Chapter 546: Recommendation

"General Pang, a young prodigy, routed the Roving Bandits at Chuzhou and Susong, and now has twice defeated the Eastern Invaders at Tongcheng Post and the Yongding River, even beheading the bandit slave chieftain Yoto. In military merits, no garrison across the Nine Borders can compare. To be promoted to Regional Commander and establish a garrison at Anqing is, one might say, only fitting."

In the study of the small courtyard at the northeast corner of Shao Garden, three people sat facing each other as host and guests. The one in the seat of honor was the former youthful Principal Graduate, the onetime Chief Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty, Zhou Yanru.

After his initial talk with Zhang Pu, Zhou Yanru had waited only half a day before meeting Pang Yu face-to-face. The courtyard where he stayed was in the northeast corner, indeed the farthest from Qian Qianyi.

This Chief Grand Secretary had a rather rounded figure, though not as fat as Ruan Dacheng. His beard was meticulously groomed, his tone of voice mild, his manner unhurried and unflappable — quite in line with the image Pang Yu held of a Grand Secretary. It was just that Liu Yuliang had earlier shattered the prestige of the Ming Chief Grand Secretary, so Pang Yu dared not set his expectations too high.

Zhou Yanru fanned himself with a folding fan. There were no servants or maids in the room. Pang Yu was fairly satisfied with Zhang Pu's arrangements this time; at the very least, the secrecy was well handled.

"Luzhou and Anqing have been strategically vital since ancient times. Establishing a garrison here would greatly benefit the suppression of the bandits." Zhou Yanru paused briefly, then continued, "However, previously the Minister of War devised the Ten-Sided Net strategy and still failed to pacify the Roving Bandits. Although the Yinghuo Mountain Area connects three provinces, it is, after all, only one corner. Is it truly the key to suppressing the bandits?"

Zhang Pu sat to the side without interjecting, but Zhou Yanru glanced at him first, as if gauging Zhang Pu's attitude. Zhou Yanru's movement was very slight, more like a subconscious act, yet Pang Yu had already noticed it two or three times in this room.

Pang Yu's expression did not change in the slightest, as if he had not noticed at all. But from what he had learned earlier, Zhou Yanru was Zhang Pu's patron examiner and had once been Chief Grand Secretary; he should have no need to read Zhang Pu's expression.

This political alliance had been initiated by Zhang Pu, who had ultimately selected Zhou Yanru. Pang Yu had assumed it was a joint choice by several parties, but from these subtle cues, he realized he seemed not to grasp the finer details within the alliance. The Dark Sentinel Division's focus had always been on the Great River, Nanjing, and the Grand Canal. Jiangnan was relatively calm, so the Dark Sentinel Division's deployed strength there was very weak, and the intelligence Pang Yu possessed was quite limited.

Pang Yu set aside these thoughts and looked at Zhou Yanru. "The Ten-Sided Net failed to achieve full success; both strategy and execution had their reasons. The Four Fronts and Six Corners appeared tight, but in reality were all on the outer lines — loose, difficult to coordinate, and in battle each still fought on its own. The Roving Bandits need to move constantly to obtain sufficient supplies from various places. The Yinghuo Mountain Area sits entrenched in the heartland; the three provinces along the mountains are precisely where the Roving Bandits maneuver. Once the Anqing Garrison is established and military orders flow freely within it, there will be no need for the Four Fronts and Six Corners. One usable army will be enough to pacify the bandits."

Zhou Yanru pondered for a moment, then raised his head to look at Pang Yu. "The interior has always been peaceful and uneventful; military garrisons are all along the borders and coasts. To establish a garrison at Anqing would involve five grand coordinators across three provinces — no small matter. Once the garrison is established, it will be surrounded by war-torn lands. No matter which band of thieves flees where, it will all be connected to the Anqing Garrison, with no room to shirk responsibility. Whether the strength of a single garrison can handle it — has the General thought this through?"

"It is exactly as you say, Elder. The area around the Yinghuo Mountain Area is a battleground open on all sides and a necessary route for the bandits. The hardship and peril go without saying, but there is no other way to pacify the bandits. As long as we soldiers can protect the people and serve the country, we will boldly give it a try."

Zhou Yanru was naturally not moved by such grand declarations from Pang Yu. He listened calmly and immediately followed up. "Establishing the Anqing Garrison — what benefit does it bring the General?"

"I imagine you two gentlemen have heard something of it. Before the battle at Susong, this Latecomer Student was already implicated in Mr. Yushan's case. Had it not been for the great victory at Susong, I might well have had to make a trip to the Ministry of Justice. Recalling the fear and anxiety of that time, I do not wish to experience it again. Whenever I reflect on it, it comes down to having no one at court."

Zhou Yanru smiled faintly, and Zhang Pu nodded. Pang Yu knew he might have struck a genuine chord. Wen Tiren had exerted immense pressure on Zhang Pu, so much so that for several years the two Zhang brothers had not dared to show their faces in public. The Restoration Society could not organize large Society Gatherings, and all its activities had entered a low ebb. Zhou Yanru had retired from the post of Chief Grand Secretary; the Emperor bore him no ill will, and Wen Tiren had not relentlessly pursued him, so he naturally could not understand that feeling.

"Elder Zhou had already been cultivating his reputation in retirement. That you are willing to come forth again today to establish a purpose for the common people is truly a model for our generation. In these chaotic times, should you truly take charge of the Cabinet again, it would naturally be no temporary expedient. Over the months and years in the Cabinet, the foremost matters remain two: pacifying the bandits and pacifying the invaders. All else is hardly worth discussing. What the Emperor is most anxious about are also these two matters. On this rally to the king, I witnessed the devastation of the north. For months, the Emperor has been concerned for the common people, with Imperial Approvals arriving at the army daily. When the war went unfavorably, the anxiety within the army was difficult to put into words."

Zhou Yanru's brow twitched. The commotion caused by Chief Grand Secretary Liu Yuliang during the previous Eastern Invader incursion was known throughout the court, and Zhou Yanru naturally knew of it too. If he were to be reinstated, warfare was unavoidable. The "anxiety" Pang Yu spoke of naturally referred to Liu Yuliang. This political alliance was formed not merely to push Zhou Yanru back into the Chief Grand Secretary's seat; they certainly hoped he would stay there as long as possible.

Pang Yu's meaning was that getting up there was easy, but if the war went unfavorably, the Chief Grand Secretary's seat would in fact be unstable. This was more useful to Zhou Yanru.

"This Latecomer Student abandoned the brush for the military several years ago and has gained some insight into military affairs. I can just contribute my modest efforts to help you, Elder, handle matters in the Cabinet more smoothly. The Emperor's mood will then be smoother, and my own bandit suppression will be smoother as well. Thus each complements the other — it is both public duty and private matter, and counts as one of my benefits."

Pang Yu's words sounded like honest truth, yet carried an undertone of consideration for Zhou Yanru. Zhou Yanru seemed to find them agreeable and could not help but look up at Pang Yu, his expression visibly warming. Pang Yu bowed and said, "This Latecomer Student has some business of his own on the river — that is purely private. If I handle the duties for the Emperor and you, Elder, well, and the river is free of bandits, I earn more silver. That is my second benefit."

Zhou Yanru let out two hearty laughs, and Zhang Pu smiled along obligingly. That Pang Yu could earn silver for himself — these two had probably long known it. But Pang Yu guessed that they still believed Baishun Hall was the Anqing Battalion's main business, and that the Canal Gang and the like were merely enforcers for Baishun Hall.

The relationship between the parties had, after all, drawn somewhat closer. Zhou Yanru glanced at Zhang Pu, then turned back to Pang Yu. "The matter of establishing the garrison is first agreed upon. Next, the Eastern Invaders. The meaning you conveyed to Tianru, General, is that the key to pacifying Liaoxi lies not beyond the border but within it. A new camp must be established at Xuzhou to prepare for future contingencies — is that correct?"

"If we engage in battle in Liaoxi, even if we gather the full strength of all Nine Borders of our Ming Dynasty, victory is not assured. We must put thought into choosing the battlefield. The Eastern Invaders will certainly breach the border again within two years. To seize enough goods, the only places they can plunder are southern and eastern Shandong, and they may even push straight into Nanzhili, reaching the vicinity of Xuzhou and Huai'an..."

Zhou Yanru interrupted, "Why could the Eastern Invaders not turn at Dezhou toward Qingzhou and Denglai?"

"That route was already ravaged during the Wuqiao Mutiny. In a few years' time, it cannot recover much population or provisions — not enough for the Eastern Invaders to plunder. Even if they took that path, once they reached Dengzhou they would not return the same way. They would have to bypass the mountain region through Yanzhou to seize more provisions and captives, and in the end would still have to go north through Dongchang to return." Pang Yu raised his head to look at Zhou Yanru. "This camp at Xuzhou is a preparation for future contingencies. I need someone I can trust to command this camp."

Zhang Pu and Zhou Yanru exchanged glances. The Eastern Invaders were a greater threat than the Roving Bandits. They were not assessing the necessity of this Xuzhou camp — a camp like this was utterly incomparable to establishing a garrison and hardly worth a Chief Grand Secretary's concern. They were assessing Pang Yu's practical value, determining whether he truly understood military affairs, whether he was genuinely useful.

Pang Yu said composedly, "Both Lu Doutang and Sun Doutang have reputations for understanding military affairs, yet neither could withstand a single blow from the Eastern Invaders. When engaging them, one must carefully choose the time and place. And the moment the Eastern Invaders are most vulnerable is when they have marched thousands of li into the interior and reached the apex of their advance — at that point, deep in the Ming heartland, they face our army waiting at ease for the exhausted foe."

The two exchanged glances again. What Pang Yu said was largely similar to what he had said in front of Yang Sichang, but this time he put forward concrete demands: a camp at Xuzhou, prepared in advance, especially in terms of logistics. Otherwise, it would be like this rally to the king — even in one's own heartland, fighting as if on external lines.

"If this camp is established, can the General defeat the Eastern Invaders' border-incursion army?"

"Do not transfer Anqing troops to fight in the north. Preserve the Northern Border Army as much as possible. Make preparations between Xuzhou and Dongchang. Gather the surrounding Bandit Suppression Pay and provisions at Xuzhou. Once the Eastern Invaders breach the border, appoint this Latecomer Student as Military Commissioner, with command over all troops between Xuzhou and Dongchang."

"A Xuzhou reinforcement or skirmisher camp — that can be done. The Bandit Suppression Pay — that can be done. Military Commissioner — that can be done. The Border Army has always been summoned to the north; when the Eastern Invaders breach the border, they are all urgently needed at the Capital. This old man dares not promise them. And from this incursion, the Border Army seems hardly of much use either. General Pang, best not count on them." Zhou Yanru finished succinctly, then asked, "Does the General have anything else that needs preparing?"

"I need a trustworthy person to command the Tianjin Naval Camp."

Zhou Yanru made a sound of mild surprise. "And why is that?"

"This camp is not something this humble person seeks for himself." Pang Yu raised his head to look at the two men. "The Zhili region has suffered brutal devastation. The Capital hangs isolated in the north. Elder Zhou is coming forth for the sake of all people, shouldering the safety of the realm. Yet the Eastern Invaders are cruel and violent. Should there be an emergency, the sea route is the swiftest and most secure. The various gentlemen of the Donglin, the various society friends of the Restoration Society — they would also have a way of retreat. The Tianjin Naval Camp has its own harbor. It would be useful in a crisis, and useful in ordinary times as well. Should you, Elder, have family letters or local goods to send back south, the sea route is more convenient than the Grand Canal. I cannot trust anyone else to command it; I must use one of Anqing's own naval officers."

Zhou Yanru straightened up. The "family letters and local goods" in Pang Yu's words could naturally be anything. Zhou Yanru's tone grew even gentler. "The General handles matters with thorough Safety. The Tianjin Naval Camp — granted."

Pang Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He now understood the value of a political alliance. This was something he could not have sought from Yang Sichang, because between them there was only official business. Earlier, the matter of establishing the Anqing Garrison had gone nowhere after the Ministry of War Council. At most, Pang Yu could have said he was seeking a future for his subordinates. If he had specifically named the Tianjin Naval Camp, Yang Sichang would have suspected his motives. Establishing a new camp at Xuzhou would also have been time-consuming and laborious, and in the end might not even have succeeded.

Now, with Zhou Yanru agreeing outright, Pang Yu had saved an enormous amount of effort. These were his main requests. Other matters — military pay, the expansion of the silver exchange — were minor by comparison and did not require Zhou Yanru, the Chief Grand Secretary, to handle personally.

And for Zhou Yanru, he at least gained a military backing that could help him govern in the Cabinet, and even a line of retreat in an emergency. Each side took what it needed; each held value for the other.

That the talks had gone so smoothly was also greatly helped by the groundwork laid earlier by Ruan Dacheng and Zhang Pu. Pang Yu felt this trip to Jiaxing had been well worth it. The next step was to join forces and push Zhou Yanru into the Chief Grand Secretary's seat.

Zhou Yanru was probably somewhat tired from the continuous negotiations. He fanned himself vigorously several times, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then gently lifted his teacup. Zhang Pu and Pang Yu immediately took their leave and exited. Zhou Yanru was courteous enough, seeing them all the way out the door before returning.

After walking a dozen paces from the courtyard gate, Zhang Pu stopped. Pang Yu knew he had something to say and stopped as well.

Zhang Pu frowned in thought for a moment, then said, "This old man has a matter here and would like to ask General Pang to help mediate."

Pang Yu hurriedly said, "Please speak, sir."

"Regarding Jizhi... He has expended considerable energy running about and making contacts for this matter, all for the sake of reinstatement. At first, this old man also thought that if there was even the slightest room for maneuver, we must try our utmost. But from what we have learned at court, the Reverse Case is not to be mentioned in the Emperor's presence. It is not that we refuse, nor can we string Jizhi along with empty promises. Elder Zhou shares this view — we must explain clearly to Jizhi soon. It is just that this old man finds it somewhat hard to broach. I thought that since the General and Jizhi are friends despite the age difference, it might be easier for you to speak."

Pang Yu immediately understood that Qian Qianyi had already given up on pleading Ruan Dacheng's case. Perhaps he had traded Ruan Dacheng for some other condition; otherwise Zhang Pu would not be going directly to inform Ruan Dacheng. To think that Ruan Dacheng was waiting there full of joyful hope, and Qian Qianyi, Zhang Pu, and Zhou Yanru were all unwilling to go — if he himself went to speak now, who knew how much ill temper he would run into.

Zhang Pu dared not let Zhou Yanru or Qian Qianyi deliver the news, yet sent Pang Yu instead — still psychologically feeling himself a level above Pang Yu, able to assign him this task. But Pang Yu did not see it that way. In this alliance, he was no longer weaker than any other party.

"The General may put it this way: although Jizhi cannot be reinstated into office, he will not come away empty-handed..."

Not wanting to hear his conditions, Pang Yu directly interrupted, "For over ten years, Ruan Xiansheng has constantly hoped for reinstatement. From the time of the Tongcheng Civil Unrest, this Latecomer Student has received much assistance from him. In this Southern Capital Public Denunciation, I too bear a share of the fault. I fear I would find it even harder to broach the subject. This matter I dare not accept from you, Mr. Tianru."

Zhang Pu had not expected Pang Yu to refuse outright. He narrowed his eyes and studied Pang Yu, then finally shook his head. "In that case, I shall not trouble the General."

At dusk, on the peninsula jutting into the lake, flocks of birds returned to their nests, and birdsong filled the air everywhere.

Ruan Dacheng sat on a stone stool by the bamboo grove, staring blankly at the lake.

Pleasure boats came and went on Yuanhu, no fewer in number than on Mochou Lake. Ruan Dacheng seemed almost petrified, returned to the same state he had been in at the small courtyard by Mochou Lake.

Pang Yu knew that Zhang Pu had already spoken with Ruan Dacheng. Before this, Ruan Dacheng must still have been full of hope. If the Donglin, the Restoration Society, the Eunuch Faction, and the Lone Minister all banded together could not accomplish it, then truly there was no further possibility of his reinstatement.

"At this moment, the talks with Mr. Yushan should be concluded."

Pang Yu nodded silently. Ruan Dacheng said calmly, "Back in the Zhejiang Examination Fraud Case, with that one line 'One morning strides straight up to the blue heavens' — at the time Elder Zhou seized on it relentlessly. Mr. Yushan could not enter the Cabinet and even lost his official post. It was no less than a life-or-death enmity. Yet today they meet here to jointly undertake a great endeavor. The Eunuch Faction of those days now joins the Donglin in a grand alliance."

Ruan Dacheng slowly turned his head to look at Pang Yu. "This is what this old man told you: how others treat you does not depend on who you are, but on whether you are useful to them or not."

Pang Yu said quietly, "What you say is true, sir."

A gleam shone in Ruan Dacheng's eyes, as if longing or perhaps reminiscing. "In those days, the various factions at court — scheming against each other in the morning audience was their own duty, but afterward they would still drink and make merry together. There was no need for life-or-death enmity. That Wei Zhongxian, though — he went too far. Men like Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian — dismiss them from office, strip them of their posts, that would suffice. Why take their lives? It was simply relying on having power and influence, leaving others no room at all. In the end, when his own power was lost, he likewise lost his life."

"All these years, sir, you have been implicated by Wei Yan and have suffered injustice as well."

"This old man's obsession with reinstatement, I fear, ends today." Ruan Dacheng paused a moment, then continued, "Tianru has spoken. On several occasions during Imperial Summons, when the subject of employing those implicated in the eunuch… Reverse Case was raised, the Emperor flew into a thunderous rage. No one at court dares mention it again. Elder Zhou's opinion is that this old man's reinstatement is hopeless. However, he may separately recommend a person of both talent and virtue to serve the court in this old man's stead."

Only then did Pang Yu learn this was the condition. He had not wished to pry — after all, Ruan Dacheng had merely sewn a wedding dress for another, and his mood would not be good. But since Ruan had brought it up himself, Pang Yu could only follow the thread and say, "Then you must have made your recommendation, sir."

Ruan Dacheng stared at the lake water, lost in thought. After a long while, he finally said softly, "I recommended Ma Yaocao."