Chapter 62: Reconciliation

"Reporting to His Honor, it is true that Zhang Ru is a household slave of Zhang Bingcheng, but Zhang Ru was only one of the ringleaders. The rest of the bandits are mostly Green-Skin Ruffians from the surrounding villages. If this is classified as a Slave Revolt, those unaware of the facts will think the rebels all came from the households of the gentry, which seems somewhat inappropriate."

Yang Fangzao sat high in the seat of honor, listening to the opposing opinion of a Xiucai seated below.

His original intent was to classify it as a Slave Revolt, because Ma Shiming's memorial to the throne had put everyone in a very passive position; originally it could have been handled as a private feud among commoners.

But the Emperor and the Cabinet already knew that both sides of the conflict had household slaves, which inevitably involved the gentry, so defining it entirely as a Private Feud would be unsuitable. Defining it as a Slave Revolt, however, could steer the understanding of the incident toward internal strife among household slaves, which would implicate the gentry less, make it easier for the yamen to handle, and allow them to give an account to the Emperor.

Of course, Yang Fangzao did not step forward himself first, but had Zhou County Deputy present the viewpoint. This way, if everyone opposed it, Yang Fangzao would have room to maneuver. As expected, although the gentry did not attack en masse, they were still unwilling to accept it.

Jiang Chen, a Xiucai who had been frequently visiting the yamen recently, also cupped his hands toward Yang Fangzao and said, "This Latecomer Student agrees with what Brother Jiang just said. Of the instigators—Zhang Ru, Zhu Zong, Huang Wending, and Wang Guohua—only Zhang Ru among these four is a household slave. Slave Revolt truly does not match the reality. This Latecomer Student still holds the previous view: the cause of this rebellion lies in the spread of the Rogue Marauders. Since the Roving Bandits crossed south at Mianchi last year, Huguang and Henan have been deeply ravaged, and people's hearts everywhere are restless. It is inevitable that some cunning and treacherous elements take advantage of the chaos to contemplate revolt. The Huang Wending gang should be classified as such, and should be dealt with as rebellion."

Zhou County Deputy, opposed by the assembled gentry, dared not show anger as a minor eighth-rank official. He spoke calmly from below the hall: "Although only one of the ringleaders is a household slave, the number of household slaves among the rioters is not small. On the other side, people like Zheng Lao, Yin Deng, and Wu Bing are all household slaves. It seems to be a conflict between household slaves. Classifying it as a Slave Revolt would implicate none of us."

As soon as these words were spoken, a slight silence fell over the gathering. The gentry seemed to find it acceptable, yet it also felt like a loss of face. After all, everyone here was a household head, and any mention of household slaves always carried an association.

Fang Zhongjia coughed once, drawing all the attention in the hall to himself, and then said in a deep voice, "Even if there are some household slaves, they are merely Coerced Followers. People come in a hundred varieties, and there are always good and bad among them. Among household slaves, there are also good and bad; there is no need to emphasize only those two words 'household slave.'"

The assembled gentry voiced their agreement one after another. They still hoped, as Jiang Chen had said, to classify it as a commoner rebellion. This way, it would not implicate the gentry, and the punishments for the rioters would be harsher, which could vent the anger in their hearts.

"Fang Bazong's words are inappropriate."

Everyone looked over in surprise. The voice had come from the very back of the hall, naturally from Pang Yu, who held the lowest status.

He stepped forward and looked at Fang Zhongjia. "Among those who rebelled, Chen Mace and Zhou Chao are servants of Fang Yingqian's household. Kang Jin and Zheng Chao come from Wu Yingqi's household. Bai Long and Bai Hu come from Ye Can's residence. The households of Xiucai Lou, Xiucai Fang, Xiucai Liu, and Country Squire Zhang all had household slaves participating in the rebellion. On that day, when the bandit faction held their ritual at Wuyin Temple, the Green Verse inscribed on the Copper Cauldron was written out clearly. The household slaves mostly served as the wild geese flying in formation for the chief villains, and were enfeoffed as General of the Front, General of the Rear, General of the Left, General of the Right, and Pioneer. They were clearly key Headmen among the rebel bandits. Fang Bazong insists they were merely Coerced Followers—on what basis does this claim rest?"

Fang Zhongjia was representing the Fang Family. He had been recovering from his injuries these past few days and had not carefully examined the Green Verse on the Copper Cauldron. Relying on his background from an official family, even if Yang Fangzao disagreed, he would not openly rebuke him. He never imagined that Pang Yu, a lowly squad head, would jump out, and was instantly left speechless.

This was the first time Fang Zhongjia had seen Pang Yu since escaping Yunji Temple. When their eyes met, both could feel the deep hostility.

Pang Yu then turned to Jiang Chen. "If it is the spread of Roving Bandits, then why did people like Huang Wending not wait for the Roving Thieves to arrive before rising up? If they were responding to the Roving Bandits, which Ying and which band were they responding to? Why, after forming their stronghold, did they not flee to Henan or Huguang to join them? Since Huang Wending did not raise the banner of the Giant Bandits, nor did he exchange letters with the Roving Bandits, how did Xiucai Jiang confirm that they were responding to the Roving Bandits?"

Jiang Chen's claim about responding to the Roving Bandits was merely his personal speculation, truly without the slightest basis, and could not withstand logical scrutiny. For a moment, he was also powerless to refute it.

Without waiting for Jiang Chen to speak, Pang Yu turned back to Fang Zhongjia—this was his primary target. "When our yamen handles matters, we must speak of evidence and witnesses. The names on that Green Verse are all there, which can naturally prove that the household slaves were not Coerced Followers. Furthermore, when Huang Wending and his group raised their banner at Hu Family Village, they rallied the rioters from the surrounding villages by calling for the killing of Fang Yingqian. The entire city's populace can bear witness. If we do not classify it as a Slave Revolt, this humble one believes that writing the cause as Fang Yingqian would also work. At least the witnesses and evidence are all present, and it can withstand investigation."

Fang Zhongjia glared at Pang Yu with fury. Two Xiucai also loudly rebuked him.

Fang Yingqian was Fang Kongzhao's paternal cousin. Unlike Ye Can and Wu Yingqi, he personally led his household slaves in committing evil. When Huang Wending raised his banner and formed his stronghold, he used the killing of Fang Yingqian to rally the common people, and did not use people like Wu Yingqi or Ye Can as rallying cries. This alone shows this man's unshakable position in Tongcheng as the target of Heavenly Punishment and popular fury.

At this moment, Pang Yu singled out Fang Yingqian, which was naturally aimed at the Fang Family. That night inside Yunji Temple, Pang Yu had left no one alive on the mountain. He had beheaded several of the household retainers at Digang and had nearly killed Fang Zhongjia earlier. Fang Zhongjia naturally bore a grudge against him. Pang Yu had been constantly worried about Fang Zhongjia's retaliation, and even more afraid of the matter of the silver being dragged into the open. That was why he had been detaining Wang Guohua, waiting for a reconciliation with the Fang Family.

But the Fang Family had remained as steady as Mount Tai, making no contact with Pang Yu whatsoever. Naturally, Pang Yu could not take the initiative to approach them either. At this point, whoever spoke first would be at a disadvantage in negotiations. Dragging on like this, Pang Yu had to worry both about Fang Zhongjia's retaliation and about Wang Guohua being exposed, living under immense mental strain all the while.

So now that he had the opportunity, Pang Yu needed to convey sufficient pressure to the Fang Family. Although the gentry had quelled the unrest, this rebellion had dealt a major blow to the gentry class. At this moment, the Tongcheng gentry were actually strong in appearance but weak in substance.

Jiang Zhihuai looked at Pang Yu with puzzlement and said, "Since when can a runner speak in the hall?"

The Tongcheng gentry had their momentum suppressed by Pang Yu's few sentences. Yang Fangzao was quite pleased to see this result. Having Pang Yu step forward to offend people was precisely the role he had instructed Pang Yu to play beforehand, and the timing Pang Yu chose was also very appropriate.

Pang Yu actually did not wish to offend these people. After all, Yang Fangzao was only the Acting Magistrate and would soon leave, but Pang Yu could not leave. He would have to coexist with these gentry in Tongcheng for the long term, and provoking these local magnates brought no benefit.

As a group, the gentry had lost all face this time, especially those who had paid money to buy the Fire-Exemption Flags; they had lost face and prestige before the common people. The common people seemed to realize that both the officials and the gentry were very weak. Now they would mob the gentry residences at the slightest provocation. Two days ago, when Huang Wending's relatives and friends held his funeral, the incident with Clerk Du and the Da Hang's coercion occurred again, and over a thousand people wearing white mourning escorted Huang Wending's funeral procession.

This frightened Yang Fangzao and the gentry into silence, as silent as cicadas in winter. The various gentry families were all preparing to flee at the time. Fortunately, the Fast Squad promptly captured Zheng Lao, providing a channel to vent the public anger, and only then was the situation calmed.

Yang Fangzao extended a finger toward Pang Yu and said to Jiang Zhihuai, "This is Pang Yu, the one who independently exterminated the rebels at Yunji Temple that day, and also the newly appointed Fast Squad Head of the county yamen. Pang Squad Head is diligent in his duties; within a few days of taking office, he captured and brought to justice Zheng Lao, who had been at large for over a month. He is also a man of both civil and martial talent. The Detailed Report being sent to Anqing this time also had Pang Squad Head's participation in its drafting."

Jiang Zhihuai let out an "Oh," and then, with a face full of smiles, cupped his hands toward Pang Yu. A murmur of discussion arose in the hall. Everyone in Tongcheng had heard of Pang Yu in recent days, but some of the gentry had never seen him. Now they were all whispering to each other while carefully sizing up this hero who had quelled the rebellion.

When Fang Zhongjia heard Yang Fangzao say "independently exterminated the rebels at Yunji Temple," a surge of pent-up fury choked his chest. It was clearly he who had led the household retainers to exterminate them. This Runner Pang had used despicable methods—poisoning and shooting arrows—all sneaky, underhanded deeds, and had only picked up a huge bargain at the very end. Thinking of this made him feel even more aggrieved, yet he could not step forward to refute it. He could only turn his head away with an expression of Disdain, pick up his teacup, and gulp down a large mouthful of tea.

Pang Yu bowed toward Yang Fangzao and said, "I thank Your Excellency for your high regard. This humble one will certainly fulfill his duties with utmost diligence and will never betray Your Excellency's trust. I will definitely apprehend Wang Guohua and bring him to justice."

Upon hearing the three words "Wang Guohua," Fang Zhongjia immediately turned his head back, just in time to meet Pang Yu's eyes. Pang Yu gave Fang Zhongjia a very meaningful look, catching a flicker of panic in Fang Zhongjia's eyes.

……

"He mentioned Wang Guohua?" Fang Kongzhao raised his head from behind his writing desk.

Fang Zhongjia nodded. He glanced at the documents and registers on the desk and said, "Elder Brother is compiling the Quanbian Jilüe again."

Fang Kongzhao smiled slightly, but did not answer Fang Zhongjia's words. Instead, he set down his brush and walked outside. Fang Zhongjia hurriedly followed behind. The two of them, one in front and one behind, arrived at the Fang Family garden. By now, there was a hint of autumn in the air. In the garden, green trees surrounded pavilions, terraces, and waterside gazebos. A few withered leaves drifted onto the pond's surface, and the garden seemed slightly bleak.

"Once this matter of quelling the rebellion is settled, your elder brother is thinking of moving the entire family to Nanjing." Fang Kongzhao sat down by the pond, his tone somewhat desolate.

Fang Zhongjia asked in surprise, "Why does Elder Brother want to go to Nanjing? One's native soil is always dearer."

"Huang Wending and Wang Guohua had just over a hundred men, and those who could fight numbered only a few dozen. Yet the entire Anqing Prefecture was helpless, and dozens of prefectures and counties along the river were shaken. Right now, the Roving Bandits are already active in the eastern part of Henan, easily numbering in the tens of thousands. If the Roving Bandits come to Tongcheng, I fear there will be things too terrible to speak of."

Having said this, Fang Kongzhao let out a long, deep breath. "And now, this native soil is not so dear either. When Huang Wending and Wang Guohua were rebelling, no one came to Fengyi Ward to cause trouble. Yet after we helped quell the rebellion, the city's common people have come to mob Fengyi Ward two or three times. It is both laughable and lamentable."

"Those foolish peasants and ignorant women know nothing of right and wrong. Elder Brother need not take it to heart. But regarding what Elder Brother just said—are we to simply ignore the matter of Tongcheng?"

Fang Kongzhao put away his smile, his gaze slowly sharpening. "Naturally not. That Runner Pang, in just a few days unseen, has already become the Fast Squad Head. Though still a menial post, he has also gained the responsibility of drafting the Detailed Report. Now the Patrol Circuit Clerk and the Southern Military Courier Officer have already arrived in Tongcheng. If he hands Wang Guohua over to the yamen, it will no longer be within the jurisdiction of the Tongcheng county yamen. I hear that Wang Gongbi and the Grand Coordinator Aide may also come to Tongcheng at any time. When the time comes, with many people and much gossip, it will likely become even more chaotic. The matter of Wang Guohua should not be delayed any further."

"Then why not simply send the Da Hang to deal with this Runner Pang..."

"Wang Guohua is certainly being held under guard by others. If you kill Runner Pang, Wang Guohua will be handed over to the yamen." Fang Kongzhao shook his head and said, "The fact that Pang Yu brought up Wang Guohua to you at the county yamen means he intends to reconcile with us. Otherwise, he would have handed him over directly and earned a great merit for capturing the Bandit Leader."

Fang Zhongjia was stunned. "He's just a yamen runner. What Virtue or ability does he have to negotiate peace with the Fang Family?"

Fang Kongzhao furrowed his brow. "This Detailed Report is extremely important to me. It would be best if Fang Yingqian is not mentioned in it, yet my name must be written in the section on quelling the rebellion. The realm is in chaos, and what the Emperor lacks most are people who understand military affairs and can quell rebellions. When the time comes to ask He Laoxiansheng for a recommendation, this will be the basis. As for that Wang Guohua, there is no need to say more. Now that Runner Pang is participating in drafting the Detailed Report, and Wang Guohua is perhaps also in his hands, he is naturally qualified to negotiate peace with me."

"Then... how do we negotiate? We can't possibly go begging to him in his Fast Squad Duty Room. He killed several of my household retainers; I will absolutely not go beg him."

Fang Kongzhao looked up and saw a small pond in the corner of the garden, with quite a few salt bags still discarded beside it. He could not help but smile and said, "Whoever speaks first is at a disadvantage. At this moment, it is inconvenient for me to seek him out, and he is also unwilling to seek me. But for a certain other person to invite him here—that would be appropriate."