Chapter 393: The Meeting

At Mianyang Port in Gucheng, fifty paces from the dock on the riverbank, Wang Dashan crouched on the ground stripped to the waist, guarding the clothing and waist saber in front of him, his eyes fixed on the splashing water not far away. Xiao Wazi's head burst from the spray, and he wiped the water droplets from his face with one hand.

"How far this time?"

Wang Dashan said respectfully, "Young Master can swim thirty paces now."

Xiao Wazi swam to the bank and stopped. "Enough to cross any ordinary river, but I can't dive under. If those dog soldiers shoot arrows, how do you manage to dive down?"

He climbed ashore as he spoke, revealing three sword scars on his body. The river water splashed down noisily. Wang Dashan hurriedly offered the clothing with both hands. "This humble one doesn't know either. I just think about diving and down I go."

Xiao Wazi brooded for a moment, then cursed, "Useless thing."

Wang Dashan answered dully in a low voice. Xiao Wazi dressed himself and headed for the dock. Wang Dashan followed behind, lifting his eyes to look around. The Han River before him was no small thing, always reminding him of the Great River back home.

After settling down in Gucheng with Eight Master, he and the other hundred or so servants had spent these days building a house for Master Liu. At least they no longer had to rush about everywhere, but discipline within the sentry post had grown stricter by the day. Without a camp chief leading them, they couldn't even leave the encampment. Coming to Mianyang Port was Wang Dashan's first time outside the camp. Master Liu had led the group, saying Eight Master was meeting a high official here and needed to scout how many men and horses could be quartered.

Only two small boats were at the dock. Wang Dashan had no idea where Master Liu had found them. Only a few Roving Bandits who could swim were aboard. This port had originally housed some merchants, but they had all fled, leaving no goods behind. Wang Dashan didn't know what use there was in coming here.

Eight Master spoke of fair buying and fair selling, but no camp chief would ever truly buy fairly. The common folk were no fools, and those merchants were even sharper — they had all fled before the Western Camp even arrived. Now there wasn't a single boat on the river.

A sudden shout rang out from the dock. "A boat is coming."

Wang Dashan looked up. A mass of sails covered the river. A grain transport ship led the fleet, flying an official banner and heading straight for the dock. Horns blared continuously within the port. Camp chiefs everywhere grabbed their weapons. Xiao Wazi snatched his bow and sprinted off. Wang Dashan gathered the arrow quiver and followed behind Xiao Wazi to the dock. Second Locust arrived right after.

Master Liu strode up from behind and stood at the very front of the dock, a scholar-looking man beside him.

The grain transport ship docked at that moment. Over ten Iron Armor Soldiers disembarked first. A military officer on the deck waved toward the shore. The mass of Roving Bandits had no idea what it meant; only that scholar returned the gesture.

The military officer walked off the ship with easy confidence, utterly indifferent to the throng of Western Camp soldiers before him, and came directly onto the dock.

The scholar stepped forward to greet him. "I meet General Pang."

The military officer said to the scholar, "I've kept Master Lu waiting. Has the managing general officer here been contacted?"

The scholar said to Liu Long Family, "This is Vice Town Commander Pang of the Anqing Cavalry Camp, here to escort Lord Xiong."

When Wang Dashan heard the word Anqing, his body trembled faintly. Through the gaps in the crowd, he kept sizing up that military officer. In front of him, Xiao Wazi's hand gripping the bow shook without stopping. Beside the two of them, Second Locust hung his head, his face deathly pale.

……

On the nineteenth day of the third month of the Chongzhen 11th Year, Xiong Wencan's great banner fluttered at the dock. Troops massed like clouds inside and outside Mianyang Port. At the market street exit leading to the northern Official Road, two bronze cannons had been placed.

Besides Anqing government soldiers, Western Camp troops also stood at the intersection, each side occupying one flank. According to the terms that Master Lu and the Government Troops had agreed upon, every intersection within Mianyang Port was jointly guarded by both sides. This was the most critical intersection of all. Besides the old camp under Liu Wenxiu's sentry post, troops from another sentry post were also present — mostly tent leaders or old squad leaders, equal in number to the government soldiers.

Pang Yu stood at the intersection with the Prefect of Xiangyang. The Prefect was laden with worries and did not speak to Pang Yu. Pang Yu was happy for the leisure and paced idly in the middle of the road.

On the other side of the road stood the troops under Liu Wenxiu's sentry post. These former Roving Bandits mostly wore red as well. Most of their faces bore scars. They too were sizing up Pang Yu in the road, their eyes holding both ferocity and subservience.

Before last year, no one had ever heard the name Pang Yu. Even when Yao Tiandong was beaten to death at Jiangpu, people only knew it was the Anqing Army. At the Pure Stream River, though the Anqing Army had struck their flank, everyone only knew of Lu Xiangsheng.

But after the battle of Susong last year, the Anqing Garrison Battalion was known to every camp of the Roving Bandits. The name Pang Yu had gradually spread as well. They heard he was that very constable who once stood atop the Tongcheng City Wall. Many men of the Western Camp had died in last year's Susong Campaign. Most of those present had taken part, and every camp chief who escaped had suffered grievous losses. Their enemy was pacing leisurely right before their eyes, yet none of them could do a thing about him.

Second Locust was the Post Commander leading the group. He stood beside Liu Wenxiu, his eyes fixed on the ground. Occasionally he looked up at Pang Yu in the middle of the road. Pang Yu seemed not to recognize him; his gaze never once rested on him.

The two camp chiefs managing the sentry post kept peering north. Only when the great banner of the Western Camp appeared in view did one camp chief call for Master Lu, and together they went forward to meet it.

……

On the Official Road north of the market town, Zhang Xianzhong halted a li away and gazed into the distance at the port. He turned his head to glance back. Ruan Zhitian, who had accompanied him, had fallen far behind, watched over by several Post Commander.

A small squad of cavalry came from the market town. The leader rode straight up to Zhang Xianzhong.

"Reporting for Sworn Father's knowledge: every intersection has our men, equal in number to the government troops. Our men are also watching the cannons at the intersections. It's just the meeting place…"

Zhang Xianzhong looked at the man. "Speak plainly, Wang'er. What about that place?"

"There are over a hundred Iron Armor Soldiers. If fighting breaks out inside this market street, I fear we'd be no match for them. This child thinks we should bring more men inside."

"Whose Iron Armor Soldiers?"

"The Anqing Cavalry Camp."

"Those donkey-ball Anqing soldiers followed us here, chased this old master a thousand li." Zhang Xianzhong turned his head toward the scholar. "Master Lu, can that Supreme Commander Xiong keep the Anqing soldiers in line?"

Lu Ding was the liaison for this surrender negotiation, traveling back and forth between the two sides since last year. He thought for a moment, then said, "This humble one believes he can. That Pang Yu is also easy to talk to. He even wants to do business with the Master and is waiting specially at the intersection."

"It was these Anqing soldiers who chased and struck Wenxiu all the way before the new year."

"As soon as Lord Xiong gave the order, Pang Yu withdrew his troops. So he can be kept in line."

Zhang Xianzhong stared at Lu Ding. "You've taken his silver, haven't you."

Lu Ding paled in alarm. "How would this humble one dare! I've only met him once. It was Master Guo, a subordinate of Lord Xiong, who brought me there. Pang Yu said that with troops moving back and forth, he feared misunderstandings might arise and insisted everything must be clarified first. That's how it was settled that the government soldiers and Western Camp men at the intersections would be equal in number."

"If you didn't take any, you didn't take any. Why say so much." Zhang Xianzhong squeezed his horse's flanks and rode toward Mianyang Port.

Zhang Xianzhong spurred his horse forward, and the men behind hurried to catch up. Hoofbeats thundered along the Official Road. Zhang Xianzhong sat steady as ever on the galloping horse, his eyes constantly surveying the area around the market town. Such a sudden dash often served to probe the opponent's deployment.

Even as he neared the market town, Zhang Xianzhong did not slow down. The horse continued its charge. A crowd of people stood at the town intersection. Both the government soldiers and the Western Camp wore red. From a distance, it was impossible to tell which side was which. As the distance closed, Zhang Xianzhong could now make out the formation of the people at the intersection. A military officer stood in the middle of the road.

Zhang Xianzhong did not reduce his horse's speed, charging straight at that officer. The man's features gradually grew distinct. He was surprisingly young, and unlike the other officers around him, his face bore not a single scar.

Both could now clearly see each other's faces. Zhang Xianzhong gauged the distance, preparing to halt his mount half a step before that officer, to give this soldier a proper show of force. Just as he planned this, the officer stepped aside to the roadside ahead of time, showing not the slightest intention of risking a contest of nerve.

Zhang Xianzhong's charge hit empty air. He could only slowly rein in his horse. The Western Camp soldiers at the intersection immediately knelt and shouted, "We greet the Old Camp Chief."

Zhang Xianzhong paid them no heed, his eyes fixed on Pang Yu's side. The two sized each other up until Zhang Xianzhong reached the intersection. As the horse came to a complete stop, smiles spread across both their faces at the same moment.

The Zhang Xianzhong in Pang Yu's eyes roughly matched what he had imagined: tall and powerfully built, a sallow face marked by several scars, his gaze intensely focused when looking at someone. Pang Yu took the initiative, cupping his hands. "Pang Yu, Vice General of the Anqing Cavalry Camp, greets General Zhang."

Zhang Xianzhong jumped off his horse and said loudly, "So it's General Pang. I've long heard of you, long heard of you. This old master is Zhang Xianzhong, courtesy name Jingxuan. Come to think of it, we two have met a few times before, though never this close. We fight first, then know each other. From now on we're all soldiers of the same house, so we must look out for one another."

The Western Camp Horse Soldiers who had followed, upon hearing it was Pang Yu, also craned their necks to look.

Pang Yu had not expected a Roving Bandit like Zhang Xianzhong to even have a courtesy name. He paused, slightly taken aback, then said, "General Zhang is too kind. I dare not presume to look out for you. I am of the younger generation and should be seeking your guidance in the future. General, you've come a long way and must be weary. Would you like to rest a moment?"

"Rest a moment then." Zhang Xianzhong glanced to the side, then walked over to one of the bronze cannons. "This is the donkey-ball cannon from Susong. Brought it here today, did you, to scare Old Zhang?"

Pang Yu let out an "Ah" and said, "We drill like this every day and bring them wherever we go. It's not just for today."

Zhang Xianzhong slapped the cannon barrel hard. "Could General Pang give me two of these? Next time I run into Chuang Jiang, Old Huihui, and that lot, I'll let them have a taste."

Pang Yu laughed heartily. "General Zhang comes from the Border Army, so you know registered weapons can't be touched. If General Zhang wants them, I'll find a way. As long as the price is fair."

Zhang Xianzhong did not respond about his own background. With a look of great surprise, he said, "This needs buying and selling too?"

"This is the good thing about me. As long as the price is fair, I'll do any kind of business."

Zhang Xianzhong gave a dry chuckle. "This cannon made this old master throw away all his gold, silver, and treasures. If General Pang was the one who picked them up, Old Zhang accepts it with good grace."

"That's all thanks to General Zhang's generosity. I don't have any other ambitions — I just want to earn more gold and silver."

"Old Zhang lost quite a lot, and right now there's plenty of gold and silver around. I just don't know whether things are truly fair or not."

Pang Yu said quickly, "Absolutely fair."

Zhang Xianzhong stepped around the bronze cannon, poked his head out by the wall, and looked toward the streets inside the market town. "I hear General Pang still has Iron Armor Soldiers at the docks. I, Old Zhang, fear Iron Armor Soldiers the most. The moment I reach the docks, won't they just cut my head off?"

Pang Yu looked astonished. "Why would General Zhang think that? The feigned surrender of the Western Camp was approved by the Emperor himself, and the Ministry of War issued the formal Zha Fu. General Zhang is now a Court-Appointed Official — who would dare lay a hand on the General? I am accompanying General Zhang personally, and I haven't even put on armor. If the Iron Armor Soldiers want to kill the General, then General, kill me first."

Zhang Xianzhong burst out laughing. He turned and walked over to Liu Wenxiu's side and said in a low voice, "If there's an ambush, kill Lu Ding first."

Liu Wenxiu nodded. Zhang Xianzhong turned back around, grabbed Pang Yu's arm in one motion, and said as they walked into the market town, "General Pang, this temperament of yours — Old Zhang likes it very much. Now I'm not afraid anymore. And General Pang, this courage of yours — Old Zhang likes that very much too. That day standing on top of the Tongcheng city wall — was that you?"

Pang Yu glanced back. The Prefect had stayed behind at the intersection. This was the procedure Guo Xiansheng and the Western Camp had agreed upon: when Zhang Xianzhong went to receive the Zha Fu, Ruan Zhitian and the Xiangyang Prefect both had to remain outside. Though it was never stated outright, it was essentially as hostages. When Pang Yu first heard this clause, he thought he had misheard.

His arm was gripped tightly. Zhang Xianzhong did not walk fast, but as he walked he kept observing the street.

Pang Yu was not worried. He answered, "That day on the wall, that was indeed me. May I ask where the General was at that time?"

Zhang Xianzhong tilted his head back and rolled his eyes twice. "Forgot. All I remember is there was a man standing on the wall. I, Old Zhang, said then that I've traveled all over the world and never seen a runner so bold — could compare him to that Wusong."

"How dare I compare to Wusong? He could kill a tiger with his bare hands. I fall far short."

"A tiger's nothing much. They say General Pang went to suppress a rebellion on his own and cut off thirty heads in one night — that's more impressive than a tiger. Even without armor, if it came to blows, Old Zhang's probably no match either."

Pang Yu said politely, "Those were clay chickens and pottery dogs. If General Zhang had gone, he could have taken a hundred heads in one night."

"Taking them wouldn't matter. Some people are useless alive anyway — annoying to look at, better off dead and clean. It's not that I, Old Zhang, love killing; circumstances forced it, nothing to be done about it." Zhang Xianzhong suddenly stopped walking, tilted his head, and looked at Pang Yu. "General Pang has fought in so many battles — how come there's not a single sword scar on your face? Not like Old Zhang's face. Are you one of those scholar-generals who waves a feather fan?"

Pang Yu knew that beneath Zhang Xianzhong's rough exterior, he was constantly probing his background. He pretended not to notice, tilted his head, and took a careful look. Zhang Xianzhong had three scars on his face. The one on his forehead was the longest, and the wound looked large — probably not treated properly at the time. Pang Yu smiled and said, "Although I've trained in martial arts since childhood, I am in fact a student of the Nanjing Imperial Academy. This face is also quite handsome and has always been very well liked by the ladies. I plan to make my living off this face, so when I go into battle, I take special care to protect my face. General Zhang is a hero, also liked by the ladies — a few scars on the face only add to the heroic air."

Zhang Xianzhong gave a heh-heh laugh. "So you really are a scholar. I wonder, General Pang — do you kill more people when you're holding a brush, or when you're holding a sword?"

Pang Yu turned his head, looked at Zhang Xianzhong's sallow face, and smiled. "I've always held both at the same time, so I can't quite tell them apart. I wonder, General Zhang — when do you kill more people?"

"You're refined and cultured. I, Old Zhang, studied but never finished — can't kill anyone with a brush. Can't compare to you fellows."

As they probed each other, the two had already reached the harbor. Xiong's main tent was just ahead, and both sides of the street were lined entirely with soldiers in iron armor.

Zhang Xianzhong pulled Pang Yu along intimately while scanning those mighty Iron Armor Soldiers, clicking his tongue in admiration. "Iron armor is truly formidable. No wonder I couldn't beat them in a fight."

"If General Zhang likes it, I'll gift the General a fine set."

"How about giving me a few more?"

"The rest are all on the register. If General Zhang wants them, we'll buy and sell at a fair price."

"You can even sell these?"

"As long as the price is fair, there's nothing here I can't sell."

Zhang Xianzhong laughed heartily again, freed one hand, and clapped Pang Yu twice hard on the back. "Had I known General Pang had this kind of temperament, back at Susong we shouldn't have fought back and forth. Sitting down to drink wine and do business would've been better. I just don't know how long General Pang will be encamped here in Xiangyang, so Old Zhang can pick a day to invite the General to my camp as a guest."

Pang Yu said impassively, "I'd also like to stay and linger for a while. That depends on Lord Xiong's assignments. Aren't we government troops all deployed by our superiors?"

Zhang Xianzhong's gaze shifted to the grain transport ships below the docks. "Is that your Water Camp?"

Pang Yu followed his gaze. On the grain transport ships were all bare-chested sailors, not even wearing military uniforms — not much different from the sailors on the river. Pang Yu nodded in confirmation. "That is indeed the Anqing Water Camp. We'll be dealing with each other often in the future."

Zhang Xianzhong watched for a moment before continuing forward. The soldiers in front of the main tent were now Xiong's Standard Battalion, none of them wearing iron armor. Zhang Xianzhong seemed to relax, but he still did not let go of Pang Yu. He glanced back — his personal retinue was still behind him, but they certainly would not be allowed into the main tent.

Not far from the main tent, the civil official conducting the ceremony was already waiting. Only then did Zhang Xianzhong release Pang Yu's arm. Under Pang Yu's gaze, he adjusted his hat and clothing.

After that official gave him a moment of advice, Pang Yu followed behind Zhang Xianzhong into the main tent. The civil and military officials inside all turned their heads to look. Their curiosity about Zhang Xianzhong probably exceeded even the roving bandits' curiosity about Pang Yu.

Xiong sat high in the seat of honor. Pang Yu went on his own to stand at the very last position on the west side. Zhang Xianzhong, having entered the tent, completely put away his smile and assumed an expression of utter deference. With a plop, he knelt on the ground.

"Sinner Zhang Xianzhong kowtows before Supreme Commander Xiong. For many years, this sinner has committed countless killings. Fortunate to have met Lord Xiong, who does not hold past wrongs against me, I shall henceforth atone for my crimes through meritorious service, repay the court, and make amends to all living beings under heaven."

Pang Yu felt a slight surprise in his heart. His eyes moved toward Zhang Xianzhong and saw his face full of grief and anguish, his forehead already pressed to the floor.