Chapter 536: Days Gone By

"We have determined that Liu Shensi, acting under Zhou Biao's direction, first used the pretext of inspecting Suzhou printing workshops to send three of the newspaper office's scribes to Suzhou. On the day of typesetting, he used the pretext of reporting on Yangzhou silver bank note exchange to send the other two Anqing scribes to Yangzhou. The only ones left were the typesetting craftsmen. Vice Editor-in-Chief Wu Yingji personally inserted the public denunciation into the second edition, claiming it was newly arrived Current Affairs Essays, and had the typesetting craftsmen alter it overnight. Those craftsmen can read characters but cannot parse literary prose; they simply assumed it was the usual Restoration Society Current Affairs Essays. Once typeset, it was immediately handed over to the printing workshop for production."

On the third floor of the Nanjing Great River Silver Bank, Pang Yu sat calmly in the seat of honor. He had just rushed over from Xuzhou. Below him, Xu Da'er, Deputy Battalion Commander of the Dark Sentinel Division, was delivering his report. Seated nearby were Liu Ruogu and Zhou Yueru, while Pang Ding stood off to one side.

In Pang Yu's original plan, upon arriving in Nanjing he would prioritize inspecting the silver bank's operations, especially the critical matter of coupon issuance. He never expected that the first thing he would have to deal with was the newspaper.

"The Times currently prints in three locations: Wuchang, Anqing, and Nanjing. After printing, copies are distributed downstream. Because Nanjing handles typesetting and the plates are only sent upriver after completion, printing here in Nanjing begins earliest. That day, Restoration Society people watched over the printing workshop, sending each batch to the docks as soon as it was printed — all of it bound for the Lower River. Your subordinate received word before noon on the day of publication and immediately dispatched men to seal off the printing workshop and newspaper office. We recovered as many undistributed copies at the docks as possible. In total, over seventeen thousand copies were distributed. Although Nanjing sends everything to the Lower River, this place is a hub in all directions; many copies are carried elsewhere by travelers and merchants. Overland routes cannot be intercepted. Many prefectures in the Lower River received copies via passenger boats — scattered and moving too fast. We recovered only twenty percent. In the Suzhou-Songjiang area, almost none were recovered."

Xu Da'er glanced at Pang Yu's expression, then cautiously continued. "The printing plates sent to Anqing had just produced their first batch when the printing workshop noticed something amiss. After reporting to the Document Receiving Office, Clerk He detained the newspapers and did not allow them to be sent out. The Wuchang plates were retrieved by fast horse. Neither the Upper River nor the Zhongjiang saw any distribution."

"I have dispatched men to buy back copies at high prices at every dock along the Grand Canal north of Xuzhou, to minimize the impact spreading northward." Pang Yu looked at the two sheets of paper on the table. "In other words, the impact is mainly in the Lower River — the area from Nanjing to Suzhou-Songjiang."

Xu Da'er quickly bowed. "That is indeed the case. It is precisely where Restoration Society scholars are most numerous."

Pang Yu picked up the other sheet of petition paper from the table. This one even bore the names of co-signatories. Pang Yu examined it carefully. Among the Tongcheng scholars, he recognized only one name — Fang Wen. He did not see the names of Sun Lin, Qian Bingdeng, Fang Yizhi, or the others.

After another careful look, he said, "This was posted inside the city?"

"Precisely. Large-format public denunciations were posted at markets, docks, and various places throughout Nanjing. This copy was transcribed from the large denunciation posted at Sanshan Gate. Additionally, around the Examination Hall, Restoration Society people were distributing it everywhere in the streets, mainly to the scholars here for the exams. However, the content differs slightly from what the Times published."

Pang Yu raised his head and looked at the others. "Everyone, examine it carefully once more. We will scrutinize it section by section. Where important people are implicated, we must immediately find ways to explain to them, striving to remedy the errors and omissions and minimize the damage."

Liu Ruogu picked up the sheet in front of him and said, "This street-posted version explicitly states that Ruan Dacheng bribed the Huai'an Governor to grant Wu Guanglong immunity. It does not name Zhu Military Gate directly, but it might as well. The Times version, however, phrases it as 'entreating a certain Military Commander among his fellow Presented Scholars.' Wu Guanglong's Lujiang County lies within the Fengyang Governor's Jurisdiction. Anyone with any insight will understand. Fortunately, it was not stated outright. As for Zhu Military Gate, I wonder whether we should go and make amends."

Pang Yu grunted in acknowledgment. The public denunciation involved Zhu Dadian in only this one instance. If it had been posted within Nanjing city, it would have nothing to do with Pang Yu. But once it appeared in the Jiangnan Times, it became connected to Pang Yu — and the scope and intensity of its dissemination grew exponentially.

Xuzhou lay within Zhu Dadian's jurisdiction. It was a strategic stronghold on the north-south divide, with the Grand Canal passing through — precisely the place Pang Yu was preparing to develop. Not only the dock Canal Gang, but he also planned to establish a battalion there, turning Xuzhou into the envisioned logistics base for the great war to come.

Without Zhu Dadian's support, this vision could not be realized at all. Between the two versions of the denunciation, the Times did not directly name the Huai'an Governor, making it slightly more circumspect than the posted version. But its reach was far wider. Zhu Dadian knew that the master behind the Times was Pang Yu. To what extent he would bear a grudge against Pang Yu was, at present, exceedingly difficult to predict.

"The second person involved is this passage: 'And Dacheng often deceives others, saying: Zhuozhou can reach the inner court. Whether within or without, nothing concerning us two fails to be reported by morning and heard by evening.'"

Hearing this, Xu Da'er went rigid all over. The "Zhuozhou" in this passage — they all knew it referred to Feng Quan. The wording in the denunciation seemed exceedingly shallow, clearly fabricated nonsense. But the person was real. And both people implicated were of great importance to Pang Yu.

Liu Ruogu looked up at Pang Yu. "Ordinary people do not know who this refers to. But the Times has circulated quite widely; sooner or later it will reach the Capital. As for Old Master Feng... perhaps we still need to, well..."

The only person at the table who did not know who "Zhuozhou" referred to was Zhou Yueru. Seeing the others' reactions, she knew those two characters had caused serious trouble. Her eyes darted among them, seeking some scrap of information.

Xu Da'er said in a low voice, "Liu Shensi altered the Huai'an Governor reference but did not change Zhuozhou. Perhaps it is because he only knew of Zhu Military Gate's dealings with you, my lord, but was unaware that you are also on close terms with Old Master Feng. This Liu Shensi arbitrarily altered the finalized edition jointly prepared by the scribes. His family dependents in Anqing..."

"What is the silver bank's standard procedure?"

"Originally they resided within Anqing Prefectural City. After his offense, his family dependents were transferred to Pozidun Fort. Their food and lodging are now only at the level of an ordinary dun household, under the guard of the fort's Banner Chief."

"Handle it according to this for now."

At that moment, a clamor arose outside. Faintly, someone could be heard shouting "Ruan the Bearded." Pang Yu slowly rose and went to the window. In the street below, a group of scholars was walking and shouting, handing out newspapers to passersby who looked like scholars. There was no need to ask — it was primarily because of the public denunciation inside.

The Huaiqing Bridge, where the Great River Silver Bank was located, stood on Dazhong Street, not far from the Examination Hall. With the Nanjing Provincial Examination approaching, scholars who had come to sit the exams could be seen everywhere on the streets. The Restoration Society group had chosen this moment deliberately, precisely to maximize the impact.

In the street below, the scholars grew increasingly impassioned, erupting into cheers together, drawing sidelong glances from passersby all around.

Liu Ruogu came to Pang Yu's side and said quietly, "Most of the public denunciation is based on hearsay or outright slander. They even blame the cause of the Tongcheng Uprising on Ruan Xiansheng."

Pang Yu waved his hand. "Prepare some valuable items, and also prepare ten thousand taels in silver notes. Go first to Zhu Military Gate and do some Pacing — explain the circumstances clearly and minimize any misunderstanding. As for Old Master Feng, I will find Wu Changshi and think of a way."

"Yes, my lord." Liu Ruogu looked at Pang Yu. "This humble one feels that for Zhu Military Gate, it would be best if Ruan Xiansheng himself went to do the Pacing. Only his words would convince Zhu Military Gate. The same goes for Old Master Feng — it would be best if Ruan Xiansheng could send a letter. It would be more effective than Wu Changshi."

"Has any word been found of where Ruan Xiansheng is?"

"After the public denunciation was released, public sentiment among the Nanjing gentry boiled over. He first hid in Shichao Garden. Restoration Society blocked the gate, clamoring and making threats. Ruan Xiansheng dared not remain in the city. He told people he had gone to Niushou Mountain, but in truth he is at his Mochou Lake villa. He is still privately sending people to plead with the Restoration Society leaders."

Pang Yu nodded. "The first person who needs an explanation is Ruan Xiansheng. I will go see him."

Night fell. On Mochou Lake outside Nanjing, painted pleasure boats departed from the shore one after another. Their brilliant lantern-light reflected upside down in the water, like a city of eternal night upon the lake.

Wearing a hat, Pang Yu stopped before the gate of a dimly lit little courtyard. Several Personal Guards dispersed around the perimeter to keep watch.

This courtyard before him had actually been built by Ruan Dacheng for his biological father. He had invited the garden master Ji Cheng to design it. Though small, the garden was exquisite, complementing the wild scenery of Mochou Lake beautifully. It was not far from Pang Yu's own lakeside residence. Every previous visit had left Pang Yu feeling at ease, but today he had no heart at all to appreciate it.

With a creak, the gate leaf of the little courtyard opened, and a lantern poked out.

By the lantern's glow, Pang Yu recognized Yang Weiyuan — listed in the Reverse Case just like Ruan Dacheng. Yang Weiyuan peered cautiously to both sides, then hurriedly ushered Pang Yu inside the gate.

Pang Yu asked him about Ruan Dacheng's condition. Yang Weiyuan merely shook his head and led the way with the lantern. The little courtyard lay in deep shadow; only the eastern wing room let out a glimmer of light.

At the door of the eastern wing, the Personal Guards remained outside. Pang Yu followed Yang Weiyuan in. His gaze swept the room — he saw no one. Looking further down, he saw a figure kneeling on the floor. Ruan Dacheng's hair was disheveled; his usually meticulously groomed beard was a tangled mess. He stared blankly at the floor without a sound, his entire being like withered, desiccated grass. Even when Pang Yu walked in, he seemed not to hear.

"Ruan Xiansheng, you..." Pang Yu looked silently at the broken Ruan Dacheng. He had associated with Ruan Dacheng for several years and understood the man fairly well. Ruan Dacheng wanted office and also wanted reputation. This time, Restoration Society had specifically set out to ruin his reputation, and at the same time had severed his path back to power.

Before coming, Pang Yu had estimated that the blow Ruan Dacheng had suffered might be severe, but he had not expected it to reach this degree. The words reached his lips, but for a moment he did not know how to offer consolation.

Hearing Pang Yu's voice, Ruan Dacheng finally showed some reaction. He slowly raised his head and stared blankly at Pang Yu. After a long while, the corners of his mouth gradually parted, and two streams of old tears slid down his face.

Pang Yu gently supported Ruan Dacheng's arm. "I failed to properly discipline my subordinates and have caused you suffering, sir."

Ruan Dacheng looked at Pang Yu with vacant eyes. He remained dazed for a long moment, then said in a hoarse voice, "In the winter of my seventeenth year, my father fell gravely ill while serving in Henan. When the news arrived, my grandfather was stricken with grief..."

Pang Yu was somewhat surprised but dared not interrupt. He could only listen quietly.

Ruan Dacheng continued his recollection, his lips trembling a few times before he went on. "I accompanied my grandfather over a thousand li, rushing to Henan, and at last saw my father one final time."

Pang Yu did not interject, merely nodding continuously. In this era, accompanying an old man over a thousand li in winter to visit a gravely ill father — both the hardship of the journey and the weight on the spirit were imaginable. Pang Yu knew that the "father" Ruan Dacheng spoke of was his adoptive father. Ruan Dacheng's biological father was still living by Mochou Lake. After his adoptive father died, the Ruan clan had returned him to his biological father's line, but from what Pang Yu had observed, Ruan Dacheng was emotionally closer to his adoptive father. In this moment, when life had dealt him a crushing blow, it was natural that he would think of the person closest to him.

"The last words my father said to me were: 'Conduct yourself with integrity and bring honor to the family.'" As Ruan Dacheng spoke, a faint gleam appeared in his eyes, as if he were seeing his adoptive father again. "I have always kept them in my heart and have always acted accordingly. I passed the Provincial Examination at seventeen and became a Presented Scholar at twenty-nine."

In the past, Ruan Dacheng had often hinted that he had been wronged but always avoided the details of the events. This was the first time Pang Yu had heard Ruan Dacheng recount his past in detail.

"I became a Presented Scholar in the forty-fourth year of Wanli. At the beginning of the Tianqi Emperor's reign, I was a Supervising Censor. My fellow graduates and old friends filled the court and countryside — a glorious future lay ahead. Gao Panlong was my chief examiner; Zuo Guangdou was a kindred spirit and fellow townsman. When I entered the court, I followed the Donglin with all my heart." A faint glimmer of tears shone in Ruan Dacheng's eyes. "In the fourth year of Tianqi, I was at home in mourning. Zuo Guangdou sent word for me to return to court and fill the post of Supervising Censor of the Personnel Section. I traveled day and night to enter the Capital. Only upon arriving did I learn that the Donglin had already given the Personnel Section post to Wei Dazhong — solely because Gao Panlong and Yang Lian were at odds with Zuo Guangdou. They regarded me as being of Zuo Guangdou's faction, so they brazenly stripped me of the Personnel Section post and wanted me to take the Works Section post that Wei Dazhong had vacated. By what right did the Donglin treat me so? I ranked tenth on the third roster; Wei Dazhong ranked thirteenth on the third roster — a full three places behind me! By what right did he take the foremost Personnel Section post while I was assigned to the lowliest Works Section? This is outrageous! How can this be endured!"

Yang Weiyuan followed with a low curse. Pang Yu did not catch it clearly, but it was surely born of some old memory — though whom exactly he was cursing was unclear. Because Pang Yu often associated with Restoration Society members, he had heard a great deal about Ruan Dacheng's past. At that time, the Donglin was not a monolithic bloc. Externally they fought Wei Zhongxian, and internally they fought among themselves. Because of Ruan Dacheng's hometown ties with Zuo Guangdou, Gao Panlong and Yang Lian viewed him as belonging to Zuo Guangdou's line. The Supervising Censor of the Personnel Section wielded great power — it was the apex among the Censors of the Six Offices of Scrutiny. Fearing that Zuo Guangdou's influence would swell and allow him to dominate the Donglin, they used Wei Dazhong to replace Ruan Dacheng. Ruan Dacheng's break with the Donglin originated from this, setting him on an entirely different path in life.

Ruan Dacheng shook his head, tears streaming down his cheeks, his tone filled with grief and indignation. "Even Green-Skin Ruffians demand that words be matched by deeds, let alone those who style themselves modest gentlemen. They clearly promised me the Supervising Censor post, so by what right did they give it to another? I exhausted myself for the Donglin — attacking the Zhejiang Censorate Faction, impeaching Shi Jikai — in which of these did I not step forward first? In the 'Donglin Roll-Call of Champions' that Wei Yan produced, among the one hundred and eight champions, my nickname was 'Unrestrained'..." (Note 1)

"If you don't believe me, go look..." Ruan Dacheng seized Pang Yu's arm and shook it desperately, with the look of a man ready to fight to the death if not believed.

Pang Yu dared not push him away and could only nod hurriedly. "Ruan Xiansheng has been wronged."

"Unrestrained... Unrestrained... ha ha ha." Ruan Dacheng released Pang Yu and collapsed to the floor, his face streaked with tears as he laughed a few hollow laughs. "Who would have thought that in the end, the Eunuch Faction would see me as Donglin, the Donglin would see me as Eunuch Faction, and the Emperor would see me as a fence-sitter. Tell me, is there anyone more ill-fated than I?"

"For over ten years I have endured humiliation and borne heavy burdens, never daring to utter a single word against the Donglin or Restoration Society. And yet..." Ruan Dacheng again gripped Pang Yu's hand tightly. Pang Yu felt both pain and numbness — he had never imagined Ruan Dacheng could have such strength in his grip.

"They still want to exterminate me utterly — exterminate me utterly!" Ruan Dacheng's voice carried boundless hatred. "The Donglin, mouths full of benevolence, righteousness, and morality — but in truth, they merely draw circles to imprison others, factional and exclusionary. A pack of petty men flattering one another! The Donglin treated me unjustly, forcibly branding me as Eunuch Faction. Even my own townsmen turned against me. Zuo Guangdou looked upon me as a mortal enemy; He Ruchong treated me as a stranger on the road. All that I could bear. But the Fang Family — three generations of friendship with me — and yet Fang Yizhi stabbed me in the back! I have wronged anyone, but I have not wronged Fang Yizhi. I have treated him generously. Three generations of friendship!"

"Ruan Xiansheng..." Pang Yu had wanted to say that Fang Yizhi had not co-signed, but the words reached his lips and he did not know how to continue.

"It was all you!" Ruan Dacheng suddenly pointed at Yang Weiyuan, his eyes blazing as if on fire. "When the Tianqi Emperor passed and the present Emperor ascended the throne, I clearly gave you two letters — one to use if the Donglin gained power, the other if the Donglin lost power. I wrote it out plainly. You already knew the Emperor intended to rely heavily on the Donglin, yet because of your private feud with them, you indiscriminately sent up my 'Seven-Year Reckoning Memorial' attacking the Donglin. You angered the Donglin, and they summarily placed me in the Reverse Case, turning me into this damned Eunuch Faction!"

Yang Weiyuan, caught off guard, could only reply in a fluster, "I was thinking that your Seven-Year Reckoning Memorial was well-reasoned and well-evidenced, just the thing to topple the Donglin."

"Then you didn't know enough to sign your own name!"

"If it just so happened to topple the Donglin, you would have said I stole your great achievement!"

Ruan Dacheng glared at Yang Weiyuan with fury, his eyes as if about to spew fire. Pang Yu was just about to mediate when Ruan Dacheng suddenly lunged and tackled Yang Weiyuan to the ground, his hands striking wildly at Yang Weiyuan's head. Yang Weiyuan, beaten dizzy and disoriented, cursed and fought back with all his might. The two old men, neither possessing much strength, were at a stalemate for the moment.

Pang Yu tried to mediate from the side. The Personal Guards outside, hearing the commotion, hurried to the doorway. Seeing two old men brawling, they did not know whether they should enter.

Yang Weiyuan on the floor suddenly let out a great roar. Ruan Dacheng was shoved aside and toppled over. He did not get up, but lay sprawled on the ground, wailing, "Written perfectly clear, the Seven-Year Reckoning Memorial was only to be used if the Donglin lost power, perfectly clear… You acted on selfish motives, your private feud with the Donglin, what did it have to do with this old man… You have harmed this old man so bitterly. This old man's entire life has been ruined by the likes of you!"

This was the first time Pang Yu had heard of this matter. It seemed Ruan Dacheng had prepared for both outcomes; to put it unkindly, he was hedging his bets. Only, he had not been in the Capital at the time, and had entrusted Yang Weiyuan to submit it depending on the situation. In the end, Yang Weiyuan had selfish motives. Seeing that Ruan Dacheng had indeed written it very well, he directly fired it off as a weapon in his own struggle against the Donglin, thoroughly offending them. Ruan Dacheng thus secured a firm seat in the Reverse Case. It could be said his cleverness had outsmarted him.

Perhaps because he had spoken the words pent up in his heart for so many years, Ruan Dacheng lay sprawled on the ground, weeping aloud, occasionally letting out a hoarse, mirthless laugh or two.

After a long while, Ruan Dacheng finally propped himself up. He remained on the ground just like that, his gaze slowly focusing on the dancing candle flame.

"Zhou Biao borrowed my theater troupe just last month, listened to three plays, all written by this old man. When has this old man ever refused to lend his troupe to the various gentlemen of the Restoration Society? Would this old man dare refuse? Yet they dared to curse while watching, right in front of my troupe, and this old man never dared to answer back with a harsh word. This old man passed the Presented Scholar examination, is past fifty years of age, was originally wronged by others, yet had to beg for pity from the Pure Stream, professing my own innocence. In the final end, they still refuse to let this old man off. Good, good!" Ruan Dacheng's eyes were bloodshot. He lay on the ground, tears and mucus streaming down his face, two long trails of snot hanging from his beard.

"You whelps of the Restoration Society, this old man is irreconcilably against you. As long as there is one breath left…" Ruan Dacheng gnashed his teeth, his face ferocious, the beard on his chin trembling unceasingly. In a hoarse voice that seemed squeezed from his throat, he said, "I will surely repay today's humiliation!"

……

Note 1: The Donglin Roll-Call of Champions compiled by Wei Zhongxian has several different versions, which changed along with the shifting factional alignments of the time. Ruan Dacheng was once listed among the "Eight Coursers of the Horse Army," with the nickname "Heavenly Investigative Star, the Unrestrained." After Ruan Dacheng defected to him, it was changed to someone else. One must say, Wei Zhongxian was quite creative.