Chapter 513: Exchange

Shen Xun asked calmly, "On what grounds does General Pang believe this to be so?"

"Before the Western Camp submitted to pacification, they were defeated separately by Marshal Zuo and by myself. They lost the greater part of the rations and pay they had plundered. Since they garrisoned at Mianyang Port, I planted eyes and ears inside the Western Camp to gather intelligence. Ever since the Eight Bandits entered Gucheng, the county's commoners fled in panic. Between last year's summer and autumn, they stripped Gucheng's autumn grain harvest clean. The Western Camp also ranged far out to Nanyang, Xiangyang, and Yunyang counties to plunder the countryside. The nearby peasants all scattered and fled. Xiangyang, a major town and thoroughfare, had long been ravaged; seventy to eighty percent of the farmland lies fallow. After the Eight Bandits and Cao Cao's various forces garrisoned there, the situation worsened. The Western Camp can only sustain itself by purchasing grain from outside. The roving bandits' ingrained habits are hard to change; overland merchants have vanished. Only Mianyang Port benefits from water transport. Because my troops are stationed here, the Western Camp dares not openly rob, so grain merchants come here to trade in the greatest numbers. According to confirmed intelligence from multiple sources, the Western Camp's silver and coin can sustain them until July at most. With no local grain left to plunder, the Western Camp will need to keep moving to loot more rations and pay. Before July, the Eight Bandits will inevitably revolt; otherwise, the Western Camp's own men will revolt against him."

Shen Xun seemed somewhat surprised by the precision of Pang Yu's intelligence. He paused briefly, then added, "Given these circumstances, has General Pang spoken of this to Xiong?"

Pang Yu waited a moment. He now possessed intelligence from the Capital and had a grasp of the situation Yang Sichang faced. Last year, Yang Sichang had proposed the Ten-Sided Net. During this window when the Qing army had not yet invaded, it was precisely the time to concentrate forces and exterminate the bandits. Yang Sichang had originally strongly advocated for total suppression, but the Emperor's Three-Month Pacification of Bandits forced Xiong Wencan's grand pacification strategy, achieving a brief calm. Yet it planted hidden dangers in the heartland. Now the time to pay the price had come.

Shen Xun was Yang Sichang's man; his stance naturally aligned with Yang Sichang's. The Ministry of War's duties were not limited to dealing with the Qing army's border incursions. If the roving bandits were on the verge of rebelling again, Yang Sichang needed to prepare for it in advance.

"Grand Coordinator Xiong has stated beforehand that provoking conflict with any battalion that has submitted to pacification will be treated as undermining the Pacification Company. If I go and speak of the roving bandits rebelling again, I'll be saddled with the charge of sowing discord for nothing." Facing a high-ranking Ministry of War official like Shen Xun, Pang Yu now showed not the slightest nervousness. He thought for a moment, then continued, "Xiong possesses farsighted judgment that spans ten thousand li. He can presumably see clearly what the Western Camp is up to; there is no need for me to speak of it."

"Does the Anqing Cavalry Camp stationed at Mianyang Port have the strength to strike the Western Camp in a single blow?"

"The Cavalry Camp can deliver a single blow, but the roving bandits come and go like the wind. There is absolutely no time to send back and forth for orders. The moment signs of rebellion appear, we must attack immediately. Can Official Shen provide the Cavalry Camp with a ministry dispatch authorizing Expedient Action?"

Shen Xun hesitated and did not pick up the thread. Huguang was Xiong Wencan's jurisdiction. His earlier advocacy of pacification had stabilized the situation for a year, which in the Emperor's eyes was a merit. Now Xiong Wencan was merely requesting troops and had not reported any signs of rebellion. If the Ministry of War issued a ministry dispatch granting Expedient Action and trouble truly arose, Xiong Wencan would use it as evidence, claiming the Ministry of War and the Anqing Battalion had forced the rebellion.

With two provinces already ravaged and imperial clansmen taken captive, the Emperor was already brimming with resentment. Accountability had yet to be pursued. At such a moment, no one dared invite trouble upon themselves. Yang Sichang and Shen Xun were even less able to bear such a burden.

It was now just as it had been during the pacification efforts: everyone knew the Western Camp was on the verge of rebelling again, but no one would speak first. The Ministry of War could not produce this ministry dispatch either. Only after Xiong Wencan first reported it and the Emperor was informed could the Ministry of War broach the subject.

Pang Yu discerned Shen Xun's initial intent. The Ministry of War could push for the recognition of the Strike General Merit, but they needed Pang Yu to continue contributing effort against the Qing army. However, Pang Yu's troops were already at the end of their strength. He was unwilling to expend these battle-hardened elites now. That meant he needed other things to exchange with Yang Sichang.

"Official Shen, I prefer to speak plainly. But once I leave this room, I will disavow these words."

Shen Xun looked at Pang Yu. "General Pang, speak freely."

"At present, the northern Government Troops' finest forces are massed at Jizhou. Their numbers are not small, but orders come from too many sources and morale is divided. The Tartars are entrenched in one location. Should we suffer a major defeat, with the roving bandits rebelling afterward, there will be no troops available. The northern situation will then collapse. The Western Camp is even less likely to wait until July when their grain runs out. Right now, the troops of Huguang, Shaanxi, and Henan have been drained away — this is precisely their moment to rebel. As soon as the armies begin to return, the Eight Bandits will revolt ahead of schedule, regardless of the month."

Shen Xun nodded slightly. Pang Yu continued, "The Ministry of War has scouts it can send to Huguang. There is no need for the Ministry's ministry dispatch — only my Order Token need be brought. The garrison at Mianyang Port will closely monitor the Western Camp. If signs of rebellion become unmistakable, that unit may attack immediately."

"In the mountains of Fang and Zhu counties, there are still over a dozen bandit camps, large and small, including Cao Cao's. The moment we attack the Western Camp, that lot will flee. The mountain paths are treacherous and obstructed, making it difficult to outflank and intercept them. Once they scatter, the harm will be endless."

"The Western Camp is the strongest contingent. As long as the Western Camp is annihilated, even if the remaining bandit camps flee, their momentum will collapse. The roving bandits have not been wiped out in ten years because they stay mobile, not because they are strong. The Central Plains pivot on the Nanyang-Xiangyang region; the Great River pivots on Anqing. As long as Elder Yang and Official Shen give the order, I can guarantee that at these two places, the fleeing bandit camps will be cut off and blocked. Once the roving bandits stop roving, they are nothing to fear."

Shen Xun's eyes flickered. He studied Pang Yu for a moment, then asked, "What does General Pang require?"

"First and foremost, I need the Strike General Merit to motivate my officers and men. Secondly, my battalion consists of Southern Troops. They are unaccustomed to the northern climate and terrain; many have fallen ill and been lost along the way. It is inconvenient for them to remain in the north for long. Once the Tartars withdraw beyond the border, I request that the Ministry of War permit my battalion to return south as soon as possible. Only with these troops can Anqing be securely held. Not a single bandit camp will be able to flee through Anqing. The Anqing Battalion will also clear out the Yinghuo Mountain Area, leaving the bandit hordes of the Central Plains with no place to hide."

Pang Yu finished speaking in one breath. Shen Xun's expression shifted slightly. Having long handled dispatch bulletins at the Ministry of War, he was quite well-versed in northern geography. The locations Pang Yu mentioned were also pivotal points he had always kept an eye on — especially the rarely mentioned Yinghuo Mountain Area. This mountain region lay at the junction of Henan, Huguang, and Nanzhili. Every time the roving bandits were pursued by government forces, they hid and recuperated there. After shaking off their pursuers, they would emerge from the mountains into a different province. If the Yinghuo Mountain Area could be controlled, the roving bandits would lose a key maneuvering ground.

Pang Yu had a battle record that proved his combat effectiveness. After this campaign, he was certain to be promoted to Regional Commander. If he exerted himself in coordination, the roving bandits' area of operations would be severely restricted. They would no longer be as difficult to exterminate as before. Only then could Yang Sichang and Shen Xun catch their breath.

"Finally, there is one more important matter I must report for Official Shen to know."

Shen Xun straightened his waist, assuming a listening posture.

Pang Yu knew where Yang Sichang was most constrained. But this Grand Secretary remained the person the Emperor valued most in the Capital. If he could establish a certain cooperative relationship with him, it would greatly benefit Pang Yu.

He looked at Shen Xun and said in an even tone, "The north has suffered severe drought for years, and Liaodong is even worse off than Shaanxi. If the Eastern Invaders do not plunder, they will simply sit and exhaust their stores. Within two years at the limit, they will invade again. If Mr. Yang still heads the Ministry of War, I can take two years as the benchmark to prepare in advance. As long as Elder Yang devises the strategies and we maintain strict vigilance, that will be the time to deal the Eastern Invaders a crushing blow. The Jurchen Slaves will have sent their army deep into our territory on a long campaign. This time Northern Zhili was ravaged; next time they will certainly march even farther. The troops entering the border will constitute more than half of the Eastern Invaders' forces. If we annihilate this army, the Eastern Affairs may hope to be settled — pacifying Liao in the hands of Mr. Yang and Official Shen."

Both of Shen Xun's eyes narrowed.

……

When they emerged from the room, Sun Chuanting had still not ascended to the Main Hall. The General Officers inside and outside the hall had, however, increased considerably. They gathered in groups according to their affiliations, chatting idly. Broadly, they divided into two factions. The men Chen Xinjia had brought were also from the Xuan-Da forces and naturally stood together with the rally-to-the-king army.

When they reached the rally-to-the-king army's area, a crowd of Deputy Generals and Regional Commanders swarmed around. Cries of "Commander Pang" rose one after another. Across the way, the General Officers of the Liao Garrison heard the commotion and turned their heads one after another to look.

Pang Yu returned their salutes one by one. Spotting several Regional Commanders farther back, he took the initiative to go and pay his respects.

Besides Yang Guozhu and Wang Pu, there was also Hu Dawei, who had previously been transferred away and assigned to Chen Xinjia. Several of Hu Dawei's subordinate General Officers were also present. Among them was one called Meng Ruhu, who, like Hu Dawei, was a Mongol — short, stocky, and powerfully built. His name was rather distinctive, and Pang Yu remembered it after a single encounter.

During the Yongding River campaign, neither Yang Guozhu nor Wang Pu had accumulated much military merit. Unlike the Qin Army or the Capital Battalion, they were not particularly warm toward Pang Yu, but now they no longer dared to put on airs.

Pang Yu made a full circuit and returned to where he had been standing earlier. He looked across at the Liao Garrison opposite. Over there were not only the troops of the Shanhai Yongping Liaodong Garrison Garrison, but also the Tongzhou Regional Commander and the Tianjin commander, and possibly some General Officers from the Ji Garrison. From where they stood, Pang Yu could roughly deduce that the Liao Garrison had a greater number of General Officers, and they indeed looked more fierce and battle-hardened.

Then he spotted Wu Changshi in the southwest corner of the courtyard and immediately strode over toward this political ally. Wu Changshi also saw Pang Yu, and a look of delight appeared on his face.

The last time they met, Wu Changshi had proposed forming a political alliance encompassing the Restoration Society, the Donglin, and even the Eunuch Faction, with Pang Yu as one of its members — albeit of relatively low standing. Now that Pang Yu's reputation was soaring, Wu Changshi's manner was even more courteous.

Pang Yu put on a smiling face while also carefully observing this key operative of the Restoration Society. Though close to the battlefield, Wu Changshi showed not a trace of nervousness; instead, he carried a hint of excitement.

Pang Yu had seen this trait in a handful of people before. Such individuals did not fear taking risks and were accustomed to shouldering them, but they could also be exceptionally ruthless toward those who stood in their way. Previous meetings with Wu Changshi had all been in the safe region of Jiangnan, where Pang Yu had mostly sensed Wu Changshi's shrewdness. Only now, in an environment near the battlefield, could he discover Wu Changshi's other side.

"Mr. Wu, your sense of honor is profound. Jizhou is still a war zone. When I received your letter, I immediately sent word back to the Capital, asking you not to venture into danger personally."

Wu Changshi waved his hand dismissively and led Pang Yu farther from the crowd before saying, "General, you dealt the Jurchen Slaves a painful blow — that was earned through blades and bloodshed. News of the Yongding River Victory spread throughout the Capital in a matter of days. When Wu goes out to drink and mentions having met General Pang, I feel my face is bathed in glory."

The two laughed heartily together. When Wu Changshi stopped laughing, he glanced left and right, then said in a low voice, "At present, Wu is merely making a trip outside the Capital — it hardly counts as danger. Besides, some words are still better spoken face to face. That Meritorious Service of slaying Yoto — the Strike General Merit — will be of great use in the future. You must fight for it at all costs. Right now, it is Cabinet member Xue Guoguan causing trouble. This time, with Shen Xun here, as long as the Ministry of War confirms Yoto is dead, they will report it up to the Cabinet. Then only Xue Guoguan will remain. Wu can speak with this Elder Xue."

Pang Yu put on a somewhat surprised expression. Wu Changshi did not elaborate. He thought for a moment, then said, "Xue Guoguan is unwilling to let Liu Zhongtang share in the credit for the Strike General Merit. But in the end, he is only targeting Liu Yuliang to seize the position of Chief Grand Secretary — he is not trying to block this battle merit. That is why he has been relentlessly harping on the matter of Liu Guangzuo. To make him recognize the Strike General Merit, you must trade something for it. Elder Xue is a Grand Secretary; the things he wants to trade for are no cheap goods. They must be things he truly needs."

Wu Changshi raised his head and looked at Pang Yu. "Or else, things he fears. The crux of the matter lies with Liu Guangzuo. The Jurchen Slaves are still here now. If General Pang can obtain a few more heads and banners and give these things to Liu Guangzuo's subordinates, allowing him to atone for his crime with merit, then Liu Zhongtang's offense will vanish. In Wu's opinion, that is precisely what Xue Guoguan fears."

"I have such a thing on hand — a Banner Commander flag of the Eastern Invaders."

Wu Changshi looked at Pang Yu in astonishment. He had never imagined that such a banner had been kept back and not reported for merit. In truth, Pang Yu had kept it in reserve. He had mentioned giving it to Liu Guangzuo last time, back when he was helping Sun Chuanting deal with Liu Yuliang. Because Sun Chuanting had not agreed, Pang Yu had held onto it as a backup, in case the Strike General Merit fell through.

If it were now given to Liu Guangzuo, its function would be entirely different — it would become a means to help Liu Yuliang. Because Liu Yuliang's stance had already changed; from impeaching Liu Guangzuo, he had shifted to protecting him. It could now be used precisely to pressure Xue Guoguan. If Xue Guoguan made concessions, this Capture Flag Merit could still be used for himself.

"Then leave the matter of Elder Xue to Wu."

Wu Changshi's eyes flickered with an excited gleam. Pang Yu observed him while voicing his agreement.

"There is one more matter I must inform General Pang of." Wu Changshi cast another discreet look around. After confirming no one was nearby, he said in a low voice, "I have been running around for nearly a year and have finally reached an agreement with Elder Feng Quan, Mr. Tianru, and Mr. Yushan to jointly recommend an elder for reinstatement."