Chapter 576: Useful

"When Deng Chaoqin proposed going to Shipai to check troop numbers, he definitely knew a large force was stationed there. Today he also said he wants to come to the workshop to inspect the Water Army's equipment, armor, and weapons."

By the shores of Shimen Lake in Anqing, rows upon rows of buildings lined the lakebank, with many pieces of equipment and shipbuilding docks arrayed along the water's edge.

Pang Yu stood beside the nearest dock, where a Scout Boat inside was nearly finished. The docks further back all held Grain Transport Ships. Pang Yu had come today specifically to see the shipyard, to order an additional batch of Scout Boats for the Water Army. Pang Ding followed behind him, reporting as they walked.

The Anqing Workshop had expanded repeatedly, and the Prefectural City could no longer meet its needs. The workshop required the transport of vast quantities of raw materials and finished products, demanding unobstructed waterways, and the shipyard in particular had to connect to the river. Shimen Lake was the most suitable location.

The workshop now occupied nearly all the land around Shimen Lake, with a large number of craftsmen also living in the surrounding area. After the decision to expand the Infantry Firearms Battalion this time, the musket foundry was further enlarged, and the factory zone grew ever more massive.

Pang Yu took a few steps toward the water's edge, crouched down, and looked into the lake. A sheet of ice shards was already visible.

The average annual temperature drop during the Little Ice Age was not that great, but the climate was rather extreme. From Pang Yu's experience over these past few years, summer temperatures had not fallen — they were actually hotter than when he first arrived. Unlike the drought in the north, floods occurred here from time to time. The winter temperature drop was especially pronounced. Last winter, when Pang Yu was in the north rallying to the king, he still received special reports about Anqing's severe winter cold. Last winter, many small bodies of water froze over, and some shallow Fish Ponds froze solid, with the fish sealed inside the ice.

Anqing lies in the Yangtze River basin, where this had never happened before. Moreover, from the Court Gazette and news from traveling merchants everywhere, even places like Guangdong had seen successive heavy snowfalls. Pang Yu could sense a clear trend of climate extremes, and it seemed to be accelerating.

This kind of climate would affect crop growth, further shrinking the common people's living space. For the already turmoil-ridden north in particular, it was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.

Pang Yu shook his hands, flicking off the icy water clinging to them. "Let Deng Chaoqin investigate. The Army Supervisor is supposed to do these things anyway. It'll be easier for him to report back once he's checked. The newly recruited Infantry Firearms Battalion — register them all under the New Courage Battalion and the Anqing Guard."

Pang Ding quickly noted it down. After the previous disastrous defeat at Suizhou, the New Courage Battalion had gone to Macheng to stabilize the situation. Zhang Xianzhong did not move south but turned back toward Henan. The New Courage Battalion was still in the Macheng area.

Because both the Supreme Commander and the Huguang Grand Coordinator had been dismissed, this redeployment did not go through any court military orders — Pang Yu had dispatched them on his own. Huguang was in utter chaos. The New Courage Battalion did not enter any city or town. Macheng reported to the Defense Circuit Intendant, but since neither the Grand Coordinator nor the Supreme Commander above the Defense Circuit Intendant had taken office, they could only send a dispatch bulletin to the Ministry of War. The Ministry of War received countless dispatch bulletins every day; the most important thing was handling matters related to the Roving Bandits. Who had time to bother with Government Troops just passing through?

"Has Deng Chaoqin put forward any explicit conditions yet?"

Pang Ding immediately replied, "Not yet. He probably wants to check the troop numbers and equipment first, probe around various places in Anqing, and see how much leverage he can gather before naming his price."

Pang Yu gave an acknowledging grunt. He had a good sense of this Army Supervisor. For Deng Chaoqin to be sent on external assignment from among the tens of thousands of eunuchs in the imperial palace, he had to be a supremely smooth and worldly figure. The Anqing Battalion's fame had spread far and wide after rallying to the king last year. Deng Chaoqin would not come in and immediately sour relations, much less make an enemy of Pang Yu. Pang Yu had dealt with Deng Chaoqin several times and was quite certain this eunuch could be bargained with — it was only a question of price. How many bargaining chips Deng Chaoqin could gather depended on his own skill.

"What about Zheng Eryang?"

"Yesterday, Zheng Eryang inspected the military registries of the Tongcheng Standard Troops Battalion and the Army Courage Battalion. Mid-month, he will review the New Courage Battalion, the Water Camp, and all Anqing battalions. His Advisor made a point of mentioning the Silver Bank and the Canal Gang — he should be aware of the implications."

Pang Yu was not surprised. Zheng Eryang had previously been the Huaiyang Coastal Defense Circuit, right across from Nanjing. Pang Yu had taken the Restoration Society and gentry route. When the Nanjing Silver Bank opened, Qian Qianyi had been invited to attend, and most of the gentry class knew about it. Later, a Silver Bank and gambling houses were opened in Yangzhou. Zheng Eryang was only separated by a river; he was certainly aware.

As for the Canal Gang, they had caused a huge ruckus in Yangzhou. Even the common people of Yangzhou knew it was the Anqing Tribute Grain Gang. Zheng Eryang, as the Defense Circuit Intendant, was even more aware. That Advisor had not brought these things up just for idle chatter.

Pang Ding continued, "That lead Advisor came to Shimen Lake a few days ago. He inspected the area outside the Marine Battalion's camp gate for a long time, then later went to the workshop. He even tried to enter the workshop itself but was stopped by the gate sentries. He didn't make a scene, just went straight back to the Prefectural City."

"Have Mr. Hou step in. He used to be an Advisor himself — he'll find it easier to deal with these people. Use the Shipping Company's name to provide these Advisors and their attendants with some customary gratuities."

"And the customary gratuity for Zheng Eryang..."

"I will go to Circuit Intendant Zheng myself."

"Young Master, I fear it's not just that Advisor probing around. The hidden sentries inside the Circuit Intendant's Yamen report that Liu Ruozai has visited the yamen twice in recent days. The hidden sentries outside the gate overheard him mention private troops and the Red Barbarians."

Pang Yu frowned. He was actually not worried about the Circuit Intendant or the Army Supervisor. Above the Defense Circuit Intendant there was still the Grand Coordinator. Zhang Guowei currently still needed to rely on the Anqing Battalion and would not come looking for trouble with Pang Yu. But Liu Ruozai was another matter.

When Liu Ruozai had first returned to his hometown, he had been relatively close to the Anqing Battalion, even praising Pang Yu many times during his dealings with Shi Kefa. But recently, after the Anqing Battalion began expanding its forces, Liu Ruozai's attitude had started to shift, becoming especially pronounced lately.

The Military Medic sent by the Anqing Battalion had now been politely declined. Pang Yu was somewhat worried. This Principal Graduate had spent many years at the emperor's side, and emotionally he certainly leaned more toward the court. The stir Pang Yu was creating in Anqing — the English Barbarian mercenaries were particularly sensitive — was naturally not something he wanted the emperor to know about. That Liu Ruozai had specifically sought out Zheng Eryang to mention this matter showed a fairly clear inclination to file an accusation.

There were only a little over a hundred English Barbarian mercenaries. If Zheng Eryang absolutely had to investigate, Pang Yu could still manage to hide that many people in Anqing, though it would be detrimental to the Infantry Firearms Battalion's training.

Private troops, however, were more difficult. Most of the military forces in Anqing at present were not on the military registries. Zuo Liangyu's situation was similar — his force structure was much like the Roving Bandits, consisting of Household Retainers leading Servants, which was why his force was so exceptionally large. Relying on the court's Rations and Pay could not supply such a force, and plundering his stationing areas was far from sufficient. That was why Zuo Liangyu, unlike Pang Yu, could not rely on a base area to solve his logistics. He needed to stay on the move like the Roving Bandits to obtain enough Rations and Pay.

With Pang Yu's recent promotion to Regional Commander, Chen Rulie and Zhuang Chaozheng had been promoted to Deputy General, and the troop quota of the Tongcheng Standard Troops Battalion had increased accordingly. But the quotas for the Army Courage Battalion, New Courage Battalion, and Water Camp had not changed. The massive infrastructure at Shipai could not be concealed.

"Keep eyes on the Circuit Intendant's yamen and the Liu residence. Zheng Eryang wants local peace and quiet — he won't fall out with us and make trouble for himself. But Liu Ruozai has no such concerns. His memorials can be delivered directly to the emperor. Still, someone ultimately has to deliver them. The journey from Anqing to the Capital is long and far — it may not necessarily arrive."

Pang Ding looked up at Pang Yu and said, "But I'm just afraid it will only delay things for a while."

"A while is enough. The Central Plains are already in chaos. Early next year, the Eastern Invaders should be at war again, and by year's end, they'll come for another large-scale border invasion. The court will have no time to bother with us."

"Understood, Young Master." Pang Ding thought for a moment and said, "Speaking of the Liu family, I have something to report in passing. A few days ago, Fang Yizhi went to the Liu residence."

"Fang Yizhi?" Pang Yu had not seen Fang Yizhi for some time. He recalled that Fang Yizhi had fallen ill in Huguang and had already returned to Nanjing to sit for the Provincial Examination. By his reckoning, it was already time for the results to be posted.

"He's back in Anqing? Has his health improved?"

"They say it has improved — he can get around now. He also passed the Provincial Graduate exam this time. Here is the list of those from Anqing who passed the Provincial Examination this year."

Pang Ding finished speaking and took a sheet of Petition Paper from an attendant behind him. Pang Yu took it and leafed through it. Although a Provincial Graduate was considered a remarkable figure among the common people, their status in the political arena was not high. They could not serve as Capital Officials, nor could they hold office in their home province, limiting their prospects for advancement.

For the current Pang Yu, a Presented Scholar produced locally in Anqing barely warranted attention. Provincial Graduates like these were just a matter of routine awareness — seeing if there were any acquaintances.

Apart from Fang Yizhi, there was no one else particularly familiar, except for a man from Taihu County named Lei Yinzuo, whose name seemed to ring a faint bell.

Before the great battle at Susong, bands of brigands had roamed the area around Anqing. The Taihu region had formed Local Militia. It was a job that involved licking blood off a blade, so ordinary commoners were naturally not that enthusiastic. Most were composed of household servants and tenant farmers. Those leading them were, of course, primarily local gentry.

Lei Yinzuo had led Local Militia in defending against the brigands along the mountainous areas of Taihu. Small bands were dispersed; for larger bands, they gave early warning. His name had appeared many times in the Anqing Prefecture's Detailed Reports of merit, so Pang Yu had some impression of the name. He had not expected the man to pass the Provincial Examination this time as well.

Pang Ding continued, "Back then, when he led the Local Militia against the bandits, he was a man who genuinely devoted himself to his duties."

Pang Yu gave a noncommittal smile. Back in his Tongcheng days, he had dealt with many gentry members. There were indeed quite a few who brought real benefit to the countryside, but there were also those single-mindedly focused on opportunism and currying favor, or a mix of both — all types were plentiful. Ruan Dacheng had racked his brains trying to claim merit back then; if not for his Eunuch Faction affiliation, he might well have succeeded. Which type this Lei Yinzuo was remained to be seen.

"Anqing is a relatively easy place to plant eyes and ears. If any of them pass the Presented Scholar exam, the Dark Sentinel Division needs to make plans early."

"The Dark Sentinel Battalion already has plans in place. If any pass the Presented Scholar exam, we'll see where they take up their posts. For now, the primary targets are the Northern Invaders, with the focus on the Capital, Liaodong, and Shandong. Jiang Fan says we won't plant eyes and ears on those posted in the south."

Pang Ding finished and then asked, "So, regarding Fang Yizhi — will Young Master see him or not?"

Pang Yu thought for a moment and said, "What do you think? Should I see him or not?"

"Fang Yizhi has not been in contact with Young Master for a long time. For him to come looking for you now, there must be something urgent. His visit to Liu Ruozai was to beg Liu Ruozai to submit a memorial to the emperor pleading for mercy, to save his father's life. Liu Ruozai refused. So Fang Yizhi most likely wants to save Fang Kongzhao through Young Master."

Pang Yu grunted. Fang Kongzhao had been arrested by the emperor. After rallying to the king, three Grand Coordinators had been executed. Fang Yizhi was certainly anxious, but there were not many options he could pursue.

At present, Anqing had few influential civil officials at court. On the contrary, the Anqing Battalion's fame shook the realm, and the actual status of military men was rapidly rising. If Pang Yu were willing to step forward and intercede, there might be a chance to save him.

"Young Master is a Military Officer — it's not appropriate for you to step forward directly. If you want to help him, you'd have to ask Feng Quan. But right now, Young Master and Feng Quan are collaborating on the major Silver Bank venture, with millions of taels of silver moving back and forth. Owing him a favor here would make it difficult to repay later."

"How much favor is owed doesn't matter. I can accept any cost, as long as I can obtain sufficient returns. Do you think Fang Yizhi is worth helping?"

"Not worth it. Even though Fang Yizhi passed the Provincial Examination, he's still just a Provincial Graduate. He has no value in himself. His value comes from Fang Kongzhao. Fang Kongzhao is in prison. Even if his life can be spared, he will find it very difficult to ever rise again. His uncle, Zhang Bingwen, died in Jinan. The Fang family has lost two high officials within a single year. Young Master need not invest in him."

Pang Yu narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. "Fang Yizhi has no great use. Does Fang Kongzhao have any great use?"

Pang Ding lowered his head and thought for a moment. "Fang Kongzhao understands both officials and gentry. He would always be useful. But how much use — that I do not know."

Pang Yu turned to look in the direction of Shimen Lake. Only after a long while did he say, "Arrange a meeting with Fang Yizhi. And while you're at it, draft an Appointment for yourself — as Deputy Secretary of the Central Army Secretariat."