Chapter 403: Congratulations

"General Pang, please rise."

Today's meeting was in the Study. Xiong Wencan's manner was genial. After Pang Yu rose, he continued, "I have heard that the Anqing Cavalry Camp has been drilling frequently of late. I had not wished to delay General Pang, but some matters are pressing, and a Public Discussion seemed unnecessary, so I called you here to speak privately."

When Pang Yu heard the words "drilling frequently," he knew Xiong Wencan was hinting at something, implying that his own military activities were too numerous and had created friction with the Western Camp. Though he knew Xiong Wencan was displeased, his heart was not flustered. After all, with Zuo Liangyu setting such an example before him, Pang Yu was no longer the minor squad leader who had once sprawled on the floor of the Main Hall.

"To be able to hear Xiong's instruction is this humble officer's good fortune. I dare not accept the word 'delay.' Please, my lord, give your command."

"Some days ago, the Emperor issued an edict stripping Supreme Commander Hong Chengchou of his palace guardian title and Minister rank, yet still having him command troops as a Vice Minister."

Xiong Wencan's voice was very steady, but Pang Yu could still detect a trace of smugness. The Supreme Commander and the Prime Minister held equal standing. Hong Chengchou had been strenuously pursuing and suppressing the bandits, yet this time he was punished, even stripped of his Minister of War title. He was now a full rank lower than Xiong Wencan. Xiong Wencan had vigorously advocated for Pacification. Previously, whether in the provinces or at court, there had been considerable dispute, but now the Outcome had confirmed his correctness, so it was a double smugness.

"It must be said that Hong Supreme Commander was also diligent in Bandit Suppression, leading his troops on campaigns in Every Direction. His toil and merit are undeniable. However, the Emperor sees clearly across ten thousand li. The court has been dealing with the bandits for over ten years. Pursuit and suppression alone are insufficient. This time, Zuo Guangxian and Cao Bianjiao were both demoted five grades. It is not that they did not exert themselves."

Xiong Wencan's tone was unhurried, but his words brimmed with self-assurance. Mentioning the two Military Officers Zuo Guangxian and Cao Bianjiao was another reminder to Pang Yu that military officers also had to bear responsibility. Had it not been for his forceful advocacy of Feigned Surrender, which had brought about this fine situation, Pang Yu would be in the same position as Zuo and Cao right now.

Pang Yu played along and flattered him, "It is still my lord's strategic foresight. Combining suppression with pacification has been quite effective. This humble officer, like one who enjoys the shade beneath a great tree, has truly basked in my lord's reflected glory."

Xiong Wencan waved his hand dismissively. "It is not this official's achievement alone. General Pang led troops in escort and protection, suppressing bandits across a thousand li, causing the horde of bandits to tremble in awe — only then did this situation come about. This great merit, this official has remembered. With the Pacification Company for Zhang and Liu's two camps now established, a Jade precedent has been set. The various camps of Cao Cao in Henan, over ten in all, are not without intent to emulate this. Negotiations for their surrender are already underway. Before our eyes, the Central Plains, in Every Direction, are about to see Taiping. This is truly a merit that benefits all under heaven."

"Congratulations, my lord, on quelling a decade of unrest. The common people of the world will all owe you this great debt of kindness."

Xiong Wencan let out two hearty laughs, appearing quite elated. After a long moment, the smile on his face slowly receded. "But some people are stubbornly unrepentant. It would be one thing if they merely paid this official lip service while secretly opposing him, but the matter of pacifying the bandits — the Emperor and the Ministry of War have already issued clear orders. Yet he insists on stirring up trouble and creating complications. Such a matter, involving the welfare of the entire world, is absolutely not a dispute of personal pride. Toward such people, this official will not be lenient."

Up to this point, Xiong Wencan had not mentioned Yu Yinggui's name, and Pang Yu had not asked.

"Such people are short-sighted, unable to grasp the subtlety of my lord's grand strategy. This humble officer will absolutely never heed the reckless orders of such people. I follow only my lord's commands."

Xiong Wencan nodded with Satisfaction. "General Pang is naturally trustworthy. The other generals are also men of Understanding. Moreover, some have directly reported such reckless orders to this official's Knowledge. Only thus is there a chance to salvage the situation."

Hearing this, Pang Yu knew someone had informed on them. But it was also possible Xiong Wencan was deliberately saying this to make the various military heads wary of each other, allowing him to better create a situation of mutual restraint, so that in the end, everyone would have to rely on him.

Yu Yinggui's plan this time had seemed flawless on the surface, but in reality, it was full of holes. Many people were involved, yet it lacked tangible benefit. Any party could have informed. The one person Pang Yu could rule out was Zuo Liangyu, because he was the least favored at court and the one who least wanted the bandit rebellion to subside. But at the same time, he also did not want the Western Camp destroyed. Returning to the old pattern better suited his interests. Therefore, Zuo Liangyu had no sincere intention of wiping out the Eight Bandits, but even less sincere intention of maintaining the Pacification Company. He was happy to see Yu Yinggui stir up trouble.

Chen Hongfan and Yang Shien were more dependent on military pay and civil officials; either could have informed. Even Dai Dongmin was a possibility, because Gucheng was his military jurisdiction. If Yu Yinggui came over from Huguang to stir up this mess and something went wrong, the first to take the blame would still be him, the Yunyang Governor. So he had a motive as well.

Xiong Wencan's words at this moment carried both the intent to sow discord and an implicit rebuke of Pang Yu for not informing, clearly showing he knew Pang Yu was also in the know.

"Such a willful act to sabotage the Pacification Company would surely find no support. That man is not self-aware, but others merely treat it as the babbling of a fool in a dream." After speaking, Pang Yu looked up at Xiong Wencan. His meaning was that he had considered Yu Yinggui utterly hopeless, akin to raving nonsense, and thus there had been no need to inform — a kind of tactful deflection.

Xiong Wencan nodded, a faint smile surfacing on his face. "This official has another piece of happy news to inform General Pang."

Pang Yu's heart grew wary, but he said respectfully, "Please, my lord, give your command."

"I previously heard that the General received an Imperial Order to complete his marriage, but the bandit atmosphere had not yet subsided, so the wish could not be fulfilled. Now that the Pacification Company has been successfully established, this official made a special request to the Emperor. Fortunately, an Imperial Edict was granted: the General may return to Anqing within Two Days months to complete his marriage. Congratulations, General Pang."

Pang Yu looked up in astonishment, only to see Xiong Wencan wearing a smile of utter sincerity.

……

"This officer bears an Imperial Order and must return to Anqing for two months." Inside the great tent of the Anqing Cavalry Camp outside the north gate of Xiangyang, Pang Yu sat upright and formal. Seated on both sides of the tent were all officers of Company Commander rank and above, as well as military and civil personnel from the Judge Advocate, Clerk, Military Office, Household Office, and other functions.

The news of receiving an Imperial Order to complete his marriage had already spread. The officers below all turned their heads to observe Pang Yu's expression, trying to gauge their superior's mood.

Pang Yu's face was calm and still, betraying no emotion whatsoever. "The two camps of Zhang and Liu in Huguang have submitted to pacification. Cao Cao and over ten other camps in Henan are also in negotiations. Taiping in the Central Plains is in sight. In the near term, there should be no battles. As our camp has been stationed abroad for half a year, this officer has decided to lead the cavalry back to Anqing for rest and reorganization. The Land Battalion and the Land Combat Division will remain stationed at Xiangyang. The Land Battalion's station will be moved to the east bank of Mianyang Port to facilitate supply. All superior orders and dispatches shall be received by the Advisory Room. Xie Zhaofa will be the Chief Official of the remaining troops. Should any matter arise, Xie Zhaofa shall convene the three Qianzong and three Clerk Officers for joint discussion and decision."

A slight stir rippled through the ranks below. Clearly, no one had expected Xie Zhaofa to be made Chief Official of the troops. Xie Zhaofa possessed an extraordinary memory for terrain, and his work in the Advisory Room was well recognized by everyone, but he had never led troops before.

Ignoring the stir below, Pang Yu directly announced the meeting's end, keeping only Xie Zhaofa and Ruan Jin behind.

Xie Zhaofa stepped forward, ready to speak. Pang Yu waved his hand. "No need to decline. It's only two or three months. Everything will remain as before."

Xie Zhaofa waited a moment, then said, "This subordinate is only worried about how to respond if Prime Minister Xiong sends an order to deploy troops."

"Insufficient provisions and fodder, exhausted troops and horses — the excuses Zhang Xianzhong can use, we can use too. My troops will not be shuffled around by others. During these few months, keep an eye on the Western Camp's movements. There's no need to raise grain prices for now. If Xiangyang sells at one tael eight Mace, we'll sell at the same. Temporarily maintain a Calm Demeanor with the Eight Bandits. We'll discuss further when this officer returns."

"This subordinate understands. Then regarding the Western Camp's grain-raiding parties — should we continue to obstruct them?"

"This officer is taking the cavalry. Even if you wanted to obstruct them, you couldn't. These few months are precisely the harvest season. The Eight Bandits in Gucheng will inevitably seize some grain. They won't venture far too often."

Xie Zhaofa probed cautiously, "My lord, if you return to Anqing for two or three months, it will already be the seventh or eighth month. By then, I fear the Tartars will have invaded. In the event that Xiong wants our camp to perform rally to the king, how should we respond?"

"Simply say the Chief Official is absent, the troops' morale is unstable, and we cannot exhaust the army on a distant expedition." Pang Yu let out a long breath. "From Xiangyang to the Capital, the overland route is two thousand six hundred and thirty li. The Land Battalion infantry march forty li daily, with one day of rest every five days. To reach the Capital for rally to the king would take over two months. Subtract the time for the Capital's order to reach Xiangyang, and it's three months or more. By the time we arrived, the Tartars would already have left the passes. Not to mention Henan is a wasteland for a thousand li — an infantry march straight across Henan would be extremely difficult. Do not prepare for rally to the king."

Having said this, Pang Yu stood up and walked to the desk where the maps were laid out. Pointing to the location of the Capital, he said, "At the last meeting, everyone discussed that the only places near the Nine Borders where one can still Plunder Opportunity are Shanxi and southern Zhili. Judging by the terrain, Shanxi is crisscrossed with mountains and rivers, inconvenient for raiding and carrying off goods. So the likelihood of the Tartars entering Zhili is greater. After looting southern Zhili, the time needed for their return is roughly three months. Since the court makes no advance preparations, this officer will not voluntarily walk into a Danger Zone. When the time comes, we will dispatch troops from Anqing and march a bit slower, just to get through this year's invasion. Our primary task remains the effective and thorough suppression of the bandit menace."

"This subordinate understands."

Pang Yu turned to look at Ruan Jin. "Yu Yinggui has been dismissed. Has there been any unusual movement in the Western Camp?"

"These Two Days, the Eight Bandits' Horse Soldiers have not ventured far to seize grain. They have tightened security around Baishazhou. But no abnormalities have been observed within the Western Camp itself. In Xiangyang city, some merchants are transporting goods to trade with the Western Camp. Troops from Zuo Liangyu and Chen Hongfan's forces are involved in escorting the goods. So far, no beans — the kind needed for cavalry marches — have been found. Most of the houses the Western Camp is constructing at Baishazhou are nearing completion. The various Chief Stewards of the outposts want to purchase furniture at Mianyang Port. In the old camp, many want to buy brocade and satin. Copper Basins, mirrors, large beds, bowls and dishes, mosquito netting — daily necessities like that. Also rouge and cosmetics for the women, and all sorts of playthings for the infants and children. Judging from the above, this humble one believes the Eight Bandits have no intention of reneging and rebelling in the near term."

"They have no silver to buy grain, but they have silver to buy these things. The wealth gap among the Roving Bandits is not small." Pang Yu chuckled. "Whatever they want, our boats will ship. A profitable business must be done, of course. That includes the beans used for cavalry marches — sell those too. If Mianyang Port doesn't have them, other Black Markets will appear, and we'll be even less able to control the situation. You keep an eye on the Western Camp and the various Camp Heads in Xiangyang. Find out clearly who informed."

"This subordinate accepts the order."

Pang Yu offered a few words of encouragement, then dismissed the two men. Xie Zhaofa reached the entrance, then turned back to Pang Yu and said, "Congratulations, my lord."

Ruan Jin had followed Pang Yu since Tongcheng and was quite familiar with the messy affairs between the Pang and Liu families, so he had not intended to speak. But now that Xie Zhaofa had offered congratulations first, he could not remain silent. After stealing a glance at Pang Yu's expression, he said cautiously, "Congratulations, my lord."

Pang Yu, his face beaming with smiles, waved them off. Only then did the two men leave. Alone in the tent with only Pang Ding remaining, the smile on Pang Yu's face vanished instantly.

Pang Ding circled around to the side of the desk and said in a low voice, "Young master, what exactly is Xiong Wencan's meaning?"

Pang Yu lay back in his chair, propping both feet up on the desk. "It's an Imperial Edict, limiting me to complete the marriage within two months. They didn't even calculate the wedding date. What if there's no auspicious day within those two months?"

"For the Emperor to remember the young master's marriage shows more regard than he shows other families."

"How would the Emperor remember a trifling matter of mine? It was Xiong Wencan who requested the edict. And it wasn't out of kindness. He's simply warning me, showing me he has the means to shuffle me around at will, telling me not to secretly move against Zhang Xianzhong and ruin his grand Pacification Company."

Pang Ding spat. "He relies on the name of our Anqing Battalion to intimidate the Eight Bandits, yet he can't control a single hair on the Eight Bandits. Instead, he turns around to scare the young master."

Pang Yu closed his eyes, lying in the chair. "Forcing the Eight Bandits to rebel before the seventh month — it seems that's no longer possible. Hong Chengchou devoted himself single-mindedly to Bandit Suppression and ended up demoted yet still commanding troops, dragging two Regional Commanders down with him. The Emperor's intent is very clear: wholeheartedly pursue Feigned Surrender. Xiong Wencan is at the height of favor right now. We won't court that ill fortune."

Pang Ding leaned closer to the chair. "Though Hong Supreme Commander is still Supreme Commander, being disciplined by the Emperor like this has caused his prestige to fall in the hearts of the officers and men. Especially since two Regional Commanders were also demoted. I dare say those two Regional Commanders must be Hong Supreme Commander's trusted confidants. To say the Emperor doesn't understand — yet he plays some of these political games better than anyone. To say he does understand — the situation only gets worse and worse."

"He understands everything except money and troops. But war relies on precisely those two things. Naturally, the situation cannot improve." Pang Yu sighed and sat up. "I had originally wanted to fight the Tartars, kill some to gain a reputation. For us running a silver bank, reputation is more important than anything. But the way things are now, the court isn't anxious, so why should a Military Officer like me be anxious? The high officials at court make no advance preparations, and when the crisis comes, they order the various camp heads, men and horses exhausted, to rush off to their deaths."

"Then if the deployment order truly comes, and all those Bandit Spawn have submitted to pacification, I'm afraid it will be hard to find an excuse to refuse."

"Refuse what? The Tartars' entry point is roughly two months. In the second year of Chongzhen, they lingered longer, but later they suffered losses of troops and generals. I suspect that's why the Tartars later dared not stay long. This year, the Tartars destroyed the Dongjiang Garrison, and Joseon submitted. But in previous years, the Dongjiang Garrison also had no power to raid or harass. I estimate that this year, the Tartars' entry point is to loot southern Northern Zhili. If they summon us for rally to the king, I will dispatch troops from Anqing. That's why I'm taking the cavalry back. With the cavalry, we march slower, just treat it as march training."

Having said this, Pang Yu sat up straight. "Xiong Wencan can't even intimidate the Eight Bandits. How could he intimidate me? The day the Eight Bandits rebel again is the day his crimes catch up to him. Let him be smug for a while. Dispatch a Relay Horse back to Anqing. Have my father set the wedding date with the Liu family. Choose it in the seventh month. That way, I'll have a good excuse to delay deploying troops."

Pang Ding looked at Pang Yu. "Young master, Aunt Liu has gotten her wish. But you haven't sold yourself for a good price."

Pang Yu gave a cold snort. "What good price? From now on, I, your young master, am the biggest master. Who could afford my price? Let me tell you, have the confidence of self-reliance and self-strengthening. Don't always think of taking shortcuts. In life, we walk the open and honorable Path."

Pang Ding pursed his lips. "This humble one has learned his lesson. Then I also congratulate the young master."