Chapter 542: Allusions

Pang Yu froze for a moment. He had never once said he wanted to be an official or a chancellor, and he had no idea why Xie Sanbin would throw out such a completely unrelated question.

But across from him, Wang Ranming and Qian Qianyi both looked visibly uncomfortable. Pang Yu sensed there was some kind of trap here, but he was completely in the dark. Beside him, Liu Yin let out two sharp, agitated breaths, as if her emotions were running high. Pang Yu stole a glance at her — her face was flushed with a sickly red, her eyes rimmed red as if she were about to cry. If not for Wang Ranming's dignity, she likely would have swept her sleeves and stormed out right in front of everyone.

Puzzled, Pang Yu couldn't tell who exactly Xie Sanbin was targeting. Speaking up rashly might backfire, so he could only turn to look at Ruan Dacheng. Ruan Dacheng gave a slight shake of his head, signaling him to ignore it.

Pang Yu was utterly confused. He knew this trap definitely had something to do with Liu Yin, but he had no clue what it was. Everyone else seemed to understand perfectly.

Having made up his mind to ignore Xie Sanbin, Pang Yu was met with Xie Sanbin's smug, pressing question: "Surely Young Master Pang isn't going to claim he doesn't know the origin of this, and needs to go home and look it up?"

Pang Yu felt a surge of irritation. Just as he was unsure whether he should speak, Liu Yin's voice came from beside him.

"By dredging up the past, Mr. Xie means nothing more than to hint to everyone here that this young woman's origins are lowly. I have never concealed this. Let me inform you all plainly: this young woman came from the Zhou Residence and fell into the world of wind and dust. A mere woman, I cannot compare to a dignified man like Mr. Xie. That gaudy banner of 'divorced concubine of the Chief Minister's residence' was a desperate act to make a living. Sir, you may openly declare that I am of lowly birth — there is no need to drag others into it and put Young Master Pang in a difficult position."

Pang Yu turned his head to look at Liu Yin. Her face was slightly red, and her maid was glaring furiously at Xie Sanbin.

Liu Yin raised her head and looked at Xie Sanbin. "Mr. Xie brings this up again only to say that Elder Zhou was unlearned and unskilled, and that any guidance I received from him makes my reputation an empty one. When I was learning to read and write, Elder Zhou merely passed by in his spare time and offered a pointer or two. Since drifting through the rivers and lakes, I have been honored by all you gentlemen with the name of 'Talented Woman.' But I know well that my talent is shallow, and I have never claimed to have been taught by Elder Zhou, lest my crude learning tarnish his reputation. Therefore, whatever Elder Zhou was or was not, it has nothing to do with me. It's just that I wonder — Mr. Xie became a Presented Scholar in the fifth year of Tianqi, while Elder Zhou became a Presented Scholar in the twenty-sixth year of Wanli. 'Should a Chancellor Be a Scholar' — whether he knew it or not, I was not there at that time or place and dare not assert. But that Grand Secretary who entered the Cabinet was no fake. If one is to ask 'Should a Chancellor Be a Scholar,' it is still more fitting for someone who once entered the Cabinet as chancellor to do the asking."

Pang Yu was beginning to understand. It seemed this Elder Zhou had once entered the Cabinet as a Grand Secretary and had also taught Liu Yin to read. He wondered if it was Zhou Yanru. Perhaps Zhou Yanru was also a rival of Xie Sanbin in love — Xie Sanbin's enemies were certainly of no low caliber. The relationships to be navigated on this boat today were even more complicated than he'd thought.

Xie Sanbin's implication was that this Mr. Zhou did not know the allusion about scholars. Combined with that reference to the "divorced concubine of the Chief Minister's residence," Zhou Yanru must be Liu Yin's old master.

The woman's counterattack was sharp. She had been embarrassed at first, but she quickly adjusted. Perhaps guessing that Pang Yu was completely lost, she immediately drew all of Xie Sanbin's fire onto herself, getting Pang Yu out of a tight spot. She openly admitted her lowly origins and showed no fear of tearing her face off with Xie Sanbin. The meaning of her final remark was that Xie Sanbin had never even been a Grand Secretary, so he didn't even have the standing to ask that question.

Before him, Liu Yin's face was slightly flushed, but she held her head high and met Xie Sanbin's gaze without the slightest retreat. Out of the corner of his eye, Pang Yu noticed that both Wang Ranming and Qian Qianyi across from him wore expressions of admiration.

"Xie has absolutely no intention of questioning Elder Zhou. But since Miss Liu just mentioned that Elder Zhou became a Presented Scholar in the twenty-sixth year of Wanli, then Xie will ask one more thing: in Miss Liu's eyes, what exactly is a scholar?"

Liu Yin said calmly, "What is a scholar? I will answer you. It is not about how many books one has read, nor about the height of one's birth. It is about reading until one understands propriety and reason — only then can one be called a scholar. Whether one becomes chancellor is secondary."

With those few sentences finished, she lifted the wine cup from the small table and drained it in one go.

"Well said, Miss Liu. Xie is of the same mind." Xie Sanbin let out a loud laugh and continued, "It's not just about reading many books. The Eunuch Faction was not short of Presented Scholars, yet they only learned the art of flattery and currying favor. One must not only read to understand reason, but must also extract Literary Courage from the books. Only then can what is learned be used on the right path, and only then does one have the courage to serve the people. Why should a chancellor be a scholar? Knowing is knowing. If one dare not even admit to knowing, how can one serve the country?"

The atmosphere on the terrace was strained. Wang Ranming, as the host, was the most embarrassed. Hearing this, he quickly interjected, "Some old stories are merely fabrications by court officials to slander political rivals — they aren't meant to be taken seriously. Elder Zhou's entry into the Cabinet came through step-by-step promotion from Presented Scholar, personally appointed by the Emperor's own brush. Naturally, there can be no mistake."

Xie Sanbin had already raised his hand halfway, looking ready to cut Wang Ranming off. The moment the word "Emperor" came out, he lowered his hand again. Wang Ranming continued, "Xiangsan is a Presented Scholar by background and has personally experienced military campaigns to suppress rebellion. His merit earned him the post of Grand Servant of the Imperial Stud. His studies have indeed yielded Literary Courage, and he originally possesses the talent and virtue to be chancellor. It is only due to mourning leave that he has returned home. But with the realm now in such turmoil, there will surely come a time for his restoration."

He had soothed both sides. Just then, the boat began to move, its bow turning toward the east side of the lake. Seizing this moment, Wang Ranming called for servants to bring refreshments and small dishes. With people coming and going on the terrace, Xie Sanbin finally fell quiet for a moment.

Ruan Dacheng moved his small table over, drawing close beside Pang Yu. Pang Yu looked at him — Ruan Dacheng's face showed anger, likely because Xie Sanbin's words had just trashed the Eunuch Faction, offending this genuine eunuch partisan. Pang Yu leaned in and asked, "Ruan Xiansheng, what does that phrase 'Should a Chancellor Be a Scholar' mean?"

"It's an old matter concerning Liu Yin's master. The master was called Zhou Daodeng, a Presented Scholar of the twenty-sixth year of Wanli. After our current Emperor ascended the throne, he rose to Grand Secretary. This Liu Yin was sold to the Zhou family as a child. Because she was cleverer than ordinary girls, she greatly pleased Zhou Daodeng, who often held her on his knee and taught her to read. His wives and concubines grew jealous and made a fuss. Zhou Daodeng found it annoying and eventually drove Liu Yin out — that's how the 'divorced concubine of the Chief Minister's residence' came about. The phrase 'Should a Chancellor Be a Scholar' originally came from the Grand Ancestor of Song questioning Zhao De, a veiled jab at Zhao De's lack of learning. Back then, when Zhou Daodeng was a Cabinet Minister at court, the Emperor once used this phrase to question him. Zhou Daodeng replied that he had never heard of this allusion and would go back to look it up before memorializing again. The exchange was copied down at the Six Offices of Scrutiny, and the whole court came to know of it. He was ridiculed for lacking learning. Liu Yin's old gaudy banner read 'divorced concubine of the Chief Minister's residence.' Xie Sanbin is mocking Zhou Daodeng, but in reality he's disparaging Liu Yin, because all her learning was taught by Zhou Daodeng."

Pang Yu breathed a sigh of relief. So it wasn't Zhou Yanru after all. Somewhat puzzled, he asked, "Why should a chancellor be a scholar? What's so difficult about that question? Why was Zhou Daodeng unwilling to answer?"

Ruan Dacheng lowered his voice. "That's a hard question to answer. If you say scholars have greater insight, the Emperor's next line will be: then you are also a scholar — since scholars have insight, how did you manage to handle affairs so poorly? Were you not applying yourself? Zhou Daodeng would have cornered himself to death. So by saying he'd never heard of it, he cut off the Emperor's chance to follow up. The Emperor's next move couldn't even be played."

"So that's how it is." Pang Yu realized that when it came to this kind of classical allusion, there was still a gap between him and these professional companycrats. But he had no intention of spending effort specifically to bridge it.

It was just that Xie Sanbin had come here to court Liu Yin, yet he was utterly humiliating her. Pang Yu had no idea what kind of approach that was supposed to be.

By now, the snacks were all laid out and the bustling servants had thinned. From across the way, Xie Sanbin gave a snort, and the clamor began again.

"Reading is not a contest of who enters the Cabinet. This old man read until he understood the principles of things, and true ability naturally followed. Whether one becomes chancellor is secondary — but this Literary Courage is something others cannot match. Back when Li Jiucheng raised rebellion at Wuqiao and Shandong was plunged into misery, the fierce battle at the Beating the Bell River in Liaodong was still raging. The court was full of cowards, all saying pacification was preferable to extermination. This old man, entrusted with a critical mission, immediately declared: victory is ours, the rebels are not to be feared, and this rebellion will be settled within a few months. On the day the Emperor's decree was issued, I dared not delay a moment and immediately took leave at the palace and departed for the army."

Wang Ranming followed the topic carefully. "During the Dengzhou Rebellion back then, Xiangsan's reputation for frontier talent was known throughout the court. One imagines restoration is only a matter of time. In over two hundred years of our dynasty, scholars have entered the Cabinet as chancellors — Xiangsan may well yet be one."

Xie Sanbin waved his hand fiercely. "Entering the Cabinet, being chancellor — all of that is secondary. The court nurtures its ministers precisely for times of need. If everyone seeks safety in the face of danger, who will bear the responsibilities of the state? When I reached the army at Changyi, I immediately requested the executions of Wang Hong and Liu Guozhu. After that, the word 'pacification' was never spoken in the army again. Only thus was the fighting spirit of the great army roused, and only then did the campaign begin to turn."

By now, the boat was sailing on the lake. Gentle breezes swept across the terrace, and fine rain pattered softly on the awning overhead. Paired with the beautiful scenery around West Lake, it should have been a fine banquet — but now it had become Xie Sanbin's one-man show.

Pang Yu was still listening very attentively. This Xie Sanbin had been the Shandong Regional Inspector at the time, a civil official who by rights should not have been directly commanding troops. Yet the man possessed a certain overbearing quality rarely found in ordinary scholars — perhaps he was better suited to leading soldiers into battle. From what he'd heard so far, Xie Sanbin's words matched battlefield experience. Whether the credit was truly his was hard to confirm, but it was clear he had indeed personally been through campaigns. A civil official like this was, by all accounts, urgently needed now. With any recommendation at all, he would surely be reappointed. The fact that he had never been restored was most likely due to his abysmal emotional intelligence — no one was willing to recommend him.

Xie Sanbin tilted his head back, gazing at the awning in a reverie. "At that time, the rebels' ravaging of Denglai — wherever they passed, they burned and slaughtered. From Penglai to Changyi, for four hundred li, not a single rafter remained. The road from Laizhou to Huang County was all mountains, the paths steep and treacherous, travel by horse extremely difficult. The army lacked both firewood and forage. Officers and men slept in the open. Xie, together with Grand Coordinator Zhu, shared the soldiers' hardships. By day we inspected the battalions; by night we drafted military documents. We swept the ground for a bed and ate leaning against our horses."

Wang Ranming raised a hand, wanting to cut off Xie Sanbin's reminiscence. Xie Sanbin had long resided at Yanzizhuang by West Lake and often associated with Wang Ranming. Clearly, Wang Ranming had heard this battlefield tale countless times before.

As if anticipating this, Xie Sanbin preemptively swung his hand sharply, blocking Wang Ranming's attempt. "Thus, through hardship and bitter fighting all the way, on the first day of the ninth month of the fifth year, we finally reached the walls of Dengzhou. Dengzhou borders the sea on one side, with the prefectural city and the water fortress forming a mutual horn-and-antler defense. The walls were high and the moats deep, impossible to take by storm. Xie and Military Commander Zhu had long planned our strategy. In a matter of days, we built a thirty-li long embankment outside the city to besiege it, stretching from the seaside west of the city to the seaside east of the city. Chen Hongfan and Liu Zeqing held the west wall, with Wu Xiang's cavalry in support. Liu Liangzuo and Deng Ji held the south wall, with Zu Dabi's cavalry in support. Mou Wenshou's infantry held the east wall, with Zu Kuan's cavalry in support. Inside the city, the Dongjiang Rebels maintained tight defenses — no one but Liaodong men could move about. Five men kept watch at each crenellation, passing arrows as signals and sounding alarms throughout the night without cease..."

Pang Yu found his interest growing. He recognized most of the people Xie Sanbin was naming. Mou Wenshou, for instance, had fought the Roving Bandits with him at Chuzhou. Liu Liangzuo was garrisoned at Lu'an Prefecture and had a joint defense arrangement with Tongcheng — the two sides often exchanged intelligence, and they had met twice outside North Gorge Pass. Chen Hongfan had been garrisoned with him at Xiangyang. Liu Zeqing, Wu Xiang, and Zu Kuan — he had met them all during the rally to the king. Though Zu Kuan was already sentenced to beheading, making him a useless connection now.

He turned his head to Ruan Dacheng. "That Military Commander Zhu is..."

"That's Zhu Dadian. He was the Shandong Grand Coordinator during the rebellion suppression."

Another familiar name. Pang Yu couldn't help but grow even more interested. Just then, someone approached beside him. Out of the corner of his eye, Pang Yu saw it was Liu Yin's maid. The maid ducked behind Pang Yu, using him to block Xie Sanbin's line of sight, and said in a low voice, "My mistress says: the General is a famed commander who swept across the Eastern Invaders, and also a crafty, roguish wanderer. Could he perhaps sweep away this tiresome person as well? That would make up for the boat from that day."

Pang Yu smiled and looked over. Liu Yin was using the pretext of drinking to shoot him repeated meaningful glances, urging him to think of something.

Pang Yu felt a headache coming on too. Xie Sanbin was a hard-boiled piece of meat you couldn't slice or chop. Short of grabbing him and throwing him into West Lake, he really had no idea how to drive him away.

Just as he was thinking this, Xie Sanbin, as if by telepathy, turned his head and looked at Pang Yu, his face full of reminiscence. "The rebel commander inside the city, Li Jiucheng, never gave up his treacherous ambitions. He constantly sought opportunities to sally forth and do battle, trying to break through the long siege line. Military Commander Zhu and I stayed in a ruined temple on Mishan Mountain. The mountain was five li from the city. The Red Barbarian Cannons on the walls — the screaming of their shot was like a pestle pounding, often passing right overhead. A touch meant being torn to pulp; there were deaths daily. The rebels harassed us every midnight, either firing cannons or launching night raids. Xie lay down at night not daring to remove his armor. His horse was always kept saddled beside his bed. The moment I heard the wind of cannon fire, I would mount and race down the mountain, entering the camp to direct the battle. For two armies locked in stalemate, victory and defeat hang on a single breath. For eight long months, there was not a moment without the dread of death and defeat..."

"Then why didn't Mr. Xie stay in the camp?"

Xie Sanbin stopped in stunned silence. Everyone on the terrace stared at Pang Yu. Pang Yu raised his wine cup toward Xie Sanbin and said, "First, let me toast the hardships you endured campaigning for the country. But there is one thing I don't understand. Since Li Jiucheng came to raid every night, why did Mr. Xie insist on staying on the mountaintop? Why wait until the cannons sounded and then rush over — wasn't that troublesome? Why not share the soldiers' hardships and stay at the foot of the mountain, saving yourself the night journey back and forth?"

Pang Yu's face was utterly sincere. Ruan Dacheng and Liu Yin both let out low chuckles. Across the way, both Wang Ranming and Qian Qianyi knew Pang Yu's identity. Wang Ranming, whose wine gathering had been ruined by Xie Sanbin today, was nursing considerable resentment of his own. He made no move to intervene, merely observing Xie Sanbin from the corner of his eye.

"This what's-his-name... Young Master Pang. That so-called 'every night' is a common expression used by scholars. It only means it happened often and frequently — not literally every night. Have you even read a book?"

Pang Yu gave an "Oh." "So that's how it is. My shallowness is showing. I have one other matter to bring to your attention, sir. In a military camp, livestock must be centrally managed by auxiliary troops and civilian laborers — they are not permitted inside tents. Otherwise, once a night panic starts, it cannot be contained. Riding horses in a night camp is even more strictly forbidden. As the commander of an army, sir, you must not violate military law. Besides, you can't see the road at night — riding a horse down a mountain makes falling easy, which would be even less ideal."

Beside him, Liu Yin let out an "Ah!" "Then when Mr. Xie is restored to office in the future, he will inevitably have to lead troops again. He must be sure to remember this."

Xie Sanbin's face reddened slightly. He glared fiercely at Pang Yu. "This old man has personally experienced military life and pacified tens of thousands of Dongjiang Rebels. Do you think I don't know you can't ride in a night camp? The top of Mishan Mountain was not a military camp. When I descended the mountain and reached the camp gate, I immediately dismounted."

Pang Yu nodded earnestly. "I must also consult Mr. Xie on another point. The Red Barbarian Cannon has a flat trajectory, and its range does not exceed three li..."

Xie Sanbin shot to his feet and bellowed, "This old man rode all the way from the Capital to Dengzhou — every step on horseback! Do you think I don't know whether horses can be brought into tents in the army? You, an Imperial Academy Student who's read nothing but a couple of volumes of the Treatise on Military Preparedness and the like — how dare you presume to instruct on military matters? This old man rose to the rank of Grand Servant of the Imperial Stud. No one understands better than I how to manage horses, how to raise horses!"

Xie Sanbin's voice and expression were fierce. He was clearly enraged by Pang Yu. Wang Ranming hurriedly stood up. "Xiangsan, for my sake, do not be angry."

Xie Sanbin paused, then suddenly said loudly, "It's just that I don't know — what is the meaning of 'face and sentiment'?"

Wang Ranming's expression changed. He quickly waved his hand at Xie Sanbin. "I misspoke. Xiangsan, don't read too much into it."

Xie Sanbin's expression turned to one of excitement. Facing toward Liu Yin, he said loudly, "What is meant by 'face and sentiment'? Does Miss Liu know?"

Pang Yu turned his head to see Liu Yin's face full of fury. He had no idea what enormous trap Xie Sanbin had just sprung now.

From the direction of the terrace stairs came a woman's voice, crisp and clear: "The so-called 'sentiment and face' — that is to say, the sentiment of face."