I will speak from the heart to you, Yanqing: if it would benefit all under Heaven, this official could cast aside his reputation, both in life and after, and could originally have spoken them. But in the end, it would be a futile act. Just now, merely speaking of opening a border market was already impossible to say, let alone discussing peace negotiations."

"In the eyes of the Remonstrance Officials, opening a market is bribing the caitiffs, and negotiating peace is indulging the bandits. The court has not a single inch of room to maneuver. For twenty years, no good deed has been accomplished — that is how it has come to this."

Yang Sichang walked in silence for a moment, then spoke to Zhao Guangbian again. "Our dynasty's method of border defense lies in maintaining the army. Over many years, the law could not be enforced, leading to gradual decay and collapse. After the fall of Liaoyang, those in charge knew not what to do and had only one method: increasing military rations. Rations increase daily, yet the army grows weaker daily and the people poorer daily. The foundation of the Central Plains is shaken by bandits. The entire difficulty of using troops lies in this. At this moment, the available troops are only enough to deal with one front. Suppressing the bandits means insufficient border defense. In the earlier audience with the Emperor, I made clear the harm of the Roving Bandits: we must first suppress the bandits, then strengthen border defense. The Ten-Sided Net has already been cast, yet suppression has turned to pacification. Elite troops are massed together, wasting rations and pay in vain, while instead leaving a hidden threat in the heart of the realm. What can be done about this?"

Zhao Guangbian looked left and right, then said with deep worry, "The Minister of War has already submitted a secret memorial. The Tartar incursion this year is imminent. If the horse market is not opened, the Tartars will enter the border to plunder — in the end, it is still appeasing the Slaves. Reopening the Yizhou Horse Market and trading goods with the Tartars is merely the surface. Peace negotiations do not lie in peace, but in the negotiating itself. If we can only delay them by one year, the Ten-Sided Net can achieve total success. Then we can regroup our elite forces and fight the Tartars without delay."

The Yizhou he mentioned was just north of Jinzhou. The Chahar tribe involved in Lu Xiangsheng's secret memorial was at most a vassal tribe of the Tartars. Yizhou could basically be considered within the Tartars' sphere of influence — meaning it would be opening a market directly with the Tartars.

This proposal had also been submitted in a secret memorial. The Emperor likewise brought it up openly in the hall for discussion, demanding that Yang Sichang confirm whether the Mongols of Yizhou could resist the Slaves on behalf of the Ming Dynasty. The Mongols of Yizhou had long since been subjugated by the Tartars. Yang Sichang naturally dared not make such a promise, and the audience ended in discord.

Yang Sichang shook his head and said, "The realm has been rotting for a long time. Neither the court nor the common people can find a moment's breathing space. Negotiating peace could buy one year — that one year would be a breath of life. Yet even this is so difficult."

"Sir, you are right. Originally, with the Ten-Sided Net cast, this breath of life was right before our eyes. Since the bandit horde's crushing defeat at Susong last year, and suffering another heavy blow from Zuo Liangyu this year, they are indeed a spent force. Seeing our powerful troops encircling them, their acceptance of pacification is truly a stalling tactic. Once this window of opportunity passes, the future troubles will be endless."

The two men walked onto the Golden Water Bridge. Yang Sichang felt his steps grow heavy. He stopped to catch his breath a few times, then turned his head to look at the magnificent palace behind him. "Endless future troubles. If they truly accept pacification, we should concentrate all troops on Xuan-Da and the Ji Garrison to strengthen the border against the Slaves. But with this Pacification Company as it stands, the bandit horde harbors sinister intentions. Only heavy troops can keep them in check. They accept pacification, yet the troops cannot be withdrawn. Border defense requires troops, but there are no troops to deploy. What kind of pacification is this? Once the Tartars invade, the troops guarding against the bandits will all be transferred for rally to the king. Not to mention two months wasted in transit, the Tartars will instead wait at ease for our exhausted forces. In the end, I fear we will neither be able to relieve the Emperor nor guard against the bandits, ending up empty-handed on both fronts."

Zhao Guangbian lowered his voice and said, "Could we have Yu Yinggui and Dai Dongmin think of some way to force the bandits Zhang and Liu into revolt, so that we can concentrate all the elite Border Army forces and fight the Tartars in one battle?"

"Given the cunning of those two bandits, Zhang and Liu, they will certainly not revolt again easily. With Xiong Wencan in Xiangyang, what methods could Yu Yinggui and Dai Dongmin possibly devise? Let them do their best, but do not let any leverage fall into Xiong Wencan's hands." Yang Sichang gazed at the flowing water in the Jade Belt River. After pondering for a long while, he sighed and said, "Knowing it is so, yet powerless to do anything. Such is the mockery of fate. Nothing can be done, nothing can be done."

……

"The bandit Zhang is building houses and farming at Baishazhou. The county seat's rice and beans have all been forcibly bought up by the bandit horde. The common people have not a single day's grain in reserve. The Eighth Bandit posts dozens of soldiers at every gate daily, and has troops and horses garrisoned at all ferry crossings and bridges to the east. In name, it is to guard against bandits, but in truth, it is to guard against soldiers. They collect entry fees from commoners and merchants entering the city. No commoner in the city dares to leave, and no merchant dares to enter. Beside the beds of the entire city's officials and people, it is as if a hungry tiger lies slumbering. Every moment is spent in constant fear. This is absolutely no long-term solution. I beseech you, Military Commander, to strike with thunderous force and restore peace to the people of Gucheng."

In the Branch Surveillance Branch Office of Xiangyang, Dai Dongmin listened with a grave expression. The man below the hall poured out his heart with tears streaming down his face. Only a few people stood in the hall. This government office was originally used by the Branch Surveillance Circuit for inspection tours, so the main hall was very small. But now, with Xiong Wencan in Xiangyang Prefecture — his rank being far too high — all the good places had been taken by him. Dai Dongmin had to make do here when he arrived.

Pang Yu was also in the hall. He had originally come to see Dai Dongmin about the matter of grain tax in kind. Because the operational range for bandit suppression was too vast, the Ministry of War had somewhat kept pace with the times and adjusted the original grain tax in kind supply system. Military rations were now supplied directly by the prefectures and counties near the garrison, offsetting items in the transport quotas and eliminating the need to haul grain back and forth. However, limited by the conditions of the time, balancing the accounts was a major headache. Some transport quota items were not strictly assessed, and the localities had always been in arrears — after long enough, the debts were simply written off. Now that it had become an offset against actual grain, the localities were in effect facing increased expenditures. Meanwhile, the army's needs often fluctuated, and overspending was the norm. The localities then wanted to offset more against the Commuted Tax, requiring further entanglement with superiors or the Ministry of Revenue. A single military payroll issue could drag in four or five related parties.

Localities facing direct threats were slightly more cooperative. Elsewhere, disputes with the army were incessant. Tongcheng, for instance, had to support the government troops in places like Lu'an Prefecture, delivering military rations nearby. There was no shortage of haggling — Pang Yu had witnessed it firsthand.

Xiong Wencan had three Regional Commanders under him, plus Pang Yu, this Vice Regional Commander, and a whole host of colonels and majors, all currently near Xiangyang. Everyone needed a designated supply source. Xiong Wencan paid no attention to such minor matters; generally, the Governor would make the assignments, and then the army would coordinate with the localities. Taking advantage of Dai Dongmin still being in Xiangyang, Pang Yu had come today to settle this matter.

Among Lord Xiong's four main forces, Zhang Renxue was the Henan Regional Commander. Nominally under Xiong Wencan's direct command, this was merely to claim an extra share of silver. Currently, Huguang was relatively quiet; the larger Roving Bandits had all fled to Henan. The Henan Governor was constantly pleading for help, and Xiong Wencan was preparing to send Zhang Renxue back to Henan to suppress the bandits — seemingly reverting to the previous ambiguous chain of command.

Chen Hongfan also had no battle achievements worth mentioning. Lord Xiong had not yet assigned him a specific destination; he was merely temporarily stationed in Xiangyang. Thus, the only one who had come today alongside Pang Yu was Zuo Liangyu.

Dai Dongmin had previously served as the Army-Inspecting Circuit and had fought many battles alongside Zuo Liangyu. Pang Yu had also dealt with Zuo Liangyu before. There was probably no civil official who would like him. Before coming, Pang Yu had already decided on his negotiation style: maintain proper subordinate etiquette. Dai Dongmin indeed showed no favoritism and had assigned supply zones of roughly equal size.

But the total amount was still slightly short. Dai Dongmin wanted Gucheng to contribute some as well. It happened that the County Magistrate of Gucheng, Ruan Zhitian, was in Xiangyang to report on affairs. He was summoned, but before the topic of Rations and Pay even came up, he had already spent half the day pouring out his grievances.

At present, there were no government troops whatsoever within Gucheng's borders west of the Han River. Everywhere was filled with the Eighth Bandit's mounted scouts. Ever since the Western Camp had arrived at Gucheng, they had blocked all bridges and ferry crossings.

The common people of Gucheng who could flee had all fled. The surrounding trade routes were cut off; even boats were unwilling to pass through the Gucheng stretch of the river. All trades in the county seat had withered, and no one tilled the fields. Ruan Zhitian lay prostrate on the ground, his tearful plea genuine and heartfelt. By now, even Dai Dongmin felt that making Ruan Zhitian supply grain tax in kind again was somewhat unrealistic. Even if Ruan Zhitian had heaven-defying ability and managed to scrape together the grain, it could not be transported out of Gucheng, and would most likely end up aiding the Eighth Bandit instead.

"Magistrate Ruan, please rise first. This official understands your difficulties. I will handle the matter of grain tax in kind separately. Gucheng is a place adrift in the wind and rain; your priority is to return to the city and reassure the people."

Ruan Zhitian remained prostrate on the ground for another moment before reluctantly standing up, sniffling as he moved to the side.

Dai Dongmin then turned to Pang Yu and Zuo Liangyu and said, "Commander Zuo and General Pang are stationed here to provide relief and suppression for the people of Xiangyang. According to court regulations, this official will do his utmost to arrange both marching and stationary rations, and will not shortchange the troops."

"Zuo trusts Military Commander Dai. However, this County Magistrate speaks reason. I know that dog of a bandit, the Eighth Bandit, best. It would be better to find a way to wipe him out early."

Dai Dongmin gave a bitter smile and nodded toward Zuo Liangyu, but said nothing.

Seeing this, Zuo Liangyu casually cupped his hands toward Dai Dongmin. "I understand. If there is nothing else, Zuo will take his leave. If Military Commander Dai needs to deploy troops, you may send word."

Pang Yu had also basically concluded his negotiations today, so he took his leave along with Zuo Liangyu. As the two of them exited the main hall, Ruan Zhitian followed them out. He hurried to Pang Yu's side and said urgently, "I beg General Pang to save the people of Gucheng."

Zuo Liangyu gave him an odd look. Pang Yu quickly explained, "He is an old acquaintance of this subordinate. Magistrate Ruan is from Anqing."

Zuo Liangyu chuckled. "Magistrate Ruan, you are in great danger. If you want to keep your life, you had best seek help from this fellow townsman of yours."

With that, he strode off. Pang Yu turned and pulled Ruan Zhitian outside the main gate. Ruan Zhitian's nose was red, his face full of grief and indignation.

This Ruan Zhitian was indeed Pang Yu's fellow townsman, and moreover, a distant cousin of Ruan Dacheng. Pang Yu found it strange — he seemed to have a particular affinity with Ruan Dacheng. It was one thing in Tongcheng, but to march all the way to Huguang, station his troops, and still run into a relative of the Ruan Family.

Ruan Zhitian's great-grandfather was Ruan Peng, the blood brother of Ruan Dacheng's great-grandfather. By reckoning, the two were distant cousins. During the civil unrest in Tongcheng, Ruan Zhitian had been in Huaining and had not dealt with Pang Yu. After Pang Yu was promoted to Garrison Commander, he had initially been on very close terms with Pi Yingju and, accompanying him, had met many of Anqing's gentry, among them Ruan Zhitian. Because of the connection to Ruan Dacheng, they were somewhat more familiar with each other, but that was the extent of it. Now, meeting an acquaintance over a thousand li from Anqing, their relationship immediately grew much closer.

This old hometown fellow from Anqing had luck that was both good and bad. The Chongzhen Emperor always felt that officials selected through the imperial examinations did not work diligently enough and was determined to break the pattern of Qualification-based Appointment. Chen Qixin was a prime example: a Military Examination Candidate became a Liuke Censor, a post monopolized by civil officials. Even more strikingly, Zhang Renxue, a Presented Scholar, was made a Military Officer — all things that broke the conventions of officialdom. But such special cases were too few and still insufficient to meet the Emperor's needs. Thus, a separate Virtuous and Upright Examination was established, allowing trusted individuals to recommend talented scholars from among the common people, who were then appointed outside the normal order, often to positions of no small rank.

Jiang Chen had been maneuvered into the Ministry of Revenue by Zhang Pu, starting from Commoner Status. Ruan Zhitian had likewise taken the Virtuous and Upright Examination route, but had been recommended by Liu Ruozai, going from Commoner Status directly to County Magistrate of Gucheng. That was the good part of his luck. The bad part was that just as he was about to take office, Zhang Xianzhong had arrived in Gucheng ahead of him, not even leaving Magistrate Ruan the chance to conduct the Tax Grain Comparison.

Magistrate Ruan must have been filled with regret. The common people could still run away, but he could not leave even if he wanted to now. Beside the city was a ticking time bomb. His situation was just like Zhu Jiaxiang's the previous year — except Zhu Jiaxiang could at least hope for rescue from the government troops outside the city. Ruan Zhitian did not even have that hope.

He could only go to the Governor and weep, hoping Dai Dongmin would bring troops to slaughter the bandit Zhang completely. But Dai Dongmin was powerless as well. Pang Yu, this young fellow townsman who could fight, was his lifeline.

"General Pang, see clearly: the Eighth Bandit has cut off the ferry crossings and bridges in River East. West of the river, there is absolutely not a single soldier. Gucheng is meat on the chopping block. The lives and property of over ten thousand common people in the city rest here. This humble official's heart…" Ruan Zhitian wiped his tears. "Ever since passing the Virtuous and Upright Examination, my sole thought has been to live up to the sacred grace and properly bring blessings to the people of this region. Who could have known that upon arrival, it would be like this? In the county seat, people are in a state of panic. It is even said that the Roving Bandits most want to kill those in the yamen, so that no one dares to come to the yamen for duty. Not to mention clerks and scriveners, even sweepers and cooks cannot be recruited."

Pang Yu also had a bit of a headache, not because the Eighth Bandit was hard to fight. Xiong Wencan, worried that stationing troops too close would cause incidents, had forbidden any Ying from crossing the river. Gucheng had now practically become the Western Camp's private preserve. But the officials and people of Gucheng could not leave. Calling them meat on the chopping block was all too apt.

"Brother Ruan, do not worry overly much. The Eighth Bandit is currently waiting to be Recruited to Surrender. He absolutely would not dare to make a move against you. Brother Ruan, you can first recruit some Community Soldiers as a precaution. I will send personnel to instruct you on City Defense methods. This official has a Ying of crack troops here and will naturally keep a close watch on the Eighth Bandit. If there is any sign of trouble, I will certainly come to the rescue. The Eighth Bandit is absolutely no match for me."

Pang Yu was extremely confident as he said this. The Eighth Bandit's current combat strength was truly not high; the difficulty lay in their extreme mobility. If they actually met on the battlefield, any halfway decent government troops could defeat him.

But Ruan Zhitian did not seem infected by this confidence. His eyes red, he looked at Pang Yu. "Gucheng cannot compare to Tongcheng. Even the city gates are in the hands of the bandit spawn. How can the city be defended? The Anqing Army is the strongest force under Heaven; the bandits are certainly no match for them. But Gucheng is one hundred and forty li from Xiangyang, with the Han River separating them. If something happens, how could rescue possibly arrive in time? On behalf of the people of Gucheng, this humble official begs you, General, to station troops in Gucheng — even if only west of the river."

"This… Lord Xiong has issued strict orders. Does Magistrate Ruan have any way to get me across the river to station troops?"

Ruan Zhitian stared blankly for a long while, then woodenly shook his head. Pang Yu could not think of any further words of consolation. Zhang Xianzhong had clearly chosen Gucheng after careful deliberation. Here, there were both natural barriers and escape routes. The Adviser Division had drawn up two backup plans, and the hardest part of both was not how to attack the Roving Bandits, but how to overcome the natural moat of the Han River. If it truly came to execution, it would probably be just as Ruan Zhitian said — too late.

Ruan Zhitian seemed to suddenly deflate. He looked up at Pang Yu, then said in a low voice, "All my life, this humble official dreamed of being an official. I finally received the sacred grace to be entrusted with governing a county. Who could have imagined that upon arrival, I would immediately encounter Roving Bandits, landing me with the duty of Defending the Territory. Since this is my Fate, what can be done about it?"

With that, he cupped his hands, turned around despondently, mounted his horse at the gate, and headed out of the city.