Chapter 544: Lake Light

"Outrageous, simply outrageous! If not for Wang Xiong holding me back, this old man would have taught that ill-mannered whelp a lesson today! I'll teach you a lesson, you ill-mannered old scoundrel!"

Buxi Garden was moored beside Su Causeway. Xie Sanbin, his face flushed crimson, turned around at the gangplank and shouted abuse at the two men, Pang and Ruan, who stood at the edge of the terrace railing.

Wang Ranming pulled hard on him, urging as he did so, "Xiangsan, you must not lose your temper."

Xie Sanbin pointed a finger at Ruan Dacheng while struggling against Wang Ranming at the bow. Before he could get a word out, Ruan Dacheng extended a hand in a gesture of entreaty and said with utter sincerity, "Mr. Xie, heed Wang Xiong. It is merely a storytelling performance; do not let anger spoil the mood. If you do not wish to hear Journey to the West, this humble one can also tell the tale of Cheng Yaojin meeting the maiden."

Pang Yu stood at the front edge of the terrace. Moments ago, when the demon-vanquishing at Gaolaozhuang had concluded, Xie Sanbin could no longer hold back and erupted in a furious tirade. But he was a lone spear and a solitary horse, while Ruan Dacheng and Pang Yu sang in perfect harmony. In his rage, Xie Sanbin was no match at all and quickly lost ground. The wine banquet could no longer continue, so Wang Ranming had no choice but to order Buxi Garden to turn around and drag Xie Sanbin off the boat.

Though the lake excursion had been interrupted, Pang Yu, facing Xie Sanbin below, said with a baffled look, "Our two-person storytelling was going perfectly well, and we were not cursing anyone. Why would Mr. Xie suddenly fly into a rage and hurl vicious insults at the two of us? This humble one is truly perplexed."

Xie Sanbin dodged Wang Ranming's grasp, cursing furiously, "You two are outrageous! Vicious insults? This old man giving you a thrashing with my bare fists would be letting you off lightly! Let me tell you both, I slaughtered a hundred thousand of those Dongjiang Bandits in Dengzhou — how could I tolerate humiliation from two nobodies like you! Let go of me!"

At the bow, several of Pang Yu's guards heard the threat in Xie Sanbin's words. While keeping a wary eye on Xie Sanbin's movements, they also watched for any signal from Pang Yu. Wang Ranming, meanwhile, called his steward over to help, and together they blocked Xie Sanbin tightly.

Pang Yu, however, looked completely at ease. He nodded from the terrace and said, "This junior is still an Imperial Academy Student and intends to take the civil examinations and become an official in the future. Mr. Xie, as a senior, how can you fly into a thunderous rage over a mere storytelling performance and even wish to pummel someone with your old fists? In this junior's humble opinion, one should still possess the bearing of a scholar. A senior who has passed the examinations, in particular, ought to set a proper example for us juniors."

Xie Sanbin froze for a moment, then suddenly lunged toward the cabin again. Wang Ranming hurriedly held him back. Xie Sanbin roared, "Today this old man will cast aside all bearing! I will beat you two senseless and show you whether this old man's reputation is empty or not!"

Wang Ranming, seeing that Pang Yu's guards had already blocked the cabin door, hastily held Xie Sanbin fast. "Xie Xiong, listen to me — you absolutely must not strike them."

The steward was so anxious that his head was drenched in sweat. No longer caring about propriety, he hastily called over two servants, and together they half-dragged, half-pulled Xie Sanbin onto the gangplank, finally heading toward the shore.

Ruan Dacheng shook his head. "Should a Chancellor Be a Scholar. This old man was about to explain it to you — that people study so they understand propriety, grasp reason, and conduct themselves with a sense of face."

Xie Sanbin had nearly reached the end of the gangplank. Hearing this, he spun around to come back and curse, but the gangplank was wet and slippery after the rain. His foot slipped, and he tumbled off the gangplank. Splat — he hit the ground, sending up a great spray of pooled water.

Miss Du and Liu Yin shrieked simultaneously. Wang Ranming hurried down the gangplank to help Xie Sanbin up, anxiously calling to the servants, "Go to Ruyi Nunnery and prepare a change of clothing for Xiangsan."

Xie Sanbin rose from the ground, his face covered in water stains. Strands of loose hair clung to his cheeks, giving him a rather wretched appearance. Perhaps the fall had been severe, for even his gaze was unfocused, and he looked at people with a dazed expression.

Wang Ranming, not even pausing to grab an umbrella, personally supported Xie Sanbin as they headed toward Ruyi Nunnery. Xie Sanbin stumbled along for a stretch before finally catching his breath. He turned his head and pointed at Buxi Garden. "Today, this old man has marked you down..."

Xie Sanbin suddenly rounded on Wang Ranming. "That old scoundrel who called me Keeper of the Imperial Stables — who is he? And that young scoundrel surnamed Pang — what is his name? This bullying is beyond intolerable! Ranming, today you must give this old man an explanation! You must give me an explanation!"

"Better to dissolve enmity than to deepen it. Xiangsan, do not be angry."

Wang Ranming and the steward pulled Xie Sanbin along the entire way, finally boarding another pleasure boat moored nearby, Ruyi Nunnery.

The moment Xie Sanbin entered the cabin of Ruyi Nunnery, his shouts and curses abruptly ceased. The entire vast West Lake seemed to fall silent.

Pang Yu, standing by the railing, felt momentarily unaccustomed to it. He turned his head and looked at Ruan Dacheng for a moment, and then the two of them suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Behind them, Qian Qianyi shook his head, pointed a finger at the two of them, and then sat back down at his own small table.

Neither Pang Yu nor Ruan Dacheng took their seats. Several servants were tidying up. Earlier, when descending from the terrace, Wang Ranming had been unable to restrain Xie Sanbin, who had kicked over Ruan Dacheng's small table with one foot and soiled Pang Yu's spot as well. Two maids had just finished cleaning and had not yet set out the new refreshments.

Liu Yin stood by the left-side railing, her face flushed crimson. It had likely been a long time since she had witnessed such a fierce war of words, and she was momentarily somewhat excited.

The fine rain over the lake was still falling. Myriad tiny ripples crisscrossed the lake's surface, and the awning overhead rustled softly.

Ruan Dacheng, on the other hand, was radiant, as if every wrinkle on his face had been smoothed away. Ever since the Public Denunciation had been published, Ruan Dacheng had been utterly dejected. On the journey to Hangzhou, Pang Yu had tried every means to cheer him up, but to almost no effect.

Within this alliance, Ruan Dacheng had played a major role in connecting and coordinating people. Pang Yu worried it would affect the upcoming meetings. Fortunately, he finally saw him in good spirits today — though he never imagined that cursing someone out would produce such an effect.

Ruan Dacheng was rather excited. Once the wine had been set out on the small tables, he kept urging everyone to drink. Although the host was absent, the atmosphere was far more congenial than when Xie Sanbin had been present.

After only a brief wait, Wang Ranming returned in a great hurry. The moment he boarded, he ordered the boat to set sail immediately, and only then did he ascend to the terrace.

Wang Ranming came up and clasped his hands to the two men. "Xie Sanbin has a fiery temperament. In truth, he bears no ill will; his temper is simply a bit quick. I beg Mr. Ruan and General Pang not to take offense."

Pang Yu hurriedly returned the salute. "This humble one did not know that Mr. Xie had once held the esteemed post of Grand Servant of the Imperial Stud. My words were impertinent and offended Mr. Xie. Though unintentional, it was still improper."

Wang Ranming shook his head with a rueful laugh. "General, do not trouble yourself over it. To be frank with you, the reason he pursued me to my humble abode was precisely because of Hedong Jun. This old man also advised him not to force the matter, but he would not listen. Unable to obtain what he sought, he went about spreading gossip and stirring up trouble everywhere. Now he has pursued me here again, and his words and conduct are truly unseemly. I could not bring myself to be the villain, so I am indebted to you, General, for driving him away in anger. It spares this old man from having to play the heavy."

Pang Yu had never heard of Hedong Jun — presumably that was Liu Yin — but he did not inquire further. He studied Wang Ranming carefully; the man's clothes had been soaked earlier and he had not had time to change. Pang Yu could not help but smile. "Then this humble one has, I suppose, done a good deed. Though I regret putting Mr. Wang to the trouble of rushing about in the rain. You came from Ruyi Nunnery just now and even forgot to bring an umbrella. What was the great hurry?"

"There was a hurry." Wang Ranming wiped his forehead and leaned in, lowering his voice. "I was afraid that if the Pig Demon failed to obtain the scriptures, he might want to return to Gaolaozhuang."

Pang Yu let out a hearty laugh. "Then it was indeed urgent."

At that moment, the boat stirred. Wang Ranming waved his hand. "We leave at once, to a place that Pig Demon cannot find."

In the evening, the light rain ceased. The setting sun cast golden afterglow from the western horizon, and upon West Lake, a vast expanse of shimmering scales stretched for miles. Moored by the shore, Buxi Garden rocked gently with the lake's ripples.

This was Wang Ranming's small lakeside courtyard. Because his Hengshan Villa was some distance from West Lake, and traveling back and forth on the lake was often inconvenient for him, he also kept a small courtyard by the lake for brief rests. Thanks to the wild scenery of West Lake, the compound was not small in scale, though it was somewhat larger than Ruan Dacheng's courtyard by Mochou Lake, still possessing three rows of courtyards. Wang Ranming said he had just purchased it recently, and no one else knew this place was his secondary property.

The small courtyard was right by the lake, still twenty or thirty paces from the water's edge. Both ends were enclosed with bamboo fencing, creating a private stretch of lakeshore. Within the bamboo fence stood a simple wooden pavilion, already showing some years.

Pang Yu lay alone on a reclining chair inside the wooden pavilion. On the small side table beside him, there were no refreshments, only a cup of hot tea. Faint wisps of steam rose from the pale yellow surface of the tea.

After the boat had set sail again, Liu Yin had played the Seven-String Zither to enliven the mood and had also composed poetry and painted with the other literati. Pang Yu could do none of these things and could only play along on the sidelines. But both Liu Yin and Wang Ranming were very attentive to him, occasionally asking him for simple comments, and never once making Pang Yu feel neglected.

Buxi Garden was essentially an ancient yacht, equipped for dining and daily living. But limited by the shipbuilding standards of the time, its construction scale could not be too large, and the internal living space was not spacious. In particular, once a retinue of maids, servants, and guards was brought aboard, the serene flavor of drifting on the lake was lost. After touring the lake, the group had come ashore and arrived here.

The others each had rooms to rest and change clothes. Pang Yu's clothes and trousers were stained with quite a bit of mud and rainwater, but after many years of military life, following the army had left no room for fastidiousness. He had long since become immune to filth and disorder and was in no hurry to change. Sitting for a while in the wooden pavilion and watching the sunset over West Lake, he felt an extraordinary sense of peace, as if he could sit here forever.

"My thanks to the General for the grace of your assistance today."

Pang Yu recognized the voice as Liu Yin's. He hurriedly rose and turned around. Liu Yin's figure was enveloped by the halo of the setting sun, which carved her silhouette with exceptional clarity.

"Since fate has brought me to meet Liu Xiong again, to offer my humble efforts is my honor. Besides, I too detest that Pig Demon."

Liu Yin stepped into the pavilion. Hearing this, she pursed her lips in a smile. "Just now you called him Keeper of the Imperial Stables, and now he is a Pig Demon. I hardly know which one he truly is."

Pang Yu signaled the guards outside to bring a chair. Once Liu Yin was also seated in the wooden pavilion, Pang Yu tilted his head and looked at her. "Whether Keeper of the Imperial Stables or Pig Demon, that monster's family circumstances are truly excellent. In the future, you would wear brocade and gold upon your person, enjoy flowers and fruits in all four seasons, and have fresh vegetables cooked and prepared through all eight festivals. What is there that would not suit your heart, that you would look down on this monster?"

Liu Yin shot him a glare. "That monster has no sense of propriety at all. With such an ugly face and mouth, one who cannot meet an uncle-in-law and cannot face the relatives — how could anyone take a fancy to him?"

Pang Yu laughed heartily. Both of them were quoting dialogue from the demon-vanquishing at Gaolaozhuang. Liu Yin's meaning was that Xie Sanbin's character was too poor; no amount of money could make up for it.

Earlier, Ruan Dacheng had told Pang Yu that the Dengzhou rebel army had plundered a vast amount of wealth in Shandong and brought it all back to Dengzhou. When they fled Dengzhou, they had taken the water route and dared not alert the Government Troops besieging the city. Much of the wealth was left behind in Dengzhou and fell into the hands of the Government Troops. Word at court was that Xie Sanbin had taken a considerable share and was a genuinely wealthy man — which was perhaps why he lacked the necessity to re-enter an official career.

Xie Sanbin had status and assets, making him easily attainable for any ordinary woman. Yet this Liu Yin simply looked down on him. Pang Yu felt that this courtesan appeared exceptionally independent and unconventional at this moment.

The two laughed for a moment. Liu Yin looked at the floorboards of the pavilion and said, "I heard Mr. Wang say that the General leaves tomorrow. Will you be going to exterminate the Roving Bandits again?"

Pang Yu was going to Jiaxing tomorrow to meet Zhang Pu and Zhou Yanru. The location was Wu Changshi's Shao Garden. This was a sensitive matter of privately Forming Cliques, so naturally he would not casually disclose it. For now, he simply nodded and said, "The Roving Bandits in the Central Plains have resurged. Anqing lies at a strategic crossroads, and the Yinghuo Mountain Area is a critical point for suppressing the bandits. Having been away rallying to the king for over half a year, there is indeed much military business that needs my attention back there."

"Pang Xiong is already a famous general under heaven. When you meet the Eight Bandits this time, do not let him flee into the wilderness. Be sure to send a couple more flying axes and hack him into a few more pieces, to avenge the common people who have suffered under heaven."

Pang Yu smiled and then said, "This humble one will certainly do his utmost. And to be honest with Liu Xiong, the newspaper accounts are greatly exaggerated. In a real battle, the commanding general uses neither axes nor long spears. A thousand blades come slashing, ten thousand spears thrust back — on the battlefield, there is not an inch of room to dodge or shift. Killing Tartars and exterminating Roving Bandits relies on those soldiers risking their very lives. The words 'renowned under heaven' are all built up by the soldiers. These soldiers are all fathers, sons, and brothers from common households. Leading commoners to save commoners — both ends are the burden on this famous general's shoulders, and also the fundamental duty of a military man. Please rest assured, Liu Xiong: if this humble one encounters any Roving Bandits or Eastern Invaders, I will certainly hack them into many pieces and not let them harm people again."

Liu Yin waited a moment, then raised her head. "Since that meeting at Taihu last time, Pang Xiong has transformed from a squad leader into the famous general renowned under heaven that you are today. With this parting, the General will inevitably campaign north and south. I do not know when we shall meet again. I earnestly beg the General to take care of yourself."

The pavilion fell silent. Residual water droplets on the eaves of the wooden pavilion dripped down steadily, splashing into tiny blossoms of water on the stone steps. West Lake shimmered with dancing light under the setting sun. The two sat side by side in the dusky glow, and the small wooden pavilion seemed to merge into one with the lake's radiance.